Atlanta’s ‘Team Pink Panties’ Breed Winners Through Sport of Kickball admin Wednesday, August 7, 2013 Game Xclusive, The Game, The Vault Team Pink Panties The world of female sports has expanded over the years to include several unconventional athletic activities. Outside of the WNBA, roller blading and lingerie football significantly increased their fan bases and participation across the U.S. In 2013, there’s another sport that may seem a bit “kiddie”, but has made a big buzz in many cities. In Atlanta, the sport of kickball has become a big ordeal. Kickball leagues/chapters have sprouted up all across the city and the ladies are loving it. To understand the why kickball has become so popular and what’s the sport entails, STACKS Magazine writer Dameon “Ziggy” Daniels linked up with several members of the Lady’s First League’s Team Pink Panties to learn more about the sport. Team Pink Panties (interviewees) Kisha Lewis – McDowell/ Boss Lady Kandisse Tate – First Lady Manager of Operations Tiffany Castillo – Player (Outfielder) Ron Ragland – League Director Ziggy: How long has the league been in existence? Kisha: We have been playing for 2 ½ years, we started as a softball team called Pink Panties and transferred into a kickball league which is now Lady’s First Kickball League…. We decided to go full force and we love it… its exciting and we kick butt! Ziggy: Why did you decide to change from softball to kickball what was the purpose of that? Ron: The purpose of the shift from softball to kickball is the fun and excitement… it’s also a social activity for the women that are involved…. The sport isn’t as hardcore, it involves playing kickball, getting in shape and women can feel good with their family without being beat up because it doesn’t involve as much strain on the body…. Kandisse: My opinion is the Kickball movement started as a way of allowing an all-female league to get in shape, workout and network with a group of positive women for employment, events etc., Women can also make new friendships because for me as I got older it became more of a challenge to create new relationships… Ziggy: What is the selection process for getting into the league and playing on a team? I would assume everybody wants to play and you have to say no sometimes because you it’s still a competition and you play to win…. Kisha: Umm…. I have been open about the selection process for all women short, tall, all shapes and colors…. Of course we do have a few competitive teams that take you through the ringers and other teams even do tryouts… Our team Pink Panties started as a Softball team so we were already established….The other selection process happens during registration…. I try to place interested players with teams that are more suitable to that person’s personality, living area etc., or more accessible…. Ziggy: What do you think some of the challenges have been in developing the league, working to get a buzz and type of notoriety to be as big as your vision? Ron: The biggest challenge has been funding…. Our goal is creating a social activity for people to come out and enjoy themselves…. We are basically getting the word out by connecting to positive causes such as community events, visiting homeless shelters, cancers & diabetes walks…. This is more than a kickball league to us it’s also an opportunity to give back which also allows us to promote health and wellness…. Kisha: Some of the challenges I face starting a kickball league is the competition of everybody wanting to start a league…. Everybody isn’t has passionate as the other person so I always have to think of ways to stay cutting edge, think about registration fees and being innovative…. Ziggy: When I think of sports I think of practices, games and time so what has the adjustment of being away from your family during game and practice days been like? Kandisse: The league is very family oriented…. On practice days if you have children it allows both the child and parent be able to come exercise, play and release the stress of that day…. I consider myself the nannie of the team because all the kids love and play with me but truly we all have each other’s back, a sisterhood and family atmosphere….. Ron: I would like to add that some of the boyfriends and husbands come out and fitness train with the women and also coach…. So I agree with Kandass that it’s a family organization…. Ziggy: We are all familiar with First Lady Michelle Obama’s obesity initiative…. How can you say what you are doing with the league compliments this initiative or even for rising young ladies looking to be a part of something positive….. Kandisse: It goes hand-in-hand in my opinion… Our primary goal is to promote health and wellness and provide a fun and friendly atmosphere for the entire family…. And again It’s a great way to network and make friends…. Kisha: We promote several different organizations…. We have players that are cancer survivors and have other illnesses…. When I initially started the league the primary goal was health and wellness…. I specifically wanted to lose weight, some wanted to look like reality stars and models which are ok reasons but ultimately finding an avenue or activity that we all did in school and still can do…. I don’t do Zumba cause I don’t dance but the one thing I could do and that’s play kickball…. I have ladies from 50 & 60 years old that are still active…. It’s just a beautiful thing! Ziggy: What are some of the things that you look for in players? What if there are women that are interested but feel like they aren’t a good enough or not a fit for kickball but would like to be? Kisha: Our goal in Ladies first Kickball association is everybody is a winner…. I don’t turn anybody down…. We have a great team of coaches and our Director Ron is great with all the ladies in the league…. John Womack is one the best coaches around and his motto is “If you put them on the field I will train them.” All women are welcomed I have women from 90lbs to 300lbs…. We have testimonials on the Ladies first kickball page and FaceBook of weight loss stories… Kandisse: There is a place for everybody in the league playing or not… you can be in the stands and support or take score because everybody doesn’t want to play kickball but there is a place…. We support and encourage everybody especially our LGBT community because we are open and we are a big sisterhood…. We have women that have played and later decided that it may be a bit competitive and have decided to support in other ways…. Ziggy: As a player what has been some of your most satisfying moments being on the team? Tiffany: Just being on the Pink Panties team is satisfying…. I love our leadership, coaches and management…. One thing that our coach has instilled in us is we are all winners regardless if we when or loose and we are ladies of distinction…. Also we win a lot of our games which is really satisfying…. All of the ladies just come together on one accord… Ziggy: Has there ever been a time that you felt that you wanted to throw in the towel with kickball? Tiffany: There have been a few times when I wanted to walk away… Because I am such a real and loyal person and I see things are not moving in the right direction I call it how I see it…. There have been several times I have told Kisha I was finished but she said to me suck it up cause your jersey has already been ordered…. But I have learned such a great lesson on how to deal with several personalities…. I have learned to be flexible and adapt and not to be so vocal all the time… There are so many intelligent but strong minded people on the field…. Ron: Sometimes women bring emotions on the field…. There may be some personal issues going on at home or on the job… But we all have a bond and eventually work through most issues if any… Kandisse: It’s a way of allowing the ladies to have an outlet and people have to learn to work together but the sisterhood allows us to give take… Ziggy: What are some life-long lessons you can take away from kickball and what are some of the most humbling moments? Kisha: Humbling: The best feeling is when 160 women with their families on the field, the support from the community…. Seeing so many teams on the field and see my vision coming alive… Coming from playing on a paved road to opening day was very emotional for me…. Also the prayer that we have incorporated….Life Long Lessons: You can do anything you put your mind too…. I have always wanted to bring people together from having parties or feeding the homeless…. This league is an outlet and even though it has become a part-time job I love it! Kandisse: I’m not sure about a life-long lesson but if there is one thing that I can say is my sister Kisha starting this league is humbling…. Being able to see my sister Kisha grow every year and watching how she sets out to do whatever she puts her mind too…. She and her husband are go getters and have a huge following of supports…. She is a forward thinker and she thought above and beyond to stand out…. Tiffany: Lessons Learned: I met Kisha last year and from day one I looked up to her… I saw this woman execute a vision….. In our previous league there were some challenges and I said to Kisha you should start your own league… She brushed me off in the beginning but here we are…. Kisha is a Boss Lady and its humbling to me to watch her operate as a entrepreneur….There are businesses that I want to start and watching such a strong black woman like Kisha motivates me…. She can take my hand and get started the way she did… That’s made me very humble and her encouragement to continue to press forward…. Ron: Humbling: When Kisha and I got together and decided that we would do a tournament that turned into a league…. A lot of people do this for the wrong reasons but we put the vision first and moved it forward…. Kisha believed in me and that was very humbling… Ziggy: What is the one thing you want to leave with the readers? Kandisse: I would like the readers to know that we are open to anybody who wants to be involved to come out and be a part of the league… We have award ceremonies, dinners, screen on the green… It’s not always kickball it’s about fun and family… Kisha: I want the readers to just give kickball a try… Bring your family out because we support everybody and everybody makes really good connections…. Don’t count us out because we are growing and there is a place for everybody…. Ron: It’s about bringing family and friends together to support each other and health and wellness… It’s a great outlet and inspiration …. Lastly we need more male support. Tiffany: Kickball as a whole is evolving in the city of Atlanta…It’s a very competitive organized sport…. If there is someone out there wanting to change their life-style and health then this is the place… Like Kisha said this sport has a place for everybody… It’s not the same sport from grade school…Everyone is welcome! Ziggy: How can people connect with the League? Kisha: We have a Ladies First phone line at 404-438-4340, email us at ladiesfirstkickballleague@gmail.com or find us on Facebook Ladies First Kickballers…. We do registration throughout the year at different locations but the best way to reach us is on our phone line. Team Photos: Tiffany Castillo/Player (Outfielder) Kisha Tate (Owner) & Kandisse Taylor (Mgr of Operations) Special thanks to Team Pink Panties for the interview!
