- November 23, 2024
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Many say golf is the best sport to play when retirement comes around. I don’t disagree with that — so long as you have the patience for it.
But for several Flagler County residents, tracking balls deep in the gap and hitting for the cycle is what they live for.
Senior softball is a huge hit in town. And they’re no slouches on the diamond, either.
Jack Westbrook, of Flagler County, was officially inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame in November 2012.
Westbrook, 75, has always been an athlete.
He won two state championships in football at Miami Senior High School. He was a walk-on for the Florida Gators in football.
Now in his mid-70s, Westbrook competes on tournament teams once a month.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at a tournament in Fort Meyers.
To get inducted, a player must be nominated by current Hall of Famers. Then, at every national tournament, an all-tournament team is selected, and the player must make a certain number of all-tournament teams in order to qualify. One nominated, current members vote on the candidate.
In Westbrook’s letter of recommendation written by his manager for the last 15 years, he said Westbrook has a career batting average over .700.
Recently, in a tournament in Utah, Westbrook hit .889 and belted six home runs.
In local leagues, Westbrook plays the outfield because he still has his speed. On his tournament teams, he typically plays second base or the middle infielder. (Competitive tournament teams typically play with a fifth infielder between shortstop and second base.)
Roland Gomez and Westbrook met in 1954, when they both were teenagers. Together, they played football in high school and then at Florida.
“He is deserving,” Gomez said of his longtime friend. “He was always a great athlete.”
Westbrook said he is very fortunate that, at his age, he can still play at a high level and remain healthy.
He also said his mother, who is 93, was able to see his Hall of Fame induction at the tournament back in November.
“You never think that when you’re in your 70s, you’re going to achieve or get an award like that,” Westbrook said. “It was just a great feeling. It’s something that you say, ‘You know, you have this for the rest of your life.’ It was a great honor.”
