THE GLENWOOD FINCHES CELEBRATE after another successful season of bean-bag baseball, one of the favorite activities for the seniors at Glenwood Place Retirement Community in Vancouver.
AT AGE 94, EVELYN LOWELL still takes part in bean-bag baseball every year, along with her husband Vernon. The couple has been together for 75 years.
While Major League Baseball’s regular season is in full swing through the spring, summer and fall, a growing group of senior citizens are reliving their childhood memories with their own version of the “National Pastime.”
Since 2003, seniors have taken part in their annual Bean Bag Baseball League at Glenwood Place, a senior retirement community in Vancouver.
Bean bag baseball is designed to be a fun and interactive version of the game where players toss hand-sized bean bags at a board labeled with base numbers, fouls, outs and home runs. Each time a player lands a bag in the home run hole, they get a star. On grand slam home runs, they get a red star. If they can manage three home runs in a game, a player earns a green star.
At the end of seven innings, the team with the most runs wins, but the players keep track of their progress, decorating their own custom shirts and hats and playing in friendly competition with each other.
The seniors at Glenwood like the game so much, in fact, that they have a four-team league with 60 players and 10 cheerleaders and more people getting interested every day.
“They take the game very seriously,” said Glenwood Activities Assistant James Winther. “The participants range in age from 60 to 100 and they practice up to four times a week.”
Because the game doesn’t involve as much physical activity as real hardball, seniors who use walkers, scooters or motorized wheelchairs are able to take part. Winther added that people who are dealing with visual impairments are also taking part, with a little extra help.
“I take the time to guide them to where they need to stand, then wave my arms so they can see the target and yes, they do get home runs,” said Winther. “I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me to see each of them trying their best and a base hit or home run has even brought some players to tears.”
Not only do the four teams compete against each other during the season, but they also have taken to barnstorming along the I-5 corridor, visiting other teams from Portland to Longview.
“We’ve played against not only other seniors, but also little league baseball teams and Girl Scout teams,” said Winther. “It’s been great to see the impact it’s had on the lives of our residents and their friends.”
Every November, with the 16-game season wrapped up, the players come together for the annual Bean Bag Baseball Banquet. Winther says the center pulls out all the trimmings and regalia to make it an elegant evening of fun and food.
“We hand out all the awards for the season, but the highlight is when the players get their own baseball card,” Winther said. “On the front is a picture of their uniform and their home run tally for each month is on the back. They all glow and pass them around as soon as they get them.”
With the winter coming and the players waiting for Opening Day next April, Winther has noticed them working on their form and making plans for the new season.
“They’re still talking about it and keeping their skills sharp so they can be ready,” said Winther. “As their coach, it’s a joy to help these residents find an activity where all can come, partcipate and have such a good time. I’ve enjoyed it and will continue to do so.”
Glenwood Place is located at 5500 NE 82nd Ave., in Vancouver. For more information, call (360) 829-1100.
