As many RVers migrate for the winter, some also prepare for friendly competition.
By George Moore, F460576
October 2022
Most of us are aware of the rapid growth in popularity of pickleball among older adults. Not as well known is that senior softball has been experiencing significant growth for the past several years. Senior Softball-USA (SSUSA), the largest senior softball organization in the United States, estimates that more than 1.5 million men and women over the age of 40 participate on approximately 1,200 teams in leagues throughout the United States. Senior softball is also a popular sport in Canada.
After the game at Fortuna de Oro RV Resort, the teams exchange friendly high-fives.
As the name “senior softball” implies, the sport is geared toward the more mature player and weekend athlete. In addition to specific bat and ball requirements, senior softball has rules aimed at the safety of participants. Among them are regulations to prevent collisions at first base and home plate, as well as rules related to use of a screen to protect the pitcher. You might also see pitchers and infielders wearing a protective mask. It is a sport where the rules recognize that older adults may have slower reflexes and less stamina and strength than our younger and more aggressive counterparts. Some rules, such as minimum age and team composition (male, female, or coed), vary from league to league.
I mentioned that there are more than 1.5 million of us older folks who play softball. Some of us play in summer leagues like the one where I live in Amarillo, Texas, and then head south for the winter. What do we do if we want to take advantage of the mild Southern climate and play a little winter ball? Unfortunately, few RV parks and resorts have softball fields.
A member of the Amarillo Senior Softball Club catches the ball during a game.
The good news is that the opportunity to play senior softball during the winter months exists in many places throughout the southern tier of the United States. SSUSA has 15 leagues in Texas; a whopping 81 leagues throughout Florida; and leagues in Mesa, Sun City, Tucson, and 13 other locations in Arizona. These leagues are good about placing those who want to play on a team and also bringing new teams into a league.
In addition to the SSUSA leagues, many municipal parks and recreation departments sponsor winter softball leagues. The McAllen, Texas, Parks and Recreation department is an excellent example, as it sponsors a senior softball league that brings together local and Winter Texan teams and individuals from throughout the Rio Grande Valley for a fun and competitive season. (“Winter Texan” is a term representative of Texas’ hospitality in welcoming winter residents into the state, community, and local culture of the Rio Grande Valley.) The softball season runs from January through March and includes both an A (competitive) and B (recreational) league for men’s and coed teams. The parks and recreation department also sponsors a post-season tournament and a post-season United States versus Canada game.
A growing number of RV resorts have senior softball teams that compete in local leagues or against other RV park teams. Typically, these teams are part of the park or resort activities and sports programs.
In competitive play, yellow is the official ball color.
A few resorts, such as Voyager RV Resort in Tucson, Arizona, and Fortuna de Oro RV Resort in Yuma, Arizona, have their own softball fields. The Voyager Resort regularly fields both an A and a B team. Cal-Am Resorts was especially forward thinking when they purchased Fortuna de Oro Resort about 10 years ago. Recognizing the popularity and growth of senior softball and the success of softball fields at their Mesa resort, they built a beautiful softball field at Fortuna de Oro. It includes small bleachers, a place for spectator chairs and grills, and a parking area. The games attract an enthusiastic crowd of family members and fans.
We know that senior softball is a growing and popular sport with leagues throughout the United States, but how do we softball-playing RVers find a league in the places where we snowbird or spend the summer up north? I will suggest three options, but remember, many areas in the country don’t have a senior softball league.
First, check with the activities office at your destination. If your RV park doesn’t have a senior soft-ball team, park personnel may be able to direct you to a local league.
Second, if your destination RV park doesn’t have an activities director or a senior softball team, contact local and nearby municipal parks and recreation departments.
A team from the Senior Texan winter softball league in McAllen, Texas, poses for a photo.
Third, go to the SSUSA website (www.seniorsoftball.com) and click “Leagues” and then select a “Region” for a list of states and associated leagues. You can also use the search box and type in a location, which will lead you to the closest existing league and provide contact information.
Remember, parks and recreation departments and leagues will work to place individuals on teams and incorporate new teams into existing leagues.
Good luck, and I will see you on the ballfield.