Birmingham Senior Softball | Russ Arthur Senior Softball Association 

2025 Season News 

Tom Kilgore New 2025 RASSA Commissioner

Tom Kilgore has volunteered to take on the duties of RASSA Softball Director. RASSA is headed by the commissioner, who is supported by a “board” of seasoned players. Tom encourages existing players, as well as anybody interested in joining the league to contact him. We are a group of men and women who welcome all to join us in playing this game we grew up loving. To reach out to Tom Kilgore you can text or call him at 678-836-7532 or email him at Kilgoret@bellsouth.net

2025 Season updates will be available soon!

 

Rainout?  Call 205-978-0163
205-978-0163

 

   2025 RASSA SEASON STARTING SOON! 
RASSA is playing the 2025 season, commenced with Opening Day of our 21st year as the premier senior softball league in central Alabama scheduled for Tuesday, April 1st (no fooling)! I hope you are as excited as our Board Members and Managers are to begin play.  In keeping with RASSA’s longstanding emphasis on looking for ways to improve fun, fellowship and participation levels, we are happy to introduce divisions for morning play. The primary objectives of the division structure are to improve competitive balance and player safety. We aim to make this season our best ever. A lot of work has been completed to establish 2025 schedules, rules of play and current team rosters.  Many thanks to the RASSA Board Members and Managers who have put a lot of time and effort into the process.   

SCHEDULES: 

The Masters Division and Seniors Division season schedules are available from the menu.   As you will see on these schedules, team batting practices are scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th and Thursday, March 27th.  These practices will be followed the next week by the start of regular season play as mentioned above.

Morning League Schedules

Tuesday and Thursday Morning Master’s (73+) Schedule

Tuesday and Thursday Morning Senior’s Division Schedule

 

RULES OF PLAY:

The 2025 Rules of Play are attached.  I encourage everyone, particularly our new players, to read the rules. With the introduction of the Masters and Seniors divisions, there are some differences in everything from field dimensions to playing rules. We will put an emphasis on further communicating the most notable changes at the team batting practices and the first couple of games so that all players will quickly gain familiarity with them.

ROSTERS:

Your Manager may have already contacted you, or else will be contacting you soon, so that you will know which team you are on. Our creation of divisions has led to significant interest, and we are expecting a 40% increase over the number of players who participated in the 2024 season. We have grown from 5 teams playing each day last season to 7 teams (4 in the Masters Division and 3 in the Seniors Division) playing each day this coming season. As is usually the case, we have some players recovering from injury or other medical conditions who will be unable to start the season, and we will likely have some late additions during registration as well. As in past years, efforts have been made to ensure competitive balance among the teams in each division. No adjustments/changes to the attached rosters as a result of late changes will be made until after batting practices are completed, and the emphasis on maintaining competitive balance will remain. Current rosters are attached below.

REGISTRATION:

In the Masters Division, the annual fees will remain $60 (for those playing Tuesday only or Thursday only) for 24 scheduled games, and $120 (for those playing both Tuesday and Thursday) for 48 scheduled games. In the Seniors Division, the annual fees will be $80 (for those playing Tuesday only) for 32 scheduled games, $40 (for those playing Thursday only) for 16 scheduled games, and $120 (for those playing both Tuesday and Thursday) for 48 scheduled games. Any players registering for Tuesday only or Thursday only play may become eligible as a substitute when available on the other day by paying either a $20 fee for the entire season or $5 for each game they play as a substitute on the day they did not register for.
The jerseys for new players, and where needed by returning players, will remain at $10 each.  You get to keep the jersey and some players have collected each color over the years.  We encourage everyone to pay the annual fee and shirt cost (if applicable) by check made payable to RASSA at one of the batting practices on March 25th and March 27th so we can get the administrative paperwork done and focus on playing ball.  If you prefer to pay in cash, please bring the exact amount and we will have envelopes for you to put it in with your name on the outside.  You also will be given a cash receipt.  The deadline for the payment of season fees will be Thursday, April 10th.   Please don’t mail any checks, cash or forms to anyone, as we are prepared to handle payments at the field. 

In addition, all players will be asked to sign a Code of Conduct and RASSA and Vestavia Hills Department of Parks and Recreation conditional release form.  We will have these forms available at the field.

Birmingham Senior softball.

If you are a senior (age 55 or older) and are interested in playing softball in the Birmingham Alabama area, this is the place for you.

This is who we are:

  • Russ Arthur Senior Softball Association (RASSA) is a league for senior softball players in central Alabama (mainly the Birmingham area).
  • A Tuesday night league is for competitive players 50 and older.
  • Tuesday and Thursday morning leagues are for players 55 and older (mainly retired).
  • All leagues emphasize camaraderie, safety and fellowship in a balanced competitive environment.

History

The chance for senior softball players to continue playing a game they love was the vision of the league’s founders in 2005 when they started what was originally known as the Central Alabama Softball Association. The group was led by Russ Arthur and included Hollis Beecham, Bill Gaulden, Gary Meadows, Rick Nichodemus and Ron Oliver. When Russ Arthur passed away in 2013, the league was renamed in his memory and for his leadership, dedication and hard work in establishing and maintaining the league. Russ Arthur served as the league’s commissioner from its inception through 2009. Ed Girard began serving as commissioner in 2010, followed by Henry Rumble and today Tom Kilgore.

There are now more than 75 players in the day leagues with 5 teams on Tuesdays and 5 teams on Thursdays. There are more than 85 players in the Tuesday night 6-team league.

The day leagues are for players 55 and older. The Tuesday night league is for players 50 and older. There is no maximum age and our oldest player is over 90.

We are pleased to announce the addition of the Masters Division to our morning schedule, with rules specifically suited for men age 70 and above and women age 50 and above. Men ages 70 through 72 may choose between this new division and the Seniors Division, designed for men age 55 and above. The RASSA board will also consider exceptions for men below the age of 70 due to inexperience or limitations due to injury or physical conditions.

The leagues are organized around three principles:

  • Play safely
  • Enjoy Christian fellowship
  • Continue having fun playing a game we love as long as we can

The RASSA is the only “real” senior softball league in central Alabama. It’s great to remember what it’s like to feel young and to play with old friends and to meet new ones. Each game ends with a player congregation where we acknowledge our comrades successes and concerns and share a prayer.

INTERESTED IN CHECKING US OUT?

Check the game schedules for the teams you may be interested in and come watch a game. If you want to join us, find your old glove and contact: message us here:

    REGISTRATION:

    The annual fees will remain $60 annually for either just Tuesday or just Thursday and $120 (playing both days). One of the best deals in town!  The jerseys for new players, and if needed by current players, will remain at $10 each.  You get to keep the jersey and some players have collected each color over the years.  We encourage everyone to pay the annual fee and shirt cost (if applicable) by check made payable to RASSA at one of the batting practices on 4/2 and 4/4 so we can get the administrative paperwork done and focus on playing ball.  If you prefer to pay in cash, please bring the exact amount and we will have envelopes for you to put it in with your name on the outside.  You also will be given a cash receipt.  The deadline for the payment of fees will be Thursday, 4/11.   Please don’t mail any checks, cash or forms to anyone, since we will handle all of payments at the field. 

    In addition, all players will be asked to sign a Code of Conduct form, as well as a RASSA and Vestavia Hills Department of Parks and Recreation conditional release form.  All new players will be asked to complete a New Player Information form as well.   We will have all forms available at the field, in addition to hard copies of the Schedules, Rules of Play and Rosters.

    If you have any questions, please contact your manager, any board member or me.  Thanks.  Tom

     

    Tuesday Night Schedule

    2024 World Series Results for Morning Leagues:

    Game 3 Final 11/5/2024 Tuesday Green 21 – Thursday Blue 18
    Thursday Green RASSA World Series CHAMPIONS
    Our Theme Song