Love of the game powers teams of senior sluggers

No one would mistake them for boys of summer, but for these mature athletes, the joy of playing baseball came with no expiration date.

Thanks to the senior softball league, men in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond get to stay in the game on a level paying field in the Conrad Complex in Kalispell.

Regis McCurry, 83, Ravens outfielder and founder of the league, has seen senior softball evolve from a few men practicing batting to a league with about 50 players, four teams and even playoffs.

According to McCurry, seniors turn out each spring for the same reason younger men and women jam on a mitt and hit the diamond.

"It's the love of the game," he said.

Desire to play remains the only qualification for donning the uniform as a member of the Ravens, Eagles, Vultures or Osprey teams.

A little wear and tear and surgical intervention doesn't sideline these seniors. Some team members step up to the plate with knee and hip replacements.

Years melt away when the umpire yells "Play ball."

"They may not run as fast or hit the ball as far but they can still play," McCurry said.

The players themselves make the best argument for getting back in the game. McCurry looks and moves like a much younger man.

He said he notices people decades younger than himself barely walking in the malls or having trouble just standing up. Then one of the senior players walks by with a strong stride.

Some of the men pitch, catch, hit and run well enough to mix it up with the younger men of the regular league.

While the senior league teams play each Tuesday evening, a team of their top players suits up as the Scoreboard on Thursday evenings to compete with men half or a third of their ages — as in the case of pitcher Donald Holman, 82.

McCurry, who coaches the elite team, recalled the game that pitted the Scoreboard against the Bigfork Bombers.

"Don was playing against his grandson in that game," he said with a laugh. "I think Don was 80 and his grandson was 25 that year."

Their younger counterparts learned last year not to underestimate the prowess beneath the silver hair when the Scoreboard took the D Division title. It was a victory to remember.

"We held a big party at the Elks," McCurry said.

Socializing in the form of good-natured ribbing on the field and over a beer after the game means nearly as much to these men as the opportunity to continue competing.

McCurry said the guys draft team members as much for sociability as their ability with a bat and ball. As a result, their reputation has grown, providing a magnet for other players.

"We're kind of the bad-news boys," he said with a laugh.

McCurry takes a lot of satisfaction in seeing senior leagues grow and mature across the country.

The founder of the Flathead senior slow pitch softball program also planted the original seed in Sarasota, Florida in 1985 after retiring from a career as a claims adjuster.

Finding time on his hands, McCurry began volunteering with the recreation department in Sarasota. He worked with youth before approaching the city about starting a program for older men.

"We started the first senior softball," McCurry said. "We had just seven people show up. Today, just in Sarasota, we have over 200 men."

As the senior leagues proliferated, national tournaments started around the country, providing a showcase for the top talent. McCurry and some other Florida players joined up with some Texas talent to form a super senior tournament team.

"I've been fortunate enough to go to the world series - our team won three times," he said with a smile. "It's a joy- — the rings are in a drawer."

After he and his wife began spending summers in the Flathead, McCurry found himself again longing for senior softball so he approached Mike Baker, parks and recreation director for the City of Kalispell in 1996.

After hanging up posters and distributing flyers, he once again ended up with just seven people assembled to play on a field then located near the city airport.

"Four of the original seven are still playing," McCurry said.

Along with McCurry, the remaining veterans include Holman, Pete DeGregorio and Bob Neitzling. Over the ensuing 12 years, growth has been slow but steady.

At first, the average age was 65, which made playing in the regular men's league problematic.

"We were getting killed," McCurry admitted with a laugh.

So, they gave the co-ed league a try after finally attracting a precious few women to join their ranks. Oddly enough, the senior women's idea of a good time didn't include screams along the lines of "why didn't you catch the blankety, blank ball!"

"The women quit so there we were without any women in the co-ed league," McCurry recalled. "We started winning and the other teams complained."

After contemplating their problem, the senior men decided to drop the age down to 50 to widen their pool of potential players. The tactic got more players and the "young blood" that helped them compete in the men's league.

For the first time this year, the senior ranks grew enough to fill four teams of 12 to 14 players.

"The thing I've learned is you don't have retirees here like in Florida," McCurry said.

He said the short window of summer months means players work in softball around boating, fishing, hunting and other warm-weather pursuits. McCurry said the current board of directors of full-time Montana residents has helped network in more players through word of mouth.

"The league is here to stay now," he said with a smile.

Men interested in the senior league may learn more by contacting Robert Simmons at 752-8857.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.