In a spring Sunday morning battle in the Bnai Yeshurun Mens Club Softball League, one of the league’s oldest franchises, The Mighty Ducks (2-1), defeated the Expansion Team Sharei Tefilla (0-3) by a score of 6 to 1. The game was an uncharacteristically low-scoring game, featuring solid pitching and defense. There were two key double plays as well turned by the Ducks.

Originally assembled from the Teaneck apartment complex community 20 years ago, the Ducks are one of four of the leagues original franchises that still remain. The team features the “Core Three” original Mighty Ducks : Pitcher David Miller, lead-off hitter Allen Pfeifer, and Captain Elliot Rothschild. But the team has added some tremendous talent over the years—Barry Finkelstein, Mark Pollack, Brian Jacobs, David Gross, Jon Schloss and Mordy Book. In the last few years, the team has also added power multidimensional star players Yoni Weber, Brett Peven, Dov Adler, and Mordy Simpson. The Ducks also sprinkle in some youth on many Sundays with the Duck’s teenage children playing alongside their fathers.

The team’s goal is to play a competitive fun game. The Ducks alumni includes over 20 players now living in Eretz Yisrael, including two roshei yeshivah, a number of venture capitalists and a meshulach!

When asked about the secret to their durability, David Miller replied, “It never gets old. For years I shut down the Mighty Mossad. As long as I can battle the youngsters, I plan to continue.” Pfeiffer added, “I plan to play until someone else falls for my hidden ball trick. So far it has worked only on Ronnie Aranoff.”

Rothschild remarked, “Each year our team is heavier and slower. The wives and children no longer come out to watch us play and each week our bodies ache in places we did not know existed. Nevertheless, as long as Miller and Pfeiffer can drag their bodies to the field, I shall as well.”

By Allen Pfeifer