SIMI VALLEY : Seniors to Compete in Softball League

It may have been a while since some Simi Valley senior citizens have played softball, but at least 18 are willing to give it another try.

They were the first to sign up for a team designed for people 55 and older being formed by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.

The team will participate in the area Gold Coast Senior Softball League and the upcoming Senior Olympics, said Doug Gale, recreation supervisor for the park district.

The Senior Olympics will run from Sept. 17 through Oct. 8 throughout Ventura County, featuring such competitions as swimming, golf, basketball and lawn bowling.

The softball tournament will take place Sept. 19 through Sept. 21 at the Oxnard Community Center Field, Gale said.

He said teams from Simi Valley, Santa Barbara, Ojai, Ventura, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Santa Paula and Agoura will play against each other by rules that have been adapted for senior players.

“You can overrun second and third base as well as first,” Gale said. “This eliminates sliding and quick stops,” which contribute to injuries.

But competition is not the main draw for most of the players, some of whom are in their 70s and 80s, Gale said.

Tom Morris, a 56-year-old Simi Valley resident, said having fun is what it’s all about.

“There’s not too many opportunities for people my age to do this type of thing,” Morris said.

Although he played in the World Slow-Pitch Tournament in the 1964-65 season, his job as vice president of Management Information Systems for L.A. Gear has kept him away from the ball field for a while.

“But the spirit of competition never goes away, whether in the business world or recreation,” Morris said.

“I’m just afraid my mind may say to run, and my legs will say. ‘Are you kidding me?’ ”