Recreation League: Charles Hendryx tags second base and is ready to make the throw to first for a double play; photo by Jim Smith.
Jonathan Green
As always, a beautiful day and exciting softball play by SaddleBrooke Senior Softball Association (SSSA) players made the day for hundreds of SaddleBrooke fans at the annual St. Patrick’s Tournament here sponsored, appropriately, by local dentist Patrick Shaffer.
Free lunch, too! Cooked by Doug Wagers of Window Wizard and served by SSSA volunteers.
Recreation League teams SaddleBrooke R Us, managed by Dale Norgard (visitors) and Shelves That Slide (homies), Jake Jacobson manager, started it off with Game One at 9:30 a.m. It was a low scoring game for three innings until both teams lit things up in the fourth. Jake’s team took it 15 to 11 with notable hitting by Tim Benjamin (4/4) and Ron Finelli (3/3 with a triple).
Before Game Two and lunch, Lady Ga Ga sang the National Anthem and the Navy’s Blue Angels did a flyover courtesy of a Super Bowl 50 You Tube audio capture—a very moving experience!
Then the Competitive League’s teams showed the gathering what bats were made for. Visitors SaddleBrooke Remodeling, Paul Schwin manager, led off with six straight hits including a Len Gann homer into the Dog Park posting the maximum five runs. Unmoved, Harold Weinenger of the Steve Garceau managed Shifrin Physical Therapy home team, put his team back to a 5 to 5 tie in the first with a base-clearing, inning-ending home run of his own. Both teams scored five in the second, too. 10 to 10 after two—outrageous! Then it cooled off, especially for Schwin’s club which couldn’t find the plate after the third and lost 20 to 13 despite Terry McNellis’ two triples. Tim Ward homered in the third for the winners.
Community and Coyote Leagues made up the cast for Game Three. It was an exciting end of the game and tournament as visitors Sheftel Dermatology, Paul Butler manager, and home team Stifel, Harold Weinenger manager, went into the last inning tied at nine. A home team home run by Brad Adair in the third and a come from behind four run sixth set up the tie. But the visitors would not be conquered as back to back homers by Ron Romac and Paul Butler, his second, posted four in the seventh and Weinenger’s gang could only muster one; final 13 to 10.
SSSA’s next scheduled tournament is Memorial Day. Come out and be fed and entertained!