“But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.”
Just like the conclusion of the famous poem “Casey at the Bat,” there was no joy in Verona in 2020 when the Greater Madison Senior Softball League (GMSS) struck out by being forced to forgo the season due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19. And since the league is only open to players 55 and older, the concerns were founded given that the virus is more dangerous and the symptoms are more severe in older adults.
“You just can’t keep these guys down,” says league commissioner Ron Ramsden. “Despite the disappointing lack of a season in 2020, they are optimistic and raring to play this year.”
The GMSS’s opening day is scheduled for May 12th with more than 215 players. Currently, there are 12 teams on Wednesday and 11 teams on Thursday, so receiving enough registrations to form an additional team on Thursday is their current goal. Even the lowest league games are still competitive, so new players should be able to play several positions since a team can only use a limited number of catchers and first basemen. The leagues official website. Games are played at Verona Community Park on Wednesday & Thursday mornings starting at 9:30 a.m. GMSS has been sponsored by Smart Motors since it started in 2010.
“Even though most of the guys will be inoculated by opening day, we couldn’t ignore the virus altogether,” says Ramsden. “We have put COVID safety measures in place to help insure the players stay healthy all season.”
These measures include all players being required to have hand sanitizer with them and to use it frequently. Also, safe distancing is to be maintained by all players not on the playing field and will be maintained by the umpire, catcher, and batter. It is recommended that the umpire and catcher wear mouth/nose coverings on the field. Batters should also wear a mask so long as it doesn’t interfere with safety (i.e. causing glasses to fog up, obstructing vision, etc.).
“We realize that the safety measures will make game play a little less interactive than we’re used to,” says Ramsden. “But all of our players have signed off on the rules without hesitation. A little inconvenience is worth it to be able to play and try to get back to a normal life.”
Ramsden says every year he is inspired by the growing roster of players who have had their fair share of battles with various physical ailments. But, he adds, the guys play ball like they’ve never had a medical condition in their lives.
“These guys have battled cancer and heart attacks, diabetes, knee and hip replacements, and, yes, even COVID,” he says. “To most people, after events like that, they might hang it up. Not in the GMSS. The love of the game drives them and they are impressive.”
The Greater Madison Senior Softball League was started in 2010 by childhood friends Ray Blum and Bob Ruhland. It has since grown from eight teams to 23 teams and added a second game day. GMSS is open to men 55 years and older. Individual registrations to form an additional Thursday team are now being accepted. Regular league games will take place every Wednesday and Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 starting May 12th and going through August at the Verona Community Park at 451 E. Verona Avenue. For more information, check out the league’s website and please take a few minutes to review the GMSS COVID safety measures.
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