60 players aged 60 to 92 celebrate 35th season for Colorado Peaches
The nation's oldest women's softball team wraps up a year that included a silver medal at the World Senior Games and a debut at a professional soccer match.
By Emmanuel Faure ·

The Colorado Peaches finished their 35th season with a roster of 60 active players. The ages of the participants span a 32-year range, from 60 to 92. Head coach Heidi Muller confirmed the team has operated continuously since its founding in 1991.
The group is recognized as the oldest women's softball team in the United States. They meet for practice every Tuesday regardless of weather conditions. The team recently completed a competitive run at the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah.
The squad entered the tournament with two distinct age brackets. One team consisted of players aged 60 and older. A second group featured athletes aged 80 and older. The older bracket secured a silver medal during the competition.
Following the return from Utah, the players attended the final home game of the Denver Summit season. The Summit is the first women's professional soccer team based in Colorado. The match took place at Centennial Stadium in the city of Centennial.
Many Peaches members attended a professional soccer match for the first time. The team received a special recognition segment during halftime. Muller described the softball group as the inverse of the Summit, which fields elite athletes. She stated that the Peaches philosophy allows anyone to play regardless of skill level.
Muller noted that Denver is expanding its pipeline for female athletes. She cited the presence of strong college teams in the region as a factor in early involvement. Two players, Deb Robak and Flex Howard, cheered from the stands. Robak joked about being on the injured list while watching her teammates.
The team held its final practice of the season near Halloween. Players wore costumes instead of their standard uniforms for the event. They call this annual gathering the Pumpkin Bowl. Player Vickie Russell joined the team three years ago after playing since childhood.
Russell is 70 years old and described the sport as her preferred activity. She called the group the best collection of women she has ever played with. The team will conclude its current cycle after this season. The next set of home matches for the Denver Summit will be held at DICK's Sporting Goods Park and Centennial Stadium.
Source: KMGH-TV





