Among the cherished aspects of “old” Chelsea is the memory of the Chelsea Municipal Fast Pitch Softball League, which operated at Carter Park.
On countless evenings, fans would pack the Carter Park stands and the stairway descending from Orange Street to watch thrilling softball competitions. The ballpark served as an evening hub where Chelsea residents of all ages gathered together.
Young Chelsea Little Leaguers, fresh from their contests on Diamonds 1, 2, and 3 at Chelsea Memorial Stadium, would attend to see standout athletes such as Billy Palladino from Durant Paint, Tommy Phillips and Geno Freeman representing Torro Contractors, Tommy Fay of Ed’s Grill, Bobby Halas, Red Carroll, and Jimmy Cameron, Golden Tyre of the Alderman DiOrio Club, and Jimmy Guidi playing for Andie’s Citgo – as well as Eddie McCarthy, Homer Norton, Bobby Gallo, Danny Cronin, Mike Kearney and the rest of that spirited, engaging roster wearing New Bridge Café uniforms.
Respected umpires including Charlie Lee, Biff McDonald, and Bill Smigielski presided over the matches with their own distinctive bearing and professional demeanor.
Arnold Goodman envisioned creating a robust following for Chelsea softball and establishing it as the area’s most competitive league – a vision he successfully realized. As one of the league’s founding members and its dedicated president, Goodman was also an accomplished left-handed pitcher for the Chelsea Y.M.C.A. team, impressing hitters with his spinners, change-ups and curves.
Goodman’s leadership of the league came naturally to those familiar with his work. Shurtleff School students from the 1960s and 1970s can attest that Arnie Goodman’s intramural basketball program was unmatched, whether compared to other intramural efforts or competitive leagues.
Fast pitch softball is no longer played in Chelsea today. While modified fast pitch and slow pitch leagues continue to operate locally, the fast pitch game as it once existed has disappeared from the community’s recreational landscape.
Yet among long-time Chelsea residents and former softball players, memories of the Chelsea Fast Softball League endure in their hearts and photo collections, honoring Arnold Goodman and his peers whose dedication created countless memorable evenings for the community during warm summer nights at Carter Park.