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FLORENCE: Township softball kicks off new season

In the middle of the field April 6 addressing the players and their families was Donna Sadler, the new president for recreation softball.

by Amy Batista, Special Writer
FLORENCE — Opening Day for the recreation softball season officially began last Saturday with 11 teams making their way out into the field and lined up all around the outside of the diamond.
   In the middle of the field April 6 addressing the players and their families was Donna Sadler, the new president for recreation softball.
   In an email to the Register News, Martin Eckert Jr., township recreation director, lauded Ms. Sadler.
   ”Donna is a very active member in the community and is not only the current president for softball but also a member of the Florence Township Recreation Committee,” he said. “We understand that she has put together a great program for the children in the community and we wish everyone a great season.”
   During the opening ceremonies, Vice President Patrick Goodspeed took a few minutes to recognize all its sponsors.
   ”Without these guys, the season would be a lot harder to run without these guys,” he said, adding for the parents to try and support them back as well as they support us.
   Each sponsor had a new banner displaying their business which was hanging for display on the fence in the outfield.
   David Dennison, former recreation director, threw out the first pitch with Mr. Eckert by his side to officially open the season at 12:30 p.m. on the Susan M. Muchowski Memorial Field.
   ”Dave was our recreation director for the last 20 years,” Ms. Sadler said, adding that he had many other duties – the construction office, the welfare department, and a volunteer for the Salvation Army.
   He officially retired Jan. 1, 2014.
   ”His most notable was being a recreation director,” she said. “Everything he did was for the children of Florence.”
   He was presented with a plaque from the recreation program thanking him for his years of service to the recreation programs.
   ”It was fun,” Mr. Dennison said, adding that the years flew by.
   The complex has two softball fields, three baseball fields and a field that is shared, Ms. Sadler said.
   There are additional fields for soccer, field hockey, and more. There are probably a dozen field in the complex and then there are off-site fields too, Mr. Eckert said.
   For Mr. Dennison, a highlight is seeing the expressions and laughter of the kids.
   ”That’s the important thing,” he said.
   ”On behalf of Mayor (Craig) Wilkie, members of council and the entire municipal staff, we congratulate Mr. Dennison on this honor,” he said. “It’s a special thing to be recognized in front of the children of the community and the families that Dave spent so many years preparing programs and activities.”
   Mr. Eckert noted that the registration was up a little bit more than last year.
   ”The numbers are all going to be up on both sports,” he said, adding that baseball was also seeing an increase in numbers as well.
   New this year is the addition of the division of four years old who can play.
   ”I have not seen a sports program like Florence,” he said, adding that he grew up around the area in Burlington Township and resides in Delran. “It says a lot when you see the parents and the kids and all the volunteer coaches. It sets a nice atmosphere.”
   Opening day for the boys baseball took place April 12.