Softball - Historic Saranac Lake

Beginning in the summer of 1949 fast pitch softball made its debut in Saranac Lake. Games were played on the Petrova Avenue field and fast pitch softball enjoyed a run of twenty six summers providing hard nosed competition between the various teams from the Tri-Lakes, and plenty of enjoyment for spectators. The summer of 1973 was the last season for fast pitch softball and it was also the first season for the new slow pitch league called the Black Fly Softball League. Slow pitch softball became very popular as more players could play the game versus fast pitch softball which was often dominated by an overpowering pitcher and therefore only more skilled players took part in the game. The games could not go on without umpires and for many years the fast pitch league benefited from umpires such as Bob Utting, Donald "Ducky' Martin, and Ralph Sorillo. Ducky Martin also umpired many slow pitch games.

In 1973 Jack Muldowney, owner of a local establishment on Route 86 called Muldowney's Steak House, came up with the idea of forming a slow pitch softball league and Muldowney served as President of the league while long time softball supporter, Donald 'Ducky' Martin served as the Commissioner. On May 22, 1973 the slow pitch games began and seven teams comprised the new league which included the Blue Line Sport Shop, Byno's, The Handlebar, Muldowney's Steak House, Nick & Vern's Restaurant, Sunmount CSEA, and the Swinging Tiger. Games were played in Saranac Lake, Ray Brook, Bloomingdale, Lake Placid, and Tupper Lake. In 1974 there were a total of twelve teams in the league and for many years thereafter up to as many as sixteen teams and over one hundred fifty players were competing each summer for the Black Fly Softball championship.

Black Fly Softball Champions:

1973 - Muldowney's Steak House

1974 - Alpine Hotel

1975 - Alpine Hotel

1976 - Mark's Bar

1977 - Duffy's Cedar Post

1978 - Duffy's Cedar Post

1979 - Mark's Bar

1980 - Club 86

1981 - Belvedere

1982 - Back Door

1983- Rondack Room