The Journey
‘For the Love of Romans Softball’
In 1976, Social Security employee Joe Turner, who headed the Titans’ softball team joined with fellow co-workers Paul Hood, Don Anderson, Richard Newby, Charles Quivers and the Romans softball team came into existence. The Romans initially played in the SSA/EAA employees’ league several days a week, with a goal to become the SSA/EAA League Champs, which was achieved in 1987. After several year of playing only in SSA/EAA leagues, the Romans started playing in outside leagues. This allowed the Romans to play in many different locations, Druid Hill Park, Patterson Park, Carroll Park just to name a few, winning numerous league championship along the way.
In 1983, The Romans made a trip to North Carolina during the 4th of July holiday to play softball. This trip became an annual event which continued for 7 years straight being discontinued for a couple of years before starting up again for several more years. This annual event provided members of the Romans with many incredible experiences and an even greater opportunity to connect too many people. This trip was moved to Labor Day several years later, so that The Romans were able to attend a family reunion of some of the friends that were made in the trips to North Carolina.
Since 1976, The Romans have had only 9 managers. Names like Van Story(76-77), Joe Turner(78-83, 92), Johnny Crowell(83-90), Rick Robinson(91), Ray Hairston(93-06, 08-10), James Lesane([55]-07), Paul Hood([55]08-09, [60]-10), Marvin Hicks([55]-11) and Kenneth Coleman([60]-11), all of these individuals were members of The Romans as players and many were actually player/coaches.
Continuously since 1976, there has been a Romans softball team. As the Romans ballplayers have matured, their passion and desire to play softball continue to be, fortunately for them there existed a senior softball league in Anne Arundel County. Since the early 2000s, The Romans have participated in senior softball, fielding teams of 50 & over, 55 & over and a 60 & over. These teams have been highly competitive with the 55 team winning league championships in 2008, 09, 10, along with finishing second, third and second in the SPA National Championship in Dalton, Georgia from 2008 thru 2010. The 60 team won the league championship this year, before travelling to the SPA Nationals in Dalton, Georgia and winning the 60 AAA National Championship in a field of 14 teams.
Some might perceive that the SPA National Championship in the 60 AAA’s was a dream realized for the Romans softball organization yet it is more of a goal achieved. In the 37 years of existence, there have been only four different sponsors for short periods of time. The Romans are self sponsored and only through the passion, desire and love of softball has the Romans softball teams continue to exist. Not only has The Romans continued to exist, they are winners and like fine wine it only gets better with age.
