{"id":77,"date":"2015-01-25T20:53:00","date_gmt":"2015-01-25T20:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/64.207.189.232\/?page_id=77"},"modified":"2026-01-05T03:32:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T03:32:02","slug":"our-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/?page_id=77","title":{"rendered":"Our History"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Kansas City Metropolitan 50+ Softball League<\/h2>\n
\n

(A factual history)<\/p>\n

This is an abridged document. Any additions, deletions, suggestions for changes,
\nshould be forwarded to kcseniorsoftball.com for consideration.<\/em><\/p>\n

Wes Weddle, along with many other interested individuals founded the league.\u00a0 It was felt that a factual account should be made, relating to the history of the league, otherwise a lot of facts relating to the league might be lost. An attempt was made in preparing this document, to be as factual as possible and record the events as Weddle perceived them or as the facts were presented to him. Names of some participants have been recorded, but names of others have not. Facts are facts and this document is as factual as Weddle and others have been able to present it.<\/p>\n

Weddle feels that any favorable comments reflecting on the leadership of this league should be with the understanding that all things are made possible by a person’s faith in GOD. Further Weddle shares any success the league has had with the patience and understanding of his marriage partner of over sixty-three years, Ethel, as of June 4, 2011. He also shares with her their successful eleven-year leadership of their co-ed softball team in the nineteen eighties.<\/p>\n

After this process of recording the history began, Weddle read an article written about actor Sidney Poitier. A quote by Poitier about recording facts about his own life states: “When we die, we are going to be taking with us to the grave an enormous amount of information, experiences, points of view, positions, attitudes. We should leave some of those parts of ourselves behind.” \u00a0Weddle felt that Poi tier’s quote pretty well summarized his own feelings.<\/p>\n

The formation of the league began shortly after Weddle read an article in the American Association of Retired Persons publication dated October of 1989, in regard to a Senior Softball USA World Series being held earlier that month in Greensboro, North Carolina. Wes telephoned the local AARP office seeking information about the World Series, but they did not know anything about the event. He then wrote Bob Mitchell of the Senior Softball USA, Organization and received a letter from him in regard to senior softball.<\/p>\n

Bill Richardson, sportswriter for the local Kansas City Star, was contacted and wrote an article, which appeared in that newspaper about the desire to form a local senior softball organization.<\/p>\n

Two problems developed: (1) Weddle had inadvertently mentioned his wife’s age, to the reporter, and that age appeared in the article; (2) the article appeared in the newspaper three days prior to the Christmas Holiday with many family members visiting the Weddle’s for the holiday season.<\/p>\n

About thirty telephone calls from interested softball players were shortly received.\u00a0 Two of these calls were from women, who were interested in playing softball.<\/p>\n

Scott Raider and Bob McMillan of the Jackson County Parks & Recreation, Kim Johnson of the Johnson County Parks & Recreation and a supervisor of the Raytown Parks & Recreation telephoned and showed interest in assisting the group.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

YEAR 1 — 1990<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the middle of March 1990, all interested persons were invited to an enrollment meeting at the Fleming House associated with the Jackson County Parks & Recreation Department.<\/p>\n

Scott Raider of the J.C. P.\u00a0 & R. Dept. attended as well as William Day, Gerald Isenhower, Jim Melching, Abe Reddekopp, Dale Young, Huffman Walker, Kim Johnson of the Johnson County Parks & Recreation Department and Weddle.\u00a0 Johnson provided the enrollment form.\u00a0 A news release about the proposed league was sent to local newspapers, television and radio station.<\/p>\n

In April Weddle and his wife had the privilege of appearing on the television program “55 and Growing” with David Francis on channel 30. A discussion followed about the group’s interest in forming a softball league for mature adults.<\/p>\n

The first year, three softball teams were organized.\u00a0 A team from Lee’s Summit, Mo., which was basically intact. A group from north of the Missouri River formed a team which later became the North Star Mobile Village Team.\u00a0 A group composed of persons from Cass, Jackson and Johnson Counties formed a team called the Timeless Ballplayers.<\/p>\n

These three teams practiced on their own.\u00a0 The Timeless Ballplayers traveled to North Kansas City one Saturday in May for a practice game with the North Team, which Timeless won 19 to 0.<\/p>\n

Let the games begin!<\/em><\/p>\n

The league’s first softball games were played on a beautiful Saturday evening June 3, 1990.nThese games were played at a softball field at the Aldersgate Methodist Church located in the south part of Lee’s Summit, Mo. Gerald Isenhower was instrumental in setting up these games and paid for the professional umpire.<\/p>\n

The Lee\u2019s Summit Team played the Timeless Team in the first game, and after the completion of the game the scorekeepers of both teams claimed the victory for their team by a score of 9 to 8.<\/p>\n

What a way to begin!<\/em><\/p>\n

The score sheet for this softball game is still in the possession of Weddle.<\/p>\n

Timeless ball players were catcher William Day, pitcher Dean Eklund, first base Don Hicks, second base Harvey Case (Dale Young replaced Case at second base later in the game), third base Huffman Walker, shortstop Bob Steen, left fielder Weddle, team (Manager Chuck Bua showed up late and placed himself in left field and moved Weddle to left center field), right center Ben Flucke, and right field Fred Stein.<\/p>\n

Lee’s Summit players were Warren Dew, Denny Masters, Gerald Isenhower, Jim Turrentine, Richard Rowland, George Howard, Joe Smith, Clyde Johnson, Paul Underhill, Mike Hooper and Roger Welty.<\/p>\n

The Lee’s Summit team then played the North team and won. No score sheet is available for this game. Abe Reddekopp managed the North Team and their players names were Brent Arant, Ed Barnes, CN Enderson, Vern Linscott, Roger Mast, Lloyd Robert, Lois Roberts, Jerry Slack, Andrew Swearengin, Charlie Tucker and Harry Waterhouse. After play began, The North Team’s third baseman was injured, so Weddle filled in for him.<\/p>\n

This was the format used the rest of the season on Saturday evenings with one team playing two games so that all three teams could play at least one game.\u00a0 The Lees Summit team had several members who worked for Blue Springs Ford and were not available to play early, so the games did not begin until 6.00 pm.<\/p>\n

One day after a softball practice Isenhower, Bua and Weddle met. Isenhower suggested that Weddle be the president, he (Isenhower) be the vice president for rules & regulations and Bua be vice president for publicity. Later Jim Turentine was designated as secretary then moved to Florida. Bob Steen took over the secretary and treasures job.<\/p>\n

The league was formed and a system was later developed for meetings of the league members so that these officers and each team manager in attendance would have one vote on league matters.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Much later Manuel Morris was elected as vice president. Years later Steen resigned, and Jake Magee took over the secretary’s and treasurer’s job. Jake later resigned and Ken Whisler took over the membership secretary’s job, Jim Cunningham took over the treasurer’s job. Dick Stine later became the membership secretary.<\/p>\n

No more games were played in June as a result of rain. In July the league played on a field north of the river, the Timeless Team was short of players so Ethel Weddle pitched for the Timeless Team.<\/p>\n

Weddle had written and sent letters to several newspapers and media organizations in the area publicizing the start of the league. Charles Beneke a photographer with the Wednesday Magazine telephoned Weddle requesting him to schedule some league members so that he could photograph them playing softball.\u00a0 These pictures then appeared in the paper’s publication.<\/p>\n

League member Earl Stevenson volunteered, and Weddle telephoned league member Santo DiMaggio requesting him to appear with the group.\u00a0 Santo replied “Oh Weddle!\u00a0 I don’t have time for stuff like that”. Weddle replied, “Santo come on, your picture might appear on the front page of the Wednesday Magazine.”\u00a0 Without hesitating Santo replied,\u00a0”What time do you want me to be there.”<\/p>\n

The picture was taken and appeared, on the publications front page showing Santo batting, swinging the bat, Weddle kneeling as a catcher with Earl, acting as an umpire. After the picture had appeared, Santo’s wife telephoned Weddle asking him where she could obtain 10 more copies of the paper for their family members.<\/p>\n

August 10th players from all three teams, formed one team, journeyed to Topeka, KS and participated in the Kansas Senior Olympics. The league’s team won both games 27-0 and 7-2.\u00a0 A lady played for the Topeka team so Ethel Weddle pitched for the league’s team in the second game.<\/p>\n

In September the league’s teams plus a team from St. Louis, Missouri competed in the Heart of America Senior Olympics held at the Frank White Sports Complex.\u00a0 The league put together a co-ed team to play a co-ed team from Topeka. Results were Lee\u2019s Summit 2-0, St. Louis 2-1, Timeless 1-2, North 0-2, Topeka Co-Ed 2-0, and the KC Co-Ed 0-2.<\/p>\n

A total of twenty-six games were played by the league’s teams that first year.\u00a0 Standings for the league were Lee\u2019s Summit 10-2, Timeless 7-6 and North 0-9.<\/p>\n

A collection was taken from the players, to pay the qualified umpires.\u00a0 Bob Sutton umpired most all of the games.<\/p>\n

A picnic was held on the grounds of South Broadland Presbyterian Church September 23 with 60 persons participating.\u00a0 League members Earl Stephenson and Jack Holt grilled hot dogs for the event.<\/p>\n

League member William Day and his wife joined a group of Senior Softball USA players, toured and played softball in Arizona, Hawaii and Australia.<\/p>\n

Year 2 — 1991<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Several meetings were held during the off season, and several articles were published in local newspapers about the league.\u00a0 Dave Stewart, a local sportscaster for channel 9, visited one of the Timeless Team’s practice sessions and interviewed four of the team members.\u00a0 The tape of this interview was shown later on hannel 9.<\/p>\n

The league’s membership fee was established at $25.00.<\/p>\n

A schedule was prepared for the league’s enrolled seven teams to begin play May 4 but the games were rained-out. These teams then played each other one time each. Later an eighth team was added at mid-season, and the teams again played each other one time each.<\/p>\n

Thirty-eight of the forty-six games played that year, were played at Colman Park in Raytown, Mo. Because of scheduling problems, games were played at Cooley Park and the Auto Workers Local Union Ball Park north of the river.<\/p>\n

In September because of difficulty of finding a place for the teams to play all eight league’s teams traveled to Harrisonville, Mo. and played scheduled softball games.\u00a0 An umpire at these games was so impressed with the results of these games that he invited the leagues teams to play in a tournament there in the Harrisonville’s Log Cabin Festival Days Event in October. This event basically was a fund raiser for the local Kiwanis Club.<\/p>\n

Two teams composed of league members traveled to Oklahoma, City and competed in a national qualifying tournament for the Senior Softball USA Organization. Six of the league’s teams, as well as two teams from St. Louis, MO and one team from Topeka, KS competed in the softball tournament at the Heart of America Senior Olympics held at the Frank White Sports Complex.<\/p>\n

Later two of the league’s teams traveled to Topeka, KS and competed in the Kansas Senior Olympics.<\/p>\n

League member, Paul Underhill age fifty, passed away September 19th.<\/p>\n

This second year climaxed with a picnic held at Colman Park with seventy-five persons attending.\u00a0 The league’s teams competed in one hundred and one softball games and ended the season with $801.18 in the league’s treasury.<\/p>\n

Dale Young and Weddle appeared on David Francis’s “55 and Growing” TV Program.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Year 3 — 1992<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

League member Stan Hudson, age 54, passed away April 27.<\/p>\n

Eleven teams started play in May and played each other one time each. A tournament was scheduled with teams from the league and a team from Warrensburg, Mo. named The Old Crows. The tournament was scheduled over three weekends with two divisions of competitive play.<\/p>\n

Some of these games were played on a field in Kansas City, KS in the league’s attempt to play at different locations in the metropolitan area. Frank Murphy, Manuel Morris and other members of the Half Century Softball Team spent the morning preparing the field for the game.<\/p>\n

Two teams again traveled to Oklahoma City as well as one team traveled to Lakewood, Co. and competed in tournaments.<\/p>\n

Nineteen teams competed in the Heart of America Senior Olympics, thirteen teams competed in the Harrisonville Tournament and four teams traveled to Topeka, Ks. to compete in the Kansas Senior Olympics.<\/p>\n

Two of the league’s members and their wives, joined one hundred thirty others persons, involved with the SSUSA Organization, toured and played softball in Italy for thirteen days.<\/p>\n

Weddle was sitting watching one of the leagues games one day when a league member sat down beside him and stated “Wes you know that you are responsible for all of this” throwing his arms out indicating the game in progress. Weddle replied, “I plead guilty to that charge.” The gentleman then stated, “Well you may think that you are dealing with a bunch of grandpas but you are still dealing with a bunch of kids.”<\/p>\n

How true this statement became as over the years grandpas in the league have been disciplined for bumping into other member grandpas, sometimes knocking them down, violating the league’s rules and regulations, cursing, swearing and scuffling among themselves. Let it be known however, that infractions have been a very small number, as compared to the large number of players who enjoy the camaraderie with members of this organization.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Year 4 –1993<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

During the off-season, meetings were held with developments and modifications of league’s rules and regulations.<\/p>\n

Early one spring, Wes received a telephone call from a lady newspaper reporter who replied, “Wes I understand that you are the Czar of local 50 + softball.” Wes replied, “That he had been a secondary school principal of two inner-city schools and felt that he had been called every name in the book, but that Czar was a new name for him.” The reporter asked Wes several questions and then wrote a real nice article about the league, which later appeared in the newspaper.<\/p>\n

Efforts had been made over the years on several occasions to seek businesses or groups to sponsor the league’s teams or even the league itself. Boatmen\u2019s Bank, a locally owned and operated bank, had been sponsoring the local Senior Olympic Events and Weddle became very friendly with a secretary and vice president of the bank.\u00a0 This bank switched their sponsorship from the Senior Olympics to a team in our league and later the league itself. One of our teams was completely, outfitted with quality uniforms.<\/p>\n

League member Darwin Landers and Weddle spent time selecting these uniforms and made sure that the uniforms satisfied the sponsor.\u00a0 Of course, the name of the team was Boatsman’s Bank, and Landers managed the team for years.\u00a0 The bank continued to sponsor this team for many years and contributed the finances for the league’s picnics, etc.<\/p>\n

The league’s fourth season opened with fifteen teams competing.\u00a0 Play was started April 17 with some games, being canceled because of rain.\u00a0 Additionally, eight of these teams formed a conference and played games on Wednesday evenings.<\/p>\n

John Wright, a member of one of the league’s teams, telephoned Weddle one Sunday afternoon and stated that he and some other members of their team desired to form their own team and were requesting information about how to proceed. Weddle asked if they had said anything to their manager about this and John said no.\u00a0 Weddle then suggested that they discuss this with their current team manager and after they did, Weddle proceeded to help enroll the new team Foresters.<\/p>\n

In the middle of May, league member Eugene Payton and Weddle telephoned league members over the age of sixty and invited them to practice, and later play in an over sixty conference. Eleven players from Kansas and ten players from Missouri formed teams and played games for “The Border War”.\u00a0 Six innings were played with the score ending 15-15. Thirteen of these players were 65 or older. \u00a0Several games were played by this group.<\/p>\n

Weddle received a request from an official with the Columbia, Mo. Parks and Recreation Office asking him to send a team of the league’s players to Columbia as the office was opening their new Rainbow Sports Complex June 12″.\u00a0 Several of the league’s teams were out of town playing in tournaments, but 12 players were recruited, went to Columbia and played two softball games with senior softball players from Columbia.\u00a0 Of course, our men won and upon their return told Weddle that if he had any more requests like that one to include them in the group.\u00a0 They also stated that they had had, if you will the pardon the expression, “A BALL.”<\/p>\n

A team the Heartland Hitters, age sixty and over, and a team of our members, age fifty-five and older, competed in the National Senior Olympics held in Baton Rouge, LA.<\/p>\n

Teams also competed in tournaments in Oklahoma City, Lakewood, Heartland and Kansas Senior Olympics and The Log Cabin Festival Tournament.<\/p>\n

Solicitations were made among league’s members, forty-five members responded, and a basketball group was formed to play games during the winter months.<\/p>\n

Five hundred and fifty-three softball patches with the league’s logo, were purchased and made available for the league’s players to affix to their jerseys.<\/p>\n

A league telephone number 816-941-3878 was received, and a league telephone answering machine was purchased.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Year 5 — 1994<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

After much deliberation about divisions of play within our league the 94 season was started with ten teams in the “C” competitive division and six teams in the “LC\u201d less competitive division. Eight teams continued to compete on Wednesday evenings.<\/p>\n

It is believed that this was the year that league member Eugene Payton and Weddle started a program at Colman Park for mature men to meet and play softball on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Men who showed would form two teams and play a softball game.\u00a0 Sometimes two games would be played.<\/p>\n

Jackson County took over the sponsorship of the Senior Olympics.<\/p>\n

The league’s teams continued to compete in tournaments mentioned earlier as well as branching out to tournaments in Columbus, OH, Scottsdale, AR and Orlando, FL.<\/p>\n

Three league members, their wives and two other local residents joined 72 other persons, flew to Australia in mid-October to tour the country and play softball.\u00a0 One of these teams played a local women’s team just for the fun of it. These women had a difficult time getting the ball across the plate for a strike, so Ethel Weddle pitched for their team.<\/p>\n

The last three days of this trip were spent on the Fiji Islands, swimming, sailing in the Pacific Ocean, lounging on the beach, vacationing and watching beautiful sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. What a FANTASTIC three days this was.<\/p>\n

In early November, representatives from Senior Softball U.S. A., visited the area with the anticipation of holding their National AAA and Major Softball Tournament at the Mid-America Sports Complex and other complexes in Johnson County the following summer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Year 6 — 1995<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The year began with the Sun Publications of Overland Park featuring color pictures of five league members, in their uniforms, on the front page of the publication as well as a two-page spread about the league in the center of the paper. Enough interest was received from players that a new team was formed. In addition, the paper published a follow up article on players of the new team.<\/p>\n

During this time Weddle was painting houses.\u00a0 One day he stopped at a paint store to purchase some paint.\u00a0 As he entered the store, a young sales lady shouted, “Here comes Mr. Centerfold”, referring to the pictures of the article in the center of the paper.<\/p>\n

The newly organized team was named the Inland Containers. League member, Leo Riggs and a member of the new team purchased the team’s jerseys.<\/p>\n

Riggs had lived in Chicago area and played softball there prior to moving to the K. C. area. Later Riggs purchased two more sets of jerseys for teams in the league. When Leo, was complimented by Weddle, he replied “I have to do something in order to play on a team in the league.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The league advertised in thirteen local newspapers and shopper magazines in an effort to offer more mature adults an opportunity to play softball.<\/p>\n

In March the Senior Softball USA held a news conference locally and announced that they would hold their World Championship Tournament at the Mid-America Sports Complex.<\/p>\n

Ten teams started play in the league’s “C” division, eight teams in the “LC” division and ten teams played in the Wednesday conference.<\/p>\n

Three league’s teams journeyed to San Antonio, TX, during May and competed in the National Senior Olympics held there.<\/p>\n

Rollie Baldwin started a 50 + softball session at a field in North K. C. which met from 8:30 am to 11:30 am each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.\u00a0 Several of our league members participated. The Northland section of the KC Star featured some articles about this group with one of our league member’s pictures appearing in the paper.<\/p>\n

The league picnic was held June 17th<\/sup> during the afternoon at Colman Park sponsored by the Boatsman’s Bank.<\/p>\n

August 5″, league play was moved to Cottonwood Park in Lenexa, Ks. Three fields were used by out teams as having more of our players together at the same time had been one of our league’s goals for some time.<\/p>\n

August 12th<\/sup>, fourteen of the league’s teams competed in the Muscular Dystrophy’s Association Super Softball Weekend an event to help raise funds for that worthwhile organization.<\/p>\n

August 19th, two of the league’s teams journeyed to Little Rock, Ark. and competed in the Softball Players Association Qualifying Tournament. These teams also went to Johnson City, TN, and competed in the National S.P.A. World Championship Tournament.<\/p>\n

Over the Labor Day Weekend three of the league’s teams participated in the qualifying tournament in Lakewood, CO and the 50 + team qualified to compete in the N.A.S.C.S. World Series in Palm Springs, Ca. Their team manager paid the national tournament enrollment fee and then the players backed out of playing and the manager lost the enrollment fee!\u00a0 What a blow it was for this league’s team manager.<\/p>\n

About year 1995, league member Roger Gramly, in a league meeting proposed that the league authorize a $750.00 honorarium for the president and secretary-treasurer for services rendered.\u00a0 A statement was made that it would be nice if the league could award the president $25,000.00.\u00a0 After deliberation, honorariums of $590.00 were approved for the president and secretary-treasurer.\u00a0 The president stated that he did not need, nor want or would he accept the honorarium as he was having fun, and a good time is his leadership position.<\/p>\n

The secretary-treasurer accepted the honorarium.\u00a0 Two years later a different treasurer was in office and stated that he would not accept the honorarium unless the president accepted his honorarium.\u00a0 Under this situation and the pressure of the president’s wife, the president accepted the honorarium.<\/p>\n

Later the league’s board expanded the number of honorariums to include, the president, the secretary, the treasurer, the membership secretary, and the tournament director, the chairperson of the competition and scheduling committee and finally the women’s conference coordinator.<\/p>\n

Through all of these distributions, the president kept informing the recipients that they should report this income on their income tax returns.<\/p>\n

On September 5″, the S.S.U.S.A. Organization\u2019s 50 + AAA World Championships were held at the Mid-America Sports Complex, with eighty teams from throughout the U.S. of A. and Canada competing.\u00a0 Four of the league’s teams competed, with Team 60 and the WOV\u2019s 50+ team placing second.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

League members sold tickets to the Royals-Toronto Blue Jays baseball game played during the event and about 400 members and tournament players attended.\u00a0 One of the league members sang the national anthems for both countries involved, and the league’s members were involved in throwing out the first pitch.<\/p>\n

Prior to the game a Canadian player, on his way to play in the tournament telephoned Weddle and stated he had heard that our members were going to present the colors at the Toronto- Royals Baseball Game.\u00a0 Weddle replied, “That’s right, would you like to carry the Canadian flag?” The player replied, “Yes\u201d, so he and four of the league’s members were involved in presenting the colors for the game.<\/p>\n

On September 12th<\/sup>, the SSUSA Majors World Championships were held with fifty teams competing.<\/p>\n

The Senior Sports Classic, sponsored by the Jackson County Parks & Recreation Department was held the weekend of September 16th<\/sup>.\u00a0 Several league’s teams competed with two of these teams winning championships. Teams from Topeka and St. Louis also competed.<\/p>\n

One Sunday evening while our league’s teams were playing at Cottonwood Park, Noreen Maxwell walked up to me, with Duane Vann and Noreen asked me what she had to do in order to enroll a team in the league next year.\u00a0 Of course, the procedure was explained and team M & V was enrolled and started competing the following year.\u00a0 Several of the team’s players had played with Half Century.<\/p>\n

League play was completed at Cottonwood Park September 23rd<\/sup>. \u00a0The “C” division competed in a two-division tournament and the “LC” teams played each other to finish the season. AAA Linen won the championship of the “LC” division and team Lawrence won the championship of the “C” division.\u00a0 These teams were presented a trophy and team members were each given a blue 50 + softball cap.<\/p>\n

Several league members 65 years of age and over journeyed to St. George, Utah, joined some men there to form a softball team and competed in the Huntsmen Senior Games.<\/p>\n

The Harrisonville Tournament was scheduled, postponed by rain and held October 14″ with twelve teams competing.\u00a0 Teams AAA and Lawrence won their respective divisions and were presented trophies.\u00a0 Second place teams were also presented trophies.<\/p>\n

October 7 & 8, several teams from our league participated in the Senior Olympics at Topeka, Ks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Year 7 — 1996<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

In February, officers of the league spoke with Ken Mass of the National Association of Senior Citizens Softball about the possibility of the league hosting a qualifying tournament in our area for their organization the following year. Progress was made, and the league hosted the tournament August 15-17, 1997, at the Frank White Sports Complex.<\/p>\n

The Wednesday conference began play with eleven teams. After the completion of the first schedule of play, a second schedule of games was held.\u00a0 Team M & V finished in first place in both schedules of play, but the Adams Auto Group’s Team won the tournament after the first schedule of play.\u00a0 Team Lawrence came in second the second schedule of play.<\/p>\n

The name of Team Inland Containers was changed to Midwest Sales, and Team Foresters name was changed to Wringers.<\/p>\n

Charter member William Day recruited his son to play on the Cass County Team becoming the first father-son combination in the league.<\/p>\n

Saturday conference, play “C 1”, the most competitive division, was made up pf six teams with team M & V taking first place and team Lawrence placing second. Noreen Maxwell, the league’s first female manager, managed team M & V.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

C2, the second most competitive division, was made up of five teams with team Adams Auto Group taking first place and team Sixty K. C. placing second.<\/p>\n

LC, the less competitive division, was made up of four teams with team AAA Linen taking first place and Team Boatsman\u2019s Bank placing second.<\/p>\n

Several league’s teams competed in qualifying tournaments through the U.S. of A and also the N.A.S.C.S. World Series, The Softball Players Association and the Senior Softball USA World Championships.\u00a0 Team 65 + and M & V qualified at the Missouri Senior Olympics in Columbia, MO to participate in the 1997 National Senior Olympics.\u00a0 Seven league’s teams competed in the Kansas Senior Olympics held in Topeka KS, and four of these teams qualified to compete in the National Senior Olympics to be held in Tucson, AR, in May 1997.<\/p>\n

Two league members and their wives, journeyed to England, Ireland and Wales with a group of Senior Softball U.S.A. individuals, toured and played softball in those countries. Ethel Weddle again pitched for one of the teams.\u00a0 Another women\u2019s player from Texas also played in these games.<\/p>\n

The league finished the season with nine teams competing in the Harrisonville Log Cabin Festival Days Tournament. This annual event was delayed one week because of rain.<\/p>\n

The league suffered a major loss of one of its finest members. Bob Jackson passed away during the winter. \u00a0He is remembered and missed by all 225 members of the league.<\/p>\n

Bob, we miss seeing you setting up top of Colman Park scouting all the teams to see if you might be able to pick up a Willie Mays for your team.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Year 8 — 1997<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The year brought the resignation of the league’s secretary-treasurer Bob Steen. Members of the league are indebted to Bob for his efforts and work the past six years.<\/p>\n

Job descriptions were prepared and approved for all league’s officer and committee chairperson’s positions. Ed Lane was elected chairperson of the Rules & Regulations Committee.<\/p>\n

Jake Magee took over the secretary-treasurer’s position; Mike Sharon became the scheduler; Don Hicks became the chairperson of the Awards & Recognition Committee, and Chuck Bua became the chairperson of the Publicity & Advertising Committee.<\/p>\n

Prior to the opening game, a memorial service was conducted for departed member Bob Jackson.<\/p>\n

The team name Midwest Sales was replaced by the name Hustlers, Boatsman’s Bank name was replaced by All Star Auto Sales.\u00a0 Consolidated Services sponsored two teams C.\u00a0 S. Gold and C.\u00a0 S. White and a new team B.0.G. entered the league.<\/p>\n

The Wednesday evening conference began play April 16″ with fourteen teams divided into two divisions of play. Las Chillis won first place and Lawrence Hawks came in second in the C1 division.\u00a0\u00a0 C.\u00a0 S.\u00a0 Gold won first place with Super Seniors placing second in the C2 division.<\/p>\n

The second schedule of play was won by Lawrence Hawks with Las Chillis coming in second in the Cl division.\u00a0 Team 60 won first place, with Team Goodtimers coming in second, in the C2 division.<\/p>\n

Saturday league play began May 3th, with six teams making up the CI division and seven teams making up the C2 division. M & V won first place and Adams Auto Group came in second in the Cl division, AAA Linen winning first place and Ageless Wonders placing second in the C2 division.<\/p>\n

Several league’s teams and members also played in a league on Sunday evening at Cottonwood Park in Lenexa, KS.<\/p>\n

Team’s Ageless Wonders, M & V and Team 65 competed in the National Senior Olympics held in Tucson, AR. the latter part of May.<\/p>\n

The Raytown Dispatch and the Kansas City Star both featured outstanding articles about the league’s activities.<\/p>\n

Several of the league’s teams journeyed to various sites and participated in qualifying tournaments, Senior Olympic events and national tournaments.<\/p>\n

Five of the league’s over 70 years of age members journeyed to Columbia, Mo. on several occasions to practice and formed a team with 70-year-old ball players from St. Louis, Mo. and Western Illinois. This team competed in a qualifier tournament held in St. Louis the later part of June along with other teams from our league.\u00a0 They also competed in a national tournament held in St. Louis the first part of September.\u00a0 The team had to compete with teams composed of 65-year-old players, but they won the 70 Gold even though the team lost six of the seven games that they played.<\/p>\n

Letters were sent to league members over the age of fifty, to see how many would be interested in an over fifty draft.\u00a0 Eleven members responded so the idea of the fifty + draft was dropped<\/p>\n

The league sponsored their first qualifying tournament \u201cThe Kansas City Classic” for the North American Senior Citizens Softball Organization August 15-17 which was held at the Frank White Sports Complex.\u00a0\u00a0 Eight teams compete in this tournament.\u00a0 The event was a first-class affair.<\/p>\n

Charter member Bill Day suffered a slight stroke the early part of August but continued to compete on a limited basis.<\/p>\n

The Harrisonville Log Cabin Days Tournament was the culminating activity for the league this year. Topeka’s Prime Time team worked their way back from the loser’s bracket to win the C1 division title and a team composed of players from Ageless Wonders and Super Seniors came in second.\u00a0\u00a0 AAA Linen won first place in the C2 division with Cass County coming in second.\u00a0\u00a0 Ten teams competed in the tournament.<\/p>\n

A nice article appeared in the S.S.U.S.A’s organization newsletter featuring team M & V’s manager Noreen Maxwell.<\/p>\n

At the year-end league meeting several members volunteered and were appointed to a committee to study the league’s operation and report back at the next league meeting.<\/p>\n

The league ended the season with a bank balance of $9,401.00.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Year 9 — 1998<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

At the 1997 year-end meeting, several league members were appointed and volunteered to serve on a committee to study the league’s operation and report back at the next league meeting.\u00a0\u00a0 From this effort the committee made the following recommendations:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. A league Competition and Scheduling Committee should be formed to be in charge of scheduling and deciding competition concerns of the league’s teams. This committee is to study team and member competitiveness and make recommendations for placements of teams in divisions of play and members for placement on teams.<\/li>\n
  2. League’s teams should begin to declare their intent to become an over 60 years of age team, or an under the age of 60 team, effective by year 2000.<\/li>\n
  3. This group and others studied several softball complexes as to cost, availability, etc., and recommended that:<\/li>\n
  4. There be team play at Colman Park on Wednesday evening. Nine teams competed in two sessions of play.\u00a0\u00a0 Central States took first place, and Goodtimers took second place in the first session.\u00a0\u00a0 KC Thunder took first place, and All Star Auto Sales took second place in the second session.<\/li>\n
  5. There be, team play at Cottonwood Park on Thursday evening. Eight teams competed in two sessions of play. Wringers took second place in the first session of play and shared the championship with another team for the second session of play.\u00a0\u00a0 These were the only standings available for this conference.<\/li>\n
  6. There be team play at Coleman Park on Saturday. Twelve teams competed in two divisions of play.\u00a0\u00a0 Midwest Driving took first place in the “C 1\u201d division followed by M & V in second place.\u00a0\u00a0 Las Chillis took first place in the “C2\u201d division followed by AAA Linen in second place.<\/li>\n
  7. There be team play at Cottonwood Park on Sunday evenings. Some teams did not play in this conference as a recommendation of the Competition and Scheduling Committee.\u00a0 Nine teams competed in these nine- inning conference games in ten- and seven-week sessions.\u00a0\u00a0 Statistics are not available for this group.<\/li>\n
  8. That new membership guidelines be initiated with requirements for members to purchase and have on hand a $10.00 league membership card.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    These recommendations were approved by the league.<\/p>\n

    League member Jake Magee developed, had printed, and distributed a league recruitment poster.<\/p>\n

    Charles Hiller, Bob Uphoff and Weddle journeyed to league member Dick Souder\u2019s home one summer day to discuss with him the starting of a web site for the league.\u00a0\u00a0 This subject was discussed for a while when Uphoff stated that we could ask players for a donation to help finance this web site.\u00a0\u00a0 Weddle stated, “Bob, the league has enough money to pay for the web site.”\u00a0\u00a0 Souder got the web site functioning, and Uphoff took over the operation of the league’s website as webmaster.<\/p>\n

    Bumper stickers advertising our league were developed, printed, and distributed.<\/p>\n

    The Kansas City Star Newspaper featured a nice article about members of league\u2019s team AAA Linen.<\/p>\n

    The league sponsored its second “Kansas City Classic Qualifying Tournament.”\u00a0 This time, it was for the Softball Players Association.\u00a0\u00a0 Eighteen teams competed.<\/p>\n

    The end of the season Harrisonville Tournament was held with two divisions of play.\u00a0 KC Thunder won first place in the “Cl\u201d division, and Goodtimers came in second.<\/p>\n

    Angles took first place in the “C2” division, and H.P.S.I. came in second.\u00a0\u00a0 KC Classics took first place in the “CA\u201d division and Cass Co. team came in second.\u00a0\u00a0 Nine teams failed to show for this tournament.<\/p>\n

    The Competition and Scheduling Committee met and recommended that the league play all league’s mid-week games on Thursday evenings at Mid-America\u00a0 Sports Complex. This move was approved at the year-end meeting held at the Dingers Sports Bar at Mid\u2022 America Sports Complex.<\/p>\n

    The season ended with 346 members in the league, 23 teams, and a balance in the treasury of $13,000.00.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 10 — 1999<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Shortly after the above-mentioned league meeting, several members whose teams had been playing at Colman Park on Wednesday evenings voiced their concerns for continued play at Colman.\u00a0\u00a0 A league member, officers, and committee chairpersons meeting was conducted to discuss this concern.\u00a0\u00a0 Approval was forthcoming to offer four conferences similar to those offered in year 1998 including play at Colman Park on Wednesday evenings.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The league sponsored a pre-season tournament held at the Mid-America Sports Complex at no cost to the teams.\u00a0\u00a0 K. C. Players took first place in the white division.\u00a0\u00a0 Central States finished in second.\u00a0\u00a0 W.0.V. took first place in the red division, and R.L.V. Services came in second.\u00a0\u00a0 K. C.\u00a0 Classics took first place in the blue division.\u00a0\u00a0 Insurance Analysts ended up in second.<\/p>\n

    Mid-America Sports Complex charged a $1.00 admission fee, so Weddle sat at the entrance and issued a ticket to league members so they would not have to pay this fee. Former league member, John Wright, mentioned previously, walked up saw Weddle and replied, “Are you still around?” He accepted the free ticket, however!<\/p>\n

    A ten-week schedule was developed with eleven teams playing in two divisions of play at Colman and Kenagy Parks on Wednesday evenings.\u00a0\u00a0 Another team joined this group for the second session of play.<\/p>\n

    Two ten-week schedules were offered at Mid-America Sports Complex on Thursday evenings with fourteen teams competing in two divisions of play in the first session, and eleven teams in the second session.<\/p>\n

    A Saturday, schedule was developed with eight teams playing each other one time each.<\/p>\n

    Later four more teams joined the group for a second session of play, which offered two levels of play for six teams each.\u00a0\u00a0 Scheduling problems developed as many of these teams were going to tournaments out of town and also desired to continue to compete in the league.<\/p>\n

    The Sunday evening conference offered a seven-week spring session with six teams involved.\u00a0\u00a0 A seven-week summer session was offered with eight teams participating and a seven week fall session with six teams competing.<\/p>\n

    The league sponsored its third “Kansas City Classic Tournament” with thirty teams involved. The tournament netted the league an income of $2,900.00.<\/p>\n

    A league member and his wife joined a group on a cruise to Hawaii and played softball while there.<\/p>\n

    Jake Magee, who had served diligently for three years as the treasurer of the league, requested to be relieved of those duties.\u00a0 Jim Cunningham a Heartland Hitter’s team member accepted and was approved as treasurer, and Kenny Whisler, a Goodtimers team member, accepted and was approved as membership secretary.<\/p>\n

    Charter member Earl Stevenson put together an over 70 + team, qualified at a tournament in Topeka, KS, and traveled to and competed in the National Senior Olympics held in Orlando, FL.<\/p>\n

    The league had 27 teams and 385 members enrolled and ended the season with a balance of over $16,000.00 in the bank account.\u00a0 Two of the twenty-seven teams competed in all four conferences offered, and two teams competed in three conferences.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 11 — 2000<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    A preseason tournament was held with twenty twenty-two teams competing in three levels of competition.<\/p>\n

    Three sessions of play were offered on Sunday evenings at Cottonwood Park.\u00a0 Games were nine innings or one and one-half hours in length.\u00a0 Each session of play offered two levels of competition.\u00a0 Results were W.0.V.\u00a0 6-1 in the “C 1” division, and Super Seniors 6-1 in the “LC” division of the spring session.\u00a0 Team Wringers posted a record of 9-1 in the summer session in the “Cl” division, and Super Seniors were 7-3 in the “LC” division.\u00a0 Just Friends posted a record of 5-2 in the “C 1” division in the fall session, and Super Seniors posted a record of 5-2 in the “LC” division.<\/p>\n

    On Wednesday evenings at Colman, Kenagy, and or Little Blue Trace Fields, thirteen teams competed in two levels of play for two sessions.\u00a0 KC Players had records of 10-0 and 7-1 for both sessions of play in the “Cl” division, and AAA Linen had records of 8-1 and 7-1 for both sessions of play in the “LC” division.<\/p>\n

    On Thursday evenings at Heritage Park, fourteen teams competed in two sessions of double header games on two levels of play.\u00a0\u00a0 Avengers had records of 20-0 and 11-3 in the “C 1” division, and Lucky\u2019s had a record of 16-4 and Longbranch had a record of 6-1 in the “LC\u201d division of play.<\/p>\n

    On Saturdays, during the day at Colman Park, thirteen teams competed in two levels of play for two sessions.\u00a0\u00a0 Central States posted a record of 8-3 in the “C 1” division, and Goodtimers posted a record of 12-1 in the “LC\u201d division of play.<\/p>\n

    Formal protests forms were developed for the league and nine protests were filed and processed.<\/p>\n

    The positions of president and treasurer were bonded, and $10,000.00 of the league’s funds was placed in a certificate of deposit.<\/p>\n

    The fourth K.C. Classic Qualifying Tournament” was sponsored by the league for the Softball Players Association.<\/p>\n

    Three different newspapers published articles during the season.\u00a0\u00a0 These articles displayed pictures of several league’s teams and members.<\/p>\n

    One reporter telephoned the president of the league and stated, \u201cI understand that you are the Czar of 50 + softball here locally.” The president replied, “I do not know about that.\u00a0 I was principal of several inner-city schools and feel that I had been called every name in the book, but Czar is a new one for me.”\u00a0 The reporter proceeded to write and publish a nice article relating to the league’s activities.<\/p>\n

    A request was received by the league from the Salvation Army Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center for used softball equipment.\u00a0\u00a0 League members responded with three automobile trunk loads of balls, bats, gloves, bases, shoes, jerseys, and other softball equipment which was delivered to the center.\u00a0\u00a0 This organization sponsored a team which utilized the equipment in their play in a city sponsored league.<\/p>\n

    Again, several of the league’s teams competed in qualifying and national tournaments throughout the USA and Canada.<\/p>\n

    The league officers studied other softball league’s sets of by-laws and put together a proposed set of league by-laws.\u00a0\u00a0 One of the league members, a practicing attorney, was enlisted to study this work and make recommendations.\u00a0\u00a0 An expanded set of by-laws was produced.\u00a0\u00a0 The officers and attorney met, discussed the document, and requested changes which were then made in the document.<\/p>\n

    Twenty-nine teams and 483 members made up the league this year.<\/p>\n

    The league ended the season with a bank balance of $7,840.56 and the $10,394.62 certificate of deposit.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 12 — 2001<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    A letter was sent to all league members with a copy of the proposed by-laws for the league and inviting members to a meeting January 13 to consider the adoption of the by-laws.\u00a0 Sixty-seven league members attended the meeting.\u00a0\u00a0 Several league members made sort of a mockery out of the consideration for the adoption of the by-laws, but the by-laws were later overwhelmingly approved, adopted, and incorporated by a vote of the membership.\u00a0 Actually, seven members voted against the adoption.<\/p>\n

    The adopted by-laws proposed for nine league members to be elected to serve as a board of directors to oversee the involvement of the league and be responsible for the league’s operation.\u00a0\u00a0 Nine league member’s names were placed in nomination for these offices by the by-law committee.\u00a0\u00a0 Six names were nominated from the floor.\u00a0 Weddle adds that he felt that some league members more or less again made a mockery of this phase of the meeting.\u00a0\u00a0 However, the nine members nominated by the by-law committee were elected.<\/p>\n

    Of the nine elected board members, five of them received more votes than Weddle. Weddle was elected to the board for two more terms of office.\u00a0\u00a0 Interestingly, is the fact that even though he was instrumental in starting the league and led the league’s successful operation for seventeen years, he never received the highest number of votes for any election held.\u00a0\u00a0 Weddle is only stating facts.\u00a0 He certainly lives with the facts but finds it very interesting in the way that some people select their priorities!<\/p>\n

    As has been stated earlier, prior to the approval of the by-laws, each team manager as well as the president, vice presidents, secretary, and treasurer had one vote on decisions affecting the operation of the league.<\/p>\n

    At the above-mentioned meeting, a member suggested that the league should consider applying for a 501c3 tax exempt statute with the Federal Internal Revenue Service.\u00a0\u00a0 The treasurer and president consulted with a so-called advisor, completed the necessary forms, compiled the necessary material, and sent it all to the IRS for consideration.\u00a0\u00a0 The Treasurer and President had a real experience trying to work with this so-called advisor.<\/p>\n

    A letter was received from the IRS requesting more information which was compiled and returned to the IRS.\u00a0 The application was approved officially making the league a 501c4 organization.\u00a0\u00a0 The league had not involved itself in enough philanthropic work to qualify as a 501c3 tax exempt organization.<\/p>\n

    The league sponsored a preseason tournament which was held in May.\u00a0\u00a0 Twenty-two teams competed.<\/p>\n

    The league sponsored their fifth “Kansas City Classic Tournament” with thirty teams competing.<\/p>\n

    Concern was expressed for mature ball players who might not be playing on league’s teams, so Gerald Isenhower and Roger Gramly developed a draft program for members over the age of sixty.<\/p>\n

    At mid-season, letters concerning the draft were sent to members over the age of sixty. Enough players responded to form seven teams which played each one time each the remainder of the season.\u00a0 This 60 + draft conference has been a yearly feature for the league each season since.<\/p>\n

    Teams AAA Linen and Midwest Driving School competed in the national S.P.A. Tournament and won championships.\u00a0 Midwest came through the loser’s bracket to win the 60 + division.\u00a0 It was the third time that year that Midwest played through the loser’s bracket to win a tournament.<\/p>\n

    On October 20, the second league’s membership meeting was held.\u00a0\u00a0 Twenty-nine members attended, and the necessary league business was conducted.\u00a0 Each year three board of directors’ terms of office expire.\u00a0\u00a0 One of the retirees this year desired to be nominated, and he and two other nominees were elected. There were no nominations from the floor.<\/p>\n

    Teams were offered an opportunity to compete at a newly constructed complex in Overland Park, KS for year 2002.<\/p>\n

    Twenty-nine teams and 438 members made up the league this year. The league ended the season with a bank balance of $7,840.56 and the $10,394.62 certificate of deposit.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 13 — 2002<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Late in the year, board member Jim Cunningham approached Weddle asking about the possibility of forming a women’s conference within the league.\u00a0 Jim had been connected with an organization which sponsored men’s and women’s softball teams and felt that the league should form a women’s program.\u00a0\u00a0 This women’s conference was formed, and the age limit was lowered to age 37 in order to attract enough participants.\u00a0 A few games were played this first year of the formation of the women’s conference.\u00a0\u00a0 Cunningham guided this group along for several years.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 14 \u2013 2003 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    This year, letters were sent to league members who had not participated in our league for some time seeking answers as to why they had not participated or had quit playing in our league.\u00a0 This was an effort to obtain answers so the league could, if possible, address some of the reasons that members had quit or offer more opportunities to its members.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 15 — 2004<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The women’s conference increased to four teams and continued play.\u00a0\u00a0 A highlight of this program was that they played four games under the lights at Little Blue Trace Fields.<\/p>\n

    One team player expressed herself that she felt as if she was playing in the big leagues.<\/p>\n

    Early-on this year, one of the league’s team managers, along with some other disgruntled league members over the use of a particular brand softball that the league was using and other matters, formed a group and played some softball games outside of the league’s jurisdiction.\u00a0\u00a0 Some of these teams also continued to play games within our league sponsored conferences.<\/p>\n

    It was interesting as Weddle was invited to set in on one of the group’s organizational meetings.\u00a0 Discussion ensued as to the group’s rules and regulations, which ended as being very close to the league’s rules and regulations.\u00a0\u00a0 The difference being was the use of a different brand of softball than the ball our league used.\u00a0 This group did not prevail very long.<\/p>\n

    On October 9, the league sponsored a picnic at Colman Park with several League’s All Star Games for its members being played.\u00a0 Food and beverage were catered for the picnic.\u00a0 Wes Weddle was honored for his leadership efforts for the league over the years and helping to make the league what it had become to date.<\/p>\n

    The Softball Players Association installed Wes as their seventh Hall of Fame member, and the softball field at Colman Park was renamed \u2018The Wes Weddle Field.” Dan Dolquist, minister of the church where Ethel & Wes attend, spoke at the ceremony as well as Dave Turner from the Raytown Parks & Recreation Office; Brad Delay from the Overland Parks & Recreation Office, as well as many league members who all had many pleasant comments to offer.\u00a0 Ethel Weddle was presented a bouquet of red roses and several of the Weddle’s family members were introduced as well as members of the Weddle\u2019s former co-ed softball team.<\/p>\n

    A video and CD were produced of this occasion.\u00a0 It was a very grand and humbling experience for Wes.<\/p>\n

    At the league membership meeting this year, a few items within the league’s by-laws were to be reviewed for consideration and approval by the membership, which were approved.<\/p>\n

    The league’s membership reached a total of 670 members.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 16 — 2005<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    A league’s woman player, Debbie Grabb, was elected to the league’s board of directors. Grabb and Weddle put together the first ten game schedule of play for the four women’s teams.\u00a0\u00a0 A second session of women’s games were scheduled.\u00a0\u00a0 Weddle had encouraged a fifth women’s team to enroll, and he followed this group until they were enrolled.<\/p>\n

    This new team lost their first game but won all of their remaining games, which they played that year.<\/p>\n

    Around mid-August, Weddle learned that a new director had been hired for the Raytown Parks & Recreation.\u00a0 He asked for and met with Kevin Boji, the new director, and David Turner for about one hour.\u00a0 He explained that the league and the Raytown Park & Recreation had had a very congenial relationship for fifteen years and that he and the league desired for this congenial relationship to continue.\u00a0 Weddle explained that the league had recently experienced some internal problems which should not interfere with this relationship.<\/p>\n

    Explanation was made that our league had a set of by-laws and was governed by twelve members elected by the membership to serve as our board of directors.\u00a0\u00a0 It was further explained that three of those board members were being considered for recall, but that overall, our league was in good shape. Again, our strong desire for our league’s congenial relationship with the Raytown Parks & Recreation Department to continue was expressed.<\/p>\n

    Problems developed within the league as 240 members of the sixteen teams playing softball at Community Park informed the league that the league needed to change the brand of softball provided for the league’s teams to use.\u00a0\u00a0 They also, as well, petitioned the board for removal of two of the league’s board of directors, if in fact, these teams were to stay enrolled in the league.<\/p>\n

    A smaller group petitioned the league’s board of directors for the removal of a third league’s board member.<\/p>\n

    The league’s board of directors authorized the use of any brand of approved ASA 44-core 375-compression rated softball.\u00a0\u00a0 In addition, the league’s board utilized guidelines in the league’s set of by-laws and conducted a recall election of the three mentioned board members.\u00a0 The first two mentioned board members were recalled, but the third mentioned board member was retained on the league’s board of directors.<\/p>\n

    Unbeknownst to the league and its president, Raytown Parks & Recreation officials saw fit to enter into an agreement with a newly formed 50 + league thus necessitating our league to find other complexes in which to play softball.<\/p>\n

    League vice-president Gerald Isenhower resigned from the board, and later, board member Debbie Grabb resigned.<\/p>\n

    League member Belle Neil was elected to the league’s board of directors.<\/p>\n

    Allow me to read you an unsolicited card I received from one of the leaders of the other group. The contents read, “Wes, thanks for all that you do for all of us.\u00a0 The rewards are not what should be for all your time and effort. But you continue to build a great organization that lets a lot of people still have a lot of fun.” This card was signed by board member Jerry Hinton.<\/p>\n

    Weddle considers this whole affair of not being allowed to play softball within the Raytown Parks & Recreation system to be a Hall of Shame!<\/p>\n

    Weird News<\/em><\/p>\n

    The teams of the Kansas City Metro 50+ Softball League had been playing their games in the Raytown MO Parks & Recreation’s facilities successfully for fifteen years. October 9, 2004, the softball field at Colman Park was named “The Wes Weddle Field” in honor of one of the league’s members. Less than one year later the use of the Raytown Parks & Recreation’s softball fields was given to another 50+ group.\u00a0\u00a0 One Raytown Parks & Recreation Director giveth, another Raytown Parks & Recreation Director taketh away, and the Raytown Parks & Recreation Board of Directors keepeth it away.<\/p>\n

    These are true statements.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 17 — 2006<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Being that our league was not allowed to play softball games in the Raytown P. & R. facilities, a meeting was held in January for the women’s phase of the league and plans were made for the league’s six women’s teams to play at Hartman Park in Lee\u2019s Summit, MO.\u00a0\u00a0 Belle Neil used her computer e-mail skills to expand the women’s program for the league.\u00a0\u00a0 Board members Cunningham and Neil did an outstanding job of overseeing this phase of the league’s women’s conference.<\/p>\n

    Five of the league’s gold rated men’s teams played double-header softball games on Tuesday evenings at the Frank White Sports Complex.\u00a0 Five silver and bronze rated teams played double-header games there on Wednesday evenings.<\/p>\n

    Eight, over the age of 60 teams, played double header games at Community Park on Tuesday evenings; and nineteen, gold, silver and bronze teams played double-header games there on Thursday evenings.\u00a0\u00a0 Four, over the age of 60 teams, played games on Saturday’s mornings as well as four 60 + draft teams at Roe Park.<\/p>\n

    Our league sponsored our “Tenth Kansas City Classic Qualifying Tournament” for the Softball Players Association at the Frank White Sports Complex with twenty teams participating.<\/p>\n

    On July 22, the league again sponsored a picnic as well as four all-star softball games for its members at the E. F.\u00a0 Young Park in Riverside, MO.\u00a0\u00a0 A barbeque lunch was served.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 18 — 2007<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The sign “The Wes Weddle Field” no longer is displayed at the softball field at Colman Park in Raytown.\u00a0\u00a0 Raytown Parks & Recreation officials even had the audacity to ask Weddle if he had had anything to do with the sign’s disappearance.<\/p>\n

    After serving successfully as the president of the league for seventeen years, Weddle requested to be relieved of this duty.\u00a0\u00a0 Asked whether he was being pressured to leave this position, he replied, “No.”\u00a0\u00a0 There had been two league team managers who had stated openly at league meetings that he should be replaced, but Weddle had not let those statements influence his request.<\/p>\n

    Randy Rowe was elected president. John Gerstle was elected vice-president, and Weddle said he would serve as secretary if no one else desired this position.\u00a0\u00a0 Hardly anyone desires to serve as the league’s secretary.<\/p>\n

    The league had eight teams composed of members over the age of 60 playing on Tuesdays and eighteen teams playing double-header games at Community Park in platinum, gold, silver and bronze divisions.<\/p>\n

    Much to the credit and diligent work of Belle Neil and Jim Cunningham, the women’s program of our league expanded to eight teams which played on Monday evenings at Hartman Park.\u00a0 Plans are to sponsor a women’s qualifying tournament June 28 & 29, 2008, for the Softball Players Association.<\/p>\n

    Five men’s teams played on Tuesday evenings, and seven men’s teams played on Wednesday evenings at Hartman’s Park in Lee\u2019s Summit.<\/p>\n

    Twelve teams played at Roe Park on Saturday mornings.\u00a0\u00a0 A new feature on Saturday’s play was teams composed of draft players aged sixty-five and older.\u00a0\u00a0 A total of 50 men’s teams and eight women’s teams were playing in our league, totaling fifty-eight softball teams playing in the league this year.<\/p>\n

    Humana Health Care sponsored a health fair at the T Bones Baseball Complex Friday – June 29th<\/sup>.\u00a0 The theme of the fair was built around baseball or softball players hitting a homerun by keeping themselves healthy and in shape.\u00a0\u00a0 Our league was invited and sponsored a booth.\u00a0\u00a0 Softballs and softball caps the league had purchased and never used were passed out to participants.<\/p>\n

    It was a rainy morning, but the fair was well attended.\u00a0\u00a0 The league felt honored to have been asked to participate in the fair.<\/p>\n

    One evening Weddle visited the league’s teams and entered the Relics team dugout and sat down on the bench.\u00a0\u00a0 A very young-looking ball player, as it turned out to be Dave Pattison, approached him and placed his hand on Weddle’s shoulder and stated, “I really thank you for starting this league!”\u00a0\u00a0 Weddle expressed his thanks and stated that he did not feel that the player was old enough to play in the league as he looked so young, but the player stated that he had been playing in the league for three years.<\/p>\n

    At the All-Star Games and Picnic on August 4, 2008, at Roe Park, Weddle was able to get better acquainted with Dave.<\/p>\n

    A total of one hundred and twenty-seven lunches were served at the picnic.<\/p>\n

    Statements made to Weddle over the years, such as the one mentioned above, by Dave, as well as complimentary statements by Ted Growe, John Brodrick and many other league members, in addition to the many complimentary cards and kind words of appreciation, and statements that former board member Jerry Hinton’s sent and spoke to Weddle, makes all of the work and controversies that Weddle has experienced leading the league worthwhile!<\/p>\n

    On Saturday, November 3, the league held its\u2019 yearly membership meeting at South Broadland Presbyterian Church.\u00a0\u00a0 League members Randy Rowe, Charles Hiller, Dick Stine, and Freemon Jefferson were elected board members whose terms expire in year 2010.<\/p>\n

    Teams in the league had been playing at Community Park at 135″ & Switzer since year 2002.\u00a0\u00a0 The league had a very successful experience playing there at that park with eight 60 + teams playing double-header games on Tuesday evenings and 16-19 teams playing double-header games on Thursday evenings.<\/p>\n

    During the fall of 2006, Johnson County residents failed to approve a tax which would have allowed the county to build a large soccer field complex.<\/p>\n

    During year 2007, Overland Park Parks & Recreation officials approved closing two softball fields at Community Park and, with some adjoining land, preparing soccer fields.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 19 — 2008<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The use of Community Park was closed to our league.<\/p>\n

    Following is the schedule for this year:\u00a0 Sunday, nine teams enrolled for nine inning games at Heritage Park.\u00a0 Plans were made to include 35+ year-olds in this conference.<\/p>\n

    Monday, eight women’s teams enrolled at Hartman Park.<\/p>\n

    Tuesday, eight teams composed of members over the age of 60 played double-header games at Black Bob Park.\u00a0\u00a0 Four competitive teams played double-header games at Happy Rock Park.<\/p>\n

    Wednesday, seven teams played single games at Hartman Park.<\/p>\n

    Thursday, nine bronze and silver teams played double-header games at Heritage Park. Nine gold and platinum teams played double-header games at Mid-America Sports Complex.<\/p>\n

    Saturday, thirteen teams composed of 50+, 60+, and 65+ draft teams played single games at Roe Park.<\/p>\n

    The league now has competitive designations: 50+, 60+ & 65+ draft, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum labeled teams.<\/p>\n

    On June 7, the league’s women’s, group sponsored a tournament for seven teams in Blue Springs, MO.<\/p>\n

    For several years, the league had eight 60+ teams playing on Tuesday evenings.\u00a0\u00a0 This conference was a well distributed player ability conference, as referenced to team competition.\u00a0\u00a0 Last year a manager brought a much more competitive 60+ team in to play and tried to obtain more competitive players.<\/p>\n

    This year this team was even more competitive, and other teams were concerned and talked about dropping out of the conference.\u00a0\u00a0 The league president was out of town, so Weddle and the Competition & Scheduling Committee’s chairperson convened a meeting of the team managers and discussed the situation.\u00a0 The upshot of the situation was that the more competitive team was moved to a conference which was more competitive in nature and relieved the situation for this conference.<\/p>\n

    The league’s membership meeting was held in November with members John Dehan, John Gerstle, Mike Hooper, and Bill Klinkenberg being elected to the league’s board of directors.<\/p>\n

    The name of the league was changed to The Kansas City Metropolitan Senior Softball League.<\/p>\n

    Weddle was presented with an engraved walnut plaque designating him as Chairman Emeritus.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 20 — 2009<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    A league’s managers meeting was held at the South Broadland Presbyterian Church in January.<\/p>\n

    Senior Softball Hot Stove League News Letter was published by league board member Charles Hiller and sent to league members in January informing them of the offerings of the league. A note was inserted in this newsletter about a mature gentlemen’s game to be held June 7th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

    Weddle made announcements and telephoned quite a few league members and former league members to inform them of the game.\u00a0 He telephoned charted member Bill Day who informed Weddle that he was pushing ninety.\u00a0 Weddle replied, “Bill, you told me earlier in our conversation that you walked two miles a day, so if you can do that, you certainly could show up to see your friends.”<\/p>\n

    Bill showed up and participated in the game.\u00a0 He lost his balance fielding a ball in the outfield and fell down.\u00a0\u00a0 Several men rushed to the scene to assist him getting up, and the mature gentlemen stated, “I will get up by myself\u201d The following day Bill telephoned Wes and asked, “When are you having the next mature gentlemen’s game?”\u00a0 There were quite a few members of the team which he used to coach present, and he wanted to have his former team members play another game. He invited Mike Hooper and Weddle to also play on his team if in fact another game was held.<\/p>\n

    About forty persons attended with thirty men participating in the game.\u00a0\u00a0 About ten persons attended who did not play, and there were about eight persons who attended that participated in softball games the first year the league began operation.<\/p>\n

    On August 4, a league picnic and all-star softball games were held at Roe Park with 127 league members being able to receive a free picnic lunch.\u00a0 The day was sunny with mild temperature, and the event was well attended.\u00a0\u00a0 The atmosphere was fantastic!<\/p>\n

    During the fall, a league membership meeting was held with league members Tim Burkindine, Mike Hooper, Donna McGuire, and Belle Neal being elected to the league’s board of directors.\u00a0\u00a0 Board member Bob Uphoff had decided not to be on the board any longer.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 21 — 2010<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    A league membership meeting was held at South Broadland Presbyterian Church February 6th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

    At one of the league’s Saturday softball game’s an umpire walked up to Weddle and asked if he had any more league shirts.\u00a0 The umpire explained that his father lived out of this area, had been a mature softball player, that his father had a birthday coming up soon and that he would like to send his father one of the shirts if there was one available.\u00a0 Wes explained that he had no more new league shirts available, but he would check and at least bring him one of Wes\u2019s personal league shirts next week if he was not able to obtain a new shirt.<\/p>\n

    Interesting is the fact that league member Gary Lathrup overheard the above conversation reached into his softball bag took out his new 2010 league shirt, handed the shirt to Weddle and stated, “See if this shirt will take care of his request?”\u00a0 Weddle took the shirt, went to the umpire on the field, held up the shirt and stated, “There is a statement in the B<\/strong>ible which goes like this, ask and you shall receive\u201d and handed the umpire the shirt.\u00a0 To Weddle this attitude on the part of Gary was a true reflection about what our league is all about.<\/p>\n

    About year 1993, Wes Weddle’s wife Ethel purchased at-shirt for Wes, which had the following phrase lettered on the front of the shirt, “My wife or softball?” On the back of the shirt was the phrase lettered, “When do we play?”<\/p>\n

    Another shirt purchased had a statement which reads, “We interrupt this marriage for the softball season.”\u00a0 The statement on a third shirt reads “Hay Ref” and below is a reading chart like seen in an optician\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

    As late as this year, although these shirts and lettering have faded, when Wes wears these shirts, he still receives very favorable comments about the shirts as he did the first time the shirts were worn.<\/p>\n

    A photographic album of pictures of league members, teams and a brief history of the league was composed, printed and made available for purchase. This album was a first class piece of work.<\/p>\n

    Friday, December 10th<\/sup>, at 7 pm, a banquet was-held at the Matt Ross Senior Center in Overland Park, Kansas celebrating twenty-one years of the league’s successful softball operation.<\/p>\n

    One hundred and two members attended the catered buffet dinner. Wes Weddle was ceremonially roasted at this banquet.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 22 — 2011<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Board members for 2011 were Charlie Hiller, Mike Hooper,\u00a0 John B. Dehan, Greg Bakian, Donna McGuire, John Gerstle, Randy Rowe, Belle Neil, Bill Klinkenberg, Bob Brown, Tim Burkindine, and Bill Nees.<\/p>\n

    The league’s Saturday conference opened the league’s twenty-second season with sixteen teams composed of players over the age of sixty participating.<\/p>\n

    Over the past several years, as he did this year, prior to the start of each season, Weddle has conducted memorial services for members who have departed our midst and hopefully have gone on to greater rewards.\u00a0 These departed members names are place in the league’s rule-book, which is updated each year.\u00a0 At this ceremony the ashes of one of the league’s cremated deceased members was scattered over the playing field.<\/p>\n

    Saturday, September 10, Ethel and Wes drove to Dalton, Georgia, and Wes was inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame (ss.hof.com). League member Rodney Brock was there playing in a tournament, so Wes was able to see Rodney play softball. Rodney and his sister stayed over for the induction ceremony.\u00a0 WHAT an HONOR for Wes!<\/p>\n

    Wes’s daughter and family from Florida drove to Dalton to attend the event.<\/p>\n

    The 2012 softball season, the league’s twenty-third season of play, opened with the First Lady of Kansas City, Missouri, Licia James, wife of the Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, throwing out the first softball for the League’s Women’s Conference April 16.\u00a0 The event was a joyous occasion.<\/p>\n

    Saturday, April 21, the Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, Sylvester James performed a similar task for the league’s men over 60 + Conference.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 23 — 2012<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    New to the board this year are Jim Chastain, Clint Berger, and Mark Splettstaszer, replacing John Dehan, Bill Nees, and Bob Brown.<\/p>\n

    Lots of friction created between the Monday night 50+ Independence (Missouri) draft conference and the 60+ one at Jewish Community Center (Kansas) \u2013 because of a desire to drop the allowable age with the JCC to 50+.\u00a0 Allowing JCC to be 50+ would steal players from Independence.\u00a0 Three teams does not allot for a viable conference.\u00a0 Bill Klinkenberg was allowed to work with specific 50+ year old Kansas players to move to the JCC to create a better situation for them.<\/p>\n

    General feeling was that our website was outdated, not user-friendly enough, and Wes Weddle was still the owner.\u00a0 Jim can\u2019t make any changes unless we have a web-hosting scenario.\u00a0 $2,000 was allotted for Jim Chastain (webmaster) and Charlie Hiller to upgrade our site.\u00a0 Several upgrade ideas were suggested and would be investigated.\u00a0\u00a0 Bill Klinkenberg, and a few others, wanted this upgrade to include the simple addition of a web-version of our board meeting notes to be posted on our site.<\/p>\n

    Several chain-link pitching screens were in need of repair, which would be addressed by Randy Rowe.<\/p>\n

    Team equalizers, due to an imbalance in the quality of the teams being meshed into single conferences, was a hot topic throughout 2012.\u00a0\u00a0 No answers at this time, aside from teams submitting their requests to the competition committee to be reviewed.<\/p>\n

    $300 charitable donations we made to the Make a Wish Foundation (actually, Love Fund) at Children\u2019s Mercy, the Wounded Warrior program and the Cancer Society through Hoops for Hope and Special Olympics.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 24 — 2013<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Larry Green was voted onto the board starting with the 2013 season\u2026.replacing Mike Hooper.\u00a0 Rowe said we still are trying to close out checking account at Heartland Credit Union, and move everything over to United Missouri Band (UMB).\u00a0 One outstanding check yet to clear.<\/p>\n

    Our founder, Wes Weddle, passed away on March 26, 2013:\u00a0 \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    https:\/\/www.legacy.com\/us\/obituaries\/kansascity\/name\/wesley-weddle-obituary?id=4447374<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 25 — 2014<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Estimated membership was 745.<\/p>\n

    Any additional input for the year 2014 (from anyone reading this document), will be appreciated.<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 26 — 2015<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    2015 coincided with the introduction of League Sheets to the organization.\u00a0 Bill Nees and Karen Riffle worked in tandem with Scott Flodin (League Sheets) to get our website up-to-date accordingly.\u00a0 Our website hosting, along with online payment of membership dues, roster creating, etc., will be moved to Mr. Flodin’s group.<\/p>\n

    The \u201cHot Stove\u201d publication, comprised by Donna McGuire, was renamed to \u201cExtra Innings\u201d.<\/p>\n

    As result of Belle Neil\u2019s resignation (who had been Secretary) Susan Scholler was elected to take her place.\u00a0\u00a0 Doug Bennett also resigned after the election for this year.\u00a0\u00a0 Rocky Osborn and Bob Reynolds were nominated as replacements.\u00a0\u00a0 A closed ballot election concluded with Osborn as the person to take Bennett\u2019s place. Charlie Hiller was voted to be removed from the board for cause.\u00a0\u00a0 Bob Reynolds was elected to take his place.<\/p>\n

    The current copy of our By-Laws were voted to be updated to address approximately eight changes, most of which were typos or minor wording clarifications.<\/p>\n

    Our 25th<\/sup> anniversary items were approved for sale.<\/p>\n

    The Long-Range Planning Committee began investigating the possibility of acquiring the use of the park property at 103rd<\/sup> & Holmes.<\/p>\n

    Total membership for this season \u2013 857.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 27 — 2016<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Bill Klinkenberg, Larry Green and Chris Laddish were replaced by Jody Myers, Bill Nees and Steve Krull as board members.<\/p>\n

    The idea of giving back to our members introduced annual Rookie of the Year and the Wes Weddle \u2013 Spirit of the Game awards.\u00a0\u00a0 Each conference would be allotted one of each.<\/p>\n

    KC Metro \u201cSenior Day at the K\u201d (for a designated day during the upcoming 2017 season) attracted a total of 420 members requesting tickets.\u00a0\u00a0 Randy Rowe was selected to be the Captain\u2019s Club honoree at the game.\u00a0 He will be on the field prior to game time for group introductions; and after extensive conversations four ticket holders have been confirmed as the winners of the batting practice access.\u00a0 They are Vonda Williams, Don Morse, Jim (JJ) Jones and Jim Cunningham.<\/p>\n

    2016 will be our first year whereby our members will be able to cast their board election votes \u201conline\u201d.<\/p>\n

    Total membership for this season \u2013 854.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 28 — 2017<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    New board member was Larry Hightower, replacing Rocky Osborn.<\/p>\n

    Our first 80+ men\u2019s team was allowed to play in the same conference as our 40+ women on Monday nights at Hartman Park in Lee\u2019s Summit.<\/p>\n

    The Monday night women\u2019s conference at Hartman Park in Lee\u2019s Summit is going to, again, add another men\u2019s Antiques team to their team list for 2018.\u00a0\u00a0 This team will be a 75+ team.<\/p>\n

    Our \u201cField of Dreams\u201d (i.e., building our own complex around 103rd<\/sup> & Holmes, or anywhere else continues to be running into one roadblock after another.<\/p>\n

    Total membership for this season \u2013 856.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 29 — 2018<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Jody Myers is no longer a board member.\u00a0 A tie occurred in the board voting for 2018.\u00a0 As a result, it was decided to retain both candidates due to the fact that the board was entertaining the expansion to 15 members anyway.\u00a0\u00a0 Barry Gordon and Rocky Osborn were new the board members.<\/p>\n

    Our first attempt at rating individual \u201cplayers\u201d and the players determining the rating classification of each team on which they play (opposed to SSUSA\u2019s \u201cteam\u201d rating system) was implemented this year.\u00a0\u00a0 A work in progress.<\/p>\n

    A new 65+ conference will be started this season at Black Bob Park.\u00a0 In order to assist in getting it off the ground, the board approved grandfathering in a maximum of three 61+ year-old players (as of 1\/1\/18) who played on any of the teams at Black Bob in 2017 — who wish to move \u201cwith their team\u201d to the 65+ conference.\u00a0 No player will be allowed to change teams in order to be a grandfathered player on some other team.<\/p>\n

    Our first Co-Ed conference will start this season\u2026.with four teams.\u00a0\u00a0 Original thought to work at Colman Park – Raytown, it was ultimately switched to Hartman Park \u2013 Lee\u2019s Summit.<\/p>\n

    For player safety, and since managers are now able to view their team\u2019s roster online, it was requested we acquire as many as possible ECI (Emergency Contact Information) phone numbers for the players.\u00a0\u00a0 The manager then has that info available if needed.<\/p>\n

    Generic organizational business cards have been printed and were made available to all board members to utilize as a handout to any interested non-member.<\/p>\n

    Rowe stated SSUSA is offering lifetime memberships to 75+ year old players.\u00a0 It was questioned (by some of our members, as well as some on the board) as to whether, or not, we should do the same.\u00a0 It was decided to follow in SSUSA\u2019s steps.\u00a0\u00a0 Concern remained as to the monetary impact on our bottom line.<\/p>\n

    Interest in revitalizing our Facebook page was addressed.\u00a0\u00a0 It seems someone created a page a few years back, and Larry Hightower is unable to create a new one as a result.\u00a0\u00a0 Will have to uncover who administered the original one (in order to take it down) to start a new one.<\/p>\n

    Field of Dreams has moved away from the 103rd<\/sup> & Holmes site (due to it flooding twice in two months\u2026.now declared a floodway \u2013 meaning we cannot erect any structure hindering the flow of flood waters through the property.\u00a0\u00a0 Burkindine is now investigating a new planned project believed to be under consideration at Renner Rd. and College Blvd.<\/p>\n

    Our Hall of Honor distinction was introduced by Barry Gordon.\u00a0\u00a0 The strict criteria in order to qualify is being worked on.\u00a0 It is felt that since this should, and will, be considered such a prestigious award, the qualifications in receiving one should be extremely demanding.<\/p>\n

    Presidential Recognition Award was born this year also.\u00a0 Rowe\u2019s suggestions for this award were: Bill Nees \u2013 Monday 70+ Hybrid league, Dave Barragan \u2013 Wednesday Independence league, and Susan Scholler \u2013 Friday Coed league.\u00a0\u00a0 Hightower added Karen Riffle for her hard work on the website.\u00a0 The vote was six to approve and four against, for these four nominees to receive the first-ever Presidential Recognition award.<\/p>\n

    Awarding an \u201cAmbassador\u201d jacket to each member who achieved 20 active years with the KCMSSL was also born this year.\u00a0\u00a0 The first-year volume of jackets was knowingly understood to be large \u2013 due to the number of recipients who had already passed the magical 20-year milestone years ago.\u00a0 That number should subside with each passing year.\u00a0\u00a0 First-year number of jackets was 107.<\/p>\n

    All award winners are listed on our website, under the Awards heading.\u00a0\u00a0 Future winners will continue to be added as they happen.<\/p>\n

    We ended the year with 929 paid members.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 30 — 2019<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Bill Nees decided not to run for 2019 board re-election.\u00a0 With a 14th<\/sup>\u00a0board member being added in 2019, Dave Barragan and John Mondi were elected.\u00a0\u00a0 Steve Krull decided to resign from the board (as of March), Dave Hendrikse was elected to replace him.<\/p>\n

    All of the chain link guts of our pitching screens have been replaced with netting material.<\/p>\n

    It was agreed that Barry Gordon could proceed with the purchase of a 30th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary hat for every one of our male members and a visor for every one of our women members \u2013 to be distributed at the start of the 2020 season.<\/p>\n

    Randy Rowe\u2019s attempt for the KCMSSL to gain access back onto Colman Park in Raytown was again shot down by the Raytown Parks & Rec \u2014 after several meetings over the winter.\u00a0\u00a0 We were told we would be allowed access to Little Blue Trace Park, or any other city of Raytown parks, but that HASSL had sole rights to Colman.<\/p>\n

    KCMSSL\u2019s \u201cNight at the Comets\u201d (Comets are Kansas City\u2019s indoor soccer league team) was approved for their April 18th<\/sup>\u00a0game.\u00a0 Larry Hightower will work with Deb Brown on the details.\u00a0 For marketing\/advertising purposes, we will be allowed to have a mini half-time \u201csoft\u201d softball game on the field.\u00a0 The plan is for that game to be a co-ed game.\u00a0 All interested members will be asked to submit their requests.<\/p>\n

    In May of 2019, Dave Barragan was voted off the board, by the board, due to unprofessional actions on his part relative to our organization\u2019s guidelines and standards.\u00a0 He was, additionally, banned from the league, for life \u2013 with the ongoing appeal option for re-instatement if voted accordingly by the setting board at the time of Dave\u2019s request to be re-instated.\u00a0\u00a0 SSUSA informed Randy Rowe that they are going to follow KCMSSL\u2019s lead with Dave.\u00a0 As long as he is banned from our league, he will be banned from any SSUSA tournament.<\/p>\n

    Jeff Harlan was voted to take Barragan board position.<\/p>\n

    KCMSSL had a \u201cDay with the T-Bones\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 Our goal was to get 100 members to participate.\u00a0 We sold 104 tickets.\u00a0 Randy Rowe threw out the first pitch.\u00a0 The game did, however, get called (due to rain) in the 3rd<\/sup>\u00a0inning. We do not plan a KCMSSL group return to utilize the tickets.\u00a0 Everyone was free to use them as they wish.<\/p>\n

    Allowing all 75+ year-old members lifetime membership \u201conce they\u2019ve paid 1 year of dues at, or above, the age of 75\u201d will be implemented for the upcoming 2020 season.<\/p>\n

    Larry Hightower coordinated the airing of a story on our 70\u2019s+ players with TV station KSHB.\u00a0\u00a0 Hightower said there were numerous air times (at least four).<\/p>\n

    Three lightning detectors were purchased for use at the fields where they are currently not provided by the P&R, or otherwise.\u00a0 Per Donna McGuire, 10 miles is their limit for detection.\u00a0 When lightning gets that close or closer, the Parks & Recreations delay games 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

    There were 21 Ambassador Jacket awardees this year.<\/p>\n

    We now have 386 members on our new Facebook page, per John Mondi.<\/p>\n

    Total paid membership for this year was 980.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 31 – 2020<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Prior to the start of the 2020 season, the United States was hit with the COVID-19 virus (a world-wide communicable disease pandemic). This was a major disruption to our organization.\u00a0\u00a0 The KCMSSL ended their 2019 season with 957 active\/paid members.\u00a0\u00a0 Covid-19\u2019s toll dropped that figure, for 2020, to 847.<\/p>\n

    The Board of Directors met in a special session to create COVID-19 safety rules and protocols to govern 2020 league play. These protocols were developed after looking at the national, regional, state, and county policies.<\/p>\n

    Early on we determined a league-wide shut down would occur due to any positive COVID-19 case.\u00a0\u00a0 As more information was made available, we followed the path of case-by-case protocols governing how and when we would resume play and or shut down.<\/p>\n

    Player skill ratings were changed from the Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze categories to a 10-to-1 (highest to lowest) rating.\u00a0 Those ratings will translate as follows:\u00a0 8.01 thru 10 is equivalent to Platinum, 7.01 – 8 = High Gold, 6.01 – 7 = low Gold, 5.01 – 6 = High Silver, 4.01 – 5 = Middle Silver, 3.01 – 4 = low Silver, and 1 – 3 = Bronze. \u00a0This numeric system would be the foundation for team classifications.<\/p>\n

    In June, President \u2013 Randy Rowe and Secretary \u2013 Donna McGuire turned in their letters of resignation from the Board of Directors; this was followed by Mark Splettstaszer\u2019s resignation in August. The board chose Chuck Tipton, Brad Uecker, and Ray Harre to serve out the terms of office of those three former Board members.\u00a0\u00a0 Tim Burkindine took over the office of President and Bobby Gregg was elected to the office of Vice-President.\u00a0\u00a0 Subsequently, someone was needed to replace Gregg (as Treasurer), so Chuck Tipton was elected to position.\u00a0 And someone needed to replace Donna as Secretary, so Ann Willkett was elected to that Executive Committee position.<\/p>\n

    Again in June, the Board followed the advice of ex-President Rowe, new President Burkindine and Vice-President Gregg to cancel our annual Wes Weddle Classic softball tournament (scheduled for the end of July) as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on the states in the Midwest\u2026Kansas specifically.\u00a0\u00a0 Senior Softball USA took over those dates, conducting a Midwest qualifier at the Mid-America Sports Complex in place of the Wes Weddle tournament.<\/p>\n

    League\/conference play \u201ccautiously\u201d started in late June.\u00a0 And it didn\u2019t take long before play was suspended for two weeks due to the positive Covid-19 test by members of the organization who had played in our Thursday, Sunday and other venues around the league. The decision to cancel for two weeks was made after the Board went through additional lengthy information-gathering, contact tracing, and response from county and city health organizations.<\/p>\n

    In an effort to continue organization\u2019s growth, committee chairs were charged with the responsibility of adding a minimum of two non-board members to each applicable Board committee.\u00a0 There was a large number of non-board members who stepped up and volunteered to serve.<\/p>\n

    After using a storage-unit facility in Lee Summit for many years, the Board voted to rent a larger unit closer to where the majority of Board members lived.\u00a0 A Martin City Storage Mart unit was chosen.\u00a0\u00a0 It offered the easier access desired, at a better price for our needs.<\/p>\n

    Our annual July All-Star Games & Picnic for 2020 was canceled due to COVID-19.\u00a0 Our hope is we will be able to resume full activities (games and the picnic) for our entire membership in 2021.\u00a0 Also due to COVID-19 all of our annual conference awards were canceled, except for the various conference championship shirts and the Ambassador jackets awarded to eight qualifying members.<\/p>\n

    A review of our financial situation uncovered the organization running in the red for the past three years.\u00a0 To that end, a decision was made that in 2021 all teams playing in our conferences will purchase softballs from the league rather than getting them free from the league \u2013 as it has been the case to date.\u00a0 It is the Board\u2019s hope this is going to be the only move necessary to get us back in the black and set us on the path towards operating on a zero-based budget going forward.\u00a0 Also, as a result of this information, the Board of Directors decided to forgo charitable donations for the year 2020.\u00a0\u00a0 The Board hopes to be able to get back to making the organization\u2019s normal charitable contributions again in 2021.<\/p>\n

    After an in-depth look at our By-Laws and checking with the state statutes of both Missouri and Kansas, it was determined the Board and its officers were not covered with adequate liability insurance. It was, therefore, decided that we purchase a liability policy through West Bend Mutual.\u00a0 The coverage with and cost from West Bend was determined to be the best fit for our needs.<\/p>\n

    The annual Managers\u2019 Survey was delivered by that committee to the Board.\u00a0 Resulting suggestions and recommendations were sent to all the appropriate committees for action.\u00a0 The entire survey document \u2013 containing the manager\/member responses, the Board\u2019s recommendations, etc., were then posted on our website for our membership to review.<\/p>\n

    We received news, late in the season, that the Wes Weddle Classic tournament dates at the Mid-America Sports Complex were no longer available to us.\u00a0 The one-year moratorium we decided to take relative to running the tournament due to Covid-19, somewhat backfired on us as the corresponding 2020 dates (for 2021) were claimed by an alternate SSUSA Qualifier.\u00a0 However, thanks to the persistent hard work of Clint Berger, SSUSA agreed to allow us to move the Wes Weddle Classic to June 24-27 \u2013 to be held at Black Bob Park in Olathe, KS and Hartman Park in Lee\u2019s Summit.\u00a0 The tournament is again listed as a qualifier on SSUSA\u2019s website.\u00a0 Again\u2026thanks Clint!!\u00a0\u00a0 Great news, as this will not only retain the existence of a great tournament, but hopefully assist us in making up for some of the lost revenue experienced the past three years.<\/p>\n

    As always, several of our local teams played in tournaments around the country in 2020 \u2014 including SSUSA Wolds, which was moved from the routine Las Vegas, NV location, to St. George, Utah \u2013 again due to Covid-19 concerns:\u00a0 B&B Drywall (50+), S&S Interiors (50+), KC Monarchs (55+), KC Vintage (55+), Big Daddy\u2019s Donuts (60+), KC Kids (65+), Antiques of Kansas City (80+).<\/p>\n

    Along with a number of other firsts in 2020, the Board decided our annual membership meeting in December was going to be a virtual meeting.\u00a0 This was only made possible thanks to the efforts of Susan Scholler who reached out to her IT person (Phil Brown) at work who was able to set up the meeting for those members wishing to participate.\u00a0\u00a0 The following board members were up for re-election: Bobby Gregg, Susan Scholler, Barry Gordon, Rocky Osborn, and Ray Harre (who replaced Mark Splettstaszer).\u00a0 All, except for Rocky Osborn, indicated their desire to rerun for the Board.\u00a0 The Nominating Committee moved forward, presenting a total slate of 10 candidates for the 2021 Board of Directors seats.\u00a0\u00a0 The following candidates were elected to serve new three-year terms:\u00a0 Bobby Gregg, Barry Gordon, Susan Scholler, Ray Harre, and John A. Dehan (son of John B. Dehan \u2013 creating the 1st father-son pair to serve on this Board).<\/p>\n

    As we move closer to the end of 2020, it is our hope that members remain healthy, happy, and their families are also safe.\u00a0 The KCMSSL Board extends a deep heartfelt thanks to all of you who helped us make 2020 a successful as possible.\u00a0 God bless, and farewell to 2020.\u00a0 We are all looking forward to seeing everyone again in 2021. Play ball!!\u00a0\u00a0 We ended this Covid infested season with 847 members.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 32 — 2021<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Following the 2020 Covid-19 season, during which Tim Burkindine assumed the position of President from the then-resigned Randy Rowe, the board performed their routine January meeting assignment by electing Executive Committee members for 2022.\u00a0\u00a0 Clint Berger was elected President.\u00a0\u00a0 Clint had held the Membership Secretary position, so Barry Gordon was elected to take that position, with the other three committee positions being retained:\u00a0 Bobby Gregg \u2013 Vice-President, Chuck Tipton \u2013 Treasurer and Ann Willkett \u2013 Secretary.<\/p>\n

    Steve Krull, who had been a board member from 2016-18, but then decided not to run for re-election in 2019; then subsequently ran again in 2020 (and was re-elected)\u2026sent in his board resignation letter — due to his job not allowing him to serve as needed.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bill Boos, who had run for the 2020 election, was voted to take Steve\u2019s place.<\/p>\n

    Many individuals, along with some full teams, entered spring play after a winter of indoor practicing at Homefield – 2115 E Kansas City Rd, Olathe, KS 66061.\u00a0\u00a0 The KCMSSL has now teamed up with Homefield for its 2nd consecutive year for winter workouts.<\/p>\n

    With 2019 being our 30th year of existence, we had planned to present all members with a 30th-anniversary hat in conjunction with the routine April start date of the 2020 season.\u00a0\u00a0 But with the onslaught of Covid-19 in 2020, those hats were never distributed.\u00a0\u00a0 The hats ended up being distributed this year instead (since they had already been purchased in 2019\u2026i.e., the money had already been spent).<\/p>\n

    2021 was the year the KCMSSL departed from the use of its original \u201cnavy blue and white\u201d KC Metro logo, to its newly devised \u201cyellow softball with red stitching, overlaid with the large white script-lettered \u2018KC Metro\u2019 outlined in blue, with the word \u2018Senior\u2019 resting at the top of the softball logo and the words \u2018Softball League\u2019 in a half circle supporting the bottom of the softball.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our online store, for anyone to purchase items such as hats, shirts, polo, windbreakers, etc., was launched in conjunction with our new logo.<\/p>\n

    Due to the still-lingering world-wide Covid-19 concerns, it was decided we would bring back the All-Star Game event again this year, but would be health-cautious with the picnic menu in an effort to reduce the chances of transmitting Covid.<\/p>\n

    KCMSSL agreed to team-up with Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods to take advantage of what Dick\u2019s was promoting as \u201cCommunity Day\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 We were allotted two dates of our choice (out of the entire year) when KCMSSL members would be given 20% off their entire store purchase.\u00a0 We were also given several $50 Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods gift certificates to hand out as we desired.\u00a0\u00a0 10 of them were raffled-off to the members during the All-Star Games\/Picnic event, while the remaining 7 were given away, via a raffle, at the annual December membership meeting.<\/p>\n

    Our spring tournament attracted 15 teams this year.\u00a0\u00a0 A Swap Meet, as conducted in 2020, was again held in conjunction with the tournament.\u00a0\u00a0 And due to its popularity, a second swap meet was added to the end of the season.\u00a0\u00a0 Both were held at Black Bob Park.\u00a0 The Wes Weddle tournament (with 32 teams entered) had to be moved to May this year \u2013 due to our previous July date being unavailable.\u00a0\u00a0 This year\u2019s event was going to be played at Black Bob Park \u2013 Olathe, and Hartman Park \u2013 Lee\u2019s Summit, but in the end, it got rained out.<\/p>\n

    It was voted that the method by which each league team has been classified\/rated over the past 4 years (2017-2021) which assisted in determining each game\u2019s run equalizers, will change in 2022.\u00a0\u00a0 The new process will simply average the top ten individually rated players on the team\u2019s official roster to determine the team\u2019s rating.<\/p>\n

    The idea of creating a \u201cMilitary Service Wall\u201d for qualifying KCMSSL members, for our website, had been introduced 5-6 years ago.\u00a0\u00a0 Some preliminary work had been done on it at that time but was never completed.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chuck Main resurrected the idea again this year.\u00a0\u00a0 With the very strong assistance of John Mondi, that wall was launched (with the help of Karen Riffle \u2013 our webmaster) with 108 members.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We all hope to continually add to this listing as more and more members become familiarized with its presence.<\/p>\n

    Our annual awards (except for 20-year Ambassador jackets), which had been postponed in 2020 due to Covid-19, were re-instated in 2021 with members receiving the Wes Weddle \u2013 Spirit of the Game, Rookie of the Year and Presidential Recognition awards.\u00a0\u00a0 Due to Covid, those eligible for the Rookie of the Year award in 2020, were also included as being eligible for the award in 2021.<\/p>\n

    We set an all-time high in the number of paid KCMSSL memberships for a season, in 2021, with a total of 981.\u00a0\u00a0 Our previous high mark was pre-Covid, in 2019, when we had reached 980.\u00a0\u00a0 Our obvious goal is to hit that magical 1,000 mark.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 33 \u2013 2022<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Following the 2021 Board of Directors election, two new members were welcomed to the 2022 board listing for their 1st<\/sup> terms:\u00a0 Terry Cloutier and Gary Pycior.\u00a0 The re-elected Executive Committee members for 2022 were: \u00a0Clint Berger \u2013 President, Bobby Gregg \u2013 Vice-President, Barry Gordon \u2013 Membership Secretary, Chuck Tipton \u2013 Treasurer, and Ann Willkett \u2013 Secretary.\u00a0\u00a0 Chuck was removed from the Treasurer position in April, and was replaced by Ray Harre.\u00a0 Then, with Ray being uncomfortable in that role, he resigned the position in July\u2026to be replaced in August with Paul Heacock.<\/p>\n

    Membership for 2022 was down slightly, at 959, from our 2021 record-high figure of 981.\u00a0 We, obviously, did not reach our goal of 1,000 members (again) this year, but we will continue our pursuit of that number in 2023.<\/p>\n

    KCMSSL continued its marriage with Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods as a donating sponsor.\u00a0\u00a0 We were again allotted a selected weekend date of our choice when KCMSSL members were given 20% off their entire Dick\u2019s instore purchase.\u00a0 We were also, again, given several $50 Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods gift certificates to hand out as we desired.\u00a0\u00a0 Several of them were raffled-off to the members during the All-Star Games\/Picnic event, while the remaining were given away, via a raffle, at the annual December membership meeting.\u00a0 Other sponsors jumping on board in 2022 were Humana Health (Health Coverage), Delmar Gardens (Assisted Living, nursing & extended care), Miracle Ear (hearing aids), and Elite Sports (sporting goods donated to our All-Star Games\/Picnic).<\/p>\n

    The Wes Weddle tournament (with 35 teams entered) was moved to an earlier date this year, being played May 19-22.\u00a0\u00a0 The 65-and-older divisions played their games on Thursday-Friday \u2013 May 19-20 — at Hartman Park in Lee\u2019s Summit, MO; while all 60-year-old and younger teams played on Saturday-Sunday (the 21st<\/sup> \u2013 22nd<\/sup>) at both Hartman Park and Black Bob Park in Olathe, KS.<\/p>\n

    After running in the red (financially) for the past three seasons, the organization realized a respectable financial turnaround in 2021 due to the decision made, back then, for our league teams to pay for the softballs they use during the season \u2013 instead of getting them free from the organization.\u00a0 The KCMSSL currently purchases the balls, with a bulk discount, from BSN.\u00a0 We do not see this changing, going forward.<\/p>\n

    Continuing in the financial arena, we had been routinely paying $25 of each team\u2019s annual $45 supplemental medical insurance coverage (through SSUSA).\u00a0\u00a0 As of 2022, it was decided that the organization would discontinue picking up that $25 payment portion, and require each team to pay the entire $45 amount on their own.<\/p>\n

    So that our members do not have to navigate to a variety of websites to determine if any questionable games were rained out for any given games during the season, John Dehan Jr. presented the option of the KCMSSL paying for a KCMSSL-specific spin-off of the Rainoutline.com app.\u00a0 It is now in place as a one-stop-shop location for game statuses covering all of our venues.<\/p>\n

    This year\u2019s All-Star Games \/ Picnic event, for the first time, included some \u201cSkills Contests\u201d \u2013 pitching accuracy and home-run hitting.\u00a0 The home run hitting event was split into age-based categories.\u00a0 \u00a0Terry Cloutier secured corresponding prizes for each.\u00a0\u00a0 There was also a small raffle held in conjunction with this event in 2021, but this year that number of prizes (thanks to Terry) grew to almost 50 items.<\/p>\n

    We hosted a successful Military Veterans acknowledgement event at Roe Park in 2021<\/u> (the Saturday after Veterans Day).\u00a0\u00a0 The same event this year, however, was combined (due to unacceptable weather conditions in November) with our annual December Membership Meeting.\u00a0\u00a0 Our website\u2019s Military Service Wall (acknowledging our organization\u2019s military veterans) has now grown to 122 members — https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/?page_id=7781<\/a> .<\/p>\n

    Annual Membership Meeting \u2013 December 3 — was again held at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center in Overland Park.\u00a0 Just over 200 members were estimated to be in attendance.\u00a0\u00a0 Our ongoing support of the local Ronald McDonald House \u2013 a nonprofit family & children’s charity dedicated to supporting families with sick children in their time of need \u2013 again generated several bags of aluminum \u201cpull tabs\u201d (picked up by Deb Brown at the meeting) to donate to them.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 34 \u2013 2023<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Two new members were welcomed to the 2023 board for their 1st<\/sup> terms:\u00a0 Paul Heacock and Mark Kenney.\u00a0 The re-elected Executive Committee members for 2023 were: \u00a0Clint Berger \u2013 President, Bobby Gregg \u2013 Vice-President, Barry Gordon \u2013 Membership Secretary, and Ann Willkett \u2013 Secretary.\u00a0\u00a0 New board member, Paul Heacock was voted in as Treasurer\u2026even though he had already been our non-board-member Treasurer in 2022.\u00a0 \u00a0Terry Cloutier resigned during the January board meeting due to personal indifferences and was replaced by the next-highest-vote-getter from the December board election (Terry Jackson).<\/p>\n

    Membership for 2023 rose from 959 in 2022 to 972 in 2023.\u00a0 We did not reach our goal of 1,000 members (again) this year, but we will continue our pursuit of that number in 2024 by utilizing portable \u201cstreet placard\/signs\u201d to promote us.<\/p>\n

    We continued our sponsorship marriage with Humana Health (Health Coverage) during the 2023 season, but the other sponsors from 2022 departed.\u00a0\u00a0 CenterWell (primary care for seniors) joined us as a sponsor in December, in preparation for our 2024 season.\u00a0 It is their desire to obviously reach out to our members for health care, but as part of their sponsorship, they wish to help with the purchase of shirts for some of our draft conferences.<\/p>\n

    We, once again, had a good number of teams participating in our various conferences around the city.\u00a0 There were a total of 89 teams; 23 were draft teams, 14 women\u2019s and the remaining 52 being men\u2019s teams.\u00a0 We were, once again, unable to resurrect a co-ed conference.\u00a0 Already having play six days of the week, the only day we continue to have open is Fridays, but we just can\u2019t seem to be able to generate Friday night interest.<\/p>\n

    Unhappiness from the draft conference playing into the heat of the day on Saturday mornings (at Roe Park), we decided to flip-flop the draft conference times with the competitive conference.\u00a0 That seemed to work well, aside from how long the draft conference games took to finish.\u00a0\u00a0 The proposal for 2024 is to move the start time for the draft conference to 8:00 from 8:30.\u00a0 Our venues remained as they have been for years:\u00a0 Johnson County\u2019s Heritage Park \u2013 Olathe, KS; the City of Olathe\u2019s Black Bob Park; the city of Overland Park\u2019s Roe Park; the city of Lee\u2019s Summit\u2019s Hartman Park; and the Independence Athletic Complex in Independence, MO.<\/p>\n

    The Wes Weddle tournament had 38 teams enter this year and was again played May 18-21st<\/sup>.\u00a0\u00a0 The 65-and-older divisions played their games on Thursday-Friday (May 18-19) at Hartman Park in Lee\u2019s Summit, MO; while all 60-year-old and younger teams played on Saturday-Sunday (the 20th<\/sup> \u2013 21st<\/sup>) at both Hartman Park and Black Bob Park in Olathe, KS.<\/p>\n

    We were again blessed with good weather (hot, but dry) \u2013 which is best to hope for in the middle of July, for our All-Star Games\/Picnic event.\u00a0\u00a0 Our revised skills contests format for this year\u2019s event was a huge success (pitching accuracy, home-run derby, and hitting proficiency).\u00a0 There was also a small raffle included, which also went well. \u00a0\u00a0All in all, there was a total of about $1,200 income from those two events.<\/p>\n

    After running in the red (financially) for the past three seasons and our bank account total losing 15% of its nest egg amount from where we were six years ago, the board voted to increase our Class 1 male member\u2019s dues from their 30+ year-old $20 figure to $30, starting with the 2024 season.\u00a0 And the Associate\u2019s dues (men\u2019s & women\u2019s) will increase from $10 to $15 for next season.\u00a0 The Class 1 women\u2019s dues were increased from $15 to $20 at the start of the 2023 season.<\/p>\n

    An event to honor our military veterans was again held outdoors this year, on November 11th<\/sup>, at Roe Park.\u00a0 \u00a0Our website\u2019s Military Service Wall (acknowledging our organization\u2019s military veterans) has now grown to 129 members: https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/?page_id=7781<\/a> .<\/p>\n

    We are not sure why, but for whatever reason, there seemed to be more sportsmanship issues occurring this season than in any past seasons.\u00a0\u00a0 The general \u201cthinking\u201d is that our society has evolved into an abundance of people feeling they are deserving of too much entitlement.\u00a0 We used to be more respectful of others\u2019 views and therefore didn\u2019t outwardly challenge those perspectives.\u00a0\u00a0 That entitlement and lack of respect seem to be leading to more feelings surfacing during our games and subsequently creating those increased sportsmanship issues.\u00a0\u00a0 It seems we will simply have to try to deal with the situations as they arise.<\/p>\n

    Annual Membership Meeting \u2013 December 2nd<\/sup> — was again held at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center in Overland Park.\u00a0 Estimates of just over 200 members were figured to be in attendance.\u00a0 This was our first year of being able to accept payments being made to KC Metro via a card reader–utilizing \u201cCollect for Stripe\u201d software–attached to our Treasurer\u2019s cell phone.\u00a0 We will also be able to take tournament entry fee card payments for next season\u2019s Wes Weddle tournament.<\/p>\n

    Numerous awards (Wes Weddle \u2013 Spirit of the Game, and Rookie of the Year) were distributed at our December 2nd<\/sup> meeting.\u00a0 19 Ambassador jackets or windbreakers were also presented to those attaining 20 years of playing with KC Metro.\u00a0 And Bobby Gregg was awarded the Presidential Recognition plaque for his work with the Wes Weddle tournament and the All-Star Games\/Picnic by Clint Berger.<\/p>\n

    Our ongoing support of the local Ronald McDonald House, a nonprofit family & children’s charity dedicated to supporting families with sick children in their time of need, again generated several bags of aluminum \u201cpull tabs\u201d (picked up by Deb Brown at the meeting) to donate to Ronald McDonald House.<\/p>\n

    The new board member for 2024, as a result of our December election, will be Monte Johnson.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 35 \u2013 2024<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    We had one new member welcomed to the 2024 board for the 1st<\/sup>\u00a0term:\u00a0 Monte Johnson.\u00a0 The Executive Committee members elected for 2024 were: \u00a0Clint Berger \u2013 President, Barry Gordon \u2013 Vice-President, Susan Scholler \u2013 Membership Secretary, and Ann Willkett \u2013 Secretary, and Paul Heacock \u2013 Treasurer.\u00a0 \u00a0Note:\u00a0 Susan decided to step down from being Membership Secretary in February and was replaced by Gary Pycior.<\/p>\n

    Membership for 2024 rose from 972 in 2023 to 977 in 2024.\u00a0 We did not reach our goal of 1,000 members (again) this year, but we will continue our pursuit of that number in 2025.<\/p>\n

    We continued our sponsorship marriage with CenterWell (primary care for seniors).\u00a0 CenterWell joined us as a sponsor in December of 2023.\u00a0 It is their desire to obviously reach out to our members for health care.<\/p>\n

    We, once again, had a good number of teams participating in our various conferences around the city.\u00a0 There was a total of 92 teams; 23 were draft teams, 16 women\u2019s and the remaining 53 were men\u2019s teams.\u00a0 We started a four-team 65+ Silver conference on Saturday mornings at Roe Park.\u00a0 The Saturday morning game start time for the draft conference was moved to 8:00, with the 60+ conference starting at 8:30 (on Field \u201cB\u201d) and the 65+ conference playing after the draft.<\/p>\n

    Our attempt to resurrect a 50+ draft conference at Black Bob Park failed again this season.\u00a0 At this time, no more attempts will be made on this.<\/p>\n

    Our venue locations remained as they have been for years:\u00a0 Johnson County\u2019s Heritage Park \u2013 Olathe, KS; the City of Olathe\u2019s Black Bob Park; the city of Overland Park\u2019s Roe Park; the city of Lee\u2019s Summit\u2019s Hartman Park; and the Independence Athletic Complex in Independence, MO.<\/p>\n

    The Wes Weddle tournament teams increased from 38 to 40 teams for 2024, with all games being played at Hartman Park in Lee\u2019s Summit, MO.\u00a0 However, due to SSUSA securing the month of April time slot from Will Rogers\u2019 Cowtown tournament, all Midwest regional tournaments were shifted to later in the season.\u00a0 Our Wes Weddle, as a result, was played June 27-30 for the 60-80, with the 50-55 playing July 6-7.<\/p>\n

    We were again blessed with good weather (hot, but dry) \u2013 which is best to hope for in the middle of July for our All-Star Games\/Picnic event.\u00a0\u00a0 Our revised skills contests format for this year\u2019s event was a huge success (pitching accuracy, home-run derby, and hitting proficiency).\u00a0 A 50\/50 raffle was held, and numerous donated items were raffled.<\/p>\n

    The cost of our storage unit (Storage Mart) continued to skyrocket.\u00a0 The decision was made to move to Blue Sky Self Storage, which (by the end of 2024) changed their name to Uplift Self Storage.<\/p>\n

    Approximately 100 members attended our \u201cDay at the K\u201d to watch the Royals take on the Minnesota Twins.<\/p>\n

    After years of debate on setting some sort of \u201cheat\u201d temperature guidelines relative to canceling games due to excessive temperature, the board settled on a guideline.\u00a0\u00a0 Using the \u201cAccuWeather\u201d app on people\u2019s phones, the \u201cReal Feel\u201d reading will be utilized.\u00a0\u00a0 A temperature of 100 degrees or more provided for each subject location at the time of the ball games will be canceled, no questions.\u00a0 For a reading of 99 and lower, it will be up to the coordinators to make the call.\u00a0 The coordinator may solicit input from the team managers relative to the decisions for the 99 or lower readings.<\/p>\n

    About 50 of our members participated in a \u201c72 Hours of Baseball \u2013 The Endless Game\u201d event coordinated by Jerry Weaver (one of our members).\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Each member was asked to make a monetary donation to participate.\u00a0 As a result, we generated $2,200.00; and had an anonymous company match with $2,250.00.\u00a0 This provided for a total of $4,450.00 which was donated to Gift of Life.\u00a0 We also made a $500 donation to the KC Royals RBI organization in the name of Tony Roberts, per his request for our use of his barn (to store our items not requiring a climate-controlled facility.<\/p>\n

    Even though the temperatures were a bit chilly, an event to honor our military veterans was again held outdoors on November 9th<\/sup>, from 10:00 \u2013 11:00 at Roe Park.\u00a0 That was then followed, from 11:00 \u2013 12:00, with an actual softball game.\u00a0 \u00a0Our website\u2019s Military Service Wall (acknowledging our organization\u2019s military veterans) has now grown to 129 members:\u00a0https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/?page_id=7781<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

    After years of safety concerns, amongst others, about Roe Park, Survey Monkey results convinced the board to move the Monday and Thursday morning draft conferences from Roe to the Frank White Sports Complex\u2026starting in 2025.\u00a0 Also starting in 2025 will be a \u201csliding scale\u201d equalizer system, replacing the locked-in team rating difference utilized over the past 7 years.<\/p>\n

    Annual Membership Meeting \u2013 December 7th<\/sup> \u2014 was again held at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center in Overland Park.\u00a0 Estimates of just over 200 members were figured to be in attendance.<\/p>\n

    The Wes Weddle \u2013 Spirit of the Game (15) and Rookie of the Year (14) were again awarded at our December 7th<\/sup> meeting.\u00a0 7 Ambassador jackets or windbreakers were also presented to those attaining 20 years of playing with KC Metro.\u00a0 Two Presidential Recognition awards were presented to Paul Heacock — for his work as Treasurer over the past couple of years, and to George Kramer — for his ongoing assistance working with the board on the Wes Weddle tournament and the All-Star Games\/Picnic.<\/p>\n

    Our ongoing support of the local Ronald McDonald House, a nonprofit family & children\u2019s charity dedicated to supporting families with sick children in their time of need, again generated several bags of aluminum \u201cpull tabs\u201d (picked up by Deb Brown at the meeting) to donate to Ronald McDonald House.<\/p>\n

    The newly elected board members, beginning their three-year term as of 2025, will be Susan Enyeart, Bob Fama, and Ed Soltz.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Year 36 \u2013 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    The Executive Committee members elected for 2025 were: \u00a0Clint Berger \u2013 President, Barry Gordon \u2013 Vice-President, Bob Fama \u2013 Membership Secretary, Ann Willkett \u2013 Secretary, and Paul Heacock \u2013 Treasurer.<\/p>\n

    In trying to keep up with the times, it was recommended and approved to update our members\u2019 Waiver \/ Liability form.\u00a0 Online membership dues will require re-initialization of that form before any member will be able to pay their 2026 dues.<\/p>\n

    Membership declined from a total of 977 in 2024 to 950 in 2025.\u00a0 We, again, did not reach our goal of 1,000 members this year, but we will continue our pursuit of that number in 2026.<\/p>\n

    We, once again, had a good number of teams participating in our various conferences around the city.\u00a0 There was a total of 87 teams (down from the 92 in 2024), with 23 of them being draft teams.\u00a0 There were 15 women\u2019s teams, with the remaining 49 being men\u2019s teams.<\/p>\n

    We added another venue to our prior year\u2019s locations.\u00a0 We had been at Johnson County\u2019s Heritage Park in Olathe, KS; the City of Olathe\u2019s Black Bob Park; the City of Overland Park\u2019s Roe Park; the city of Lee\u2019s Summit\u2019s Hartman Park; and the Independence Athletic Complex in Independence, MO.\u00a0\u00a0 But this season we moved our Monday morning 70+ Draft conference and Thursday morning 60+ Draft conference from Roe Park to the Frank White Sports Complex in Lee\u2019s Summit, MO.\u00a0\u00a0 The newly added complex provides our members artificial turfed infields and fully fenced fields\u2014neither of which were part of Roe Park\u2019s amenities.<\/p>\n

    The Wes Weddle tournament teams \u201cofficially\u201d increased from 40 to 44 teams for 2025.\u00a0 \u201cOfficially\u201d because in addition to these 44 teams being registered with SSUSA, this year we welcomed 7 non-sanctioned women\u2019s teams (which played at Happy Rock Park in Gladstone) to the tournament.\u00a0 We also expanded to using the Frank White Complex in Lee\u2019s Summit, MO, to encompass the Thursday \/ Friday games for our 65-and-older teams.\u00a0 The 50-thru-60-year-old teams continued their play at Hartman Park.<\/p>\n

    The Lee\u2019s Summit Parks & Recreation department had made it known to us for several years that our Wes Weddle tournament and All-Star Games, etc., events were causing Hartman Park usage conflicts for their local citizens.\u00a0 That, in addition to us wanting to provide our members and their families better weather conditions for our All-Star Games \/ Picnic \/ Skills Contest \/ and Raffle, urged us to change this year\u2019s event date from the middle of July to September 6th<\/sup>. Subsequently, we moved the event from Hartman Park to Black Bob Park in Olathe.\u00a0 End result??\u00a0 We were blessed with cooler weather, and the use of 4 fields, instead of 3, allowed us additional flexibility.\u00a0\u00a0We will incorporate even further adjustments in 2026, now that we know what additional opportunities Black Bob Park offers us.<\/p>\n

    We again had our \u201cDay at the K\u201d with the Royals taking on the Detroit Tigers.\u00a0 Approximately 75 members attended this year (down from about 100 in 2024), but this was our own mistake\u2014since the game we chose was on the Friday before Labor Day weekend.\u00a0\u00a0 We plan to hold this event again in 2026 but will stay away from the holiday weekend.<\/p>\n

    Even though we will never be able to satisfy all members, the use of AccuWeather\u2019s RealFeel app was very successful relative to utilizing 100 degrees as the breakpoint temperature our games are canceled.\u00a0 The coordinator may solicit input from the team managers relative to the decisions for the 99 or lower readings.<\/p>\n

    Even though the temperatures were a bit chilly, an event to honor our military veterans was again held outdoors on November 8th<\/sup>, from 10:00 to 11:00 at Roe Park.\u00a0 That was then followed, from 11:00 to 12:00, with an actual softball game at the park.\u00a0 \u00a0Our website\u2019s Military Service Wall (acknowledging our organization\u2019s military veterans) has now grown to 134 members:\u00a0https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/?page_id=7781<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

    The annual Membership Meeting was held on December 6th<\/sup> and was again held at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center in Overland Park.\u00a0 Estimates of around 240 (standing room only) members were figured to be in attendance.<\/p>\n

    The Wes Weddle \u2013 Spirit of the Game (15) and Rookie of the Year (11) were again awarded at our December 6th<\/sup> meeting.\u00a0 7 Ambassador jackets (male) or windbreakers (female) were also presented to those attaining 20 years of playing with KC Metro.\u00a0 Two Presidential Recognition awards were presented to Bob Fama — for his proactive, self-starting work as a board member over the past year\u2014and to Betty Berger, for her years of assistance working with the board on the All-Star Games \/ Picnic, etc., events.\u00a0\u00a0 And this year there were two individuals elected to the KCMSSL Hall of Honor (awarded at the Annual Membership Meeting):\u00a0\u00a0 Donna McGuire and Clint Berger.<\/p>\n

    Our ongoing support of the local Ronald McDonald House, a nonprofit family & children\u2019s charity dedicated to supporting families with sick children in their time of need, again generated several bags of aluminum \u201cpull tabs\u201d (picked up by Deb Brown at the meeting) to donate to Ronald McDonald House.<\/p>\n

    The board members to begin a new three-year term as of 2026 are Clint Berger, Bill Boos, Paul Heacock, Mark Kenney, and Ann Willkett.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The Kansas City Metropolitan 50+ Softball League (A factual history) This is an abridged document. Any additions, deletions, suggestions for changes, should be forwarded to kcseniorsoftball.com for consideration. Wes Weddle, along with many other interested individuals founded the league.\u00a0 It was felt that a factual account should be made, relating to the history of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"two_page_speed":[],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-77","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/77","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=77"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/77\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11081,"href":"https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/77\/revisions\/11081"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=77"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}