By Mike Stechschulte
Special to The Leader
In America, baseball is the national pastime. It’s an avenue for families to get together and share a common interest.
Trips to the ballpark on a Sunday afternoon to watch the Tigers play, hanging out in the backyard playing catch, drinking beverages and eating peanuts and popcorn are some of the more common ways for families to share the memories that come with enjoying what some like to call the greatest game on earth.
Fathers take their sons to the ballpark, who in turn grow up to share the game with their own children, passing on a family legacy and tradition.
But for some people, it goes beyond just a hobby.
Local father and son George and Andre Navarre not only share a common interest for the game, but they also play on the same softball team, along with Andre’s 19-year-old nephew and George’s grandson, Joe Adkisson, for The Oxford Tap on Monday nights.
George and Andre have been playing for a long time, 20 and 13 years respectively, while Joe is playing in his first season with his uncle and grandfather, becoming the first third-generation player for the team.
For George, the eldest of the three at age 61, the family softball team has been a tradition for many years.
‘Andre mostly got the team going, and we just decided to play on the same team,? said George, a longtime Oxford resident. ‘One year my daughters played too. All three kids played, and also my son-in-law, and then they just kinda dropped out and (Andre and I) kept on playing.?
In addition to enjoying their bonding time, the family trio also contributes on the field. Andre is the team’s pitcher and left fielder, Joe plays first base and George is the team’s utility player.
Already, they’ve made some lasting memories.
‘Joe’s inside-the-park home runs a couple times were nice, and I’ve also got a few,? said Andre about the family’s on-field accomplishments.
‘Dad’s also had a couple of game-winning hits that were pretty good’a couple RBIs that won the game for us. So there are quite a few memories that are fun, that kind of stick out. There’s different things that make it worthwhile to play. We certainly enjoy it a lot.?
For their efforts, the family has kept the Oxford Tap in 2nd place in the seven-team league, with playoffs starting next week.
It doesn’t appear that quitting is in the cards anytime soon either, with all three planning on playing again next year. And if three family members on the same team weren’t enough, the Navarres have another quickly rising through the ranks.
‘I even have another nephew who might play next year,? said Andre. ‘He’ll be of age next year so he’ll come out and play hopefully.?
Whatever happens, it’s safe to say baseball will be a family fixture for a long time to come.