Senior Women’s Softball: Older Women Have Game
The number of women playing senior slow pitch softball has grown significantly, nation-wide and in Delaware. I recently spoke to Susan Brooker, captain and third-base for the Slammin 60’s, about her team and the local Senior Women’s Softball League.
What type of growth have you seen in the league?
Susan: Deborah Estes and Joanne Cassidy, of the Lazy L At Willow Creek Bed and Breakfast in Lewes, and members of the DE Diamonds, have been instrumental in the growth of the Sussex league. When I first started playing about five years ago, there were three teams; we have six established teams returning this year. They are the Hot Flashes (45+), Shore Sharks (45+), Alley Cats (50+), Delaware Diamonds (50+), and the Slammin 60’s (60+) along with the traveling Blue Chicks (65+) from New Castle/Kent counties. I want to add that new teams are welcome to join the league.
What are the qualifications for playing?
Susan: Players must be at least 45 years of age. Teams are based on age groups at each five year increment starting at 45+. However, only players as old as the age group can participate. For example, a 60 year old would be eligible for the 50+, 55+ and 60+ while a 54 year old would only be eligible for the 50+.
Are most players seasoned ball players?
Susan: Most have played in high school or college and some in leagues afterwards. Most women come from a fast pitch background including some of the top teams in DC and the Philly area. The Slammins, have more years of combined playing experience than all the other teams in the league, due, in part, to our advanced age.
How does senior slow pitch differ from fast pitch?
Susan: There are the traditional nine softball positions as well as a short left and short right. To name three major differences, players cannot bunt, steal bases, and are allowed to freely substitute runners. Slow pitch is a game of finesse. There’s a lot to the pitching. Most good teams have at least one, if not two good pitchers. Bottom line, a pitcher cannot just lob the ball in an arch over home plate, she must put a lot of spin on it or opposing players will hit the ball hard. And, batters must be able to place the ball and hit hard down the line.
What is the history of the Slammin 60’s?
Susan: Pamela Grosz, Joy Boone, and I, were part of the DE Diamonds for several years. We put the Slammins together last year and are the Diamonds’ older sister team. The two teams are close, supporting each other and raising money together so we can go to tournaments.
How do you recruit players? Do you have to try out?
Susan: We advertize in newspapers, and tell all our friends about us. There are no try outs. All a new player needs to do is to show up for practice and we’ll work to find a position they are comfortable with. We believe anyone can play and most of the teams in the league believe the same.
What is the age range of the Slammin 60’s and who plays some key positions?
Susan: We have Anita Grieco (50), at right field or umpire. One of our most gung-ho players is Marion Lisehora, who will be 80 in September, and is a solid performer at left short or second base. Our Mary Murdoch, who will be 72 this year, is a terrific pitcher and constant source of encouragement to younger 60s players like Marcia Howe, 61, who will also pitch this year. Loretta Rhett Riedel (left field), who travels from New Jersey, every Tuesday to play, will be 67 in July. 2010 was her first year with us and she was invaluable, hitting home runs in the state tournament. Our younger players include Gail Parr who will be 60 next year. She is a marvel on the field, playing short stop. Boe Harris, who played catcher last year, is looking to play in the field; she can run like the wind. Janis Dillard, an exceptional hitter from the DE Diamonds can play all field positions with ease. Our first base, Sherry Berman, is very limber and able to stretch and catch a hard ball from me on third. We also have three women from the Blue Chicks 65+ team—Paula Klemm, Barb Sweeney and Dorothy Dorcy Wilkins—who play for the Slammins when their team doesn’t play us or is touring the nation.
Have you added any new players to the team? Do you think the Slammin 60’s will be a stronger team in 2011? And, how often do you practice?
Susan: We have added Barbara Miller and Bev Ascolese; By mid May, Etta Dilauro, Anita Antol and Roz Aubuchon are joining us. We call these women our legs. And, yes we do believe we will have a far better record this season with more players with overall softball experience and those new LEGS. Before the season starts, we practice Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. and we go to batting cages.
How competitive is the league? Do you play each other regardless of age division?
Susan: It’s very competitive. Last year we opened up two 45+ teams and it’s a stretch for us to play teams in this age division, but we do. One team, the Hot Flashes, is Marion Lisehora’s daughters’ team and us old gals have a lot of fun playing the younger women. The other team, the Shore Sharks is very competitive with the DE Diamonds. The Softball Players Associations allows teams in the 60+ and over age divisions to be given one run per inning, up to five per game to even the playing field. The Slammins are considering doing so this year because we have one player over 70 and one hitting the 80 mark.
How did the Slammin 60’s do in the Annual State Games (Delaware Senior Olympics) last year in Dover? Will the team go to the 2011 National Senior Olympics in Houston?
Susan: We were number two overall in the State Games, playing teams outside the state and one in Delaware in our 60+ division. While we qualified for the National Senior Olympics this year, the Slammins elected not to go because we didn’t want to play in the Texas heat. If we qualify, we are planning to go to the 2013 national tournament in Cleveland.
Given that you are women of a certain age, why do you still want to play softball?
Susan: Getting together with women basically around your own age and from many walks of life is fun and provides support at this time of our lives. And, by getting involved in softball, I’ve been able to totally turn around my health issues including losing a lot of weight. So, a wonderful sidebar of playing softball as a senior is getting into better shape and I have seen other team members do the same thing.
Opening night for the Sussex Senior Women’s Softball League is May 31; opening night for the Slammins is June 7 against the traveling Blue Chicks. Games are Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Sports at the Beach in Georgetown on Route 9. There is no admission to watch. More Information on Senior Women’s Softball
The Slammin 60’s are holding a yard sale at the Reserves of Lewes Landing (Rt. 9 and Minos Conway) on Saturday, June 18 from 8 a.m-1 p.m. Money raised will help the Slammin 60’s and Delaware Diamonds cover expenses to participate in tournaments and the 2013 Gay Games in Cleveland.