This is a updated copy of the Article printed by Newsday and Merrick Life Newspapers 2006 and 2007:

It was 10 years ago when Dr. Keith Pastuch, realized that, although he was still in pretty good shape, he was tired of playing softball against kids half his age.  As a Chiropractor specializing in athletic injuries he found himself treating many men in their 40’s, 50’s & 60’s who were getting hurt in softball leagues and pick-up games playing with players their kids’ ages.  “I saw more of my friends and myself getting injured easier and more often trying to keep up with players much younger,” Keith admits and adds “We could still beat them, but we got beat up doing it!”  He wasn’t ready to give up a love for a game that put him through college on a baseball scholarship, and that he had played ever since, thanks to softball. 

That’s when the idea came to develop a league for men – 40 and over – to provide the opportunity to enjoy good competition and camaraderie.  The goal was to allow patients and friends to play in a competitive environment with men their age, making it less likely to get injured (thanks to special rules designed to avoid injuries).  Keith wanted them to play hard, but not push themselves above their physical abilities, and to just have FUN!  

So was born POP’S (Past Our Prime) Over 40 & Softball!  The league has since grown to 18 teams, two levels of play, playing at Bellmore Kennedy, Merrick Calhoun and Oceanside High Schools as well as Eisenhower & Baldwin Parks,   The league starts early May and ends late August after double elimination playoffs.  Keith makes sure to provide great prizes for the champions!  Each team plays one game a week (7 inning game).  In this league everyone hits (continuous batting) and everyone plays the field if they want.  An application fee covers uniforms, umpires, balls, bases, permits, fields, everything, you just show up and have a good time. 

In its third year is the 50 and Over League.  Keith plans to have at least 10-12 teams playing in the new division with many players playing in both the 40 and 50 & over leagues. As they say, 50 is the new 30!  In order to play in either league you should be someone who has played softball in the recent past and capable of running the bases and willing to be part of a team.  The league is always looking for individual players or teams. Their logo is “You don’t stop playing softball because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing”   

If you’re interested in the POP’S Softball Leagues you can check out the website www.popsoftball.com or call Keith directly at (H) 379-0606,

(W) 822-1900.  Applications are also available online.