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The Recovery Rebels Softball league is a sober community in Colorado Springs on a mission to raise awareness around suicide prevention, mental health and addiction issues.
A Sober Outlet
The Recovery Rebels were founded about four years ago by personal trainer and recovery coach Rob Decker, through a nonprofit called Rise as Lions.
Since the Recovery Rebels was formed as a sober community in 2021, the league has grown to 50 or 60 members and has expanded to five ranked teams that play throughout the week. There are two co-ed teams, two teams for men and one for veterans.
As a survivor of childhood trauma, years of substance misuse and a suicide attempt, Decker was moved to create this welcoming and fun outlet for others who are dealing with the same struggles he has faced.
Around the Clock Recovery
During the process of his own sobriety journey, Rob Decker rediscovered his love of softball, a game that had provided a safe harbor for him as a child enduring abuse at home.
After moving in 2018 from California to Colorado Springs, he joined a few softball leagues in town and found that it was common for league members to drink and use drugs on game nights. In response, he set out to provide an alternative for fellow sober lovers of the sport.
Complete sobriety is not mandatory to join the Recovery Rebels Softball league, but players are required to stay sober while they are on the field. This caveat has inspired a number of community members to give up drugs and alcohol.
As Decker expressed, these teams represent foundations of recovery that too many people go without, such as camaraderie and accountability.
Finding Connection Through Sobriety
Activities like the Recovery Rebels softball league show how important sober support groups and community outlets can be after treatment. Whether it’s through sports, volunteering, or AA meetings in Colorado Springs, finding connection helps people stay committed to recovery.
If you’re looking for AA meetings near you or online sober support groups, you can search our listings on Sober.com or download the Sober App to track your recovery habits and connect with others who share your goals.
Amy Greene is the author of national bestseller, Bloodroot, and Washington Post Top Book of the Year, Long Man. She was inducted into the East Tennessee Literary Hall of Fame in 2016. Her essays have appeared in various national and international publications, including The New York Times and Glamour Magazine. She has lectured and led writing workshops across the country.
View ProfileEric Owens is a writer and editor with a bachelor degree in Philosophy, which has helped him with presenting complex information in a simple way that all audiences can understand. He specializes in the mental health and addiction recovery space. He’s also passionate about the environment and has extensive experience in creating content related to sustainability issues
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