Elowitch, Julius (Yudy) (1982)
Elowitch, Julius (Yudy) (82)Julius (Yudy) Elowitch was not only a solid .300 hitter for Portland High and an All-Twilight League second baseman but he contributed fine sponsorship to Little League, Babe Ruth and Twilight League ballclubs as well.
The speedster who once stole home for the winning run in a Twilight League game to lead his team Yudy’s past defending champion South Portland Merchants in a tourney game, Elowitch was a contact hitter without power until he met up with another Hall of Famer — Ben Hauser. Hauser helped him add power to his swing and increased his average into the .400 range.
Elowitch, born Dec. 8, 1913, was also a fine fielding second baseman. He had plenty of range and excelled in making the over-the-shoulder catch in short right field.
His Twilight League team, Yudy’s, was state semi-pro champion in 1945 and league king in 1946. He started Yudy’s in 1938 with another of this year’s inductees, Pete Pompeo. Elowitch played for this team until 1946.
Elowitch, who began playing golf when he was 40 and present owner of a seven handicap, often batted leadoff for his club. One of his career highlights, while batting in the leadoff spot, was a grand slam homer off Tuffy Laffin’s Westbrook Redbirds.
He operated a service station from 1934 until World War Il. After the war, he discovered a method of bonding rubber to metal and any profit Yudv’s Tires made was plowed into the process. The tire process has proved very successful.
Though fleet of foot, Elowitch, who often ran other teams into the ground, was also a strong wrestler. Nonetheless, this all-around athlete always remained humble.
Phil Clark, left, shakes hands with Yudy Elowitch.
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