Colorado Peaches founder Chloe Childers, seated, celebrated her birthday in April 2022 with current members of the women’s senior softball club. From left are: Sandy Roundebush, Raquel Sanchez-Bishop, one of the original Peaches from the early 1990s, Heidi Muller and Maggie McCloskey. (Photo courtesy: Heidi Muller)

Who/What:

The Colorado Peaches, often referred to as the oldest softball team in the country composed of more than 40 players ranging in age from 55 to 92 years old, will honor its founders and celebrate the upcoming induction of one of its iconic players, 92-year-old Maggie McCloskey, into the Huntsman World Senior Games Hall of Fame during their upcoming Second Annual Gail Klock Memorial Peach Bowl.

 When/Where: 

Aug. 29 beginning at 9 a.m. Addenbrooke Park in Lakewood, CO – 600 S. Kipling Parkway.

The event is free and open to the public.

Why:

Founded in 1991, the Club will be celebrating its founder Chloe Childers, 92, along with other early players, late Coach Gail Klock and the upcoming induction of the Colorado Peaches Softball Club’s Maggie McCloskey into the Huntsman Senior Games Hall of Fame while honoring more than three decades of healthy aging, competition, camaraderie, and age empowerment among women athletes.

Barb Johnson of Denver fields a ground ball while playing shortstop for the Colorado Peaches, a senior women’s softball team, Oct. 6, 2022 in St. George, Utah. The Peaches were in Utah competing in the Huntsman World Senior Games. (Photo courtesy: Ed Phinpraphat for Colorado Peaches).

The 80s Peaches team is continuing their preparation for the upcoming Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah in October where they will be looking to defend their 2022 Gold Medal as the first 79-plus-year-old women’s softball team to compete in the Huntsman World Senior Games, earning the Gold Medal as the only team in their age division. Additionally, the 60s and 70s teams are continuing their preparation for competition in the New Mexico Senior Olympics in September.

92-year-old Peach Maggie McCloskey, will be inducted into the Huntsman Hall of Fame during the October games as the official representative of the Colorado Peaches (only individuals – no teams – are inducted into the Hall of Fame).

The Peaches will have 15 players over the age of 80 at the Huntsman Tournament.

Visuals:

• First pitch(es) from Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul and longtime Peaches pitcher Nancy Andrews, 89.
• Team’s lineup along the basepaths for Opening Ceremonies, Peaches sing their traditional song and perform their traditional cheer (both self-composed originals).
• Recognition of Colorado Peaches Founder Chloe Childers, 92, and pitcher Nancy Andrews, 89, in-person.
• Two, four-inning games featuring mixed-age, intergenerational teams of Peaches, including a mother and a daughter, competing against each other.
• A fully-catered celebration featuring traditional and nostalgic ballpark fair prepared by the culinary team from Village at Belmar senior living in Lakewood.
• Polidori Sausage, Louie the Link mascot celebrating with players and crowd.

Additional Background:

Initiated by former physical education teacher Chloe Childers, the Peaches formed and began competing nationally in the 90s and winning medals. In 2022, the oldest players received an honorary gold medal at the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah for creating its first 79+ age bracket in women’s softball. (With no other teams old enough to challenge them, the Peaches ended up competing against younger players – and won one out of five games.)