From the late 1940s through the 1950s, weekend money games were played on Saturdays. Large crowds would attend the games, and teams from different neighborhoods would compete for the money pot. They would pass the hat to the crowd and collect money to bet on the games— usually doubleheaders or Best of 3. In the 1960s, St. Albert the Great would play their home games at Armour Park for the Knights of Columbus League. In the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, Leagues were formed, including 14 and under, 21 and under. Men‘s Leagues played on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays with 16-20 teams playing. Games would start at 6:30 pm, as there were no lights. Teams were from all over the neighborhood. Teams included Bridgeport, Armour Square, Canaryville, Taylor Street, Cornell Park, Donovan Park, and McKinley Park, which would compete for the Championship. Some of the great teams and sponsors – Mac Raiders- Tabu, Bad Company, Gamecocks from Canaryville, Stickmen from Donovan Park, Aifam from Taylor Street, Jokers from McKinley Park, Vet from Cornell Park- Jugheads-Normal Tigers 1940-1950s. – would come and challenge local powers – Little Dagos- Armour Square Park – Bridgeport Foods, Excels-24th Street, Punchinello’s and Bridgeport Crush. Some of the top teams that played in and won tournaments-Lettuce-45 ’s-Rockers, Hexx, Rabbits, Flash- Signature-Jelly-Jynx-Bridgeport Crush-Rebels, Raiders-Young Guns-Impact, Steel Gold-Traffic, Molex-Eastsiders, Jimbo ‘s-Stickmen, Lemon Heads-Gamblers, and Gamecocks. After 2007, Softball fields were made into Little League Fields, Hosting High School Games and Travel Team practices and games. Games were limited to day games, weekend games, and tournaments. We couldn’t hold any night games or double-elimination tournaments, because it would get too dark to finish the tournaments. We also had Women’s 16” Softball Leagues, Co-Rec Leagues, and Tournaments. Lights were installed in 2018, and Softball Leagues started up again, along with Tournaments in the Spring and fall. To see the lights go on for the first time brought back so many great memories of the past. The Neighborhood was once again happy to see softball under the lights at Armour Square Park. Seeing the Old-Timers back at the park, talking softball, sharing old stories, and reliving their Experiences of playing at Armour Park when they were growing up, was priceless. Some past Supervisors- Woody Urchek, Bud Patty, Bob High, George Macuga, Joe Pascente, Tom Mallon, George Demos, Gary Gallik, MaryLu Scorza, and Gina Arredia.
