The Operating Engineers Local 324 Blue team rode a stellar 19-4 record en route to winning the 2002 Building Trades Softball League Championship. The league wrapped up play on Monday, Aug. 12 with a one-game elimination playoff tournament.

"I think maturity was the biggest key to us doing so well this year," said Local 324 Blue Manager Kim Chafee. "That and we really came out to play ball. And along the way we played good defense and we hit the ball well."

The Sheet Metal Workers Local 80 team came in second place at 16-7, IBEW Local 58 came in third place (14-9) followed by the Operators Red team (13-10), which had won the championship the last few years but came in fourth place.

"The Blue team did a great job this year," said Local 324 Business Manager Sam T. Hart. "We've got two good teams; this year the Blue picked up where the Red team left off."

THE BUILDING TRADES Softball League champions: Operators Blue are flanked by Business Manager Sam T. Hart (left) and team manager Kim Chaffee (right).