One Moore Championship

  • E.L Moore (far right) and teammates pose with the NAFA World Series trophies Sept. 11.
    E.L Moore (far right) and teammates pose with the NAFA World Series trophies Sept. 11.
  • The Texas Stars captured the NAFA World Series championship in the 70-plus group. World Series runner-ups in the 60-plus group and 3rd in the 65-plus division in Rockford, Illinois Sept. 11.
    The Texas Stars captured the NAFA World Series championship in the 70-plus group. World Series runner-ups in the 60-plus group and 3rd in the 65-plus division in Rockford, Illinois Sept. 11.
  • The oldest master division Texas Stars pose after securing the NAFA World Series title Sept. 11
    The oldest master division Texas Stars pose after securing the NAFA World Series title Sept. 11

    With more than five decades on softball and baseball diamonds as a player and umpire, Yoakum’s E.L. Moore continues to add to his list of accolades with championship titles from tournaments across the county.

     

    At 68 years old, Moore and his teammates on the Texas Stars traveled to Rockford, Illinois, to claim the North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) World Series championship in the tournament’s most senior division in September. The Yoakum native contributed from third base and as a designated hitter, aiding in a second-place finish in the 60-plus and third overall in the 65-plus division. 

     

    The oldest masters division Texas Stars rallied from a middle-inning deficit with a series of runs leading to a margin of victory of about five. While the growing number of trophies was certainly a perk, Moore said the relationships with his teammates and love for playing ball keep him lacing up his cleats. 

     

    “I’ve met 95% of my friends through (baseball and softball)...,” said Moore. “You want to win, and you want to enjoy the people you’re around. Who knows when it’s going to be the last time.”

     

    In addition to playing in the NAFA championship tournament in Illinois, Moore used the trip to cross Major League Baseball stadiums off his to-visit list. He toured the midwest traveling from one professional baseball stadium to the next with stops in Kansas City, St. Louis, Detroit and Cleveland. 

     

    While his final days on the diamond as a player are on the horizon, Moore said he was soaking up the opportunity to enjoy playing with teammates.

     

    “(Retirement) is getting close. I’ve said that I was done once or twice,” Moore said. “I even left my cleats down on home plate a few years ago, but they keep calling, and I keep going back.”