MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA — Sometimes, bringing a community together starts with something as simple as a kickball.

That's exactly what happened when Roslynn Thomas decided to bring back the old-school kickball games she remembered from childhood.

What began as a vision has grown into a community gathering where families, friends, local businesses, and even complete strangers come together for a little friendly competition and a whole lot of fun.

The first gathering attracted an estimated 150 to 200 people, according to Roslynn, and attendance doubled at the next event.

But there's much more to this story than the games themselves.

Roslynn shared the journey behind Old School Kickball with Muskogee Community Buzz. Rather than tell her story for her, we're letting her tell it in her own words.

THE STORY BEHIND OLD SCHOOL KICKBALL — By Roslynn Thomas — Event Organizer

First of all, glory be to God. The old-school kickball was a vision that only He can make happen because it came from Him. I can’t take any credit. All I did was birth the vision into action.

I wanted to do something positive for our community. I prayed, and I was given Old School Kickball. Nothing like the kickball played today, but kickball I played as a kid. I can remember young and old alike loving kickball.

I took it to Derrick Reed first before I took it to anyone because the vision God gave me showed me Hatbox fields. I knew if anyone could fight for them for me, it would be him. I told my Bishop Aundrea Jones, who simply agreed Muskogee needed UNITY.

I gave my proposal to Derrick Reed to take to the city, which he did. But right after the proposal was given, Derrick ran into trouble with the city of Muskogee. This is when the kickball went to the back burner while he fought for his innocence, and we backed him.

Once Derrick's situation was over, we quickly went back to action on making sure we could have something positive for the community.

Derrick Reed set up the meeting with me and the City Manager, and at this time, since time had passed since I submitted my proposal, I took the advice of my Bishop and asked for Rooney Field. The City Manager approved Rooney Field and got Mr. Ewing involved. Mr. Ewing runs Hatbox.

On our second meeting, I was told they were able to put up the backstops, and they would be able to get the things we needed to get the fields up and going. When it came to turning on the lights at Rooney Field, it was way too expensive to have them running.

The City Manager, along with Derrick Reed, Mr. Ewing, and Mayor Ryan Lowe, got together and made sure the Old School Kickball would come together. With Mayor Lowe stepping in, we were able to get the original vision of God's plan. More parking, better fields, and awesome lighting.

I knew the whole time it was going to work, and I knew the favor of God was going to move on my behalf.

From there, Old School Kickball started. We had to make this exactly like the vision.

I called Cedric Johnson, better known as DJ 12 Gauge, and asked if he would like to DJ. Without any hesitation, he said yes. Then I called Darryl Brown and asked if he would referee, and he said yes. Finally, I asked my sister Remonica Thomas to referee, and she said, “No,” and it then became a yes. 😂

Then I called my daughter MyAngel Thomas because I knew she would run the fields, keeping the games moving.

From there, Old Agency Baptist Church did what we do best. WORK. My Pastor always says, “How do you spell Ministry?” And the answer is WORK.

We began making posts. One of the first teams from a business to reply was Metal Fabrication. Before we knew it, TFatts The Barber said he was putting the best team together. Social media did what social media did and spread the word.

The first week we had around 150 to 200 people in attendance. This week we had double. Adding several more teams and another business, All Clean Restoration.

I love it. You have team building going on. You have family building teams. You have complete strangers on teams.

Most of all, you have a community coming together for some good old-school kickball. Some good old laughs and the best of all, some good community fellowship.

I give God all the Glory.

— Roslynn Thomas

A FEW WORDS FROM KELVIN BROWN

The event was great for all who participated. There may have been one or two small glitches. But hey, it was the first event!

Glitches aside, everyone had a great time, from toddlers to seniors.

I was able to capture over 700 pictures and lots of video. I've included thumbnails of several pictures here to give you a little taste of the fun.

I'll post links to the pictures and video at a later time, as I have time to review and edit everything.

As you read in Roslynn's story, there has already been a second game, and weather permitting, another one is already on the schedule.

NOW, ON TO A LESSON...

I've covered hundreds of local events over the years, and yet I still hear people say, "There's nothing to do in Muskogee."

Well, here's someone who looked past "nothing to do."

She had a thought, a vision and a plan. Then she took action.

And she made it happen!

Roslynn is quick to give God the glory and not take the credit herself. But let's ignore her on that one, just this once.

Let's give credit where credit is due.

Thank you, and congratulations to Roslynn Thomas, for showing us how to make it happen!

Click here to congratulate Roslynn Thomas on Facebook! — https://www.facebook.com/roslynn.thomas.9

Kelvin Brown — Three Forks Media / Muskogee Community Buzz

Photography and video: Kelvin Brown / Three Forks Media

Photo gallery: A selection of photographs from Old School Kickball. Additional photographs and videos will be shared as they are reviewed and edited.

See the Old School Kickball photographs!

View the photo gallery on Muskogee Community Calendar:

https://muskogeecommunitycalendar.net/old-school-kickball-photo-gallery/

Additional photos and videos will be shared as they are prepared.