The home team won a nail-biter in the final to prevail in the masters division at the 2018 Gord Closson Oldtimers Fall Classic last month.
Gord’s Geriatrics went undefeated through the three-day fastpitch tournament, ultimately coming out on top after an extra-innings thriller against Lantzville in the title game.
The Geriatrics went 3-0 in the round robin, but found themselves seeded second going into the playoffs behind Lantzville, who also went undefeated in pool play.
The top two teams didn’t meet until the final, and proved to be well-matched, playing to a 9-9 tie after seven innings. They needed three extra innings to sort it out, with the Geriatrics scoring their 10th run in the 10th frame.
Rounding out the masters standings were the Beers (Nanaimo) in third and Belfor Restorations (Duncan) in fourth. The Native Sons (Port Alberni) received the Shawnigan Lake Merchants Last Place Trophy.
A Duncan team also made the final in the open division, but the Bangers ended up on the wrong side of a 6-3 score in that game, falling to the defending champion Braves from Saanich.
The Bangers were seeded second and the Braves third after round-robin play. New Victoria team the Outlaws finished first in the pool, with the Rangers (Duncan) in fourth and Baker Supply (Nanaimo) in fifth.
Kevin Hooper was named team MVP for Gord’s Geriatrics.
“He just recovered from a heart attack last year, and he pitched the whole weekend,” tournament spokesperson Joe DiLalla said. “It was the best I’ve seen him pitch in a long while. He must have worked hard to get back in shape.”
Other team MVPs included Ray Anthony for Belfor Restorations, Kevin Careless for the Rangers, Kirk Lum for Lantzville, Arron Emery for the Braves, Dave Devana for the Native Sons, Shane McLachlan for Baker Supply, Allan Ross for the Beers, Craig Snyder for the Bangers, and Andrew Netherton for the Outlaws.
The Ron Dill Memorial Trophy for Most Inspirational Player went to former Paralympic athlete Adam Burnell of Belfor Restorations.
“He’s got just one arm he can use and one leg he can use,” DiLalla said. “He made some spectacular catches in the field.”
The Mr. O’Keefe Memorial Trophy for Most Sportsmanlike Player went to Jarred Meservia of Gord’s Geriatrics, Larry Cross was named the Favourite Umpire, Bill Flynn received the Chris Dame Most Positive Person Award, Trevor Vanderbyl was named the Wilky Weekend Warrior, and Lantzville and Belfor shared the Team Participation Award.
The recipients of the funds raised this year were Cowichan Valley sports figures Gerry Rees and Mark MacDowell, both of whom are going through health issues. As always, past recipients of the tournament’s generosity were on hand this year, including Steve Wallace, whose son Mason was a beneficiary in 2016, and his dad, Don, who took care of the fields.
“We give, they receive, they come back,” DiLalla said.
Tournament regular Don O’Keefe was unable to attend this year because his wife, Dinah, is going through health issues, but still donated money to the cause.
“Everyone was thinking of them,” DiLalla said.
Other generous donations came from Andrew Plumb, the Shriners and Teresa Williams. Clive Coell of Beverly Corners Liquor Store and Harold Wallace donated gift baskets, which were purchased by Kevin Careless and Rick Dey in an auction conducted by Blaine Johnson. Organizers also expressed their thanks to Ray Ellison, Sports Traders, and the neighbours of Waldon Park for their cooperation on the busy weekend.