A Friendship Born on Cement

If you are a member of AARP and grew up in the inner city, chances are you played your softball on the cement hardtop of a schoolyard.

This story is about two senior members of the Mirage softball team. Artie Posillipo, 78, and Sam Green, 74, grew up in the Bronx, a place where grass was not easily accessible.

These off-the-field friends have been playing ball against each other since the mid 60s. Artie was a wrist-strong left-handed hitter. According to Sam, Artie could pull the inside pitch deep or slap the outside pitch to left. Sam went on to say that if Artie slapped a grounder to short, he had the speed to leg a hit every time.

Sam started his career as a third baseman. Talk about the hot corner – none of us who played cement softball wanted anything to do with third. You think the ball comes down there fast on dirt! I remember many an infielder going home with large welts all over their legs. Personally, I stuck to the safety of centerfield. At third base that ball would be on you like a blur. According to Artie, Sammy was the original vaccuum at third.

The old schoolyard is long gone and a Shoprite now stands in it's place. The boys lost touch for a few years but by sheer coincidence they both moved to the Mirage. What were the odds?

At this age these two warriors are now regulated to the mound. Once the ump says play ball the match is lit, and these two go at it tooth and nail. The competition is fierce. Some days Sam wins, some days Artie wins.

Once the game is over, the friendship is true.

If you really want a treat, make it over to Brackman school field on Saturday mornings and witness a friendship born on cement.