2024 FSG Softball Features Inspiring Players

Just because you can’t hear the game, it doesn’t mean you can’t play the game.

The gold-medal winning Deaf Divas softball team showed all the skills worthy of such a performance Saturday at the Florida Senior Games Softball Championships, at the Sleepy Hollow Athletic Complex, in Leesburg.

It was an interesting sight on Field 6 in the 9:00 a.m. game between the Divas and Four Corners. When the Divas were on the field, there was no chatter between the players. No calling of outs or where the play needed to be made.
There was communication, through sign language

“Before each batter, the pitcher signs to the infield where the play needs to go,” said Kathy Fairfield, a late addition to the team due to injuries, who is not deaf but has experience working with deaf individuals and communicates to her teammates through signing.

The bleachers, behind home plate, were full of fans, not speaking, but talking softball and what was happening on the field through sign language. At the appropriate times, rather than cheering vocally, they applauded enthusiastically, raised their arms above their heads and waved their hands.

The enthusiasm reached a pinnacle in the final inning of the game when shortstop Marcie Stern fielded a ground ball, ran to step on second and threw to first base to complete a game-ending double play.

It’s no surprise the Divas team has gold-medal winning softball skills. Their roster features players who have a variety of experience playing softball through the years. Most of the roster played for Gallaudet University, the first U.S. college for deaf individuals, in Washington, DC.

Divas Team Manager, Meriam I Schroeder, points out an interesting fact through signing interpretation by Fairfield, pitcher Debby Richards identified eight members of 1984 Deaf National Softball tournament ream, from an old program, who currently live in The Villages.

“There’s a very strong deaf community in The Villages,” said Pamela Stutzman, an umpire in the game, who was born deaf, but speaks and can hear with the help of a hearing aid. “There’s more than 200 deaf individuals in The Villages and there were about 50 in the stands today.”

The plan to play in the Florida Senior Games was hatched three months ago at the urging of Softball Sport Director, Avis Vaught, according to Schroeder. Vaught urged Schroeder to form a team out of the individuals from the 1984 team and others playing individually on teams in The Villages.

Since that time, the Divas have practiced, “two or three times a week,” according to Shroeder.

Like most 50 and over athletes who compete in the Florida Senior Games, it took some time for them to realize their bodies didn’t react the way they once did on the softball field. They didn’t get to the ball as quick as they once did. They didn’t get from base to base as like they once did.

After three months of workouts, they hit the field at the 2024 Florida Senior Games. They put the bat on the ball, threw the ball into the gloves of their teammates and stomped on home plate, without ever hearing a sound.

All 19 teams competing in the 2024 Florida Senior Games qualified for the 2025 National Senior Games. The softball competition will be held July 24-August 4, at the GrimesPlex, in Grimes, Iowa.

Results from the 2024 Florida Senior Games Softball Championships
Women’s 50+
GOLD: TM Force, Brandon; SILVER: Golden Players, The Villages; BRONZE: Vipers, Orlando
Golden Players 10, Vipers 3
TM Force 9, Vipers 5
TM Force 4, Golden Players 3

Women’s 55+ (Competitive)
GOLD: Deaf Divas, The Villages; SILVER: Emeralds, The Villages
TM Force 50 25, Emeralds 11
Deaf Divas 14, Four Corners 7
Emeralds 9, Deaf Divas 6
Women’s 55+ (Recreational)
GOLD: Four Corners, The Villages

Women’s 60+ (Competitive)
GOLD: Sunny Beaches, Davie; SILVER: Golden Players, The Villages; BRONZE: Sluggers, Pinellas Park
Sunny Beaches 11, Golden Players 7
Golden Players 12, Sluggers 2
Sunny Beaches 28, Sluggers 8

Women’s 60+ (Recreational)
GOLD: Making Waves, Venice; SILVER: Sapphires, Wildwood
Making Waves 16, Sapphires 1

Women’s 65+
GOLD: Golden Players, The Villages; SILVER; Pioneers, The Villages
Golden Players 21, Sapphires 60 9
Golden Players 17, Making Waves 13

Women’s 70+
GOLD: Golden Players, The Villages; SILVER; Legacy, The Villages
Golden Players 11, Legacy 2
Legacy 12, Golden Players 8

Women’s 75+
GOLD: Golden Players, The Villages
Golden Players 9, Four Corners 55 5

Women’s 80+
GOLD: Golden Players, The Villages
Golden Players 16, Pioneers 65 5
Pioneers 65 9, Golden Players 5

Men’s 50+
GOLD: Vipers, New Smyrna Beach; SILVER: Cubs, New Smyrna Beach
Vipers 19, Cubs 6
Vipers 17, Cubs 15