Amazing tribute poem to Charlene & The GALS written by Cathy H.

The year was nineteen eighty-five.  

Our own Amanda Standidge not yet alive.

The Jays made the playoffs for the very first time

And Charlene moved to Oakville, bored out of her mind.

They met playing pick up at one of our parks.

Five Oakville housewives out before dark.

Looking for adventure and in search of intrigue;

They put their heads together and said “let’s form a league”

In the enclave of Glen Abbey it was a field of dreams,

They sought out sponsors to support their teams;

They gathered the moms, housebound and bored; 

Gave them a bat and ball and oh so much more.  

The league began with the a team, two or three;

 A coach unheard of; a fan you could not see

Now decades later with 8 teams strong;

Coaches’ lineup and the fans come along

Ladies are buddies, playing for fun,

That is until the regular season is done.

When playoffs begin there’s no place for the weak.

The gentle lambs become competitive freaks.

Team against team.  They defend and offend;

One reigns victorious and sadly, the season ends.

Each and every year new teams are formed

New and old friendships are found or reborn. 

The smack of the ball hitting the bat. 

Is nearly as fun as the party after that. 

Every Player a hostess after a game

A few drinks later many become untamed

We are forever indebted to Eleanor, Bonnie & Shirley King

They have afforded us chance after chance to perfect our home run swing. 

Hats off to Sue Robertson who we still see from time to time;

Out to watch dear Kelly dance the commitment line.

Charlene has long since given up her bats;

But we would be nowhere without her stats. 

The league would not exist without her dream,

Her humour, support and unending steam. 

Cheers to you Char, our forever reigning Queen.

Let’s raise a glass to these 5 ladies….