Oxford Parks and Recreation’s softball season at the Oxford Lake Softball Complex ended Thursday, August 28, 2025, with the crowning of the final champions of the year.

Cornerstone Church of Oxford left the field with the Co-Ed Church team A-division championship trophy after having bested the team from Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Alexandria.

Members of both teams said while winning was the goal, it was not the ultimate motivation for participating.

Cody Brown of Mt. Zion said the fellowship was important.

“It’s about the fellowship and being together,” Brown said. “It’s fun and we had all the same people we had last year.”

Chuck Nelson, who works with the Cornerstone youth program, agrees.

“It brings church members together and brings us all closer,” Nelson said. “It also helps to show our new members what our church is all about.”

Earlier in the week, the Co-Ed Church team B-division trophy went to Parker Memorial Baptist Church/Dearmanville Campus as they won over Faith Presbyterian Church of Anniston.

The Senior Men’s division also crowned a champion as Team Gadsden defeated the Anniston/Oxford Big Dawgs.

PARD staff member Riley Shaw said this year’s competition drew almost 500 players from across the region to the Oxford ballparks.

“These games are a great way for churches and friends to get together for fun and fellowship, and we expect these competitions to get even bigger and better in the future,” Shaw said.

Shaw added special thanks to Chris Callahan, who served as umpire coordinator for the softball program. Callahan also serves as Oxford’s building code enforcement officer.

“That can be a very difficult job, and Chris really stepped up for us and did amazing work,” Shaw said.