SENIOR SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES: Johnston hosted the Rhode Island Senior Softball Championship at the Wood Lake Park field on Sunday, Sept. 29, when East Providence Yacht Club faced off against City Life Productions/Sprit of Hope in a three-game series.

(Photos courtesy Louis J. Spremulli)

By PAUL DANESI

Rhode Island’s elder softball icons gathered recently to celebrate the end of another stellar season.

Santa Maria DiPrata was the location of the RI Senior Softball League end-of-the-year-breakfast/banquet on Sunday, Oct. 20.

The end-of-the-year-banquet is the final opportunity to get together during the 2024 season.

In addition to the normal speeches, it is also where league and playoff winning teams get their championship plaques.

This year, Natural Pet Cafe won both the regular season and playoffs in Division 1A. Window Source won both the regular season and playoffs in Division 1B. Division 1A and 1B is for players 50 years old and older.

In Division 2, Action Auto Parts 65’s was able to win both the regular season and playoffs. Division 2 is for players 60 years old and older.

Continuing the trend, Action Auto Parts 70’s won both the regular season and playoffs in Division 3.

And in Division 4, Tabor-Franchi VFW Post won the regular season and Citylife Productions won the playoffs. Both Division 3 and 4 are for players 65 years old and older.

The league is made up of 19 teams and about 355 players. Games are played at 10 different fields around the state, from Johnston to West Greenwich.

The league is always looking for new players, especially in the 65 and over age group. There are eight teams in the 65 and over division and former players in this age group are encouraged to visit the league website at www.leaguelineup.com/riseniorsoftball and complete a Player Inquiry Form.

The banquet was also an opportunity to induct the third class of the RI Senior Softball Hall of Fame. Board Member Dave Santagata, and long-time players Tony Rozzero, Emil Notarantonio, and Dick Bamford made up the committee. This year’s inductees were: Sid Adams, Bobby Clark (deceased, of Cranston), Bob Daly, Felix (Chico) DeCesare (deceased, of Warwick), Jim Feeley (deceased, of Johnston), Vinny Ferrini, Peter Montiero, Sammy Monteiro, John Pagano (of Cranston; a longtime Physical Education teacher in Warwick) and Gene Ricci (of Cranston). That brings the total inductees to 28.

Editor’s Note: Paul Danesi, of Paul Danesi Photography, is a local photographer, member and treasurer of the RI Senior Softball League Board of Directors. He said the organization is “always looking for publicity” and he hopes to “encourage other old softball players to join our Sunday morning league.” Contact Paul at pdanesi1@gmail.com.