Down Memory Lane: Sunday Ball A NO-NO

When playing ball on Sunday was a NO-NO.

 

The Evening Telegram (Thursday, September 29th, 1966)

 

 

Council chastised the St. John’s Senior Softball League for playing a championship game in a city owned park last Sunday in violation of council’s policy on Sunday games. Councillor James Fagan brought the subject saying that while he was not necessarily against Sunday games he did not like the way the softball league flaunted the municipal rule against them. Another organization had been turned down by council when it asked to use a city property for a Sunday game and now felt it had been discriminated against he said. Councillor James Browne said the organization which had been turned down (unnamed) also got in touch with him and “screamed discrimination.” Mayor William Adams said that to “add insult to injury” about 50 cars were parked on the grass at Bannerman Park where the Sunday game was held. The policy of council is no Sunday sport said the Mayor and the league will be written that “if there is another infraction of this rule they’ll have to look for another place to play.” Councillor Geoff Carnell wanted to know why the park police allowed the cars to drive onto the grass and an inquiry into this will be made.