If I told you that your Sunday would consist of a ceremonial first pitch, nine innings of action and a seventh-inning stretch to sing “Sweet Caroline” with those around you, most people would assume that you went to a Red Sox game. Well, normally you’d be correct. However, today was anything but normal. On Sunday, Waquoit Congregational Church enjoyed its annual “baseball Sunday.” It has taken place once a year, every summer for 15 years, and is a chance for some of the Falmouth community to enjoy faith, fellowship and a ‘holy hot dog’ after the service.

The Rev. Nell Fields looks forward to this service every year, as she considers herself to be a big baseball fan.

“I grew up sitting on my grandfather’s lap listening to baseball on the radio, and I like to carry on that tradition,” Fields said.

It goes without saying, she has done just that and then some. Upon arriving, almost every seat in every pew was full, with most attendees trading out their Sunday best for their favorite Commodores or Red Sox jersey or T-shirt.

By 10 o’clock, the first pitch down the aisle had been caught by Alabama transfer Justin Osterhouse, and it was then time to play ball. Now, while it wasn’t played in the house that Ruth built, it was in the house of the Lord, and that one’s never easy to top. Now, I know our beat reporter Noah Nussbaum normally handles the game recap, but this was a little different than balls and strikes, so I’ll do my best.

First/second inning

After the first pitch, and a warm welcome to all via a rendition of ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game,’ our first two innings of play revolved around a call to worship in the first and prayer to open the second. By that point in the game, all of the church's players were settled in and ready to play on.

Third inning

The third inning was relatively quick, much like some of the three up, three down innings we see from our Commodores hurlers. The church joined together in singing the hymn “I love to tell the story.”

Fourth inning

Fields then took the mound in the fourth, leading us in prayer, both the Lord’s prayer and one of her own.

Fifth inning

By the time the fifth frame rolled around, it was time for everyone’s favorite part of the morning: the offering! That was followed by a trio of church members singing their own ‘baseball musical,’ and just like that, it was on to the sixth.

Sixth inning

The sixth inning was another quick one, as we blessed the offering and were on our way to the final third of action.

Seventh inning

They say that on the seventh day, God rested. So that’s what we did. We all stood up and seventh-inning stretched our legs and, in true Boston form, sang “Sweet Caroline” loud enough for anyone within a half-mile radius to hear us.

Eighth inning

With the action coming to an end, it was time for the congregation to enjoy what they come to enjoy every Sunday, a heartfelt sermon from the Reverend. By the time her message came to an end, the holy hot dogs were almost ready, and our morning of worship was nearing an end.

Ninth inning

To wrap up the day, or should I say our game, the congregation came together to sing “Count Your Many Blessing” via a bulletin inset. I asked Fields for an extra copy of the song because it reminded me of just how important it is to, well, count our many blessings. For many that were in attendance, they will have enjoyed church fellowship in the morning, and Commodores baseball in the evening. Now, if that’s not a reason to count our blessings, then I don’t know what is.

Postgame recap

Was it a bit unorthodox compared to most nine-inning games I’ve attended? Yes. Is it only something that happens once a year? Yes. Do I wish there was a baseball Sunday to be found every weekend? Absolutely. Much of what I’ve heard this summer around the Cape revolves around community, fellowship and baseball. When you think about it, you could make the case that those are three of the founding principles of our great nation. And while things aren’t always easy, while there might be things happening all around the world for us to worry about, we’ll always have baseball, and we’ll always have each other, Amen.