RURAL HALL, N.C. – A North Carolina softball team, which includes players who are in their 90s, wants the world to remember that age is nothing but a number. 

Every Monday night during the summer, the Bombers take to the ball field in Rural Hall.

Team member Paul McElroy discovered a love for the game decades ago, first by playing baseball in high school, then softball in the Army and in his church league.

McElroy describes himself as “a young 84” and said every team member is between their early 80s and mid-90s. “The only reason people quit, is if they become incapacitated and just can’t play. But even if they can still hit and can’t run, we’ve got a runner for them,” McElroy said.

The Bombers play against a team called the Young Guns. The name doesn’t lie. The players are younger than the Bombers, but McElroy said there are ways to level the playing field a bit.

“The young ones bat opposite-handed though, so that gives us a break. But they don’t slow down on their runs at all,” McElroy said.

He has many fond memories with the Bombers, including taking home the gold medals at the North Carolina 2018 Senior Games.

Team members said the games are about spending time with good friends, appreciating every moment of this life and playing ball.

The Bombers play at Covington Recreational Park in Rural Hall on most Monday nights during the summer.