Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 10, 2024 It Takes A Family To Build A Park While Bob Davis is World Series Park’s superintendent, his late wife Carolyn’s influence made it happen for two decades By Joe McConnell L ong before World Series Park was even in Bob Davis’s thought process, both he and Carolyn, his wife of 60 years, before she passed away in February after a long illness, understood the pros and cons of the Saugus sports scene. Together, they raised three children in the community, where they were quite active in its athletic programs across all backdrops. In 2003, when the Saugus American Little League Williamsport all-star team not only captured the attention of its neighbors in town, but also throughout New England after they made it all the way to the United States championship game, Bob got the ball rolling to turn a piece of swampland behind the Belmonte School into what turned out to be the crown jewel of baseball facilities throughout the North Shore, if not the state itself. Bob knew the work involved to pull everything together to get the project done would take time and patience. He needed first and foremost the support of his family. Carolyn already knew the town needed Carolyn Davis (right), who passed away in February after a long illness, was always at World Series Park in support of her husband, Bob (left), the facility’s founder and superintendent. Carolyn also managed the park’s concession stand, which was named after her late last month during the park’s 20th anniversary celebration. In this photo, Ed Stetson (center) is shown being honored as a donor to the Wall of Fame plaque about 10 years ago. The plaque is located on the concession stand. (Courtesy photo / Ken Howse) a brand-new baseball complex, because of her involvement as a sports mom. Stackpole Field was showing its age, and, because of that, it was easy for her to get behind the development of World Series Park. When World Series Park was christened in 2004, there was still work to be done to bring the facility up to certain 21st century standards that would make it the envy of nearby communities. A new state-ofthe-art concession stand and press box and meeting room behind home plate was soon built. An aluminum flagpole down the right-field line followed, and in 2021 lights were finally installed after years of fundraising to make it happen. I saw the 2004 opening of World Series Park and subsequent additions to it firsthand as the sports editor of a former Saugus newspaper. I began to know Bob and Carolyn quite well, as well as their son, Glen. They seemingly were always there to make sure the grass was mowed and the basepaths and batter’s boxes were properly lined for the games, the concession stand was constantly stocked with goodies for the fans, and for other aesthetics that created a pleasant, memorable experience. ~ Saugus High School Sports round-Up ~ By Dom Nicastro SAUGUS BASEBALL DROPS TWO OF THREE Saugus baseball stands at 7-6 after 13 games. Saugus bested Salem, 4-3, after taking the lead late in the game. The game was tied at three in the top of the fifth when Tyler Riley singled, scoring one run. In the top of the fourth inning, Saugus took a lead after Nathan Soroko singled, and Cam Soroko singled, each scoring one run. Shane Bourque stole two bases. Saugus stole six bases in the game. Soroko led things off on the mound for Saugus. He allowed seven hits and three runs (two earned) over five and two-thirds innings, striking out seven and walking one. Cam Bernard pitched one and one-third innings of shutout ball for Saugus in relief. He surrendered two hits, striking out one and walking none. Shawsheen blanked Saugus, 5-0. Danny Zeitz stepped on the hill first for Saugus. The starting pitcher surrendered five hits and three runs over four innings, striking out two and walking three. Jordan Rodriguez finished up the final three innings, walking three and striking out one. Zeitz went 2-for-3 at the plate, and Cam Soroko had Saugus’ other hit. Marblehead beat Saugus, 7-4. Saugus’ Riley made the most of his chances at the plate. He had two hits in three atbats. Bourque, Jeff Murphy, and Riley each drove in one run for Saugus. Bourque stole two bases. Saugus stole six bases in the game. Cam Soroko started and struck out seven. SAUGUS GIRLS LACROSSE DROPS TWO OF THREE Saugus beat Salem, 11-6, on the road. Violet Hawley, Nina Penachio (four), Juliana Scalis (two), Ashley Rezendes, Mara Faiella, and Aly Mabee (two) scored goals for the Sachems. Saugus traveled to Winthrop and lost, 10-1. Mabee scored the lone goal. Saugus returned home and lost to Danvers, 19-8. Penachio had five goals, and Mabee had the other three. SAUGUS GIRLS TRACK SHINES Saugus girls track beat Salem, 101-6, on Senior Night. “This was our first meet where we had a full roster as we have struggled with injuries all season,” Saugus coach Joe Alba said. “We lost our star sprinter and three-year captain Madi Femino to a torn meniscus for the rest of the season, so filling in her role is very tough. The girls have been great this season as a few have already qualified for the Division 4 state tournament that will take place May 23 and May 25 at Westfield State University. With us being a small team, they still continue to impress me every single day with their personal records, hard work, and dedication.” Some results from Salem: Jessica Bremberg (senior captain): first place in the long jump, triple jump, and the 400 Destiny Okoye (freshman): first place in the high jump and 100 Soraya Mathieu (eighth grade): second place in the 100 and long jump Alesha Bien-Aime (sophomore): first place in 100 hurdles and second place in triple jump Angie Lopez (junior captain): first place in 200 and shot put Kendall Hatch (junior): first place in discus and second place in shot put Brianna Feldman (junior): first place in 400 hurdles and second place in discus Girls 4x100m relay remains undefeated this season and qualified for states. The 4x100 relay team includes Destiny Okoye, Savanna Ceruolo, Jess Bremberg, and Soraya Mathieu. Three Saugus girls also competed in the NEC Freshman/Sophomore meet at Gloucester on May 4. “Despite only having three girls, we went there and represented the town of Saugus very well,” Alba said. Okoye, a freshman, won in the high jump, was runner-up in the 200, and took third place in the 100. Peyton DiBiaso, a sophomore, took runner-up (second place) in the javelin, fifth place in the high jump, and sixth place in the 400 hurdles. Sophomore Bien-Aime had a very strong performance in the 100 hurdles and triple jump. “With the three of them performing, we got ourselves eighth out of 10 teams, scoring 39 points,” Alba said. “They impressed me. The girls performed really well, and the fact the three of them got 39 points is outstanding. I look at this like a win, and it excites me for what is in the near future for these athletes. Saugus girls track is heading in the right direction.” Saugus’ next meet will be on May 10 at Winthrop, where it will be taking on a very competitive and well-coached Vikings squad. They beat Danvers by six, and the Sachems lost to them. “We were short-handed due to injury that meet,” Alba said, “but if we stay healthy and we perform well, I believe this meet will come down to the wire.” SAUGUS BOYS LACROSSE PICKS UP WINS Saugus beat Revere, 14-1, and topped Malden, 15-2. Connor Lacey was great in goal both days; he is an eighth grader. Larry Barrows, who was playing net while Lacey was hurt, scored the first goal of the game against Revere. Eighth grader Cam Marchand had seven goals and four assists against Malden. Bob took care of the park’s grounds both on and off the diamond, while Carolyn managed the concession stand. Their springs, summers and even falls for two decades were consumed at the park, pretty much seven days a week. But they weren’t complaining, because they were doing it for the love of the Saugus community without any financial benefit. And Bob continues to put in the work. The experience was not always pleasant for them. They had to endure occasional vandalism, as well as criticism from some who thought they knew better. But they soldiered on because they understood the bigger picture. This park was and continues to be for Saugus baseball players, and Carolyn’s contributions and sacrifices to make that happen will never be forgotten by those of us who saw her dedication and support for it up close. The concession stand was rightfully named after her during the 20th anniversary ceremony of the park late last month. Sacrifice and volunteerism embodied her entire life, and the Saugus community is richer today for it.
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