The City of Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation department announced that one of its senior softball teams, the Colorado Cougars, placed first in the 70+ AA men's division in the Softball Players Association National Championship, held in Dalton, Georgia recently.

The Cougars, who began playing in the Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation Senior Softball League two years ago, exploded into the national spotlight in 2007 and has continued playing nationally in 2008. Prior to the Dalton, Georgia competition, the team played in the North American Senior Circuit Softball World Series held in Lincoln, Nebraska in August and won another first place. To qualify for each competition, the Cougars had to play in qualifier tournaments.

When asked what the team won in Dalton, Jerry Gamache, player and manager of the Cougars, laughingly responded, "A handshake and a cup of coffee." In addition to that handshake and cup of coffee, Gamache said the team received a plaque than now hangs in the office of the team's sponsor, Diamond Realty. The Cougars not only played softball well, but were honored with another plaque for good sportsmanship.

Statistics show that senior softball leagues are growing nationally. Older adults, ages fifty and older, who play senior softball say that it not only keeps them active, but it gives them a chance to socialize.

Jim Spaulding, Athletics Supervisor for The City Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation, confirmed that senior softball is on the rise and he has seen it in Wheat Ridge. The City of Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation currently has four teams, the Cougars being one, who participates in its senior softball league. That's up from a few years ago. Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation offers both men's and coed leagues and teams can either play competitively or recreationally. Team members must be at least fifty years old and team fees are $480 per team, which covers practice times, officials, and field preparation for the April-July season.

For more information about the City of Wheat Ridge Senior Softball Leagues, call Spaulding at 303-231-1310.