Old rivalries and friendships were rekindled, a few competitive itches were scratched, and a good time was had by all as the second season of the Vicksburg Adult Baseball League opened Friday night at Bazinsky Field.

Opening night was delayed one day by rain, but the Angels started the monthlong season on the right foot by beating Watch Is 8-2. Jason Martin-Nez hit a home run for the Angels, Mitchell Beauman had three hits and James Jackson went 2-for-3 with a double, triple and two RBIs.

&#8220This is a blessing. Everybody always thinks about what they can still do when they’re older, and now they have a chance to see,” said the Angels’ Chris Busby.

The first game featured a sample of the wide range of players the league is attracting. The Angels’ starting battery had Busby behind the plate and Beauman on the mound. The duo are assistant baseball coaches for Porters Chapel and St. Aloysius, respectively.

Their teammates included several former high school and college players. Across the diamond, meanwhile, Watch Is also had a few of those. The bulk of its roster, however, was made up of a team that played slow-pitch softball last summer.

&#8220Most of us are ex-ballplayers. We talked about it last year and didn’t get in, and just did it this year,” said Mike Ferguson, a 49-year-old infielder for Watch Is. &#8220I love baseball. I’ve been playing it all my life … It felt great, I ain’t lying. I just wish I could have connected on one, but I walked twice.”

Ferguson’s attitude mirrored that of most of the players. For them, the league is a fix for their craving for competition, or just a way to have fun with friends.

&#8220It’s just a good time. Come out here, have some fun, see our buddies and see how much weight they’ve gained,” joked Alex Frisbee, a former St. Aloysius star who was waiting to play for the Cardinals in the second game of the night.

The league plays its games on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights at Bazinsky Field. The season will continue through Aug. 8, and features eight teams. That’s up from six a year ago, a sign that the league is growing and headed in the right direction, Busby said.

&#8220There weren’t too many kinks last year. And obviously, coming back bigger than it was last year they did a good job with it,” he said. &#8220In five or 10 years we could be playing tournaments statewide. Maybe next year we’ll be able to have scrimmage games with the league over in Jackson and have two divisions.”