PERRYSBURG, Ohio — For nearly a decade, the Owens Community College baseball team has embraced the spirit of Halloween with an annual intersquad "Costume Game." It's an opportunity to dress up and participate in a unique team bonding experience during the fall season.
The program decided to shake things up this year by challenging the Express softball and women's basketball teams to a game of kickball.
"[This] makes it that much more fun, adds more competition to it with bragging rights," baseball player Dom Carlson said.
The event took place on the campus' softball field, where characters of all shapes and sizes competed.
"Just going to go around and have some fun with the guys," head baseball coach John Parisho said. "Maybe be the all-time pitcher. I'm interested in seeing how they compete, I'm ready to go though."
Everyone certainly looked the part and did their best to play the part.
"No practice, we're just showing and going," Carlson said. "Getting right into it."
Carlson decided to join a few of his teammates by wearing an animal costume.
"Pandas are my favorite bear," Carlson said. "I liked it, the guys liked it and the common theme today is jumpsuits."
Nobody took score, but everyone went home a winner. So much so that Owens Athletics plans to continue the multi-program festivities again next year.
"I feel like it would be very fun to do every year, especially if there's new people," softball player Alivia King said. "Very fun to have team bonding on both sides."
Owens Baseball & Softball are wrapping up their fall seasons as they prepare for the 2025 campaign.
"Just some camaraderie, break up the monotony a little bit," Parisho said. "All of our athletes work hard between study tables and practices. Why not break it up a little bit."