The three teams in the 18-U age group of the Phenix organization treat each other like sisters, with an occasional touch of a sibling rivalry.

John Hamilton, Gary Tanner and Mike Riling all field teams that compete in the 18-U division, but they do their best to provide support not competition.

“So many of the girls are friends and you always want to be cheering for the sister Phenix teams,” Riling said.

The players for Phenix-Riling and Phenix-Tanner will be able to cheer for one another despite being in the same league. The two teams are competing in the Johnson County Parks and Recreations District’s 18-U fast pitch softball league at Mid America West Sports Complex in Shawnee. Although they are in the same league, they will not face one another in league play.

“We can play at Haskell anytime,” Riling said of playing the other 18-U Phenix teams in league play. He said the teams have scrimmaged in the past at fields in Lawrence.

Besides sharing the Phenix name, often the teams are able to share players when game times do not conflict, especially during tournaments. Phenix-Riling, Phenix-Tanner and the 16U Phenix-Fyler team will not have this luxury in their league play this year as all three teams play their doubleheaders at the same time on Wednesday nights at adjacent fields at the Mid America West complex. The 18-U Hamilton team will play doubleheaders in a separate league each Thursday night at the Olathe Girls Softball Association in Olathe.

14-U Phenix-Smith player Kayla Chilcoat, left, talks with 14-U Phenix-Finucane players Bailey Scott, center, and Courtney Kasson between games at Basehor Field of Dreams on Saturday.

Although these teams may not meet in league play, it does not rule out the chance that two Phenix teams will meet in tournament play, something that happened occasionally last summer. Last year Riling faced another Phenix team at the American Softball Association’s State tournament in Wellington. Two Phenix teams also met in the American Fastpitch Association National B tournament last summer too. Last weekend (June 4 and 5) three Phenix teams played in the same tournament at the Field of Dreams complex in Basehor.

“If you have to play another Phenix team, you want it to be for the championship,” Riling said. “You always want to see the team doing well.”

While players on 16-U and 18-U Phenix teams competed for their schools this spring, the younger Phenix teams have also seen their share of playing time. The organization hosted a twenty-three team 10-U, 12-U and 14-U tournament April 9 and 10 and Clinton Lake Softball Complex.

The 20-plus team tournament served as a fundraiser for the Phenix organization as well as a time to unite as an organization. Five of the Phenix teams played in the tournament.

“At one time, I looked around and each field had a Phenix team playing on it,” Harper said.

Jeff Kirkpatrick’s 10U Phenix team took second place in the tournament. After losing all three games in pool play on April 9, the team rallied back to play in the championship game and a second place finish in the tournament.

Even the players not involved came out to help to work and cheer for their namesake. It looks to make a repeat appearance next year.

“We could host as many as 36 teams at Clinton Lake Sports Complex and even branch out to the YSI fields,” Harper said.

Only the younger teams competed because Kansas State High School Activities Association rules restrict players from playing games for other teams during their school sports season. After the high school softball season ended, the action didn’t take a break for many of the girls on 16-U Phenix-Fyler the only Phenix 16U team. Those who had finished their seasons, traveled to Johnson County to play in a tournament immediately following their final games.

There wasn’t a break for Coach Randy Fyler either, who is also the assistant softball coach at Lawrence Free State High School. Free State made it to the KSHSAA 6A softball tournament this year.

Fyler, who started what has become the Phenix organization in the 1980s, represents the history of Phenix softball in Lawrence.

12-U Phenix coach Kristy Asher grew up playing softball in Lawrence and now is an assistant coach at Ottawa University. She is in her second year of coaching one of the two 12-U Phenix teams. Kevin Waite coaches the other. However, some for some coaches, like Scott Smith, who is coaching a Phenix team for the first time, Phenix softball is something new.

The range of age groups and variety of coaches help to contribute to the dynamic experience playing in the Phenix organization offers.

“Its great to have those who have experience to share their experiences with the teams who don’t have as much experience,” Harper said.

The camaraderie associated with the Phenix organization is apparent off the field as well. The organization works together in the off season to raise funds by selling Red Wheel items and trash bags, and hosted a bowling tournament in Lawrence this past year. They also use an end of the season for a picnic for a chance to get together away from the diamond. Harper said they may try to unite to honor Krystal Bateson for the year anniversary of her death later this month.

“We want to get together to remember her,” Harper said. “She is still missed.”

For all of the Phenix teams, the goal of making it to the American Fastpitch Association’s National B tournament is a goal especially because of it’s proximity being in Lawrence again this year.

“It’s always fun to play at home,” Harper said.

Playing in competitive tournaments helps the teams within the Phenix organization to reach the its goal stated in the group’s mission statement. The Phenix’s 25-member board–made up of coaches, a team representative for each team, and members at-large– strive to provide an atmosphere where girls can play at the highest level they can achieve.

“The Phenix organization is becoming a well-known organization,” Becky Harper, the organization’s new president said. Wayne Pearse recently passed the reigns to Harper who will oversee the ten teams in the Phenix organization. Harper’s daughter, Theresa, plays for Jay Rusk’s 14-U Phenix team.

“Our teams are in tournaments all of the time and see a lot of teams,” Harper said. “It brings a lot of attention to the organization and helps people to associate softball with Lawrence.”