Opening Day Has Arrived!

A scene from Opening Day 2021: Jeff Jay gets ready to swing as Umpire Joe Byrne and on-deck batter Jerry Smith look on. I bet it was a base hit! (Photo by Larry Wolfe)

Larry Wolfe

As Major League Baseball is playing the World Series and ending their 2022 season, Sun Lakes Senior Softball is just starting up again. Yes, as MLB winds down, we “wind up”! Opening Day for our 2022-23 sessions was Oct. 25. We have Fall, Winter and Spring Seasons, then a more informal summer program. We have a total of eight teams divided between two divisions, plus our Lady Sluggers who will open their season in January.

This year’s team sponsors are A-1 Golf Carts, Camp Hilby, Core Consulting, Redeemed Team Realtors, Skyview Digital Media, Spooner Physical Therapy, Wolfe & Associate, and the Young Home Team Realtors. We also have three new banner advertising sponsors. The Sun Lakes Barbershop, located at 12220 E. Riggs Road; Spooner Physical Therapy, located at 10325 E. Riggs Road, Suite 102; and the fans of the Wisconsin Badgers all have new banners at the Field of Dreams. Many thanks to all our team and advertising sponsors for their support of our program.

Here’s a reflection on Opening Day: What is it about Opening Day that means so much to baseball and softball players? Well, Opening Day isn’t just a day; it’s a state of mind. It’s a symbol of rebirth. It’s starting with a clean slate. You’ve made no errors, you’ve made no outs, and every team is tied for first place! And you know if you win that first game, you can’t lose them all! There’s a little more excitement than for a regular game—your heart beats a little faster and you’re really pumped for that first at bat of the season. You wonder, “Do I still have it?” You take that first swing … and, yes, there it is! And another season is underway! Play Ball!