STEVE TROUT’S “SENIOR BALL” IS A BIG HIT!
By Lynne Cook, ConnectedLiving Ambassador
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What does Baseball have in common with Brookdale’s The Heritage of Des Plaines and the ConnectedLiving Program – TEAMWORK! The Heritage and ConnectedLiving collaborated to bring “Senior Ball” to the residents on a Tuesday afternoon.
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Steve Trout, a former major league baseball player in the 1980’s, was promoting his “Senior Ball” program during the 1984 Cubs seminar at the Chicago Cubs convention. I was at the seminar when Steve was explaining what “Senior Ball” was and when I asked Steve for more information about the program and I knew the residents at The Heritage would love it, especially to be able to meet Steve who played for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox. The ConnectedLiving program, one of the many programs and activities at The Heritage, provides the socialization tools, technology training and ongoing support to help residents engage and connect with other residents and their families and friends. I talked with Kami Naughton, the Resident Programs Director at The Heritage, and we began the teamwork of bringing “Senior Ball” to The Heritage.
What is “Senior Ball?” Senior Ball is a game giving seniors living in a retirement community setting the opportunity to once again “play ball” using bean bags to score runs. It is designed for those who no longer have the physical skills of youth, but still remember the good old days with fondness. They get to relive some of the thrills of the past. The residents were able to reconnect to the past, participate physically, socialize with others, and have a great time of laughter and fun. Some communities have said that “Senior Ball” is the best therapy their residents have ever had. Steve and his assistant, Rick, are happy to be able to offer his “Senior Ball” program free of charge.
Some of the residents came wearing their Cubbie blue outfits and caps. Steve set up the 5-person teams, and the rivalry began, the Cubs vs. Sox. The Cubs line up was: Mary, Pete, Elaine, Lynne (pinch hitter – Frank), and Joe. The Sox line up was: Bob, Cathy, Camille, Helen and Richard. The Cubs came out “hitting” (tossing) and were ahead through the 7th inning. There were even a few times during the game that residents had a chance at a Grand Slam, which Steve said would have been a first in “Senior Ball.” It was time for the 7th inning stretch and everyone joined in singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.” The Sox came out “swinging” and tied the game, 20-20. With a runner on third, Bob came up to bat and all he needed was one hit (toss) and with everyone cheering him on, from both Sox and Cubs, Bob got the hit and the Sox won 21-20, now that was TEAMWORK! There were over 30 residents joining in on the excitement and it was wonderful seeing both teams cheering on the others, something you won’t see at Wrigley Field or U.S. Cellular Field.
What is so incredible about “Senior Ball” is that all residents were able to participate whether they used a walker, wheelchair or are vision impaired. Many of the seniors needing assistance got on base every time!
The seniors wanted to keep playing even after an exhausting 9 innings. As Ernie Banks said on a hot day in Chicago in 1969, “Let’s Play Two” and I know the residents would have agreed with Ernie in saying “Let’s Play Two.” So Steve will have to come back so the Chicago Cubs can have a re-match with the winners, the Chicago White Sox team.
Steve Trout should be commended for the work he does bringing “Senior Ball” to senior communities where the residents want to relive some great moments of the national pastime, good old baseball.
If you would like more information about Steve Trout’s “Senior Ball,” you can email him at srt33fastball@aol.com or visit www.stevetrout.com.
For more information about Brookdale’s The Heritage of Des Plaines and to take a tour, please call 847/294-0100. In addition, ConnectedLiving is at Brookdale communities throughout the United States and you can contact ConnectedLiving at 800/223-5080 to see how this program makes a difference in the lives of seniors and their families through technology.
