Staying on the ball

By Sean Ammerman

Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 | midnight

As a line drive heads straight for Gary Sell, the third baseman doesn’t hesitate.

Sell, 68, has been playing baseball since he was a child in Green Bay, Wis and has made more than his share of nice catches over the years.

So when he stuck out his glove to make the grab, it was simply a natural instinct.

“I still have good reflexes,” said Sell, who now plays in the Sun City Summerlin senior softball league.

Sell was one of several players who took part in the league’s opening day games on Sept. 15.

The day marked the league’s first season to begin with an opening ceremony, and was held at its field just behind Eagle Crest Golf Course in Summerlin. Las Vegas Councilman Larry Brown threw out the ceremonial first pitch to start the league’s 12th year.

“It’s awesome the way they can still make these plays,” said Brown, a former professional ball player for the Las Vegas Stars. “Some of these guys are in their 70s and 80s and are still at it. This is a little slice of Las Vegas. They’ve worked hard their whole lives and this is the reward.”

The league, which has six teams and about 90 players, has steadily evolved into a close-knit competition between friends.

As the only team sport offered by Sun City Summerlin, softball has been popular with both former and new players.

Norman Gold is famous among his peers for being one of the oldest, at 84, yet remaining one of the most active players.

Gold’s constant participation has proven to a fountain of youth for the longtime player.

“When I get up I’m not in a hurry to get out of bed,” he said. “I have to push myself everyday, but that’s how you keep on going.”

The league abides by a different set of rules, which includes no sliding, running through first and third bases and a separate home and first base for base runners.

Pitchers throw underhand behind a protective net.

League President Gary Sugget is responsible for keeping the league running making sure all of its committees — from the pitching mound to the outfield committee — are running smoothly.

Originally a racquetball and golf player, Sugget was enticed into playing softball after the league’s new fields were constructed.

He also plays for one of the league’s tournament teams, which play teams from other local and out-of-state leagues.

“It had been 30 years since I last touched a ball when I moved out here,” he said. “Then when they built this field I thought I just died and went to heaven. That’s what got me back into the game. I think we have the best softball field in the city and maybe the whole valley.”

The league is divided into a more competitive “American League” and less competitive “National League.”

For more information, e-mail [email protected] or visit http://members.cox.net/suncitysoftball.

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].