The large crowd of people that gathered at Hobbs Park in East Lawrence on May 23 can now almost be considered a regular sign of spring in Lawrence. Their arrival, as well as the fireworks shows and general feeling of excitement that accompanied them, were all signs that the 2010 Kaw Valley Kickball Season was underway.

Now entering its ninth season, the KVKL has established itself as a major presence in the Lawrence community during the summer months. Starting with eight teams in 2001, the league began as a Sunday afternoon ritual for employees at various downtown businesses. Now the roster has grown to include 30 teams, with an estimated 500 participants playing games at eight different locations throughout the city. KVKL commissioner Nick Lerner attributes the league’s success to more than people’s affinity for a playground game.

“It’s about kickball, but it’s really more about this community we’ve created” Lerner said. “We could be playing lawn darts or some other slightly competitive game, and I think we’d all still have fun. It’s about getting together and seeing the same people over and over again.”

David Hodges, a senior from Topeka, has played for his team, the Screamers, since 2006 and said that kickball was one of his favorite ways to spend the summer.

“It’s an extremely social event. It’s what KU students miss out on when they go away for the summer” he said.

Lerner admits that the league has changed from the original leisurely spirit that it was founded on because the addition of teams raised the level of competition. The increase in the number of players also requires a stronger central organization to keep things running smoothly. He said that the league’s popularity made it necessary to impose changes, such as registration fees for teams, so that it could continue to thrive.

“We couldn’t have game of the week at Hobbs and still be the old league that we were. The rogue league that just showed up at parks and played,” he said.

The KVKL regular season lasts for ten weeks, with games being played on Sundays at either 5:30 or 7:00 p.m., as well as a featured game of the week at 9:00 p.m. The featured game is played later so that a majority of the teams have a chance to fill the stands at Hobbs Park in East Lawrence and watch a good, competitive game of kickball. It is typically a very lively environment and the highlight of the kickball game day with impromptu musical performances, food vendors, fireworks, and even the occasional streaker.

The featured game also brings out many spectators who do not play in the league. Natale Collar, a senior from Kansas City, Kan., said she has attended games for years despite never playing in a game.

“I’ve worked for several businesses that are involved in kickball, and I come because it’s an interesting thing that brings the community together. It’s competitive, but it’s still fun,” she said.

KVKL has also used its growth and popularity to help benefit the community. According to the league website, KVKL, in conjunction with the Mutual Aid Society and KU School of Social Welfare, raised $1,912 to help a four-year-old girl in her battle with cancer. Last year KVKL also donated $1,200 to the Douglas County Dental Clinic, and it has an agreement to donate all aluminum cans collected at games to Cans for the Community, an organization that raises funds for other area non-profit organizations.