Another title in 2024 …

Congrats again — to the Monmouth Beach Fire Company softball team for capturing its fifth straight championship in the Firemen’s Sunday Softball League. While the “Beach Boys” all shouted “never in doubt!” upon victory in the ’24 finale, there was mild concern among fans.

The extra pressure was due to the MBFC men losing the first game in the best of three championship series last weekend — snapping a 49-game winning streak while giving up 23 runs (on some shaky defense) in the game. The guys didn’t disappoint, though, christening the new west ballfield at Griffin Park with a commanding two-game sweep (12-4 and 15-5) of their Middletown firemen rivals to win a 7th title in the past 8 years. Hail to the champions!

The Shore Firemen’s Sunday Morning Slow-Pitch Softball League — which dates back to 1958 — includes seven teams: the Monmouth Beach, Wayside, Fair Haven, Oceanport, Tinton Falls, Red Bank and Middletown fire departments. The MBFC team joined in 1990.

• Griffin Park: Monmouth Beach’s Playground — HERE

Five-peat — MBFC Softball Team League Champions, August 2024. The squad won its fifth consecutive title with a 18-1 record in 2024.

“Title Town” — Matthew, John and Andrew Schulz of MBFC with the newest Firemen’s Sunday Softball League championship trophy, August 2024. John was a longtime player-manager for the softball team. His two sons —  “Beach Boys” teammates — represent the fourth generation of Schulz to serve in the borough’s fire company.

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It’s a group of guys — with 50 years of success — who know how to play softball and win. The Monmouth Beach Fire Company softball team has won so many league championships they’ve lost count.

I stopped at 15 when writing the volunteer fire company’s Centennial Journal in 2005. The guys continued to rule the base-paths, and today, it must be about 25 titles. Athletic, smart and driven, the “Beach Boys” don’t like losing. Turns out they don’t do it much. Their long history of success — playing in different leagues — includes many undefeated seasons.

MBFC Softball — ’24 Champs.

Through the deployment of generational talent on the field — Schulz, Jones, Barham, Keller, Marsh, Kuhlthau — competitors sometimes wondered if Monmouth Beach had “procreated master ballplayers.” Borough firemen first started playing serious softball in 1971 for the Coast Firemen’s Softball League. Paul Kleiberg, a 1978 MBFC chief, managed those teams to 7 championships. A fantastic fireman and friend, Paul died in 1995 at age 45.

Since joining the firemen’s league, the team has always been around when the league playoffs start. John Schulz, Jr., a two-time MBFC chief and serious competitor, started managing the team in 1985. His sons Matt and Andy — good firemen and good athletes — carry on the competitive spirit. Monmouth Beach fireman Chris Marsh is currently the softball league president. His son, Matt Marsh, manages the team and is VP of the league. Another son, Josh Marsh, is also a solid fireman-ballplayer (they are part of four Marsh generations to serve in the MBFC).

“Winning takes talent, repeating takes character.”
—Coach John Wooden

Through the years the consensus opinion on the best home-run hitters includes Burt and Bill Barham, Kevin Dougherty and Lester Jones. The top pitchers have been John Schulz, Sr. (1970 MBFC chief) and Phil Kuhlthau (1996 MBFC chief). The league’s championship trophy is named in memory of the elder Schulz. A devoted ballplayer and wily hurler, John had several seasons with an undefeated record having pitched every inning. Also a founding member of the borough’s first aid squad, John died in 1990.

What’s their secret to softball success? “They take it very seriously and they know each other very well,” explained late local sports reporter, Jack Oakley, who covered the team for years. “The Monmouth Beach guys are a good all-around team — offensively and defensively,” said Jack, who was a Red Bank volunteer fireman for over 50 years. “Most are good athletes to begin with and they take care of themselves too.” Jack would be pleased to hear it’s still like that. During his 50-year sports journalism career, Jack worked for 10 newspapers in New Jersey before he died in July 2010 at age 79.

Fourpeat — MBFC Softball Team League Champions, August 2023. The squad won its four consecutive title.

Back, Back, Back … The Monmouth Beach firemen’s softball team in celebration, 1955. Back row from left, Jim Maney, Edwin Woolley, Frank Woolley, Paul Anderson and Ed Sealey. Front row, from left: John Sheridan, Ernie Yale, Elmer Peterson and Edwin Peterson. Not too shabby off the field either — the image includes five fire chiefs.

“Perfect Season” — MBFC Softball Team League Champions, August 2022. The “Beach Boys” finished the season with an undefeated 16-0 record.

’19 Winners — Matthew, John and Andrew Schulz of Monmouth Beach with the Firemen’s Sunday Softball League championship trophy.

MBFC softball team, August 2021 (Firemen’s Sunday Softball League Champs).

MBFC softball team, 2019 (Firemen’s Sunday Softball League Champs).

“Grand Slam” — Andrew, John and Matthew Schulz of Monmouth Beach with the Firemen’s Sunday Softball League championship trophy, August 2023 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

MBFC softball team, 2017 (Firemen’s Sunday Softball League Champs).

MBFC softball team, 2016 (Firemen’s Sunday Softball League Champs).

MBFC softball team, 1975. (League Champs).

MBFC softball team, 2005 (League Champs).

MBFC softball team, 1988.

MBFC softball team, 1979 (Coast League Champs).

MBFC softball team, 1974.

MBFC softball players All-Star Game, 1986.

Home Base — the Momouth Beach Firehouse on Beach Road, 2017 — MORE INFO.

Some More:
• Monmouth Beach Fire Company History — HERE
• Monmouth Beach Fire Company Photos — HERE
• Monmouth Beach “Yankees” — HERE
• Find Your Monmouth Beach Connection … from Baseball — HERE