By Joe Bayona

On Saturday, Oct.12, the HUBS had their 75th anniversary dinner. The dinner was attended by the members and invited dignitaries. Some of the dignitaries included: Wilda Diaz, (Mayor of Perth Amboy), John E. McCormac,(Mayor of Woodbridge), and Assemblyman Craig J. Coughlin, all of whom presented club president, Neil Tuber, with official proclamations.

Unlike other fraternal organizations that have a branch in every city and state, “the HUBS,” is unique to Perth Amboy.

Back in 1938 you had to be sponsored by an organization in order to play softball in the Perth Amboy Softball League. Four friends, Lou Hubner, Jim Kelly, John Burns, and Haps Springer and their friends, wanted to play softball but couldn’t find a sponsor. It was then they decided to form a club of their own. So on July 15, 1938, in a borrowed clubhouse at the corner of Rector and Commerce Streets in Perth Amboy, “The HUBS” was born. HUBS is an acronym for: Honor, Unity, Brotherhood, and Service.

In 1939, this group of young men having formed a new club, decided to apply to play in the City Softball League but were denied for two reasons. One was that they were too young and inexperienced. They were told they would be outclassed. The second was that there was room for 30 teams and they, (The Hubs), would make it 31. Undaunted, these young upstarts appealed to City Commissioner, Al Waters, who listened to their story and decided to let The Hubs and another reject team in, bringing the City team roster to 32. A first in Perth Amboy League history.

This new young and inexperienced team went on to beat every team in the league except one, coming in a strong second that year. Consequently, all the sponsors who previously wanted nothing to do with them now wanted a piece of the action. But The HUBS decided to remain united and independent.

At first, not having a clubhouse of their own, they would meet at the ball fields, which seemed to be enough to stay in touch. Their popularity grew and, in 1940, they acquired their first club rooms in the basement of 420 State St. through an elderly widow, who was an admirer of the team. The club was now on its way.

But in 1941 WWII broke out and many of the members answered the call to duty. These young men served in every branch of the service all over the world. Three members made the ultimate sacrifice. Many were decorated for valor.

In 1946 The HUBS had to reorganize. During the war they had lost their club rooms and again began meeting wherever it was convenient. A club room was found in the back of a confectionery store at 152 Washington St.

The years 1946 through 1950 were considered the golden years of the organization. The club sponsored dances, dinners, and various activities and on January 1,1954 the first meeting of the newlook Hubs was held in Paone’s Hall. Shortly afterward The Hubs applied for and got a formal charter from the state on March 4th that same year.

In 1956 a four lot parcel of land at 802 Robbins St. was bought by the organization. On the land stood a one story frame house. This house would become the Hubs permanent home. In 1963 ground was broken to add a twenty by thirty foot extension to the existing building. Ten years later a forty by seventy five foot extension was built and stands as the present “club house”

Between 1962 and 1972 is when the club really blossomed according to Ron Herman, a 46 year member of the organization. That’s when we made the final addition to the building and the membership went from 35 members to 105. Currently the membership stands at 110 and there is a 4 year waiting list to join.

There are some humorous stories associated with this organization. One such story occurred in 1953. The HUBS softball team was playing a game against the inmates of, the then, Rahway Prison. The inmates were betting cigarettes on the game. Evidently there was some animosity between the inmate’s team and the other inmates. The other inmates bet the farm, so to speak, on the HUBS team. In the second inning the HUBS were losing six to nothing. The other inmates got disgusted and paid off the bet to the inmate team and went back to their cells.

One of the members of the Hubs hit one over the fence, not an easy task if you’ve ever seen the fence at Rahway Prison, and went on to win the game. This caused a near riot when the other inmates tried to get their cigarettes back. Consequently, the HUBS were never asked to come back. The HUBS is far more than just a sports oriented organization. Over the years they have contributed to several charities and civic organizations, and still do to this day. “Back in 1956 MS was our main charity,” according to Gary Lyons, one of four permanent trustees and a 40 year member. “Since then we’ve supported several charities,” said Lyons.

From 1993 to 2005 the club sponsored 2 or 3 dinners a year for the homeless at the Salvation Army in Perth Amboy. The members bought the food with their own money, took the food to St. Paul’s on First Street to cook it, then brought the food to the Salvation Army building and served it to the people.

Currently The HUBS runs a golf tournament in Plainsboro every year, the proceeds of which go to Camp Fatima, an organization that provides camping opportunities for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The club also gives 4 scholarships to the Perth Amboy High School every year, two for math and two for science.

In addition to the above mentioned charities The HUBS also donate to the Soldiers Home in Menlo Park, The Perth Amboy Domestic Violence Response Team, and Kiddie Keep Well Camp. They have also run Breast Cancer Walks, Aids Walks and contributed to the Perth Amboy 911 fund. Currently they are running a food and clothing drive which they do every year for various organizations.

Unfortunately, John Burns, the last surviving founding member, passed away this year. I can’t help but think that he and the other founding members are organizing a team in heaven.

Although The HUBS softball team no longer plays in the Perth Amboy softball league, (they now play in Edison), they are definitely Perth Amboy’s own. Good luck and here’s to another 75 years.