Retirement gets you out of the day-to-day grind at the office.
But it also eliminates a big part of life, and that's your friend network.
Sure, the Roseville Senior Softball Association is loaded with bats and balls and fly outs and gappers to the fence, but also provides a place to go and pals to see.
"We're not lonely, and that's the biggest single thing I see," said Jerry Ockenfels, 75, who manages one of the teams, the one that wears white jerseys with orange trim.
"Good social setting for a bunch of seniors, bunch of old guys, in other words," he said.
The group traces its routes back to 1988, and now has about 350 players.
It also spreads around the companionship that's perfect for a hot summer day.
"We've been playing with the same guys for 7, 8, 9, 10 years, and every six month we have new teams because we draft anew," Ockenfels said.
And yes, the competition can be pretty good, considering that, for the most part, everyone can hit, throw, and catch, and only a few can run like back in the old days.
The association is divided into four different leagues at various levels to allow for a more competitive, and more enjoyable time at the old ballyard.
"It always feels better to win, but we're really here to have fun," Ockenfels said. "In my mind, anyway."
For Dick Ritter, 86, playing senior softball twice a week is good for what ails him.
He's undergoing chemo treatments for cancer.
"The medical issues prohibits me from really being able to do a whole lot besides pitch and catch," he said, moments after going the last four innings to help Team Purple to a victory.
"It felt good! Jim Erdman (age 77) did a good job in the first five, I closed it out," Ritter said, with that twinkle in his eye so familiar to those who love and play the game.
Extra safety protections are part of the obstacle course that can be a softball diamond.
The pitcher is procted from comebackers by a screen, and there's a separate home plate that eliminates collisions between runner and catcher.
(Not that there it's 100 percent safe, as this article's 66-year-old author found out trying to knock down a hard-hit ball that took aim at a sensitive part of the anatomy)
And to top it all off, burgers, brats, and other refreshmant are offered every Thursday.
"It's wonderful," said Ritter. "You shoot the breeze with a bunch of players."
And also take in the final game of the day... gotta scout the competition.