86th Annual Mud Bowl sees victory for Bittners for first time in over 10 years

ELYRIA — The 86th annual Mud Bowl certainly lived up to its name Monday afternoon as members from the 38 Club and Bittners sloshed through the Vic Janowicz Memorial Park infield. Taking a slow lead, the Bittners reigned victorious for the first time in over 10 years against the 38 Club in the long-running slow-pitch softball game. Chris Sito, 60, who is in his 41st round of the game, said the Mud Bowl has truly become a family tradition and it's all thanks to a feud back in 1938. "How this all really got started was over a game of cards on New Year's Eve," Sito, coach for the 38 Club, said. "Clem Monske of Bittner's Funeral Home was talking about how good his fastpitch team was and that's when John Fritz decided to challenge him." Fritz put together a ragtag group of players known as the 38 Club and on New Year's Day the two went head to head. It's become a family affair since then. "Well 86 years later we are still out here and I am with my family while doing it," Sito said. "This has gotta be the oldest sports activity in the city if not the county and it's a great tradition to have." The teams still operate under the original names paying homage to the two that started it all. Bittners was the name of Monske's fast pitch team while 38 Club comes from original member Walt Kaszubinski, whose badge number at his caddying job was 38. While the original players are no longer on the field, many regulars and family members take their place continuing on the friendly feud. Players like Paul Sadowski, Conrad Monske and Chris Sito each made their 40th or greater appearance, while Robin Metera rounded off a 50th. Family members ranging from 70 to 20 stood side by side taking turns at the bat, including Sito's daughter Kristin, the first woman to play in the game. "Growing up I always wanted to do whatever my brothers did and so when I was old enough to play I went for it," she said. "I became the first woman to play in 2008 and I try to be here to play every year since then." While the game has moved around a bit, traveling from Hamilton Field outside the old schools to Vic Janowicz, the two family-built teams have continued their fun. The game stayed at a slow pace Monday as players took time to enjoy the above-freezing temperatures, a luxury Conrad Monske, Clem's son, said hasn't always been there. "We have played in snow up to our ankles as well as rain, ice and negative temperatures," Monske said. "But we do it and it feels great because if my dad was still here I think he would be very proud of us." The two teams are already preparing for next year and the years beyond. Sito said they hope to turn the game into a fundraising event for Elyria's Little League teams by the 90th game. The Bittners' win over 38 Club marked the 38th win for the team against the 48 wins held by 38 Club. Contact Lauren Hoffman at (440) 328 6902 or Lhoffman@chroniclet.com.