“We’re going to Disneyland!” Tony’s Tigers captain, Ryan Lewis said.

The UT Intramural Independent Recreational Softball season ended on an exciting note as Tony’s Tigers narrowly defeated Chemistry Club 7-6 to claim the championship April 23.

The Tigers, in their second year as a team, also battled through a determined Warriors squad in the semifinals. They managed to slide past the Warriors in the final inning with a score of 10-9, and the Warriors finished in 6th place in the league.

Though the team will not be treated to a Disneyland trip that NFL Super Bowl champions receive, Tony’s Tigers were ecstatic over their victory.

Rob Watson, Tony’s Tigers’ catcher, believes the season was overwhelmingly positive.

“It was a great experience because all of us had become good friends,” he said. “This just made us even stronger.”

Tony’s Tigers consists of residents from the sixth floor of Reese Hall. The team members are Harry Allan, Nick Beck, Tim (Craig) Broadbent, Chris Brown, Chris Buie, Lance Bullock, Chad Hall, Charles Leamon, Ryan Lewis, Caleb Lim, Cameron Lofink, Ryan Overton, Ben Ross and Rob Watson.

According to Watson, Lewis took the initiative in organizing the team several weeks before registration. “He was on top of the game,” Watson said. “If he had not done that, who knows? We may have not been able to play.”

This season was the first for Tony Tigers’ pitcher Benjamin Ross. He said he liked the social benefits of intramural softball.

“It was hard work getting to know everybody,” he said. “We all grew really close in the end.”

According to Chuck Vogt, Tennessee RecSports’ Intramural Coordinator, 132 teams participated in intramural softball this season. Additionally, 10 teams were on a waiting list.

Vogt said softball is “very popular” among intramural sports. Kyle Pitts, a spectator at the championship game, agreed. “It was extremely entertaining to watch, and I can’t wait until next year,” he said.

RecSports details the focus of intramurals. “The objective of the program is to offer a wide range of activities that can be enjoyed by the majority of students.” RecSports hosts all of the University of Tennessee’s intramural sports games.

The softball season begins the week before spring break. The playoffs conclude the season in late April. Bats, balls, gloves and two umpires are provided for each game.

Watson praised the umpires.

“They’re definitely doing this because they want to,” he said.

Vogt said the majority of funding for intramural sports comes from the state, while a “very small portion” comes from the student activities fee. The amount of funding designated to softball depends on the number of teams participating from year to year.

Watson emphasized the value of intramural softball. “Whether or not you win a championship or go 0-4, it’s a great experience,” he said.