The Mount Clemens Lawyers’ Softball League is gearing up for the 2011 season. Interested attorneys and law students are invited to attend an April 6 organizational meeting at Madison’s Pub in downtown Mount Clemens. Pictured are members of the 2010 inaugural season championship team: (left to right kneeling) David March, Nate Edmonds and Manager Charles Trickey III, along with (standing left to right) Coach Larry D. Vande Vrede, Dale K. Vande Vrede, James G. Andary, II, Chris Fischer, Renaldo P. DeFrank, Jr., Mike Jolet, Charlie Mackinnon, Justin Vande Vrede, Rich "ROCK" Mroczka, Team Administrative Assistant Cindy Burlingame and Jeff Davis.
By Melanie Deeds
Legal News
The focus of the Mount Clemens Lawyers’ League might just be more convivial than competitive. Consider this: the Wednesday, April 6 get-together to plan the 2011 season is billed as “the pre-season social and organizational meeting.”
“We’re higher on social ability than athletic ability,” said Macomb County Circuit Court Chief Judge Matt Switalski, who was instrumental in reviving the softball league last year along with Mt. Clemens attorney Chuck Trickey.
The after-game gatherings at downtown Mount Clemens establishments seem as important as the action on the diamond.
“Getting together after the games is a great way to network and meet people,” Switalski said.
He noted that the sponsoring pubs and restaurants — Orleans Billiards Cafe, Madison’s Pub, Bath City Bistro, The Emerald Theatre, Fritts’ Pub and, new this year, Gus’ Coney Island — are all “nice and accessible and within walking distance from each other.”
Switalski and Trickey are hoping to add more teams and are encouraging interested attorneys, judges and law students to attend the meeting at 6 p.m. Madison’s.
The event is sponsored by the local law firm of Fraser and Souweidane PC.
In 2010, the six-game season started in late May and ended with a mid-July championship series.
Last year, four teams competed during a six-week season, which culminated in a championship series on July 14. The team sponsored by Orleans Billiards Cafe — headed by Trickey and attorney Nate Edmonds — took first place.
The other three teams, in order of their final standing positions, were: Bath City Bistro, led by Switalski and 39th District Court Judge Joseph Boedeker; The Emerald Theatre, led by Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith and comprised of members of his office; and Fritts' Pub, which sponsored a team comprised of law students from Michigan law schools.
Trickey said the inclusion of a team of law students was aimed at attracting younger ballplayers into the league. Another law school team is expected to join this year, he said.
Umpires have been lawyers who volunteer their services — George Birch and Larry Vande Vrede of Clinton Township, David Griem of Detroit, Tom Calcatera of Southfield, Robert Palmer of Royal Oak and Dan Rhodes of Livonia.
All of these volunteers, according to Trickey, had once participated in the 30-team Metro Detroit Lawyers League that for years competed at Softball City at the Michigan State Fairgrounds.
The league dissolved in 2008.
Along with the taverns and eateries, the league received contributions to post-game celebrations from The Resolution Center, Macomb Count Reporters, Advance Surveillance and Michigan Tether.
Trickey, who was commissioner of the old league for several years, said it appears the league will include six teams this year.
Switalski emphasized that the league includes attorneys from Wayne and Oakland counties as well and encourages lawyers and judges from those nearby areas to sign up.
Switalski has fond memories of his days playing at Softball City.
“My practice was largely in Macomb County and playing softball was a good way to meet people from Macomb County as well as surrounding areas.
“There are great demands on a lawyer’s time,” he said, “and often they see each other only in a courtroom. It’s good to get together like this.”
In addition to the competition on the field and the socializing with fellow judges and attorneys, Switalski is having a great deal of plain old fun.
The judge confessed he is putting pressure on some — retired attorneys and judges as well as fellow Circuit Court Judge Peter Maceroni — to help with his team so that it can improve on its second-place finish in 2010.
“I’ve added to my management team,” he said, “and I’m negotiating with Judge Maceroni to be part of the front office staff.”
He said he also was coming to terms with Clinton Township attorney Greg Buss, his first baseman, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday.
Sharing an email he received recently from Buss, Switalski listed some of the player’s demands: a pinch runner every time Bus made it to base, a prosthetic arm and “post-game massage therapy.”
Those interested in playing can call either of the co-commissioners, Switalski at 586.469.5135 or Trickey at 586.465.8203.
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