PHOTO BY RUTH FRY Left to right: Tom Eddy, Bud Haynes, Dick Warg, Dick Shuler, Robert DeWire, Ed Sherwood, Dick Merrell, Tom Swisher, Paul Slattery at opening day during Hughesville's Little League ceremony.  

Each spring when grasses on ball fields begin to green, the call goes out to “Play Ball.” For those men who answered 65 years ago when Little League Teams were officially formed in Hughesville, those days are looked back on with fond memories.

A group of 12 who’d played in 1949 were a part of a reunion marking the local organization. Several recalled bits from those glory days of yore, shared if they continued playing ball, named their favorite teams, and voiced their impressions of the recent anniversary ceremonies. The four who shared included Bud Haynes of Pennsdale; Edward Sherwood and Richard Shuler of Hughesville; and Paul Slattery of Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Haynes responded saying his favorite memories were the two no-hitters he threw, and in one game, hitting home runs with both the right and left hands. “Just playing ball with friends,” he said.

Following military service, Hanes went on to manage Little League in the 60’s, and again in the 70’s and 80’s when his son Jeff and son-in-law Steve Budman played. “In addition to Little League, I played in the service on Legion teams and in the 1960’s with the St Louis Cardinal Minor Leagues.”

About the recent ceremonies Hanes said, “It was a spectacular event. It was great to see so many people at the ball park.”

Currently, Haines’ favorite teams are the Yankees, Cardinals and Pirates.

Ed Sherwood said, “I was proud to wear my Rotary Little League uniform. I never missed a practice or a game. One highlight was when we were taken to a ball game at Bowman Field in Williamsport. I appreciate the devotion and time coaches Dutch Smith and Whitey Wallice gave.”

Of the anniversary event, Sherwood said, “I’m thankful to all who went the extra mile to put the event together.”

Sherwood has one favorite team, the Phillies.

Richard Shuler said, “In my final year of Little League baseball, I was the catcher for Bud Haynes when he pitched the two no-hitter games; and our team, Swisher’s Greenies, won the championship. My father, Ned Shuler, was a Greenies coach.”

Shuler added, “Thank you to those who were responsible for this anniversary event, I really enjoyed it.” Shuler is also a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Paul Slattery traveled from Jeffersonville, Indiana to be a part of the Little League event. Slattery was also a member of the Greenie team sponsored by Fred Swisher’s Grocery Market. “I hit two home runs in one game. We won every game and went to Williamsport and shook hands with famed baseball players Connie Mack and Ty Cobb.”

Proud of his granddaughters on softball teams in Clarksville, Indiana, Slattery said, “The girls’ team was state runner up losing only their final game. My Grandson Daniel Slattery is a volunteer coach with a middle school team in Clarksville.”

Of the anniversary event, Slattery said, “The invitation to attend made me feel honored. Coming brought back fond memories; it was nice to see old friends after all these years.”

Nowadays, Slattery is a singer/intrumentalist with the “Country Junction” group with recent broadcasts over WBKO 13 Bowling Green, KY. A member of a musical family while living locally, in 1948 he sang with Patsy Montana at Trout Pond Park. So, instead of playing baseball, he can sing about it. The Cincinnati Reds, are his favorite team.

The nineteen-forty-niners unable to attend were Reese Davis, Stuart Hill, Paul VanHorn and the late Watson Kelsey.

The event was organized by the Hughesville Little League Board.