Softball savior: Somerset Lions Club names Peter Cabral Citizen of the Year

SOMERSET — Peter Cabral was a Somerset police officer for 35 years. He was the head of security for New Bedford Public Schools. Not a day goes by, according to Somerset Lions Club member Scott Lebeau, that Cabral isn't fixing something for one of his children or driving his grandchildren somewhere. 

But Cabral has been named the Lions Club's Citizen of the Year for another reason: his 31-year involvement with the Somerset Senior Girls Softball League, a relationship that started when he saved the Ashton Field Complex and continues today with Cabral as president.

The Lions Club gave Cabral the award during a dinner meeting at Magoni's Ferry Landing last week.

"I don't do this for awards," a humble Cabral said. "There was a need."

Nominees for the annual award – usually people who have helped strengthen the town – come from Lions Club members, whose motto, "We serve," inspires them to honor people on a similar mission. Lebeau said the club looks for people who work behind the scenes to help the community succeed.

Cabral received a unanimous vote for the distinction, according to Lebeau. "He has been a staple in the community for many years," Lebeau said.

Somerset was likely going to close the softball field where Ashton Field Complex stands now, but Cabral asked if it could be kept open for the softball league, according to Lebeau. Cabral had no money at the time, but he solicited donations around town to bring the field into good condition for the league, Lebeau said. That was more than 30 years ago. Since then, Lebeau added, Cabral has turned the complex into some of the best softball fields in Somerset.

"Anybody who knows Peter Cabral knows he gets involved and he gets involved with two feet," Lebeau said.

Cabral said he started with the league when one of his daughters, now 45 years old, became a player.  While other leagues have since folded, Cabral said the Somerset Senior Girls Softball League is one of the longest-running leagues in the area.

He said late town administrator Arthur "Chick" Marchand Jr. wanted to bulldoze the building at the complex, but Cabral had a plumber friend fix the bathrooms, in addition to having other work done. The building is now the league clubhouse, and it has a heated second floor so meetings can be held there year-round.

The complex has three softball fields. Two of the infields were recently replaced.

Cabral said the work is like a hobby for him.

His daughters have not played softball for a long time, but his granddaughters, 11 and 7 years old, have asked him if he will still be involved when they are old enough to play.