Traverse City Record-Eagle

Kathleen Gest: Senior Focus

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May 28, 2011

Senior Focus: Y looking into new softball league

By Kathleen Guest, Local columnist ----

Getting older shouldn’t mean succumbing to the stereotype of old folks sitting in their rocking chairs on the front porch.

Boomers are establishing a whole new stereotype — that of the active senior. It is a cultural transformation that is both healthy and wise for older Americans.

This goal is especially apparent in men’s senior softball. Today, grandpa might be a shortstop who plays in competitive softball games, then enjoys a social hour with his teammates.

In Traverse City, the YMCA and the Senior Center offer adult softball, basketball, soccer, racquetball and Pickleball.

“We have the men’s senior league going at the Y now, which is 55 years and older,” said Barb Beckett, YMCA program director. “However, there are a certain number of the guys that would like to play more than one day a week … and they would like to play in a league for 60 and older men.”

The YMCA is interested to find out how many men want a new senior men’s softball league. Forty men, 60 and over, are needed to start the league; the YMCA would then be the organizer and facilitator for the teams and games.

“The exercise factor is important,” Beckett said. “In addition, softball is fun for the men who play. It is not, in my opinion, an extremely difficult sport to play. So, when we are looking for new softball players, we could take anybody — even beginners or people who haven’t played in many years.”

Playing an active sport not only keeps seniors from losing their strength and stamina, but also helps maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints. A sport, such as softball, also reduces anxiety and depression, improving mood and feelings of well-being.

Softball has another aspect that is beneficial to seniors. People who surround themselves with others in various activities, such as team sports, have a lower risk for illness.

It is never too late to become physically active.

“The senior men, who are now playing on Monday nights, are really good — we have men playing that are in their 80s,” Beckett said. “Although they can’t run as fast as they used to, they are still in good shape.”

As for the new league, “basically, we are now only doing a signup sheet — who would like to play — who is interested,” Beckett said. “I just don’t have more specifics, because I don’t know what I am dealing with yet.”

If you’re interested in a 60 and over men’s softball league, call the YMCA at 933-9622 and ask for Barb Beckett or contact the Senior Center, 922-4911, lwells@tcseniorcenter.com.

Kathleen Bellaw Gest is a local freelance writer. For more about the Traverse City Senior Center, go to www.tcseniorcenter.com.

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