As the summer season continues to wind down, something caught the attention of this reporter the other day driving past the Bristol Town Common.

Once upon a time, going back starting in the 1920s, the Bristol Town Common was the site of some of the greatest baseball contests ever played in this town, later to be followed by fast and slow-pitch softball, and even competitive recreation men’s basketball.

And yet on this hot, humid day in July, nary a soul could be spotted on the baseball diamond or basketball court. The only saving grace was the usual multitude of pickleball aficionados doing their thing on the east side of the Common.

Baseball, basketball, football, and soccer drew familiar contestants back in the day. Bristol was (and still is) proud of its athletic heritage, and without question, the Bristol Town Common helped spurn some of the finest talent this town ever produced. Included in that group were legends like Marty Biancuzzo, Leon LeMaire, Andy D’Ambrosia, Frank “Hut” Carreiro, Manuel “Flash” Ferreira, Antonio “River “Cardoza, Jim Salzano, Paul Bruno, Leo Mansi, “Whitey” Tavares, Tony “Baker Perry” Pereira, Frank Murgo, Hector Massa, and the list goes on.

In subsequent years, the Town Common baseball/softball diamond drew large crowds as people flocked behind the backstop and along the sidewalk past third and first base to cheer on their favorite hero. As legend has it, there was also a little gambling and betting going on to help fuel the interest.

Following the “Little World Series” and other big-time sports events, the Bristol Recreation Dept. added girls’ sporting and recreational events, as well as the highly popular and entertaining Men’s Summer Basketball League. The late Anthony Agatiello and Richard J. Travers, former recreation directors, along with Joe Goulart and Naomi (Sousa) Carpenter, who did much to enhance the girls’ programs, helped turn the Town Common into a notable recreational treasure.

Today, residents are now in tune with the many exercise and sports programs being held at the Bristol Department of Parks and Recreation on Asylum Road.

But, with due respect with the wonderful programs being offered at the Recreation Center these days, it’s the historic Bristol Town Common that promoted the aforementioned athletes, and others of the same genre.

“I played softball and basketball on the Common during the summer for a number of years,” said Sam Pasqua. “I can’t tell you how competitive all these teams were during the 1950s, ‘60’s and ‘70s. I was happy to be a part of it.”

Bristol native Harry Mello, now 83 years of age, practically lived on the Common during those years displaying the same raw talent that made him an all-star third baseman for the Swanee River Fishing Club and Cup Defenders Assn.

“People came out in droves to watch us play each night,” he smiled. “Those were the days. We all had so much fun.”

Without question, the most ballyhooed game ever played during that era was the classic Fourth of July Celebration contest between the Bristol-All-Stars and world renowned Gansett 57 Brewers (aka Local 57 Engineers). In that game, a prodigious grand-slam home run by Richard “Foxy” Marshall in the last inning carried the Bristol boys to a 5-3 victory. The sellout crowd in attendance roared its approval.

“Even when slow-pitch softball entered the scene in later years, people still came to the games in large numbers,” said Harry Mello. “The Town Common was always electric when we played each night. I can just imagine how things would have been had we had lights on the field back then.”

But, that’s a story for another time.

For those old enough to remember, according to Mello, John P. Andrade, owner of the John Andrade Insurance Agency, was an amazing piece of the championship puzzle during that time span.

“He was my favorite player,” said Mello, “and a class act all the way. And, that also goes for my dear friend, the late Ray Martin, who played third base like few others.”

Nowadays Mello, like so many other former schoolboy and college greats, concentrates on his golf game as much as possible.

“Even when I’m out on the golf course, I’ll think about all these great ballplayers who used the Bristol Town Common to their advantage,” he confessed.  “I always admired the late Artie Pansa, who was as recreation minded as anyone I ever met. I liked his style.”

Nowadays, for example, children who attend nearby Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School can be seen going through their recreational paces during recess hours, etc., as well as other small groups. You’ll also see kids kicking the soccer ball around at times to stay competitive.

But, if you were old enough to remember softball and baseball on the Town Common, consider yourself lucky. There was nothing quite like it.