Nation’s best to play in 26th Annual Edward M. Collins Tourney

12 teams vie for title at Collins Park, August 10-12

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONGAUP VALLEY, NY - Softball tournaments are certainly in no short supply as summer moves on apace. And if you want to see games at their best, the place to be is at Collins Park from Friday evening, August 10 through Sunday, August 12. For that is the venue for the 26th Annual Edward M. Collins Men’s Major Modified Softball Tournament.

Started more than a quarter century ago by Dennis Dietrich, in memory of his beloved friend and teammate Eddie Collins, the tournament has drawn the nation’s best teams including national champions. One of those teams, the Champion Construction/Gremlins, won last year’s tournament coming through the field of 12 teams unscathed. They defeated Globe 11-5 in the championship game.

The Gremlins as a team will not be on hand this year, but some players will play for other teams. This year’s lineup features Deer Park Oil from Port Jervis; Switch Inn from Middletown (the old Roche’s Garage team); DeVries from Middletown; Zubi’s Lawn Care from Middletown; L.P. Tree from Staten Island; Adco Tool Shed from Albany; Kestler’s Well Drilling from Hawley, PA; D-Tech (Fitness Factory) from Monticello; Styles Barber Shop from Port Jervis; All Pro Paving from Montgomery; and Fort Apache from the Bronx.

The schedule is as follows: August 10 from 6:00 to 12:00 midnight, August 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight and August 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The winner’s bracket finals will be held on August 11 at 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. The championship game is slated for 4:30 p.m. on August 12.