Jersey Club Sports Teams Bring Back Gym Class Favorites

When was the last time you played kickball? If you answered “middle school,” then you are just as experienced as The Flames, a team of kickball players from the Princeton and Lawrenceville area. This group of friends and coworkers signed up to play through Jersey Club Sports and have been outside enjoying the game for the past few weeks.

“This is my first time playing since 8th grade,” admits team member Tim Corcoran. Despite it being years since his last game, Corcoran helped his team win five of the six games they've had this summer, including Thursday night's victory over another Central Jersey team.

It's easy to get right back into the groove from your gym class glory days. But the games are fun, even for first timers. “All you need to know are the rules of baseball,” said co-captain Colleen Corcoran.

Jersey Club Sports, founded two years ago by Deb Nexon, provides an opportunity for those 21 and over to play co-ed sports while meeting new people and having fun.

Everyone comes to be social and to get off the couch, says Mike Tedesco, who organized the Princeton teams. “It's competitive, but still fun,” he says.

It doesn't matter if you join a team as an individual or make your own. “Everyone gets to know everyone,” says Tedesco.

This is the first year the club has expanded into Princeton.

Signing up for a team affords you other bonuses besides exercise and a good time. After the games, the players meet up at The Ivy Inn or The Princeton Sports Bar and Grill, both of which are sponsors for the games, where they get team discounts on drinks and appetizers.

The games, which are offered year round, continue into the fall with kickball, volleyball, soccer, dodge ball and flag football. Those interested can sign up to play via the club's website, www.JerseyClubSports.com.

The Flames hope to win their playoff game this Thursday. Their record of 5 wins, zero losses, and one tie show signs of a competitive team that won't back down. And after this week's game, with a score of 8-0, they are confident that a win is the most likely outcome.