National Senior Softball Forum

Playing on a Field of Dreams

2008-05-08T12:35:00.003-07:00

Playing on a 'Field of Dreams'

Bob Hitlin had always been active growing up, playing many sports including baseball, but as the years went on, he found less time to participate in athletic activities. After teaching political science at Georgetown and American universities, and later working as a government contractor, Hitlin, 61, had all but given up his active lifestyle.

It wasn't until he saw an advertisement for Northern Virginia Senior Softball 11 years ago that Hitlin rekindled his love of sports and got back on the field.

“I played a lot of ball, but what happens to a lot of guys is when you get into your thirties and forties, you stop playing,” said Hitlin, a Reston resident. “I joined the [Northern Virginia Senior Softball] league at 50, and it was an opportunity to get back to playing ball.”

Hitlin is one of hundreds of local seniors who are participating in NVSS, an organization that was formed in 1980. Men and women from all walks of life are welcome to join and experience “fun, fitness and fellowship.”
“For the most part, we're a group of guys that enjoy the game,” said Ron Artley, 65, of Springfield. “Good sportsmanship is what the vast majority of us are interested in seeing.”

Added 60-year-old Chantilly resident Joe Wittling, “I love competition. I think it's great exercise. There are some really good ballplayers in the league. Playing softball is a hell of a lot better than watching TV.”

While all NVSS players admit that their bodies won't allow them to do some of the things they could do when they were younger, they all agree that playing two games every Tuesday and Thursday mornings is beneficial for both the mind and body.

“Just to be able to get out and get that kind of exercise and keep the mind as well as the body reasonably sharp is a credit to each and every one of us,” Artley said. “For me, this is a mental health break. You get out here and for two hours, everything else is out of your mind. That's the greatest thing about athletics. All you're thinking about is the games.”

NVSS does its best to provide an even playing field, using an assessment system to split its players into three different divisions – American, National and Continental – based on skill level. There are currently 25 total teams in the three divisions, with 15 players on each roster. Men 50 years or older and women 40 years or older are encouraged to sign up and play.

"These are all good guys," Hitlin said. "That's the really fun part of it. Everybody here is friendly. The competition is serious and intense, but it's very friendly. It's a reason to try and stay in some kind of shape. I do a lot more exercise than I would otherwise."

“It's inspiring to play with these guys,” said Dave Scheele, 75, the NVSS publicity chairman. “It's fun, it's challenging. For a few hours, you're on the field of dreams.”

Source: Fairfax Times -by Dave Buschenfeldt

Lesson Learned: An Inspirational Story for All Men

2008-05-05T05:29:00.004-07:00

Prostate Cancer Led Lawyer to Write

Attorney Terry Leiden, 67, of Augusta, is a prostate cancer survivor who wrote a book, 'Get Back in the Game."

But 12 years ago, he said, he felt as though he was dodging bullets again when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. "It's an incredible shock. Boom. It happens," Mr. Leiden said.

But when Mr. Leiden went in search of information to help him understand what he would face, he only found dry textbooks by physicians. There were few resources available on the topic compared to those for women who develop breast cancer, despite the fact that a similar percentage of men will get prostate cancer.

So he wrote his own book, Get Back in the Game. It's a work of fiction based on real men with prostate cancer in real circumstances with blunt talk of medical procedures.
It took several years to get the book published, Mr. Leiden said.

"Why would anybody be interested in writing about an old guy dying of cancer in Augusta?" was one response.
It is not a death sentence, but the diagnoses can feel that way. According to the American Cancer Society, 99 percent of the men diagnosed with prostate cancer will survive at least five years.

Mr. Leiden points to several famous men who retired or temporarily dropped out of sight after learning they had prostate cancer -- former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. But golf legend Arnold Palmer came back after treatment, Mr. Leiden said.

Many men don't want anyone to know they have cancer, because they might lose jobs, insurance coverage, friends and acquaintances, Mr. Leiden said.

Maybe because he was younger than most men when he was diagnosed, Mr. Leiden refused to give in to despair. And he wants to tell others not to give up.

He would like to see cancer treatment centers handing out copies of his book to men diagnosed with prostate cancer. And he would like to see others writing about the subject, Mr. Leiden said.
Men are reluctant to talk about their health, Mr. Leiden said. And most men won't be diagnosed during a regular physical exam.

"Not one guy in that whole book found out about it that way," Mr. Leiden said. Like one of his characters, who are composites, he was diagnosed after he got hit in the groin with a softball.
Mr. Leiden said he started asking other men at his doctor's office to share their stories. "Everyone has a story."

Mr. Leiden was able to pull other anecdotes and stories from his law practice. Representing people in bankruptcy taught him how workers' compensation and insurance can fail when they're needed the most.

And having gone through the treatment himself, Mr. Leiden is able to write realistically about the physical and emotional changes. And playing in the senior softball league helped him feature the game as a major plot.

Playing softball is important to Mr. Leiden. He scheduled his treatment so he would be able to finish out the 1996 season. Mr. Leiden's team is the Triumph 65s.

"Every time we walk onto the field is a triumph right there," Mr. Leiden said.

To purchase from Amazon, click >> Get Back in the Game Published by Harbor House the book sells for $16.95.

Source: Augusta Chronicle by Sandy Hodson

Bat Speed Exercising

2008-05-03T15:12:00.004-07:00

We came across this video and began immediately using the bat speed exercises that are shown.

Click >> Bat Speed Exercising

New Twist on Softball Gaining Popularity Around the Nation

2008-04-27T08:13:00.002-07:00

New Twist on Softball Gaining Popularity Around the Nation
Arena Softball, a new indoor sport recently featured in the Sacramento Business Journal, is catching on in cities around the country and even around the world.

There's a new sport known as Arena Softball that is catching on quickly, and as a recent feature story in the Sacramento Business Journal shows, it is becoming a national phenomenon. Founded by Greg Joseph with the help of local business developer Chris Vrame in 2003, the indoor sport has grown immensely in only five years.

The game is played on a regulation softball diamond, and players use all of the softball skills they're used to. The twist is a tight spring loaded net that encloses the entire softball field, so every hit is in play. Although Joseph found it was difficult at first to turn a profit with a new game, Arena Softball is now profitable and has gained interest internationally.

The softball-inspired game is in its second season in the Minneapolis suburb of Eagan, Minnesota, and there are advanced plans to take Arena Softball to Hartford, Connecticut and Spokane, Washington. The game even has someone from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates interested.Arena Softball is still the biggest hit back in Roseville, CA, a city near Sacramento, where it began. According to the Sacramento Business Journal article, there are approximately 800 people coming to the indoor softball complex every day, with 106 different teams playing. Joseph aims to open a second complex in the Pacific Northwest, and a third in Elk Grove or Natomas, California.

The formation of the International Arena Softball Association has inspired much of the national and international interest in the sport, which allows leagues from around the world to participate for a fee that helps further promote the sport. The next items on the agenda for Joseph and his new twist on the game of softball are to invest in improvements for their leased warehouse, and promote corporate team-building events Arena Softball currently operates with two softball fields, batting cages, pitching tunnels, concessions, video arcade, pro shop and a baseball academy. They offer softball leagues, field rentals, birthday parties, special events and corporate team-building, with 106 teams playing and 800 people visiting the arena every day.

To view the full article in the Sacramento Business Journal, go to http://sacramento.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2008/03/03/story9.html?page=1.

For more information about this new take on softball, visit www.arenasoftball.com.

About Arena Softball:
Arena Softball, the brainchild of Greg Joseph, is a new twist on the old favorite, with a regulation softball diamond and all of the softball skills everyone is used to. The twist is a tight spring loaded net that encloses the entire field, so every hit is in play. There are no foul balls, no more standing in the outfield with no action, careening balls are played off the net, and outfielders have the ability to throw runners out. Double plays, and even triple plays, are always within reach. And with just 40 feet of outfield, everyone stays with the action.

To make the game even more fun, the scoring has been modified and one or two of the rules have been changed, but everyone gets the hang of these rules within a couple of innings. It's a game for the young and not so young, for men and women, and it's a game that everyone can play, no matter what their skill levels are. It's a game that people love instantly, and come back to play again.

Ball Compression vs. COR: Understanding the Difference

2008-04-25T03:18:00.003-07:00

Ball Compression vs. COR: Understanding the Difference

What's more important: ball COR or ball compression?

COR is simply the rate at which a ball will reflect back after being cast against an immovable object. So the higher the core the higher the reflectivity or the higher the bounce if you will. Core 47 has a higher bounce than a core 40, but core is not as important as compression, although if you could choose a core 47 with low compression (which would be the ultimate mush ball) this would be a good ball for a stiff walled bat like a stock techzilla to hit for example.

Low compression balls (375lbs.) are many times paired up with 44 and 47 COR making the ball that much softer. This is why it is important to separate the two. Compression is much more important and it's as simple as this: 375lb. compression balls are softer or "compress" more than 525 lb. balls. It takes 525lbs. of pressure per sq.inch to compress a 525lb. ball 1/4". It takes only 375lbs. of pressure to compress a 375lb. ball 1/4".

So the higher the compression the harder the ball and the harder the ball the farther it will fly with the right bat. What is the right bat? Well lets look at a bit more.If you could use the ultimate ball for lets say a Miken Ultra or another high flex bat it would be high comp. 525lb.ball with 40 COR as opposed to 47 COR. Most times though 525's are paired up with 47 COR and most people think its the core 47 that is allowing the ball to fly farther, but it is in fact the compression not the core.Lets look at a low compression ball 375lbs. and a bat with a lot of flex(ultra, rocket tech, synergy, pst, etc.). Typically a low comp ball and a bat with a lot of flex is not a good combo especially over time(time being the more the ball is hit the mushier it gets).

A better pairing is those above named bats and a hi comp 525lb. ball. Hard ball meets 'soft' bat = long hit. Simple.So what would a better bat be for the low comp 375lb. with core 44 and 47 balls? Something that dosen't flex as much and guess what, this is how the world record of 530 some feet was broken back in the 70's. A 'hard' bat (no flex) was used with what kind of ball?Answer: Back in the 70's the balls flexed incredibly and were made of a type of 'Surilyn'.

The flex on the ball was incredible and rivaled what a superball is like today. They quickly were outlawed and now the bats of today are the focus of bannings like the balls were in the 70's.So now we as players, should find out what comp balls are being used in our leagues and tournaments so we can match a better bat to the ball we are using. In fact a better bat now for the low comp balls, which are becoming more prevalent may in fact be the bats of long ago that didn't flex as much. What new bats out there now don't flex as much?

The original Techzilla comes to mind immediately. It flex's for the very hard hitter, but for the average hitter who can't flex it as much, it may be exactly the bat that the doctor ordered for these low comp. balls, for even the average hitter.Now having said all of this what is the real difference in distance between a low comp and a high comp ball? My experience has been around 25 ft. or so It may not sound like a lot, but for some it's the difference between hitting a HR and hitting a long fly out.

Also different ball manufacturers will make a difference in performance. There are too many to mention here, but suffice it to say, some companies put out pure junk while others even though they are low comp. still may fly pretty good.The following should help you in understanding the ball compression and how it relates to certain bats.

.
375lbs low compression = more flexible or 'mushy' does not perform well with high flex bats.400lb-475lbs. mid compression = medium flexibility still performs OK with most bats.525lb. compression= harder ball-performs well with almost any bat on the market, but especially juiced or high flex models etc.Cor 47= more flexible bouncy or 'mushy'Cor 44= medium flexibilityCor 40= less flexible.

As you can see here if you were to have a core 40 with a low compression ball you still will have decent almost mid performance, which I have found to be true in my own testing as well. But as soon as you pair up low comp with core 44 or 47 now you have much more loss in performance with the high flex bats and why I now recommend the RT CK with those balls. Anything mid and above will perform well with high flex bats and juiced bats. The ultimate for ball hardness would be 525lbs. paired up with core 40 not 47. I know many balls are paired more with 525lbs. and core 47, but the 47 is not what makes those balls fly so far, it is the compression.Endloaded bats will in all instances make any ball fly farther, but in the case of low compression with core 44 and 47, it may not be enough to overcome the loss in performance that is experienced from the flexibility of the ball.Outside temperature and the climate you may play in will also effect performance. Cooler temps will keep the ball harder and flying farther.

Warmer temps will keep the ball more flexible and mushier.Also bat weight also factors into hitting a ball for distance. The heavier the bat and the heavier the endload you can swing the better for distance, even and or especially on the mush balls. This is proven with the players who hit 14" & 16" balls. If you have ever hit a 16" softball you know it is very soft and flexible to where you don't even need fielding gloves to catch it. Using a Miken Ultra with these balls is almost useless. Most players using these balls go with the heaviest stiff walled bats they can find.

Source:

Softball Hitting

Over- 70 Softballers Feel Young Again

2008-04-19T05:47:00.003-07:00

Over-70 Softballers Feel Young Again
by Michael Vitez

Bob Rodgers, 78, great-grandfather of seven, homered, tripled, and made an unassisted double play at first base yesterday as the Royals smoked the Bobcats, 12-1, on opening day of Philadelphia's Over-70 Senior Softball League.

The first pitch was scheduled for 10:30 a.m., but 50 men - divided among four teams - were at the John Perzel Community Center in Mayfair by 9:30, shagging flies and making jokes.
"On the day of the game," quipped Art Dustman, 83, in left field, "the manager looks in the obituary column. If he doesn't see your name, he puts you into the lineup."

These men may not have too many opening days left in life, but they don't think that way. They feel like boys again on that ball field, at least in terms of camaraderie, competitiveness and hope.
They high-five one another and chatter like Little Leaguers - "you're a hitter, Bobby, you're a hitter" - and share the same hope that exists at every level of baseball, that the next trip to the plate, for instance, will bring that big hit.

"For two hours, we are kids again," said Andy Commentucci, the league commissioner. He helped found the league in 2005. Most of the players graduated from an over-60 league that has been around for a decade.

The teams play twice a week in spring and fall. The Mayfair Community Development Corp. helped get sponsors, who provided uniforms and equipment for each team.

Some of the men, like the home-run-hitting Rodgers, play on two and three teams for aging ballplayers, from Bucks County to South Jersey and Delaware. Rodgers says he will now play six games a week (and, a widower, still dance three nights a week at local fire halls).
Bob Grispino, 72, had another game yesterday at 6 p.m. in Bucks - a doubleheader.
Frank Hosack, 75, who got a pacemaker in October, plays on an over-75 travel team and went to Utah and Florida last season.

Games are competitive, and, in theory, Commentucci said, players are supposed to provide a driver's license or birth certificate to prove their ages.

These men may have their share of ailments and artificial joints, but at many points yesterday, they looked like ballplayers of any age:
Wayne Fox, 70, dropping to one knee at shortstop to field sharply hit grounders and popping up with grace to throw the ball across the diamond.

Hosack, leaning against the fence, watching his teammate bat, his own batting gloves tucked neatly, perfectly, into the back pocket of his white baseball pants.

Grispino, an infielder, raising two fingers on his throwing hand and pirouetting, so all of his teammates could see there were two outs.

This league does have some unusual rules.
Teams play 11 men, rather than nine, with an extra infielder behind second base and a fourth outfielder. There are two first bases, to avoid collisions - one for the baseman to stand on, and another beside it for the base runner to touch.

(Bob Turner, 74, was actually called out on a clean infield hit because he stepped on the wrong first base. A minor argument ensued, but nobody was ejected.)

Anyone may have a pinch runner at any time. Ed Decker, 77, for instance, singled but then was replaced on first base. "I did have bypass surgery," he said.

At game time yesterday, the sun was shining, with a nip in the air - perfect for opening day.
There was one fan, a lone wife, Shirley Hosack, 77, way out in right field in her folding chair, with a winter coat, hood, blanket and gloves. She was keeping track of runs and hits in a spiral notebook.
"I love sports, and my husband is the pitcher," she said. "And I'd rather do this than clean my house."

The Bobcats, missing three starters, were no match for the defending champion Royals in the opener. But one excuse was worth noting:

"You know why they won?" quipped Jim Bruce, 74, a player for the Bobcats. "They had younger guys."

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer -by Michael Vitez

Slowpitch Softball Is The Sport Of Choice For Many Senior Women

2008-04-13T07:52:00.003-07:00

Slowpitch Softball:

The Sport of Choice for Women

The 4th IOC World Conference on Women and Sport in Jordan concluded recently with a strong action plan.

The IOC reported that the more than 600 participants from 116 different countries agreed unanimously and committed themselves to a future strategy which focuses on actions in five specific areas:
- Seize upcoming opportunities to promote gender equality
- Governance
- Empowerment through Education and Development
- Women, Sport and the Media
- Women, Sport and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

The Olympic Games in Beijing, upcoming elections of National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the Olympic Congress in 2009 and the Youth Olympic Games were defined as key opportunities to advance the cause of girls and women in and through sport. It is about mainstreaming girls' and women's participation in decision-making bodies, events and topical discussions. For instance, the conference participants requested the Chairperson of the IOC Women and Sport Commission to propose to the 120th IOC Session in August 2008 the mandatory requirement for all NOCs to have women on their executive committees, and that this be an enforceable requirement.

Within the field of governance, the attendees felt strongly that key performance indicators should be set by the IOC in order to provide guidance to the Olympic Movement and monitor progress against the set targets. The much needed networking of women in the Olympic Movement could be facilitated through the IOC website. The predominant female conference participants also noted the need for men in decision-making positions to participate in women and sport forums. Delegations attending policy-making forums should be gender based.

In the United States women over the age of forty are increasingly turning to slowpitch softball as their team sport of choice. Women interested in the sport can contact Pat Lawlis. the founder of the Senior Softball Women’s Advisory Board (SSWAB), an advisory body to the Senior Softball Summit, where she continues to be a SSWAB member. Pat can be reached at lawlis@aol.com.

Pat’s non-profit organization, 2nd Chance Sports, Inc produces an e-newsletter, 2nd Look, which presents information and independent views on women’s senior softball. If anyone would like to be added to the e-mailing list for this e-newsletter, please send an e-mail to Softball2ndLook@aol.com and state your request.

The ISF Senior World Cup, the ISSA World Championships and the ISSA Winter Nationals are all programmed to hold competition for the Masters and Senior women.

Source: ISSA

Player Safety Tip: Why You Should Use A Mouth Piece

2008-04-11T15:59:00.003-07:00

Player Safety Tip: Why You Should Use A Mouth Piece

You probably know someone, or know somebody who knows someone who has been hit in the mouth by a batter ball. Perhaps it has happened to you!

In softball, the pitcher, 3rd baseman and 1st baseman, as you well know, play quite close to the batter and occasionally reaction times at our age is just not fast enough. In other cases, a bad hop might shoot up and nail you big time right in the kisser. More often than not, the result of being hit in the mouth is broken teeth or worse yet, teeth knocked completely out.

Mouth pieces have been successfully used in all types of contact sports for years and have a proven "prevention" track record. They are readily available in all sporting goods outlets and are affordable with a price range of $2-$20.

All it takes is one bad hop or frozen rope line drive and a mouth piece will pay for itself in unnecessary trauma, not to mention thousands of dollars in dental costs. We urge you to consider wearing one. A toothbrush can get the dirt out of your teeth...a mouth piece can keep your teeth out of the dirt. Get one and get used to wearing it. Avoiding an injury situation before it happens is better than treating it after it happens.

Here's one of the better mouth pieces from the Shock Doctor. Click to purchase >> Mouth Piece

The Senior Softball Capital of the World

2008-04-07T12:46:00.003-07:00

THE SENIOR SOFTBALL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD - MANASSAS, VIRGINIA

Teams from California, Alabama and Virginia have already entered the 14th ISSA World Cup at Manassas, Virginia. Teams from throughout the United States (and sometimes international locations) find this event to be a preferred destination to compete in senior softball. With excellent softball facilities surrounded by many historical sites that were significant to the growth and development of the Country, some players schedule in additional days to visit area attractions including our Nation’s Capitol.

Competition has been programmed for senior women beginning at age 40 and senior men at age 50. Again this year the World Championships will also include Masters Divisions for 35+, 40+ and 45+ men’s teams. The Prince William County/Manassas CVB has mailed tournament packets to all teams that have previously expressed an interest in participating. Others may request a tournament packet from the ISSA Office or copy the needed forms and information from the International Senior Softball Association website.

Let's Do It! - A Fundamental Guide to Slowpitch Softball

2008-04-01T06:38:00.002-07:00

An indispensable resource for anyone who wants to play competitive slow-pitch softball. Includes- How to form a team, Evaluating players, How to play each position, Batting fundamentals, Practice drills, Scouting reports, Game bookkeeping, 10 to 20 Team Double Elimination Tournament Charts

Illustrations include warm-up exercise drills, practice drills and situation charts. Used by many schools for instruction at all levels. Text pages are 60# library quality acid-free bond. Full C.I.P. data is included. 8-l/2" X 11", Plasti-Koil bound (or perfect bound), 166 pages. Four Color Cover, Thoroughly Illustrated.

Click to purchase >> Let's Do It! - A Fundamental Guide to Slowpitch Softball

Slowpitch Softball Hitting Tips

2008-03-21T04:55:00.002-07:00

Slowpitch Softball Hitting Tips

1.What are the best exercises to increase hitting power? If you can physically do them, squats are one of the best exercises to increase hitting power. Your entire body will benefit from this powerful movement. If you can't do squats, try leg presses or weighted dips. They are great for developing power in triceps, chest, deltoids ... important muscles for hitting. Use compensatory training, i.e.: train with explosiveness! You're trying to increase your bat speed ... you need to train with explosive, fast movements rather than slow, deliberate training. If you want more info on this type of training, get The Secrets of Explosive Power by Dr. Fred Hatfield ... a great book for athletic power training!

2.Accelerate the bat through the ball. You lose bat speed when the bat makes contact with the ball. The key is to accelerate as you are hitting the ball explode the bat through it!!

3.Maintain a loose grip on the bat. This will help you can gain 5 miles per hour of bat speed and 5-10 miles per hour of ball speed. Keep them hands loose cuz! Your body won't let you let go of the bat. If you have tension in your hands, it's going to cost you bat speed.

4.In slo-pitch softball, you must have a complete range of motion when you are hitting. You gotta have that bat back as far as you can get it because you want to get as much momentum going as you can. When that front foot comes down, that's your signal to go. This gives you as long a swing as possible. Don't give up the swing once you make contact - that's when you have to power it.

5.For training in the gym for strength, train 40 minutes per session at most. Concentrate on core exercises that train the major muscle groups. You can train three times a week and make sensational improvements.

6.Weight training: Here is a great general system to try that takes very little time and will work wonders for you: 2 times per week do dumbbell bench presses, 2 sets of 8. Followed by dips, 2 sets to 12. When you can do 12, add weight via a weight belt. Follow that with 2 sets of 8 military press (dumbbells, followed by 2 sets of eight dumbbell rows, next chin ups (palms up), End it with bicep curls and you're done!

7.Work out with a DeMarini Chute-Speed Training Device. The Chute-Speed is a scientifically proven training device that keeps all the resistance directly behind the bat head. This forces the hitter to keep their hands out in front of the bat and maintain their speed as they make contact with the ball. The Chute-Speed is a product that not only dramatically increases a softball players' strength and bat speed, but also naturally improves hitting technique.

8.When making contact with the ball, do not lose site of it. Keep your eyes on that little white ball and you will kill it!

9.Don't forget to get into a bad mood before a game. When you go up to bat, don't be nervous, get angry and focus all your energy on nailing that ball over the fence.

Source: Tips from the DeMarini Sports Website

Old Bones Still Creaking: Meet Rudy Strauss

2008-03-16T12:39:00.003-07:00

OLD BONES STILL CREAKING

There is this old codger down in Florida, and like many of the old geezers down there, has been a ballplayer from as far back as he can remember. Way back then he was living in Manhattan and planning to become Joe DiMaggio's replacement, but when he realized the hopelessness of that particular dream, he settled down to play the game of softball. Rudy Strauss loved all phases of the sport and participated for more than a half century. But now, he can no longer play due to a vision problem, which he says is okay, "I've had my day. I must say, I enjoyed it all immensely."

Rudy joined the Florida Half Century in 1986 while playing for the Sunrise L's, (50's). He soon had to take the team over when the manager resigned and shortly after, renamed it the Gold Coast Eagles. When he turned 60, he handed that team over to younger players and started a 60's team which he named the OLD BONES. The team stayed together for the 60's, then the 65's, and finally into the 70's.

Through all those years that Rudy played and managed, his teams were never considered in the same breath as any of the top Nationally rated teams of the day. He and his teammates enjoyed the comradery and had fun, they were strictly a recreational team which was fine with Rudy.. However, there was one year at the Florida State Championship when Rudy's team won their bracket in the 60's and had to play against the Florida Legends for the title. They were "goners" in the very first inning, but enjoyed the experience of playing against a team like that. Rudy remembers the experience to this day, "they were gentleman all, including their fine manager, Lou Giovanini."

Rudy became Secretary of the Florida Half Century in the early 1990's and started communicating with the players via email as FIFTYBALL. About a year or two after that, he began using FIFTYBALL as a means of reaching people with his computer to provide the information they needed to be fully informed. The FHC League was split in those years with the 50's and 60's each having a separate organization, and it was quite a chore for the Secretary to have to send a great bulk of information, tournament schedules, new rankings, write ups and all the rest out via US Mail to all those teams. Only the managers were receiving the info, but with email, Rudy then was able to reach all of the players as well, and it worked out very, very nicely.

Rudy resigned his position with the Florida Half Century near the end of 2006 but he could not retire FIFTYBALL@aol.com. So if anyone ever needs help with a senior softball matter or needs to find a place to play in Florida, I bet old FIFTYBALL can steer you in the right direction.

Source: International Senior Softball Association

Spouses Make The Greatest Fans! Meet The "Legendary Ladies" Of Ormond Beach

2008-03-13T09:15:00.007-07:00

If the Florida Legends men's senior softball team is playing in a tournament, then you can be sure that the Legends' Ladies will be there too! They've been supporting their husbands and significant others since 1989 when the team first formed, so you'll recognize a lot of them – not by any bells or whistles or obnoxious yelling – but by their positive cheers of encouragement and their knowledge of the game.

Meet the "Legendary Ladies" of Ormond Beach FL

The camaraderie on the team has played a major role in the success of the Legends over the years. While lots of teams have wives who "allow" their husbands to go to tournaments or they might even travel along with them, many enjoy the shopping and traveling experience more than sitting at the ballpark for hours on end. But not so with the Legends¼. whether it's sharing a word of encouragement to a husband who can't seem to buy a hit, or a thumbs up for a great defensive play, these gals are always there doing their best to be supportive. (And yes, they still manage to find the shopping malls, too....but after the games!)

The gals are invited to come to team meetings and offer their comments – whether the night before the game or in the post game analysis. Like most senior teams, the whole team usually stays at the same motel, and they try to have some type of a team social event one night while they are at the tournament – whether it's a pizza party, a bar-b-que around the pool, or a special dinner at a restaurant. All of the women share the responsibility of planning and carrying out these special events. And of course there is the necessary work of securing good (and affordable) lodging for the team, finding out when we play, providing directions to the motels and fields – all of which has been done for many years by Kathy Giovanini, wife of former Legends coach, Lou Giovanini.

Perhaps the most unique experience that many of the Legends players and wives experienced over the years occurred in the spring of 2007, going to Rotorua, New Zealand to play in the World Vintage Softball Tournament. Eight of the guys and 7 of the gals were able to experience this fantastic trip. It was quickly noticed by the teams from New Zealand, Ireland, and Australia what a unique team this was – none of the other teams brought along as many fans as we did and none cheered any louder!

Source: International Senior Softball Association

Game Readiness: Putting On Your Game Face

2008-03-09T09:13:00.003-07:00

Game Readiness: Putting On Your Game Face!

Editor's Note: Although most senior softball is slowpitch, we wanted to bring you this excerpt from the Athletes' Choice best seller book collection "Focused for Fastpitch" by Gloria Solomon and Andrea Becker. Clearly the concept of game readiness applies to all competitive sports. The excerpt is courtesy of Human Kinetics, of which we are a business partner.

The concept of mental toughness refers to the optimal mind-set for competition. Players who are mentally tough thrive on the pressure associated with playing competitive softball. To prepare for these pressure situations, a player must practice under stress.

Many of the mentaphysical drills are designed to mimic pressure situations and to allow players to master these conditions. For example, if a runner is on second base and a line drive is hit to the outfield, the fielder must quickly field the ball and make a throw on the runner who is advancing toward home plate. In this type of situation, the outfielder may get overly excited and rush her actions, or she may begin to worry about what her coaches and teammates will think if she doesn’t make the play. Instead of waiting until game day to experience this type of situation, a player should experience it in practice when the environment is nonthreatening and she can take the risk without the fear of making a mistake.

By encountering these situations in practice, players will be more ready and more comfortable coping with pressure when it arises during games.Being prepared for pressure situations—in other words, being mentally tough—requires a player to adopt many of the attitudes and behaviors previously mentioned in this chapter. An enormous contributor to mental toughness is positive self-beliefs. Sustaining positive beliefs in the face of errors as well as successes will help a player maintain a winning attitude throughout the game. This increases the chances that she will give 100 percent effort for seven innings (or more if necessary). When encountering errors or mistakes, a player must focus on what she can control and rid her mind of what she cannot control.

For example, when a batter strikes out looking, she may return to the dugout frustrated and upset over the umpire’s call. She may express this frustration through negative behaviors such as throwing equipment or ignoring teammate support. Although she may believe this shows that she really cares, the actual result of this behavior is a negative impact on the attitude of her teammates. If she chooses to focus on the outcome of this situation, which is uncontrollable, it will be detrimental to her and the team’s future performance. See figure 2.4 for an exercise designed to help softball players assess the controllable and uncontrollable aspects of competition.To be adequately prepared, a player must enter the game knowing what can be controlled and what is outside of her immediate control.

This will allow her to focus her attention and energy on factors that she has the power to change, thereby emphasizing the process and not the outcome. Directing attention to what a player can control, coupled with a competitive mind-set during the game, will help players enjoy the journey as well as the destination. Players need to remember that softball is a game. Satisfaction is not solely determined by wins and losses but rather by the feeling players get when they know that they were ready to compete and played the game well.

To review and purchase, click >>

Focused on Fastpitch

Safety First: An Editorial Opinion By ISSA

2008-03-06T19:12:00.003-07:00

AN ISSA EDITORIAL ON EQUIPMENT STANDARDS

Those players who participate in the ISF Senior World Cup and the ISSA World Championships know that our events are played using the current edition of the ASA Rule Book including the bat and ball standards set forth therein. The ASA is the National Governing Body for the sport of softball in the United States and their rules govern all divisions including the senior division.
We all watched as the equipment manufacturers developed bats and balls that if used changed the integrity of the game. In just a short time, unchallenged, the manufacturers began marketing bats that created real safety issues for the sport, made ball parks unsafe and placed park visitors and parked cars in jeopardy and made the classification of teams very difficult to manage.

The equipment changed the game, the integrity of the sport was lost and millions of players hung up their "spikes." Since, the ASA equipment standards have been developed after several years of study and testing in an attempt to restore the game. It is astounding to see that recently some of these manufacturers have set out to exploit a new market, the senior softball player and have successfully persuaded some senior associations to approve these high performance bats.

The senior division is the last group of players that should use these high performance bats. Almost everyone that plays the game understands the danger that these so called "senior bats" pose for the defense particularly the pitcher. Pitchers are coming to the game dressed in "body armor," players are overheard saying "someone is going to get killed," and associations and tournament directors are adopting all kind of formats, game management controls and rules in an attempt at addressing the issues particularly safety because these high performance bats are being allowed. Groups and leagues allowing the "senior bats" have instituted all sorts of these new rules and formats designed to deal with the higher batted ball speed (and distances). You would think that officials would address the root cause of the player concerns?

We cannot control what others do but we can try to do what we believe is the responsible thing for us and our participants. Everyone agrees that the high performance bats place the pitcher at a much higher risk of serious injury or death. Softball fields were not designed and constructed for the use of such equipment and when used the games often become homerun derbies. And our National Senior Team Rating System is skewed when teams are using high performance bats. They simply create an uneven playing field by widening the gap between the top teams in a division and those less strong. We are often amazed to hear a manager say he supports the use of high performance bats for seniors then turns around soon thereafter and appeals his rating saying that he does not have the homerun power to compete. Accordingly, we agree with and support the ASA Bat Certification standards for the senior game and believe that it is in both the players and game's best interest.

You can respond to this editorial at >> International Senior Softball Association

Athletes' Choice Bestseller Book Showcase: The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Softball

2008-03-04T18:23:00.003-07:00

Athletes' Choice Bestseller Showcase:

The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Softball

This book continues to fly off the shelves like no other. -Editor

The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Softball is the most comprehensive and up-to-date softball-specific training guide in the world today. It contains descriptions and photographs of over 80 of the most effective weight training, flexibility, and abdominal exercises used by athletes worldwide. This book features year-round softball-specific weight-training programs guaranteed to improve your performance and get you results .

No other softball book to date has been so well designed, so easy to use, and so committed to weight training . This book will have players increasing arm strength, bat speed, and overall quickness and power on the diamond, leading to an increase in batting average, on-base percentage, steals, and overall performance. You will build the strength and power needed to hit the ball out of the park and you will build the stamina and endurance needed to go strong until the final pitch.

Both beginners and advanced athletes and weight trainers can follow this book and utilize its programs. From recreational to professional, thousands of athletes all over the world are already benefiting from this book and its techniques, and now you can too!

As an added bonus, this book also contains links to free record keeping charts which normally sell separately for $20.

To purchase, click >>

The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Softball

The Free Agent Adjusts His Truss

2008-03-02T12:22:00.004-07:00

The Free Agent Adjusts His Truss

Editors Note: Several months ago NSSF was contacted by the New York Times about an article it was researching about senior softball. The article was inspired by Gil Maranda, who is the grandfather of author Bryan Curtis.

Article Excerpt:
‘Grandpa’ I asked the wrinkled, 85-year-old athlete sitting before me, “will you tell me about the time you collapsed between third base and home plate?”

“Oh, that was in Las Vegas,” Gil said. “I was playing with Denver.” Denver was yet another stop on Gil’s free-agent tour of the West.

Before the tournament, he wrenched his hamstring — one of the more common injuries among 70-year-old softballers, whose muscles tend to stiffen at roughly 1,000 times the rate of those of 30-year-olds. His manager, Lou, told Gil to hang around in case he needed his bat. Gil hobbled to the plate in the last inning of the championship game with the bases empty and the score tied.
“I hit a line drive to right-center that rolled all the way to the fence,” he said. “I’m limping around first base. Then I’m limping around second. Lou’s the third-base coach, and I’m thinking, ‘Oh my God, I hope I can stop at third.’ ” But either Lou was suffering from temporary amnesia, or he had figured Gil, not unreasonably, for a superannuated Pete Rose. He waved Gil home.

Gil made the turn at third and then felt a fearsome pain shoot through his good leg. He belly-flopped about seven feet short of home plate.

Click to view a slide show
>> "Wrinkled by Formidable"

Click to read the entire article
>> The Free Agent Adjusts His Truss

Source: Article and slide show from New York Times

Your Mind Says Yes, Feet Say No!

2008-02-29T08:23:00.005-07:00

Your Mind Says Yes, Feet Say No

Steroids cast a dark shadow over Major League Baseball. But this league is covered by the unmistakable odor of Bengay.

"Our dugout reeks of the stuff," O'dell Jones says.

Muscles that belong in an antique store demand Bengay's soothing warmth, and in a softball league where 54-year-olds are considered young, every player should be issued a tube.
Jones, 69, isn't the senior member of the Senior Softball League. That honor goes to 80-year-old Carl Gaffe, who still hits, still pitches and still motors when he gets on base.

The ability to run is prided because, as Jones says, "the wheels go first." If you could hit at 30, you'll hit at 60. Running is another matter.

"Your mind says you can do it, but your feet don't cooperate," he says.

Humor survives. Two of the league's primary sponsors are Striffler-Hamby and McMullen Funeral Home. A 70-year-old man with the name of a funeral home stenciled on the back of his uniform must be able to laugh.

They are shopping for more sponsors so I suggested Parkhill Cemetery. Jones didn't answer. When he told me they play at Tillis Field on 13th Avenue, I realized how close they are to The Medical Center.

For seven innings and 21 outs, they go back in time. They swing a bat and camp under pop flies, like they did when they were young.

Many fellows who suit up haven't played in 20 or 30 years. Being back on a playing field is an adventure.

"Young fellows get hurt more than we do. They come out there for the first time and see us running and they think they can, too. Then they pull a muscle," says Jones, who says he's in good shape -- for a 69-year-old.

Since so many players in the league don't have their original parts, concessions are made for replacement knees and shoulders. Courtesy runners are allowed and encouraged. They have two home plates and two first bases, trying to avoid collisions.

Taking a cue from youth teams, they insure everyone gets to bat. There are 11 men in the field but every player on the bench is in the batting order.

Sounds like fun. But if you haven't seen a senior team play, don't assume this is only good recreation. They want to play, but they also want to win.
"We're out there to win, but we don't have harsh words and we don't get mad at each other," he says.
I'm not so sure about that. When muscles get loose and hits start dropping, old tempers still can boil.

As of Thursday, 129 men have signed up for this season. Forty of them are rookies. They need 11 more. If you can find your glove, call Jones at 706-561-6634.

Men pay $20 to play, and they know when they slip on that uniform and make a snappy throw to first base, they are young -- if for only seven innings.

As Jones says, "We're like little boys when we get out on that field."

Source: Richard Hyatt at Ledger-Enquirer

Manage Your Team Online With Slowpitch Stats

2008-02-25T19:05:00.004-07:00

Manage Your Team Online With Slowpitch Stats!

Slow Pitch Stats offers:
Team Home Page Team Manager Team Logo and Player Pictures Season Manager
Game Schedule Player Manager Sortable Game Stats Message Board
Sortable Team Stats Game by game stats Individual stats
Season stats Confirmation System Game Email Reminders

Click >> Slowpitch Stats

Need to Gear Up for Spring?

2008-02-17T13:02:00.001-07:00

There's no better place to gear up for the new softball season that at the Softball Super Store!

Softball League Keeps 90-Year-Old Feeling Young

2008-02-17T10:31:00.003-07:00

Here's a great inspirational story for those of you in just begining your senior softball careers...

Allan Chipps plays catcher and at 90 years old is the oldest player in the Lake Placid Senior Softball League. He exceeds the minimum age requirement by 40 years, although for those who sport hair beneath their caps, the common color is gray.

To read the entire article, click >> 90-Year-Old Playing Softball

Boomers: Feeling Young or Fooling Themselves?

2008-02-04T17:30:00.000-07:00

Boomers: Feeling Young or Fooling Themselves?

Energizer(R) survey reveals Boomers feel young, but often ignore important health issues; company teams with fitness expert Denise Austin to launch nationwide program.

NOTE: The Editors at National Senior Softball Forum wanted to share with you this important health information, which was distributed by PR Newswire.

Baby boomers are living longer and leading more active lives than their parents, yet still have room for improvement when it comes to long-term health. According to a recent survey by Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ENR), nearly two-thirds(64 percent) of baby boomers feel younger than their chronological age, and more than half (55 percent) said they feel healthier than their parents were at the same age. However, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, half of Americans in the 55 to 64 age group have high bloodpressure and two in five are obese.

To encourage baby boomers to live healthy, Energizer's specialty batteries division is kicking off its "KEEP GOING(R). Live Healthy" programwith one of America's well-known boomers and favorite fitness experts,Denise Austin. The program is a year-round campaign to educate this audience about better ways to live a healthy, active lifestyle -- with some help from key battery-powered devices.

The Energizer survey confirms that while baby boomers are feeling younger, they are putting less focus on age-related health issues such ashearing loss, blood pressure or eyesight. Fifty-seven percent of baby boomers reported they make it a point to eat healthy foods and 41 percentregularly exercise, however, nearly half (46 percent) have never had their hearing checked. This is especially surprising, since one-third of the respondents (33.3 percent) said they think that they might have hearingloss.

To address several of these health issues and provide helpful ways to manage them, Energizer's "KEEP GOING. Live Healthy" program is working withrespected physicians in their field to provide additional tips to consumers. The company is partnering with audiologists from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide expertise on hearing loss prevention, as well as aligning with physicians who will provide tipson diabetes management and heart health.

In addition, the program will feature a series of local-market grassroots events, including community health fairs and free healthscreenings. At these events, boomers and their families can learn about the latest health products and trends and receive free hearing, blood pressureand diabetes screenings.

"It's no secret baby boomers are taking control of their health by emphasizing diet and exercise, but we could all use a few pointers from experts like Denise," said Anne Bannister, brand group director for U.S. Specialty. "The goal of our program is to encourage a well-rounded approach toward a healthy lifestyle, and Denise truly embodies the 'keep going'spirit of the Energizer Bunny to inspire us all."

The internet portion of the launch -- energizer.com/livehealthy/ -- is scheduled to go live before February 1, 2008. The date is of significance since an earlier Energizer survey found that although people start off the New Year with good intentions, more than half (54.9%) stop theirgym/fitness resolutions after one month.* "We want to help people get motivated, stay motivated and 'Keep Going' year-round," said Bannister.

As part of the program's fitness component, Energizer is featuring a gift with purchase promotion March 1, 2008 - May 31, 2008, where consumerscan receive a free Denise Austin workout DVD with the purchase of selected Energizer specialty batteries. Later in 2008, promotional support will continue through a sweepstakes program that includes Denise Austin fitness equipment, workout DVDs, and the chance to meet Austin in person, as partof a personal training fitness session.

To learn more about the Energizer "KEEP GOING. Live Healthy" program, fitness sweepstakes, and Energizer specialty batteries that power importanthealth and medical devices, visit energizer.com/livehealthy/. About Energizer: Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ENR), http://www.energizer.com, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the world's largest manufacturers of primary batteries, battery-powered devices and flashlights.

About Denise
Austin Denise Austin promotes a sensible, realistic and enthusiastic approach to fitness and eating. In her 25 years of working to promote health andfitness, Denise has sold nearly 20 million exercise videos and DVDs.

This research project was conducted by Impulse Research Corporation for Energizer, in order to assess attitudes and behavior with respect to health and fitness issues. The survey was conducted with a random sample of 1,067 men and women between the ages of 40 and 60, representing a cross-section of Baby Boomers in this age group -- all members of the CyberPulse(TM)Advisory Panel. The Advisory Panel has been carefully selected to closely match US population demographics. Research was conducted in October 2007.

*Fitness Trainers Survey from Energizer, conducted in January 2007

Instructional Video: How Rotational Power is Generated by the Hips

2008-02-01T10:28:00.000-07:00

This video shows how the hips generate and deliver explosive rotational hitting power. Also explains the correct swing plane,and how it plays a role insetting the path of the swing.

Is Your Softball League a "Beer League?"

2008-01-30T17:56:00.001-07:00

Is Your Softball League a "Beer League?"

According to Urban Dictionary a Beer league is an organized sports venue in which participants focus their efforts on both the event at hand and the post and pre-game ceremonies which include large consumptions of alcoholic beverages. Generally, these athletes take their involvement too seriously, comparing themselves to professional athletes (particularly are downing a few beers).

To help you expand your knowledge of beer, the NSSF Editors found a few web sites worth clicking.

If there's one thing all softball players can agree about beer is that everyone has an opinion and no one agrees. A beers that one many enjoy and respect might be distasteful by another. Below is a list of websites and blogs where you can opine about your favorite beer.

The ZythophileZythophile - lover of beer The idea is to present one beer drinker’s life of beer with a few side trips, diversions and so on along the way.
Brookston Beer BulletinBeer Bulletin from beer columnist Jay R. Brooks.
Pete Brown's BlogBlog maintain by freelance beer writer Pete Brown.
Yours for Good FermentablesBlog chronicling one man's love affair with beer: not simply its tastes - as delicious, complex, and varied as they may be - but its history, science, lore, and evolving creation.
Got Beer?Weekly beer blog maintained by Doug Blackburn, a member of the Association of Food Journalists and occasional beer judge.
Advertisement
Stonch's Beer BlogBeer blog maintained by a British beer lover.
A Good Beer Blog"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." -- Benjamin Franklin The Realbeer.com BlogWhat part of beer don't you understand?
The Beer PhilosopherHere you will find various and sundry topics related to the appreciation of craft beer.
Home Brew BeerDocumenting the fits and starts of a new brewer.
Days That End in Y"Alcohol's official weblog."
Kegerators BlogKeg • e • rator -- An appliance, cabinet, or chiller for storing and dispensing a keg of beer. The user is able to keep different sized beer kegs in the machine for extended periods of time, usually a couple months, without losing any quality in the taste of the beer.
Monday Night BreweryBlog chronicling the adventures of three homebrewers as they pursue the dream of a proper brewery.
Seen Through a GlassLew Bryson - the award-winning, beer-drinking, whiskey-sipping, brewery-visiting, cask-tapping, thirst-creating drinks writer.
Jack Curtain's Liquid Diet OnlineJack Curtain's craft beer blog.
SevenPack.netWe drink the beer, so that the kids don’t have to. . .
Appellation BeerDoes it matter where beer is brewed? Catch and ReleaseBeer blog and podcast
The Brew SiteThe Brew Site is a weblog, devoted to the subject of beer.
The Beer TouristTourism is about acquiring new inspiration and broadening horizons. Finding good beers and great places that serve them proves that blandness and indifference do not rule supreme.
Boozin' Gear BlogA general blog covering beer and liquor news and topics.

Like the T-Shirt? To purchase,

click > > Beer League T-Shirt

A great beer league full feature movie, now in DVD,

is "Artie Lange's Beer League."

Movie synopsis: Beer, broads and baseball combine with hilarious results in ARTIE LANGE'S BEER LEAGUE...an over-the-top comedy about a group of misfits whose weekly softball games seem to have a lot more to do with getting into fights for macho dominance than hitting home runs. Artie is an unemployed and unmotivated drunk that is predictably still living with his mother. He is on a losing softball team, and he and his teammates are facing the end of softball as they know it if they can't pull it together. When love enters his life, it unexpectedly alters Artie's low self-esteem, and the odds for winning, not only the league trophy, but a new life, are certainly looking up. He and his teammates will have to go for the win, and survive all the comedy and chaos along the way.

To purchase the DVD, click >> Artie Lange's Beer League DVD