CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)—An adult kickball league in Cape Coral kicked off its summer season, bringing together players from across Southwest Florida for a night of competition and community.
Opening night for the iKickBallz summer league brought out dozens of players ready to compete at Pelican Baseball Complex. League owner Ryan Caviness says the idea behind the league was never just about winning.
“I was just looking for ways to bring people together, and I figured kickball is one of the best ways to do that,” Caviness said.
What started in 2018 has now grown into leagues across Cape Coral and Naples, attracting players from all backgrounds and experience levels. The league welcomes everyone from families to single players, with ages ranging from the early 20s to as old as 82.
“We have families that come out here, single people that come out here. So we have just about everybody you can imagine,” Caviness said. “One of our oldest players was 82, and our youngest is usually 21, 22.”
For team captain Courtney Kempf, the league started with a simple invite from friends on social media. Now, three years later, she says it’s the relationships that keep her coming back.
“It’s honestly like a little community that you would just never picture,” Kempf said. “Like, it’s a big group of friends, but we’re like family.”
Kempf says the competition on the field is real, but off the field, the league has become a support system. Players hang out on weekends and support each other beyond the game.
“We would do anything for each other, and we all hang out on weekends, and, you know, we can call each other and have each other’s backs,” Kempf said.
Caviness says that sense of connection is exactly what he hoped the league would create. Some of his best friends came from the league, and relationships formed on the field have even led to marriages.
“Some of my best friends I met through kickball here, which is awesome. And then some of the families have started,” Caviness said. “People have gotten married through kickball. It’s honestly been one of my biggest, proudest moments with my business.”
League organizers say registration is open for future seasons, and they hope even more players will join.