Members of the Eastern Massachusetts Senior Softball League (EMASS) shared stories of how their participation in the league has impacted their lives. The nearly 500-member league for individuals 50 and over play on Wayland fields. The League draws players from the town and across Metrowest.
League members described themselves as a community of like-minded players who become friends. “We are a group of folks who recognize how lucky we are to be able to play a game we love at the age we have attained and at a level that matches our abilities,” said Steve Bober, commissioner of EMASS.
“I joined EMASS when I retired and didn’t know a single person,” said Joe Groden, an EMASS division coordinator. “Six years later, the best thing about being part of this community has been the number of friends I’ve made. This is truly the essence of the experience.”
Division Coordinator Mike Mauceri added, “These friendships can expand, providing opportunities like playing in tournaments or going to Cuba to play in a friendship series. Whether you just want an outlet for fun and exercise or to build new friendships, there’s something for everyone.”
In addition to forming friendships, playing softball provides a physical ac- tivity outlet with balanced competition, EMASS adds about 60 new players each year. “We shuffle up team rosters every year in all divisions to enhance connections across our large softball-loving community,” said Division Coordinator Rich Goldberg. “Our members enjoy competing with and against their friends.” EMASS players cherish their weekly dou- ble-headers and three-hour escape to the ballfield.
“Aches and pains are easily tolerated when offset by the joy of playing and competing with friends,” said Walker Royce. “And, at a cost of roughly $5 per game, there’s no better value for healthy recreation.”
EMASS has many seniors in their fifties and sixties who can still hit a ball over a 300-foot fence, run down a deep drive in the outfield, or turn a double-play in the infield. There are other divisions in which players whose talents may have dimin- ished over time can enjoy playing with similarly skilled friends.
EMASS was founded in 1995 and offers active seniors of all skill levels a safe, well-organized opportunity to play com- petitive slow-pitch softball. Players can sign up for a division featuring players with similar abilities. With two Saturday divisions and four weekday divisions, players can play at a level most comfort- able for them. All divisions play a double-header each week and many members play on different teams in multiple divisions.
They are opening its annual registra- tion for players aged 50 and over. The games are played primarily in Wayland, Medfield, and Framingham. The EMASS season runs from late April through late September, including playoffs. EMASS has six divisions that accommodate a range of skill levels, two of which play on Saturday mornings and four on weekday mornings.
Interested players can register for the EMASS 2025 season at https://e-mass. org/current-programs.
