Try a little golf, softball for Cabin Fever Days

With only an inch or two of snow on the ground, Jamestown Parks and Recreation hopes to make this year’s Cabin Fever Days a little more active than years past.

Teams can take to the softball diamonds or people can play nine holes of golf — both of course with some winter-time adjustments.

If the weather permits this would be the first time these events happened during Cabin Fever Days in years, said Doug Hogan, Parks and Recreation director.

“People actually wanted to get out and do something, but we’ve ran into some nasty weather the last three years,” Hogan said.

If snow amounts stay minimal, Hogan said one event that could really do well would be the co-ed softball tournament.

“It’s a co-ed tournament using a 16-inch softball, and just played by normal co-ed softball rules,” he said. “It’s not a sanctioned tournament by any means.”

Co-ed teams have as many girls as guys, and play with 10 players on the field for defense — usually with a fourth outfielder.

Hogan has seen this event succeed in the past with all four softball diamonds in use at the Hillcrest Softball Complex.

So far only two teams have signed up, but Hogan said he would like to see about eight.

He said while cold weather may be intimidating, that’s not always the case with winter softball.

Proper attire is just what someone would wear outside any normal day of the winter, only lighter, because people will be moving around on the diamond.

As far as a bat, most teams in the past have purchased an inexpensive aluminum bat and let all the players take turns using it. A wooden rod would work just as well.

“With a 16-inch softball it’s not necessary to use a glove even,” Hogan said. “It’s big enough, and soft enough that you can throw and catch with your hands.”

The cost per team is $60 and the opening pitch will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at McElroy Park. Teams have until Tuesday to register at the Parks and Recreation Office.

Winners get a Cabin Fever Days T-shirt and bragging rights until the season starts this summer.

Also on Saturday golfers will get a chance to hit the snow-covered links.

Hogan tried the same event a few years ago, but with wind and snow up to the knees it wasn’t the most enjoyable experience for golfers.

“We’re hoping that we don’t get too much snow between now and then,” he said.

The rules are simple: It’s a two-person scramble with tennis balls shot into hula hoops, spread out over nine holes.

Teams of two can arrive and play together, or singles can show up and get drawn a partner.

“With cold weather and stuff — if people have some old clubs lying around we’d recommend using those,” Hogan said. “We do have some clubs out at the golf course that could be used, too.”

Players in the past have used a combination of clubs so as not to haul around an entire bag.

Registration starts at noon that Saturday with tee off at 1 p.m. There is no admission cost.

Hogan said the winning team can have bragging rights until Hillcrest is ready to open in the spring.

Still, both events planned will be at the mercy of Mother Nature.

“When you plan an outdoor activity any time throughout the year you’re kind of at the mercy of the weather,” Hogan said. “Let’s try it, maybe we’ll get lucky and not have a ton of snow, maybe the weather will be decent.”

For a full list of Cabin Fever Days activities check the list that accompanies this story.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, recreation