The following is part of your Board of Directors’ ongoing efforts to keep you\u00a0apprised of the latest KCMSSL happenings.<\/p>\n
This Newsletter’s Table of Contents:<\/strong><\/p>\n Have you ever wished to be able to go back to review some article in one of our past Newsletters??\u00a0 \u00a0 If so, since October – 2025 we have been adding the KC Metro’s\u00a0monthly newsletters to our website.\u00a0 \u00a0And as\u00a0we move forward, we plan to continue this process — https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/?page_id=10937<\/strong><\/a> .<\/p>\n Who was the last new member you encouraged to join\u00a0the KCMSSL??\u00a0 \u00a0Can’t remember!!??<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0Well, don’t just\u00a0“float\u00a0along” (down the MC Metro river).\u00a0 It’s\u00a0time to grab that ambassador paddle.\u00a0 Be the social outlet\u00a0answer to one of your fellow citizens who just doesn’t know how\u00a0or where to look for some fun and exercise.\u00a0 “Word of Mouth”…it’s a powerful tool!!<\/strong><\/p>\n Take your KC Metro team shirt–whether it be a\u00a0draft shirt, or for some competitive team–and transform yourself into\u00a0a walking marketing billboard…wear it to the coffee shop\u00a0or the hardware store.\u00a0 \u00a0Heading to the gym\u00a0or to the grocery store with your better half…get comfortable, put on\u00a0your softball shirt–and if you notice someone taking a little longer\u00a0than normal look at your shirt, inquire if they’re\u00a0interested in playing.\u00a0 \u00a0New members are out there…they’re begging to join…they just don’t know how\u00a0or where to look!!\u00a0 \u00a0So, present them with the answer!!\u00a0 \u00a0Again, “Word of Mouth”…it’s a tremendously powerful tool.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have not yet paid your 2026\u00a0membership dues\u00a0and wish to do so online, you may do so\u00a0now.\u00a0 It does not matter if you plan to play only Draft, only Competitive, or both.\u00a0 If “competitive<\/strong>“, then help your manager so that he \/ she can start to build your team’s roster in a reasonable timeframe.\u00a0\u00a0Go to our website: https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/<\/strong><\/a>, then click on the yellow “Online Player Registration” softball icon, log in, and then scroll towards the bottom of your record to pay.\u00a0 \u00a0Or you can just click on the following link:\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/leaguesheets.com\/league\/6<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n For\u00a0Draft Conference<\/strong> Players!!!!\u00a0\u00a0 If\u00a0you wish\u00a0to pay your\u00a0draft conference league fees online, you may do so now also.\u00a0 This can be done at the same time\u00a0you\u00a0pay your\u00a02026\u00a0membership dues\u00a0or can be done separately.\u00a0 Or, you can\u00a0complete this form (from\u00a0our website) instead —\u00a0 https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026-Draft-Conference-Registration-fillable-3.pdf<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0— and send your\u00a0check (made out to KCMSSL), or cash, to the designated coordinator at the bottom of the form.<\/p>\n Attention Lifetime KCMSSL Members (i.e., you who have already paid dues “once” as a 75+ year old member):\u00a0 Don’t forget that you still need to access your record and click on the “Register for 2026\u00a0Spring” button.\u00a0 \u00a0Otherwise, your manager will not be able to add you to his\u00a0team roster, nor\u00a0will we have any\u00a0record of you participating this season.<\/p>\n If you wish to do any of the above\u00a0“online”, but you have forgotten your password when attempting to log in, don’t forget to utilize the “Reset it” link directly below the password entry window.<\/p>\n Finally,\u00a0if you have any trouble navigating any one\u00a0of\u00a0the steps \/ processes above, please contact Bob Fama\u00a0– bobfama@yahoo.com<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0– 816.679.4912, or Clint Berger – clintberger@hotmail.com<\/strong><\/a> –\u00a0913.481.7937.<\/p>\n If you will be a 20-year KCMSSL member as of the upcoming\u00a02026\u00a0season, you have achieved KCMSSL Ambassador status.\u00a0 Being “active” for 20 years of play (consecutive\u00a0or non-consecutive)\u00a0qualifies you to receive your\u00a0Ambassador award.\u00a0 \u00a0If you have not yet gotten\u00a0in touch\u00a0with Barry Gordon about this honor, please contact him (barrygordo@aol.com<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0or 913-827 7722) to confirm your eligibility.\u00a0 All\u00a0Ambassador apparel is\u00a0presented\u00a0annually\u00a0at our All Membership Meeting in December.<\/p>\n The board recently approved an enhancement to the current Ambassador Jacket \/ Windbreaker recognition program.\u00a0 To date,\u00a0members who had\u00a0played 20 years in the league received the\u00a0Ambassador acknowledgment\u00a0at our\u00a0annual membership meeting.\u00a0 That criterion has not changed.\u00a0 \u00a0However, the program has\u00a0expanded to also recognize members who have served the league in long-term leadership roles–i.e., being a board member, a conference coordinator, and\/or a manager.\u00a0 A total of “20 points” are necessary to be recognized as an Ambassador.\u00a0\u00a0Each member receives 1 point towards that 20-point total as noted below:<\/strong><\/p>\n Kansas City Metro Senior Softball League games and other activities involve risks and dangers of injury.\u00a0 Accidents may occur, often without the fault of any participant.\u00a0 KCMSSL does not provide medical assistance at any venue.\u00a0 The league recognizes that the potential for harm from concussions is a serious matter.\u00a0 While some accidents leading to concussion may occur, the goal of the league\u2019s Concussion Policy is to limit the potential harm that could result from continued participation after such an injury.<\/p>\n The Concussion Policy of KCMSSL is as follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n When any participant in a league game or other activity has reasonable cause to believe that a concussion may have occurred to another person, the participant is asked and encouraged to talk to the injured person and ask that they not continue participation in the game or other activity until the person can consult with a health care professional.<\/p>\n Every participant in a league game or other activity is asked and encouraged to comply with the requests of umpires, managers, teammates, and other league members to refrain from further play until the participant can consult with a health care professional.<\/p>\n Managers and umpires are not health care professionals.\u00a0 They have no responsibility <\/em>to evaluate a player\u2019s health.\u00a0 Because managers are responsible for their lineups, they are always authorized to remove a player based on the manager\u2019s assessment of the player\u2019s health.\u00a0 Umpires are likewise authorized to remove a player from the game if the umpire reasonably believes that continued play endangers the player or others.<\/p>\n Because there is no health care professional on site to evaluate a participant\u2019s health, for concussion or any other injury, <\/strong>it is ultimately the responsibility of each individual participant to determine the status of their health and whether it is appropriate for them to continue or return to play<\/strong><\/em>. <\/strong><\/p>\n If you wish to read more about the symptoms\u00a0or danger signs of a concussion\u00a0and what to do if you encounter someone with a concussion, please click on this link from our website to read more: https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/?page_id=31<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n As members of the Kansas City Metro Senior Softball League (KCMSSL) community, we share not only the love of softball but also the friendships and memories that come with it. Many of us have played, coached, and volunteered together for years, building a league that feels like family. Our 2026\u00a0Managers’ Meeting will be held on March 14\u00a0at 10:30 AM\u00a0at the Mid-Continent Library – Community Room\u00a0— 12930 Booth Lane, Grandview, MO 64030-2682 –\u00a0https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/j1ovmFCY8z5tHMgr6<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0.\u00a0 \u00a0The library does open (on Saturday) until\u00a010:00, so feel free to get there in time to socialize a bit prior to the 10:30 start time.\u00a0 Due to this later\u00a0start time,\u00a0we will NOT be providing coffee or\u00a0donuts.<\/p>\n If you will be\u00a0the\u00a0manager of\u00a0your team for the upcoming season, please save the date accordingly.\u00a0 There are a number of rule changes being made this season, both competitive and draft, that we feel you need to know.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0If you wish to bring your assistant manager\u00a0or others\u00a0with you\u00a0to the meeting, please feel free to do so.\u00a0 \u00a0At the same time, if you are the manager and are unable to attend, we encourage\u00a0you to send someone in your place.<\/p>\n We also suggest you\u00a0inquire\u00a0with your corresponding conference coordinator(s) to find out if he \/ she\u00a0plans\u00a0to have a\u00a0“mini breakout session” immediately\u00a0after the Manager’s Meeting, to discuss specifics for your conference.<\/p>\n Do not forget about our\u00a035+ women’s conference<\/strong> at Hartman Park – 700 SW Pryor Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 – https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/WJ7mbyizpLENF986A<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 on Thursday nights.\u00a0 2026\u00a0will be the start of their 5th\u00a0season at Hartman.<\/p>\n If you are an individual who is interested\u00a0but currently does not have a team on which to play, do not worry!!\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0This is a hybrid conference…meaning full\u00a0teams can come\u00a0in, or you can join as an individual and simply be placed onto one of the teams.\u00a0 This is a great opportunity for\u00a0someone within that\u00a035-39-year-old age group who wishes\u00a0to get in “on the ground floor” with\u00a0the KCMSSL, as well as providing the metro’s 40+ women another night to play.<\/p>\n Doubleheader games start\u00a0April 16th, with each week’s\u00a0first game starting\u00a0at 7:00.\u00a0 There were 5\u00a0teams again in 2025–the same as in 2024.\u00a0 Deb Brown would like to\u00a0increase\u00a0this number to 6 teams this year–so everyone gets to play every week.<\/p>\n If interested, or if you know of someone who has been waiting to join…please contact\u00a0Deb Brown for more information —\u00a0brownchild1@aol.com<\/strong><\/a> –\u00a0(816) 678-9158.<\/p>\n We are always in need of good umpires\u00a0with senior softball experience.\u00a0 Where better to recruit from than our own\u00a0membership, who are\u00a0playing the game?\u00a0 \u00a0Even better, over half of you are already accustomed to making the calls,\u00a0so you have experience as an umpire. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n But seriously, we are always in need of umpires.\u00a0 Call the Game pays well\u00a0for the scheduled one-hour 7-inning games, and the owner (John Dehan) will work around your playing schedule.\u00a0\u00a0 You pick the days and locations you want to work.\u00a0 Think about it.\u00a0 \u00a0If you work just one\u00a0game, you pay for your membership dues.\u00a0 10 games will get you that\u00a0new bat you’ve been wanting.\u00a0 You could actually play for free all season!!\u00a0 \u00a0The available options:<\/p>\n If you have any questions\u00a0or simply feel umpiring is something you would like to do, please email John Dehan\u00a0at\u00a0Ref@callthegame.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Our\u00a0Wes Weddle Classic<\/strong>\u00a0tournament ($450 entry fee, 4-game guarantee)\u00a0is set as follows:<\/p>\n Neither you nor your teammates have to be KCMSSL members to participate, but to be eligible to win your age group’s division, you do need to be a member of SSUSA (Senior Softball-USA).\u00a0 \u00a0If any of your team’s members are NOT registered with SSUSA, you may still enter the tournament — as an exhibition team.<\/p>\n If interested, contact Clint Berger\u00a0– clintberger@hotmail.com<\/strong><\/a> – 913.481.7937, or any of your 2026\u00a0board members –\u00a0https:\/\/kcseniorsoftball.org\/?page_id=70<\/strong><\/a> .<\/p>\n We have a new sponsor for the upcoming 2026 season.\u00a0 Sterling Wellness is a premier medical clinic and wellness center in Prairie Village, Kansas, dedicated to helping clients look, feel, and perform at their best. Combining advanced treatments with a personalized approach, Sterling Wellness offers cutting-edge solutions that support longevity, vitality, and confidence at every age. Our skilled team integrates science with functional medicine and care to craft treatment plans tailored to each individual\u2019s goals\u2014whether to achieve weight loss goals, hormone balance, or overall physical optimization.<\/p>\n Peptide therapies can be a game-changer for adults, young and old. Peptides naturally support the body\u2019s repair and recovery systems, helping enhance energy, muscle tone, endurance, and joint resilience\u2014all crucial for staying competitive and pain-free on the field. By optimizing cellular regeneration and hormonal balance, Sterling\u2019s peptide protocols can help players recover faster, reduce fatigue, and maintain lean strength\u2014so they can keep swinging, running, and winning well beyond the scoreboard.<\/p>\n Step up to the plate with confidence, stay strong inning after inning, and let Sterling Wellness help you play the game\u2014of softball and life\u2014with more power, precision, and longevity.\u00a0 Several KC Metro members are already customers of Sterling Wellness,\u00a03800 W 75th St, Studio 3, Prairie Village, KS 66208 —\u00a0https:\/\/www.sterlingwellnessmedspa.com\/<\/strong><\/a>, or 913.456.3061.<\/p>\n Devoted Health is on a mission to dramatically improve the health and well-being of older Americans.\u00a0 We offer Medicare Advantage plans, but that is just the start.\u00a0 We listen to our members so we can support\u00a0them in living the lives they want.\u00a0 We have to deeply support our members’ well-being with benefits,\u00a0systems, and support designed for relationships, trust, and empathy.\u00a0 For better health outcomes and lower costs, it’s all about delivering the right care at the right time in a consistent, coordinated, proactive\u00a0way.<\/p>\n For more information, check us out at\u00a0https:\/\/www.devoted.com<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or contact your trusted Medicare advisor.\u00a0If you do not have a trusted Medicare Advisor, a great resource would be Bryan Thomas at 615-364-8862.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Got aluminum pull tabs for Deb Brown?\u00a0 \u00a0Bring them with you to the Managers’\u00a0Meeting on March 14th.<\/p>\n\n
MONTHLY\u00a0 NEWSLETTERS — ARCHIVED\u00a0 ON\u00a0 WEBSITE<\/strong><\/h2>\n
“WORD\u00a0 OF\u00a0 MOUTH”<\/strong><\/h2>\n
2026\u00a0 MEMBERSHIP\u00a0 DUES\u00a0 &\u00a0 DRAFT\u00a0 CONFERENCE\u00a0 FEES<\/strong><\/h2>\n
ARE\u00a0 YOU\u00a0 A\u00a0 20\u00a0 YEAR\u00a0 KCMSSL\u00a0 “AMBASSADOR”?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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CONCUSSION\u00a0 POLICY<\/strong><\/h2>\n
HONORING\u00a0 OUR\u00a0 MEMBERS’\u00a0 LEGACY\u00a0 WITHIN\u00a0 KCMSSL<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nFrom time to time, families of our members ask how they can honor their loved one\u2019s memory. One meaningful way is to suggest donations to KCMSSL in lieu of flowers or other gifts. These contributions help sustain the league\u2019s programs and ensure that future generations can enjoy the same fellowship and competition we\u2019ve all experienced.
\nIf you\u2019d like your family to consider this option, you might wish to mention KCMSSL in any personal instructions or obituary notices. Donations may be made directly to KCMSSL, and all gifts will be used to continue supporting our mission of providing safe, fun, and inclusive senior softball opportunities for all the men and women in the Kansas City area.
\nWe deeply appreciate the lasting impact each member makes on our community\u2014both on and off the field. Thank you for being part of the KCMSSL family.
\nMemorial checks made payable to KCMSSL can be mailed directly to Paul Heacock, 11538 South Carriage Road, Olathe, KS 66062. For more information about how to make or designate memorial donations, please contact Paul Heacock at pheacock@BasicRelationships.com<\/strong><\/a> or by phone at 913-707-7079.<\/p>\n2026\u00a0 TEAM\u00a0 MANAGERS\u00a0 —\u00a0 SAVE\u00a0 THE\u00a0 DATE<\/strong><\/h2>\n
THURSDAY\u00a0 NIGHT\u00a0 35+\u00a0 WOMEN’S\u00a0 CONFERENCE\u00a0 @\u00a0 HARTMAN\u00a0 PARK<\/strong><\/h2>\n
WANT\u00a0 TO\u00a0 UMPIRE?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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SAVE\u00a0 THE\u00a0 TOURNAMENT\u00a0 DATES<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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SPONSOR\u00a0 —\u00a0 STERLING\u00a0 WELLNESS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
OUR\u00a0 NEWEST\u00a0 SPONSOR — DEVOTED HEALTH<\/strong><\/h2>\n
CONTINUE\u00a0 TO\u00a0 SAVE\u00a0 THOSE\u00a0 PULL\u00a0 TABS!!!!\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n