For at least five decades the Côte Saint-Luc Slo Pitch Association thrived, first at Westminster Park and then at Kirwan. At the latter venue, Diamond Number One was the home
In Slo Pitch, the pitcher slowly releases the ball between their hip and knee and lobs it into the air – usually six to 12 feet high – so that it will land on or close to home plate. Because of these slower pitching speeds, the batter in Slo Pitch has much more time to set up, react to the pitcher’s pitch and send the ball as far into the outfield as possible.
In Côte Saint-Luc, this league functioned independently. Each team was sponsored and players paid a fee each year. The city provided the field and printing services. This was a serious league, with a commissioner and executive and formal umpire crew. There was a pre-season draft of unprotected players, a trade deadline and strict residency rules. If you were found to using a non-CSL address you could be tossed out. Games were played four nights a week and they often attracted crowds of average citizens because the quality of play was that good. Statistics were kept and awarded handed out at a much anticipated year-end banquet, usually at the old Bill Wong’s on Decarie.
My late dad was involved in the league for years. In fact, he had an arrangement with his friend Dan Rosenberg of the then Montreal Star Newspaper to publish the scores and top performers after every game. When I was a young teenager I got hired as the scorekeeper. It was an exciting job. At the age of 17 I was eligible to play.
A few months ago noted sportsman Roy Salomon, an ageless 88, called to ask if I could help him plan a reunion of former Slo Pitch and Executive League players. We have it set for Sunday, June 22 (9:30 am to 11:30 am) at the familiar Diamond One. A lot of the attendees will be shocked to see a revitalized park after $10 million in renovations. Some folks will attend just to banter. Others will take to the field for some batting practice and to throw the ball around. In the event of rain, this will be rescheduled.
E-mail me at mcohen@cotesaintluc.org if you know of someone who might like to attend. It should be very nostalgic.
