For the 10th season, there will be basketball games at the Hawthorn gym in Newton (see directions below) starting on Wed, Oct 17 and Sat, Oct 20 and continuing every Wed and Sat morning until the Wed session switches to Tuesdays on Nov 13.

The gym opens at 7:30 a.m. and we have it until about 11:00. (We can stay a bit longer if we want.) Players can come anytime – at 7:30, 9:00 or whenever they want.

The price is either $2, $3 or $5 per session, depending on the number of players and the condition of the treasury. We pay the Newton Parks and Recreation Department $50 per day, so as long as we can pay the bills we will keep the cost per session as low as possible. There is also a $15 registration fee. The daily collections, plus registration fees and some money left over from last season should enable us to get through the season and purchase a few new balls. Attached is the registration form. Please bring it with you, along with a check.

The gym is basic – no showers, no locker rooms. (There are rest rooms!) It is a small gym, but quite ample for four on four games, or even five on five. There are new glass backboards and the floor is in very good shape.

The game we have always played – which can be changed if people want – is four on four, full-court. There is free substitution so play never really stops. Everyone brings a white (not gray!) and a very dark tee shirt, and we divide into teams at random. We don’t keep score generally, except for last five minutes or so.

The games on Wednesdays/Tuesdays tend to be a little bit slower than the Saturday games, in large part because average age on Saturdays is younger, but this is fairly serious basketball on both days. Most guys played organized basketball in high school, a few in college and some have been playing regularly for many years. There are players of quite average skills who work at it and have become much better after a season or two.

The game is open to anyone 55 and over. (We’ll take a few younger players whose skills are modest.) About 80% of players also play in EMASS senior softball.

If you have questions please call John Stewart at 617 969 0950 or write at johnstewart@alum.bu.edu

Directions to Hawthorn gym

Hawthorn Street is off Watertown Street, which is route 16, midway between Watertown Square and West Newton Square. Coming from route 128, get on route 16 east either directly or by taking route 30 to route 16. Follow route 16 east past Newton Wellesley Hospital, Woodland golf club, over the Mass. Pike, and through West Newton Square, where it bends to the left at a light. About 2 miles from West Newton Square Hawthorn Street is on the right, just behind Clay Auto Body. (Hawthorn Street is about ½ mile beyond Albermarle Road, where many have played softball.) The gym is on the right side, about 50 yards from intersection of route 16 (Watertown Street) and Hawthorn Street.

2007-2008 INDOOR SOFTBALL will begin the first week in Jan.

Our present indoor scheduled day Thursday is full but we are looking for enough players to fill a 2nd day. If you are interested in playing let Fred Scerra know at tball@verizon.net or call him at 774-249-0143.

We play at the 'ForeKicks' in Norfolk. It would be either a Mon or Wed and run 12 weeks starting the first week in Jan 2008 through the end of March. The program runs from 10 am -12 pm.