Jim Moore, the Penn Del Over 50 Modified League commissioner was honored earlier this year with ASA of PA Degenstein Award.

Here is an article about Jim Moore and the award that was written by Anthony J. SanFilippo as a special for MillenniumSoftball.com



Created in 1973, the Aldan Athletic Club men's softball team has had one constant for its entire 44 years.

Jim Moore.

Moore created the team in 1973 to play in the old Delco Tavern League, one of the best softball leagues the state of Pennsylvania has ever seen.

Playing home games at the field at St. Eugene's Church in Primos, Aldan A.C. was a perennial league power house.

In a few weeks, the weather will be warm enough for players to once again play the game of softball at St . Eugene's. Once again the team that will call the field home will be Aldan A.C. Once again, Moore will be the bench boss.

The days of being a slick fielding second baseman are gone. The seasons with diving catches in the outfield are behind him. Moore even stopped being a designated hitter in 2006, and gave up occasionally pinch hitting as recently as 2012.

"We only get 21 outs and more and more I was one of them," he said. "So, I stopped batting, but I still try and teach guys how to hit the right way."

Moore does a lot more than that though, which is why he is going to be the inaugural recipient of the Degenstein Award being presented by the Amateur Softball Association of Pennsylvania, to a person or a group of people for their dedication and support to the sport of softball in the state.

Moore will be honored at the annual Hall of Fame ceremony and be placed on the Wall of Honor at the Hall of Fame.

He isn't just being recognized for his longevity as a coach and player – although that is part of the honor. No, Moore went above and beyond, serving as a commissioner for the Delco Tavern League for 10 years before it folded and then, after his team switched to play in the Penn Del Over 50 Modified League, he became commissioner there too, a role he has held since 2001.

"It's a big honor to be recognized by the ASA," Moore said. "It's a tough job to run a league. Most people don't realize it. But to be honest, I never knew anything like this existed. I was never anyone who wanted to be recognized. I just got my enjoyment from going out there and being with the guys."

Moore, 81, is giving up the commissioner responsibilities, but still feels he serves a purpose as a coach, working with guys as much as 30 years his junior.

"Some guys like to go sit at a bar in their free time," he said. "Me? I enjoy running softball teams."

Always a good line drive hitter, Moore said his biggest challenge is teaching guys to swing the bat so they can hit line drives consistently.

"All they want to do is hit the long ball," Moore said. "They can't get that out of their heads. They're not going to win a lot of games doing that."

Just listening to him talk about coaching, you know the passion for the game is still there. And that won't go away any time soon.

However, Moore knows that his career is in its twilight, so he's going to cherish every last ounce of it he can before he has to stop.

"I've enjoyed every minute of it," he said. "I will miss being the commissioner but I just don't have the time for that anymore. But I'm still going to coach. And I want to coach next year too, God willing. So hopefully I'll make it back for year 45."

And 46. And 47. And…