By BILL EDISON

I’m here to tell you softball fans that the beauti ful wooden engraved sign for Flanders Field designed by John Scott and his wife has survived the ravages of winter. This means that the softball season in Chilmark will start on Sunday, June 27. I hope the old-time ball players like Ziggy, Jim Wallen, Caleb and Dan Pinck have withstood the ravages of time as well. I understand that Dan has developed a submarine stinker to go with his wicked knuckleball pitch while playing in the Pelican League down in Florida.

Julie Flanders will throw out the symbolic first pitch in memory of her father, David, the best player in Chilmark’s long history.

Now, as self-proclaimed softball commissioner, I must get the field ready for play. This means finding someone to cut the grass and eliminate the poison ivy in the spectators’ section before Hans puts down the new bases. Also, I will start harassing everybody with early morning phone calls — to be there on time, 8:30 a.m., for that opening day double-header.

You have been forewarned. So keep those phone lines open. If you need to get in touch with me, just plug into Chilmarkcomish.com, and I’ll try to answer your questions about the proper dress code.

Let the good times roll!

Bill (Commish) Edison lives in Menemsha.