THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, February 21, 2020 Page 9 EMASS Senior Softball League opens player registration for 2020 season E astern Massachusetts Senior Softball (EMASS) is launching its annual recruitment campaign for players age 50 and over. The 400-plus member league draws players from towns across Eastern Massachusetts with games played on fields in Framingham, Medfield, Ashland and Wayland. The season begins May 1 and runs until Labor Day, with playoffs completed in early October. EMASS members range in age from 50 to 90. The average age is 67 with 70 players in their fifties, 160 in their sixties, 140 in their seventies and 30 in their eighties. Members’ skill levels range from casual recreational players to those who play on nationally competitive tournament teams. Players of any skill level will find a spot with playhe latest listing of upcoming events and programs at Saugus places of worship. Ash Wednesday service at Cliftondale Congregational Cliftondale Congregational, which is located at 50 Essex St., is having an Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. We will spend time in reflection and repentance to prepare T ers of similar abilities in one or more of EMASS’s five divisions. Two divisions play doubleheaders on Saturday mornings and three divisions play doubleheaders on weekdays. The spirit of Senior Softball is evident in its post-game tradition of the opposing teams forming lines to congratulate each other with high fives and fist bumps. Competing in senior softball is a statement. Players thumb their nose at Father Time and they are deeply grateful to take the field and compete together as teammates or opponents. “The EMASS softball-loving community competes with sportsmanship and camaraderie,” said Walker Royce, Commissioner of EMASS. “Besides all the fun and banter of a team sport, our hearts for the coming joy of Easter. You are invited to join us for this sacred night of making our hearts open to the Lord. Cliftondale Congregational also invites you to a special night of fun for kids and adults! Join us at our Leap Day Game Night on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 5 p.m. We’ll have games for people of all ages. For more information on our we also provide each other with a healthy support network for getting through life’s senior challenges. That could be fighting through cancer, rehabilitating a knee replacement or just hitting over 500.” Players share joys of playing in EMASS EMASS players know how blessed they are to play. They are inspired by the elder players who can still perform well in their late seventies and eighties. They love seeing a teammate return from an injury or some lifethreatening ailment. They enjoy that three-hour escape to the fields where camaraderie, teamwork and competition block out life’s challenges and stresses. “EMASS is an oasis for me,” said David Ossam, a first year Saugus Faith Notes services and special events, please visit cliftondalecc.org or contact Administrative Assistant Debora de Paula Hoyle at 781-233-2663. Corned Beef & Cabbage Supper at First Congregational The First Congregational Church in Saugus Center will host its popular Annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Supper on Saturday, March 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. Doors open at 4 p.m. The menu consists of corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, Irish soda bread, drinks and dessert. The cost is a $12 per person donation. Tickets can be reserved by calling 781233-3028 and will be available at the door. Come celebrate an early St. Patrick’s Day with some good food and good fellowship! Calling all faiths Got a special event at your parish that you would like to tell the community about? Email the information under the subject line “Saugus Advocate Faith Notes” to mvoge@comcast.net. There is no charge for letting the public know about your event. player in 2019. “No matter what personal or professional pressures I am facing, those weekly hours are refreshing and uplifting. Playing the game I love with people I truly enjoy makes life sweeter and more fun.” “I have found EMASS to be a well-run, welcoming league, providing a good balance of fun and competitiveness,” said Dan Jolly, who has played in EMASS for two seasons. “All of my teammates have been fantastic to get to know and they have inspired me to look forward to many more softball seasons as I look to retire.” “Over 21 years, EMASS has provided me with the opportunity to re-live my youth and play the game I love,” said Joe Salzano, now 83 and a seasoned EMASS player. “I have established long-lasting relationships with players both on and off the field.” Visit www.e-mass.org to learn more about the League and to register for the 2020 season. This year, EMASS is investing in its community of team managers by offering workshops and a handbook that capture best practices for maximizing the enjoyment of its members, the vibrancy of its community and the competitiveness of its teams. EMASS players participate in many local and national tournaments. They field an annual team for the Friendship Games played in Cuba, enroll over 10 teams in the Cape Cod Classic and have numerous EMASS players who compete in AAA and Major division tournament teams.
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