Oxford’s slow pitch senior softball team finished second in the White Division after losing a close one to Birmingham in the championship game last week.
‘I was so surprised at the competitive nature of these seniors,? said Bill Devine, Oxford’s coach and manager.
Oxford played three games, a total of 22 innings, Aug. 16 before falling to Birmingham in the final game.
Athletic ability was tested and physical stamina pushed to its limits as the team had only 10 minutes to rest between games that day, according to Devine.
‘When it came to the playoffs, we sucked it up,? he said. ‘We ran through the pain. We just played it out.?
Consisting of 16 players all between the ages of 55 and 69, the first-year Oxford team went 21-7 in the White Division during the regular season which ran from May 8 through Aug. 9.
At the beginning of the season, Devine predicted Oxford would be playing for the championship.
Hard to believe the team made it there considering all the injuries it sufffered over the season.
‘Almost everybody was injured at one point or another,? Devine said. ‘Some more serious than others.?
Three players sustained serious injuries while making an ‘extra effort? on the field and were unable to participate in the playoffs.
‘Some players would just let the ball go by and say ‘I can’t do that,?? he said. ‘But our guys wouldn’t give up.?
As the team’s manager and coach, Devine said his ‘greatest joy was observing the fun, laughter and camaraderie? among the players.
‘It demonstrated to each player that strangers can unite over a common goal as good sports in competitive play,? he said.
From ‘accepting each other’s differences? to ‘finishing the season with friendship and genuine respect for each other,? the team was always a class act.
One of the funniest moments of the season, Devine recalled, came when player John Calkins, of Oxford, was at bat and unaware his daughter and grandchildren had quietly slipped into the bleachers to watch him play.
All of the sudden Calkins? family members yelled, ‘Yea, grandpa!?
‘With that, 16 grandpas turned their heads,? Devine said.
Looking back on the first season, Devine noted that team captain Roger Ruggiero summed it up best as they trotted onto the field for the championship game.
‘Can you believe this? Here we are a bunch of aging men playing a boy’s game on a perfect summer day,? Ruggiero said. ‘It doesn’t get any better than this.?
Devine said the team wished to thank its sponsors Tool, Sport and Sign Co., The Oxford Tap and Oxford Township Parks and Recreation.
Because the softball program is run through Oakland County Parks and Recreation, Devine also wished to thank the taxpayers. ‘We really want to express our gratitude to the citizens,? he said. ‘They pay to support us. They pay their taxes and that’s where this whole thing comes from.?
As for next year, Devine said the team plans to stay in the White Division and try to win the championship.
‘That’s our goal,? he said.
Anyone who’s age 55 or older who would like to help achieve that goal is more than welcome.
‘We’re always looking for more players,? Devine said. Those interested in playing next year can contact Becky Paquin, of Oxford Township Parks and Recreation, at (248) 628-1720.