CHESTERTOWN — Frank Hurst, founder and commissioner emeritus of Ye Olde Town Bocce League in Chestertown, now has a permanent front row seat at the Wilmer Park courts.
When the fall season opened on Sept. 2, a bench memorialized with an engraved plaque was dedicated as a tribute to Hurst, who spent more than 10 years as the league commissioner. Current Commissioner Jim Mason, other league officials and players were in attendance to applaud Hurst.
Ye Olde Town Bocce League started in the fall of 2013 with a modest goal of attracting 25 players.
Instead, the turnout was 66 — enough for 10 teams.
Today the league has 50 teams and more than 400 participants, playing on Tuesday and Thursday nights in Wilmer Park in both spring and fall seasons.
Hurst has been essential to the league’s success.
He stepped down at the conclusion of the spring 2024 season, but remains the league’s biggest supporter.
Mason, who took up the leadership role in the fall of 2024, had this to say about Hurst: “Frank is one of the very first people my wife and I met when moving to Chestertown. He is one of the kindest and good-hearted people I have ever known.”
Mason noted that Hurst “inspired the creation of the league” and the league’s growth is a testament to Hurst’s diligence and hard work.
One Response
Yay Frank! You’re a rock star.
Xoxo, jenifer