As the Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival approaches, excitement is building for one of the festival’s most anticipated events, the annual stickball tournament.
That excitement was on display July 5 when more than 200 players from four Tvshka Homma teams gathered for a community send-off before traveling to Mississippi for the World Series of Stickball.
Family members, friends and supporters filled the Tvshka Homma cafeteria to wish the teams good luck as they prepared to represent the Choctaw Nation.
After a practice led by head coach Jared Tom, players and their families shared a traditional meal prepared by Nakisha Ludlow and her family with help from community donors.
The celebration continued with social dancing on the Capitol grounds led by Choctaw drummers under the direction of Ashton Willis. Eli Williamson led the chants, and Jose Gonzalez led the social dances. District princesses also attended the send-off, cheering on the teams with handmade signs.
The send-off honored four teams: Tvshka Homma, Tvshka Homma Ohoyo, Tvshka Homma 35 and Older, and Tvshka Homma Himmitta.
After competing at the World Series, many of those same players will return home to compete in the Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival Stickball Tournament.
Held each Labor Day weekend, the tournament is one of the festival’s most popular events. Fans line the fields to watch fast-paced, exciting games while celebrating a tradition that has been part of Choctaw culture for generations.
The Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival began in 1969 as an annual gathering for the Chief to meet with tribal members and conduct tribal business while celebrating the first Choctaw Princess.
Today, the festival welcomes thousands of visitors each year for sporting events, cultural activities, entertainment, arts and crafts, food and family fun. Among those events, stickball remains one of the festival’s biggest attractions.
Known as the “Little Brother of War,” stickball has been played by Choctaw people for centuries. It is one of the oldest team sports in North America.
Historically, the game helped settle disputes between communities and prepared warriors for battle. It also taught teamwork, discipline and endurance while bringing people together. Players use two handmade sticks to catch, carry and throw a woven leather ball. The game is fast and physical, and players can only move the ball with their sticks.
For generations, stickball was more than a game. Families gathered to watch and support their teams, and communities came together for competition, celebration and fellowship. Those customs continue today each time players take the field.
Although public games became less common during the early 1900s, interest in stickball began to grow again in the 1970s. Since then, the Choctaw Nation has continued to preserve the game through workshops, youth programs, cultural demonstrations and tournaments.
The Choctaw Nation has also expanded its presence in national competition.
In 2009, the Nation formed its first official men’s stickball team to compete in the World Series of Stickball in Mississippi. An official women’s team followed in 2017. Today, Choctaw Nation teams compete against teams from other Tribal Nations while helping preserve one of the Nation’s oldest traditions.
The next generation is also helping keep the game alive. Youth teams and stickball workshops give young players the chance to learn the game, its history and the values it teaches. As more children and families become involved, the future of stickball continues to grow.
During a question-and-answer session following the premiere of Stickball: Little Brother of War, one player reflected on the growth of the game.
“I love how this team has taken control of their culture and how they’re making it a comeback,” the player said. “They’re bringing it back. They’re loving everything about it, and it just brings a lot of joy to me to see that.”
Whether cheering on a favorite team or watching for the first time, Labor Day Festival visitors will have the chance to experience one of the Choctaw Nation’s oldest traditions in action and celebrate the players who continue to keep it alive.
Game times and bracket information will be announced closer to the festival.
If you are interested in volunteering for next year’s Stickball Community Send-Off, contact Crystal Davenport at [email protected].
