Softball

Swan song

Softball icons Ronny Canfield and Benny Chesnick end careers with a combined 111 years; American Electric wins tourney

By RICHARD A. ROSS

COCHECTON CENTER, NY - For the past 41 years, Ronny Canfield, a striking figure in pinstripes, has been an integral part of the softball scene, and his presence on the mound has been a familiar summer sight in the tableau of the game.

Canfield, a member of the Wayne County Softball Hall of Fame, started Ronny’s Ringers about 1982. Prior to that, he played with Heinles and lent his unique pitching services to other teams. On September 15 and 16, his team, Ronny’s Ringers, joined seven other teams in a tournament that marked Canfield’s retirement. The tournament was a benefit for 19-year old Sullivan West graduate Jared Carlew, who was recently diagnosed with type two- B-cell lymphoma. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy, radiation treatment and will need a stem cell transplant in the near future. Part of the proceeds from the fundraiser was slated for improvements at Heinle’s Field.

For years, Canfield has said that, when he reached 60, he’d hang it up. Canfield’s lengthy tenure was surpassed by umpire Benny Chesnick, another Wayne County Softball Hall of Famer, who is giving up the game after 70 years.

“I started playing baseball at age 10, and here I am, 80 years old,” said Chesnick.

Following the presentation of trophies to third place Davis Excavating, second place Ronny’s Ringers, first place American Electric and to Ronny’s Ringer Pat Collins for his stellar pitching, Canfield and Chesnick posed for photos at home plate-a place where Chesnick has stood in the burning sun, blustery cold, driving rain and swirling mist. Canfield gave Chesnick a framed photo of Hall of Famers Bill Diehl, Chesnick and Canfield, and a plaque praised him for his years of service to the game.

American Electric is part of the youth movement that has burgeoned as teams stocked with younger players have sprung up to challenge those who have long held sway.

With softball league seasons at an end, many area softball players were free to offer their serviices. Tim “Chopper” Ackermann rejoined American Electric for this tournament.

Ackermann struck out four Ronny’s Ringers in the tournament finale that completed American Electric’s undefeated weekend run that began with a 20-10 win over nearby Lake Huntington Garage, a game that afforded American Electric the first ever Nearing Cup title.

An early summer game to determine the cup winner was called on account of lightning on June 27. Lake Huntington Garage had a good run in the tournament and beat Sutphen East 26-14.

American Electric went on to defeat Ronny’s Ringers 14-6 before hammering Davis Electric 18-4 in the winner’s bracket final. Davis defeated Lake Huntington Garage as it moved through the loser’s bracket but was swamped by Ronny’s Ringers. That set up the rematch between the Ringers and American Electric for the title.

For American Electric, the 5-2 win marked the first-ever tournament title in its brief history. In addition to Ackermann, American Electric benefited from the services of Edwin “Flaco” Rodriguez of Fitness Factory. Rodriguez belted a solo homer in the championship game. His defense in right field was a plus as well. Chris Hubert of Stone Arch Inn also lent his services to American Electric.

Canfield pitched in the final, although MVP Collins had stymied Davis Electric in the previous game. “We want to go out with Ronny on the mound,” said a group of players near the bench. Earlier in the tournament, Ronny’s Ringers had beaten Jenny’s Café, and after losing to American Electric, the first time they beat White Lake 18-1.

American Electric bolted out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning as Mike Popolillo and Rob Taylor hit two-run singles. Ronny’s Ringers got on the board in the second on an RBI single by Billy Lather following a booming triple by Tommy Davis, but Ackermann did not allow another run until the fifth, an RBI double by John Meyer. Paul Schwatz was called out for colliding with American Electric third baseman Mike Compton.

American Electric had added to its lead with Rodriguez’s homer in the fourth. Ackermann worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh to ice the win for the men in red and white.

Next up in the benefit tournament roster is for Jamie Gager of Gallilee, PA, who is suffering from an autoimmune disease known as Wegener’s Granulomatosis, that will be held at the Tyler Hill Camp on October 6 and 7. Gager is in need of a costly lung transplant. As many as 18 teams, comprised of men and women, will be involved in the slow pitch benefit tourney, which is being organized by John and Stacy Grund.

Visit riverreportersports.com for an album of pictures from the Ronny’s Ringers tournament.