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You don't stop playing because you grow old;
You grow old because you stop playing. |
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Winter Ball is Here!
For those of you who have been spiraling into depression now that Ogden Park is closed for the season, the WSSA has been granted permission to use Field #1 at Northwest Park in Leland for Winter Practice on a first-come, first-served basis. The field is not reserved so if we show up and find someone else has it reserved, we can’t use it that day. It is highly unlikely that will happen, according to our Brunswick County contact. As always, be respectful of the park rules, clean up after practice and leave the field in as good or better condition than when we arrived. No prior grooming of field will be done by Brunswick County.
The park dates and location are below:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am to 11am
December 5, 2023 to February 1, 2024
Northwest District Park
1937 Andrew Jackson Highway NE, Leland, NC
For those of you who have been spiraling into depression now that Ogden Park is closed for the season, the WSSA has been granted permission to use Field #1 at Northwest Park in Leland for Winter Practice on a first-come, first-served basis. The field is not reserved so if we show up and find someone else has it reserved, we can’t use it that day. It is highly unlikely that will happen, according to our Brunswick County contact. As always, be respectful of the park rules, clean up after practice and leave the field in as good or better condition than when we arrived. No prior grooming of field will be done by Brunswick County.
The park dates and location are below:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am to 11am
December 5, 2023 to February 1, 2024
Northwest District Park
1937 Andrew Jackson Highway NE, Leland, NC
A Messsage from the WSSA Commissioner
To all players in Atlantic, Coastal and Legacy Divisions,
As we approach the end of 2023 and are in the middle of the Holiday season, I wanted to reflect on the past season and look forward to 2024.
The 2023 season was a great year. We didn’t have too many weather issues. The nice summer break was welcome and the 2nd half was a great follow-up to the fantastic 1st half we had.
Congratulations to Berkshire Hathaway, Humana, French Dental/Wilmington Health and Longhorns for winning a half of the schedule. Congratulations to Stifel/Matthew Motors, French Dental/Wilmington Health and Longhorns for winning their division tournament.
We inducted six new players in to the WSSA HOF. Congratulations to Mickey Higgins, Walter Aaron, Rick Ruby, Ronnie Britt, Don Galvin and Charlie Backes for a well deserved honor.
We had a very successful end of year/HOF luncheon at the Long Leaf Park pavilion. Over 160 people attended. The southern BBQ seemed to be a hit.
We had a great Golf outing. Kudos to the team that organized the outing.
We had a very successful Food Drive at both parks during the 1st half and the 2nd half. It is our way as a league to contribute to the city of Wilmington. Thanks to all who participated.
We have a fall practice session and will be doing winter practice session as well.
None of the success the WSSA has during the year is done without the hard work of people on the board. I am thankful for all of their hard work behind the scenes.
During the long season, it is the managers that really carry the load for our great league. I am truly thankful for all of our managers’ hard work and dedication to our league.
Our umpires do a tremendous job and we are all thankful for them.
We gave all of our team sponsors plaques to show appreciation and I ask that we as players support the sponsors of our league. They are an important part of keeping costs per player down.
This year, we lost a few members of the WSSA family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those we lost.
I am honored to be the commissioner of the WSSA. We have a wonderful league here that is like a family.
I thank you all for your support in my 2nd year as commissioner of the league. It has been a fun experience.
I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving, Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year.
Looking forward to a fantastic 2024 season.
Regards,
Mike Clancy
Midtown Y Offering FREE Senior Basketball for December
For those looking to keep active during the softball off-season, Dwight Crainshaw and Dres Mortensen are looking for players to join senior pick-up basketball at the Midtown Y. It will be low intensity, half court games. This is a great time to try it since there will be no fee during December.
The next play date is Tuesday, December 5, 8:00 am, at the Midtown Y, 709 George Anderson Drive, Wilmington.
If you have questions contact Dwight at dwight28412@yahoo.com.
For those looking to keep active during the softball off-season, Dwight Crainshaw and Dres Mortensen are looking for players to join senior pick-up basketball at the Midtown Y. It will be low intensity, half court games. This is a great time to try it since there will be no fee during December.
The next play date is Tuesday, December 5, 8:00 am, at the Midtown Y, 709 George Anderson Drive, Wilmington.
If you have questions contact Dwight at dwight28412@yahoo.com.
Are You a Natural Leader?
Per the WSSA Bylaws, each year members are elected to the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the Association members present at the Annual General Membership Meeting, to be held early in 2024, usually in January. You may nominate yourself or someone else (please ask them first) for one of the open positions any time before or during the Annual General Membership Meeting by contacting a current Board member or sending a message to one of the addresses found on the Organization page of this website. Description of the responsibilities of each position may be found in the Bylaws.
In 2024 the offices up for election are:
Per the WSSA Bylaws, each year members are elected to the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the Association members present at the Annual General Membership Meeting, to be held early in 2024, usually in January. You may nominate yourself or someone else (please ask them first) for one of the open positions any time before or during the Annual General Membership Meeting by contacting a current Board member or sending a message to one of the addresses found on the Organization page of this website. Description of the responsibilities of each position may be found in the Bylaws.
In 2024 the offices up for election are:
- Commissioner
- Secretary/Procurement Officer
- Atlantic Division President
- Legacy Division President
Can't Wait "Til Next Year?
Sign up for the 2024 season now. Mail-in and online application forms are available. Due to increased costs the 2024 membership fee will be $125, our first increase in over ten years. Still a bargain. Where else can you play ball for barely $2 per game? Deadline for applications is March 1, 2024 for returning players and March 15, 2024 for new players, so you don't need to rush, but if you want to sign up now you can.
Sign up for the 2024 season now. Mail-in and online application forms are available. Due to increased costs the 2024 membership fee will be $125, our first increase in over ten years. Still a bargain. Where else can you play ball for barely $2 per game? Deadline for applications is March 1, 2024 for returning players and March 15, 2024 for new players, so you don't need to rush, but if you want to sign up now you can.
WSSA's Mike Watters Writes Children' Books to Inspire Others
WECT recently did a feature on the WSSA's Mike Watters. You can link to the video and make a comment on the Player News Blog.
WECT recently did a feature on the WSSA's Mike Watters. You can link to the video and make a comment on the Player News Blog.
2023 Hall of Fame Induction Photos Available
A gallery of photos from the Hall of Fame Picnic taken at the induction ceremony is available here.
A gallery of photos from the Hall of Fame Picnic taken at the induction ceremony is available here.
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Wilmington Men's 70 Team Wins 2023 Senior Games State Championship
The Wilmington Over 70 men's softball team, composed of WSSA players from all three divisions, won the 2023 North Carolina State Senior Games on October 21, 2023. The hard-hitting Wilmingtons scored 53 runs in two games, winning 20-2 and 33-20. |
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The Wilmington team:
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Fall Softball Available at Ogden Park
WSSA Deputy Commissioner Brian McCarthy has arranged with New Hanover County Parks and Gardens to provide softball field access for senior softball players. Ogden Park ball fields, blue, red, yellow and green, will be available for use on Tuesday & Thursday. Field access time is 9:00am or any time thereafter, until 2:00pm, provided no parks employees are working on the fields.
In order to continue enjoying these fields it is important to follow the guidelines agreed upon by the WSSA and the New Hanover County Parks and Gardens, details of which are included in the Message from the Deputy Commissioner, which can be found here.
WSSA Deputy Commissioner Brian McCarthy has arranged with New Hanover County Parks and Gardens to provide softball field access for senior softball players. Ogden Park ball fields, blue, red, yellow and green, will be available for use on Tuesday & Thursday. Field access time is 9:00am or any time thereafter, until 2:00pm, provided no parks employees are working on the fields.
In order to continue enjoying these fields it is important to follow the guidelines agreed upon by the WSSA and the New Hanover County Parks and Gardens, details of which are included in the Message from the Deputy Commissioner, which can be found here.
Wilmington Health/French Dentistry Capture Coastal Tournament Title
Wilmington Health/French Dentistry won the 2023 Coastal Division Tournament on Thursday, October 19, with a 23-13 win over Carrabba's. Carrabba's came through the loser's bracket to meet WH/FD in the final, but WH/FD had too much power and defense to overcome. Congratulations go to the Wilmington Health/French Dentistry team for a great season.
Tournament brackets and results can be found under Divisions in the main menu at the top of the page.
Wilmington Health/French Dentistry won the 2023 Coastal Division Tournament on Thursday, October 19, with a 23-13 win over Carrabba's. Carrabba's came through the loser's bracket to meet WH/FD in the final, but WH/FD had too much power and defense to overcome. Congratulations go to the Wilmington Health/French Dentistry team for a great season.
Tournament brackets and results can be found under Divisions in the main menu at the top of the page.
Stifel/Matthews Motors Capture Atlantic Tournament Title
Stifel/Matthews Motors went undefeated through the Atlantic Division Tournament on Thursday, October 19, to finish as Atlantic Division Tournament Champions. They defeated Cambridge Village, who came through the loser's bracket, by a score of 8-7 in the final. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services was the regular season Atlantic Champion. Congratulations to the Stifel/Matthews Motors and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services teams for their outstanding seasons.
Tournament brackets and results can be found under Divisions in the main menu at the top of the page.
Stifel/Matthews Motors went undefeated through the Atlantic Division Tournament on Thursday, October 19, to finish as Atlantic Division Tournament Champions. They defeated Cambridge Village, who came through the loser's bracket, by a score of 8-7 in the final. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services was the regular season Atlantic Champion. Congratulations to the Stifel/Matthews Motors and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services teams for their outstanding seasons.
Tournament brackets and results can be found under Divisions in the main menu at the top of the page.
Longhorn Captures Legacy Division Tournament Title
The Longhorn Steakhouse team swept the Legacy Division titles this season, winning both halves of the season and, on Thursday, October 19, capturing the Legacy Division Tournament without a defeat. Longhorn had to defeat the second seeded Able Insurance team twice, 16-7 and 8-6 to take the title. Congratulations to the Longhorn Steakhouse team for an excellent season.
Tournament brackets and results can be found under Divisions in the main menu at the top of the page.
The Longhorn Steakhouse team swept the Legacy Division titles this season, winning both halves of the season and, on Thursday, October 19, capturing the Legacy Division Tournament without a defeat. Longhorn had to defeat the second seeded Able Insurance team twice, 16-7 and 8-6 to take the title. Congratulations to the Longhorn Steakhouse team for an excellent season.
Tournament brackets and results can be found under Divisions in the main menu at the top of the page.
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