THUNDER BAY - It was a story of resiliency on the mound at the 55 Plus Centre.
Team Red pitcher Randy Edwards, gave up five runs in the opening inning, ushering in the mercy rule.
After fielding a comebacker with his non-glove hand, it looked like an injury would take him out of the game.
“I tried to grab it with my wrong hand.” Edwards said.
But Edwards, throwing underhand pitches from the mound, tightened the strike zone and managed to retire the side in the next inning.
Team Red went onto score five runs in the bottom half of the inning to tie up the game.
It was just another exciting narrative in a season full of them at the 55 Plus Softball League.
“Last year they were a lot of hiccups. This year we have 60-something ball players and things are going well.”
Randy Zaroski, the league’s organizer, says when we moved to Thunder Bay a year ago, there was no softball league for seniors.
Zaroski was surprised at the popularity of the league, which has expanded with an additional team and sponsor for the second season.
“I was surprised by the caliber of people we have,” said Zaroski. “Our goal this year was to get bigger and we did.”
“We aren’t overly competitive so it’s a chance to go out, have some fun, get some exercise, and have some camaraderie. We’re looking forward to get through it without a lot of people getting injured.”
Fortunately for Randy Edwards, his injury was a minor one.
“We just gotta get in there, throw some strikes… And don’t get hurt,” he said laughing.
The season runs from mid-May to mid-September.
“It’s great. You meet a lot of good people. It’s fun.”
