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Senior softball players eager to play ball this spring in Kelowna

Seniors ready to play ball

The Kelowna Senior Slo-Pitch Association is back for the 2024 ball season and they’re looking for new members ahead of opening day to join their competitive and recreational leagues.

“We’re always looking for more players. There’s just a natural attrition rate by default of age and injuries and things like that as well, but lots of people are moving into the Okanagan looking for fun things to do and this is great thing for that,” said Mark Ritchey of the Kelowna Senior Slo-Pitch Association.

“We’re certainly thrilled to get out, shake off the rust and the dust and get back out on the field. A lot of us look forward to this as it’s a good filler throughout the year for activity and social connections.”

Recreational ball player Lori Legeas is returning for her sixth year of seniors softball and she tells Castanet the friendships formed between both men and women each year is just too good to pass up, regardless of which league you sign up for.

“It’s the camaraderie. It’s as much social as it is physical activity. I’ve played ball my whole life and it’s one sport that has taken me all the way through. What it is, is it’s a sport that depending on your skill level, you can move up and play recreational, which is what I play, and just go out and have fun and do the sport I’ve loved my whole life,” said Legeas.

On top of staying active and having fun, Lori says playing one of the world’s greatest pastimes at her age helps her feel like a kid again.

“When I was young, I just loved getting a glove, a ball, a bat and getting out on the field. So when I’m out there, especially at the beginning of the year because it’s all fresh and you know, I heard Mark talking about the spring and that’s what we’re doing, is keep moving and keeping active. And doing something that we really enjoy. Those kid-like attitudes and qualities come bouncing back when you’re out in the field," said Legeas.

For those interested in joining the seniors slo-pitch league in Kelowna, warm-up day is happening April 23 at 9:30 a.m. at Mission Sports Fields, with the league officially kicking off on May 7.

Sign up for the league can be done through the Kelowna Seniors Softball Association website.



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