Westford Over-30 Slow-Pitch Softball

Rain and unplayable field conditions have disrupted the schedule yet again. Tuesday night's game had to be cancelled due to the unplayable field conditions left by the powerful thunderstorms that blew through the area, despite the best efforts of both teams. Now tonight's games also had to be rescheduled due to the continuing rains. With the hope that the rains will subside and that the field will dry out, the rescheduled games are as follows: Sunday, July 16 5:30 Willis Tent @ Short Cut 6:45 Franco-American @ Mario's Restaurant Sunday, July 23 5:30 Z's Sports Shop @ Drews 6:45 Mustang's @ Healy Oil

The Westford Softball All-Star game that pitted the stars of the Over-30 League against the Co-Rec league resulted in the Over-30 stars losing in a slug fest. The Co-Rec Stars posted 12 runs in the top of the first and 9 in the top of the second, then cruised to a 28-21 win. Healy Oil's Bill McLaughlin would have to be considered the offensive MVP for the Over-30 squad as he launched 2 Grand Slam Home Runs. Bill ended up going 3-3 with the 2 HRs, along with 8 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Other notable offensive performances included the Mustangs Don Cusano (2-2, 1 BB, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 RS), Healy's Bill Martin (2-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI, and 2 RS), Willis Tent's Bill Andrews (2-3, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 RS), and lead off hitter John Bodi from Z's (4-4 with 3 RS). In addition, the Home Run Derby competition was held after the game. With their success in the competition, Healy Oil reps Bill Martin and Bill McLaughlin put the league on notice that Healy's will be a factor during the second half of the season as they prepare to defend their title. Along with Don Cusano of the Mustangs, the Over-30 Squad slugged their way to 3 of the final 4 spots in the competition. However, on his final swing, Dan Corey of the Co-Rec league's Red Sox defeated Cusano to win the HR Derby. Both leagues would like to thank the ASA umpiring crew of 3 that donated their time and helped make the game a success. The two leagues collected almost $500 from the game- all of these proceeds are to be donated to the Westford Food Pantry.

The Westford Over 30 Softball League will be playing an All-Star game at 6:30 PM on Thursday, July 6, against their counterparts in Westford softball, the Westford Coed Softball League. The Westford Coed Softball League is an over-18 Co-ed league that shares a home field with the Over 30 League. In case of foul weather, the rain date is the following night: Friday, July 7. All proceeds from the game and the accompanying Home Run hitting contest will be donated to the Westford Food Pantry. The Home Run contest is open to all players from both leagues and will immediately follow the game. There is a $5 entry fee. Representatives for the Over-30 league have been announced by each team and they are as follows: Drew Farms- Tom Menicci and Todd Shepard Franco- Paul Cullen and Don MacMillan Healy Oil- Bill Martin and Bill McLaughlin Mario's Restaurant- Mark DesRochers and Rick Hess Mustangs- Don Cusano and Paul Selfridge Short Cut- Larry Bisso and Chris Smith Willis Tent- Bill Andrews and Dave Harrington Z's Sports Shop- John Bodi and Jerry Cressman (injured); Tim Schutt (alternate) Paul Vennard, Assistant Commissioner of the Westford Co-ed League, recently released the following statement: "We look forward to meeting all of you and getting out there and having a fun time for the Westford food pantry. We are excited to play some ball have some laughs and raise some money. We hope this will lead to more "interleague" events in the future. Good luck to all and see you Thursday!" Z's Sports Shop Owner/Team Rep Larry Zupkosky, who originally pitched the concept of the game and is organizing the event for the Over-30 League, was excited about getting the two leagues together. "We are looking forward to giving back to the community while show-casing our leagues and their players. This promises to be a fun and exciting event for all, both players and spectators."

Once again, games will need to be rescheduled thanks to thunder showers that soaked the region. Tonight's games will be played as follows: 5:30 game (Mario's-Franco) to Sunday (6/25) @ 6:45 6:45 game (Short Cut-Willis) to Sunday (7/9) @ 5:30 9:00 game (Z's-Mustangs) to Sunday (7/9) @ 6:45

In what is already the story of the season, the weather was the dominant player of the game between Drews and Short Cuts on June 20. The Tuesday night game was stopped after 4 innings by lightning and rain. A date to finish the game is still being discussed.