When it comes to patience, the Independent Management Services kick ball team showed plenty over the past few summers. So there was plenty of reason for the team to celebrate when it won its first contest after two winless seasons in Park and Recreation’s Adult Kick Ball League this summer.

“We were together for three years as a team and we didn’t win a single game until this season,” IMS team member Justin Jones said. “It was kind of like our Stanley Cup. Even if you don’t win right away, you’re going to get one. Now there are teams that are more like we were and now we’re one of the intermediate teams.”

IMS is one of five teams playing in the kick ball league and the goals of the teams are clear — try to win, but make sure you have fun doing it. Cody Shea, who is the manager of IMS, said he’s enjoyed playing in the league over the past few years and he’d like to see more teams in the future.

The kickball league had four teams in it in the summer of 2017 and it was up to eight teams in 2016.

The teams do not have to have a set roster and IMS has had as little as eight players and as many as 20 on a given night, depending on how many show up. Players of all ages are also welcome to play.

“It’s a good time. It’s competitive, but at the same time, we have fun with it. All of the teams get along and they help each other up if they fell down,” Shea said. “It would be great if more people would come and do it. It gives us something to look forward to. People are interested in it, but a lot of people don’t know about it until we tell them.”

Jones said that kick ball games are certainly something he’s looked forward to on Thursday nights in the summer and it’s also an excuse to get out and play.

“It’s something that gets us outside and keeps us active,” Jones said. “We all come from different backgrounds, shapes and sizes. We’re very diverse.”