Payson Roundup

The adult men’s basketball league has been one of the town’s most popular recreational offerings since the early 1980s when Dennis Hansen and Tim Fruth helped resurrect a league that had fallen on hard times.

In those early days, Payson Concrete and a squad made up of PUSD teachers and coaches usually battled for the league title.

Fruth remembers the teachers’ team featured a woman player, Patty Delp, who was one of the first females to play in basically what was a men’s league.

“She was very good,” Fruth said.

In the mid 1980s, State Farm became the team to beat in a league overseen by town recreation leader Don Fishel.

Today, the faces of the players have changed, but the league remains one of the parks and recreation department’s most popular sports with 12 teams usually participating in recreational, competitive and over-30-years divisions.

For the 2010 season, registration is now open and will continue until Feb.1.

Town sports coordinator Joseph Harris says league play begins Feb. 15 and will continue for two months with each team playing about two games per week in old Payson High School gymnasium.

Players must be 18 years of age and out of high school to participate. The entry fee is $300 per team.

Harris’ plans are to again host recreational and competitive divisions. A 30-years-plus division will be formed if at least four teams agree to compete.

For more information, visit the P&R offices located at Green Valley Park, call Harris at (928) 474-5242, ext. 7 or log on to the Town of Payson Web site.