Nevada Blue first baseman Terrill Dory (above) watches his drive to right center drop in for a double during fifth-inning action during his Sparks City League softball game against the Silver Huskies at Golden Eagle Regional Park in north Sparks Thursday evening.

Dory was playing in a 50-and-over league that boasts eight teams.

The city of Sparks currently has more than 4,100 participants playing in its summer softball leagues. That number is comprised of 317 teams for this second summer season, that will run through mid-September.

“A recent nation survey showed numbers are dropping 20 percent a year, but we’ve only dropped about 20 teams in the 16 years I’ve been here,” said Sparks Parks and Recreation coordinator Tony Pehle. “Considering the economy, we’re still holding our own.”