89-year-old Naples softball player spreading joy with his love for the game

A gem on the diamond is still finding the fun while taking his at-bats seriously.

Jim Neuser is something to watch and something else altogether to listen to. At 89 years old, He is the catcher for the Naples Phillies softball team.

There are rookies, there are veterans, and then there’s Jim Neuser. Very few players still take the field at 89 years of age. Fewer still talk trash like he does. “Just go like hell. I don’t have to tell you. You don’t know any other thing, right?”

Neuser is always cracking jokes with his teammates too. “Give him a five-yard penalty. Give him a five-yard penalty for being so slow.”

Sometimes to opposing players. “I’m not a quiet ball player,” said Neuser. That makes him endearing to those in the Collier County Super 60 softball league.

“Every time you go up, he tries to tell you a joke. Tries to distract you from hitting the ball. That’s his thing,” said Ron Ferrero, Collier County Super 60 softball league player.

“It’s like I was playing in high school again. That the enthusiasm is there for all these guys,” Neuser said.

Neuser’s been playing in the league for over 15 years but has played senior softball for 35 years. He keeps stepping into the batter’s box because “You don’t get this kind of comradery at a bar or someplace. You know this is where they’ll do or die for the team.”

These guys still want to win and make plays on the field and at the plate.

Phil Nero, one of Neuser’s teammates, says one of the lessons Neuser has taught him is to take every day as a gift.

“He’s out there. He’s enjoying life. And you know the message from him is life’s a joy. Life’s a gift. Every day’s a present. Open it up with a smile on your face,” said Nero.

“This has added, I think, 10 quality years to my life at least,” said Neuser.

Neuser says he’s got at least one more year of softball in him.

Neuser and his Naples Phillies teammates finished the regular season with the best record in the league but fell in the championship game to the Dodgers by a score of 27-16.