Fort Myers Senior Softball League welcomes crowds of all ages

Reporter: Tiffany Rizzo Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:
A man playing with the Fort Myers Senior Softball League at Shady Oaks Park. Credit: WINK News

Red Sox Spring Training has come to an end, but you can watch the Fort Myers Senior Softball League year-round at Shady Oaks Park.

The league plays every Monday and Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. at 3300 Marion St. and everyone is invited to watch. Players must be over 50 years old to join, but after that, you can play as long as you want.

“Your age doesn’t stop you,” said one 82-year-old player. “It’s a mental thing—don’t let age get in the way.”

And these players certainly don’t, throwing, hitting, running and cheering each other on like pros.

John Fournier, 82, says he has played ball all his life and is blessed to still be playing in his 80s.

“Oh, it’s fantastic: You get to meet some great people, you get out in the sunshine, you get to run around,” Fournier said. “You know, that’s one thing senior citizens need to do more is move. Keep moving, keep exercising, keep going.”

“I’ve played forever, and I guess it’s in my blood,” said Kenny Parkes, 87, vice president of the B League. “It’s just something I like to do and helps you keep in a little bit of shape.”

While Fournier and Parkes had a great deal of experience coming into the league, Team 7 Manager Bob Mayer, 76, did not. He always loved watching baseball but now likes playing softball even better.

“I’ll always love softball or baseball because I was born in New York and used to go to the games, so that was fun,” Mayer said. “I always loved it. As John said, the companionship and meeting all the guys and coming over here all trying to do things. And we all make fun of each other. Everybody makes an error: “Eh, you’re old! Get outta here!'”

While there is some competition, it’s not so much about winning or losing.

“I think there’s a lot of guys here that just like to have fun and like to talk to each other, just like to have a good time with their friends,” said 61-year-old Tom Pangeorn, president of the Fort Myers Senior Softball League. “And that’s really what it is.”

Parkes says he is not going anywhere. He plans to keep playing “as long as I can stand up or they throw me out.”

Parkes’ B League alone has almost 250 members and 17 teams.

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