I started playing in the Sunday morning softball game at the Willets Road School 20 years ago. Back then, we started to play in April but ended in June. Now, the game is played year-round if the temperature is above 40 degrees. I met the guys that form the core of our game when my son was in kindergarten. My son, almost 24 now, is a regular in the game.

In March, for the eighth year in a row, 25 of us hit the road for a spring training trip to Florida. Once again, the trip was planned and organized by our "commissioner," Jeff Gass, whose tireless efforts make it so easy for the rest of us. We have no responsibilities. We need only show up at the airport and enjoy the rest of the trip.

The group flew to Tampa and then caravanned to Longboat Key near Sarasota to play ball. We stayed at the Colony, a world-famous tennis resort on the Gulf of Mexico, a few miles down the beach from beautiful Bayfront Park. We played seven games in four days. Like San Francisco's Pac Bell Park, bay water looms behind the right field fence at our field. For the eighth year in a row, the balls all stayed dry. Twenty years ago, this would not have been so.

Since this rite of spring was initiated, knees and shoulders have been "scoped," ACLs and Achilles' tendons have been repaired, and one ankle and one hip have been replaced. While our passion and enthusiasm for softball remain a constant, this year the games were more intense; as if a different bunch of guys went to Florida. No longer in the secure time of middle age, our group is now barreling toward its golden years and no one took for granted the unique experience this trip was.

To many, it was non-softball activities that made the trip special. Softball in the morning was followed by afternoon activities, including tennis, golf, card games, a Yankee/Reds exhibition game and relaxing poolside or on the beach. Two poker enthusiasts even broke camp one afternoon to return to Tampa to play in poker tournaments at the casino at the Hard Rock Café.

In addition, this year we seemed to cross paths with celebrities wherever we went: Jerry Springer at the Yankee/Reds game, former Islander Coach Al Arbour came to watch us play (one of the guys used to work for the Islanders and knew he lived nearby), Nick Bolleteri, the tennis impresario, having lunch at the Colony and Jets' quarterback Chad Pennington at the airport.

Over the years, several new players have joined us on the trip. One of them summed up the experience in an e-mail:

"I just wanted to say what a great time I had on our trip. This was my third softball trip with you guys and I can honestly say the camaraderie is unbelievable and I feel so lucky to be included. Each one of you is special in your own way."

Of course, not all necessarily agree. Another one of us half-jokingly complained, "The only problem is there is just too much focus on softball!"

Year nine is already booked. There are 321 days and counting until it arrives.