Adult kickball is mostly about drinking and puns on the word “ball” (and charity)

Nobody is really sure exactly who invented the game or when, but kickball became American kids’ game of choice sometime around 1940. Who doesn’t recall kicking that big red ball and (hopefully) watching it fly across the dusty schoolyard playground?

However, the game is not just for kids anymore.

For the past 11 years, the World Adult Kickball Association (WAKA) has amassed divisions in all 50 states and tens of thousands of players. In Connecticut, hundreds of players in four divisions are lacing up their sneakers to relive their glory days for the fall season. And because you’re all grown up, kickball has a new twist.

“WAKA is more social than competitive, so the after parties are a huge part of the experience,” says Zak Naldrett, 29, president of the CT-Lightning division, based in Hartford. Naldrett plays on one of the division’s largest teams, the 18-member Abe Lincolns (formerly the Hot Carls), composed mostly of UConn alumni. “Every division has a local bar sponsor, so after each game the entire team heads to the bar to socialize with other players and enjoy great drink specials.”

There’s also the Thomaston-based division, CT-Freedom; New Haven’s CT-Ivy and another Hartford division, CT-Thunder. There are about 30 Connecticut teams, with names like Ball Busters, Kick Tease, Erin Go Brew and Sotally Tober.

“Some people play in divisions in multiple areas that play on different days or times,” explains Naldrett. “There’s a handful of people who played in the Fall CT-Lightning division on Sunday mornings and then drive out to Thomaston to play in the CT-Freedom division.”

WAKA warriors are co-ed and range in age from 21 to 50. All adults are welcome regardless of athletic ability, although some teams are more serious about competition than others.

“Kickball is a great sport because of the people,” says Rickard Darm, 39, who plays with Kickin’ the Balls. “We’ve had a few burgeoning romances this season, though as a company we’ve had many more, including a couple dozen marriages and several kickball babies.”

“It’s not unusual for the whole kickball team to attend the reception rocking their bright colored WAKA shirts,” Naldrett adds.

WAKA has attracted national and regional sponsors including Mikasa Sports, Game Time Travel, Coors Light and Miller Lite.

But WAKA also has a sober side. Each division is encouraged to select a charity (often benefiting kids) to raise funds and awareness for the organization. They also suggest a variety of proven fund-raisers to coincide with games and tournaments, such as silent auctions, bachelor and bachelorette auctions and walk-a-thons. Nationally, WAKA has raised more than $288,000 for various charities.

“We’re serious about kickball,” says Carey Desmarais, 30, team captain of Sotally Tober from the CT-Lightning division. “Even my boyfriend didn’t make the team. My team has been together since fall of ’08 and has, like, 20 players, and we are currently undefeated.”

“We have construction workers, nurses, salesmen, and stay-at-home moms — all trying to re-live their playground glory,” says Darm. “The games have a tendency to get relatively competitive but never out of hand, and by the time we get back to the division bar all is forgiven, and it turns into a night of friendly bantering, trash-talking and drinking games.”

WAKA has an online store where kickballs, sports clothing, beer coolers and other merchandise, including the official kickball rule book, can be purchased.

Over Columbus Day weekend, kickball stars from across the country battled it out in Las Vegas for the XII Founders Cup. Last year, the Frosty Balls from Virginia brought home the top prize. Some local teams took the opportunity to hold tryouts for next year’s games in Vegas.

“We’re about to finish our first season and we will be starting a new season in the early spring,” says Darm. “We currently have about 60 active players, though next year we are hoping for a hundred.”

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