The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-12-15

testif,
spring, summer, and fall seasons Of
1889. Extending from the early
spring months to early December, the
departments program was o varied
one which couldn't help but offer
play opportunities In some form or
another TO the public. Unlike olden
days when the summer Fairgrounds
and swimming pools were the only
source Of recreation service spon-
sored, the present time finds the de-
partment utilizing many original as
well as new ideas observed while vis-
iting out-of-town setups.
Baseball
Hardly had the natioal curtain
been raised on the diamonds OF the
country last April than the dia-
mond activity under our supervision
was begun In all parks. Cooperating
with the Catholic and public schools
Of the city as usual twenty-five
schoolboy teams were organized and
four leagues set In motion. Eight OF
these teams were parochial, four
high school freshmen, and nine pub
lie grammar. Schedules were ar
ranged, constitutions and by-laws
set up, uinpires selected and all de-
tails attended to. The city grammar
scaool championship was decided
when the champions OF the paroch-
ial met the champions OF the pub
lie school division. A spirit OF
friendly rivalry and good sportsman
ship existed at all times.
Something new was tried out this
past season In the way Of baseball
for high school freshmen who are
not quite ready for varsity ball, and
would otherwise have no organized
baseball in which to participate.
wildly, Crosby, Leavenworth and
Sacred Heart high schools partic-
ipated, the coaching being done by
members OF the faculties. The Idea
worked out 100 per cent and will be
followed UP again next year.
The park department sponsors
more baseball than any other Or
ganization In the city from the
standpoint OF number Of partic-
ipailts. Leagues sponsored by this
department during the 1889 season
included besides the grammar,
paroohial and high school fresh
men, several playground leagues at
Hamilton, Fulton and Washington
parks comprising at least 20 more
teams. The City League Of six teams
which functioned as usual each Sum
day afternoon ct Hamilton park
and which Is self-sustainiie
through voluntary contributions
were provided with practice fields as
well as three areas each Sunday fol
regular games. As far as the inter-
est OF the spectators and players
was concerned, the league had O flne
season. Financially 1t was the poor.
est season In years.
Softball
Softball continued to gain IN pop.
ularity and new leagues sprung ur
everywhere and those which were
started last season added more
teams thereby creating quite an IN.
creased demand for playheld. Tht
largest OF these leagues was the In.
dustrial association which Is made
up OF i6 teams for men and eigh'
for women from the, various fac.
tories OF the city. This organization
alone demanded IL fields. Thus witt
the demand 80 heavy and the facili.
ties limited, the situation was quite
acute. With softball gaining In pop.
ularity each year, the matter OF pro.
viding play space will become .
greater problem.
Football
Football activity was PRACTICAL,
confined to the new Municipal sta.
dium. The Junior teams OF the cit,
used the park fields while the Wa.
torbury United Soccer club playet
several games at Hamilton park
The three high schools played /.
home games ct the stadium durin(
the season. One OF these was q nigh
game, while four others went Il
make UP two double headers playet
on different Saturday afternoons
There were also four independent
club games played there, three be-
Ing senior contests involving thu
Waterbury Indies, leading local pro
fessional club, the fourth being {
game In which the two leadinl
junior aggregations Of the city, thI
West Side Jrs. and the Indies, JrS.
played for the city title.
Although the crowds at the sta.
diuni weren't as large as thos,
which were accustomed to witness'
Ing the games OF Hamilton park
nevertheless the fact that. TIE fieie
was enclosed brought about more
paid admissions. At Hamilton parl
the hills surrounding the field OF.
fered On ideal view OF ell events
free OF charge.
The three local high schools re.
ported increased revenue this yea
from the games ut the stadium. TIL,
paid attendance for the fourteen
events including the Wilby-C rosb!
game on Thanksgiving day was TO-.
$40. The gate ct the latter game wal
the largest In the history Of thu
series.
Ice Skating
Ice skating figures for the 1888.
80 season show q total Of "a days Of
skating ct Fulton park and SO al
Washington park. Because Of the
extensive construction work on the
drainage system and filling In al
Hamilton park the field was mol
flooded for skating during the 1885,
80 season.
Tennis
The summer season OF 1899 being
an unusually dry one afforded ten
mis- enthusiasts plenty OF time %
partake OF their favorite pastlme.
Eleven thousand three hundred and
eighteen (ii.3le) permits were T..