Sound Retirement Solutions Offering Seminar to Help WSSA Members
Our newest sponsor, Sound Retirement Solutions, has invited our members to attend one of their free seminars on Wills and Living Trusts. They have a wide range of knowledge to help seniors. (Click on the logo to see the complete invitation). Space is limited, so please respond to Ashley Hopkins ([email protected]) or Mike McDowell ([email protected]) to get on the list or if you have questions.
The date and time secured for the WSSA is 6:00pm, on May 20th, at the WWAY Event Center, 1224 Magnolia Village Way, Leland, NC, 28451. The capacity is 100 people and attendees are encouraged to bring their spouses to the class in order to understand the process. RSVPs are requested in advance should there be overflow and a need to host additional seating at a future date. This is a high demand topic. Invitations can be sent via email or USPS, whichever you prefer, but email is quicker and easier. Contact Ashley or Mike if you wish to attend this event. Hors d’oeuvres, water and coffee will also be provided.
Our newest sponsor, Sound Retirement Solutions, has invited our members to attend one of their free seminars on Wills and Living Trusts. They have a wide range of knowledge to help seniors. (Click on the logo to see the complete invitation). Space is limited, so please respond to Ashley Hopkins ([email protected]) or Mike McDowell ([email protected]) to get on the list or if you have questions.
The date and time secured for the WSSA is 6:00pm, on May 20th, at the WWAY Event Center, 1224 Magnolia Village Way, Leland, NC, 28451. The capacity is 100 people and attendees are encouraged to bring their spouses to the class in order to understand the process. RSVPs are requested in advance should there be overflow and a need to host additional seating at a future date. This is a high demand topic. Invitations can be sent via email or USPS, whichever you prefer, but email is quicker and easier. Contact Ashley or Mike if you wish to attend this event. Hors d’oeuvres, water and coffee will also be provided.
The Sponsors Game
WSSA players and friends!
We all know the feeling of being at the ballpark. We experience the joy every Tuesday and Thursday.
Imagine giving others this same joyful and uplifting experience.
On Tuesday, May 20th, at 9:30 am, two Legacy Division teams will host a Sponsors Game. Champions at
the Davis Community and Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall will play on the yellow field. The residents of each
community will be in attendance. Please let our guests feel welcome and interact as much as possible.
Our goal will be to give them a day at the ballfield experience. We will have programs to hand out, and
Carolina Ale House, a sponsor, will provide lunch to the residents attending. This will be the first of
many SPONSORS GAMES. Promoting our sponsors is a core mission goal.
Thank you,
Kevin Ulmer
WSSA Director of Marketing and Public Relations
WSSA players and friends!
We all know the feeling of being at the ballpark. We experience the joy every Tuesday and Thursday.
Imagine giving others this same joyful and uplifting experience.
On Tuesday, May 20th, at 9:30 am, two Legacy Division teams will host a Sponsors Game. Champions at
the Davis Community and Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall will play on the yellow field. The residents of each
community will be in attendance. Please let our guests feel welcome and interact as much as possible.
Our goal will be to give them a day at the ballfield experience. We will have programs to hand out, and
Carolina Ale House, a sponsor, will provide lunch to the residents attending. This will be the first of
many SPONSORS GAMES. Promoting our sponsors is a core mission goal.
Thank you,
Kevin Ulmer
WSSA Director of Marketing and Public Relations
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Dinner Dance Canceled The 30th Anniversary Dinner Dance originally scheduled for May 22 has been canceled. |
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Mayor Saffo Throws Out First Pitch at Atlantic Division Opening Day
Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo was the guest of honor at the opening of the Atlantic Division 2025 season. Below are photos Mayor Saffo posted on his Facebook page commemorating the event. The WSSA thanks Mayor Saffo for encouraging senior softball in his city.
Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo was the guest of honor at the opening of the Atlantic Division 2025 season. Below are photos Mayor Saffo posted on his Facebook page commemorating the event. The WSSA thanks Mayor Saffo for encouraging senior softball in his city.
Opening Day 2025--Celebrating 30 Years of Wilmington Senior Softball
The 2025 season of the WSSA officially kicked off with opening ceremonies Thursday morning, April 10th, at Ogden Park. WSSA commissioner Mike Clancy welcomed the players and visitors with brief introductory remarks, with special welcome to representatives of our sponsors Carolina Ale House and Sound Retirement Solutions. The national anthem was led by Roy Mayo and Ed Dominelli, both players on the Carrabba's team. A ceremonial first pitch was thrown by the Carolina Ale House representative. The pitch was a little low but showed good pitching form. County Commissioner Rob Zapple, who is a long-time advocate for the WSSA, was then introduced. He gave a brief address expressing his support for the WSSA and encouraging seniors to keep active by continuing to play ball. In response to a shouted question from the crowd asking when he was going to be playing softball with us he said, "When I'm finished with politics." He then wound up and threw a perfect strike to WSSA veteran of 30 years Richard Price. And the 2025 WSSA season began.
More photos from the first day of the season are available in the 2025 Opening Day Gallery here.
The 2025 season of the WSSA officially kicked off with opening ceremonies Thursday morning, April 10th, at Ogden Park. WSSA commissioner Mike Clancy welcomed the players and visitors with brief introductory remarks, with special welcome to representatives of our sponsors Carolina Ale House and Sound Retirement Solutions. The national anthem was led by Roy Mayo and Ed Dominelli, both players on the Carrabba's team. A ceremonial first pitch was thrown by the Carolina Ale House representative. The pitch was a little low but showed good pitching form. County Commissioner Rob Zapple, who is a long-time advocate for the WSSA, was then introduced. He gave a brief address expressing his support for the WSSA and encouraging seniors to keep active by continuing to play ball. In response to a shouted question from the crowd asking when he was going to be playing softball with us he said, "When I'm finished with politics." He then wound up and threw a perfect strike to WSSA veteran of 30 years Richard Price. And the 2025 WSSA season began.
More photos from the first day of the season are available in the 2025 Opening Day Gallery here.
April 10, 2025 is Opening Day!
Thursday, April 10 will now be opening day at Ogden and Olsen Parks as the Wilmington Senior Softball Association's 2025 season begins. This year the WSSA is celebrating 30 years of senior softball in the Wilmington area.
Opening day festivities will include throwing out the first ball at Ogden Park. Representatives of our sponsors Sound Retirement Solutions and Carolina Ale House and will be on hand, and New Hanover County Commissioner and long-time friend of the WSSA Rob Zapple will join the Carolina Ale House representative in throwing out the first pitches. And expect a special rendition of the national anthem.
Due to special events, games may start a little later than 9:30
Thursday, April 10 will now be opening day at Ogden and Olsen Parks as the Wilmington Senior Softball Association's 2025 season begins. This year the WSSA is celebrating 30 years of senior softball in the Wilmington area.
Opening day festivities will include throwing out the first ball at Ogden Park. Representatives of our sponsors Sound Retirement Solutions and Carolina Ale House and will be on hand, and New Hanover County Commissioner and long-time friend of the WSSA Rob Zapple will join the Carolina Ale House representative in throwing out the first pitches. And expect a special rendition of the national anthem.
Due to special events, games may start a little later than 9:30
WSSA Practice and Spring Training Being Held at Ogden Park
Open practice is now being held at Ogden Park Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am to 1200pm. At 12:00pm Spring Training for new players and players changing divisions begins and goes until 2:00pm.
If you still owe us an application or money, you can bring the application and payment to the fields on those days. If you cannot make any of the practices, please mail your application or payment to our mailing address - WSSA, 1319 Military Cutoff Rd, Box 302, Wilmington NC 28405 - or sign up and pay online.
Open practice is now being held at Ogden Park Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am to 1200pm. At 12:00pm Spring Training for new players and players changing divisions begins and goes until 2:00pm.
If you still owe us an application or money, you can bring the application and payment to the fields on those days. If you cannot make any of the practices, please mail your application or payment to our mailing address - WSSA, 1319 Military Cutoff Rd, Box 302, Wilmington NC 28405 - or sign up and pay online.
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Blood Drive to Benefit the Community, February 15
Blood Connection will be conducting a blood drive on February 15, 2025, at St. Stanislaus Parish, 4849 Castle Hayne Road, Castle Hayne, NC. This is a way WSSA members can fulfill our mission to give back to the community. Time slots are in 15 minute intervals from 10am to 3pm. Contact WSSA member Bill Lilly to schedule a time or get more info. You can reach Bill at 980.234.3234 or email [email protected]. |
2025 Board of Directors Elected at Annual Meeting
The Board of Directors of the WSSA for 2025 were elected by the members present at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 29. The new board members are:
The Board of Directors of the WSSA for 2025 were elected by the members present at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 29. The new board members are:
- Brian McCarthy, Deputy Commissioner
- David Reardon, Treasurer
- Tony Spataro, Coastal Division President
- Kevin Ulmer, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
- Harry Marriner, Webmaster
Winter Ball!
What comes after Fall Ball? Winter Ball of course. Arrangements have been made for our WSSA players to have access to Field #1 at Northwest Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12/3/24 to 1/30/25, 9am-11am. While Ogden Park is closed players who are not bothered by cold weather can keep their bats warm until the 2025 season commences. (Remember, the WSSA Annual Meeting is on January 29, 2025).
What comes after Fall Ball? Winter Ball of course. Arrangements have been made for our WSSA players to have access to Field #1 at Northwest Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12/3/24 to 1/30/25, 9am-11am. While Ogden Park is closed players who are not bothered by cold weather can keep their bats warm until the 2025 season commences. (Remember, the WSSA Annual Meeting is on January 29, 2025).
Suggestions for Changes to the Bylaws Now Being Accepted
Each year at the WSSA Annual Meeting the players present at that meeting vote to approve or disapprove of suggested changes to the association bylaws. Suggestions for changes to the bylaws may be made by any member in good standing. You may read the bylaws here. The Bylaws should not be confused with the WSSA Manual, sometimes referred to as the Player Manual. Changes to the Manual may be made by a vote of the Board of Directors while the Bylaws may only be changed by a vote of the WSSA members.
Proposed By-Law changes must be published two weeks before the General Meeting. If you see needed changes please reply to Dave Reardon before Tuesday, January 7th. The BOD will meet next week to discuss any requests and put valid requests before the WSSA Membership at the Annual Meeting.
Each year at the WSSA Annual Meeting the players present at that meeting vote to approve or disapprove of suggested changes to the association bylaws. Suggestions for changes to the bylaws may be made by any member in good standing. You may read the bylaws here. The Bylaws should not be confused with the WSSA Manual, sometimes referred to as the Player Manual. Changes to the Manual may be made by a vote of the Board of Directors while the Bylaws may only be changed by a vote of the WSSA members.
Proposed By-Law changes must be published two weeks before the General Meeting. If you see needed changes please reply to Dave Reardon before Tuesday, January 7th. The BOD will meet next week to discuss any requests and put valid requests before the WSSA Membership at the Annual Meeting.
| Commissioner's End of Year Message |
The WSSA Commissioner's message should open below. If it does not, please click on Download File above.
The WSSA remembers
and
thanks all of our
members
who are veterans, and all
veterans, for their
service to our country.
O'Brien wins Atlantic End-0f-Season Tournament
The O'Brien squad made it a sweep of Regular Season and Tournament Championships for 2024 by defeating Aptive/Cambridge Village for the tournament title on October 24. Aptive/Cambridge should also be congratulated for coming from the third seed to reach the finals, and to all the Atlantic Teams and players for a great season.
The O'Brien squad made it a sweep of Regular Season and Tournament Championships for 2024 by defeating Aptive/Cambridge Village for the tournament title on October 24. Aptive/Cambridge should also be congratulated for coming from the third seed to reach the finals, and to all the Atlantic Teams and players for a great season.
Atlantic End-of-Year Tournament Bracket
Aetna/Champions Win Legacy Division End-of-Season Tournament
Aetna/Champions are Legacy Division Tournament champions for 2024. They came from a third place seed to win three games while losing none to knock off top seed Carolina Bay. Congratulations to Aetna/Champions and regular season champs Carolina Bay, as well as all the Legacy Division players and teams, for a great season.
Aetna/Champions are Legacy Division Tournament champions for 2024. They came from a third place seed to win three games while losing none to knock off top seed Carolina Bay. Congratulations to Aetna/Champions and regular season champs Carolina Bay, as well as all the Legacy Division players and teams, for a great season.
Carrabba's Captures Coastal Division Regular Season and Tournament
Carrabba's overcame a loss in the second round of the Coastal Division End-of-Season Tournament, coming back to best Healthy Seniors Physical Therapy/Carolina Ale House in the title game. Carrabba's also had the best regular season record, winning the division by more than ten games. Congratulations also to HSPT/Carolina Ale House and all the Coastal Division teams and players for a great season.
Carrabba's overcame a loss in the second round of the Coastal Division End-of-Season Tournament, coming back to best Healthy Seniors Physical Therapy/Carolina Ale House in the title game. Carrabba's also had the best regular season record, winning the division by more than ten games. Congratulations also to HSPT/Carolina Ale House and all the Coastal Division teams and players for a great season.
Coastal End-of-Year Tournament Bracket
2024 WSSA Annual Golf Outing
The annual WSSA golf outing was held Tuesday, October 23rd and once again was a great success. The outing was hosted by the River Landing Golf Club in Wallace, NC. This year’s event was held at the Landing course and comprised 15 teams. A special thanks to our WSSA team sponsors Aetna insurance (Mike McDowell) & Able insurance (Miles Butler & Jeff Butler) who provided goodie bags for our participants, and individual sponsor Rick De Mayo who made a financial contribution. Prizes were given out for the following:
The annual WSSA golf outing was held Tuesday, October 23rd and once again was a great success. The outing was hosted by the River Landing Golf Club in Wallace, NC. This year’s event was held at the Landing course and comprised 15 teams. A special thanks to our WSSA team sponsors Aetna insurance (Mike McDowell) & Able insurance (Miles Butler & Jeff Butler) who provided goodie bags for our participants, and individual sponsor Rick De Mayo who made a financial contribution. Prizes were given out for the following:
Also a special thanks to the WSSA Golf Committee who put in the work to make the event a success: Dave Reardon, Darrell Davies, Bill Walsh and Walter Aaron.
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1st Place Team – Score: 55
Sr. Longest Drive: J. Pocaro
Longest Drive: William Vaughn |
2nd Place Team – Score: 59
Closest To The Hole #5: JR Tremul
Closest To The Hole #: Dennis Duke |
Front row: Ed Dominelli, Sonny LaMarsh, Jr., Rick Ruby, Tim Bennett, Dennis Telmanik
Back row: Ron Atkins, Mike Gallagher, Rick Kon, Dick Rietzke, Drew Peck, Don Evans, Wayne Fincannon, Mike Last, Kevin Hutchinson
70s Team Takes Silver in NC Senior Games
The Walk-Ons team, staffed with WSSA players from the Atlantic and Coastal Divisions, won the Silver Medal in the 70s age group at this year's North Carolina State Games in Cary the weekend of October 12-13. Doing so qualified them for the 2025 National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa. Also qualifying for the 2025 Nationals were the 75s and 80s teams comprising WSSA players.
Congratulations to all the players who participated and brought honor to the WSSA.
The Walk-Ons team, staffed with WSSA players from the Atlantic and Coastal Divisions, won the Silver Medal in the 70s age group at this year's North Carolina State Games in Cary the weekend of October 12-13. Doing so qualified them for the 2025 National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa. Also qualifying for the 2025 Nationals were the 75s and 80s teams comprising WSSA players.
Congratulations to all the players who participated and brought honor to the WSSA.
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WSSA Player Manual Updated Again on May 5th
The WSSA Player Manual, which contains all the local rules and practices that control the conduct of games played in all divisions of the WSSA, has been revised to reflect changes to address situations encountered in the 2024 season. It can be found by clicking More... in the main navigation at the top of this page, then clicking on Documents and Manual. It is a good read, chock full of interesting information you should know. For instance, as of May 7th games:
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Coastal Division Going Back to Four Teams
On Friday, May 3, Coastal Division President Walter Aaron released this statement concerning the structure of his Division:
"Unfortunately, the Coastal division is being forced to reduce its number of teams to four (4) from five (5). This has a been a trying season with multiple player injuries, part-time attendance players and current rosters playing with nagging injuries have reduced our ranks significantly. Teams are now pulling players from other teams to fill out a roster. We’ve gone from the initial 76 (5 teams) to a current number that varies between 56 - 67players.
It was agreed upon by the managers and I that Carolina Ale House (CAH) (this year’s fifth team) would be the team that will be disbanded and its roster distributed. This is unfortunate indeed as CAH had a rough start but now seems to be getting their groove as a team. They never lost faith in each other and just wanted to be competitive. Having been a recent member of that team I will miss the fact that we didn’t get a chance to see just how far we would have gone.
The managers and I met after this past Thursday’s games to discuss our options and met again Friday morning, thanks Dave for hosting, to balance the four team’s rosters. Please follow the links below for the latest roster and schedule changes.
With the disbanding of the fifth team there will be no more bye weeks, so everyone is playing Tuesday May 7th. The managers agreed that we will do a restart. Dave produced a new 4 team 60 game schedule. It is balanced with each team playing equal dates and teams. A couple of rain dates are also included. So come Tuesday, everyone is 0-0.
The Ale House sponsorship will be moved to Healthy Seniors for a shared sponsorship. CAH members, going to other teams, please get your jerseys to Tim Bennett, manager.
Lastly, I’d like to thank Tony Spataro personally for the work he put into this process. He undertook the lead for the newly created 5th team and poured his heart and soul into it. He made every effort to make it work and while he lamented it’s disbanding, he nevertheless helped us make the decision that was in the best interest for the league in general and Coastal in particular. Once again, thank you Tony!"
Rosters: www.wilmingtonseniorsoftball.net/2024-coastal-rosters.html
New Schedule: http://www.wilmingtonseniorsoftball.net/2024-coastal-schedule-and-scores.html
On Friday, May 3, Coastal Division President Walter Aaron released this statement concerning the structure of his Division:
"Unfortunately, the Coastal division is being forced to reduce its number of teams to four (4) from five (5). This has a been a trying season with multiple player injuries, part-time attendance players and current rosters playing with nagging injuries have reduced our ranks significantly. Teams are now pulling players from other teams to fill out a roster. We’ve gone from the initial 76 (5 teams) to a current number that varies between 56 - 67players.
It was agreed upon by the managers and I that Carolina Ale House (CAH) (this year’s fifth team) would be the team that will be disbanded and its roster distributed. This is unfortunate indeed as CAH had a rough start but now seems to be getting their groove as a team. They never lost faith in each other and just wanted to be competitive. Having been a recent member of that team I will miss the fact that we didn’t get a chance to see just how far we would have gone.
The managers and I met after this past Thursday’s games to discuss our options and met again Friday morning, thanks Dave for hosting, to balance the four team’s rosters. Please follow the links below for the latest roster and schedule changes.
With the disbanding of the fifth team there will be no more bye weeks, so everyone is playing Tuesday May 7th. The managers agreed that we will do a restart. Dave produced a new 4 team 60 game schedule. It is balanced with each team playing equal dates and teams. A couple of rain dates are also included. So come Tuesday, everyone is 0-0.
The Ale House sponsorship will be moved to Healthy Seniors for a shared sponsorship. CAH members, going to other teams, please get your jerseys to Tim Bennett, manager.
Lastly, I’d like to thank Tony Spataro personally for the work he put into this process. He undertook the lead for the newly created 5th team and poured his heart and soul into it. He made every effort to make it work and while he lamented it’s disbanding, he nevertheless helped us make the decision that was in the best interest for the league in general and Coastal in particular. Once again, thank you Tony!"
Rosters: www.wilmingtonseniorsoftball.net/2024-coastal-rosters.html
New Schedule: http://www.wilmingtonseniorsoftball.net/2024-coastal-schedule-and-scores.html
2024 Opening Day at Ogden Park
(Click to Enlarge)
(Click to Enlarge)
Photos by Walter Aaron
2024 USA Softball Rule Book Available Online
The 2024 Official Rules of Softball manual published by USA Softball, of which the WSSA is a member, is available to read online here. The WSSA follows these rules unless an exception has been made in the WSSA Player Manual. Read it. Remember it.
The 2024 Official Rules of Softball manual published by USA Softball, of which the WSSA is a member, is available to read online here. The WSSA follows these rules unless an exception has been made in the WSSA Player Manual. Read it. Remember it.
WSSA Golf Shirts Available Now
These WSSA golf shirts (click on image for larger view) are now available for purchase in size large and extra large. To purchase a shirt or shirts online click here.
To purchase by check, send your request to 1319 Military Cutoff Rd., Box 302, Wilmington NC 28405, being sure to list the number and size of the shirts you want; or email us with the number and size of the shirts you would like, then mail payment ($40 each) to the above address. Once payment is received your order will be mailed to you.
These WSSA golf shirts (click on image for larger view) are now available for purchase in size large and extra large. To purchase a shirt or shirts online click here.
To purchase by check, send your request to 1319 Military Cutoff Rd., Box 302, Wilmington NC 28405, being sure to list the number and size of the shirts you want; or email us with the number and size of the shirts you would like, then mail payment ($40 each) to the above address. Once payment is received your order will be mailed to you.