By KATRINA GRANT
Scoot’s Liquor defeated Safeguard 25–12 to become the 2011 champs of the John Wells Memorial Men’s Softball League on Aug. 13. Scoot’s Liquor finished the season 20–2. The league has been around for the past 18 years.
“This was started by residents of Indian Mills,” Jerry Mastroianni, commissioner of the John Wells Memorial Men’s Softball League, said. “You have to be over 30, a male and a resident. There are, however, exceptions that the teams can have. Someone can be under 30 or a resident of another town.”
Because of the exception, some teams have members from Tabernacle and other surrounding towns. Mastroianni estimates that out of 150 players in the league, about 20 are from Tabernacle.
Each year, starting in the third week of June and ending two weeks into August, the teams get together to practice and play the games.
“We try to play in between the kids’ season,” Mastroianni said. “Once we start the season, we don’t really practice, maybe like once a week, if that.”
The league does not hold tryouts. As long as the person meets the requirements or the exceptions, they are able to play.
“Anybody can play,” Mastroianni said.
The teams play doubleheaders on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are 10 teams in the league and about 15 members to a team.
The league is also involved in fund raising. This year, it held a 50/50 raffle and raised $1,500 that went to the Indian Mills Athletic Association.
“The money was raised for dugouts at the Babe Ruth Field at the Dingletown Sports Complex,” Mastroianni said.
Mastroianni has been a member of the league for 10 years and finished out the season playing for The Outlaws.
