In Central Park, within easy walking distance from Columbus Circle, is a famous ball field created for the American game of softball, a version of baseball played on a smaller field, with a bigger ball. On it are five carefully interwoven ‘diamonds’, the word used to describe the shape made by the configuration of the bases set on the green, from the spectators’ view, as a square en pointe. In this case the home bases are strewn to the farthest reaches of the field, forcing the distant outfielders to play face to face, but in separate games.

It makes for amusing fun, as I experienced when I played in the Broadway Show League, long ago. As an outfielder, I found myself standing face to face with a player from a different match. Positioned that way, we could offer each other helpful hints and it made for great camaraderie. I played for different shows including the musical Annie, and Ensemble Studio Theater. In that league, the singer Meat Loaf had a team; he pitched, as he was too heavy to do much else.

The tradition of shows’ workers (actors and stagehands) mounting teams to play one another continues on Thursday afternoons, when there is usually three games per diamond (11:30, 1:30 and 3:30pm). On other days other leagues play including one featuring television workers and public personalities.

When Broadway theaters reopen, the league will resume. Status of the Show League can be checked here.

Celebrities and stars may be seen.