Seminarians Triumph Over Priests in Wiffle Ball Classic

By Pamela Seal 
Diocese of Lake Charles  

A team of Priests could have used some “Angels in the Outfield” to hold on to their wiffle ball championship title. Instead, the Seminarians came out swinging and never looked back during the 2023 Bishop’s Invitational Wiffle Ball Classic on Saturday, August 5. After an upset in 2022, the Seminarians triumphed this year 11-5 to claim bragging rights over the Priests. 

A change of venue at Immaculate Conception Catholic School did not keep several hundred faithful spectators from filling the gymnasium for a fun-filled morning of crowd-pleasing competition. Funds raised from the annual event support the Priests Retirement Fund, Seminary Burse Fund, and the Serra Club of Lake Charles which assists the Office of Vocations. 

Following a prayer by Father Michael Caraway, and Father Joseph Caraway leading the Pledge of Allegiance, the spirited rivalry was underway in Panther territory. 

Seminarians Cameron Fontenot and Seth Rodriguez put the first two scores on the board at the top of the second inning. A home run by Rodriguez would be one of two for the MVP second-year seminarian.

The priests finally showed up to the game scoring their first run in the fourth inning. It would be the sixth inning before they scored twice more. 

A home run by Father Paul Jussen in the bottom of the seventh inning looked like the priests were finally going to get that miracle they needed, but it would not be enough to take the lead. The seminarians were chest bumping and high-fiving their way to victory even as the priests made one last effort before the game ended 11-5. 

Practice and strategy were part of the seminarians’ playbook this year. 

“We practiced a lot before game day and took individual care of each player,” Rodriguez said. “We thank John (Souder) and Cameron (Fontenot) for that, trying to get everybody to hit consistently.” 

And just how does it feel to be the reigning champions this year?

“It feels great to take the victory away from the priests,” Rodriguez said confidently. “I was concerned at one point, but we worked so well as a team. That really helped us.” 

Father Michael Caraway, who scored twice for the priests, acknowledged that the Wiffle Ball Classic was a win-win for everyone, “except the priests,” he said with a chuckle.

“Winning is sweet,” Caraway said, recalling last year’s comeback victory, “and losing is bitter,” noting the seminarians were the better team this year. “They played a heck of a game. It was hard to get anything past them. They were very clean in the in-field picking up balls and throwing out at first base; incredibly good teamwork.” 

As for the priests slipping behind this year, Father M. Caraway said this year’s alternate location was a setback for them. 

“The change of venue could have had something to do with our loss since we were not playing on our home court at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Family Life Center,” he said. “There is always next year to reclaim the championship.” 

Team Priests included: 

• Father Michael Caraway (Vocations Director)
• Father Matthew Cormier (Pastor, St. Henry)
• Father Paul Jussen (Pastor, Our Lady of Good Counsel)
• Father D.B. Thompson (Promoter of Justice and Judge, Diocesan Tribunal)
• Father Sam Bond (Parochial Vicar, Our Lady Queen of Heaven)
• Father Michael Beverung (Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Prompt Succor) 
• Father Joseph Caraway, (Parochial Vicar, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception)
• Father Levi Thompson (Parochial Vicar, St. Henry)
• Father Joshua Page (Parochial Vicar, Our Lady Queen of Heaven)
• Father Andrew DeRouen (Parochial Vicar, St. Margaret of Scotland)

Team Seminarians consisted of Hunter LaRocca, John Souder, Philip Seilhan, Michael DesOrmeaux, Liam Leonard, Nicholas Poncho, Seth Rodriguez, Justin Fontenot, Logan Guillot, and Cameron Fontenot. 

As Wiffle Ball champions, the team of seminarians received a $2,000 check for the Seminary Fund, and the team of priests received $1,000 for the Priests Retirement Fund. 

While the game is played in the spirit of fun, it is all about supporting vocations in the diocese. This year, a new twist was added to bring in extra funds. 

During intermission, an autographed Wiffle Ball T-shirt with signatures of all Seminarian and Priest players was auctioned off. Rodriguez traded in his batting arm for some live auctioneering to the tune of $500. The highest bidders were Carolyn and Jeff Dupont of St. Theodore Catholic Church in Moss Bluff. 

Other game-day highlights:  

• Father D.B. Thompson stepped up to home plate in style sporting knickerbockers, suspenders and a flat cap. His wiffle ball attire was a “big hit” with the fans. 
• Super Enthusiastic Give-It-Everything-He’s-Got Player — Seminarian Hunter LaRocca
• Fair and impartial umpires — Blaine Wyninger and Justin Sittig from St. Louis Catholic High School
• Pitcher Extraordinaires — John Souder for the Seminarians, and Father Michael Caraway for the Priests
• Lively commentary by KPLC 7News Sunrise co-host John Bridges serving as Master of Ceremonies
• Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs cooked by the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Knights of Columbus Council 1207
• Scrumptious sweets provided by Catholic Daughters and parishioners of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady Queen of Heaven, and Christ the King

For more information on the Office of Vocations, visit www.lcvocations.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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