Naperville Park District softball players win 3rd Gold Medal at National Senior Games
Eight senior softball players who enjoy a casual pickup game with the Naperville Park District's Men's 50+ League at Gartner Park on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings also enjoy competition.
In addition to being part of the park district's softball program, they all play on a regional team, the Challengers, that is part of Senior Softball USA.
The park district just learned that the Challengers won the gold medal at the 2019 National Senior Games held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and that this is their third consecutive gold medal, winning as a 65+ team in 2015 and a 70+ team in 2017.
The eight Naperville players on the Challengers team are: Chris Argianis, John Fieser, Rich Fleming, Steve Gadja, Larry Hall, George Pappas, John Patti (manager), and Tom Vancura.
According to team manager John Patti, there were several exciting moments in this year's national competition.
"In the third game, the Challengers trailed the Four Seasons (from Washington/Oregon) by 8 runs going into their last at bat," manager Patti said. "With two outs and still trailing by 6 runs, 85-year-old Chris (one in a million) Argianis stepped to the plate and hammered the ball deep into right center field for a grand slam. The inspired team then scored three more times for the victory."
With a batting average of over .600, the team looks forward to competing in the 2021 National Senior Games in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"We are proud of these players," said Brock Atwell, the program manager who overseas adult athletic leagues and other programs for the park district. "They prove that softball is a lifetime sport, not only by their performance in competition but also by their participation in the pickup games at Gartner Park."
The Naperville Park District plans to recognize the eight softball players at the Dec. 12 park board meeting at 7 p.m. at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
The Men's 50+ Softball League is an example of the activities available through Naperville Park District for seniors who want to be active as much as possible and enjoy camaraderie with other athletes. The league plays from May through mid-October.