MON - Gold Seniors

Softball players and enthusiasts understand the importance of a defensive shortstop. Dan Bonham provides that strength and ability to stop those balls hit up the middle, so much so that the Cherokee Senior Softball Association (CSSA) awarded him the co-MVP for leading his team, Long Tire, to the Spring Championship of the Legends Gold League. He also takes part in two additional leagues each week.
He’s only been in the CSSA for four years, but has quickly garnered respect and recognition. He came to softball late in his sports career. He started in Little League baseball, followed by many seasons in regional baseball organizations. Most recently, he participated in an Atlanta metropolitan men’s league.
He grew up moving about the country as a military brat, but it was a stop in Papillon, Nebraska, where he experienced his most memorable moment in sports. In high school, he hadn’t shifted to a full-time shortstop yet. As a pitcher, the right-hander used his accurate and hard-throwing arm to strike out eighteen batters in a game.
However, if you ask Dan to recall his greatest achievement, he will promptly reply it was the day he threw out Dewey Hom at first. As we referenced in a previous story, Dewey is a senior Olympic sprinter, so getting him out on a ground ball is never routine. Dan’s comment displays his light-hearted approach to life and the game he loves.
He was a long-time fan of the Cincinnati Reds and, in particular, Pete Rose. Dan and his family settled in Georgia about twenty-three years ago, where he eventually converted his baseball allegiance to the Atlanta Braves.
Dan acknowledges he could never have devoted as much time to his athletics avocations if not for the patience and support of Camille, his wife of over thirty years.
When Dan’s not on the field, he is often a spectator of the senior softball games at Hobgood Park. The caliber of play from players far into their eighties constantly amazes him, and he hopes good fortune will allow him to compete and have fun for many more years.
The immortal words of Yogi Berra guide him through his daily softball life. “Ninety percent of baseball is half-mental, while the other half is physical.”

Written by Marty Aftewicz

The Spring 2022 season is only a few months away! The Cherokee Senior Softball Association has always placed great importance on player safety in the game setting and has implemented rules, equipment requirements and other measures in support of our mission of safety and fun on the field. Playing softball in our fun and fast-paced league is a great physical and social experience, and one that can take us into our eighties and beyond! But many players experience injuries that take them out of the game or even out for the season.

The most common injuries are hamstring and quad pulls, back and shoulder injuries. Even professional athletes that train full time still injure themselves. But by preparing your body for the upcoming season, you can lower your risk of injury and maybe even improve your performance.

We’re proud to introduce our new* “CSSA Softball Readiness Video Library,”* created by Kent Burden, a player in our league, retired wellness coach, personal trainer, and health and wellness author. His client list included celebrities, NFL, NBA and MLB players. The video library is broken into three sections or PLAYLISTS: core, arm and lower body exercises that require only resistance bands and can be done without a gym membership or any fancy equipment. The video library is set up so you can choose the exercises that best fit your fitness abilities, or you can do them all. It’s up to you.

After watching the introduction video, be sure to click on the PLAYLISTS tab, to see the videos grouped by category for easy-to-follow workouts. Coming soon, in time for the start of our 2022 Spring season, the video library will also include pregame warmup and stretch routines so you can be ready to perform your best and safest at game time.

To check it out, either click on the VIDEO LIBRARY tab in the banner above this article* and follow the link from there, or just click the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcEkVhj4e4KuekBkUvPzYCQ/featured

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcEkVhj4e4KuekBkUvPzYCQ/playlists

CSSA BOARD MEETING
December 6, 2021
The monthly meeting of the CSSA was held December 6, 2021, at GameDay Grill, and called to order by Norm Thiem at 6:30 PM.
Members present: Ray DeLuca, Dewey Hom, Norm Theim, Dick O’Conner, Leland Brown, Maria Burden (Sec. Elect), Mike McGuire (Am. Lg. Elect), John Humeston, Mike Parson, Randy Bergman, Robbie Crider & Dan Bonham (Tres. Elect)

Absent: Bob Werner

A. Minutes from November 1, 2021, meeting were read & approved.

B. Treasurer Report: Current balance after some end of year expenses $16,056. Outstanding bills include award trophies, championship shirts and banquet expenses. Report discussed and approved.

C. Championship shirts will be short sleeve due to unavailability of long sleeve.

D. Video library is still on schedule to be posted on website by the end of January.

E. CSSA Golf Tournament was a very big success. The tournament took in approximately $1488, to add to the total funds which now stand at $6000. The fall tournament helped us surpass $10000 in total earnings for the charity fund. Also, many toys were also received for children’s Christmas.

F. Awards Banquet turned out very well. We received many compliments with no complaints. The 50/50 drawing allowed us to send $250 to CHOA (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)…. Thank You !!

G. The BOD has made a motion to institute a new voting and board position. The position would be called ‘Special Projects Director’ which would include, but not limited to sponsorship and banquet direction. Ray DeLuca has been nominated for the position. In order for the measure to pass it must be voted on and passed by the BOD after a 7 day posting on the website.

H. BOD position update for 2022:
1. Treasurer Dan Bonham (formally Brad)
I. An Evaluation Committee of 5 people is to be put in place to conduct the major evaluations and present findings to all of the teams for drafts. The draft will be scheduled for the first week of March.

J. Evaluations will take place at Hobgood Park will take place:
1. February 19 & 20, 2022
2. February 26 & 27, 2022
Spring Season will begin March 14, 2022

K. The BOD would like to split the player representative position between 2 people in order for the reps to have more interaction with the players and leagues. They have nominated James Bosch to fill the second position along with Leland Brown. The representatives will share 2 schedules:
1. 2 days – Monday and Wednesday
2. 2 days – Tuesday and Thursday
To be instituted the measure must be voted and passed by the BOD after a 7 day posting on the website.

L. The CRPA Volunteer of the Year award banquet is January 20, 2022. The BOD has presented the CRPA with our nomination.

M. Next BOD meeting is Monday, January 10, 2022, 6:30PM @ Gameday.
Future BOD meetings scheduled are: February 7, 2022
March 7, 2022

This will be my last BOD minutes report as the CSSA Secretary. It has been an honor and a pleasure (sometimes… ha ha) over the last 4 years. I already know that Maria will do a great job, and yes, better than me !!! Thanks to everyone.

Meeting adjourned at 8:25PM.

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS,
HAPPY HANUKKAH, KWANZAA, AND
A BETTER NEW YEAR

Thanks to the generosity and holiday spirit of the CSSA community, our 2021 toy drive was a big success. Our contributions (see picture) were combined with the Annual Cherokee Masonic and Shriners Toy Run for maximum effect, ensuring that kids in need in our community will have a brighter Christmas season this year. This would not have been possible without Ray DeLuca’s and Tom Cameron’s dedication, and the hard work of many CSSA volunteers, and those who transported three trailers full of toys for the 2021 Annual Cherokee Masonic and Shriners Toy Run.

Again a reminder that CSSA will be having their Fall Charity Golf Tournament this coming Thursday – Veterans Day, Nov 11th and if there are any players – or even non-regular players who wish to join in on a fun outing please join us. Weather looks to be quite decent for the day – yes…..hoping NO RAIN as with the end of our Fall 2021 Softball season! We are once again playing at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club, 1003 Towne Lake Hills East, Woodstock, GA 30189.
Registration begins at 10:30 am with Tee Off at Noon. There is still room for few more teams to sign up. Fees for that day will be $70.00. Standard Dress codes for the club apply. Rental clubs are available if you do not have a set.
Will have Strings, Mulligans and Red Bombs for sale upon your checking in day of play.
We are asking you bring an unwrapped gift as a donation for the Children’s Christmas please. Make their holiday brighter while you will gain many golfing stories for the coming year. See you there!
Any questions, please contact Tom Cameron (404-918-0500).