Saratoga News
Sports
Softball life begins at 50 those playing in the area's Vintage Softball League
By Dick Sparrer
Who ever said that life begins at 40? For the men and women participating in the Vintage Softball League of Santa Clara County that's just a little too young.
For the ageless softball players of the area, life begins at 50--at least, that's when they become eligible to compete in the Vintage Softball League.
And this year the league that caters to the 50-plus crowd is celebrating a milestone of its own. The league has been around for 20 years and will celebrate that birthday with a party on Nov. 9 at the Three Flames Restaurant in San Jose that will feature dinner, dancing and a fundraising raffle. The results of the election of officers for the 2008 season will be announced, and the league will recognize the 12 charter members who remain active in the club that "offers men and women 50 and over an opportunity to play organized softball with people their own age," said former club president Noel Lanctot.
The club boasts a membership of about 240 softball players that play Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Twin Creeks Sports Complex in Sunnyvale and Saturdays at Moffett Field in Mountain View.
"When you think of seniors playing softball, you might think of people who have trouble bending over to field a ball, or huffing and puffing to make it down the base path," said Lanctot. "But if you think that, you would be wrong. Sure we have a few players who don't get a lot of hits, but we also have several who can knock the ball over a 300-foot fence--and everything in between. "Everybody's out to win, but not at the expense of good sportsmanship. Our main thing is to have a good time, get some exercise and meet a lot of terrific people."
The club is seeking new members of all skill levels who will be 50 years old or older during the year they sign up. Anyone interested should contact club president Jim Callan at 650.631.5889 or jim@callanandassociates.com, or visit www.SeniorSoftballSanJose.com.
