About EMASS Eastern Massachusetts Senior Softball Association

EMASS SENIOR SOFTBALL

"Slow-pitch softball in an organized, competitive and safe environment."

2008 - Newly adopted bylaws: Bylaws

2007 - A word from the Commissioner:

Happy New Year! May this year bring you good health, more base hits, better plays in the field and a continued sense of the fellowship and camaraderie that is EMASS Senior Softball.

To those of you looking at this site for the first time. This is what we are. We are a twelve year old program with almost 300 athletes from 3 states and 30 different towns in Massachusetts...

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History & Mission:

The Eastern Massachusetts Senior Softball Association (EMASS) was created in 1995 with teams based in four communities: Newton, Natick, Sudbury and Wayland. The league has grown steadily. In 2005 we had a total of 16 teams, organized into two leagues, which played on Saturday and Tuesday mornings. In 2006 we added more teams. As of 2007, with about 275 players in the program, EMASS is the second largest senior softball program in New England, next to the Cape Cod league. Players in the EMASS programs range in age from 55 to 78. There is no maximum age.

Players come from over a 100 different communities, from Hingham in the south to Hampton, NH in the north, Lunenburg and Marlboro to the west and almost every city and town in between. The largest contingents are from Framingham, Newton, and Wayland.

When EMASS was organized fourteen years ago the goal was simply to provide older athletes with an opportunity to play in a reasonably competitive league. In 2000 the league formalized its organization. Article two of the Bylaws adopted in 2008 states:

The purpose of EMASS is to provide a means of recreation and social opportunities for senior men and women, by playing slow-pitch softball, and such other sports and social activities as may be adopted by the Board (e.g. basketball, bowling, golf, etc.), in an organized, competitive and safe environment.
While all games organized by the Association should be played with the intent to win, the goal of the Association is to ensure to the best of its ability that the Members of the Association (i) have a positive, fun, athletic, and social experience, and (ii) compete and play in a sportsmanlike manner. It is an essential principal of the Association that all games and activities be conducted in a constructive, non-criticizing manner and to ensure that all members are treated with respect and dignity, and are provided a fair and equitable opportunity to participate.

Everyone involved in running EMASS takes great pride in having created a program that is serious and competitive, but which retains an element of the low-key recreational atmosphere found in many softball and other sports leagues.

About Senior Softball:

Senior softball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. There are leagues in every state and a very complete schedule of regional and national tournaments. With the accelerating increase in the over 55 population and the desire of more and more people to continue serious athletic activity into their 50s, 60s and 70s, there is little doubt that senior softball will grow tremendously in the next decade.

EMASS games are played according to national senior softball rules. A pitch must have a 6’ - 12’ arc and strikes must hit the plate or a one-foot extension. There are 11 players in the field (a fourth outfielder and a middle infielder) and all players on a team (usually 12-15) are in the batting order. Games are 7 innings, with a 12 run mercy rule after 4 1/2 innings.

Many people come to senior softball without having seriously thrown or hit a ball for many years. Others have been playing competitive softball all their adult lives. If you played baseball or softball in high school or beyond and are in decent shape (even a few pounds too heavy) you can probably hold your own in most senior softball leagues, even if you have not played the game for many years.

EMASS has had a low turnover rate. Few players leave for reasons other than very old age, moving away or medical problems. There are many benefits to team sports for older men -- the thrill of competing, the exercise and the chance to associate with older athletes. While the competition is serious, the essential goal is for all players to enjoy the experience.