In the vibrant and multifaceted history of Los Alamos, New Mexico, Pierotti’s Clowns stand out as a unique chapter that combines sportsmanship, entertainment, and philanthropy. Founded in 1953 by Lou Pierotti, a local soda shop owner with a flair for theatrics, Pierotti’s Clowns were no ordinary softball team. This five-man team dressed in full clown regalia and played against standard nine-man teams, bringing laughter and joy to the community while raising substantial funds for charity.
The Clowns were active during a time when Los Alamos was still a restricted city, having gained notoriety as the birthplace of the atomic bomb during the Manhattan Project. Despite the town’s serious scientific undertones, Lou Pierotti and his team brought a light-hearted spirit to the community. Lou, along with his wife Lee, conceptualized the clown theme as a way to embrace humor and entertainment, even if the team lost. However, losing was a rare occurrence. With a record of 177 wins out of 202 games, the team was as skilled as it was amusing.
The star player of Pierotti’s Clowns was Bun Ryan, a pitcher whose fastball was legendary, clocked at over 100 miles an hour. Ryan’s pitching was a crucial element of the Clowns’ success, allowing the other team members to clown around on the field without compromising the game. The Clowns’ antics included fielding with trash can lids and even playing with fruit instead of a softball, which kept the audience entertained and engaged.
Over 25 years, Pierotti’s Clowns raised over $200,000 for charitable causes, an impressive sum that helped cement their legacy in the community. The team’s impact was such that a mural was commissioned in their honor, standing today in front of the Mesa Public Library in Los Alamos, depicting the Clowns in full makeup.
Lou Pierotti, who was posthumously inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame, left an indelible mark on Los Alamos not just through his sports achievements but also through his community involvement and philanthropy. The Clowns disbanded in 1977, but their legacy lives on as a testament to the power of joy and community spirit in the face of challenging times.
