Labor Day Tournament
This story was written by John Reingruber for publication in SaddleBrooke newspapers in October 2011. Steve Garceau took the team pictures.
SaddleBrooke Softball (SSSA) played its Labor Day Tournament on Monday, September 5. The tournament, which was sponsored by Merrill Lynch - The LJO Group (219-2033) and played in memory of Tommy Peters, featured games from the Recreation, Coyote, Community, and Competitive Leagues.
In an exciting Recreation League game, Via Elegante Luxury Assisted Living (293-3280), managed by Allan Kravitz, outlasted Mercado del Rio Car Wash (544-0460), managed by George Corrick, 16-15 in eight innings. Via Elegante had a total of 24 hits, including a home run by Vern Santos who, along with Mike Hoedel, recorded four hits apiece. Reggie Knapp and Greg Morgan each contributed three hits. Mercado Del Rio had 27 hits, including a home run by Paul Buchanan. Julie Wagner and Aleta Rosenthal had four hits apiece, while Marty Warshafsky, Rich Boyer, Jake Jacobson, and Harold Norton each contributed three hits. Gale Evans and Rich Hagerty were the umpires, and Marilyn and John Sentowski kept the scorebook and operated the scoreboard.
In the Coyote League game, Shifren Physical Therapy (572-6540), managed by Greg West, swept by La Madrina Pizzeria (742-2111), managed by Ed Cussick, 14-6. Shifren had a total of 23 hits, including home runs by Mike Hamm and Darrell Sabers. Doug Sweetland, Greg West, Steve Krantz and Mike Hamm banged out four hits a piece. La Madrina, led by Jerry Smith with three hits, had a total of 15 hits. Rob Seguin and Alan Stein were the umpires, and Elliot Goldin and Steve Wehmann kept the scorebook and operated the scoreboard.
In the Community League game, Vital Moves (850-4089), managed by Harold Weinenger, beat BRAKEmax (818-9990), managed by Rich Hagerty, 15-6. Vital Moves had a total of 26 hits, including home runs by Rob Seguin and Paul Butler. Harold Weinenger, John Church, Alan Kravitz, Paul Buchanan, Rob Seguin and Paul Butler had three hits each. BRAKEmax, led by Rob Gish with three hits, recorded 14 hits. Ken Crossman and Alan Stein were the umpires, and Bill Pace and Jerry Smith kept the scorebook and operated the scoreboard.
In the Competitive league game, Saddlebrooke Realty (850-1214), managed by Ken Meinhart, beat Danny Nolan, Handy Man (551-2671), managed by Steve Garceau, 16-6. Saddlebrooke Realty had 22 hits, including two Grand Slams by Rick Marshall and a Grand Slam by Ken Meinhart. Rick Ervin, Curt Shepord, and John Reingruber contributed three hits a piece. Danny Nolan, led by John Merlin and Tim Ward with three hits each, had 14 hits. Joe Lestingi and Brad Adair were the umpires, and Hedy Gryszan and Ron Quarantino kept the scorebook and operated the scoreboard.
Prior to the last game, Ken Meinhart introduced and thanked Jeffrey Johnson and Jerry O’Neill of Merrill Lynch – The LJO Group for sponsoring the tournament. Mr. Johnson, who expressed his appreciation to the spectators and players for the opportunity to sponsor the tournament, is available at 219-2033 to provide financial advice to SaddleBrooke residents. The LJO Group is also a sign sponsor. The SaddleBrooke Softball family then remembered Tommy Peters, one of our most avid softball players.
Over 250 SaddleBrooke residents, friends, children and grandchildren attended the tournament. Brats, hot dogs and soft drinks were provided by the tournament sponsor, Merrill Lynch - The LJO Group. Donna Meinhart and her team of Dottie Adams, Hedy Gryszan, Joann Johnson, Jean Lestingi, Sharon McKniff, and Bobbi Noffsinger prepared and served hot dogs, brats, sauerkraut and cookies. Doug Wagers of Window Wizards cooked the brats and hot dogs on his Louisiana Cooker. If you need your windows washed, Doug, the owner of Window Wizards, would be happy to hear from you at 818-0581. Rich Boyer and his Events Management Team decorated the complex with banners and flags. Patrick Polencheck, the voice of SaddleBrooke Softball, announced the first, second, and fourth games. John Wright announced the third game. DJ Leroy Johnson spun popular tunes between half-innings. Steve Garceau, Elliot Goldin, Allan Kravitz, Debbie Weinenger, and Norma West photographed the games.
The slide show edited by Pat Tiefenbach and Margaret Walker is available by clicking here.
