THEY LOVE TO PLAY SOFTBALL YEAR-ROUND IN ANTELOPE VALLEY : LEAGUES FOR ADULTS POPULAR.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

In the past 18 years, John Currado has never missed a Wednesday night game.

He goes Wednesday night to Lancaster City Park to play softball, an Antelope Valley pastime that attracts thousands of adults who want to do more than watch sports on television.

``It keeps us young,'' said Currado, the 49-year-old owner of a Lancaster insurance agency.

Currado and his team, sponsored by the Lancaster West Rotary Club, are one of 550 teams in Lancaster that play three seasons a year.

Adult softball is popular not only in the Antelope Valley but nationwide.

``It's the No. 1 participatory team sport in the nation,'' said Alan Koelling, executive director of the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Department. ``There are more than 42 million people who play the sport nationwide.''

In Lancaster, the adult softball league is huge, with participation in other sports such as basketball and soccer low in comparison. Koelling attributes its popularity to its simplicity and inexpensiveness.

``It's an easy sport for a lot of people to pick up,'' Koelling said. ``It doesn't matter how well you can play. It's like going to Billy's house and saying can Billy come out and play?''

And it does not cost much to play.

``All you need is a glove,'' he said. ``You can go out in jeans.''

But it's the camaraderie that brings most of the men to the field.

``Some of these guys play four to five nights a week,'' Koelling said. ``It keeps our parks full with people doing constructive activity.''

Jason Palumbo, 24, of Lancaster, who works as an estimator at a local body shop, has been playing softball almost daily for the past eight years.

``It's like a party out there,'' Palumbo said. ``We have so many friends.''

But Palumbo, who plays in the outfield on various league teams and tournament teams in Lancaster, Palmdale and Santa Clarita, said he also plays for the competition.

``I've always been competitive,'' he said. ``You've got to work to win.''

The sport also gives him a way to fill his evenings.

``There's not a lot to do in the desert,'' Palumbo said.

Lancaster began a big push in 1993 to attract tournaments to the city, which in turn has increased the number of teams in Lancaster. Now Lancaster hosts tournaments almost every weekend, including some national events.

``I haven't missed a season since the city's initiation,'' said Currado, who began playing in 1977 after a plea from his cousin. ``We were on one of the city's first teams.''

Playing second base, catcher and right field, Currado also serves as the player-coach. He played baseball during his high school and college years but had an eight-year lapse after that.

``This has given me the chance to play again,'' Currado said. ``We play for any reason: fun, competition, fellowship and beverages.''

One of the most favorite facets of the sport is enjoyed after the games ends: drinks at a sports bar.

``It's the real reason we play,'' Currado joked. ``To go to Schooners afterward.''

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--color in AV edition only) Lancaster softball players Bob Howard, left, Michael Dean and John Currado play for the Select Few.

(2--ran in AV edition only--color) Bob Howard completes a play at first base for the Select Few.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News