104 It Happened in Iona

many years and until his ordination to the priesthood in 1953. He was also a good batter and nifty fielder and I can still feel the sting in my hand from his dynamite throws to first base. In later years Erwin Connolly was a player to watch since he was so nimble with both bat and glove and a particularly good pitcher. Our ball diamond lay in a number of locations over the years but the chosen site eventually became Willard Roche’s field in Iona East and situated well back from the road. With considerable devotion that diamond became neatly groomed and provided many hours of top sports and recreation for a long line of athletes and spectators alike, mostly on Sunday afternoons.