As a beautiful morning sun beamed down on \”God\’s Little Acre\” 115 players gathered in anticipation the start of the annual Shoprite of Brooklawn Wiffleball Reunion. The official start of the Wiffleball Tournament was the National Anthem song by Scott Mac Adams.
Co-Founder Tom Mac Adams announced that this year\’s tourney would be played in the honor of former player Mike Reader who passed away this year. Reader participated in the 2006 Finals on the Joe Scully team and for this season the Championship Field was named \”THE MIKE READER CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD\”.
According to Co-Founder Bruce Darrow, Reader is now and will always be a member of the Reunion family. \”Tom and I were reflecting on all the family members and players who have passed on during these past 18 years, my parents, Mr. & Mrs. Rebstock, Mrs. Monagale, John Azzari, Steve Gorecki and many others, we understand how important to our Tournament each and everyone was to its success. All of these people along with Mike Reader provided us with many outstanding memories and today was no exception. This weather was sent from above, we know they were watching and enjoying the day and they will always be a part of our family\”.
The day\’s events leading up to the 2 – 0 Championship win by Mc Cann – Healy (Fahy, Sharkey & Co) was filled with many exciting games, laughs and partying. We had newcomers, old timers (Dan Mc Carthy), retired players (Jim & Steve Mason) and Hall of Famers (Joe Brandt) in attendance and no shows but missed by everyone, Joanne Flowers, Fran Jannetti, Mike Flowers, Brian Flood (it was quiet), Tony Thomas and Steve Flowers still contributed to the day. Stories of Steve Flowers and Mike Burkhardt seeing Aliens, Tom Mac pitching quarters, Franny vs Mick De Castro and how much money Tom Ehrmann owes the Reunion filled the air at Ken Mac\’s house while the bands played and the food and beverages flowed. Ken and Co. (Bob & Sharon Harding, Carol Garrity, Patty Mac) kept the food hot and the beverages cold. Everyone enjoyed the Reunion portion of the day remembering their own days in Brooklawn playing on \”God\’s Little Acre\”.
On the diamond people saw Allan Baker (Gaetano\’s) have the biggest hit of the day when his chair broke and he hit the ground. John Lindeborn (Liberty Alarm) missed more balls in one game then the entire Zizzamia Team did in their two straight losses and they had all the O\’Donnell\’s, Jason Chiodi and were missing Floody.
Pitchers Joe Driscoll of RJP and Scott Mac Adams of Mac Adams Financial reminded everyone that you don\’t have to be athletic to pitch in this tournament. Both pitchers were clocked throwing slower then former pitcher Mike Zizzamia.
Throughout the day there were surprises. Tom Lindsay and Steve Barcklow provided the pitching and defense for a Lipkin\’s Drugs team that seemed divided. One would never expect that with athletic children like Marissa, Chelsea, Gabby and Lindsay, fathers Bob Cooper and Chuck Thomson would perform so bad. They were playing to party while the rest of the Lipkin\’s team battled to play on.(bring the girls in, PLEASE
Several teams came and went as expected, the Massengales continued their search for a win and went home early and the Zizzamia team without both Mike and Allison went to the party early. It appears that the Rebstock team earned the new label as the Tournament \”Bad Boys\”. Several disagreements cast a cloud of uncertainty over this previously well mannered team. Gentleman Bill \”Froggy\” Rebstock (did everyone see that body on Billy) Tom Rebstock and sister Linda watched the young turks battle into the Finals. (Is it time for gentle giant Bill and brother Tom take back control)
Every year one team provides the beauty on the field and this year was no exception as John Eller, brought in additional members and both showed why this tournament is not equal opportunity challenged.
A reliable source said they heard Chris Cook son of Harry Cook saying 30 years old can not come soon enough. Chris along with Jim Gregory are looking to build a winner without his dad.
The G.C. News team after losing both Jack Tussey and Joe Brandt took another hit when Brett Darrow refused to play and went to another losing team Gaetano\’s ,leaving pitcher Tom Mac Adams no support. Team owner Al Countryman looked confused both in the field and at the plate and refused comment after the game.
In the Have you Heard department. Colin Mac Adams is challenging the pitching contract of Kevin Fahy. It appears that Fahy skipped out on his commitment to pitch for Shane and Colin Mac Adams forcing them to go to Class AA to pick-up Frank Alloway. When Fahy was asked about his contract he replied \”Mac Adams never offered me a contract. Colin felt that since he won a minor tournament he could get me for nothing. I took exception and took the first offer I got,\” replied Fahy. We will keep you posted.
As the lights were turned off one by one and the taps went dry another reunion was history and in the books. Before the lights cooled Ken was discussing next year with Tom and Bruce. New rule changes, bands, scheduling of events and how they would produce another successful Reunion.
Darrow told the GCN \”that with the exception of a few minor glitches everything went as planned and we will look into the many suggestion (even having team through under hand to Gartland and O\’Donnell). I wish to thank everyone who helped Friday for setting up and all the players and their families who attended this event. From Ken Mac to Howard Clark, I wish to thank everyone and will see everyone on Saturday on Labor Day weekend 2008.\”