PALMERSTON – In 1993, the idea of getting a group of girls together to play softball at an elite level was becoming a popular idea – and through the efforts of Dave Moore, the first Palmerston Marlins softball teams began play in 1994.
Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Palmerston Marlins organization is holding an Alumni Homecoming tournament on May 4 at the Barb Wright Ballpark in Palmerston.
“It’s been a difficult few years because of everything going on in the world (the COVID-19 pandemic), and finally I feel like we’re back. We’re back and we got our ball rolling again,” said current Palmerston Marlins president Melanie Golchuk.
She added that, although Moore has since passed away, his family will be starting the homecoming event with a ceremony and opening pitch at 10:45am.
From 11am to 5pm, the Minto Optimist Club will have its food booth open, featuring a special “Marlins fish burger,” said Golchuk.
Marlins vice president Mike Merchant noted that over the year, the Optimist Club has “been a huge supporter of the Marlins.
“They do a lot of food booths for tournaments and donate money back to the Marlins.”
While Marlins teams play ball, the event will also offer activities such as cornhole and face painting for attendees.
At diamond one at 11am, the Marlins U11 team will play the Saugeen Shores Sting, and at diamond two the Marlins U13 team will also go up against the Sting.
At 12:30pm the Marlins U15 Black team will be playing a to-be-determined team on diamond one, while the Marlins U15 Teal team will play the Arthur Twisters on diamond two.
At 2:15pm, the Marlins U19 team will go up against the Marlins U23 team on diamond one, with Marlins U17 08s playing the Marlins U17 Black team on diamond two.
“There’s also gonna be a little intermission before the alumni game so we can introduce the alumni and I’m pretty excited,” said Golchuk.
The alumni game will begin at 4pm, with beer gardens at the pavilion opening up at that time as well.
After the game
Following the alumni game, a lasagna dinner will begin at 6pm with advanced meal tickets being “priced like 1994,” according to Merchant.
The dinner includes lasagna, caesar salad, dinner rolls, coffee, tea, juice and dessert.
Meal tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and are available by calling 519-492-0400 or at the Palmerston Home Hardware.
A dance and social will also be taking place at 8pm, and admission is free if attendees wear teal.
Tickets to the dinner and dance can also be purchased from any of the Marlin teams.
Golchuk told the Community News the Marlins have been practicing every Sunday at Between the Lines in Listowel for a couple months now, and “at this point when the sun starts shining, they want to get out of here and want to be on the diamond.
“It’s fun to see,” she said.
‘Lifelong friendships’
The Palmerston Marlins organization has grown immensely over three decades, with teams welcoming players from all over.
Merchant and Golchuk explained they’ve had players all the way from Ingersoll, Meaford and Southampton.
Ruth Checkley, a Marlins alumni, umpire and U11 head coach, is one of several past and present players to send a statement to the Community News about their experiences with the organization.
Checkley played for the Palmerston Marlins from the time she was 16 years old (for the Bantam U17 team) until she was done her second year of midget.
“A lot of great softball opportunities came out of playing for the Marlins, as well as many lifelong friendships,” Checkley said.
“After my playing time there was done, I always enjoyed when Dennis Craven would ask me to umpire tournaments there. I loved umping competitive ball and watching all the teams grow throughout the years.
“I have been given the opportunity now to coach my daughter’s U11 Palmerston Marlins team and hoping to stay all the way through.”
Daphne Culp is a current player (#24) for the Marlins U23 team.
“Being a Marlin has taken me across the country, from east to west and into the U.S., but the world of sport has taken me even further,” she said.
“The world of sport is a small world; you’re going to grow up, move away and meet new people – but somehow, no matter how far you go, you will always be brought back to sport.”
Throughout her time as a Marlin, Culp said she has met people “hours away from home” who knew someone that played for a Marlins team.
“The world of sport is a small world, but a big community and a big family.”
For more information on the Palmerston Marlins visit the new website at palmerstonmarlins.com.
