WORCESTER, Mass. - At Logan Field in Worcester, a tight-knit group of retirees are back on the diamond for another season of Worcester County Senior Softball. 

For players, the league is all about keeping the thrill of competition alive and cherishing the friendships they've made in the dugout. Doug Belanger, President of the Worcester County Senior Athletic Association, said many players have been active since the first season in 1990.

“It’s an amazing way for folks to get together, get out, we have friends who have been together for a long time and then a whole lot of new friends," Belanger said. "It can be competitive, no matter how many friends are on each team, the juices start flowing, the athlete comes out and we just have a ball.”

The players range from 57 to 93 years old. Paul Levasseur was part of the original crew and, at 90 years old, he’s still in the batter’s box.

“There’s nothing like it, there’s nothing like it," Levasseur said. "And they are a good group. It’s great, I thank the Lord I’m still around.”

In this group, his longevity in the game isn’t out of the ordinary. Some players in their late 50s are teammates with their fathers.

For those who decided to put down their bats like Fran Lamalva and Ralph Fusaro, Tuesday’s opening day games at Logan Field were still an opportunity to see old friends and appreciate the rich history of a league they helped build. 

“We all played when we were younger, and then there was a good long period in between where there was nothing for us, then this came along and we all jumped at it," Lamalva said. 

“Having something to do every day when you retire and meet all our friends, the social life part of it," Fusaro said. "Going for coffee after the game with our friends is great.”

Belanger said it was nice to have everyone back for this first game of the season after several tough years during the pandemic, and Worcester Red Sox President Charles Steinberg was even there to throw out the first pitch. 

“This group is one of my favorites, and this day is one of my favorites of the year," Steinberg said. "When you come out and see kids who are 57 years old playing ball with the elder statesmen who are 92, 93, it is the ultimate in baseball’s role as our national pastime.”

And for this league, a partnership with the WooSox has its perks - players end their season with a game at Polar Park. 

“If you want to see a bunch of 80-year-olds act like little kids, we get out there and we’re looking at the big screen and the big field, it’s our field of dreams," Belanger said. "So it’s really been great. We have a lot of fun.”

If you are over 55 and want to get involved, the league always welcomes newcomers. They play Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. at Logan Field. For more information, visit the league's website.