Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Fr. Chuck Ruoff got introduced to the iconic Marco Island Men’s Senior Softball League and its players when he first arrived here at San Marco Catholic church five years ago.
Former league commissioner Bill Shurina invited the priest to sit with him in the bleachers during a league game one day and pridefully explained how the league has blossomed and flourished since its inception in 2001. He exuberantly shared with him about the league’s history, its board of directors, its three skills divisions, rules/regulations, necessary successful improvements, and its skyrocketing popularity over the years.
“This softball league is built around talent, sportsmanship, and camaraderie. That alone is attractive, but to see the spirited intensity and the will to win from these older ball players is compelling. And the occupational career backgrounds of a lot of these retired guys is impressive,” said Ruoff. “If I can’t play ball since my full-time duties as a priest won’t allow for it, I’m happy to be involved part time as a game broadcaster, and more importantly as the league chaplain,” he continued.
Fr. Chuck said that he had the somber honor to preside at the funerals for some well-known and long-time league ballplayers: Donald (Don) O’Connell (12-02-23); William (Buff) Morris (04-12-25); Ernest (Ernie) Famiglietti (05-30-25); and William (Bill) Shurina (03-19-26). Many of the league ball players attended the funerals wearing their softball jerseys as a sign of solidarity.
Fr. Chuck’s interest in softball stems from his secular life before he was ordained a priest in 2016 at 58 years of age. Prior to the priesthood, he played ASA (American Softball Association) softball for 26 years. He was a longtime starting shortstop and leadoff batter as he played for teams that won two league championships.
“In 1988, in South Jersey, we captured the Barnegat Bay softball league regular season and postseason playoff titles with an overall 16-2 mark. The season was highlighted by a 14-game win streak following the team splitting its first four games of the season. Then in 1992, after relocating to Pompano Beach, Florida, where league play was suspended due to powerful Hurricane Andrew in SE Florida, we were crowned league champs of the city of Boca Raton Parks and Recreation Department men’s softball league with a final record of 16-4-1,” Ruoff said.
Before Fr. Chuck leaves San Marco Parish for his new assignment at St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs at the end of the month, he leaves an ode to the league, its players, managers, coaches, umpires, and fans.
By Fr. Chuck Ruoff
It’s hard
Early Mornings
Tough practices
Unbearable heat
Dirt stains in white pants
It’s worth it
The feeling of sliding into home
Home runs
Life-long friends
Yellow ball
Red dirt
White chalk
The field, my second home
I love it
Fly ball deep into right field,
Traveling farther and farther towards the fence till I hear the roar of screaming fans.
Home run!
My teammate running around the bases for the twentieth time this season.
Line drive between shortstop and second base,
Running to first base with satisfaction and a big smile.
A perfect pitch right to my glove,
Just far enough off the plate for the batter to swing and miss.
End of the game,
Line up to shake the other team’s hand content because my team came out as victor.
Restaurants after the game,
Sitting with teams talking about the game, life, and just laughing.
Best league, best players, best men – My Friends.
Marco Island Senior Men’s Softball!
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