The softball diamonds in Waldoboro were busy over the weekend as 12 teams faced each other in a one-pitch co-ed softball tournament Oct. 11-12.
The Knox-Lincoln-Waldo County Umpires Association Board and the District 2 Little League organized the tournament as a benefit for Art Tainter of Waldoboro. Tainter, a long time umpire, was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
The games were divided over the two days between the softball field at Medomak Valley High School on Manktown Rd. and the town’s Little League Field on Rt. 32.
Action during the double-elimination tournament was fast, furious, and mostly fun. Good-natured bantering between umpires and coaches, players and umpires, and umpires and umpires was constant. Whenever a player got too serious about a play, he/she was quickly reminded of the reason for the tournament.
One-pitch softball has some rule variations from traditional softball and some players found themselves initially struggling to make these adjustments. Batters were only allowed one pitch and either got a hit or made an out.
There are also limitations on homeruns and special rules for extra innings. All this made for games that finished in less than an hour.
In Sunday’s championship action, The Outcasts, coming off an extra inning win over The Senators, defeated the previously unbeaten South of the Border on a clutch grand slam, forcing a second game. South of the Border prevailed 4-1 in the second contest, boosted by a triple play in the third inning.
South of the Border took home the championship mugs, but all participants could agree that the true winner was Art Tainter.
Tainter, who did not attend Saturday’s action because the roof on his home was being replaced by a group of volunteers, was present Sunday to congratulate the final teams. Billy Maxwell, who ran the tournament, presented Tainter with close to $1200 from the benefit tournament.
The teams participating in the tournament included Boothbay Yacht Builders, The Outcasts (Waldoboro/Thomaston area), Farmers Market (Tenants Harbor), Knox County Benchwarmers, South of the Border (Waldoboro/Friendship/Cushing), KLW Umpires, Landscaping Services (Cushing); Redwings (Camden), Hi Tek Rednecks/Camp Security Plus (Waldoboro), District 2 Little League, The Senators (Waldoboro) and A&E Landscaping (Wiscasset).
The KLW Board extends its thanks to the Waldoboro Little League and Medomak Valley High School for the use of their fields as well as to Strong Insurance for its support in this event.
