Prescott Senior Softball Offers a Great Way to Stay in Shape

by A. Player, prescottseniorsoftball.com
Dick Van Dyke, now 94, was asked to write a book on how to stay healthy. He said it would be the shortest book ever written, only two words — keep moving! 
Twice a week a few hundred old fogeys get together and run around in the fresh air playing ball like little kids. It’s Little League for old-timers. They’re proving the old saying: “You can’t avoid growing older, but you don’t have to grow up.”
Ten months of softball for $90? There is a catch — are you old enough to qualify?
Prescott Senior Softball offers an entertaining way to stay fit for women and men age 45 and older. PSS has been around since 1990 and will be celebrating 30 years of geezer softball next season. 
There are three leagues to choose from, ranging from the more competitive Major League to the more recreational AA League. In between is the AAA League, slightly less competitive and for players with decent skills. You get to pick your league.
All games are played Monday and Thursday mornings at Pioneer Park off Commerce Drive. The $90 fee covers play from mid-January until Thanksgiving. We play three separate seasons. The Cactus League is for players to tune up for the long Summer League. Cactus League is also a chance for the managers to take a look at the players for that year’s draft. 
Summer League goes from April until September. At the end of the season a double-elimination tournament is played. Prizes are awarded for both regular season and tournament winners.
After the Summer League, a Fall League is played until Thanksgiving for those who just can’t get enough softball. It is addicting and lots of fun. Teams become family. I have made many friends over the years and socialize with folks outside of softball. 
From experience I can tell you what it has done for me and others. I work out regularly and stretch almost every morning. I also eat a healthy diet. If you come to the fields before a game you will see dozens of players stretching, jogging, running, using elastic bands to exercise, hitting off tees, playing catch and getting ready for the day. It has made the quality of life go up for us in many ways.
About 15% of our league is made up of women, and we would love to see that number increase. Although most ladies play in the AA League, about a dozen ladies are in the AAA League. The Majors welcomes any good players and have had women play in the league.
So if you are looking for an entertaining way to get some exercise and socialize with some fun fuddy-duddies, come out to Pioneer Park. Weather permitting, play begins at 9 a.m. in March.
So, if you are retired or just looking for something to do on Monday and Thursday mornings, go to www.prescottseniorsoftball.com and sign up! Questions? Call Mark at 541-531-7100.
Photo: Every game ends with High Fives for everyone. Another successful game…nobody got hurt!