This past Monday marked the milestone of more than one tradition as several members of San Marino High School’s graduating Class of 1975 gathered to play in the 40th edition of a softball game that dates back to the nation’s bicentennial.
“In 1976, a group of us played a game against our fathers and some other friends,” said Bill Lewis, a proud member of that class who has played in a remarkable 39 of the 40 games, missing only for his mother’s 75th birthday celebration. “When we went to college, we would play softball on Sundays during the summer when we returned to San Marino as a way to stay in touch and hang out. Eventually, it became a July 4 tradition.”
Participation has waned in the recent past, but the game got a shot in the arm this year for the 40th.
“This was a good opportunity,” Lewis said.
The game begins with the best singing of the National Anthem by an assembly of 50-somethings to be found anywhere in San Marino, followed by a salute to two veterans from the Class of 1976, Wes Hammond and Mark ‘Woody’ Woodruff, who received an enthusiastic round of applause. And the quality of play isn’t bad, either.
