organization
Investing in the health of Idaho's Senior Citizens!
Boise Senior Softball is a Non-Profit corporation formed to in 2003 to promote men's senior softball in Ada County and to support activities that will enhance the sport. Boise has hosted a thriving softball community for years and the Boise Parks and Recreation Department maintains numerous softball fields, including its gem, the Willow Lane Athletic Complex.
Numerically, Softball is the number one men's team sport in America with over 21 percent of the male population playing in organized leagues and on a national basis organized softball leagues have almost an equal number of participating women. The fastest growing segment of the softball community is the senior, 50 years and older age bracket. There are more than two million active male and female senior softball players.
Boise got its start in senior softball in 1997 when Del Drake put together the City's first senior team. As word got out more and more players started signing up and by 1998 Boise had four teams and formed a league. Jimmy Friedrich, past President of Boise Senior Softball, relates that in 2012 the organization supported 19 teams in three leagues. "Each year we have nearly 200 players, ranging in age from 50 years to 75 years young, participating in our leagues."
Ken Rhodes has played and coached Boise senior teams since 1998. Rhodes points out that "nationally Senior Softball encompasses fast paced leagues inhabited by serious minded athletes, including many former professional athletes such as controversial former Cy Young winner Roger Clemens to recreational players who just want to get out, get some exercise and then socialize after the game." According to Rhodes, Boise Senior Softball includes players of all skill levels. "Our four draft leagues offers the recreational players a great way to stay active and enjoy the sport. Our Monday night league is a great place for players who still want to push themselves to their limit." Even more impressive is the league's record in national and regional tournaments. In 2005 McU Sports captured the World Championships in Phoenix, Arizona in the 50+ AA division. In 2009 many of these same players, now sponsored by Blaine County Title, won the World Championships again in Phoenix in the 60+ AAA division. In 2012, two Boise teams, Fly 50 in the 50+ AAA and Dan Weibold in the 55+ AAA divisions, won the country's largest regional tournament, the Rocking Reno Tournament. In 2013, Dan Weibold Ford won the 55 AAA World Championship in Las Vegas by winning eight straight games over teams from eight different states.