Bits & Pieces

By Kim J. Harmon

 

A salesman telling the truth? My, will wonders never cease? When the town of Newtown was sold on the prospect of the new turf field at Treadwell Park, officials were told the field could withstand hurricane level rains and still remain in perfect condition.

And after nearly nine days of rain (some of it torrential), it has.

Parks and Recreation maintenance head Carl Samuelson said the turf field (the site of a 7-on-7 lacrosse tournament back on October 8, when the rains first began) held up just like the company said it would.

Mr Samuelson also said this was the first time in his memory that people paid attention to a townwide mandate to stay off all the grass fields and because of that (and a little clay adjustment here and there) the fields have welcomed the return of the sun in great condition.

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With so much rain and so much havoc being played with the Newtown High School sports schedule, fans in town should be aware that up-to-the-minute schedule information is available at www.nighthawksports.com (just click on the This Weeks Events).

For longer range planning, www.casciac.org has a service that alerts you automatically to any schedule changes for upcoming games. Just log on and sign up.

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The Newtown-Sandy Hooks vintage base ball team closed out its inaugural season with a match against the Hartford Senators during the St. Rose School Oktoberfest back on October 9. It was a turbulent season, at times, as Ray “Shutta” Shaw worked long hours, burning up the email lines trying to schedule and re-schedule games and practices, order equipment, organize the team, and maintain a wonderful web site.

And Pops O’Maxfield, who served as umpire for that match and the recent match against the Providence Game Hens in Danbury, sent a final huzzah to the Hooks in the form of verse …

Huzza to the Hooks!

There is nothing so sublime

As the class of the Hooks nine

And the boys who wear the red crest

So proudly upon their chests,

The day will soon draw near

when the town will roar its cheer

To tell the tales of their heroic story

Of the year 2005 and all their diamond glory.

The rookie season wanes for you

But not before a hearty brew

A toast to all the Hooks boys who are so true,

Soon memories and tales be told

Of your first year of play, so bold

And of youthful days ere we all grow too old.

– Pops O’Maxfield