Senior softball league exceeds goal in fundraising for Manna on Main Street

The Montgomery County Senior Softball League, now in its twentysecond year of existence, has designated Lansdale’s Manna-on-Main-Street as this year’s recipient of its annual charity contribution. The league annually raises money for local deserving organizations. The league’s home is established in Hatfield, where the organization’s membership presently has over two hundred participating senior softballers age sixty and over. Since its founding in 1999, close to five hundred “old-timer ballplayers” have passed through the membership ranks.

The league has continued to grow over the years, and has established itself as one of the premier senior activities in the local area. Early on, the organization recognized that its success was largely due to the generous support of the many local business sponsors, supporters, and donors. As the league entered its second decade, the league officers and members collectively decided that it was time to give something back to the community. Each year since 2015, the organization has raised money for a designated local charity. Monies have been raised through league activities, such as its annual league softball tournament, annual golf outing, collection and sale of used golf balls, and personal donations. Local recipients in the past have included a volunteer medical corps, a police benevolent fund, a veteran’s association, a scholarship fund, and a youth organization. In addition, the league also annually hosts a Phillies Ball Girls Charity event.

This year, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the league’s summer charityraising efforts looked glum to say the least. Summer league play, which routinely runs April through October, wasn’t able to start up until the last week of July, when its safety and operating plan was ultimately approved by Hatfield Township. Thankfully, the plan worked to its fullest, and the membership continued to play while remaining safe and healthy. However, there were no extra activities that could be scheduled to raise money for charity.

By early fall, it was realized that the membership was disappointed, as charity has become a big part of the members’ participation. In mid-September, MCSSL Commissioner John Frantz asked the league officers and several at-large members for ideas. The response was quick and decisive. Local families in need were at the top of everyone’s list, and Manna was suggested by several local league members.

Commissioner Frantz immediately put out an appeal to the league membership, asking solely for monetary donations dedicated to Manna. The appeal fo