Another title year for Ivy Inn

Over-40 softball team takes league, playoff crowns

By: Bob Nuse
   The competition keeps getting better, but Ivy Inn keeps winning.
   For the 13th straight year, the team captured the regular season championship of the Princeton Recreation Over-40 Softball League. And for the sixth time in those 13 years, the team added a playoff championship to go with it.
   Ivy Inn topped Abel’s Bagels, 24-3, in the final. Abel’s Bagels had eliminated regular-season co-champ Dewey’s Upholstery. Ironically, Ivy Inn did not face long-time rival Dewey’s during the playoffs. The teams had tied at 9-1 during the season, with Ivy Inn winning a regular-season playoff game.
   "We’ve won the league title 13 straight years, which is a pretty good accomplishment," Ivy Inn manager Steve Perone said. "Even with our team, which has had some pretty good players over the years, you still need a little luck to win. We’ve won the playoffs six out of the 13 years.
   "The league has gotten a lot better with teams like Abel’s Bagels and the Outlaws. We’ve got six teams now and the league is strong."
   In the championship game win, winning pitcher Bob Noonan homered to spark the offense. Nick Doura had four hits, while Paul McKenna, John Pesce, Jon Brost and Greg Boyden all had three hits apiece.
   "For the most part, we’ve been together as a team or played against each other our whole lives," Perone said. "Very few guys have come from outside of friendships or guys we’ve played with or against over the years. The only new player we had this year was Nick Doura, who is a friend of Jack Oakley.
   "At this point in time in our careers, most of us have played at a pretty high level. Now it’s just all of us trying to have fun. We’ve played in the Mercer Majors and with travel teams. Now, everyone just wants to have fun and play with their friends."
   That means playing in the Princeton league, which provides a nice outlet for players who have had long softball careers.
   "Some of us are still playing in the Montgomery 35-and-over league with LaRue Auto Care," Perone said. "So we’re playing in a couple of leagues. Now, a lot of the leagues are folding because the younger guys aren’t playing softball any more. My son is 23 and he can’t find a league to play in."
   Ivy Inn has a league to play in, and a wonderful sponsor for the team. And for the immediate future, no plans on stopping.
   "We have a great sponsor with Richie McClusky," Perone said. "Whatever we need, he takes care. He’s been great. And the league has been great. We have a good time and hopefully so do the rest of the guys in the league. It’s been fun."