As they do twice each week, the Geezers softball team walked onto field No. 2 at Miami Lakes Optimist Park on Sept. 11.
The date marked 15 years that the Boys of Autumn, or the Geezers as they call themselves, have been playing in the park.
Twenty-eight men wore neon orange shirts donated by Miami Lakes AutoMall partner Fred Senra.
Players range in age from 39 to 98 and enjoy a friendly game where the rules are a bit different.
Two innings are played at a time. No one runs the bases. And a sitting umpire counts outs and walks using bath loofahs.
Batting practice is powered by cafecito (shots of Cuban espresso coffee).
David Oliver of Miami Lakes oversees the gameplay. He is one of the original members who has been on the squad since its inception, and writes detailed and funny game notes for the team.
“We started with six players, playing three on three,” Oliver said.
He said he is grateful to the town, which lends the facilities to the senior softballers.
“We have a program here we’re very proud of,” Oliver said. “If more communities around the USA knew about our program, they would adopt a similar program for their communities.
“It’s one where a number of us cannot run or throw anymore, but we can bat and field,” Oliver said.
The program is unique in the area and attracts players from two counties. The roster boasts 60 players; 20 to 28 men appear for each game.
“We played with whoever showed up,” said Bruce Davidson, 82, of Palm Springs North. He is also an original squad member.
“[I enjoy the] comradery,” Davidson said.
Andres Clavijo, 77, joined the Geezers in 2010 and drives from south Dade for each game.
“I come from Kendall because I know them all, I love everyone here,” Clavijo said in Spanish.
He says it gets him out of the house and into fresh air.
It’s also an equal playing field, where all the men are accepted no matter their level of skill, and everyone gets a chance at bat.
Like Clavijo, Juan Campiz, 98, enjoys being with his friends.
Campiz is the oldest player on the squad. He gets as many pitches as he needs until he hits one or grounds out. He is affectionately known as “The Kid” by his teammates.
“The people get along … everyone plays and ages don’t matter, they [get to] play,” Campiz said in Spanish.
Rafael Castro, 39, is the newest member to get in on the fun. He lives across the street from the park.
“They offered to let me play,” Castro said in Spanish. “I enjoy it, and it’s time well spent.”
The game itself is almost beside the point.
Some of the men have colorful nicknames: Fred “F Rod” Rodriguez; Juan “El Abogado” Perez; “Artistic” Ernie Garcia (who designed the T-shirts); “Ancient” Alberto Sordo-Ramos (age 88); Carlos “CarGo” Gonzalez; Jose “Hit Doctor” Caballero; “Swattin’ Sal” Guzman; Osvaldo “Big O” Quinones and “Mighty” Mike Dentes.
They spend the morning laughing and ribbing each other.
Frailties are put aside. And when one of the balls sails high into the outfield, they all cheer.