Durham Mens Fastball League

The History of Softball in Durham Men's

The Durham Men's League (DMFL) has been a mainstay in men's fastball in Oshawa and area for decades and one of the oldest softball leagues in Ontario.

Originally the league was housed at North Oshawa Park with 3 teams with a age requirement of 35 and over. As younger players were showing interest in playing Don Cherrys Guzzlers became Don Cherrys and the Guzzlers were added to the league. Long time player, stats man and many year League President Jarrod Boivin was a member of the new squad at that time, also current League President Adam Holt was a member of the young group. One of the original members of the Gen Auto team, Roger McIntosh is still playing and competing.

The league, when the author first saw it was homed at Durham College fields with several excellent fastball teams competing.

In those days it was commonly known as the Thursday Night Mens League. The league featured the Goreski brothers and John Annis leading Don Cherry's, the Boivin family leading the always entertaining Guzzlers, still see Jarrod running to centre field with a hotdog in glove, the always tough Mickie Finns team, they won a lot of games in their time. Jim Nemish at SS had the cleanest white spikes ever seen. Some of the team, now the Ravens, play DMFL.

Summer 2022 the league featured Bombers, Guns, Knights, Port Perry U20, Ravens and Wranglers. The Bombers a recent addition, by recent 10 years or more featuing the Swift family, J.C., Mal, Matt and Ryan, are perenial favourites to capture the league championship. The Guns formerly Don Cherry's and before that Mikes Heating and Air Conditioning formed in 2006.. The team has been a member of the Thursday Night Men's League for over 30 years. Current team leader Jeff Costanza has been a member of the league for 31 years.

The Knights started life as an Older age House League team and brought with them the weakly Diamond time at Alexandra. Over the years the group morphed into the Cardinals with large change players and continued the trend to become the Knights as we know them. Young pitchers Chase O'Halloran and Clayton Robinson lead from the mound, with veterans Scott Perry and Ryan Jaynes bringing experience to the group.

The young Port team enjoyed a marvellous learning experience last year. Exposure to older players and teams created the opportunity to see different methods and ways to compete. Unfortunately they will not return on 2023 as a team. The Ravens led by owner/manager Jim Trimm are the most mature group in the league but continue to compete with the younger teams. The Wranglers started life as Double B Intermediate led by Jim Spiers and featuring a group of young local players mixed with older players.

Legend Peter Landers pitched and coached with the group for many years and retired leaving a league worth of admirers marvelling at how he could compete like his younger self.