Informational meetings planned to establish women’s senior softball team
MADISON – The Madison/Huntsville area is home to a good selection of competitive club sports, from soccer to baseball and volleyball and hockey, however, they are generally for youth and young adults. There is a new competitive team being formed in Madison specifically for older adults.
Dee Benson is hosting an informational meeting Aug. 10 and Aug. 24, 2 p.m., at the Hogan Family YMCA in Madison to establish the state’s only women’s senior softball team to compete in tournaments and quality for the state and national senior games.
“We are such a growing community and we have so many diverse groups,” Benson said. “I am sure there are a lot of women desiring to play, but just don’t have the proper outlet to connect.”
The new team will be for players ages 40-55 who are competitive. The senior age starts at 50, however, organizers are hoping to have a 40’s team to feed the 50-55 plus team. Women over 55 that are capable of playing down are welcome. They need to have played before and have some level of skill for the game.
“If we get enough interest, we can create more than one team in the state,” Benson said.
Benson has played for two years on a team based in Tennessee. “Currently Alabama does not have a women team,” she said. “We are hoping to form the team to be able to compete in senior tournaments and qualify for the National Senior Games.”
Alabama has the State Senior Olympics, which serves as a qualifying event to the national games. The 2019 National Senior Games was held at Albuquerque, NM in June. The next National Senior Games will be held at Broward County, Florida in 2021.
The average season for a competitive senior team starts with planning in January to decide on tournaments and fundraisers. Then, in March, the players will meet for practice and workouts with tournaments starting in April.
“We would probably compete in around six tournaments between April and September,” Benson said. “About one a month. It would really depend on how active the team wants to be and what they decide to do.”
Benson said she has found playing on a senior softball team allows her to continue to play the sport she loves in her senior years and is a great way to have fun and stay in shape in a social athletic way. “It’s a lot of fun playing the sport we love while achieving our goals together.”
The main goal, according to the Alabama Senior Olympics, is to create awareness of the abilities and capabilities of older adults; help maintain and improve health and wellness; and to promote an interest in lifetime sports, recreation and physical activity.
“If you think you are too old, you are not,” Benson said. “We see people 50 to 100 plus who are vibrant and very active in competitions. Don’t limit yourself. It is possible to stay active and competitive in your senior years.”
Benson added, “If you are like I was two years ago, wishing you could play softball, there is no need to wish any more. Come be part of the exciting establishment of the Alabama women’s softball team.”
For more information or just to see what it’s all about, come to the informational meeting on Aug. 10 or 24, and you can also email Dee Benson at fitdee@gmail.com.
