High school softball players always focus on their high school seasons, their travel team stats, and their next step: whether to play in college or not.
We never really think about whether we will still be playing softball at 30 years old, or 40, or even 50.
I certainly never thought about this until I played with Barbara Pickett, a 75-year-old, slow-pitch pitcher.
Barbara got her start in softball as an adult in her 20s.
She picked up the game of slow pitch while working for the Department of Social Services who had a team that competed in an adult softball league.
Later, after Barbara transferred to the Department of Public Health (DPH), she continued her softball journey by joining one of DPH’s two softball teams.
Since the late 1980s, Barbara, who resides in Bloomfield, has been playing on her current team, “E. coli Happens.”
The state’s slow pitch league has evolved over the years with teams and players coming and going, and the number of games played has changed.
But one thing has remained consistent: Barbara continuing to pitch for “E. coli Happens.”
Today, Barbara’s team plays about 10 games per season and participates in the Cove Cup, a slow-pitch tournament.
When asked what her favorite thing about the game is, Barbara replies, “It’s something to do on Thursday. Something to look forward to. I like it. I like being outside.”
She loves to do this while being with her “motley crew” of teammates.
Softball has been a way for Barbara to not only stay active physically, but also socially.
Softball has given Barbara the opportunity to be part of a community of adult softball enthusiasts of all ages who are committed to gathering once a week for some friendly, fun competition and camaraderie. And of course, a little trash talk.
Barbara describes herself as a funny person and she certainly is.
I got to witness first-hand her talent for trash talking the opposing team. This is one of her favorite things about being a pitcher because it allows her to interact with the other team in a fun way.
Throughout Barbara’s softball career, she has battled through injury and even a major health issue.
In 2015, Barbara had a heart attack. She implied that luckily it was at the end of August, so she had plenty of time to recoup before the next season started.
Currently, Barbara is dealing with a torn rotator cuff, an injury she sustained years ago while attempting to make a throw and feeling something happen in her shoulder. Over time, the injury has gotten better, but Barbara still cannot throw to first base.
Despite this, Barbara is still out there at 75, pitching and hitting.
Her coach and former teammate, who is also 75, Rich Niederwerfer, picks the word “resilient” to describe Barbara.
He chose this word because, “She’s still pitching with a rubber arm after all these years. Her fielding can be a little suspect, but she’s still pitching.”
I had the privilege of playing with Barbara and her “E. coli” team, and I can confirm she has still got her stuff, even with a rubber arm.
I asked Barbara what it is like to keep playing at this age, and if she hopes to continue. Her response, “It’s what I do. That’s who I am.”
Personally, I never thought this game could last forever, for me or for anyone, but Barbara has shown it really can.
Softball can be a lifelong sport and you never have to give up the game you love.
There is always a way to play it.
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