For members of Penn Rec’s softball league, when the workday ends, the fun begins at Penn Park.

Comprised of nearly 400 staff and faculty, along with a few students, the teams participate in friendly but competitive games from May to July.

“Once we’re on the field, we’re all cheering and yelling, hooting, and hollering,” says Patricia Miller, senior associate director in Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) and captain of the DAR Bucks.

The skill levels of the players range from novices to people who have been playing for decades, but regardless of a team member’s experience, everyone gets a chance to play.

“We try to win, but the more important thing is getting out there and knocking the ball around,” says Adam Sherr, director of student registration and information at the School of Nursing and captain of the Home RNs.

In addition to the Home RNs—a play on home runs—many of the 25 teams have witty names that reflect their department or school. The Penn Medicine Orthopaedics’ team is known as the Bone Crushers.

For teams that are made up of mostly co-workers, it’s a chance to interact in a fun way outside of the office.

“It’s really an opportunity for community-building in a way that doesn’t revolve around the office mission,” says Troy Majnerick, associate director in the Office of New Student Orientation and Academic Initiatives and captain of the Day Drinkers. “It’s a really good opportunity to get to know people on a different level.”

Likewise, for teams comprised of people from a variety of departments or schools, it’s a chance to make new friends.

“It’s a great way to meet individuals in other parts of the University to connect and develop a relationship with them,” says Kevin Thurwanger, assistant director of external relations in the Business Services Division and a player on the Day Drinkers team.

The season will wind down in July with an all-star game and home run derby, a barbecue, and a championship series.

Penn students, faculty, staff, and friends are welcome to attend the games at Penn Park. Games are played from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

For information about Penn Rec’s softball league and other club sports, visit the Penn Rec website.