USA - 75 YEAR OLD BASEBALL PLAYERS
[00:22:33:41] - IN
[00:22:36:21] – Narration
They fought in the most terrible battles of the 20th century. Now these veterans are taking their fighting spirit to the softball fields. For members of the prestigious ‘Kids and Kubs’ Baseball Club, there is no time for crossword puzzles or napping in front of the TV.
[00:22:57:26] - Interview No.1 - Winchell SMITH - 89 years old- Club President:
If we weren’t playing softball I guess we’d probably be sitting on the front porch, on a rocking chair, and I know we wouldn’t be 89 years old… I’ve got to bat!
[00:23:11:17] - Narration
In these softball games, the white team, the “Kids” play against the red team, the “Kubs”. To be a member of the club, you have to meet a strict list of criteria:
[00:23:22:05] - Interview No.2 - Winchell SMITH - 89 years old- Club President:
Kids and Kubs is for old men, 75 years and older, and we play 3 times a week. You are required to do four things good: run, hit, throw and bat. So if you meet those qualifications then we vote you into the club, and we have players all the way up to 95 years old.
[00:23:47:05] - Narration
The club’s motto says it all: “Kids for eternity". Yet each player must be screened by a doctor before being accepted.
[00:23:55:20] - Interview No. 3 - Winchell SMITH - 89 years old- Club President:
We ask them to have their physical first, by a doctor so they don’t keel over the first day
[00:24:03:55]- Narration
Clearly, these veterans are very conscious of their health. Yet they still throw themselves into the game, with a fighting spirit to rival younger men.
[00:24:02:55] - Interview No.4 – Fred Cardella – 81 years old
It’s a lot of fun, keeps you younger. It means I can chase the young ladies!
[00:24:17:00] - Interview No.5 – Tom Hume – 80 years old
I’m still a kid, I held my first baseball bat when I was 5 years old
[00:24:25:16] – Narration
A love of the game has allowed these veterans to resist the ravages of time.