Senior News
May, 2001
Vol. 20. No.  5

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

May is Older Americans Month

Dan Hauser: Government Chat ignites some electric issues

Remembering Spirit: Life on the Railroad

Senior Softball: Classics tournament team wins the silver medal at Redding games

Cat Man of Old Town

Washington School: Preservation Week honors old school buildings like ours

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Senior Softball
Classics tournament team wins the silver medal at Redding games
by Stan Elcock

Last fall, the Humboldt Classics Senior Softball Association's mixed 60 and 65 tournament team took the silver medal in the Far Nor Cal Senior Games in Redding. The gold medal game was a hard-fought see-saw battle with Grants Pass emerging the victor 11 to 10.

Softball is hitting, running and fielding. If you can do two of those things - or even one real well - you're ready to join a team of the Humboldt Classsic Men's Senior Softball. Our rules are geared to seniors-no sliding, double first base, run-by second and third, runner's plate separate from home plate. If this sounds like it makes our games less competitive, come watch a game!

A 78-year-old player from Eureka is a good pitcher-he can hit the ball a country mile. But he has difficulty getting to first base before they put him out. So the league made a rule that if he hits through the in-field, they can't put him out at first. Then he can get a pinch-runner to run the bases.

This rule was made last year when 85-year-old Tony Scafani, a team-manager in Oregon, and others like him had problems running. Men would feel bad that they weren't helping the team. Now he and others can use their skills and not worry about the ones they lack. It makes them more inclined to play.

We tried forming a women's team two years ago. A lot of good players joined, but only enough for one team. Now the former manager of that team plays in the Fortuna women's league. If we could get enough women for four teams, we'd like to have a women's league.

Last year we formed a team for men in their 50s and 15 new players joined the team. As more players come out, new teams will be formed.

We have players with all skill levels, and we balance the teams. Players don't need to have any experience to start playing. Everyone plays. Everyone bats.

Stan Elcock is president of the Humboldt Classics Association. For information about joining a team, call him at 707-443-2529.