PASCACK VALLEY—With gold medals in hand from the New Jersey Senior Olympics, the Jersey Gals, a fierce and fun-loving 60-plus women’s softball team, are preparing for their biggest challenge yet: competing in the National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa, this July.
These veteran athletes, primarily from Bergen County, have spent decades playing the game they love. Now, as they gear up to represent New Jersey on the national stage, they’re calling on their hometown community to help fund their journey.
The Jersey Gals story began in 2013, when a group of dedicated Northern and Pascack Valley softball players decided to test their mettle at the New Jersey Senior Olympics.
“A few of us had been playing in leagues around Norwood, Old Tappan, and Northern Valley since at least the 1970s,” Westwood resident Cynthia Kucera, the team’s second baseman and an alumna of Northern Valley Old Tappan (NVOT), tells Pascack Press. “One day, one of our teammates said, ‘Let’s see if we can get enough 50-plus players together to compete.’”
That was the beginning of something special.
In their very first year, the Jersey Gals earned a spot at the 2013 National Senior Games in Cleveland, and they’ve qualified every two years since:
- 2013 – Cleveland
- 2015 – Minneapolis (Silver Medal Winners)
- 2017 – Birmingham
- 2019 – Albuquerque
- 2022 – Fort Lauderdale
Their gold medal victory in Woodbridge this past September secured them yet another trip to nationals, continuing a decade-long streak of representing New Jersey on the biggest stage in senior softball.
The Jersey Gals are more than just a team—they’re a sisterhood of athletes who have spent their lives on the field. The roster includes players from Paramus, Dumont, Westwood, Northvale, River Vale, New Milford, and Ridgefield Park, along with a few from Rockland County, N.Y.
Co-captain Catherine Doyle of Closter plays a pivotal leadership role, both in organizing the team and keeping spirits high.
To stay sharp, the Jersey Gals train year-round, practicing every Wednesday night at an indoor facility in Westwood. Many players also compete in local leagues, including:
- Hillsdale Recreation Department
- Mahwah Women’s Softball League
- Orangetown Parks & Recreation Women’s League
- Upper Saddle River Women’s Softball League
- Ridgefield Park Softball League
However, the Jersey Gals only come together as a unit for the New Jersey Senior Olympics and the National Senior Games.
More Than Just a Game: A Lifetime of Sports and Friendship
For many of the Jersey Gals, softball has been a lifelong passion—one that has shaped their lives on and off the field.
Kucera vividly recalls where her journey began:
“40-plus years ago, I was 19, home from college for the summer, and playing in Norwood’s rec league. Our centerfielder was a woman named Babs Butler—she was 50 years old. That seemed ancient to 19-year-old me. But she loved the game, still slid into bases, dove for line drives—and I remember thinking, ‘I only hope I’m still playing like that when I’m 50.’”
Now, all these years later, Kucera and her teammates are living that dream.
Beyond softball, she stays active with motorcycling (on- and off-road!), skeet and sporting clay shooting, pickleball, volleyball, wallyball, hiking, and kayaking. She’s also a dedicated animal rescue volunteer.
Teammate Terri Solari of New Milford describes how the team has grown into something even bigger than softball.
“There is such camaraderie between us,” she tells Pascack Press. “We’ve gotten to know each other not just on the field, but personally as well. Some of us have even gone on vacation together. The bond we’ve built is something special, and it’s one of the reasons we push ourselves to compete at this level.”
The Challenge of Nationals—And a Call for Support
While winning gold in New Jersey was a huge achievement, the National Senior Games will bring fierce competition—especially from California, which consistently fields some of the toughest teams.
“It’s an incredible experience, but it’s also a real challenge,” said Kucera. “We’ll be playing the best senior teams in the country. But no matter what, we’ll bring heart, skill, and pride for New Jersey.”
But making the trip to Des Moines isn’t cheap. With rising costs for travel, lodging, and tournament fees, the Jersey Gals are reaching out to the community for support.
How to Help the Jersey Gals Get to Des Moines
Here’s how you can help:
- Donate by mail – Send contributions to Jersey Gals Softball, 733 Bush Place, Paramus, NJ 07652
- Sponsor the team – Local businesses can support the Jersey Gals and receive recognition! For details, email JerseyGalsSoftball@gmail.com
- oin a fundraiser – The team is running a March BATness Contest—stay tuned for details!
Meanwhile, The Jersey Gals are looking for new players!
“If you’re 60 or older and love softball, come play with us!” Kucera said. Interested players can email JerseyGalsSoftball@gmail.com to learn more.
Final Pitch
The Jersey Gals aren’t just playing the game: they’re redefining what it means to be an athlete at any age. With decades of experience, an unbreakable bond, and a fierce love for the sport, they’re proving that the love of the game never fades.
