After seeing a steady decrease in overall numbers for years, Vineyard softball is at a critical point for sustaining the sport.

Just 11 players — two more than the minimum needed to field a team — suited up for the varsity high school team this year, with 10 at the jayvee level. Only four freshmen came out for the teams. The once-thriving Babe Ruth softball league, for girls aged 8 to 16, had no teams at all this year and what was once a staple of afterschool life, the junior high program, will no longer be offered as of next spring.

Postseason play begins this weekend for the MV United travel soccer squads, who had an outstanding season even by the high standards of the Vineyard league. Of the eight teams in the program eligible for the South Coast Soccer League postseason, five made it to the playoffs: both under-11 boys’ squads, the under-13 girls’ team, the under-15 girls team, and the under-18 boys’ team. The under-18 team, largely sophomores, finished first in their division and will host Westport in the first round on Sunday at Veterans Field. Game time is at 1:30 p.m.

Track and field senior Maggie Riseborough competed in the New England Outdoor Track and Field Championships in New Britain, Conn., on June 8, marking the second straight year she has represented the Vineyard and the state at the meet. Riseborough qualified for New Englands with a top-four finish at the Massachusetts All-State meet on June 1, which featured athletes from all levels of high school competition. The Vineyard competes in division four.

At New Englands, Riseborough placed 24th in a field of 35 with a throw of 34 feet, six inches.

Dinosaurs and sharks mingled nicely with live ducks and a baby goat at Saturday’s Sense of Wonder creations art show in Vineyard Haven. The dinosaur and shark were a couple of papier mache creations completed by young campers who attend the after-school program at Sense of Wonder. The ducks seemed right at home in a tub of water in the backyard. Music, face painting and a bean bag toss shared the space.

Oak Bluffs package stores may now stay open until 11 p.m., following a vote by the town selectmen Tuesday. Previously the stores had closed at 10 p.m., while Edgartown liquor stores remained open an extra hour. The request to delay closing came from the owners of the package stores, who wished for a more level playing field with their Edgartown competition, selectman Michael Santoro said.

Pet owner alert: the Harbor View Hotel is sponsoring a Celebration of Pets this Saturday morning, June 15, from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring your furry or feathered family members in carriers or on leashes to walk in the parade and to receive a blessing. The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard will award ribbons to all participants. This is your chance to pet an alpaca. The black dog from the Black Dog will also be there. The event is free, but if you are moved to make a donation to the shelter to aid animals less fortunate than your own, it will be appreciated.

At first they giggled.

Last fall when the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School swim coach introduced yoga meditations to the team’s practice routine, the swimmers exchanged quizzical looks and snickered with one another.

“Yoga?” the students asked.

Yoga.

The Aquinnah Power Cruise will be in Aquinnah Circle tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. Admission is free and fun for the whole family. Meet members of the Boston Area Roadsters Club and Vineyard enthusiasts with special interest vehicles. There will be a swap meet with new and/or used auto parts to buy, trade or sell. Awards will be given in specific categories. For more information, please call cruisemaster Carl Widdiss at 508-645-9528.

Chilmark sends congratulations to newlyweds Kristine Larsen Schiffer and Kirk Safford who were married at Menemsha on May 18. Merrily Fenner, justice of the peace, performed the ceremony on the bulkhead at Menemsha and a buffet luncheon followed. Kristine is known to many as one of the helpful and busy members of the staff at Larsen’s Fish Market and someone who grew up in Chilmark. We all send them cheers and good wishes.

They say that all good things come to those who wait. I’m not certain who they are, but they are correct when the waiting applies to returning columnists. Good things abound whilst I am at the keyboard writing about all things Chappy. I feel bad for Thursdays and Fridays. They are sorely neglected by the Gazette town columns. Columns are written before Thursday or Friday transpire, and after the limits of memory. They are passed over like towns between exits off the pike.