Commissioners prepare for the unveiling with Aggie Owens in center. Photo by Ron Bailey.
Great Mills, MD — Mr. Softball now has a fitting memorial. The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County Nov. 3 formally dedicated a plaque in honor of the late Kenny Dement at Softball Field Number 3 at Chancellors Run Regional Park in Great Mills, next to the Softball Hall of Fame.
Dement, a two-term county commissioner (2002-10) dedicated his life to the sport of softball in St. Mary’s County. Recreation and Parks Director Brian Loewe (shown), during the dedication ceremony, noted Dement was founder and president of the Slow-Pitch Softball League for 35 years. Along the way he was a manager, coach, administrator, player and sponsor. He is enshrined in the adjacent St. Mary’s County Softball Hall of Fame and the Maryland Slow-Pitch Hall of Fame.
Loewe observed that Dement was responsible for bringing many players to St. Mary’s County for tournaments. He said they stayed in local motels, ate at restaurants and drank a lot of Budweiser. “It was an early stage of economic development,” he observed.
St. Mary’s County Commissioner President Randy Guy [R] told the audience that his father was a sponsor of Rocking Chair Softball (what slow-pitch was known as in those days) with the Hideaway Bar.
The memorial was suggested to the county by Aggie Owens, a friend of Dement’s. She was on hand for the dedication and assisted in the unveiling of the monument.
Please enjoy the Photo Gallery of the dedication by The Bay Net Photojournalist Ron Bailey.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynetcom
