The Georgia Recreation and Park Association, District 7 Volunteer Award was given to the Gwinnett Senior Softball League on Oct. 19. The small group of dedicated volunteers was recognized for providing opportunities for senior citizens to enjoy softball through organized league play. In 1985, this small group came together with a desire to continue playing their childhood sports of baseball and softball. Knowing they were not past their prime and the desire to share the game of softball with other seniors was the main thrust behind the formation of the Metro Atlanta Senior Softball League, thus encouraging the merge of Gwinnett and DeKalb Seniors Softball in 1992 (in 2006 the membership voted to change the name to Gwinnett Senior Softball, Inc.). This group of volunteers has now grown to represent 12 metro Atlanta counties with 12 teams located in Gwinnett County. Not only do they coach, select teams, run tournaments, schedule games, recruit players and assist with events, they also line fields, set out bases, fire up the scoreboard and schedule the officials for their league. Over the past several years, more than 180 seniors annually register to play in the Gwinnett Senior Softball League. “This group of players has travelled across the State of Georgia and the nation for the past 26 years, acting as volunteer ambassadors from Gwinnett County, spreading the word about what we have to offer and inviting folks to visit Gwinnett,” said Tina Fleming, Division Director for Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation. For more information on this league, visit www.gwinnettparks.com.