A Perfect Storm

By Justine Reisman
November 9, 2026

Author’s Note: This story is personal. So, in a departure from the usually formal journalistic Mustard Seeds format, here is an ode to a team, from my perspective.

It’s not unusual for a Catholic Softball Group team to hold an end-of-season party celebrating its time together. But I’d be willing to bet most teams aren’t still having annual reunion parties four years later. One of the teams I managed with my husband, Chip, recently did just that. The team was Scholastica’s Storm in the summer of 2022, and the friendships have continued to grow through life changes.

Chip named the team after the story of twin saints Scholastica and Benedict. The siblings, who both founded religious communities, were having their annual visit together when Scholastica sensed that she would soon die. She asked her brother to stay with her until the next day, but he refused due to his rule. But Scholastica prayed that he would stay, and a thunderstorm hit, keeping Benedict at the house overnight.

Like the weather that aided our team’s eponymous saint, the makeup of our team seemed to be a perfect storm. It was a combination of league veterans and newcomers who fit right in. It was competitive, but sportsmanlike and not too serious. This was a group of kind, genuine, fun, and faithful people.

Due to expecting and having our first child during the season, I watched the on-field action from the dugout. (The aforementioned baby made his first CSG appearance at three days old, meaning he met the members of Scholastica's Storm before some of our family!) 

We had a pretty good season. A lot of it is a blur looking back, but there are some memories that stick out. It was cricket player Nipun’s first season of softball and he was already drawing attention by crushing home runs. We had a college softball player, Jordan, on our team. Obviously she was good, but the moment that stood out for me was asking her to pitch in a moment of need, and she did it for the good of the team, even though she would rather not have.

Thomas battled through a shoulder injury, and Lindsay was another trusty glove with him in the outfield. Chip and Nick brought their speed to the outfield and basepaths. Kat often came to the fields straight from lacrosse, and Alicia also added dual-sport athleticism to our games with kick saves in the infield. Meg was the very skilled baby of the team, not even 20 yet. Emily brought great softball smarts, and Sebastian a discerning eye. Ryan held his own in the field and at the plate, especially when he kept his back foot down.

We thought we might make a run in the playoffs with our team’s complementary skills and chemistry. We did win our first game before exiting in the next round.

What we didn’t realize at the time was that the end of that season was just the beginning for Scholastica’s Storm. Soon after the playoffs, Chip and I hosted a team get-together at our apartment’s party room. Almost everyone came, probably the best attendance we have had for a team party. We had a nice time, and eventually everyone left. But that was not all.

I don’t remember how the idea arose, but we decided that because the team clicked so well, we should have a reunion party at our house the following year. It was another great turnout. So we have kept doing it annually. Ryan’s pies, Meg’s caramel bars, and Nick and Emily’s wine were all just bonuses to go with the great company. Sometimes there is a bonfire, other times just a circle of lawn chairs in the yard. Some years we have tried recreating our team photo, leaving space in the correct spots for those who couldn’t make it.

This year we threw together the fourth reunion on short notice without sending out a poll to pick the most available date, and we still got about half the team. We did a hodgepodge group photo including some honorary team members who themselves have been to multiple reunions. Not as official or planned out as the previous parties, but it was wonderful to catch up with those who attended.

Most of Scholastica’s Storm is still playing CSG, or at least still coming to watch sometimes, and many of us have continued building these friendships outside of softball, so the reunions are not the only times most of us see each other. We always enjoy reconnecting with Storm teammates on new teams. When CSG held a winter kittenball tournament, a big portion of our team played that day and stopped to take a photo together. Partial team photos have been taken at weddings, too. In fact, there was even a wedding between one Storm player and a teammate’s sister! (Read more on this below.)

One of the things I love most about Scholastica’s Storm is the feeling of being fellow pilgrims journeying through life. We have been able to celebrate marriages, hear exciting baby news and meet each other’s kids, talk about work and new houses, and pray for each other through serious medical ordeals. To me, this exemplifies what I hoped for when I first signed up for CSG in 2020: Catholic friendships that start on the ball field but go deeper than dugout banter and the postgame handshake line.

Without CSG and without these specific rosters, I am sure I would not have some of these beautiful experiences of friendship (nor would I have my husband and kids, but that’s a tale for another time). I am grateful for meaningful connections made on all the teams I have played on or managed: The Fellowship; Burning Bushes; Faith, Hope, & gLove; Little Flowers; Fruits of Team Spirit; Throw in Peace; Take Up Thy Bats!; Nuns Batted In; Habemus Pop-Up; and especially Scholastica’s Storm.

Teammate Tidbits
Don’t just take my word for it. Here are thoughts from a few other Storm players.

Meg Schreier: “As a new CSGer I didn't know many people so when I went to the VFW after the games I ended up sitting by my manager, Chip, and a teammate named Thomas a few times. I knew Thomas went to the church I grew up at but other than that he was extremely quiet. Chip could get him to talk though. After a few times actually hearing Thomas speak (and knowing he was good enough at softball to fit in with my family) I started thinking he'd be great for my sister Rita. It took another six months before they actually started dating but I do take credit for making her notice how cool he is. If Thomas hadn't been placed on my team I would not have gotten to know him and convinced Rita to date him. They are now married and expecting their first baby, thanks to me. Just kidding—thanks to this team.”

Lindsay Seeman: “My favorite memories are the team gatherings at Chip and Justine’s house. Also knowing when my team played each week. Last is the support we had for each other when playing softball.”

This story is part of a series called Mustard Seeds. This occasional series will highlight some of the fruits that have come from the small mustard seed of participation in Catholic Softball Group. If you have an idea for a future story, please contact Justine Reisman at justine.reisman@gmail.com.