WSSA New Player Information

What is the WSSA?

The Wilmington Senior Softball Association is an organization that provides opportunities for men 55 and over and women 50 and over to enjoy playing slow-pitch softball on teams that are appropriate to their age and physical ability.

The WSSA has three divisions:

The Atlantic Division
The minimum age to be eligible to play in the Wilmington Senior Softball Association is 55 years for men and 50 years for women as of the end of the calendar year. The Atlantic Division is the primary division for players from the league minimum up to about 67 years old. Age alone does not determine the division in which you will play. If your ability and desire to play good competitive softball remain, you may stay in the Atlantic Division as long as you want to. There are currently players in their mid-70s playing in the Atlantic Division.

The Coastal Division
Most players in the Coastal Division are aged from around 67-75 years old. Again, age alone does not determine the division in which you will play. Coastal Division players typically retain most of their softball skills, can throw adequately and can run without difficulty--although theses skills are not what they were in their youth. Younger players with lesser skills than needed in the Atlantic Division can enjoy the Coastal Division, as can players over 75 who have maintained their skills. (One of the best players in the Coastal Division is over 80).

The Legacy Division
The Legacy Division was created for players who have become uncomfortable in the Coastal Division because of slowed reflexes, declining skills, physical disabilities, etc., but have retained a hunger for the game. Age and skill level are not as important as enjoying playing softball. Physical accommodations can be made where necessary.

How Do I Join?

You may join the WSSA by filling out the Online Player Application or by downloading and printing the Player Application and sending it to the WSSA at the address found on the application and at the bottom of this page.   New players do not need to send a check. You will have the opportunity to attend preseason practices without a financial obligation. If you decide not to participate (an unlikely occurrence) you will not be out any money.

When do I start playing?

Before the season starts there will be several new player events held.  You will be asked to attend at least three preseason practice sessions, which will be held on March 5, 7, 12, and 14, 2024. You may hear these referred to as "tryouts," but you are not going to be cut from the squad. These practices/workouts are used by team managers to evaluate the skills of new players for putting them in the appropriate division for their skills, and for information to be used for the player draft that places players on teams. You may attend all of the sessions if you want to, but you need to attend at least three so managers can make a fair evaluation of your skills to place you in the division most appropriate for you. Please do not feel you have to come out playing as hard as you can to impress the evaluators. If you have not played softball for a long while, you should progress slowly to prevent injuries. The evaluators will take this into consideration. There is nothing more important to the WSSA than the safety of its players.
It would be worth your while to read the article Warm-up and Injury Prevention before playing, especially if you have been away from the game for a while.

What do I need to wear/bring to the new player practices?

You should wear clothes that are comfortable to exercise in. You will be provided with a numbered shirt to wear during the practices to help team managers identify you. Although caps will be provided when you are placed on a team, you will need your own for the practices. Wear shoes that will provide good traction on dirt and grass. Softball/baseball shoes with plastic cleats are okay, but no metal cleats, please. Instead of cleats, many players wear "coach's shoes" or trail-running shoes, which are similar to sneakers but have a deeper tread for more traction.
Bats and balls will be provided. If you have your own bat you may bring it with you provided it meets league requirements (See the Player Manual, 1.7.1). You will need to provide your own glove.

When will I know what team I am on?

Player drafts are held the week after the preseason practice/evaluation sessions.  Your manager will contact you after the draft to tell you what team you are on and to give you further information concerning team meetings and practices..

When and where do we play games?

The 2024 regular season begins on April 9th for the Coastal and Legacy Divisions and April 16th for the Atlantic Division. Games are played at Ogden Park (Coastal and Legacy Divisions) and Olsen Park (Atlantic Division). We play two games a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 9:30am. (Times occasionally change to earlier starts during very hot weather).

Are there any special rules I need to know about?

Team managers will go over rules specific to your division before the first game. There are, however, a few rules you should know that pertain to player safety and may come up in situations in the new player sessions. They are quoted below. For complete player rules and procedures please read the WSSA Player Manual.

1.7.1 Bats
A legal bat requires a USA Softball (formerly ASA) certification stamp or is approved by Senior Softball USA (SSUSA) and may not have a bpf of more than 1.21. A bat not approved by USA Softball or one that has been altered will be illegal. The use of such a bat during a game will result in the ejection of the player from the game and the team penalized with an out. Additional penalties may follow at the discretion of the division president.

3.1 Base Runner
All batters must reach first base on their own, except for the Legacy Division. Runners must run to and touch the orange bag at first base and may continue running beyond it; however, if their hit allows them to advance to second base, they may make the turn touching either bag as long as they avoid contact with the fielder. An umpire may call a runner out if he runs to and touches the white bag depending on the circumstances. Runners advancing to home must touch the runner’s plate which is buried in the ground and away from the strike mat. Touching the strike mat instead of the runner’s home plate will be called an out by the umpire. The catcher or backup player taking a throw must be touching the white portion of the strike mat after catching the ball before the runner touches the runner’s plate for an out to be called. If a batter hits a home run over the fence, he has the option of running the bases but is not required to do so.

3.3 Contact
In order to avoid bodily contact and possible injury, a base runner must make every effort to avoid colliding with a fielder who is making a play at a base. In the event of contact at any base, the runner may be called out at the discretion of the umpire and the umpire may impose additional penalties. Sliding or diving into second or third bases or back to any base is optional in all divisions.  
A defensive player may not straddle a base when a runner is approaching. If a violation of this rule is apparent to the umpire, the runner may be called safe. In an extreme violation of this rule, an umpire may eject a player.

What if I have more questions before I decide to join the WSSA?

You can send questions via email to [email protected], use our Contact Us page, or you can call one of the WSSA officers whose phone numbers are listed on the Organization page under About WSSA on this site's home page.

Updated February 8, 2024