The Fourth Annual Defend the Orphans Kickball Tournament

September 21, 2024 - COALING - Nine teams participated in The Fourth Annual Defend the Orphans Kickball Tournament hosted and organized by Coaling Baptist Church on Saturday. Originally k own as "Kicking Baseball", kickball was for many decades considered a children's elementary school game, however, it began growing in popularity in the 1990s among young professionals and adults. So much so that in 1998 the World Adult Kickball Association was founded. With several cities creating kickball leagues for adults and some college campuses offering it as an intramural sport. in the Annual Defend the Orphans Kickball Tournament hosted by Coaling Baptist Church, various groups ranging from Church groups or civic groups can form teams to help raise funds for the Orphans Ministry. A ministry that focuses on helping meet some of the needs of foster children with the DHR (Department of Human Resources),children in the Alabama Baptist Children's Home, and children in the orphanage maintained by their sister Church in the Ukraine. This year's Defend the Orphans Kickball Tournament raised $6,000 USD for the orphans. With some of the main corporate sponsors for the tournament this year including Hamner Construction LLC, the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots, Los Tarascos Mexican Restaurant, and Englebert Construction.

Providing a pleasant slice of small town Americana, the Defend the Orphans Annual Kickball Tournament takes place in the Coaling Ballpark. And while the concession stand offers a variety of eating options, of special note during the kickball tournament is the BBQ homemade by Tommy Self, specifically for the fundraiser.

The winner of this year's Defend the Orphans Kickball Tournament was the team sponsored by Jones Heating and Air Conditioning. With the Baptist Benchwarmers coming in second place.

And the Skyland Baptist team coming in third place. Anybody wishing to participate in next year's tournament or donate to the Orphans Ministry can contact Minister Travis Seagle with the Coaling Baptist Church at (205) 556 2775.

Luisa Reyes is an attorney in Tuscaloosa with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Judson, a master's degree in library science, and a law degree from Samford's Cumberland School of Law. She is also a piano instructor and vocalist.