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March 31, 2000 Vol. 19. No. 4 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.
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Humboldt Senior Resource Center Back issues
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Humboldt Classic Leagues Forming If you will be 50 years of age or older in the year 2000, there's a place for you on one of the 12 men's senior softball teams in the Humboldt Classics Senior Softball league. You may qualify to play in either the 50s or the 60s division with teams from Fortuna, Eureka, Arcata, McKinleyville, Freshwater or Blue Lake-or put together your own team. The season usually starts around June 1 and concludes by the end of August, playing twice a week on prepped fields, using professional umpires. The cost is around $35 per player-if you are on a sponsored team, the cost is usually less. So, if you want to have fun, fellowship, and competition in an active
and organized league, call Mel Lundberg, 822-3787 for more details. And be
sure to let your senior friends, relatives and neighbors know that senior
softball exists and is growing in Humboldt County. The Humboldt Classics Senior Softball Association sprang out of the coed Redwood Relics softball program in Fortuna. Redwood Relics was a softball team for senior men and women. Some of the men wished to participate in more competitive play, so in 1992 they formed a coed team called the Woodchucks and entered play in Eureka City League. Most of the teams in the city league were made up of young players making the level of competition pretty high for older athletes. In the late fall of 1992, Bert Steel and I formed the Humboldt Classics Senior Softball Association for men 50 years-of-age and older. The summer of 1993 was the first season of play for the new association. Two teams were formed in Eureka, the Mossbacks and Oak Merchants, and one team in Blue Lake, Rounds Logging. We adopted the following rules of play-no sliding, no collisions between players (accomplished by having a double first base, one for the defensive player and one for the runner) and a runner could pass second and third base to the outside within three feet of the base or to the inside if the defensive player occupied the outside. An additional runners' plate was added at home situated away from the catcher. It was also expected that everyone would bat and everyone would play. After three years the Oak Merchants dissolved and new teams were added-Old Growth from McKinleyville, the Vasa Vikings from Eureka and Arcata, KFC from Eureka and Murphy's Markets from Eureka and Fortuna. In 1997, a tournament 60-and-older traveling team was formed. In 1998, it joined the Southern Oregon Tournament League composed of Grants Pass, Medford, Bend and Eugene. A 65-and-older traveling team was formed in 1999. Portland was added that same year. By 1998, teams had become more competitive, so the association formed two divisions: one for men 50-59 years-of-age and one for men 60 years-of-age and older. At present the association has 12 teams, eight for 50 to 59 years-of-age and four for 60 years-of-age and older. The ages of players range from 50 to 78. A number are 70 and older. A total of 45 people participated in the program in 1993. Nearly 190 participated in 1999. As more players join, additional teams are formed. If you are in your 80s and have not played, don't hesitate to join a team. Contact me at 443-2529 or Mel Lundberg at 822-3787. Stan Elcock of Eureka is president of Humboldt Classics. Seniors' Largest Sporting Event by Art Jones The 1999 Senior Softball World Championships was crowned the largest single senior sporting event in history in Phoenix in October, with 3,700 players from 31 states and Europe participating. A record 247 teams of senior softball men and women played in the AA, AAA and Majors divisions, in age groups up through 80 years of age and older. Nineteen senior teams were crowned World Champions. Way to go, seniors! Art Jones is a member of a team that played in the 1999 championships. One-time article Copyright 2000 by Humboldt Senior Resource Center . |
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