Mount Pearl Men's Slo-Pitch Softball League

The history of the Mount Pearl Men's Slo-Pitch Softball League, as posted in the "The Pearl" newspaper.

The Mount Pearl Men's Slo-Pitch Softball League originated in 1978 when six (6) teams from the community of Mt. Pearl began playing softball on the  St. David’s Field..

These teams were comprised from players in Mt. Pearl and each team, for the most part, represented the streets they lived on. Players would prepare the field i.e. remove rocks from the field , mow the grass etc. to play ball.

The first president of the league was Robert Lopez. The league currently has an executive  of ten (10) members. The leagues became incorporated  in 1993.  As of this year a total

 of eleven (11) presidents have served the league including the current  president Stan Linstead.

The league grew in stages going from 6 to 8 to 14 and then to 16 teams as it is today. As a result of this growth the league sought out various sponsors for the teams. Over the  past 35 years (circa) there  have  been well over 50 different sponsors  lending  their assistance  to the  league.

Much of the success of this league can be contributed to all the  players , past and  present, who understood and accepted  the spirit of the  league which was to play ball, have  fun and  meet new  friends.

To ensure league parity a process of selecting players ,who are rated according to skill level, and a draft  is held every year to fill 16 rosters with each team having a total of 15 players each. Each team can also select a former player from the ex-players who still want to be a part of the game but can no longer play. This person assists the team captain and co-captain in managing the team.

The season schedule consists of 15 games a round with 2 rounds. The top 8 teams  continue to play in a playoff format for the Clayton Jacobs Memorial Trophy and  the  league  championship , and  the  bottom 8 teams  play a playoff  format  for the  Charlie  Sing Memorial Trophy.

The first Dinner and Dance for the league was held in 1978 at the Lions Club in Mt. Pearl. The cost was $ 5.00 per person and chicken was served.

The league had its first mortgage burning ceremony in 2004 at St. David’s Field. In 2013 the league moved from St. David’s Field to its present venue , Richard Levandier Sports Complex .

Besides playing ball the league is very active in the community in making financial contributions and participating  in various events. The league offers four (4)

$ 500.00 scholarships to children/grandchildren of members each year. We visit the Janeway Hostel on Mother’s Day and  prepare  breakfast for the parents  that are staying  there with of  course  particular attention to the  moms that day.  We have provided financial contributions to various organizations i.e. Canadian Cancer Society , Mt. Pearl Special Olympics, Food Bank , Royal Canadian Legion, et al.

We have two active playing members in our league  who were part of the  original league 40 years ago and who have not missed a season , Steve Bugden and Wally Westcott.  Congratulations  !!!

Wondering what our league does for the community every year?

Every year the Mount Pearl Men's Slo-Pitch Softball League gets involved with many of the Cities groups to help out in any way we can.

By using our strong membership base and a portion of our registration fee (in case you didn't know.... $10 from everyone’s registration goes toward the fund that allow us to do the following) we have been able to support the following groups:

• School Lunch Program by helping to fund the program at the following schools:
  • Mary Queen of the World
  • St. Peter's Elementary
• The Janeway Hospital
• The Childrens Wish Foundation
• The Special Olympics
• Local Food Banks with proceeds from our annual "Food/Charity Tournament"
• Local minor sporting groups

The League issues multiple scholarships (totaling nearly $25,000 over the last 12 years) for children/grandchildren of league members who are completing high school and are moving on to post-secondary institutions.

Our newest project involved setting up a fund to help players/players families who may need the help for whatever reason. This fund is replenished yearly by funds raised during our Super Sundays.

And you just thought you were only playing ball!

K&D Cup winners - (Division A)

Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

1997 - Ron Squires                 1998 - Bill Vincent                1999 - Tom Nash                2000 - Not Awarded

2001 - Mel Rose                      2002 - Bill Thompson*          2003 - Doug Chaytor         2004 - Leo Locke

2005 - Ron Chafe                    2006 - Not Awarded             2007 - John Blackwood      2008 - Tom Walsh

2009 - Tim Hayward                2010 - Bob Ford                   2011 - Richard Levandier   2012 - Dean Rees

2013 - Roy Crocker                 2014 - Lloyd Cadwell           2015 - Dave Legrow           2016 - Larry Hunt*

2017 - Dave Whelan                2018 - Steve Bugden\Wally Westcott                             2019 - Dave Learning*

*  Awarded Posthumously

Most Spirited/Sportmanlike Player

1985 - Bruce Martin                 1986 - Kevin Martin              1987 - Lloyd Greening       1988 - Bernie Sheehan

1989 - Bob Chafe                    1990 - Chris Hatch               1991 - Ron Chafe               1992 - Ron Penney

1993 - Dave Murphy                1994 - Randy Royle             1995 - Len Witten              1996 - Terry Power

1997 - Bob Carew                    1998 - Ron Byrne                 1999 - John Lidstone         2000 - Dan Tucker

2001 - Kevin Collins                 2002 - Freeman Jarvis         2003 - Dave Snook            2004 - Wayne Andrews

2005 - Bob Carew                    2006 - Tom Walsh                2007 - Wally Westcott        2008 - Calvin Burke

2009 - Max Norris                    2010 - Brian Cooney             2011 - Rod Noseworthy/Bob Rideout

2012 - Jim Everard                   2013 - Mike Williams            2014 - Ian Costello            2015 - Kevin Power

2017 - Dion Cantwell                2018 - Wally Westcott          2019 - Ray Nixon