If you remember the cold, dreary, dismal start to the last two years of pitching, Mother Nature changed the pace and placed her warm hand over Crozet for this year's kickoff. On an unusually warm day, almost July-like weather, 32 pitchers stretched and moaned their way through the round robins. At one point while I was pitching there was dead silence, and in a matter of 3 or 4 second the silence was broken with " ugh , ooh, ech, sish " It made me laugh so much, I had to pause to regain my composure.

The first tournament of the year always seems like a family reunion. The Mayor, Raymond Deal made the trek with Marvin. It was good to see him up walking around. His knee surgery has gone very well. He even said perhaps by the end of summer he might try pitching again. 

Ronnie Hicks and Randall Weakley brought 2 friends with them, Betty and Granville Weakley (very distant cousins). Betty and Granville both pitched in D Class. You could hear her friends saying "It’s Betty Tyson". Boy, she was hot on the peg. She ended up taking first place 7-0 with a 33.02% and Granville 30.3% finished second. 

  Sheldon Worley also brought some of his friends out of Buckingham. William    Terry really liked the tournament. Taking second place in C Class, he said    he'll be back. Pat Snelgrove and William fought for the class title, and   Pat took the edge and finished in first place.

Sheldon Worley and Ronnie Hicks provided the excitement at the end of the day. After 7 rounds of pitching they were tied for first place in B Class. I watched the playoff game from the top of the basketball courts. Ronnie tried his best, keeping up one for one, but the last 8 shoes did him in. Sheldon poured on the ringers to take first place. He came hoping to get a patch and he did!  Sheldon finished with a 45.95% and Ronnie threw 38.89%. Donald Parks came in 3rd.

  Johnny Monarchy made the trip from Maryland. He had surgery over the winter  to remove the rust in his shoulder. It was evident that it still bothers him. Pitching 20.5% is low for Johnny but he felt he had a great day, going in at 18% and coming out at 20.5% he was thrilled.

Lenwood Conner Sr, Jackie Wetzel and Chris Foster pitching for the first tournament of the year in A Class, came in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Lenwood, carrying the patch and trophy for 1st place, could only smile!

What a way to start the year! Let's hope this great weather continues every weekend! See you all at the next tournament!