A southpaw fires a hard one toward the plate at one of last summer's Woodridge Park District baseball games.

They come to the Woodridge Park District to play baseball during the summer in the Men's 30 And Over Baseball program. Since 1977, it has grown to 130 players with many more on a waiting list. This past year's rosters included Jose Cardenal, Milt Pappas and Rich Nye along with many ex-college baseball players.

The program was started because of an interest by die-hard baseball players who couldn't or didn't want to participate on semi-pro teams in the area. They wanted to still play hardball but with players their own age. Thus they approached the Park District for help and the 30 And Over Baseball program was born.

This program was set up as a recreational league. Standings are kept, but awards are not given to the top finishers. The returning players start registering in January, then one month later registration opens to new players who are Park District residents. Finally in mid-March, all new players from surrounding areas can register. A draft is held in mid-April with volunteer managers doing the selecting. Managers from the previous year are allowed to protect themselves and five returning players. If there are any new managers, they will select five players and then numbers are drawn and a normal draft is conducted. This past season we had ten teams with thirteen players on each roster.

The games are played mainly on Sundays with occasional Saturday make-up. The league starts in mid-May and continues until late August. We try to play a minimum of 11 games and more, if possible, depending on the weather. The cost per man is $30 for residents and $45 for non-residents.

The game is seven innings in length or 2 1/2 hours, whichever is first. Rules are the same as that of major league baseball except the pitchers are allowed to play only a limited number of innings. Other players must play a minimum number of innings.

The Park District supplies a base and home plate umpire for each game. It also buys shirts and hats for each player with colors different for each team. The umpires' and catchers' equipment are provided along with batting helmets, balls and a selection of bats. All of this is included in the per person fee.

This program has been popular since it was first organized. Players come from several areas, including Elgin, Waukegan and Chicago, to name a few. We hope to expand the program this year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ted Thomas is the Sports Supervisor for the Woodridge Park District and has served two years in that capacity. He is a 1981 graduate of George Williams College where he was a three year varsity volleyball player.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 20 March/April 1984