The Ancient Mariners, based in Olympia, WA., are beginning their second season as a team. Last year our team was basically made up of players who had some experience playing competitive sports, but hadn't done so in many years. Our skills were rusty, but we all still had that "competitive fire" to play the game.

We didn't start the season very well last year, losing a lot of games, although many were very close. Typical results for a first year team. But in the second half of the season we could see progress and improvement. We began to get used to playing with each other, and actually became competitive with some of the stronger teams who had been together for several years. We won some games at the end of the year.

Ancient Mariners.....now.....

Rather than just disband at the end of the season last October, we decided to hold a monthly team get-together on the first Sunday of each month. We decided to meet at the Fishbowl Brewpub, talk sports, and just "hang out" together. Our manager, Frank, came up with the idea of playing weekly raquetball games to help us get into better shape for the next season. Several players played weekly and lost weight and improved their overall conditioning. As with most teams we have a wide variety of personalities and professions as team members. We have attorneys, grant writers, teachers, government employees, managers, business owners, and blue collar workers. And the friendships we have made are a great benefit of playing on this team.

We started our "spring training" in February and held tryouts for some new players. We have added some good talent to our team and are looking forward to being a more competitive team this year. We are currently playing in the local 5-on-5-on-5 preseason league. In addition to our regular weekly league games, we have entered 10-12 tournaments this season throughout Western Washington. We'll be playing over 65 games! God willing, we'll stay healthy. .....Doug Dammeier, National Project Administrator

GUEST COLUMN.....for all senior softball teams, organizations, players and their wives.....

This space is dedicated to any senior softball team, or player, or wife of a player, who has an interesting story about their team, or one of their players. We welcome stories from any state. If anyone is a prostate cancer survivor, and is still playing the game we would like to hear from you. But any interesting, funny, moving, or inspiriational story is welcome. It doesn't have to be about softball. We know there are a lot of guys out there who are doing a lot of good things. We want to hear about it. People love to read about other people. Just email Frank or Doug. Send the whole story, or send us your ideas and we'll help put it together for you.....