Oh man...1982, that was our year! If I only had a working time machine to back - I'd take (All-Church) state.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I remember as a kid attending the All-Church tournaments, and specifically the Edgehill wards. My dad coached a team that played against them. Great times!

As a kid growing up in Southern California the competition was intense, and lots of bad feelings resulted from over zealous play. Nevertheless, I would never have played (both basketball and softball) had it not been for the tournaments. We were always proud when a stake team made it through the regionals to the all-church tournament.

The one-day tournaments we often see in the Church now can't even begin to compare with the "seasons" of games and league (Stake) competition. And for us, there was always the hope for the "sportsmanship" trophy (usually awarded to the worst team!)

Ah, the memories...

Growing up in Indiana and LDS, I always heard a lot about this chruchwide tourney, and having participated a lot in ward basketball, I wished we could have gone beyond Indianapolis in our church or regional games...

Our gyms are holy, in my opinion. One reason why I can make it on the basktball court at age 37 and also particpate in military exercises with no total breakdown of my body...Basketball, and church basketball is a staple of my life.

I look forward to playing it until I am at least 60. And I would encourage others to do so, too.

Two thousand years from now archeologists will unearth this community. The will find worship centers every mile or so and, playing by the standard rules of their profession, they will seek to understand the core essence of the religion represented by the centers. They will inquire into what is the largest room in the structures, what is the most central room in the structures, what room has a floor and decorative standards covered with the Jungian archetypal symbols of the square and the circle—even circles set at right angels to squares! “This,” they will say, “is the starting point if you want to understand the core essence of these religious people”.

Until the play got too physical and the sportsmanship dried up, the tournament was wonderful.

There were actually times in Utah when young men faced a real dilemma about whether to play for the ward or play for the high school, since the state said you couldn't play for both.

The rivalries were intense, the games were great fun, the camaraderie was wonderful.

It sure beat Boy Scouts.

The church has never been the same since the demise of organized church basketball. It's too bad that we can't turn the pages of history back to those "good ole days". A majority of the youth today don't even play basketball. Our youth would rather play dodge or what we call "butt" ball. Perhaps the church should sponsor an all-church "butt" ball tournament or better yet, a "texting" tournament. That's something the youth of this generation(both young men and young women) could really embrace.

Though I wasn't around for the prime of these tournaments, I am sad that they are gone. I'm sure that behavior unbecoming the setting contributed to their demise, but I can remember there being regional basketball, softball, and wrestling tournaments which were some of my earliest exposures to that kind of team competition. These big tourneys sound fun. Given that central church resources are probably better expended elsewhere, I wonder what it would take on a grass roots level to make something like this happen again?

I know the church is huge today compared to those years, but we could very well have this same competition today. Just make it regional like the NCAA is. The championship is not what counts, it's the activity in the Stakes and Wards that does. I believe it should be worthy of consideration. You know it wasn't only M-Men, we also had a Jr. M-Men program that was excellent. The physical activity would be a good thing today for sure. People are obese today for a reason, no physical activity, and too much to eat. I also believe very strongly that people today are in worse physical shape, than ever before in history.

I joined the church in 1969 while in high school and one of the greatest blessings in my life was participating in church basketball, even before I was baptized. I don't recall any restrictions in CA on playing both church ball and HS basketball, because I did both. The friendships that I made while playing were instrumental in my continuing to investigate the church and ultimately being baptized. Without church basketball, I very easily could have lost inerest.

I remember hearing my uncle speak about the All-Church fastpitch tournaments and how the Mesa 8th Ward was a regular in those tournaments. He recalled how George Stapley was a man amongst boys with his pitching ability.

Thankfully AZ still has a vibrant B-Ball and Softball tournaments that the youth are still able to participate in.

Winning the Area tournament in Prescott 3 out of the 5 years I played Jr ball and the last 2 back to back are memories I still look upon with fondness.

Utah's activity in this area stinks! There aren't any ballfields to even play on and the one day tourneys are stupid and boring.

I agree with exBishop...let's have a texting tournament....not really, but that's the extent of many kids activity these days...pathetic.

Our teams from West Arcadia Ward in So. Calif went to 5 softball all-church tournaments and 4 in basketball. Strange that someone mentioned '62. That was our best year. We hd the championship game in hand until a small guard from Centerville 3rd ward hit 8 what would be 3-pointers today in a row. We lost, but those tournaments provided me with some of the best memories of my young life. I finally played on a championship team. Out BYU 43rd ward won the college tournament in 1967. I wish they were still played, but realize that it is almost impossible.

When I was playing ward ball, I remember an adult leader who always had a kind word for me. Did Paul become a Judge?

The only time I have ever been physically assaulted was after a particularly brutal stake basketball game in the Bluffdale Stake back in the late nineties. Ah, the memories. BB2!

North Ogden First Ward softball ruled in the 80's. That was when things began to wind down for church ball but the comraderie and ward pride was great. We had teams that would play with or over any of the organized rec teams then. I still think about leaders fondly when I play ball with my kids.

Gary Coleman! No need for church basketball.

Our Ward softball team from Livermore CA went to the softball all-church tournament in 1969. My brother and I both played baseball at BYU and we had a guy who had played baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a big guy who could really crush the ball. Back then we played fast pitch and there were some great athletes on the teams. These days anyone can play the slow pitch game. It was a fun time. Thanks for the memories.

Our ward in Illinois played in Stake and Regional tournaments. The Stake Tournaments were always a very physical battle, but we always walked away friends after the games, which was the point of having these tourneys over the years. Our Regional tournaments were true regional with teams from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri

It was a waste of time and catered to elitist attitudes, poor sportsmanship and a missionary effort that failed due to the emphasis on sports over the Gospel.
Glad it is no longer part of LDS practice.

Back in the late '70s thru mid-1980's church athletics was a good way for us Oregonians to connect with the members outside of our regular geographic area. As a convert, it helped me feel part of something larger than the little ward in Newberg, OR.

It was competitive! We always got shot down at the area tournament by some "Corn Fed" Junior team from Corvallis! They were always a Priest-only team while, we looked like a raggamuffin group from the sticks. I remember my runt little brother(5'4", 105lbs.) standing his ground at home plate as a huge priest from Corvallis came barreling down the baseline toward home. A real David v. Goliath situation. The bigger boy bloodied and bruised my brother but, we got the tag- The only score we stopped all day! That play made the whole trip worthwhile! Good Times!

I miss the old days of church ball. My young mens' team my junior and senior year was awesome. we averaged over 100 pts a game and in exhibition games versus the stake men's championship ward team we routinely beat them up until they refused to play us anymore. We used to practice during the week with our ward men's team but they got tired of the 30-40 pt defeats.
We never travelled down to Utah for the All-Church championships but we did have a region tournament for the state of Alaska and teams used to travel the several hundred miles to the stake center in Anchorage for the tournament. The stake budgeted for local basketball officials (the same ones that did the high school adn college games) to ref all the games, they rented a local junior high gym that could be sectioned off so they could play several games at a time and each ward had real uniforms with the ward's name on the front. Families came out to watch and support. It was an event.
Now, only the youth play and it's w/o uniforms or trained refs. It's sad to see what was and now is.

I played church ball in my ward in PG when I lived in Utah until 2005. I used to love to play- games were always aggressive battles, but all the while games that sustained friendships, interward friendships. I can always remember playing games and getting into tussles with the other team's center and then seeing him on Sunday at church doing some aaronic priesthood duty while I was doing the same; its safe to say that tussles were always forgotten and while the aggressive battles always remained, they were never more than good physical fun.

Darrel Harper would love this story. I used to home teach with him when I was about 16 (he was in his late 70's). At times when families would miss appointments he would take me to the Purple Turtle (famous in PG) to get a good ol' milkshake (try the grasshopper). He would tell me stories about his championship in the all-church, and while I never understood its significance to the LDS community until now, I undoubtedly understood its significance to him.

Even tired from the days practice and school I loved those stories, I hope he gets hold of this story.

One of the greatest experiences of my life was playing in the all church softball tournament for Oakley Idaho, 1965. During the summer months I spent the time away from home (California)hauling hay. I will never forget the wonderful people of Oakley. And, the athletic programs of the church kept me active, as a young boy growing up in Hayward, California in the 60s. I wish we could bring it back for the young people today. Yes, it did get intense at times, but we also introduced the gospel to many. Thanks for bringing back such wonderful memories.

I will miss those games forever. I played for the Monument Park 4th Ward, and now the name of the ward isn't even the same. We had great coaches and players. Our ward house on Saturdays was filled with players from all over the area playing basketball until we dropped. The All Church Tournament was great and we had a good deal of success in it. In my life, that is the one thing that I wish I could go back and relive again. For those that where part of it they understand. For those who didn't, you have no way of knowing the bonds that where formed that have lasted ever since. Thanks for the article.

My most treasured memories of my youth were my trips to the All Church
softball tournament from the Colonial Hills 2nd Ward. I played in the
All Church tournament from 1957-1960 in the Junior division. In 1966,
I played in the Sr. fast pitch division with the University 8th ward. It broke
my heart when the church moved away from the All-Church tournaments in fast pitch softball and basketball. I met many wonderful people from Nevada, California, Idaho and throughout the Utah valley. Some of the greatest fast ball pitchers in the history of the sport competed in Salt Lake (Eddie Klecker from Long Beach 1st ward, the Stapley brothers from Mesa 8th, and DIck Milne from Monument Park 5th ward). Thanks for the story and the memories.

I grew up in Bountiful and recall the intense rivalry between our ward and the neighboring ward in Val Verda. The ward boundaries were side by side so it made it interesting, especially when boundaries changed, often times it was friend vs friend. Here in AZ we had a stake tournament and the feeling was the same at age 41 as it was when I was in my teens. There is always the few guys who are hot headed and arguing with the refs, causing some games to be canceled and creating sportmanship issues--that has been my impression why the Church has cut back. Basketball brings out another side of people we don't see in Sacrament meeting. I also like the comment from the ex Bishop about today having a text competition or perhpas we need a basketball game via a video game, sitting down and moving fingers around--perhaps that could get many of the youth interested.

President Hinckley gave me a chance to play in the tournament by extending my mission call three months. We won the consolation championship. A great memory for me. Bruce Burton's team won the championship from California. Bruce got a full ride to the Y from that tournment as I understand it. He became a very good player for the Y. Thanks for memories.

Those tournaments certainly played a role in the day when there were less community activities available. I am grateful, however, that tithing resources can now be used to greater effect on the spiritual focus of the Church.

Yes those were the memories of our youth, from Lincoln ward in 65 and 66 to Edgehill in the late 69 - 70's. With a knee replacement as a reminder and a gimp in the other leg, I don't think I would give up one game of that wonderful experience if it promised to forstall those needed repairs! I just feel badly that the recent generation has to find their sports in the rec centers and community centers, and miss out on what to me, was an invaluable memory of my youth that was rooted in the gospel. Where all talents were viewed as important to develop, even Athletic ones, in the right context of course!

We didn't play fast pitch, but I started church ball slow pitch in the Weiser Idaho Stake as a small 12 year old. I was told to go up to the diamond and crouch and not swing, I walked. I remember the older guys that would leave soon for their missions. I remember how happy I was to see them return. Great relationships do not happen now between 12 year old and 18-19 year old kids (maybe it is a good thing now). Great memories. In Basketball I played on teams for several years when we were the young small team, finally when our group got to be juniors and seniors in HS, we were finally competitive. We used to travel to Letha (very small LDS community) to play BB at their ward Gym. Talk about "home cooking", the whole town came out to watch and they had a concession booth. They had a tile floor that still had that slippery dance powder residue on it and the water in the drinking fountain had sulfer taste! Good Times! Thanks for the article.

My grandfather passed away a couple months ago at the age of 81. One of his prized possessions he gave me about 10 years ago was his championship medal from church all-state basketball. He played high school basketball for a couple years, but his trophies from state championships didn't mean as much to him as the church all-state medal did.

I wish church ball didn't have all the negatives it does now, cuz I would love to see it be a more widespread and organized program to teach the kids about sportsmanship and let the old guys have a little more incentive to keep in shape!!

My father, a former BYU football player, coached AllChurch teams from our ward in BB and baseball for years because he was the priests quorum advisor. These were fabulous energy-filled sports events that involved and blessed thousands of young men and their families and friends. My sister and I would cook mountains of food during the tournaments for breakfasts and dinners for different teams, many of them from out of state. Feeding 30 teenage boys a day during the tournaments was standard.

One year my family met up with a team from Sacramento whose coach had a sister in our neighborhood. They came to SLC for the baseball finals for six or seven years and we made posters, banners, cheered, and cooked for them a lot. My sister fell in love with the coach's son and married him when he came home from his mission. How many people are there who can say their marriages started with AllChurch ball?

I remember well the intense competition in the Bensen Stake between the Lewiston 2nd Ward and the Lewiston 3rd Ward for the opportunity to go to region and then to the All-Church tournament in fast pitch softball. 2nd Ward pitching prevailed. I remember racing to get the Saturday and Sunday papers to find out how their team did in the tournament. Part of our motivation was that to go to All Church, the team had to have uniforms. Lots of days spent hauling hay, milking cows, then off to play softball in Lewiston or Richmond or Trenton. It was an idyllic upbringing that I wouldn't trade for anything. While the Church outgrew the tournament, it seems that, in many ways, it also outgrew the experiences provided. A great loss, in my opinion.

We enjoyed great success over the years with church basketball. In the late 80s we won the Area tournament twice and then when it was done away with, we won the Region tournament but couldn't go any farther.

One bitter memory though that still haunts me, as a 14 year old we had a great team that had never even come close to losing. In our first game of the Region tournament, we were informed that because our shorts didn't match we would have to forfeit the game which put us out of the tournament. A parent arrived late with our matching shorts and the opposing team was given the option of playing or winning by forfeit. They gleefully chose the win by forfeit and we went home disappointed. What leader encouraged that decision. I would love to connect with someone involved in that decision via this forum. It still hurts. I have never since seen a church team with matching shorts. It was a rule that year but a bad decision by the adult leaders in charge.

Following a church basketball game in Boise Valley, both the winning and losing teams shared the same shower room. Emotions had run high. Someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to receive a sucker punch in the mouth. My lips and gums were lacerated. One tooth died and turned gray. The unfortunate perpetrator's hand was badly broken, and he wore a cast on it for months afterward. A twisted, deformed knuckle was his permanent reminder. How I loved church ball! Not!

When I was 16 in 1967, our Long Beach 8th ward youth slow pitch team made it to all church, and we won the consolation round. Great memories! I hated basketball though--I'd play during the regular season, but just as the playoffs would start the high school season ended and the really good players would join the team. After that, it was mostly bench time...

It was great to see all the picnic baskets, basketballs, bicycles, beer, shrubbery, clouds, pollution, noise, children, and hotdogs there.

Sports in the church is a program like YM, YW, or scouts. Some stakes have canceled the sports program altogether which is sad. A sports program, when run properly can touch the hearts of people that other programs wouldn't. Many lives have been enhanced and the gospel introduced by way of the sports program. There is a fine line between competitiveness and brotherhood and it's a shame that many leaders let the programs get off track. It's all about leadership - my current stake has an excellent program and it's enjoyable to play softball, volleyball and basketball with other people.

Logan 8th ward from Cache Valley narrowly lost in the All-Church Jr. M-Men semifinals in 1963, taking 3rd place the next day, bettering its All-Church consolation title from the year before. That year,1962, Logan High's hoops coach cut three 8th ward players at the Xmas break so they could play together on their ward team and maybe get to the All-Church tourney. They did, as noted, and unfortunately for Logan High, it was the only year in Coach Hap Holmstead's career thru the 50's to mid 60's that his Grizzlies didn't qualify for the old Class "A" hoop tourney. Hap later told me when I had for a physiology class that it was the dumbest thing he had ever done to one of his teams, but was happy the 3 young men did well (one even made the All-Church tournament team of the 10 best players). The next year Logan 8th had 2 players make the All-Church team, including the younger brother of the player who was a tournament star the year before. Logan 8th also won the All-Church "sportsmanship" trophy, which Marvin Ashton described as the most important award the LDS Church gave in Jr.M-Men basketball worldwide.

Does anyone know out there if Uncle Rico ever played church basketball?

Our ASU Institute team made it to the Church tournament in the mid sixties. We got KILLED, but great fun! Our stake veterans team never lost a stake game for 10 years straight. We won the So. CA regional or zone tournament one year. Great memories!

Our stake has already started playing basketball this season. We have a great Athletic Director who remembers the "ole days" very fondly. We won the region tournament a few years back and thought it would be fun to get 8 or so region champs together and play a champions tournament. I know the Church wouldn't support it, but we could do have each team pay enough to get a gym, some refs, and score keeps and play a 3 day tourney to crown a state champion. Drop me a line if you're interested. somewhatoff@hotmail.com