SASSL, dba "San Antonio Seniors Softball League"

SASSL, dba "The San Antonio Senior Softball League" is a non-profit Corporation charted under the State of Texas to "promote the physical and mental fitness of senior citizens through participation in senior sports and specifically senior softball. As an amateur sports organization it fosters national or international competition. The corporation is organized and approved by the IRS for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code of 1986.

SASSL was founded in 1987 by Bill Altman, a retired USAF officer and business owner, as an outgrowth of the 1st Senior Olympics competition in San Antonio. Altman has continued to play, manage teams and operate the organization every year since its inception. The 1st senior team formed was a co-ed team. After the 1st year, all teams consisted of only 60+ senior males. In 2010 a male 50+ program was started. In 2014 a male 40+ league was added. In 2016 a 40+ co-ed League was started. Today, only 3 players from the 1st year (Altman, Phil Watkins and Danny Florez) remain from the original team in 1987.

SASSL continues to grow over the years to satisfy the growing demand from seniors. In 2006, it became a 501(c)(3) charity. Seniors continue to be one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy.Today, SASSL is the largest local senior softball organization in the world. .

SASSL conducts year round softball leagues for senior men and women 40+ in age. The motto of the organization is "no player left behind". Regardless of proficiency it attempts to place interested seniors 40+ on a senior softball team so they can get the benefits of physical and mental fitness achieved through participation in sports.

More talented players compete in the San Antonio Senior Games, Texas State Senior Games, the National Senior Games (NSGA), the Softball Players Association (SPA), Senior Softball USA (SSUSA) and National Softball Association (NSA) tournaments.

Currently there are over 900 senior males and females ranging in age from 40-85 registered with SASSL. League play comprises 42 different teams in 7 different age bracket leagues (40+ co-ed and male 40+, 50+, 60+, 65+, 70+, 75+). League competition takes place from March-Mid November each year. An End of Year Tournament at the end of the year involves all SASSL teams in a double elimination format. All games take place on Fields 2 & 3 at Normoyle Park, 700 Culberson, San Antonio, TX 78225 on Monday nights (40+ co-ed), Tuesday days (70+,75+), Wednesday nights (40+), Thursday nights (50+) and Saturdays days (60+, 65+).

SASSL and the City of San Antonio have entered into a unique agreement for the use of the Normoyle Softball Complex. In return for reservation credits at this park, SASSL is making extensive modifications to the playing fields at Normoyle. The old previously unused baseball field has been converted into a first class regulation senior softball facility. An adjacent softball field has also been converted to senior softball standards. In 2017 SASSL received #1.15 million from a city wide bond issue to upgrade and expand the number of fields. Proceeds from Charitable Bingo are also being used to improve the softball complex and purchase needed equipement. Click on "SASSL News" at this site.

Organized open practices for existing or prospective players are held three times per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and occur year round at Rusty Lyons field, Basse Rd. and McCullough, in San Antonio and at Poss Road and Evers in Leon Valley

and Tom Slick field on Hwy 151.. In addition, SASSL teams hold team practices at different fields throughout the San Antonio area.

Players come predominantly from all areas of Bexar County with some from as far away as Austin, Kerrville. Corpus Christi and Floresville. All ethnic backgrounds are represented reflecting the ethnicity of the area.

An annual awards banquet is held each year at the beginning of the year to honor winning teams and coaches. It is also a time to recognize individuals and companies that have contributed to the success of the organization during the previous year.

Management of the organization is vested in a board of directors elected by each team. Directors elect the corporate officers. All directors and officers are volunteers. Currently, there are no paid staff members.

The program is continuing to rapidly expand. Eventually it hopes to include a senior softball program eclusively for female seniors. Fees are kept very low in order to encourage broad participation regardless of income. A fund raising program is ongoing to improve the playing facilities at Normoyle Park and to augment operating funds in order to keep participation fees low.