Sr. Dominica Effertz, OSM, throws out the first pitch at the opening softball game May 31 for the church league for churches in Spooner and Shell Lake. Coaches Cindy and Dave Blonk, of Spooner, lead a team made of husbands and wives, Catholic school parents and youths. While the regional church league started decades ago, it has been many years since the St. Francis de Sales cluster fielded a team. According to one of the organizers, Jacene Silvis, the team is not expecting to be a contender for the league title; team members were motivated by the opportunity for sport and fellowship in a family-friendly atmosphere. (Submitted photo)