Softball

Softball nation

Nation’s best to play in 27th Edward M. Collins Tourney on August 8-10

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONGAUP VALLEY, NY — When it comes to softball tournaments, like anything else, everything is relative. In terms of quality of play, there is good, better and best. At this juncture of the summer, there is certainly no shortage of fine tournaments. This past weekend’s Fremont Tournament and the upcoming local men’s and women’s league tournaments are examples of that plenitude, as is next weekend’s tournament in White Sulphur Springs.

But if it’s softball at its best that you want to witness, Collins Park in Mongaup Valley is where you’ll have to be on August 8 through 10. The nation’s best will vie against each other in the 27th Annual Edward M. Collins Men’s Major Modified Softball Tournament, which will stun and delight its onlookers.

Started more than a quarter century ago by Dennis Dietrich, in memory of his beloved friend and teammate Eddie Collins, the tournament has drawn elite teams, including reigning national champions, like this year’s Legends from Fairhaven, MA.

Last year, L&P Tree Service from Staten Island narrowly defeated Zubi’s Lawn Care of Middletown 4-3 in the finals, behind the stellar pitching of Rodney “Bink” DeGroat.

“Bink,” armed with his devastating knuckleball, will be back this year with his teammates in a field that features Switch Inn from Middletown (the old Roche’s Garage team); Zubi’s Lawn Care; Globe/Ander’s Lawn Care of Montgomery; D-Tech (Fitness Factory) of Monticello, the Fort Apache Dodgers from the Bronx; Kestler’s Well Drilling of Hawley, PA; the aforementioned champion, Legends; R&R Wilmot from Lake Ariel, PA; DeVries Concrete from Middletown; Prime Time from Nyack; and Jorgansens from Milford, PA.

The schedule is as follows: August 8 from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, August 9 from 8:00 a.m. to midnight and August 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The winner’s bracket finals will be held on August 9 at 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. The championship game is slated for August 10 at 4:30 p.m.