Date: March 1, 2011
JUPITER SENIOR SOFTBALL
A TWENTY (20) YEAR HISTORY
Author
Gerald J. (Gerry) Elias, Sr.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to “ALL” those wonderful senior softball players, who enjoyed playing ball in the later years of their lives and with whom we enjoyed camaraderie. Those ball players have passed on to the big ball field in the sky. We will always remember their friendly smiles, good company, and stories of their past greatness. The Jupiter senior softball league had the pleasure of meeting, playing, and jaw boning with many interesting men, who have departed over the years.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish to first thank Jim Wilkinson for all his help and contributions. He is the back bone of the Jupiter senior softball and provided me with the early year information for this book. If he hadn’t been a lover of the game of baseball/softball and respectful of all Jupiter citizens regardless of age, I don’t believe senior softball would exist in Jupiter today. Jim started in 1988 to formulate what we enjoy today.
I’d also like to thank the other men who played in those early years (1989 to 1996) who helped with my research by providing newspaper articles, pictures, and players’ names. Some of those players that contributed to this book were Bob Fuhst, Harold Slater (played on first county travel team), Charlie Elliott, Vinnie Lombardo, George Farnworth, Don Halbsgut, and Jack Fitzsimmons.
I wish to thank you men for your contributions.
INTRODUCTION
I started this 20 year history in 2009, which would make the Jupiter senior softball league twenty (20) years old. Please be aware that history has a way of changing from one person’s perception to another’s over the past 20 years. Forgive me if I’m not 100% accurate.
How did this history of senior softball develop you may ask? Well, I was listening to a speech Jim Wilkinson, Athletic Supervisor for the Town of Jupiter Parks and Recreation department, was giving to present day senior softball players. He said something that stuck in my mind. He said that senior softball has been playing games here in Jupiter for over 20 years. Since I had only played for the past 13 years, I was wondering what the other teams and games were like. So, here I am writing down everything that I could possibly research from Jim’s folder files, his mind, and the minds of those that played all those previous winters.
It should be noted that ‘senior’ doesn’t mean the same today as it did in our father’s time. Many of our league participants are not only active on the field, but volunteered their time and money for various causes over the past 20 years. Some of the efforts of our players were assisting at Jupiter town events, purchasing fishing equipment and hosting a fishing trip for a cancer child, ushering at the local theatre, delivering meals on wheels, assisting at the Jupiter hospital and it’s thrift store, taxes for the elderly through AARP, and much more. As you can see, we are very active senior citizens. I attribute that extra curricula activity mainly to keeping active on the ball field and not just sitting around watching TV.
We have or had ball players from various parts of the U.S. and Canada. The professions of our ball players are numerous. You name it and we will probably have had a person with that profession. Here’s a small list of those professions: attorneys, judges, doctor(s), teachers, college professors, government workers, artists, accountants, property managers, retired two- star general, butcher, policemen, firemen, EMT’s, journalist, senior staff for a US Senator, computer software engineers, financial specialist, IBM managers, Ford Motor executive, business owners, airline commercial and private pilots, mailmen, UPS/FEDX carriers and managers, golf equipment salesmen, etc.
Baseball/softball is America’s game. It provides pleasure whether you watch it or play it. If you are lucky enough to play it in your youth, it will become ingrained in your soul. That is why we have ball players, who were on dialysis, needed knee or hip replacements, such as I, and rotator cuff operations, and other injuries, still fielding and hitting the ball.
Please feel free to contact me via email, if you have anything to add to this 20 year history
Jupiter Senior Softball Story
The Beginning 1988
Senior softball started in December 1988, Jim Wilkinson, Athletic Supervisor for the Town of Jupiter Parks and Recreation department, requested from his supervisor, Director Russ Ruskay, authorization to form an over 50 Senior Softball team to play in the county travel league. The response to an advertisement in the local newspaper for senior softball players (i.e., men ages 50 and older) was less than desired. He initially had 4 people the first two or three months. Jim, not a senior citizen, pitched to complete the practice team.
I was told by Bob Fuhst that Jim would take a few swings and with little effort sail the softball over the fence. I guess he was getting ready for the time when he turns 50 or 55 or 60 (i.e., after retirement).
The team roster did not become complete until after Christmas, when the ball players came from the north. Better known as the “snowbirds”! Two of the original team members were Harold Slater, who is still playing today (2009), and Emilio Verillo, a snow bird.
1989
Winter of 1989, the first Jupiter Tides Senior Softball travel team played in the FPRA District 5 Senior Softball county league. That team didn’t win an outing in the inter-county league. The Tide only played once a week in those days. I could not find the roster of the 1989 Jupiter county league team.
1990
In winter of 1990 it was a different story. Jim Wilkinson was league commissioner of the Palm Beach County Senior Softball League. With the addition of more season players, the 1990 team won their B division.
Following years county play was twice a week (Wednesdays and Fridays). Today (2009), we play 3 days a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays). The Tide County travel team games started at 9:30 am, because there was travel time to consider. Home games were played at Maplewood fields.
Unlike today the league had paid umpires who traveled to the county parks to officiate. BOY! Would that be great today! It would cut down on the player’s confusion on our rules and the quarrels on the field. 1990
Those 21 players, who played on that undefeated team in 1990, were:
John Bensing
Nick Schiavella
Wayne Evans
Jerry Savage
Harold Slater
Charley Elliot
Dixie Lee
Norm Haltrich
Emilio Veirillo
Eustace Strickland (ET)
Jerry Gorden
Bob Griffin
Jack Halfaker
Tom Norman
ChucK (?)
Carl Zimmerman
Norm Simmons
Gene Greeter
Ray Johnson
Jim McNeil
Wayne Wilson Below are the notes from Charley Elliot’s poster board with articles from the local newspaper. The poster contains the following statistics:
NAME HITS AT BATS BB 2B 3B HR SAC AVERAGE
ET 8 11 1 1 .727
Wayne W 11 16 3 4 .687
Charley 17 27 3 1 2 2 .630
Ray 15 24 2 2 1 .625
Emilio 13 21 3 1 .619
Bob 9 15 3 2 .600
John 20 36 2 4 3 2 1 .555
Gene 10 18 4 1 1 .555
Carl 13 24 5 .542
Norm H 16 31 2 2 2 3 .516
Wayne E 16 32 4 2 1 1 2 .500
Jerry 15 31 3 2 1 1 2 .483
Norm S 7 16 1 .438
Jim 5 13 2 .385
Chuck 9 24 .375
Harold 6 20 .300
Dixie 1 5 1 .200
Nick 3 18 2 .167
League standings for 9 games with 4 more games to play are below:
Note: The Tides had 144 runs (average of 16 runs per game) and opponents had 61 runs (average of 6.8 per game)
LEAGUE STANDINGS
B DIVISON W L T
JUPITER 9 0
LAKES OF DELRAY 4 5
WPB 2 4 1
ROYAL PALM BEACH 1 5 1
GREENACRS #2 0 9
A DIVISON W L T
NORTH PALM BEACH 9 0
LAKE WORTH 4 4
PB GARDENS 4 4
BOYTON BEACH 4 4
GREENACRES #1 3 5
1991
In February 1991, the present Jupiter Community Park fields located on Church Street were dedicated. Since that time, all senior softball games have been played on these fields. Today, games start around 9:00 am at the Jupiter Community Park fields. Travel times have been shortened, since all games are local. The Maplewood fields are still used, when Community Park is unplayable, because of rain or being used by other organizations. Also, during the month of August, when Jupiter Community fields are being groomed and fixed for the fall night games, senior games are played on the Tequest town fields.
Beside the regular county league games in 1991, the league instituted the Jamboree and Picnic games. These games were played in April. The picnic was catered by Buds Chicken and Seafood, and the meal consists of : Three (3) pieces of Fried Chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, roll, and beverage. The price for this meal was $ 4.50 per person. These April games were played at John Prince Park in Lake Worth. The rules and regulations in 1991 were only three pages and 9 articles (Look under Rules and Regulations). The present rules and regulations are 11 pages and counting. It seems sometimes today that there is more discussion on rules and regulations than playing time. However, the 1991 rules contained many of the same rules and regulations as today. As stated above, there were paid ASA certified umpires at $ 15.00 per game. Larry Bock was the umpire for Jupiter’s home games. The following are the county travel teams and contacts, plus standings for 1991.
PALM BEACH COUNTY SENIOR SOFTBALL
1991
TEAM CONTACT
Boynton Beach Jim Patterson
Greenacres #1 Pat Dimenna
Greenacres #2 Pat Dimenna
Jupiter Jim Wilkinson
Lakes of Delray Lenny Karafiol
Lake Worth Dave Webb
North Palm Beach Mike Hogan
Palm Beach Gardens Mike Kennedy
Royal Palm Beach #1 Ed Silva
Royal Palm Beach #2 Bob Paradise
West Palm Beach Rhonda Barona
DIVISIONS
“A” “B”
Boynton Beach Greenacres #2
Greenacres #1 Lakes of Delray
Jupiter Lake Worth
North Palm Beach Royal Palm Beach #2 Palm Beach Gardens West Palm Beach
Royal Pam Beach #1
PALM BEACH COUNTY SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE
FINAL CONFERENCE STANDINGS
“A” DIVISION
TEAM WIN LOSS
North Palm Beach 11 2
Palm Beach Gardens 10 3
Royal Palm Beach #1 6 7
Jupiter 5 8
Boynton Beach 2 2
Greenacres #1 0 12
“B” DIVISION
TEAM WIN LOSS
West Palm Beach 10 2
Lakes of Delray 9 3
Lake Worth 6 6
Royal Palm Beach #2 5 7
Greenacres #2 0 12
1991
The 1991 roster:
Nick Schiavella Wayne Wilson
Nick Cocoves
Wayne Evans
Harold Slater
Charley Elliot
Dixie Lee
Norm Haltrich
Emilio Verillo
Jerry Gorden
Bob Griffin
Jack Halfaker
Tom Norman
George Farnworth
Ron DeSalvio
Harry Perkins
Carl Zimmerman
Norm Simmons
Jim McNeil
Wayne Evans
Ed Gill
1992
I could not find any standing for 1992. However, I was told that the 1992 Jupiter Tides softball travel team completed the season in the A Division in 2nd place. I cannot verify that results. The roster for that year and the batting statistics are below.
PALM BEACH COUNTY SENIOR SOFTBALL 1992
TEAM CONTACT
Boynton Beach Jim Patterson
Greenacres #1 Pat Dimenna
Greenacres #2 Pat Dimenna
Jupiter Jim Wilkinson
Lakes of Delray Lenny Karafiol
North Palm Beach Mike Hogan
Palm Beach Gardens Mike Kennedy
Royal Palm Beach #1 Ed Silva
Royal Palm Beach #2 Bob Paradise
West Palm Beach Rhonda Barona
DIVISIONS
“A” “B”
Boynton Beach Greenacres #1
Jupiter Greenacres #2
North Palm Beach Lakes of Delray
Palm Beach Gardens Royal Palm Beach #2
Royal Pam Beach #1 West Palm Beach
1992
The 1992 roster (i.e., signed up to play):
Bob Fuhst, Manager
George Bondy Harry Brown
Nick Cocoves
George Farnworth
Jack Fitzsimmons
Jerry Gordon
Bob Griffin
Jack Halfacker
Dixie Lee
Jim McNeil
Tom Norman
Zoot Parker
Jack Phillips
Ken Ryder
Harold Slater
Don Smith
John Vergari
Emilio Verillo
Carl Zimmerman
1992 STATISTICS
NAME HITS AT BATS BB 2B 3B HR SAC AVERAGE
Bob F. 33 55 2 7 4 1 3 .600
Jim 17 33 5 5 3 1 1 .515
John 12 25 4 1 .480
George F. 21 45 1 1 .467 Jerry 20 47 3 1 1 1 4 .426
Ken 19 46 1 1 1 1 .413
Jack F. 7 18 3 .389
Dixie 16 43 5 1 .372
Jack H. 13 35 3 1 .371
Zoot 8 22 5 .364
Bob G. 13 40 2 1 1 2 .325
Jack P. 17 56 8 2 1 .304
Carl 16 55 3 .291
Emilio 5 18 .278
Nick 10 42 5 1 .238
Tom 11 53 6 .208
Harold 10 49 5 .204
1993
The following year (1993) was not as profitable as the previous one. The Jupiter Tides softball travel team won only 2 out of 15 games. Bob Fuhst helped Jim Wilkinson manage the team. Bob was signed by the professional team Cleveland Indians in 1956 but ended up playing semi- pro baseball in New York. He definitely knew his way around a ball field. I’m sure Jim found Bob very helpful in organizing a Jupiter team.
Mike Kennedy of Palm Beach Gardens Parks and Recreation was elected commissioner, replacing Jim Wilkinson. The rules and regulations had two items added to them in 1993.
1.5 Rosters must be turned in at the beginning of the season. Any changes to the roster must be approved through the commissioner’s office. and
7.3 Players must live in District V in order to be eligible to participate.
(See Rules and Regulations for more information). PALM BEACH COUNTY SENIOR SOFTBALL
1993
TEAM CONTACT
Boynton Beach Jim Patterson
Greenacres Pat Price
Jupiter Jim Wilkinson
Jenson Beach Art Gockeler
Lake Worth Cornell Dolezal
Lakes of Delray Lenny Karafiol
North Palm Beach Matt Sovic
Palm Beach Gardens Rick Smoliak
Royal Palm Beach Steve Caporini
West Palm Beach Rhonda Barona
DIVISIONS
“A” “B”
Boynton Beach Greenacres
Jupiter Lake Worth #2
Jenson Beach Lake of Delray
Lake Worth #1 Royal Palm Beach
North Palm Beach #1 North Palm Beach #2
Palm Beach Gardens West Palm Beach
1993
The 1993 roster:
Phil Barth
Nick Cocoves
Charlie Elliot
Tony Farina
George Farnworth
Jack Fitzsimmons
Bob Fuhst
Bob Griffin
Jack Halfacker
Stawados (Greek) Kaogeras
Dixie Lee
Tom Norman
Bobby Passiatore
Jack Phillips
Ken Ryder
Harold Slater
Emilio Verillo
1993 STATISTICS
NAME HITS AT BATS BB 2B 3B HR SAC AVERAGE
Emilio 13 25 1 .520
Bob F. 31 64 4 6 2 .484
George F. 30 6 2 1 1 2 .454 Jack P. 21 57 .368
Charlie 25 71 2 6 2 1 2 .352
Ken 17 51 5 2 1 .333
Dixie 6 18 3 .333
Nick 14 43 3 3 .325
Bobby P. 20 69 3 2 2 .290
Jack F. 17 59 2 1 .288
Tom 9 39 2 .230
Bob G. 9 41 4 1 2 2 .219
Phil 5 30 1 .166
Tony 3 18 .166
Jack H. 4 35 .114
Harold 5 47 6 .106
1994
Now moving on to the year 1994 and we have a new manager, Bob Fuhst of the Jupiter Tides softball B Division team with Jim as his assistant. That’s right the Jupiter Tides softball team is playing in the revised county travel league with A and B Divisions (leagues). Probably because of last year’s poor showing, Jupiter Tides ended up in the B Division. The county league consisted of the following towns and teams:
A – League B- League
Boynton Beach Boynton I
Lake Worth Boynton II
Palm Beach Gardens Boynton III
West Palm Beach Greenacres
Greenacres II
Jupiter Lake Worth
North Palm Beach
Royal Palm Beach
West Palm Beach
In 1994 it was a good season for the Tides, they were 22-5. Jupiter won the league championship. The rules and regulations were revised back to the 1992 rules with minor adjustments.
9.3 Removed from the 1991 version (i.e., A base runner is not permitted to overrun the second or third base without being subjected to a “tag out”.) 9.4 Removed from 1991 version (i.e., Improper runner- Runner will be an out and runner will be removed for the base.)
1994
The 1994 roster:
Bob Fuhst, Manager
Jim Wilkinson, Assistant Manager
Roger Biederman
George Billard
Nick Cocoves
Pat Devine
B. Douglass
Charlie Elliot
George Farnworth
Ray Fawcett
Jack Fitzsimmons
Al Golub Jerry Gordon
Bob Griffin
Jack Halfaker
Stawados (“Greek”) Kalogeras
Edward (“Dixie”) Lee
Vinnie Lombardo
Bob (“Bobby The Cop”) Passiatore
J. Provance
Ken Ryder
Harold Slater
Emilio Verillo
Carl Zimmerman
PALM BEACH COUNTY SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE
AS OF MARCH 2, 1994
NOTE: The final results for Jupiter Tides were 22 – 5. However, the final results for the league were not found. In any case, Jupiter Tides did win the B – League in 1994.
A – LEAGUE
Lake Worth 14 - 0
Palm Beach Gardens 9 - 5
Boynton Beach 5 - 9
West Palm Beach 0 – 14
B – LEAGUE
Jupiter 15 – 2 Royal Palm Beach 14 – 3
North Palm Beach 13 – 4
Boynton III 9 - 5
Greenacres II 9 – 5
Boynton I 4 - 10
Greenacres 3 - 11
Boynton II 3 - 11
Lake Worth 3 - 11
West Palm Beach 2 – 12
1994 STATISTICS
JUPITER TIDES SOFTBALL – FINAL STANDINGS 4/20/94
NAME AT BAT HITS RUNS WALKS BATTING AVE. ON BASE AVE.
Bobby Passitore 105 59 34 9 .562 .623
Bob Fuhst 101 54 35 5 .534 .580
J. Provance 8 4 4 0 .500 -
A. Golub 102 50 20 8 .490 .400
Jack Fitzsimmons 79 37 26 23 .468 .400
P. Devine 77 36 19 2 .468 -
N. Cocoves 89 40 22 0 .449 .400
G. Farnworth 67 30 22 0 .448 .400
V. Lombardo 116 51 45 15 .440 .550
C. Elliott 105 45 20 6 .429 .480
B. Douglass 14 6 4 0 .429 -
J. Gordon 82 34 13 2 .415 .300 R. Biederman 99 35 16 3 .354 .610
B. Griffin 61 20 11 3 .328 -
R. Fawcett 26 8 10 0 .308 .500
G. Billard 63 18 11 5 .286 .310
H. Slater 10 2 1 0 .200 -
1995
The year 1995 saw an increase in 50-and-over ball players. There were 30 signed up to play county softball in Jupiter. The Palm Beach County league opened the season with 15 teams, up from 10 last winter and 12 the year before. Jupiter had only one team in this county league until midseason when the County League decided to divide the one league into two. Jim decided to enter two teams; Jupiter I and Jupiter II. Bob Fuhst became the manager of Jupiter I, who was considered the more season players. Dennis Scully was the manager of Jupiter II or the less experience players. However, Jim Wilkinson added three or four veteran/season players to Jupiter II to make it a better mix.
Below are the 15 teams that played against each other for half of the season.
Palm Beach County Senior Softball
1994 - 1995
TEAM CONTACT
North Palm Beach Ray Howland
Matt Sovic (REC)
Palm Beach Gardens Bob McKie
Jupiter I Robert Fuhst
Jim Wilkinson (REC)
Jupiter II Jim Wilkinson (REC)
Lake Worth I Chuck Pecoroni
Lake Worth II Cornell Dolezal
Royal Palm Beach Jack Carstin JoAnn Rowe (REC)
Greenacres I Marty McGrath
Greenacres II Marty McGrath
Tyrell Smith
Boynton Beach I Jim Patterson (REC)
Boynton Beach II Jerry Davis
Jim Patterson (REC)
Boynton Beach III Bill Sansbury
Jim Patterson (REC)
Boynton Beach IV Bob Gagnon
Jim Patterson (REC)
West Palm Beach Rhona Barona (REC)
COUNTY CONTACT Kathy Bolander
At the half way mark the Palm Beach County league formed two divisions/leagues, the National League and the American League .
Palm Beach County Senior Softball REVISED
NATIONAL LEAGUE
1994 - 1995
TEAM CONTACT
North Palm Beach Ray Howland
Palm Beach Gardens Bob McKie
Jupiter I Robert Fuhst
Lake Worth II Cornell Dolezal Royal Palm Beach Jack Carstin
Greenacres II Tyrell Smith
Boynton Beach III Bill Sansbury
Boynton Beach IV Bob Gagnon
COUNTY CONTACT Kathy Bolander
Palm Beach County Senior Softball REVISED
AMERICAN LEAGUE
1994 - 1995
TEAM CONTACT
Jupiter II Dennis Scully
Jim Wilkinson (REC)
Lake Worth I Chuck Pecoroni
Greenacres I Marty McGrath
Boynton Beach I Jim Patterson (REC)
Boynton Beach II Jerry Davis
West Palm Beach Rhona Barona (REC)
COUNTY CONTACT Kathy Bolander
Notice that the league changed the division names from A and B to National and American, this I guess was done to give the feeling of playing big league or professional ball? Jim was quoted as saying in The Jupiter Courier in April 5, 1995 “This year, it is 51 and over and next year it will be 52 and over. We’re grandfathering the guys who are already playing because it’s going to eventually turn into a 55-and-over league. We’re trying to make it become a senior league like it was really designed for.” Back in 1990’s the same problems that ball players faced today were present then. The ball players that had not put on baseball or softball shoes in a number of years, or never really played a lot of ball would come up injured running and/or throwing (i.e., pulled hamstring muscle; shoulder pulls or tears; etc.). Each player regardless of ability had to play a minimum of two full innings. Even though competition between county teams was high, this league’s reason for being as stated by manager Bob Fuhst in The Jupiter Courier was “This is just for players who want to come out and have fun.” There were several national tournament teams with high competitiveness. This is similar today.
1995
The 1995 roster:
NATIONAL (A) LEAGUE ROSTER
Bob Fuhst, Manager
Roger Biederman
George Billard
Pat Devine
Charlie Elliot
George Farnworth
Ray Fawcett
Jack Fitzsimmons
Dick Friedkin
Al Golub
Jerry Gordon
Stawados (“Greek”) Kalogeras
Bob Laemel
Vinnie Lombardo
Andy Muskat
Dick Nucci Bobby Passiatore
Jack Provance
The 1995 roster continued:
AMERICAN (B) LEAGUE ROSTER
Dennis Scully, Manage
George Benitez
Mario Callesano
Nick Cocoves
Barney Fineblum
Jerry Goldenberg
Bob Griffin
Don Halbsgut
Jack Halfaker
Tom Hopson
Edward (“Dixie”) Lee
Bill Mann
George Mantos
Bob O’Neil
Richard Rapp
Harold Slater
Emilio Verillo
Carl Zimmerman
Vincent Zuccoro
1996 The winter of 1996 continued to see a growth in the number of ball players in the county league. As in 1995, there were two divisions with the designation of A and B, NOT the National and American. In November 29, 1995 the league changed the rules on age “A player shall have reached his 52 birthday to eligible.” Rule changes were the following:
5.3 Nine (9) players are needed to start a game from the previous ten (10).
7.1 League age eligibility was increased to 52 years old.
9.3 …If a pinch runner is on base when his turn to bat comes, it will be recorded as an out.
They also inserted a new rule 10.
10. DIVISIONS
10.1 The A division will consist of players 52 and over. No more than four (4) TOURMAMENT CLASS PLAYERS UNDER THE AGE OF 65 may play on the field at the same time.
10.2 The B division will consist of players 60 and over with the exception of players ages 52 to 59 who played last year and are grandfathered in.
The league divided their divisions similar to 1995. However, the B division added Boynton III and Royal Palm Beach moving down from last year’s A division.
NOTE: I used the 1995 rosters, because I couldn’t find one for 1996.
1996
The 1996 roster:
NATIONAL (A) LEAGUE ROSTER
Bob Fuhst, Manager
Roger Biederman
George Billard
Pat Devine
Charlie Elliot
George Farnworth Ray Fawcett
Jack Fitzsimmons
Dick Friedkin
Al Golub
Jerry Gordon
Stawados (“Greek”) Kalogeras
Bob Laemel
Vinnie Lombardo
Andy Muskat
Dick Nucci
Bobby Passiatore
Jack Provance
AMERICAN (B) LEAGUE ROSTER
Dennis Scully, Manage
George Benitez
Mario Callesano
Nick Cocoves
Barney Fineblum
Jerry Goldenberg
Bob Griffin
Don Halbsgut
Jack Halfaker
Tom Hopson
Edward (“Dixie”) Lee Bill Mann
George Mantos
Bob O’Neil
Richard Rapp
Harold Slater
Emilio Verillo
Carl Zimmerman
Vincent Zuccoro
1997
In the winter of 1997 the rules changed again, all new ball players must be 53 or older; only three (3) players ages 53-59 are allowed on any team; and only two (2) players ages 53-59 are allowed in the game at one time.
The rules of 1997 for the first time mention the power of the bat being significant. Rule under equipment:
3.2 No Demarini Bats.
With the continuous growth of Jupiter and one of the most popular recreation spots for Northern vacationers, Jupiter was able to field three (3) county league teams. The divisions were now A, B, and C. The A team (more experience or tournament players) were the very talented ball players. It appears from my research that Jupiter never had an A division team. However, they did submit three (3) teams to the county league in 1997, one in the B division and two in C division.
The Jupiter 1 team was lead again by Bob Fuhst as the manager. He had Bob Laemel as a non playing coach. I believe Bob Laemel had an injury that prevented him from playing that year. They played in B division with Jupiter’s most talented ball players , including some tournament players.
The manager of Jupiter 2 was Mario Callesano. The manager of Jupiter 3 was Dick Nucci and he chose me as his assistant. Jim Wilkinson attempted to balance both teams so we could be competitive. I don’t remember how well we played, but I do remember we had a lot of camaraderie and fun, in spite of the long travel time to Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Greenacres, and North Palm Beach. Both Dick and I tried to balance the playing time for all athletes. No one substituted for a runner unless the player wanted one. This was the harbinger of the FUN league two years later.
This was my first year playing softball with a Jupiter senior softball team. Jupiter 3 and Jupiter 2 played in the C division. Both teams were considered the weaker talent wise than Jupiter 1? However, I don’t believe they had as much fun as we did. Dick and I gave everyone a chance to play as many innings as possible, regardless of the score. We also made it a policy that if you wanted to run, even though you were slow, you ran.
Palm Beach County Senior Softball
DIVISION B TEAMS
1997
TEAM CONTACT
Boynton Beach 1 Bob Gagnon
Boynton Beach 2 Nick Perrelle
Greenacres 2 Tyrell Smith
Jupiter 1 Jim Wilkinson
North Palm Beach 2 Larry Bock
Royal Palm Beach Jack Carstin
West Palm Beach Julio Rodriquez
COUNTY CONTACT Larry Bock
Palm Beach County Senior Softball
DIVIISION C TEAMS
1997
TEAM CONTACT
Boynton Beach 3 Real Vezina
Boynton Beach 4 Elliot Linsky
Greenacres 1 Marty McGrath Greenacres 3 Dick Otcher
Jupiter 2 Jim Wilkinson
Jupiter 3 Jim Wilkinson
Lake Worth Chuck Pecoroni
N. Palm Beach 1 Larry Bock
COUNTY CONTACT Larry Bock
1997
Jupiter 1 team roster
The winter of 1997 B DIVISION Jupiter 1 team:
Ted Battistone
George Billard
Roger Biederman
Pat Devine
Karl Dutschmann
Ray Fawcett
Jack Fitzsimmons
George Farnworth
Robert Fuhst, Manager
Al Golub
Don Halbsgut
Phil La Framboise
Bob Laemel, Non playing Coach
Vinnie Lombardo
Ray Miller Marty Megaluso
Bobby Passiatore
John Provance
Jupiter 2 team roster
The winter of 1997 C DIVISION Jupiter 2 team:
Mario Callesano
Rocco Cambareri
Nick Cocoves
Max Cohen
Tony Dadario
Charlie Elliott
Jerry Gordon
Bob Griffin
Willie Hidalop
Joe Keane
Dixie Lee
Jack O’Leary
Bob O’Neil
Jack Phillips
Jack Smith
Harold Slater
Emilio Verillo
Vinnie Zuccoro
Jupiter 3 team roster The winter of 1997 C DIVISION Jupiter 3 team:
George Benitz
Marty Braun
George Delaney
Gerry Elias, Assistant Manager
Jerry Goldenberg
Al Gould
Jack Halfaker
Bob Knapp
Ray Koehne
Jim Luttati
Gilbert Martin
Les Mulholland
Dick Nucci, Manager
Carmen Puglisi
Richard Rapp
Dennis Scully
Harrison B. Smith
1998
The rule changes for 1998 were the following:
3.2 All ASA approved bats are legal in A Division. For safety reasons, use of Demarini bats will not be permitted in B Division.
6.3 Games will be played on Wednesdays and Fridays beginning at 10:00 am. (This was allowed because of the traffic increase over the years.) 7.1 A player shall have reached his 55tth birthday by 1/1/98 to be eligible unless grandfathered.
9.2 Use of courtesy runner shall be limited to once per inning per player and must be inserted before the next pitch. If a pinch runner is on base when his turn comes, it will be recorded as an out.
Again in 1998 Jupiter submitted three (3) teams to the county league. One in A League/Division and two in the B League/Division. They were Jupiter managed by Bob Fuhst, Jupiter #1 managed by Mario Callesano, and Jupiter #2 managed by Dick Nucci.
It is unfortunate that the rosters or any other information for Jupiter (Bob Fuhst) and Jupiter #1 (Mario Callesano) could not be found.
1998 SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE
BOARD MEMBERS
NICK PERRELLE BOYNTON BEACH
LARRY CALLOWAY GREENACRES
ROBERT FUHST JUPITER
ED KIMMELMAN LAKE WORTH
DAVE ROBERTSON NORTH PALM BEACH
COMMISSIONER LARRY BOCK
“A” LEAGUE
BOYNTON BEACH BOB GANON
GREENACRES LARRY CALLOWAY
JUPITER ROBERT FUHST
NORTH PALM BEACH DAVE ROBERTSON
“B” LEAGUE
BOYNTON BEACH #1 NICK PERRELLE BOYNTON BEACH #2 REAL VEZINA
BOYNTON BEACH #3 ELLIOT LINSKY
GREENACRES #1 BILL MCCLEARY
GREENACRES #2 DICK ARCHER
GREENACRES #3 MAX BROITMAN
JUPITER #1 MARIO CALLESANO
JUPITER #2 DICK NUCCI
LAKE WORTH ED KIMMELMAN
NORTH PALM BEACH #1 RAY HOWLAND
ROYAL PALM BEACH RUDDY D
WEST PALM BEACH RHONDA BARONA
RECREATION ATHLETIC SUPERVISORS
BOYNTON BEACH WALLY MAJORS
GREENACRES JEFF MOFFET
JUPITER JIM WILKINSON
LAKE WORTH FRED CRISE
NORTH PALM BEACH LARRY BOCK
ROYAL PALM BEACH JOANNE ROWE
WEST PALM BEACH RHONDA BARONA
1998
Jupiter 2 team Roster
George Benitz
Bill Bloom George Bondy
Marty Braun
George Delaney
Gerry Elias
Ray Fawcett
Jack Fitzsimmons
Sonny Franke
Jerry Goldenberg
Al Gould
Don Halbsgut
Ray Koehne
Les Mulholland
Dick Nucci, Manager
Carmen Puglisi
Rich Rapp
Jack Smith
The winter 1998 Jupiter #2 team and data:
Name AB Hits BB Avg. OBP
George Benitz 53 22 3 .415 .472
George Bondy 109 53 2 .486 .505
Marty Braun 28 8 3 .286 .393
George Delaney 92 49 0 .532 .533
Gerry Elias 41 26 2 .634 .683
Bill Bloom 31 19 0 .613 .613 Ray Fawcett 88 42 2 .477 .500
Jack Fitzsimmons 81 40 5 .493 .555
Sonny Franke 21 13 0 .619 .619
Jerry Goldenberg 57 18 0 .315 .315
Al Gould 113 58 1 .513 .522
Don Halbsgut 83 45 4 .542 .590
Ray Koehne 38 19 0 .500 .500
Les Mulholland 38 12 0 .316 .316
Dick Nucci 85 30 9 .353 .458
Carmen Puglisi 54 27 0 .500 .500
Rich Rapp 70 31 6 .443 .528
Jack Smith 85 34 6 .400 .470
Team batting average: .470
Statistics could slightly be off, since there wasn’t an official scorer. Record was 14 - 14.
Beat North Palm Beach 10-4 Broke their 36 game winning streak.
Beat Jupiter #1 4 out of 5 times we played them.
Only team to beat Greenacres in second half 15 -13.
1999
The Beginning of Jupiter Senior Softball at Jupiter Community Park
Although the teams were successful the majority of the time against their opponents from other cities, the traveling became too much for many of the ball players. So! After the winter of 1998 season, a vote was taken whether to continue traveling, or just form our own Jupiter senior league at the Jupiter Community Park fields. The vote was too close to call. Therefore, Jim Wilkinson decided to let the ball players who wanted to form a team for travel play to do so. Bob Fuhst and Vinnie Lombardo managed these travel teams in winter of 1999
After the 1998 season, I assisted Jim in forming the present over 55 Jupiter Senior Softball league at the Jupiter Community Park. The initial call for ball players brought out seven (7) players in April 1998. We met at Jupiter Community fields every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 am till approximately 10:30AM. After hitting the ball around and fielding, the players would go to Burger King for some friendly banter. In a very short time there were fifteen (15), 10 in the field and 5 at bat.
The league really started to grow exponentially after summer of 1998 with the population growth in Jupiter. The first Jupiter Senior FUN Softball season was the winter of 1999 (i.e., January 1999). There were 40 players in this start up league.
The first season of the FUN league covered January 13, 1999 to March 31, 1999. Since many of the players were visiting from the north to play ball, we always had a problem fielding complete teams last week of March.
We held picnics and handed out small awards. The awards were the following:
“Most Consistent Player” awarded to Harold Slater;
“Most Congenial Player” awarded to Jack Sponaes; and “Mr. Glove” awarded to Jerry Goldenberg.
Author’s note: The Rules for the FUN league can be found at the end of this document. Further, there were some ball players in those days that thought the word FUN meant that it would not be a competitive league, so those few players would scratch out the word FUN on their jersey.
Let me tell you! When you get two ball players together, young or old, no matter what the game, there will be competition. HA! HA! Also, in the winter of 1999, Bob Fuhst and Vinnie’s teams played in the Village of Royal Palm Beach league which consisted of two divisions. There was the Bronze Division or “A” teams and the Gold Division or “B” teams. Vinnie’s team in the Gold division was made up of very talented ball players. They beat every team from other cities and won the championship honors for Jupiter.
I don’t have anything on the results of Bob Fuhst’s Bronze team. However, he almost never field a team that wasn’t made of experience, competitive, and tournament ball players, which made them very successful.
1999 SENIOR SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
BRONZE DIVISION
PALM BEACH GARDENS HOWIE
LAKE WORTH/M MAX
JUPITER BOB
LAKE WORTH/P PIERRE
The documents that I have from Jim’s files depict that following:
In January, Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth, and Jupiter played each other. In February, teams were added to the Bronze division. Thus, the following revision schedule of teams:
1999 SENIOR SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
BRONZE DIVISION
PALM BEACH GARDENS HOWIE
LAKE WORTH/M MAX
JUPITER BOB
LAKE WORTH/P PIERRE
GREENACRES JERRY
NORTH PALM BEACH DON
These teams played each other from February 10 to March 24. 1999
Jupiter Bronze “A” team Roster
Ted Battistone
Roger Biederman
Bill Bloom
Stan Choinski
Pat Devine
Karl Dutschmann
George Farnworth
Robert Fuhst, Manager
Allen Hzclelnen
Bob Laemel
Bob (Bobby the Cop) Passiatour
Joe Schartmen
1999 SENIOR SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
GOLD DIVISION
ROYAL PALM BEACH RUDY
LAKE WORTH CHUCK
JUPITER VINNIE
NORTH PALM BEACH DON
In January, Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, North Palm Beach, and Jupiter played each other. In February, North Palm Beach moved to the Bronze division and Greenacres was added to the Gold division. Thus, the following revision schedule of teams:
1999 SENIOR SOFTBALL SCHEDULE GOLD DIVISION
GREENACRES Arkie Friedensohn
ROYAL PALM BEACH RUDY GRANATELLI
LAKE WORTH CHUCK PERORONI
JUPITER VINNIE LOMBARDO
These teams played each other from February 10 to March 24.
1999
(1999 CHAMPION Travel team roster)
Jupiter Gold “B” team Roster
George Billard
Rocco Cambariero
Nick Cocoves
George Delaney
Ray Fawcett
Jack Fitzsimmons
Sonny Frank
Jerry Gordon
Bob Griffin
Don Halbsgut
Bob O’Neil
Jack Smith
Vinnie Lombardo
Emilio Veirillo
Carl Zimmerman 2000
The year 2000 saw a change in Palm Beach County and other surrounding counties. Softball town leagues became the norm. Towns, that had been travelling to play softball, created their own in town softball league. The reason was a big increase of ball players age 55 and over either retiring to Florida, or visiting during the winter months.
Jupiter was no different! The travelling teams from Jupiter the previous year had to decide to play with the Jupiter league, or play in other town leagues. It appeared that the most competitive or tournament ball players from Jupiter decided to play for Palm Beach Gardens, Boyton Beach, or elsewhere. This does not mean that the players, who did decide to play in Jupiter, were not competitive or component. On the contrary, they were very component and competitive; sometimes overly so.
In 2000, we had approximately 93 ball players, who signed up to play ball. Not everyone could play three days a week (i.e., Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Therefore, we had six teams with substitute fill-ins. The idea then, as well as now, was to place the substitute on a team which would best balance the team for competition. Each team played 45 games during the winter season, which runs from January to April. Since it was considered a FUN league, there were no statistics, records, standings, and no playoffs nor league champions these early years.
Softball today is played year round in Jupiter every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 AM to approximately 12:00 PM; except for Christmas, New Year, and August. August is the month for ground maintenance people to repair any problems with the playing fields. We play ball on the Tequesta fields during August.
In the winter (January to April), we have enough ball players to have a number of teams. However, from May to December is anyone’s guess on the number of players that will show. There are times when you get enough for two teams and times when you have three teams. Having three teams is not the ideal play. You have an A, B, and C team. One will be in the field, another will be at bat, and the final team will sit and wait. After three outs, teams rotate from field to bench, bench to bat, and bat to field. This has been the situation from 1999 to the present.
2001
This year we had approximately 83 ball players. Some left to play with Palm Beach Gardens league. We added several very good ball players. This made the league a little more competitive, but still not too much so. We also added a few who had not played much or no ball at all. One of those that didn’t have any ball playing experience was a “GREAT PERSON” by the name of Eddie Foster. Eddie was like a sponge. He wanted to learn all he could, so he could be a respectable ball player. He received an overload of instructions, because our players are frustrated managers. He improved so much when he didn’t get a hit he would say “I hate this game!” He had a cap made that said those words. If he turned it inside out, it said “I love this game!” He has a laugh that is infectious. Eddy received the “Most Improved Ball Player” this year.
2002
Since we never ever get younger and our abilities seem to leave us over night, a rule was added for those 80 and over. The rule stated that the outfielder could not come within 132 feet of home plate. The first time this rule was instituted a line was drawn in the outfield which could not be crossed until the ball was hit by the batter. In later years the light post in the foul lines of left and right fields were used, which approximated that distance. Both center fielders had to line themselves in an arc from the left and right fielders. Sometimes the umpire had to caution these fielders that they were too far in. In later years the very good ball players considered this a “little league rule”. Isn’t it funny that we ball players always look back to our childhood when commenting on some rule or play we don’t like!
Since I had been the organizer of the league in1998/1999, its commissioner for those years, I felt it time for someone else to become commissioner. Four years is a long time running or help to run this league. It needed new blood with the increase of players. In 2002, many new ball players arrived with various capabilities. We had players that couldn’t run, some that could only pitch, and some that had a difficult time throwing the ball back to the pitch, which really aggravated the pitchers that couldn’t bend.
Chuck Kittredge was a catcher, who had two bad knees. However, he did on occasions catch a foul tip. In doing so, he always fell to the ground, because of his knees. Therefore, he received the nick name “fall down Chuck”. I say this with love, for he is a fine person and a good magician. If you ever see Chuck, ask him to show how a quarter can disappear in front of your eyes and reappear some other place. But don’t give him your quarter!
Don Halbsgut replaced me as commissioner. He, too, stayed on in that capacity for four years. He was co-commissioner with Bill Andrews in 2006, his last year on the board. Jupiter Senior Softball league has one constant that is “change”. The league is always changing, usually for the better.
2003 The type of softball bat that one used was looked at more closely. Some bats that were being made produced such ball velocity that some older players could get seriously hurt. A list of official league bats became the rule. It started with Demarines, which were the hot bats of the day. Later years official league bats were those listed on the American Softball Association (ASA), excluding any on the list that the league thought were dangerous. Those ball players, who bought the unofficial bats for $200.00 to upwards of $500.00, were NOT HAPPY. However, all did attempt to follow the new rule. There were some players who knowingly or absent mindedly used an unofficial bat. After the player was told once he did not repeat the mistake.
2004
This year brought in the greatest advance of quality ball players. Palm Beach Gardens’ league dissolved and many of their tournament level ball players were assimilated into the Jupiter league. This increase also meant more teams for winter play, and better ball players. They were told about the league official bat list, line in the outfield for 80 year olds that could not be crossed, plus we played with the softer core softball. The tournament players were heard to remark, “What is a little league or an adult league”! The usual come back was that Jupiter Senior Softball League was a recreational league!
With the good management by the board, taking on this new influx of talent, everything appeared to go very well this. There were no major quarrels (at least no more than in the past). The tournament players had a place to hone their skills when tournament time came around. The non tournament players had a chance to play and/or see a better brand of softball. All-in- all it was another successful winter season. Since we played pickup the rest of the year, everyone had a chance to play with and against more talented players.
2005
In previous years we had a few players that needed emergency help. I can remember one in particular, Dan Mlodozeniec. If it weren’t for Jock Flynn and Tom Hughes and their first aid training as firemen, Dan would not have survived. He lived for only a few more years, but he and his wife were grateful. With his emergency and others before him, and a few cases of heat stroke, John Carney suggested that the league/board have first aid training for the ball players. He further looked into and requested that the league buy an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The league with John’s assistance did buy an AED. The AED is at all games and so is a first aid kit. John has made sure it is probably maintained. There is always a first aid bag for cuts and bruises. With the way that ball is hit and the field conditions during the game, anyone could come up with a bruise. That’s not mentioning some of the wild throws. “Watch out bombs are coming at you from all angles when you’re running to a base.”
I had a shoulder separation tripping over the first base bag. If it wasn’t for the EMT’s and first aid training, I could have been worse off. See! I thought that my arm came out of my shoulder socket. I asked someone to pull it back into place. Was I wrong! WOW!
2006
A new invention for JSSL is a screen in front of the pitcher. Some of the pitchers were fielding balls off their bodies. Being as close as they are to the batter and the three fold talent increase, pitchers were coming up with bruises on their legs, broken or badly bruised feet and toes. SO! Board of director, Richie Johnston suggested a screen in front of the pitcher to hide behind after the ball was pitched. He said that the Massachusetts Cape Cod league where he plays in the summer uses them.
We now have a screen for all games. What do you suppose the tournament players call it? That’s right “LITTLE LEAGUE!”
2007
The first full year with the screen has proven its cost. It has stopped many a ball from striking the pitcher and causing damage. It has also increased the number of players that are willing to pitch. Of course we’re talking about men who have played ball most of their lives without one. Some feel that the screen gets in the way of the fielders, especially the midfielder, who has to move around it at second.
Rule for screen: Pitcher screen is to be placed directly in front of pitcher’s rubber. At pitcher’s discretion, it can be moved up to 8 feet in front of rubber. It can be moved from side to side but rubber must remain 100% behind screen. Balls hitting screen are strikes, except for the third strike, when one courtesy strike will be allowed.
Rule for substitute runner from home plate: Substitute runner will start from behind the catcher holding a yellow rope attached to the backstop fence.
Please don’t get me started on the play at second base! It has been a trouble spot for some time. How does a base runner going to second from first on a hit avoid a collision? Seems like a simple question? Yes? Well, suppose you cannot slide. See the rules in Rule and Regulations at the end of the document. Now don’t think it is solved! That rule is an ongoing problem and may have much iteration before it is solved, if in fact it can be solved
This again was a great winter season. All players seem to have fun and exercise, some more than others. Vinnie Lombardo, board social director, had planned many activities, such as a cruise, a dance at the Civic Center, horse racing (George Billard ran this trip), contest (throwing, pitching, foul shooting, etc.). He kept everyone active off the field. Vinnie has been very helpful to the league over the years. However, he has done all this work with health problems. He resigned from the board because of health and Don Halbsgut replaced him. But don’t think he was done playing ball, he is the energizer bunny. He just keeps going on.
Other players, such as the Maryland guys, had dinner parties at local restaurants. During the winter, activities are plentiful. That’s because there are over 125 ball players now. In the summer months, there are approximately 30 to 40.
This year team jerseys had one sponsor on the back. This was in preparation for 8 teams in 2008. Also, in preparation for 2008 season, players were evaluated on hitting, running, throwing, fielding, and baseball knowledge. These evaluations were entered in a new computer software program developed by Marvin Maizel called “Softballware”.
2008
Marvin Maizel became League Commissioner in 2008 and instituted many corporate type principles to the league. Marvin’s “Softballware” program produced what was to be equal 8 (eight) teams for 2008. Since ball players need to miss a game or two, some members of the league thought that the program wasn’t totally accurate in equalizing teams. However, it was pointed out that the team that became champions at the end of season playoffs wasn’t the team with the best record in league play. This somewhat proved that the computer program might be useful.
The board implemented two time slots (i.e. 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM) for games in order to facilitate substitutions and use of preferred fields. At 9:00 AM fields 2 and 4 at the Jupiter Community Park have a blinding sun in either the batter or the fielder’s eyes. Therefore, these fields can only be used after 10:30 AM.
The registration form and hold harmless clause were standardized along with building a data base of player information. This data base contained player address, phone numbers (local as well as northern), email address, etc. Marvin talked Joe Schartman into starting a website and Tom Walker into starting a non-serious newsletter for our league. NOTE: Jupiter Senior Softball website is www.js-ball.com.
Scoreboards were purchased and hung on the fence behind the catcher. Now a player didn’t have to ask every five minutes “What’s the score!” Another item was added this year, on June 1, 2008 Rules and Regulations were changed. Because these new rules and regulations are 8 pages long, I will attempt to give you a few of the new highlights made. If you want to read all of the pages, you can go to www.js-ball.com.
1) The JSSA League will follow the rules of the American Softball Association (ASA), and any local rules.
2) A batter will start with one ball and one strike.
3) Games that begin at 8:50 AM shall not start an inning after 10:15 AM.
4) Games that begin at 10:30 AM shall not start an inning after 11:50 AM.
5) Sliding into second and third base is a major issue. At one time during the 2008 and 2009 season you could slide into the base, but it changed for safety reasons. (Note: This rule will be looked at in later years.)
6) The board will appoint a Director of Player Substitutions. This will be a going and growing problem over the next few years.
7) 2009 rule: If an 80 year old player hits a fair ball and it reaches the grass, no matter how, it is a hit.
There was one sad note this year. For the first time in league history, a softball player was suspended for one year. He was told in the past that he was using an ASA and JSSL non- official bat. He used it anyway, so he was removed from play. He did write to the board after the one year and asked to be reinstated. They agreed, but he is now playing in another city. It is hoped that this action will not be repeated.
Another unfortunate situation occurred, the commissioner left his position in the middle of his term.
2009
God Bless John Katulak! He is a dynamo! He is everywhere doing everything it seems. He took over where Vinnie left off. His picnic’s for the boys are just great. If you leave a picnic hungry or thirsty, then you don’t belong there. He has expanded the menu every year. Talk about a guy who likes to please. That’s John! This year saw more players unhappy with their playing time and the overly competitive ball players seeming to run the show. The less talented players were berated for not trying harder to run, catch, or hit. The overly competitive ball player was reaching a higher and higher level that some of the other players could not or did not want to go. Some of the really great players were afraid of throwing a ball at a less talented player and hurting him. We were introduced this year to young (i.e., 60 or less) ball players, who could play extremely well with rifle arms. They felt that they were not having any fun playing safe (i.e., throwing softly to a ball player because of his age), nor hitting as hard as he could.
The league started out over 20 years ago on the premise that this was to be recreational and not a combative ball playing league. SO! The board with the voice of many players have decided to break the league in two divisions, the A (Very Competitive) Division and the B (Competitive) Division in 2010 winter season.
Epilog
In closing this 20 year chapter of Jupiter Senior Softball, It has been a labor of love to have started what we have today. I always feel like a kid when I go out to the field and play. I realize that many of my old buddies back in Massachusetts or wherever they may have settled down would love to do what I have done for the past 15 years in retirement. I know that one day I may have to put the softball equipment away or just give it away, but until that day comes I will try my best to hit that ball or field that ground ball.
I hope that when that time comes for me to put away my softball equipment. I will recognize it and bow out gracefully. I could always manage a team, if they will have me. In closing all I have to say is “Keep your eye on the ball!”
Commissioners and board members of Jupiter Senior Softball League
Every year, since winter of 1989, more and more men over 55 years old and older visit or retire to the Jupiter area. They receive the news that senior softball is alive in Jupiter. They found out either from other players or the articles in the local newspapers. The league expanded to four teams with substitute players. These were the players that could not play every Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.
The league is fortunate to have many people who are willing to help run the Jupiter Senior Softball League. The league’s charter has always been and continues to be “Fun, exercise, camaraderie, and hitting and fielding (i.e., America’s past time, ball playing)”
The names of the Commissioners and board members of Jupiter Senior Softball League:
Gerry Elias, Commissioner 1999 - 2002
Board members from 1999: Jerry Goldenberg, Vinnie Zuccaro, John Carney, Dick Nucci, Jack Sponaes,.
Board members at various periods from 2000 to 2002: Jerry Goldenberg, Ray Koehne, Tom Toner, John Carney, Dick Nucci, Don Halbsgut, Bill Andrews, Richard Helkowski, Jack Sponaes, Vinnie Zuccaro.
Don Halbsgut, Commissioner 2002 – 2006
Board members from 2002 to 2005: Tom Toner, Bob Carney, John Carney, Bill Andrews, John Parsons, George Delaney, Jack Sponaes, Richie Johnston.
Don Halbsgut and Bill Andrews, Co-Commissioners 2006
Board members from 2002 to 2005: Tom Toner, Bob Carney, John Parsons, George Delaney, Richie Johnston.
Bill Andrews, Commissioner 2007 Board members 2007: Tom Toner, Bob Carney, John Parsons, George Delaney, Richie Johnston, Vinnie Lombardo, and Don Halbsgut.
Marvin Maizel, Commissioner 2008
Board members from 2008: Tom Toner, Bob Carney, Oscar Fernandez, Tom Coyle, John Katulak, Vinnie DelVecchio.
John Sutera, Commissioner 2009
Board members from 2009: Oscar Fernandez, Don Cabral (DC), Tom Coyle, John Katulak, Scott Logan, Vinnie DelVecchio.
Rules and Regulations
PALM BEACH COUNTY SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE
1990-1991 RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. ORGANIZATION 1.0 The league commissioner is Jim Wilkinson, Jupiter Parks and Recreation, as elected by the senior softball committee. 1.1 The District V senior league commissioner will be the arbitrator of all protests, league rules and schedules. 1.2 ASA rules in effect. 1.3 ASA umpires will be provided by home team for all games. 1.4 ASA restricted flight softballs will be provided by home team.
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1 Commitment Line: A commitment line shall be located halfway between third base and home plate. Once a runner’s foot touches the ground on or past this line, the runner may not recross it in the direction of third base. Violation will result in an out.
2.2 Scoring Line A ten foot (10’) scoring line shall extend from the corner of home plate closest to third base into foul territory at a 90 degree perpendicular angle to the third base line. The end of the scoring line farthest from home plate shall be marked by a line of sufficient length to be clearly visible to a runner attempting to score and to the umpire. A foot down on or beyond the scoring line shall be the same as a foot down on home plate for purposes of scoring a rum. Running outside the end of the scoring line shall be considered an out.
A runner that has passed the commitment line but not reached the scoring line shall be declared out if:
A) Touched by a ball in the possession of a defensive player.
B) A defensive player in possession of the ball touches home plate.
C) A runner runs into a defensive player with or without the ball in the umpire’s judgment. Safety is considered first.
3. EQUIPMENT
3.1 No metal cleats are permitted. Players found wearing metal cleats will be ejected from the game, suspended and the game forfeited.
4. PLAYING FIELD
4.1 A commitment line, scoring line, sixty five foot (65’) bases and ASA restricted flight softballs will be used in all games.
4.2 An extra first base will be provided and used by the runner. Defensive player must use original first base for all putouts.
5. PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES
5.1 Any player who has been substituted for may re-enter the game.
5.2 Eleven players may play defensively in the field.
5.3 Ten players are needed to start a game.
5.4 An extra player (EP) may enter the game on offense in the batting order. If a player in the up leaves the game, a substitute may replace the player or an out will be recorded for that position in the lineup. The opposing team may not intentionally walk the previous batter to get an automatic out.
5.5 A player on a team roster may not switch teams after the first game in which he plays.
6. THE GAME
6.1 Home team decided by schedule or flip of the coin when necessary.
6.2 A fifteen (15) mercy rule will be in effect after 5 innings (4 1/2innings if home team is ahead). A second 5 inning game may be played not counting for the record.
6.3 Games will be played on Wednesday and Fridays beginning at 9:30 am.
6.4 Games will be nine (9) innings with:
A. No time limit
a. Tie games will continue until one team is ahead at the end of the inning.
B. Three balls and two strikes will be used, with one courtesy foul.
6.5 All rain cancellations will be made up at the convenience of the two teams. 6.6 All scores must be reported immediately to the commissioner.
6.7 Each team must play all members of their team at least four innings every game.
7. PLAYERS
7.1 A player shall have reached his 50th birthday to be eligible to play.
7.2 There will be no more than three (50-55 year olds) on the field or in the batting order at any time without mutual consent of both teams.
8. PITCHING
8.1 The height of a legal pitch must be six (6) to twelve (12) feet.
8.2 The pitcher’s rubber will be 46’ from home plate.
9. RUNNERS AND SUBSTITUTES
9.1 Each batter must reach first base on their own.
9.2 No sliding or diving to a base. Infraction of the rule in the judgment of the umpire is an out.
9.3 A base runner is not permitted to overrun the second or third base without being subjected to a “tag out”.
9.4 Use of a courtesy runner shall be unlimited. The courtesy runner must be the last recorded out and must be inserted before the next pitch.
9.5 Improper runner: Runner will be an out and runner will be removed from the base.
9.6 All runners must avoid any collision with any defensive player.
9.7 Players may only touch home plate when:
A. A runner is forced home by base on balls.
B. Runners scoring because of a home run over the outfield fence only.
C. A runner is award home plate because of a ball thrown out of play. Any other instance the runner is out.
TOWN OF JUPITER SENIOR FUN SOFTBALL LEAGUE 1999 RULES
Introduction
The main objective of the Senior FUN Softball is for everyone to enjoy softball without getting hurt. It is also requested that any confrontation between players be completely eliminated. We are all old enough to be respectful of one another. I know that when we play ball we feel that we are 14 years old again. However, we should not revert to the mentality of a fourteen-year-old.
Initially, first two weeks (starting 1/10/99), the teams or players will be selected at the field by me. There will be two teams with pennies (T-shirts) handed out that day. One team will wear gold and the other blue. New hats, one color, are in the process of being purchased (more on this the coming weeks).
RULES
The following rules for the Senior FUN Softball are just what I have received from potential participants. If anyone has any suggestion(s) to make this league better, please contact Jerry Goldenberg, Vinnie Zuccaro, Jim Wilkinson, or me. These are the people who are attempting to organize this FUN league.
NOTE! The following rules (except for rule 1) can and most likely will change, since we are going through a growing period in this our first year. They will become more firm in the coming years.
RULE 1: FUN! FUN! FUN!
All games will be played on the North-East field!
RULE 2: After the first two weeks, I am hoping to have more players, let say we have 24 players or more. I would like to form 4 teams of 6 or more players (i.e., Team 1 would have 6 or more, Team 2 with 6 or more, etc.). Take 24 players as an example.
The following would take place:
- Mondays: Team1 and Team 2 would form a team of 12 players and play against Team 3 and Team 4 of 12 players; - Wednesdays: Team 1 and 3 plays Team 2 and 4; - Fridays: Team 1 and 4 plays Team 2 and 3.
If someone doesn’t show on a particular day, then I would try to make the teams as even as I can for that day’s play. RULE 3: A Point will be given to each player on a winning team. At the end of the season, points will be tallied and the first 5 players with the most points will win a surprise.
RULE 4: As in the past, there will be two bases at first and home plate to eliminate any contact. However, a player running to second base with no hope of reaching it before the throw must move to the outfield side of second base to avoid a collision with the second baseman. Commitment line: halfway between 3rd and Home (32 ½ ft).
RULE 5: A batter must run to first base before a designated run can replace him. There will be no limit to the number of times a runner can be a designated runner, if the player on a team is unable to run for himself. Please use the designated runner properly!
RULE 6: A team scoring 5 runs in one inning must take the field so the other team can come to bat (NOTE: More than 5 runs can be scored if men are on base and score in the process of a hit). This is to make for more complete games. However, there will be no limit to runs scored in the last inning. We will play 9 innings, unless time becomes a factor.
RULE 7: Games will be played on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning at approximately 9:15 and go to no later 11:15. Four balls and three strikes will be used, but four foul balls will be an out. This is done to move the game along. Home plate and mat are strikes.
RULE 8: NO over running the (i.e., second and third bases). The runner must avoid contact with the fielder at all cost.
RULE 9: The league will accept any player at any time of the season. However, if any player becomes overly confrontational, Jim Wilkinson will be called in to discuss his removal from the FUN league!
RULE 10: The league will end on April 9th, unless there appears to be more interest in continuing the league under the above rules.
Director: Gerry Elias
Assistant Director: Jerry Goldenberg
Assistant Director: Vinnie Zuccaro
Recreational Director and Rules Upholder: Jim Wilkinson
P.S. An attempt will be made to have games at our Jupiter field on few Mondays with some County League teams.
Weekly write-ups and/or pictures will be hopefully put in the Jupiter Courier. John Carney is the sport scribe.
JUPITER SENIOR SOFTBALL BALL PLAYERS OVER THE YEARS (NAMES OF BALL PLAYERS WHO PLAYED AT LEAST ONCE IN JUPITER)
Aberman, Robert Andrews, Bill Banks, Harry Baraff, Jay Barber, Everett Barfield, Ron Battistone, Ted Benitez, George Berry, David Billard, George Black, George III Bonito, Rich Burton, Dave Bylsma, Harold Callaway, Larry Callesano, Mario Cambareri, Rocco Carney, Bob Carney, John Choinski, Stan Colbert, Bob Corbo, Charlie Counter, Russell Coyle, Tom Culligan , Gary Davis, Gary Delaney, George Delvecchio, Vinnie Devine, Pat Dolan, Thomas Douglas, Gordon Dutschmann, Karl Elias, Gerry Elliott, Charlie Elliott, John Farnworth, George Fernandez, Oscar Fitzsimmons, Jack Flynn, John Foster, Edward Garone, Mike Grahe, Milt Halbsgut, Don Halin, Rich Haltrich, Norm Hanseder, Jim Holfelder, Al Hughes, Tommy Jackson, Wayne Jaeger, Thomas Johnston, Richard Kadel, Frederick Katulak, John Keiser, Allen Kingan, William Kittredge, Chuck Koehne, Ray Kruh, Larry LaMotte, Ken Lascher, Bob Layton, Gary Layton, Larry Lee, Ken Liedtke, Phil Logan, Scott Lombardo, Vinnie Lumio, Chuck Mahoney, Gerard Maizel, Marvin Manasia, Michael Miller, Ray Moore, Douglas Nelson, Ed Nolan, Jack Nucci, Richard Olson, Bill O'Malley, James Parente, Bob Parsons, John Peters, Ollie Phillippi , Richard Platz, Dave Pollak, Bill Reisman, Bernard Richmond, Mike Robertson, Dave Robertson, Don Ropeta, Frank Royce, Gordon Ryland, Ken Scotti, Frank Schank, Roger Schartmen, Joe Seely, Ron Slater, Harold Smith, Jacques Sparks, Al Sponaes, Jack Spillman, Jim Stolzer, Steve Stothard, Bob Stroup, Bob Sturm, Arthur Toner, Tom Torbin, Michael Trevisol, Ray Uhlenhake, Dale Vetterl, Thomas Walker, Ben Walker, Tom Warch, Ray Ward, Stan Weitzen, Russell