Father Marco López, CS, parochial administrator of Christ the King and Blessed Sacrament parishes in Kansas City, Kansas, waves his bat towards his cheering section. LEAVEN PHOTO BY TODD HABIGER
One of the most anticipated events of the summer took place at Legends Ballpark in Kansas City, Kansas, on July 31: Pitching for Priests.
Parishioners from Christ the King Parish in Topeka show their support with caricatures of their priests — Father Will Carey, associate pastor, and Father Anthony Ouellette, pastor. LEAVEN PHOTO BY TODD HABIGER
The longstanding series pitting priests from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas against the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph in a softball game drew a record crowd of 4,958 people.
Father Dan Morris, parochial administrator of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka and director of seminarians, bumps fists with his teammates during the pre-game introductions. LEAVEN PHOTO BY TODD HABIGER
Fans from both sides of the state line gathered before the game to tailgate Kansas City-style.
Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, Knights of Columbus, from left, Tim Weingartner, Nick Nicholson and Jim Baldwin, fire up the grill for a tailgating extravaganza. Tailgaters filled the parking lot of Legends Field hours before the first pitch. LEAVEN PHOTO BY TODD HABIGER
The game did not disappoint. The priests showed off their athleticism on the diamond much to the crowd’s delight.
Father Viet Nguyen, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Onaga, St. Bede Parish in Kelly and St. Patrick Parish, Corning, drives the ball over the outfielders for a home run. LEAVEN PHOTO BY TODD HABIGER
In the end, the Kansas side prevailed 23 to 19.
To view more photos and videos from Pitching for Priests, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
