On Deck: Senior Softball Season 27

It was a perfect Marco Island fall morning on November 10 as players from the Marco Island Senior Softball League (MISSL) gathered at the Winterberry athletic field for their pre-season pick-up games. Managers from the three divisions just finished filling the 2026 draft slots, and players were eager to meet their new teammates for the upcoming season. There are 16 teams in total, with the league receiving more applicants than available new player slots. Players who have played in the past know that once the drafts are completed, there will be no changes to the rosters and so they need to be "in competitive playing shape" by January 5, 2026. Several seasoned players “opted out” due to anticipated recovery/rehabs from medical procedures or other personal commitments with the intent of returning for the 2027 season.

The Marco Island Senior Softball League is entering its 27th season and looking back to the year 2000, they had only two teams sponsored by Publix and Winn-Dixie; several players from those early teams are still playing with the league today. The seasonal players are slowly making their way back to Marco and, for the first time, have noticed the many improvements to the Winterberry softball field due to the refurbishing project from the Home Depot Foundation Veterans Project. According to Tom Polston, Commissioner for the MISSL, “We have 54 Military Veterans who are also registered players and who help make these improvements possible,” said Tom Polston, MISSL Commissioner.

Board members Polston and Ed Caster have been working with Danny Watson of Home Depot Foundation since early June when he visited Winterberry Park for a site visit. These improvements were made to the park:

• Painted concession stand, dugouts, booth, and storage areas.
• Removed/planted new bushes along the parking lots.
• Planted new sod along the Peacock Terrace parking lot.
• Re-landscaped around and behind the booth.
• Added a paver pathway with a bench by the honor stone/flagpole.
• Added medallions honoring the five branches of military service in front of the honor stone and planted new bushes with mulch.
• New sod was installed around the big infield area.
• New “turf” replaced the old one inside the batting cage.

A Home Depot contracted professional grounds crew will be coming back

to improve the drainage to the infield before the start of the 2026 season.

“The MISSL Board and I would like to thank The Home Depot Foundation Veterans Project, especially Danny Watson and Todd Byard, for all the improvements at Winterberry Field,” said Polston. “All is greatly appreciated. The medallions behind the announcer’s booth, as a tribute to the 54 league Veterans and all Veterans, are incredible. Everyone should stop by and see it. We are looking forward to the opening of our 2026 season and showcasing all the improvements to Winterberry Park.”

The Winterberry Park is home to the Senior Softball League and provides a meaningful social and community connection to all softball players and their families, but most especially to veterans in Marco and the surrounding areas. According to Polston, for the 2026 season, the MISSL has 214 senior players with 21 players that are in their 80s and above; two guys are in their 90s, and two more are turning 90 next season - all are still going strong on the softball diamond. Come and cheer them on starting January 5, 2026!