An emerging adult sport now takes over Newport's Morton Park and Cardines Field in the spring and fall, where teams of amateur kickballers square off in match-ups reminiscent of the childhood schoolyard variety, but with a heightened level of fun.

More than 230 adults on 11 teams from around Newport County are signed up for the third season of RI Kickball. They came to Morton Park last Saturday, April 21, to play in the league's first slate of Saturday games. Season games are typically held Monday nights.

League co-founder Lindsey Turowski said Saturday's games tie into playoff seeding, whereas the first two seasons' championship games were based on season rankings. She credits the league's success to games held on Mondays, which were strategically chosen for those league members who work in the Newport restaurant industry, not only for those with a night off, but also for local restaurants, like Speakeasy Bar & Grill and O'Briens Pub, to partner with RI Kickball.

A player fee of $30 goes toward league equipment, team shirts, insurance costs for the league and city, field fees for the city, two fully-funded partys during the season and the league trophy.

One thing is clear about RI Kickball, it's growing and becoming more competitive.

Editor's Note: I play for Ball Busters.