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Every game a diamond jubilee for senior players

The Kids and Kubs softball club, for those 75 and older, this year celebrates its 75th anniversary of play.

By JON WILSON
Published February 9, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Bruce Welch dug into the batter's box and slammed a hard shot down the right field line, just inside fair territory.

A stopwatch would have told an interesting tale. Welch, 76, sprinted all the way around the bases, his cleats smacking up little dust puffs. Crossing home plate, he slapped a teammate a celebratory low five.

Welch isn't even the fastest player on St. Petersburg's storied Three-Quarter Century Softball Club, better known as the Kids and Kubs.

That distinction belongs to Jack Carlins, club secretary Clarence Faucett said. Carlins, who turned 79 Friday, has run 100- and 200-meter races in seniors competition. He said he doesn't know his times.

"I just ran to beat people," Carlins said.

As the club celebrates the 75th anniversary of its founding this year, such spirit has prompted some among its leadership to ponder how its players can run faster, hit harder, field more cleanly - in short, become more competitive.

They would like to win national and world championships.

The Kids and Kubs are part of St. Petersburg lore. The two teams play doubleheaders against each other starting at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from November until April at North Shore Park. Players must be at least 75 years old and the games are free to watch.

The club's 56 members enjoy the intramural contests.

"It adds years to your life and life to your years," said Paul Good, uttering what seems a practiced endorsement.

Good, who turns 95 on Feb. 25, said: "It keeps your mind active. You look forward to playing. You're not worried about taking your last breath."

Good, Faucett and Silas Gatewood, 76, are among those who would like to prepare to compete against and beat the best.

Going to the next level means a few new elements, Faucett said.

A farm system in places like Tampa, New Port Richey and Bradenton-Sarasota to develop emerging talent, for example.

"When you compete nationally, you find teams recruit from all over the country," said Good, a member of the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame and club past president.

The club raises most of its money through a trust fund and advertising on its brochure. New members pay $100 to join; after that, it's $75 a year for playing members, $60 for nonplaying members. The club plays several charity games per year, donating $300 to $400 to about 10 groups.

What's needed, Faucett said, is an executive director who can win community business support, perhaps including major sponsorships, and set an aggressive direction for the club.

The club broke the gender barrier when Ethel Lehmann, 75, began playing early last year. Another goal is to recruit African-American players, Good said. The club currently has none.

Good said the club has in the past been characterized as racist. "That's not true," he said.

The cadre promoting the aggressive attitude recognizes such an approach won't go down well with members happy to play three times a week at North Shore.

"You're up against a strictly ball-playing mentality and zero foresight," Good said.

Both ball-playing for fun and ball-playing with more of an edge will be on display Saturday at North Shore, when a Kids-Kubs team plays the City Hall Stars, a group including Mayor Rick Baker, City Council members and city government administrators.

Nobody gets any breaks in this exhibition game.

"We won last year," said Lee Metzger, one of the City Hall crew. "They're really upset that we won. So they're loading up this year."

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Carnival for youngsters, North Shore Park at Eighth Avenue NE and North Shore Drive. Kids' sports, contests, carnival games, Moonwalk.

1 p.m. Kids and Kubs vs. City Hall Stars, including Mayor Rick Baker and City Council members.

THROUGH FEB. 28

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday daily, noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Kids and Kubs photo display board, Sunken Gardens, 1825 Fourth St. N. Free in the main lobby.

[Last modified February 9, 2005, 00:44:18]