1962 Bridgetown 7Up Softball Team

1962 Maritime “D” Softball Champions
1962 Nova Scotia Intermediate “D” Softball Champions

Softball found its way into the Bridgetown sports scene in the early 1940”s and remained popular through to the 1970’s.

Though other teams during that 30 year period won much acclaim, including two other Provincial Championships, the 1962 team brought together an exceptional roster of talented players.

During the 1962 ball season, the team travelled throughout Nova Scotia to play exhibition games, any time, any place, anywhere! In total, they logged over 5,000 miles (8,000 km) in a time when 100 series highways did not exist. As the summer progressed the team steadily fine tuned their play and began to win by ever increasing margins. As the season deepened, the Team won the Annapolis Valley Championship, defeating Kentville. This propelled the Team to the Nova Scotia Playoffs. The Bridgetown team first defeated Hubbards by scores of 12 to 4 and 16 to 3. Trenton then fell to Bridgetown by scores of 9 to 5 and 9 to 3.

In the Provincial Semi-Final, which would also determine the Mainland Nova Scotia Champions, Bridgetown defeated Halifax St. Marks by scores of 18 – 9 and 8 – 3. This advanced the team to the Nova Scotia Intermediate “D” Championship series where they were again victorious, defeating Glace Bay St. Anne’s by scores of 17 to 2 and 18 to 3. All of the series noted here were home and home events. The home games in Bridgetown were played in front of full grandstands and overflow crowds.

As the newly crowned Provincial Champions, Bridgetown went on to face Loggieville, New Brunswick for the Maritime Championship. The first game was played in Bridgetown on September 22nd. Bridgetown played an outstanding game and defeated Loggieville 13 to 8. On September 30th, Bridgetown travelled to Loggieville for the second game and defeated the home team 18 to 14. Allan Bishop hit the longest home run ever recorded at the Loggieville Park. The two game victory delivered the Maritime Intermediate “D” Crown to Bridgetown.

As a team, the 1962 Bridgetown squad’s batting average was .281 in exhibition play, .378 in season and .440 in playoffs.

A remarkable team in a truly remarkable season!

Front Row (Left to Right): Bob Flecknell, Eric Todd, John Tidd, Roy Mansfield, John Durling

Back Row (Left to Right): Allan Bishop, Jim Saunders, Charles Tidd, David Jones, Mac Carlisle, Ed Taylor, Gerald “Snookie” Mack, Dave Pick, Manager: Lloyd Durling (Not in Photo)