Brandon Keks still has vivid memories about his summer days as a youth in the Catasauqua playground program.

“I always say that kids in Catty had it better during the summer than any other kids in the Lehigh Valley,” said Keks, a 2015 Roughies’ graduate and current assistant boys’ basketball coach. “We would start out summer programs at nine o’clock, go home for lunch, and then come back in the afternoon.

“For me, one of the greatest things was playing there, coaching there, and then coaching at the high school level. It really comes full circle.”

Keks and thousands of others have a wide range of experiences in the program that has been a staple in the town for years.

Over the past 34 years, Eric Snyder has directed the program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Snyder may not have the opportunity for a shortened program this summer, one that normally began in June.

“Since I took over in 1985, there always has been a program,” said Snyder. “This will be the first time in 35 years if it happens. We’ll have to see what happens.”

Catasauqua’s Jeff Miller of the town’s public works/recreation and maintenance division, confirmed Snyder’s assumption. The North Catty playground also has shut down operations for the summer.

“The borough manager told me that there would be no summer morning kids’ programs and organized afternoon pickup basketball games,” said Miller. “The pool also is closed. The park is open for individuals to use the amenities, but social distancing has to be practiced.”

Two of the mainstays of the program have been Nerfball and basketball. A typical five-day week normally consists of three days of Nerfball and two days of basketball, culminating with the much-anticipated “Hot Dog Friday.” Nerfball was played at Triple-Dips Stadium.

Nerfball always has been a serious undertaking.

“I have individual and team records going back to 1986,” said Snyder. “We would have a season, all star game, and then playoffs.

“Todd Krevanchi still reminds me of the home run title on the last day of the season. It amazing how many guys can still tell you their season stats and how the seasons went for each of them and their teams.”

Krevanchi certainly took his experience seriously.

“It was a rite of passage growing up in Catty,” he said. “The Nerfball season was a parallel to Major League Baseball. The stuff has stayed with us all these years later. (Snyder) wasn’t a yeller or screamer. It was no-nonsense and everybody has a job.

“One of the days I’ll never forget was when Len Bias died, and (current Catasauqua athletic director) Tommy Moll came down on his bike and was very excited to tell everyone.

“In 1987 on the final day, I was tied for the lead in home runs. I hit four that day, but the guy behind me hit seven. That still eats at me.”

Snyder also developed nicknames for all of the participants.

“Since I like the (St. Louis) Cardinals, my nickname was Ozzie Smith,” added Krevanchi. “We had someone named after Lee Weyer, the umpire, and there were so many others that everyone would quickly recognize.”

Recent alum Derek Troxell, who was a regular until he entered middle school, has plenty of cherished memories.

“It always was a good time,” said Troxell. “I will always remember hitting a home run on three consecutive days. There always were really good teams and it was very competitive.

“I also remember the big blue tarp in which we would slide down the hill and the `fun in the sun’ group.

“I feel fortunate to be part of it, and it truly was a great time.”