Swinging for the Fences Local Over-40 Baseball League Seeks New Talent

GREENE COUNTY — Get ready to knock it out of the park! The Catskill Old Timers Softball League is calling on all ballplayers aged 40 and above to join their roster and relive the thrill of competition! "It's always been a great way to bring people together and make new friends, it gets ‘em off their phones and into a great workout" says Manny Voss who played for Roundtop Knitting & Screening's softball team until he was 67 years young. He has since made a new home in South Carolina but still remains active in the league he loves by managing all the teams schedules from afar."I'll still watch the games if I can catch one whenever I'm up for a visit," he adds. 

Whether your a former high school or college star, a recreational player, or just someone who loves the game, this league offers a unique opportunity to stay active, socialize, and showcase your skills on the diamond."I would love to see more people getting involved" says one of the League's recruiters and players, Don Parshley."It's only one night a week and you meet the greatest people  out there." 

Don explains that the League will often showcase fundraiser games in order to raise money for various charities like fighting cancer."I love the game and I don't want to see it end" Don continues."We need to get some new blood in there." 

New blood like Dan Lactinola of Platte Clove, who was recently recruited and played his first game for a team sponsored by Kelly's Pharmacy in Greenville."I get into the game but I can leave the competitiveness in the moment, when the play is over it's time to move on," says Dan of the League's more relaxed and fun play of the game. 

"We try to keep it friendly whenever we all get together and play, sometimes we even root for the other team" explains George Soldner, a fellow player for Kelly's Pharmacy of 23 years."I started playing back in college and I am really glad I still get to play." 

"We are one of the last surviving softball leagues in this region" begins Allan Zwoboda, known better by his friends as "Zeke," the League's manager who at 72 years young is still in the game! "There's been a bit of a cultural shift these past few years and it seems like everyone is too busy to get together anymore" Zeke remarks of the decline in players lately. Zeke's father in law "Robert Matteson" was one of the League's original founding players over 50 years ago and is whom the Robert Matteson Award, which is bestowed to players who exhibit general service to the League, is named for. 

Registration to join is now open to players aged 40 years and up at LeagueLineup.com  https://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=cotsl

The Catskill Old Timer softball league is active Mondays through Fridays at Elliot Park in Catskill beginning in April with games going on every week into September.