Carl Otto had his hands full getting this tournament running, but took the
challenges in stride and did a really great job despite it all. Anticipating
the possibility of rain, he had set up the registration/ director’s table
underneath a large canopy, and thank goodness he did! It started raining
about 9:30, but preparations for holding the tournament kept going on. By
10:30 it was really pouring, and then started to let up. Carl had already
set up the classes and handed out cards and scoresheets, so a few hardy pitchers
started their games in the drizzle. However, the weather had other plans,
and it kept teasing the pitchers with drizzle/downpour, drizzle/downpour
for the next few hours.
By 11:30, during yet another heavy downpour, Carl consulted with the pitchers,
and we all decided to take a lunch break, and be back at the courts by 12:30,
to see what the weather looked like at that time. Cars hadn’t even left the
parking lot when the rain stopped, so by the time everyone was back on the
courts, they were pretty dried out and pitchable (I have to admit, there
are times when pitching in sand makes life easier than using clay….)
Wyatt Kingston had brought 14 of his new junior pitchers, ranging in age
from 16 to 6. Some of the older ones started a game, but the rain kept most
of them off the courts. By the time we broke for lunch, Wyatt had made the
decision that he needed to take the kids home. Even if the event did get
underway, it would be too late for the kids to finish what they started.
It was disappointing to all of us, the kids included, but we understood.
The event finally got really underway around 12:30, and Carl ended up with
24 pitchers once the juniors were taken off the signup list. Not bad, considering
the adverse conditions.
It was a pleasure to see Daniel Yelinek (jr) and Mark Mater from King Williams,
and Paul McMahon from Alexandria – we’ve missed them all year – and Lenwood
Conner Jr was back on the courts, after an absence of several years. Welcome
back all !!
All of the pitchers are due a pat on the back for their patience and support.
I’ve been to a fair number of tournaments over the years, and usually, if
a tournament is delayed a couple hours because of rain, the pitchers start
to get antsy and bail out. This group just stuck it out. Good humor prevailed,
and there was no grouching or grumbling to be heard.
Thank you Carl for your canopy, and all of you for another successful event.
Pat
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