The primary concern for establishing a senior softball league in your area is that senior ball is the only option left to any aging ball player, as he eventually will become "too old" to keep up with the younger men’s competitive leagues. Oh sure, the aging senior can play on for awhile in a young peoples’ co-ed league-but eventually that becomes stale for him, as he slips into being the weakest link on the team (a scenario that has probably occurred years before, at the trail’s end of playing in the men’s league). But now, the Old Warrior must either retire completely, or look to discovering just what senior softball might be able to offer him. Actually finding a senior league is like getting to start all over again in softball!

Just how did this phenomenon of "the ancients" playing amongst themselves begin? Many softball researchers hold that senior ball had its origins back east, sometime in the vague 1980’s. It came to Florida (or had it actually started there?) and then rapidly vaulted over to California, where it really took off, with a typical California boom. The local recreation departments dove in and helped feed the multiplication process, not only to satisfy the present demands of the players, but also with a keen foresight of the future growth potential.

Soon the word about senior ball began to spread into the Northwest, back-leaping from California to the fertile grounds of Arizona and Nevada. And presently, here in the NW, we have been experiencing the entire spectrum of senior league successes, with wide divergences in growth and quality. From the low end of: "nothing-happening-yet", as is true in Montana, to the booming abundance of the Arizona year-round leagues. In between are found the comfortable growth numbers of Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

This unique sport provides a type of "new life" to thousands of senior men, who have been able to pursue a higher quality of life through their participation. Being able to go out and play one or two games a week, or perhaps attending an occasional tournament during the season, has brought new meaning and zest to their lives. The game of softball provides a zip and injection of life all it’s own, ready to dispense into the veins of the willing participants.

Seniors also find a special kind of camaraderie among their peers, which becomes a valuable commodity. It indirectly helps keep them fit and healthy during a large part of the year. Then, there are those who just plain love the game, continuing on no matter what, through their countless injuries and disabling impairments, constant impingements and the impossible odds.

If you are planning to continue playing beyond 50+, the first obstacle you may face is simply the availability of finding a senior league close to you.

For those of you who do not have anything going on in senior ball, you best consider some of the following suggestions: there are often enough senior softball players in your territory, even if it’s just enough in the beginning to form a single team for travelling to tournaments. It’s always a question of beginning the organization. With some communicating efforts and a little help from your senior softball friends, the ol’ patched up ball can get rolling and the teams (just starting with one or two) will eventually be formed for your budding senior league. Check in with the near-by city recreation departments and persevere in going out and recruiting on your own. Later, take all the information your "group" has obtained to the recreation agency and be patient. It may take a year’s worth of planning, organizing and recruiting before you succeed.

The overwhelming testimonials coming from players who have succeeded by this do-it-ourselves-philosophy, state that this method is the strongest driving force of their league.

So why doesn’t every city recreation department have a senior softball program? Much of it depends on the existing population base of "contactable" seniors who will play. There are senior players still sprinkled within the existing softball divisions, along with many others out there who have just "retired" from the game. Most ex-players are just waiting to be called back.

The amazing popularity of senior tournaments in America is one of the phenomenons of the entire spectre. There are presently 10 or more major organizations in America that cater to this demand. The largest is based out of California and has experienced unprecedented success in the senior softball world. Last year 125 senior teams participated in a tourney in Reno, thus establishing a whopping record for the NW. Nine states were represented with 21 divisions, which started at 40+ and went all the way up to 75+.

But don’t look to the big name senior softball organizations for help in these areas. Here in Boise, four men began a four-team league. Now there are over 20 teams and the league is flourishing. Many choices are available once you get rolling, such as forming a board of directors to help guide you through the understanding of special rules.
ASA is slowly coming along, getting in a bit late, but they are now actively bringing to the NW some less expensive, more professionally run tournaments for seniors.

For some of us it boils down to being able to go out and just physically exhaust ourselves on a playing field; to be able to have a few laughs with the boys; to simply be out there on those grassy fields and smell the elusive wisps of warm dust coming off of the battle ground; to listen closely to the sounds of the game, which always takes us back to better days of our carefree youth. Maybe it has something to do with the hope of being able to get the big hit once in a while; or to share in a dynamic, come-from-behind victory that will taste sweet all the way into next week. All of these things can help make us boys again-and after all, what else is a game like this designed for anyway?