STATE OF OUR SPORT

Sept. 1, 2010

Senior Softball is a bright spot in our bleak economy. Numbers across the board are solid – and provide more than a little optimism that our sport is headed in the right direction.

With the 2010 tournament season nearly completed, the numbers of teams competing is up more than 7 percent, and the number of players participating increased almost 16 percent from last year.

What does this mean?

We believe it is a reflection of a continuing strong national trend in sports, especially participatory team sports, because they offer a recreational outlet at a reasonable cost.

This trend is especially apparent in Senior Softball because of the quest of Baby Boomers to establish a whole new stereotype: the active seniors.

Gone are the old stereotypes of age: The rocking chairs on the porch, grandpa in the garden, grandma knitting on the couch.

Today grandpa is at shortstop, grandma is pitching and they won’t be home until the game – and the tailgate party with their teammates – is over.

The trend is not only economic, but it is a cultural shift that is both healthy and wise for America. We are happy to be part of it.