By K.B. Sherman, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – “Life is simple. Eat. Drink. Play Softball.” This cheery message heads the webpage of EMASS Senior Softball (http://www.emass-seniorsoftball.com). But there could also be another message imparted – one is never too old to play and enjoy the game.
Fred Scerra is living proof of that second motto. At age 80, he is still an active member of Marlboro Senior Softball Association.
EMASS is a Massachusetts not-for profit corporation originally created in 1995 and incorporated in 2008, and managed and administered by a Board of Directors, all of whom are volunteers serving without compensation. The organization currently has about 350 men and women, ages 55 to 80+, who play organized softball from early spring until the winter. The
league, Scerra said, provides a competitive yet safe environment. EMASS offers multiple divisions of play for players of all skill levels. While the games organized by the association should be played to win, the association seeks to ensure that members have a positive, fun, athletic, and social experience, and compete and play in a sportsmanlike manner.
Scerra is also his team's schedule coordinator. He explained that the Marlborough group has two teams, which are starting their program for the 2013 season and will begin playing in May. The Marlborough teams include men over 55 and women over 45. These two teams join 14 others in an association covering Central Massachusetts. They play all their games during the week, in the mornings.
The team travels to towns such as Worcester, Palmer, Tewksbury, Canton and Wayland in Massachusetts, plus Nashua, N.H, and Wyndham, Conn. Each team plays once a week, or about 40 games a year. Especially enthusiastic members play as many as four to six times a week.
“We started about 20 years ago as EMASS Senior Softball, with four teams,” Scerra said. “The teams support themselves through membership fees of $40 per year. Most players bring their own equipment.”
The Marlboro Senior Softball Association is currently holding registration for the 2013 season and is looking for four more players of all talent levels for weekday mornings. A member must have reached the minimum age by Dec. 31. If players are interested, they can contact Scerra at 774-249-0143 or ?[email protected].
“We's like to add teams and towns to the league and would welcome help in doing so,” Scerra said.
(Photos/submitted)
