Friday night was Weston Green’s first softball game. Mother Kayla set the Randolph 3-month-old facing the diamond at Wiscasset’s Bible Baptist Church as attendees to a community game and cookout talked or practiced and the church finished setting out the salads, cole slaw, chicken and watermelon.

The baby's grandfather, Pastor Rob Green, later led a prayer of thanks for the food and fellowship. He also prayed for the softball game to be safe. The fellowship was the point of the event, free and open to anyone, said Green and Assistant Pastor John West.

The two said it’s not about getting new members for the church or students for the school, Wiscasset Christian Academy. That results sometimes, from the cookout-game events the church has held the last few years, but the church does it to connect with the community. 

Churches all find ways, and softball made sense for BBC because it has the field, they said. More cookout-game nights are planned throughout summer. Dates will be announced on the church sign at the corner of Route 1 and Beechnut Hill Road.

Wiscasset's Rich Casey was a first-time attendee Friday. He played softball for the first time in about a decade. Daughter Farrah, an incoming junior, had her first year at Wiscasset Christian this year.

Casey said, smiling, he hadn't played softball in so long, the last time, the ball was a rock. Over his plate of food, he said he had gotten some of everything and then was going back to see if he missed anything.

Crystal Jones used to play ladies softball in Wiscasset. She no longer plays the game. The Wiscasset woman and other spectators interviewed said they just liked the chance to be together. Many noted they liked it was timed with Father's Day weekend.