Former Durfee state champion softball head coach to have new field named after him
FALL RIVER — In Steve Winarski's humble assessment, he was but the Durfee softball Ralph Kramden.
“I just drove the bus. The kids did all the hard work,” the Hilltoppers' former head coach said last week.
If Winarski's name isn't already synonymous with Durfee softball, it's about to be. On Tuesday, the beautiful new artificial turf softball field at Durfee will be named for the retired physical education teacher. The dedication ceremony is set for 5 p.m., with a game against Diman Regional to follow at 6 p.m. The public is invited and urged to attend.
The Durfee boss on the diamond from 1997 to 2011, Winarski enjoyed great success, most notably with his Hilltoppers winning two state Division 1 championships — in 1998 and 2004.
The players' hard work, he mentioned, included Sunday practices before Monday games, two-hour practices preseason, and 90-minute/no-standing-around practices during the season. “I wanted to keep everyone busy, everyone always moving,” said Winarski, who recently turned 70.
In addition to the two state titles (and accompanying Eastern Mass. titles), Winarski's Hlltoppers claimed three South Sectional titles and seven Big 3 Conference crowns. His career record at Durfee was, as of this writing, not available, due to a few records missing from his archives. But his win total is comfortable above 200.
The 1998 championship playoff run included a 12-inning, 1-0 win over Woburn. In 2004, the Hilltoppers and pitcher Caitlin Belanger allowed one run in the playoffs and won the title game 1-0 over Fitchburg in eight innings.
Interestingly, Winarski noted, both state champions lost three of their final five regular-season games to head into the tournament at 15-5.
Also in the 2004 playoff run, the Hilltoppers were the visitors for all neutral-site games, whether or not they won the toss. Winarski said he liked to start such pressure games batting because nervousness can cause more havoc on defense.
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Winarski, a 1972 Durfee grad and starting catcher on the 1971 baseball D1 state champions, jumped from softball junior varsity coach to varsity coach after his very successful predecessor and friend, Jack Campbell, took the head job at Stonehill College. The original plan changed when Campbell opted to not return. Winarski was in it for the long run.
“I didn't do this to have a field named after me,” said Winarski, who also had a long run as Durfee head football coach. “I did it because I loved it.”
Having Diman as the dedication day opponent is fitting. After stepping down as Durfee head coach, Winarski coached at Diman from 2012 to 2018, the first year at the junior varsity and the remaining seasons as an assistant to head coach and Durfee Athletics Hall of Famer Cathie Noversa. Winarski was also an assistant and then head football coach at Diman.
Lou Ledoux, owner of Axis Bats in the city and a longtime friend of Winarski, is making 120 mini-bats as mementos for the ceremony. Winarski, he said, will autograph each one. The bats will be free for the taking at Tuesday's ceremony.
To get to the field, enter from Elsbree Street near the Driscoll Rink and drive straight through the gates. The field is a short walk up the hill.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Former Durfee softball head coach Steve Winarski to be honored
