BA Adult Softball Club looks to the future

For members of the Broken Arrow Adult Softball Club, home plate represents the heart of their community.

Club President Brad Gordon explains that some players are dedicated to softball year-round, participating in spring, summer, and fall seasons. Some even join the holiday "Grinchmas League," which schedules games through Christmas.

According to Gordon, softball builds a strong sense of community among participants.

"We bring people together, forming softball teams in our community to exercise, have fellowship with each other, enjoy the game of softball, and compete," Gordon said.

Broken Arrow Adult Softball Club's players range from 16 to 90.

"You can play at 16 years and over, but most of our players are 18 years and up. I think the oldest player we have in our Seniors' League is in his 90s," Gordon said. "We have a team over there that's all 80-year-olds. I think their coach is 90, and a couple of other players may be in their 90s."

The organization offers slow-pitch softball for adults, coed leagues, seniors, women's leagues, and church leagues.

Last spring, there were 132 teams; in the summer, 147 teams; and this fall, 139 teams are playing on four turf fields at the Challenger Sports Complex and two dirt fields at the Indian Springs Sports Complex. There is also a smaller adaptive field for youth and adults with physical challenges at the Challenger Sports Complex, which features a turf surface.

Gordon expressed appreciation for the Challenger Sports Complex, which was approved by voters and opened in 2021 with funds from the 2014 and 2018 General Obligation Bonds.

He notes that the facilities at Indian Springs are aging and highlights the need to replace the dirt and natural grass on the softball fields with turf.

Gordon believes a transition to turf fields would reduce rainouts and help attract additional teams. He notes that turf surfaces would allow tournaments to proceed regardless of weather, supporting soccer, fastpitch, and softball games throughout the season.

Turf fields could also increase interest from regional and national sports organizations, leading to more tournaments in Broken Arrow. Gordon adds that sports tourism benefits hotels, restaurants, retail businesses, and other local establishments.

Lighting is also an issue at the Indian Springs Sports Complex.

He points out that the current lighting system at Indian Springs is outdated, and upgrading to LED lighting would improve efficiency and reduce utility costs.

Gordon is encouraged by the opportunity for community members to support Proposition 8 of the 2026 General Obligation Bond package, which if approved, will help fund critical improvements to Broken Arrow's sports facilities.

"Proposition 8 will help all of our sports complexes," Gordon said. "There's an enormous number of projects right now on the entire bond, and they're all fantastic, whether it's from our streets, our sewer, our downtown area, the police and fire departments. But we can't let our sports complexes go without needed updates. We've got to keep up with everyone else."

The Build Our Future BA GO Bond, Proposition 8-Sports Facilities, focuses on improvements to the city's public sports facilities. If approved, nearly $2 million will be reinvested to improve the Indian Springs Sports Complex Adult Softball facilities, including:

• Turf conversion for two infields $600,000
• Regrade and sod for two outfields $480,000
• Concession Stand renovations $400,000
• LED lighting system retrofit $300,000

Unlike Propositions 1 through 7, Proposition 8 would impose a temporary 0.5% sales tax increase dedicated to sports facility projects. This means shoppers in Broken Arrow would pay an extra 50 cents for every $100 spent, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. To learn more about the projects and estimated costs of each of the eight propositions, go to BuildOurFutureBAGOBond.org.

Gordon notes that other cities have already installed turf or have plans to do so. He expresses concern that Broken Arrow will fall behind without similar improvements.

"It's important for our youth, it's important for our community, and for our adults to have somewhere to exercise, and have fellowship with their friends and play some ball," Gordon said.

For more information about the Broken Arrow Adult Softball Club, go to challengerssoftball.com.