Everyone needs downtime from the pressures of work and life, especially Servicemembers. Comeback Sports runs a number of adult-only recreational sports leagues that fit the bill and have caught the attention of many Joint Base Lewis-McChord military. 

"A lot of the military who come out to play with us tell me that they need to get off base to relax," said Comeback Sports co-owner and co-founder Eddie Behringer with a laugh. "I think they call it having ‘Barracks Syndrome.'"

Even if Servicemembers don't know anyone else playing, they can sign up as an individual and the Comeback staff will match them up with other players who have similar skill sets. Also, most leagues are coed with the exception of flag football and the men's soccer league, which runs simultaneously with coed soccer.

"I think that coming out is a social experience as well," Behringer said. "Some of the leagues get beer deals at local bars after their games, and the pre-season nights can turn into quite a party. We really have regulars that come out for different leagues and make lots of friends."

That was exactly why 1st Lt. Bill Leasure, 32, joined the flag football league, since his unit, the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, was mostly deployed when he arrived at JBLM. "This was a way for me to get out and meet people," Leasure said. "Not to mention it's more than PT for staying in shape."

"Originally, I signed up to meet people like me that wanted to play on the field and then go have a drink with the team," said 1st Lt. Nick Sienkiewicz. "Plus, I sort of wanted to hang out with some people not in the military ... so I could escape work for a while."

Sienkiewicz, 26, who also played in the dodgeball league last season, thinks that JBLM doesn't promote its own sports leagues enough. In fact, he said that he rarely got communications about any sports opportunities, outside of seeing a banner somewhere on base.

"I like Comeback since I think they try to know their players on a personal level," Sienkiewicz added. "They organize a strong league, and it's a really good time."

For the leagues, a season typically runs seven weeks with the eighth week being a tournament for the best teams. Games are held on weeknights and on weekends, and where players get scheduled depends on their preference when they join.

Two popular summer leagues will be starting up soon:  kickball (season starts June 18) and softball (season starts July 5). Both leagues play their games at the Dacca Sports Complex, 2820 54th Avenue East, in Fife. Registration can be completed online (www.comebacksports.com/signup.html), and Behringer recommends registering as soon as possible to ensure a spot as well as preferred game times.

As with every Comeback league, cost is $45 per person for those signing up with a team and $70 per person if signing up as an individual. Both prices include a team shirt and entry to a pre-season bar night where teams can meet up and enjoy free appetizers and drink specials.

Soccer lovers can also check out the Northwest Coed Classic the weekend of July 9 and 10, in which Comeback teams will compete for the Comeback Cup. The tournament, which will be held at the Chambers Creek Soccer Complex in University Place, will also have vendors, live music, sideline entertainment and a beer garden. Spectators are welcome. Following the tournament, a new season of coed and men's soccer will start on July 16.

Comeback Sports offers dodgeball, volleyball and soccer leagues scheduled throughout the year; check the website (www.comebacksports.com) for start dates and more information.