Staff Writer

As spring begins, so does spring sports, including area softball leagues. 

However, there may be one league that is slightly more unique than the rest.

This year marks the eleventh season of the Greater Portland Senior Men’s Softball League, a competitive league with game locations in both Portland and South Portland. 

There’s only one requirement in joining the league: you must be 50 years of age or older.

Scarborough resident Bill Nickerson, who has played in the league since it first began, said the league was started in 1998 as a way for seniors to play competitive softball. He said the league first began with three teams, with no umpires or even uniforms. Today, the eight teams that comprise the league have the luxury of sponsors, umpires and uniforms.

“It’s a bunch of kids looking to be kids again,” Nickerson said.

Each of the eight teams plays 12 games during the season, beginning in April and ending in late July, which is then followed by a double elimination tournament for the league championship. Nickerson’s team, Wahlco Metroflex, have been the league champions for the past three years in a row. 

A majority of the leagues games are hosted at Kiley Field and Riverton Field in Portland. Nickerson said he would like to see the season extended to 14 games, but as the summer goes on, as well as other softball leagues, finding access to a softball field becomes more difficult.

Nickerson said any senior from any town can join the league, as he said players have come from as far as Farmington and Kittery.

Portland resident Marty Norton said he first found out about the league after meeting fellow teammate Dick Clark.

“I met Dicky Clark in a bar, and he asked if I ever played baseball before, and I hadn’t in about 25 years,” Norton said. “I just fell in love with these guys. We practice a lot, then go to a pub after.”

Buxton resident Ed Schenchs, who has also been in the league since it first began, said he enjoys the schedule, as there is usually only one game per week so he can spend time with his grandchildren. He said he also enjoys staying active by playing softball, as he was formerly a softball umpire for 30 years, not requiring him to run around much.

“It’s one of those things where if you play, you stay in shape,” Schenchs said.

Schenchs said members of the team have also developed friendships. He said the team spends time together, even during the offseason.

“We get together in the winter time, just socially with our wives and significant others,” Schenchs said.

Though players on the Wahlco Metroflex team say they enjoy the camaraderie, Clark said competitive juices still flow for many team members.

“Everybody’s still a little competitive,” Clark said.

Gorham resident Pat Perkins not only plays for Wahlco Metroflex, he also plays in four different softball leagues. 

“I didn’t play for 20 or 30 years, until I turned 50,” Perkins said. “Everyday you get more hooked [on playing softball].”

Perkins agreed with Clark about how competitive it can be playing in the Greater Portland Men’s Senior Softball League.

“The funny thing is, it wasn’t as competitive as it is now,” Perkins said.

Nickerson said people who play in the league have a good time.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Nickerson said. “I say ‘Come play, it might be the most fun you’ve had in softball.’”

Staff writer Dave Dyer can be contacted at 282-4337, ext. 219.