THE GAME THAT
NEVER GETS OLD
The Northern Allegheny County Senior Softball League welcomes members from all over Pittsburgh to play America ’ s favorite pastime .
BY PAMELA PALONGUE
Growing old “ is mandatory , but growing up is optional ,” said Walt Disney . The men of the Northern Allegheny County Senior Softball League ( NACSSL ) would probably agree . These boys of summer are still out there chasing the perfect game and enjoying the spirit of goodnatured competition . They range in age from 52 up into the 80s .
NACSSL was formed in 1988 as a way for more mature ballplayers to enjoy competitive softball play . Today there are over 200 members who play for 16 teams . All of the teams are located in the Pittsburgh area , though many players come from the regional area for a chance to play for the draft league .
Potential players start by signing up as early as January every year . Player evaluations start in March and happen every Tuesday and Thursday . The draft is in April , and league play begins the first week of May .
And according to the secretary of the league , Chuck Heilmann , once you ’ re selected for a team , you ’ re on that team until you want to change teams or decide you don ’ t want to play anymore . The team members get carried over from year to year , and the draft system is used to replace only the departing players .
“ Everybody our age still wants the chance to compete ,” says Heilmann who ’ s been playing for 15 years and is currently a fielder with the Brandt team . “ We enjoy the camaraderie of the game .”
Jim Grosjean , one of the co-managers for the Aetna Gold team , agrees : “ We play to win , but everyone knows everyone on the other teams .”
Grosjean had played competitive softball in his younger days , but when raising a family took precedence , he quit in 1989 . Two years ago he decided that softball would be a great way to stay in shape , and also to get to know some other people . He ’ s competed in the track and
24 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags . com