My fondest memory of the West Orange Police Athletic League was when the P.A.L. had a girls’ softball league.  Back in the 70s the township did not have a softball league for girls and we were lucky enough to be able to play at the P.A.L. on Prospect Place as well as at Lafayette Field on Main Street. 

            It was the spring of ’75 when West Orange State Farm Insurance Softball Team was organized.  One of my best friends then and now is Rene Williams who played on the team along with her sister Patrice, both talented players.  Our team consisted of some very talented softball players, however, that wasn’t enough.  We longed to win a game in the 1975 season, yet time and time again we lost by literally the skin of our teeth until our last game of the season. 

            It was a warm and sunny day but very tolerable weather and we were scheduled to play at Lafayette Field on Main Street.  The team we were playing was Durkins Inn (which was a hot spot back in the day on Pleasant Valley Way currently Commerce Bank).  They were the best team in our league.  They hadn’t lost a game all season and were just waiting to ambush our tiny team.  Dare I say, we were the worst team in the league.  Yes, West Orange State Farm Insurance hadn’t won a game all season Long and  to make matters worse, it was Friday the 13^th!

            Durkins started off strong that Friday afternoon but were no match for our newfound defensive strength.  The sarcasm from the undefeated team was undaunting to us.  On any other day we would have crumbled beneath the strength of such a team, but  not today my friend.  With no runs from either side we were last at bat in the bottom of the 6^th inning.  I was up at bat fearful I might be the next out.  To my astonishment I hit the ball, a single down the third base line and I was now on base.  With one out already, Rene Williams at 3^rd base and myself on first base, up comes Patrice Williams with a wild shot center field.  Rene scores to end the game 1 to zero.   Durkins Inn could not believe what was happening and West Orange State Farm Insurance was in the World Series zone with one win all year to the undefeated team Durkins Inn.  What a wild and crazy day for Durkins and State Farm.  It has been from this memory that I will always endear the dreaded Friday the 13^th as the luckiest day in history!

 

Mary Pugh-DePasquale