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Softball tournament<br>proves to be thrilling

It was the third time this week I had gone out to the softball field near the rec center to see if the championship game was on for the evening.

All Starrs and Fred’s Flintstones were slated to meet in the grand finale of the season. But rain kept ruining things for players eager to get out on the diamond and prove which team deserved to be crowned champion.

The game materialized Thursday and the field was muddy in spots, especially around the third-base area. There was some good pitching, plenty of hitting and a lot of excitement displayed by participants and a nice-sized crowd on hand.

There were several thrilling moments in the game. A couple of home runs were hit, balls skipped past infielders and turned into big plays and even a walk would draw applause from the fans.

There was even a tense moment when a third baseman and baserunner collided, but they both kept cool heads in the heat of competition.

The game ended in spectacular fashion on a double play by the All Starrs. A Fred’s Flintstones baserunner took a chance and ventured off first base on a fly ball. But that tactic backfired after he was doubled off.

All Starrs ended up taking the championship with a 19-15 victory. The team’s manager and namesake, Starr Brower, was thrilled for her players.

The third season of rec center softball wrapped up with the finale. It was the idea of former rec center manager Barry Jeskewich to get the league started during the summer of 1998.

Since then, the league has endured and appears to be a mainstay summer activity for Grand Canyon adults.

The lone setback this season was the expulsion of the Grand Canyon School team from the league. The team didn’t have enough players and had to forfeit its games, which was too bad, because the school team was the 1999 champion.

Teams are coed and consist of a mix of experienced and somewhat green players. The action is fast at times with some pretty good athletes around here in the village.

Let’s hope summer rec softball continues in the future. It provides residents with an outlet for fun recreation while getting exercise.

(Brad Fuqua is editor of the Grand Canyon News).


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