Feeling lucky to be old!

[sygazelle]

I just started doing something I never thought I would ever do again! My neighbor is in a senior softball league. We were over at his house and he asked if I ever played baseball. I told him I did but it's been since the early '70s since I played.

Long story short: He talked me into trying out for the league and they invited me to join. I had to actually show up and get evaluated by their committee. They asked how long since I played and I said 52 years!

I'm very active with walking, hiking, backpacking, and snow skiing so I'm in pretty good shape in general. But, this softball thing takes muscles and eye-hand coordination skills that are dormant on this old body. We'll see how I do. The practice was very fun for me and I'm feeling really lucky to be doing this at my age. There are many guys in their 50s and 60s, a few in their 70s and one 80 year old playing. The difference is they've all been in the league playing for many years. There are 3 leagues and I'll start and probably remain in the lowest league in terms of skill and ability. But, that's fine by me.

[Esteban]

Sounds like fun! Wish I could do that, but tbh, you're probably in better shape than me.

I exercise and walk most every day, which includes a brisk 3 mile walk, squats, lunges, weights, most everything.

Managed my son's team in Little League for 4 years; was a blast. Never really liked baseball until I did that. Was the most fun we had together.

You're gonna have a great time!

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Sounds like fun! Wish I could do that, but tbh, you're probably in better shape than me.

I exercise and walk most every day, which includes a brisk 3 mile walk, squats, lunges, weights, most everything.

Managed my son's team in Little League for 4 years; was a blast. Never really liked baseball until I did that. Was the most fun we had together.

You're gonna have a great time!

Thanks. I hope so.

If you are walking 3 miles a day and stretching and using weights you might be surprised. This league I just joined has 3 senior divisions. The lowest division is not very competitive; it's just for fun and getting out there. They even have a chaulk line right next to first base. The rule in this lowest league is that you run to the right side of 1st base across the chaulk line. This avoids contact with the players on defense. Also, if you cannot run, they have designated runners so you can still bat even if you have trouble running.

I practiced on Monday and some of the guys at the practice are in the higher league. I'm guessing I will remain in the lowest league. I will practice and do my best, but I have no expectations. Just having fun.

Maybe your town has something like this.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

If you are walking 3 miles a day and stretching and using weights you might be surprised.

Maybe your town has something like this.

I'm doing all that and feeling pretty good about it.

Yes, it does. Very close to me, too. Connected to the Little League I used to be a part of. I might look in to it. Thanks for the motivation.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Also, if you cannot run, they have designated runners...

I'd like a designated runner, please.

[UncleWede]

Yeah, it's all fun and games until your SO designates you had a career-ending injury, ask me how I know.

I played coed D-league softball with the wife's family for a couple years. Did I mention coed? D-league? They were so aggressive and competitive (family) that I quit. The straw was when my oldest son slid into second and took this poor lady out. BIL was all jumping up/down celebrating "taking that b OUT!"

Yeah, no.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Yeah, it's all fun and games until your SO designates you had a career-ending injury, ask me how I know.

I played coed D-league softball with the wife's family for a couple years. Did I mention coed? D-league? They were so aggressive and competitive (family) that I quit. The straw was when my oldest son slid into second and took this poor lady out. BIL was all jumping up/down celebrating "taking that b OUT!"

Yeah, no.

I know what you mean. In my early 20s I played in a fast pitch softball league with some of my coworkers. We called it the "cleats up" league. It was so aggressive on and off the field. The notion of winning and losing graciously was lost on most of the player. It was no fun and I quit. This senior league is pretty much the opposite of that. So far it's been fun.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

I know what you mean. In my early 20s I played in a fast pitch softball league with some of my coworkers. We called it the "cleats up" league. It was so aggressive on and off the field. The notion of winning and losing graciously was lost on most of the player. It was no fun and I quit. This senior league is pretty much the opposite of that. So far it's been fun.

Did they explain about the "10th inning and rookie" rule???

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Did they explain about the "10th inning and rookie" rule???

No. They do drink a beer or two after games but I'm not into that. The games start at 9am and over by 11:30 or so.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

I played coed D-league softball with the wife's family for a couple years. Did I mention coed? D-league? They were so aggressive and competitive (family) that I quit. The straw was when my oldest son slid into second and took this poor lady out. BIL was all jumping up/down celebrating "taking that b OUT!"

Back in my younger days, I played a few seasons on our employee softball team in the local city's D-league. I was playing catcher at one game, and we were already a player short that day. The batter hit the ball deep, to an outfielder on our team who was a major league pitching prospect at the time. He threw a frozen rope so hard towards home plate that it was still climbing when it sailed over the backstop and into the parking lot. I stepped out of the base line when I saw that ball heading for Mars, and made a token jump even though it was hopeless. The runner coming home from third base didn't see the ball from his back, and decided to take me out mid-jump because that's the way that you play full-contact softball.

When I came to about a minute later with a mouth full of dirt, the umpire and several players were standing over me asking if I needed an ambulance. I asked them to give me a few minutes to walk it off, since we would have had to forfeit the game because of not enough players if I couldn't continue to play.

We won the league championship that year, and our work health insurance provider actually made us stop playing the next year because every single player but me was in the ER at some point during that last season.

I decided after this experience that racing was a safer hobby.....

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

I just started doing something I never thought I would ever do again! My neighbor is in a senior softball league. We were over at his house and he asked if I ever played baseball. I told him I did but it's been since the early '70s since I played.

Long story short: He talked me into trying out for the league and they invited me to join. I had to actually show up and get evaluated by their committee. They asked how long since I played and I said 52 years!

I'm very active with walking, hiking, backpacking, and snow skiing so I'm in pretty good shape in general. But, this softball thing takes muscles and eye-hand coordination skills that are dormant on this old body. We'll see how I do. The practice was very fun for me and I'm feeling really lucky to be doing this at my age. There are many guys in their 50s and 60s, a few in their 70s and one 80 year old playing. The difference is they've all been in the league playing for many years. There are 3 leagues and I'll start and probably remain in the lowest league in terms of skill and ability. But, that's fine by me.

Which field do you guys play on?

[bucketfoot]

I feel lucky everyday.

Heart attack and diabetes diagnosis at 47. 15 years later and days from turning 63, I'm as healthy as I've ever been in my life.

Throw in enjoying my Toyota 86 I bought to replace my BMW as my 60th birthday present, living to see our older daughter getting married in November. Life is pretty darn good these days

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

I feel lucky everyday.

Heart attack and diabetes diagnosis at 47. 15 years later and days from turning 63, I'm as healthy as I've ever been in my life.

Throw in enjoying my Toyota 86 I bought to replace my BMW as my 60th birthday present, living to see our older daughter getting married in November. Life is pretty darn good these days

Great story. Good for you!