Ben Franklin Softball League History:

The league began in April 0f 1968 with 4 teams and 2 make shift fields.  The leagues consisted of a team from the Ben Franklin Jr. High School managed by James "Harp" Janacone and Angelo Fornataro.  A team from George Washington managed by Ed Dimuccio, Jerry Hassan Sr and Tom Tepilca.  A team from the Elementary School managed by Andy Gangliero and Joe Martin and a team made up of young players from Shenango managed by Mike Glorioso.

The games were played on the Glorioso Farm at the intersection of Route 60 and 422.  The other field was part of the New Castle Field Club located behind Lockley Elementary School on Scott St.

From the beginning, the league involved from it's 4 original teams  to 36 teams in the mid 70's.  At this time all games were played on Wednesday's and every team played 1 double header each week.  This caused a huge crunch on the softball fields.

Almost every field in Lawrence County was in use, such as North Beaver, Mohawk Elementary, West Pittsburgh, Snake Run, Chewton, Wumpum, El Rio Beach, Marinelli Field, Deshon A & B, Pulaski Field, Walmo Field, Skaneski Field, Copper Field, Marshall Field, Glorioso Farm, Mac Truck Field and Winslow Field to name a few.

Begining in the 80's and continuing today the once a week doubleheaders continued but game were now played on Monday thru Thursday.  This helped cut down on travel time and field maintenance.  

Begnining in 2000 most games were played at Gaston Park, and Progresive Field.  In the last 3 years, the Benfranklin softball League maintained 30 or more teams divided into 4 different divisions.

The first 22 years of the league the Benfranklin Sportsman Club won 19 of those 22 league champsionships.  Over 22 1/2 years of existence many players passed through the lineup of the Ben Franklin Sportsman Club including 2 members of the Pennsylvania's ASA Hall of Fame; Fred "Bull" Ryan and Anthony "Bercie" Guiliano.