Bushels of Baseballs OR Political Rightness in a by-gone era

LYNNFIELD COLONIALS 1973

The recent passing of our dear family friend and devoted “Lynnfield-ite”, Warren Mason, (third from left – front row) invoked a recollection of the infamous “bushels of baseballs” story of some 40 years ago… in an era when common sense prevailed in decision making.

In 1973, the sponsorship and general operation of The Lynnfield Colonials transferred to Wesley Reed and our family business, Reed Brothers Enterprises (as we were known then.)  We bought new uniforms, managed the finances (there are expenses even in amateur baseball) and even groomed the ball field for games.  Stu Ross, a neighbor and friend, who ran The Colonials in the 1960s at the team’s inception, returned to help on the baseball side, and together with Warren Mason we put together a very good team… talented enough to compete in the Inner City League.

Warren “Herm” Mason had been a teammate of Wes’ on The Colonials in the late 60s.  He had been an outstanding three sport athlete at LHS and had played second base on the 1961 undefeated State Champion LHS Varsity Baseball team.  Upon returning home from the Air Force, Warren received his degree from UMass.  And, while at UMass Warren played on an outstanding baseball team that went to The College World Series.  Needless to say, he had excellence in his pedigree.

One of Warren’s first tasks was the “rounding up” of talent.  If we were to be competitive in the fast Inter City League, we’d be needing to “augment” our “local” talent.  His UMass/College World Series team had a plethora of fine ballplayers and a half dozen or so “found their way” to The Lynnfield Colonials – and, to be specific, most of whom were left handed hitters – to take advantage of the very short right field fence at “Town Park” (at the Middle School.)

Well, we had quite a team in ’73… and our left handed batters led the way… home runs in bunches… competing for first place… all was good… until Wes was summoned to appear at a school committee meeting.  He, Stu and Warren would have to answer for complaints from The Perry Ave. neighbors who lived on the other side of the right field fence (note: “The Perry Ave” group has a long history of “civic” involvement… years later they would be a voting block against the “Lights for the Middle School football field Initiative.”)

So the meeting was set for a Monday evening and we were high on the agenda.  The Colonials contingent – Wes, Stu Ross and Warren – arrived “fashionably late” and we took our seats at the side.  There, in the first row of the gathering was a formidable number of Perry Ave. residents with THREE BUSHES of BASEBALLS… for effect of course… set before them.

Dr. Thomas Devany, a Lynnfield dentist and sports enthusiast, was the Chairman of The School Committee and opened the discussion.  The Perry Ave. abutters, fortified by their collection of baseballs, presented their complaint that The Colonials were a nuisance, or worse, a menace.  They could not go into their backyards for fear of being bonked by a home run.  The Colonials then had their time.  Wes presented the historical facts – that “Town Field” was the site of baseball in Lynnfield since the first part of the 20th century LONG BEFORE Perry Ave. and the houses existed… and that The Colonials were a credit to Lynnfield and very popular with the town folk.  Stu Ross, who spent his entire career working at Logan Airport spoke passionately and drew the comparison of buying a home next to a ballfield was like buying one near an airport – there would always be some inconvenience, noise or otherwise… just the way it is.

Tom Devany took it all in, along with the other members, then said…

“What days do you (The Colonials) usually play home games?”
(Mondays and Fridays)

Can you shift your batting practices so left handed batters hit more toward center field?
“Of course we can.”

OK then – Tom says to the dour and solemn faced neighbors.. “On Mondays and Fridays you folks will just have to stay out of your back yards!”  What is next on the meeting agenda?  With that we promptly got up and exited the room… on a fast march… only pausing for a glance at the less-than-pleased-group in the front row.  We were so happy to “escape” with such a favorable ruling (thanks to Tom Devany) that we didn’t even ask for our baseballs back!

For Wes, who is the only one of the “Colonials Group” left who was in that room… looking back, such a ruling could ONLY have happened in a long ago era.  Warren Mason, whose integrity, wisdom and presence was very much a large part of the respect we had gained and success we had… and, he was, after all, the “handler” of all those left handed sluggers!