Men’s Softball Starts 2011 Summer Season

Scotts Valley's adult men’s softball league has started its summer season.

Family and friends are the fans who go out to the games on Monday and Wednesday nights at Siltanen Park.

Ten teams play in the competitive yet fun men’s D1 and D2 divisions. 

One of those teams is the Crush, coached by Terry McKenna. 

“This team has been playing adult softball for 12 years and currently has four father-son combinations playing together,” McKenna said.

It can clearly be seen on the field that two generations playing together creates a great atmosphere.

“This is what I have waited for,” player Dave Case said. “I finally have a chance to play with my son, Ryan.”

The Crush is not the only team with family members playing together.

The NSV team (North Scotts Valley) is coached by Daniel Abraham, with younger brother, Matt, on the team.

The Valdez brothers, Josh and Justin, play for WS Builders, while Daniel and Chris Bolanos play for the 8 Dirty 1’s with their longtime friend, Brett Levy.

“Having good friends makes the team,” Daniel Bolanos said.

The Scotts Valley men’s league has been around longer than some of the players have been alive. 

Its emphasis has always been a fun environment, with a bit of competition thrown in to keep it interesting.   

The Juice team has kept that interest alive for 17 years, ever since it was established in 1993.

“Back then, the prerequisite to play on The Juice was you had to live near the ballpark,” said Dan Abby, coach and original founder. “We enjoyed hanging around afterward being social. We all lived in the nearby Vineyards neighborhood, hence the name The Juice."

“This is a wonderful community, and that’s why we still enjoy playing softball here,” Abby added.