Danny Caruso, 77, Instrumental in Launching NorCal Leagues

April 1, 2015 – Joe Ruggiero SSUSA staff

By Joseph Ruggiero

Softball News Report

Danny Caruso, a longtime player and devoted champion of senior softball, died in March in Lodi, Calif., at the age of 77. Caruso began playing senior softball when he was 55. He has played on several teams throughout the years including Court Jesters, Sacramento Blues, Big Valley Seniors, Sacramento Rebels and the Redwood City Chiefs.

Caruso was not just a player as he served the larger senior softball community as a board member for the following associations: Stockton Senior Softball Club, Cal-mex Softball, Big Valley Senior Softball and Northern California Senior Softball. He also served as a representative for the American Softball Association.

“I had the opportunity to work with Danny each year to set up his Big Valley League. Danny was a good man who would do anything for anybody. He will be greatly missed by the softball community,” said Executive Director of SSUSA Fran Dowell.

Ron McElyea, who served on the NCSSA board with Caruso, echoed Dowell saying “Danny was always ready to help. He was level-headed, patient, and always wanted to be involved. He was a real gentleman.”

Most proud of his induction into the NCSSA Hall of Fame in 2014, Caruso perhaps summed it up best, “I just love playing softball. I’m not a superstar, but I enjoy playing ball.”

Caruso and his beloved wife, Madalyn, who passed away in December, were inseparable and were known for traveling together in their RV to softball tournaments and other events. Her presence during his induction into the NCSSA Hall of Fame was one of the happiest moments of his later years.

Paul Dennan, a friend and fellow ballplayer, remarked “Danny was a guy you could really rely upon. A great pitcher and a great team player. He did whatever he had to do, everybody loved him and we will miss him terribly.”