when did you hang it up (sports)
 

I've played sports all my life, basically growing up on the softball diamond, then playing everything under the sun as a kid. Over time some fell by the wayside for various reasons.

I had given up football and floor hockey long ago, played a ton of softball and basketball through grad school (into my 30's) but gave up basketball as my back wasn't happy. Most everything ground to a halt when my son was born when I was 35, although I still managed to get into the water to bodyboard (despite tearing up a rotator cuff doing that a few years back).

I picked basketball up again a few years ago when I'd take my son to the playground...he'd play in the sand and monkey bars, etc while I joined pickup games on the outdoor courts a few feet away. That was about 5 years ago and I did it for a few years, but by that time, in my early 40's, knees and back complained as you might expect.

I didn't get back into softball due to not being able to find a city league team and also the time requirements. But about a year ago a team formed where I work and it fit into my schedule so I oiled up my 25 year old Rawlings and hit the diamond again. It was rough the first few games. Having played my last city league game/tournament when I was 35, now at 45 I was a little rusty to say the least. Wasn't seeing the ball or moving. But old habits die hard and by the middle of the season I was back in form at shortstop (although I'd lost a couple steps and couldn't play as deep as I used to) and was hitting .750 or so (12' arc league).

We're just wrapping up the 3rd season (last night) and I have to say that every game is a struggle physically. My skills are actually fine...quick hands and anticipation, etc is all there. But something is always hurting. The knee messed up in the accident is at about 95% of what it was, but often it is the other knee that acts up. I've learned not to dive for as many balls as I used to, but sometimes it is just automatic. The kicker was this morning. I got out of the shower and bent down, flexing my left knee. And it crackled. Like rice crispies. I straightened it, flexed again, and the same thing. Doesn't hurt, but that can't be good.

So sadly I'm thinking it might be time, at 46, to hang 'em up. I think my dad pitched fast pitch softball until about that age before he couldn't do it any more. If you're used to playing at a certain level of performance, once your body won't respond, or if you are beat up the next day(s)...well, it's no fun to just go out and dick around. The good thing is that I can go back to my Tai Chi class, and will concentrate on more bicycle and surfing. Those I'll do until I pass. But softball is just too jarring on the body I think.

So anyone else "retired" from competitive sports, and at what age?

Time to start playing golf again. I know it's no substitute for exercise, but for me it's about spending a good part of the day outside. Rain or shine I need to be outside. Golf is a nice mental health break.

One of the previous women I was dating got me back into golf (she was a rabid golfer), but I haven't been recently. I got my son into a few years ago and my ex started playing as well, and got him lessons, so that is a logical one to get back into.

Still depressing though. Nothing like being under the lights, pawing at the dirt at short when a double play's in order...

Playing sports is ancient history for me. Granted, I wasn't all that good, but sure did love the competition. I was 28, playing basketball in a city work league and fractured my tibia (also tore my ACL & some cartilage at the same time, but didn't know it until later), even after knee surgery, and LOTS of rehab, I attempted to play again, but it was not to be...I was done with every sport that I had always enjoyed. A few years ago (early 40s), at the family Christmas gathering, my cousin and I decided we'd show a couple of 15/16 year olds that we could still "whup 'em"...it was an easy win/game for us... but it took literally two months for my knee to recover :(. I hate to tell ya Nostatic...but it's time :)

I was pretty fast of foot as a kid - no one ever beat me in those days. Four varist letters in track for high Jump, played baseball. I have always been a reasonably good, naturally coordinated person...then I did nothing for years.

At age 45 my then new girlfriend got me to go snow skiing with her. I took one lesson and pretty much mastered it (so she said) very quickly. That pleased me a lot. I didn't expect to find anything new AND that I was good at, so late in age.

A year ago I played softball with my then 25 year old son and a group of his friends. No one on the team was in their 30's or 40's not to mention 50's except me. I could hit and run (my throwing shoulder is kinda lousy) but it became clear REAL QUICK that if I collided with one of those mooses I was gonna get hurt...bad. I stopped but not before developing plantar fasciitis (sic?). Still snow skiing fast but other than that my organized sports days are over. I'm 53.

After major back surgery in 1986. That was enough.

When I was a kid I was indestructible. I got hit so hard playing football once that I pissed blood for a week. Had a hematoma on my kidney and blood in my lung but the docs couldn't believe I didn't break any ribs.

Fast forward... After I turned 40 things started to break. I broke my foot, tore my labrum and rotator cuff and broke 3 ribs while snow boarding. None of these injuries would have caused more than a little bruising in my youth.

Your body tells you when to stop.
My feet flat out hurt from running. I am 50. Now I bike.

I still play, but my advanced age is definitely making itself known.

I played 2 hours of basketball on Monday and Tuesday, two hours of sand doubles volleyball yesterday and I'll be heading back out to the court in about an hour.

I had an ACL reconstruction back in 2000, broke my left hand in January and my right middle finger last November.

I'm 38 and adding stuff. Trying out for a baseball team, playing softball, golf, cycling, and I'll hike whenever I can. I don't have it in me to join a volleyball league, but I played a lot when younger and really enjoy it.

I just can't stand basketball. Never could. 6'5" and broad shouldered and I have no interest. Definitely an "easy" way to get exercise during the 5 month solar eclipse we call 'winter' in upstate New York, but I just can't stand it.

I'm fortunate that I don't break easy, and I heal very fast.

When the "time comes" I'll cut back to golf and cycling.

JP

How did that work out for you, and was it a fresh tear? I haven't had my left one for 20 years now, but it's never been a problem day-to-day.

I played football, baseball, golf and tennis growing up. Later, like you, I played softball into my early 30's. We were city champs 5 years running and played tournament league. When I was 31, I broke my ankle going hard into 2nd. Laid up for 3 months, watching the bills pile up was not fun. Went back to playing and didn't give 110% because I couldn't afford another injury. Not good when you play at that level. Decided to hang it up.

I may return to playing organized ball, but strictly for social reasons. I'll probably need my rotator cuff taken care of first though, need that "gun" in the outfield.

At 46 I hurt all the time. All those injuries sufferd as a kid, back, shoulders, knee, are coming back to haunt. I don't participate in competition sports anymore cause injuries just don't heal like they used to. I still enjoy getting outside for a run 3x week, an easy MTB ride on the weekend, throwing the baseball with my son, and lifting some weights at the gym. Even with that I'm amazed how easy it is to hurt myself. I was recently jogging on a dirt trail and stumbled over a rock which threw out my back. I was incapacitated for a week before a kind Doc here on PP perscribed me some steriod treatment.

At 34, I still play hockey. I have been playing twice a week lately, and actually still feel pretty good. I did have someone fall against a my left knee on Sunday, and its still a little sore.

Basketball on the hand, makes me hurt for days. My time of playing in the city leagues are over.

Bill

We thought it was a fresh tear, but when they went in, there wasn't any ACL left, so the original severing had taken place years ago. They made me a new ACL from a strip of my patellar tendon, and apart from being laid up for almost a year, I'm doing pretty good.

Can't even imagine doing Harvard Stadiums like in college, but I'm getting back into rowing this summer. should be interesting.

I'm 49 and still play Ice Hockey! I'm not as fast as I was when I was 35, and I am the "old man" on the one team that I play for. Lot of x-pros and college players who are a lot younger than me. Still my goal is to play as long as I can. When I can't play anymore, is the time I plan to take up golf!
Von

The league I'm in now, I'm always the oldest on the field. On my team most of the guys are 20's and 30's, one other guy who is 41. I can hold my own in part because you can survive on instinct...I know where the ball is going, where I have to be, etc. But like someone else said, if you're not going to play hard, there isn't much point in playing. Sometimes I wish my attitude was different but that's the way I'm wired. I can enjoy some things in life dialed back, but I'm used to playing competitive softball. If there is a grounder hit to the hole, I'm going to leave my feet to get it. I still have a scab on top of my scar from 2 weeks ago doing that (yes, I wear knee pads). Three games ago I went out at a dead run to catch a dying quail hit to shallow left. Dove for that, caught it over my shoulder, landed full on my left knee then rolled 2x. Without pausing got up to throw home as I knew there was a runner on 3rd who would be tagging up since it was one out. Then collapsed on my back and slowly pulled myself upright. Still tender from that one too.

Feh...enough whining. I need some lunch :p

Played football and ice hockey through high school, played 2 years of college ball then played competitive mens league softball and flag football until 28. Job, marriage and children cut into my time availible. "Retired" at 28.
Started coaching ice hockey when my son was 4, coached until he was 16. Started to play pick up ice hockey, mens over 35, 4 years ago. Still love it, but must admit the body(ie knees) is starting to tell me something.
48 years old and the old football injuries haunt me every day.
I can remember my old HS coach telling me 30 years ago that this would happen, boy was he right on.
Still knowing what I know, would still play it all the same way.
Best part, son now plays in college and when he comes home he will occasionally skate with the old man. Nothing better then the thrill of playing with one of your kids or should I say, being on the ice waiting for him to pass the puck to me and me flubbing the shot. Just laughs and shakes his head as he skates away, priceless.
Clock is ticking, each skate may be the last.

I was still very competitive in sports all through my 30s, including contact sports, organized leagues, etc. I was also very active and aggressive in many of the "action" sports, like skateboarding, snowboarding (fairly new to that), skiing, etc. Between 35 and 40, I broke several bones on different occasions, spent time in the hospital for injuries, etc., but still felt indestructible.

Whatever I was doing, I did it hard, without much fear of getting hurt. I was really into pushing myself to see what I could physically accomplished (I trained in the gym, on the field, on the road, track, etc. pretty much 6 days per week from 35-40). I was so into physical competition, I even tried taking up boxing in my late 30s, which was a painful and humbling experience.

But seriously, almost on the day I turned 40, it all changed. In my early-mid 40s, I've definitely lost more than a step or two, even compared to my late 30s. But it's not so much that, or any physical problems. It's more mental - I've just lost the drive to compete at my highest possible level, esp. if it involves possible pain or injury. Just not feeling that anymore.

I have taken up golf, though. My kids like it too, so that's been fun. Very challenging. Like most things, I went at it 150%, private lessons, range every day, up at 6 a.m. to play 9 holes, etc. I've found it very difficult to learn as an adult. My 9 year old really got into it, and he can often beat me (kills me on the short game).