Successful return of the Red Hook Bar League, by Brian Abate

B61 defeated Bait & Tackle 29-7 in an impressive offensive display to win the championship in the Red Hook Locals Softball League.

This was the first season softball was back in Red Hook after years without any leagues while everyone waited for the fields to re-open as they were shut down due to toxins in the soil.

B61 had contributions throughout their lineup and got a big boost from Shawn, who pitched and hit an opposite-field home run himself. Christian also had a few clutch hits, including a bases-clearing triple down the left field line. All nine players in the starting lineup finished with at least one hit.

Clean defense from B61, which was the home team helped them hold Bait & Tackle to just one run in the first three innings. Meanwhile, B61 scored five runs in the first, then six runs in the third and they just kept tacking on more runs in the later innings (games are seven innings.)

The night ended with B61 getting the championship trophy and popping champagne on the field. I spoke to a few of their players about the season.

“It felt like forever for the fields to be open again. That part was frustrating but I think the season went really well and that was because it was a community effort. This was volunteer-run, including volunteer umpires. We started out with just Bait & Tackle and the Wobblies but were able to add two more teams [B61 and the Record Shop] which was awesome. They really stepped up.”

“Since there are only four teams and we keep on playing each other we’ve gotten to know each other well,” said Anthony Capone, the designated hitter for B61. “We’re all from the neighborhood and we all support each other but at the same time, we all want to win. It’s been nice to have a little bit more relaxed environment than the old league which was just super intense. One of the cool things is both us and Bait & Tackle couldn’t get a win early in the season and it’s been great to see the team get better over the course of the season.”

Though the game looked like a lot of fun, the season has come with plenty of injuries.

“One of the funnier things is the injuries,” said Reeves, who also served as a designated hitter for B61. “We’ve got a player with a broken thumb but she made the play anyway. We’ve got a sprained ankle, a broken toe, and a lot of road rash from sliding on the turf. I’m not planning on sliding. But hey, we’re still here!”

I also asked about some of his favorite moments from the season.

“We came back from down nine runs in the last two innings in one game earlier in the season. I think we actually beat these guys [Bait & Tackle] 11-10 so that was a fun one that gave us some confidence.”

I  caught up with Greg “Greggles” Fischer, the shortstop for Bait & Tackle, who played a key role in getting the league up and running. He had a couple of hits in the game, including a double down the right-field line.

“We got our butts kicked out there today, so they definitely deserved it,” Fischer said. “Maybe I drank too much before the game but what can you do? This season has been really fun.

“It felt like forever for the fields to be open again. That part was frustrating but I think the season went really well and that was because it was a community effort. This was volunteer-run, including volunteer umpires. We started out with just Bait & Tackle and the Wobblies but were able to add two more teams [B61 and the Record Shop] which was awesome. They really stepped up.”