This year, 2024, marks the 27th year the Low Country Senior Softball Association has been in existence. Established In 1998, the league was called the “Over 50 League'' and consisted of four teams. By 2023 the League had grown to 210 players from ages 50 to 86 playing in three divisions. The four team competitive night-time American League, the six team night-time National League and the six team morning league (predominantly retired fellows). 

The original league games were played mostly at Mount Pleasant Rec but games were scheduled wherever fields were available in Hanahan, Orange Grove, James Island, Johns Island and Park West. Finally after a few years Duffy Stone secured a central venue at Kapstone Park with North Charleston Recreation. In 2021 the league moved to our current home in Hanahan.

Fortunately many of the league’s founders are still with us and playing. Duffie Stone (left in the picture above), Kenny Walters (right in the picture above), Glenn “Smitty” Smith, Willie Brown, Herschel Castle, Carroll Lee, Richard Allen, Butch Dacosta. Many other players who joined the league in the early years are still playing twenty years later and some have been inducted into the LCSSA Hall of Fame.

LCSSA became an official nonprofit corporation recognized by the State of South Carolina February 9th, 2012. Many thanks to Steve Segall (RIP) who did the legal work to make this a reality. The Statement of Purpose:

“this corporation is organized as an amateur senior men’s softball club exclusively for social, recreational and other similar non-profit purposes within the meaning of Section 501 ©(7) of the Internal Revenue code of 1986 (as Amended) to facilitate, promote and organize softball games and related social activities for the benefit of its members.”

A full set of bylaws were established at that time as well as league rules and player draft procedures. The bylaws establish an Executive Committee (EC) to govern the league.  The EC is composed of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer all of whom are elected to two year terms by a popular vote of all the league players.   In addition, the EC is supported by a nominally 10 person Selection Committee selected by the EC to give a broad perspective representing all divisions to league governance decisions and to ensure fairness in assigning mid-year registrants to teams needing to add players during a season.  The EC + SC comprise the Board of the League and all rules and draft procedures, etc. are determined by a majority vote of the Board.  Finally, in 2024 the Board added an additional position of League Historian/Archivist who is appointed by the Board and serves a four year term to promote continuity of knowledge. 

One of the strengths of the league over the years has been a constant attempt to keep teams competitive and not have perennial winners and losers.  Players are rated by the League Selection Committee and Managers on their overall abilities (heavily weighted towards hitting!) and impact on the field based on previous season performance. Managers draft players by round and players play on that team for an entire year.