RELICS: New Member Info for 2026
(Last Update: January 15th, 2026 by TC3)

WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME !

This info was created to help “orient” a new member to the league and to answer common questions.  We hope you find it beneficial.

OUR PURPOSE

To provide an opportunity for senior men (50 years plus), regardless of ability, experience, physical challenges or limitations to play organized softball in a recreational program that promotes competition, exercise, sportsmanship, teamwork, friendship and entertainment.

OVERVIEW

The Relics formed in 1994.  We’re over 200 Players in 2 Divisions from 48 Towns.  We have a 10 member Board and several committees.  We Umpire ourselves, and maintain the field we play on.  We are 100% Volunteers!  We invite all Relics to review our bylaws for more details about our organization.

“THE FISH”

“The Fish” is the nickname for The Ludlow Fish & Game Club in Ludlow.  It’s where we play all our games, and host most of our events.  We strive to keep a great relationship with the management and staff - who we consider friends - and ask all Relics to:

• DRIVE SLOWLY when on the premises, especially as you come by the pavilion and bathrooms
• PARK in the designated areas only
• Consider stopping in after games - or any time - for a bite and a drink (or drinks).  They support us in many ways, and we like to support them too
• Do nothing that would negatively affect our relationship with them

MEETINGS/EVENTS

Besides getting together for practices and games, there are other times when we’ve historically gathered.  Check the “Dates” Page on the website for actual dates:

NEW PLAYER EVALUATION

In the interest of helping us create fair and balanced Teams, we require all NEW members to show up at one or two practice sessions to take place BEFORE “Draft Day”.  All NEW Members will be contacted about/invited to these sessions.  This is NOT a “tryout”.  Please do your best to attend.

PLAYER PLACEMENT ON A TEAM

The DRAFT is scheduled to take place in April.  Coaches meet privately with Division Heads and select their Players from the list of fully registered players.  Very shortly after the draft, your Coach will contact you to make introductions and (assuming time permits) to set up Team Practices.  Team Rosters are also posted on our website.

GAME NIGHT

UNIFORMS - we have Official Uniform Tops (Maroon and Grey) for sale.  We don’t require Players to purchase/wear an official league shirt, but we hope you’ll become so fond/proud of the league that you will WANT to.  In the meantime, you must wear a Maroon (or reddish) shirt to your home games, and a Grey shirt to your away games ( just think “Gray - Away”).  On the night of a double header, dress according to the 1st game - we don’t change shirts between double header games.  Umpires wear Orange Shirts.

GAME BASICS - Games are on weekdays according to the schedule posted on our website.  GOLD division games (which get cancelled if it’s too hot) normally start at 4:00, but occasionally also at 2:00 p.m.  SILVER division games usually start at 5:45.  Gold games are 7 innings, Silver games are 7 or 9 innings.  We usually play “double innings” (you’ll be in the field for 2 innings, and then at bat for 2 innings - or vice-versa) to reduce the transition time and speed things up.  We also start with a 1 and 1 count when you step in the box, again…to speed things up.  When you have 2 strikes on you...you can hit 1 foul ball and be “OK”, but on your 2nd one...you’re out.

RULES - Some traditional Softball rules have been modified to make the game faster, safer, and “user-friendly” for people with limited mobility, especially in the Gold Division. At some point before they play, every Relic should slog through the Rules,  which can be found on our website. This will prevent misunderstandings, and even the embarrassment that could result from unwittingly violating them.  Please note that The Code of Conduct is at the beginning of the Rules: we consider it paramount.

UMPIRES - 95% of our Umpires are Members who volunteer to officiate games on their “nights off”.  The bottom line is that we have a very low tolerance for Players who disrespect them.  

NEVER FORGET - we are primarily about FUN, FITNESS, and FRIENDSHIP

TECHNOLOGY 

        WEBSITE - our official website is at www.WesternMassRelics.org  We ask every new member to visit each page to get familiar with the contents.  The site is “powered by” Teamlinkt and features up-to-date Schedules, Scores, Standings, and much more.

        MESSAGE BOARD - this is our primary communication platform.  Once you are a Relic, your email address is added to the system.  That allows you to “post” to the Message Board just by sending an email.  By default, you will also receive ONE email per day that summarizes any and all emails posted to the Message Board the day before.

        TEAMLINKT - is a League Management System that powers our website.  It features a FREE Mobile App for your Apple or Android Phone that allows you to see your Schedule, Game Scores, Team Rosters, and more.  It even allows you to let your Coach know if you’ll be available for a game or not.  NOTE:  Do NOT try to create a Team or add yourself to a Roster.  Just register the app with the same email address you used when you registered for the Relics and it will all be setup for you.

CONTACTS

There are SO MANY PEOPLE who make The Relics go!  Board Members; Coaches; Field Maintenance guys; Schedulers; and all the Players who chip in from time to time.  There are too many to list but if you need to get a hold of someone see the list of Board Members here - every guy on it can help you directly, or get you to someone who can.

Here’s Looking forward to a successful 2026 season of Fun, Fitness and Friendship