HISTORY OF THE MORRIS COUNTY LEAGUE

 (North Jersey Senior Softball Conference)

 

It all started with an article that I saw about Senior Softball in AARP magazine and a phone number to call.  In 1990 we started out with 16 ballplayers and we traveled around the state, playing teams from Hunterdon and Ocean counties.  We all got tired of traveling around the state on weekends, so Rich Palmer, Al Schneider and myself put our heads together and decided to form a league.

 

We received the help of the Lincoln Park, NJ Recreation Director, Mickey Holden, who advised us he could provide two fields with lights in the center of Lincoln Park and another unlit field.  Rich Palmer was able to secure a field with lights in Montville, so we were on our way.  In 1991, our first year, we were able to form eight teams.

 

We incorporated the league in 1991 to protect the league officers for liability purposes.  In 1992, we applied for and received exempt status under Section 501(c)(4) from the Internal Revenue Service.  The corporate title of the North Jersey Senior Softball Conference, Inc. was changed to the New Jersey Senior Softball Association, Inc., so that all the Senior Softball leagues in the state would come under the corporate umbrella.

 

After 4 or 5 years, both Rich Palmer and Al Schneider decided to take up permanent residence in Florida and I was left all by my lonesome self - - with a lot of help from my wonderful wife, Janet, who does all the league schedules, standings, e-mails, etc.  She also used to do all the typing for the annual Newsletter.  Janet is my right arm and she is just as responsible as anyone for the growth of the league.

 

Also helping me is our Board of Commissioners, comprised of 12 men, most of whom are team managers.  The Board makes the decisions for the league.

 

The league started in 1991 with 8 teams and expanded to 12 teams in 1992, 14 in 1993, 16 in 1994, 17 in 1998, 21 in 2000, 22 in 2001, 24 in 2002, 26 in 2003, 27 in 2004, 29 in 2006 and 30 in 2007 and also for 2008.  Our big problem, as in most leagues, is getting enough fields for the 270 regular season games, plus about 60 playoff games.

 

We now have 8 teams in our 60+ league and because of the lack of fields, the 60+ season doesn’t start until school gets out, or around the third or fourth week of June.  Many guys play in both the 50+ and 60+ leagues and are able to play until the end of August.

 

We also have a Tuesday morning league, which currently has 7 teams and we are trying to put together an eighth team to balance the schedule.  Doubleheaders are played, with 4 teams playing in West Orange and 4 teams in Randolph.

 

So there is plenty of softball to be played, as long as the body is as able as the brain is willing.