On a humid Sunday afternoon at the Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex in Encino, the Feeney softball team played a closely contested memorial game against the Six Pack, ending with a final score of 18-16. The occasion honored Jamie Bailey Krug, one of the team’s original founders who passed away in May of the previous year. Krug’s memory was prominently displayed on the Feeneys’ jerseys, which bore black patches embroidered with the initials "JBK."

The Feeneys, primarily composed of players in their 70s, have been a fixture of the Los Angeles Municipal Softball League for more than five decades. Founded by Krug and several close friends, the team is known not only for its on-field camaraderie but also for its enduring social bonds.

Jamie Krug’s son, Aaron, a member of the current Feeney lineup, tied the game with a pivotal sixth-inning home run, illustrating how the team has evolved to include new generations who grew up alongside the original players. Aaron, who joined the team at age 14, reflected on the unique experience of playing alongside his father.

Fellow founding member Richie Greenberg emphasized that the Feeneys’ significance extended far beyond softball. “Jamie taught me what a best friend was,” Greenberg said. “We’re bound to this thing... It sustains us.” This sentiment was echoed by Matt Kaplan, a long-time player, who described the team as a surrogate family, providing a sense of connection and belonging that he found lacking elsewhere.

The team’s origins were marked by a mix of competitive spirit and humor. In the inaugural season, legal instincts came into play when Michel, another founding member and attorney-in-training, identified an opposing player using an illegal baseball bat. The resulting timeout led to a decisive ruling that secured the championship for the Feeneys. This blend of wit and playful gamesmanship has remained a hallmark of the team’s identity.

Over the years, the Feeneys’ roster has seen many changes as players have come and gone, but the core group has remained active. Members like Sugerman, who pursued a career in journalism, returned whenever possible, maintaining ties to the team. Though the league uses a grading system to balance competition, with the Feeneys fluctuating between C and B levels, the team has sustained its presence despite challenges posed by aging players.

The passing of Jamie Krug deeply affected the group. He had planned to participate in a game the weekend he died but succumbed to heart complications before he could return to the field. At his funeral, attendees commonly described Krug as a dedicated teammate, coach, and “best friend.” His daughter Ali broke new ground by becoming the first woman to play as an All Star in the Municipal League, continuing the family’s legacy.

While the Feeneys have adapted to modern times—employing digital score-keeping and incorporating younger managers—the spirit of the original team endures. On the field, veterans contend with physical limitations through strategic lineup adjustments, but the focus remains on shared enjoyment rather than purely competitive success.

The memorial game concluded with the Feeneys coming together behind the dugout to celebrate their community. The team’s youngest member, Eloise, Krug’s granddaughter, wore a shirt labeled “Littlest Feeney,” symbolizing the intergenerational bonds that have sustained the group for more than half a century.