Oxford’s slow pitch senior softball team finished second in the Blue Division after losing to Rochester in the playoff games Aug. 13-15.
According to Bill Devine, the team’s coach/manager, the second place finish was well deserved. ‘We moved from last place to second place,? he said. ‘We clawed our way back.?
The Oxford team succeeded in beating the number one (West Bloomfield) and two (Birmingham) teams in their division during the playoffs.
Out of the team’s 21 regular season games, their record was 7-14. Assistant coach/asst. mgr. John Calkins and team captain Rand Kulkis both agreed that consistency is going to be the key to improving their record next year.
With a few minor injuries to key players, the team was forced to shuffle some players around.
‘We had a whole bunch of players almost every game playing different positions,? Calkins said.
He attributes the team doing well at playoffs by having each teammate stick to one position. Kulkis said the team needs to work more on becoming better hitters and not make so many errors. ‘We just got in some funks where we just couldn’t hit,? he said. ‘That takes you out of the game real quick.?
A nice change from last year was the lack of trips to the hospital. Devine said there were none this year. ‘Our sponsor, Dan Garr, at Oxford’s HealthQuest, did a wonderful job preparing us physically,? he said, adding that he also wants to thank Ron Davis and Becky Paquin at Oxford Parks and Rec. for their help forming the team last year.
HealthQuest’s staff frequently worked with the team and Garr showed the men how to properly warm-up before each game.
‘We’re grateful to be healthy enough to play the game,? Devine said.
Although it may sound cliche to say ‘it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game,? the Oxford team really embodies that saying.
‘Winning is fun, but it doesn’t measure the personal benefits that we all gain from associating on an informal basis with compatible men of good spirit united in a common desire to excel playing a young man’s game,? he said.
Calkins echoed Devine’s sentiments.
‘I look at these guys after a game and say ‘this is family,?? he said. Interested in joining the team next year and are 55 or older? Call Becky Paquin at (248) 628-1720 to sign up.