Elden Hawkes apparently knew what he was talking about.
“It’s drama, man,” he said. “It’s drama night tonight. We’ve got some competitive stuff out here.”
No kidding.
Tossed aside was the family fun environment for one night as a local Park City co-ed softball league championship went from friendly trash-talking to a walk-off.
And not the kind of walk-off that ends up with a giant swarm of high fives and hugs at home plate.
A controversial call spelled doom for the hot dogs and burgers grilling on the barbecue, and the beers chilling in the cooler.
Chesley Electric, a team that has been in the league for 14 years, walked off the field and left the dugout after a member of the team was ejected by the umpire. Matt Ware was tossed after arguing a rule that is only implemented in the Park City co-ed league.
In the top of the fourth inning, On Top Roofing scored a run following a hit. The baserunner ran through the play at the plate and was called safe. But according to Park City softball rec rules, in co-ed softball, a baserunner must slide at home.
Immediately afterward, members of Chesley and fans watching erupted into an outroar, screaming, “He’s got to slide!”
Ware let his discontentment with the call known with some choice words and was tossed by the ump. According to Ware, he was called out twice on the rule a few weeks back.
During the game, Hawkes, a member of Chesley Electric, was on the bench on account of an upcoming marathon he plans to run this weekend. A jovial Hawkes did not refrain from addressing the awkward middle ground that is competitive recreation league softball.
“It’s comedy,” Hawkes said before the game. “You play this long season, all these games, but really, it’s just softball.”
During the first three innings, playful jawing was gladly accepted and doled out by both teams. Spectators held an eclectic mix of beers, chatted and cheered on what turned out to be a fairly crisp Sept. 1 evening.
Karen Yocum, the recreation supervisor for the softball league, addressed the rule, saying if an offensive player runs into a defensive player, with intent on physical contact, that player should be ejected. The On Top baserunner avoided contact, racing past the Chesley Electric catcher, thus being called safe.
“We have our own rules,” Yocum said. “It gets difficult sometimes.”
On Top Roofing has been a squad for three years now, and has taken third and second in its first two years, respectively. Justin Marshall, a member of On Top, enjoyed the victory, but wished the game would have ended on different circumstances.
“I have tons of respect for Chesley Electric,” Marshall said. “It’s upsetting. We should have won the game fairly.”
When asked if he thought Chesley had a legitimate point in protesting, Marshall responded: “No. It’s co-ed softball.” On Top was rewarded with T-shirts for the victory and celebrated in the dugout, chuckling at the events that had just transpired.
Marshall did admit that the umpires have been consistent all season, based on umping in different leagues with completely different rules.
A bit overshadowed was Jack Sutton, the namesake of Jack Sutton Field who turned 88-years-old Thursday. A rabid softball fan, Sutton attends games every Wednesday evening and according to Yocum has been associated with Park City softball “for forever”. Sutton was helped down to the field and posed with On Top for the champions photo.
What was supposed to be a night to get away from the perils of work and worries, turned into an evening of controversy at City Park.
But, then again, what would a recreation league be without a weensy bit of controversy?