March 2013 ISSUE - Lake Fairways Estates A 55+ Adult Community ...

SOFTBALL
By: Hammer Mason
The softball team defeated Old
Bridge Village People 10-4. Preacher
Barsotti and Thumper Higgins both
had 3 hits. Puck McNamara ,Ace Durbin, Smooth
Dabbs, and Scrap Iron Werling all had 2 hits.
In our next game we handed Sabal Springs a 9-3
loss. Leading the batters with 2 hits each were Ace
Durbin, Scrap Iron Werling, General McReelis, Quick
Pitch Eytcheson, Poopsie Albee, and Hammer Mason.
Continuing our winning ways, we dispatched of the
Buccaneer Raiders 10-2. Thumper Higgins launched 3
singles. Quick Pitch Eytcheson, Buckeye Bowersox, and
Puck McNamara all had 2 hits.
In another showdown with arch-rival Rookies, we
came out on the short end of a 1-0 score. Quick Pitch
Eycheson pitched a great game, allowing only 3 hits,
but we could not get a run in.
Heritage proved to be no challenge as we shut
them out 18-0. Scrap Iron Werling led the batting onslaught
with 4 hits. Redman Kraby and Smooth Dabbs
each had 3 hits. Ace Durbin and Poopsie Albee contributed
2 hits each.
The Buccaneer Pirates, led by “Karaoke Dave”,
were overwhelmed 26-5. Preacher Barsotti led the
sluggers with 4 hits. Puck McNamara and Scrap Iron
Werling each had 3 hits. Six other players had 2 hits
each.
In a close game with Herons Glen, we prevailed 6-
3. Redman Kraby led off the 1 st inning with a double.
We went on to score 4 runs and never trailed the rest
of the game.
Our game with Del Tura was a seesaw affair which
Softball Team Paint Crew
Front row left to right, Smooth Dabbs, Woodrow Bender,
Quick pitch Eytcheson, Scrap Iron Werling, Back row
left to right, Buckeye Bowersox, General McReelis,
Hammer Mason, F. F. Klaviter
16
ended in a 10-9 loss. We scored 2 runs in the top of
the 7 th to take a 9-8 lead, but Del Tura scored 2 runs in
the bottom of the 7 th to win the game. General
McReelis, Quick Pitch Eytcheson, Ace Durbin, Preacher
Barsotti, Thumper Higgins, and Redman Kraby all had
2 hits. March Games:
Mon. 4 Raiders
Wed, 6 Rookies
Mon.11 Heritage
Wed.13 Pirates
Mon,18 Playoffs
Wed.20 Playoffs
Mon,25 Playoffs
Wed.27 Playoffs
All games begin at 5:00 at the softball complex on
Chiquita in Cape Coral.
A HISTORY OF
LAKE FAIRWAYS SOFTBALL
By: Bill Mason
Lake Fairways native son Jim Steele was instrumental
in organizing what we now know as the Mark
Ford Senior Softball League and served as President
the first year. In the early nineties Jim wrote letters to
Del Tura, Tara Woods, and Horizon to see if there was
an interest in forming a softball league consisting of
surrounding communities. After the original letters of
inquiry were written, those interested were invited to
an organizational meeting at Lake Fairways. A schedule
was developed, permission to use the lighted field near
Sun Coast School was granted by the Lee County Recreation
Department, and an entry fee was established.
Del Tura Amigos won the first championship of the
newly formed 7 team league. On November 5, 1992
Lake Fairways played its very first game and defeated
Tara Woods 17 to 2! An estimated 200 spectators
watched Bob Dreyer do the “Australian Crawl into
home.” Dave Yohn and Larry Knowlton blasted home
runs and Marty Barrett legged out a triple. The concept
of cheerleaders was initiated and has stayed active
with the team every year. At the conclusion of the season,
there was a banquet at Tara Woods and Jim
Steele served as master of ceremonies. The cheerleaders
met at Jim’s house and made softball themed book
marks for all in attendance.
In 1994 Sabal Springs and Pine Lakes joined the
league. Pine Lakes and Lake Fairways both held practices
on the driving range. Two four team divisions
were formed, and Del Tura was once again champion.
Lake Fairways finished with a record of 8 wins and 11
losses. The League Banquet was held in the Lake Fairways
clubhouse with 220 players, wives, cheerleaders,
umpires, and fans in attendance.
Two of the best players of the early years were Gil
Flauto and Ted Tetreault. Gil is our only player with pro
baseball experience, having played Class D ball with
Independence, Kansas against Mickey Mantle, who