For the second time in the last two years the winner of the car raffled off at the Gord Closson Old Timers Fall Classic fastpitch tournament has had a connection to one of the recent beneficiaries of the tournament proceeds.
In 2014 the beneficiary was Dan Whiteford, and his mother-in-law ended up winning the car. This year, Patrick Erickson won the car. His mother, Wendy Erickson, was the beneficiary two years ago.
This year's vehicle was a 2006 Ford Escape donated by BowMel Chrysler. Half of the proceeds from the raffle and the rest of the tournament this year were donated to the family of Linus Lukas, a member of the Vancouver Island softball community experiencing some health issues. Another quarter of the proceeds were donated to the Shriners for their children's programs.
The championship trophy from the tournament at Glenora's Waldon Park was won by the Rangers, while the Last Place award went to the Blue Jays.
The Rangers finished atop the standings in the open division after the round robin, followed by Dogpatch, Lantzville Pub and Baker Supply.
The Rangers and Dogpatch ended up squaring off again in the final, with the Rangers prevailing 9-2.
In the masters division, the Gators sat first after the round robin, followed by the Texas Leaguers, Rock Creek Revival, Belfor Restoration, the Geriatrics, and the Blue Jays. The Texas Leaguers beat the Gators 9-4 in their final.
Dogpatch didn't leave empty-handed, winning the Team Participation Trophy. Among the individual awards, the Wilky Weekend Warrior went to Bryce Wilkinson, son of the eponymous Rick Wilkinson, while the Ron Dill Memorial Award for the most inspirational player, was shared by Lee and Jonsson Lukas, whose father, Linus, will be among the recipients of the tournament proceeds.
Richard Jones was named the favourite umpire, Jim Ingham took home the Chris Dame Award for most positive person, and Dom Mansueti received the Mr. O'Keefe Memorial Award for most sportsmanlike player.
Team MVPs were Brent Edwards (Lantzville Pub), Mike Sexton (Rock Creek Revival), Theo Vandenberg (Blue Jays), Jake Newman (Texas Leaguers), Andrew Piecknik (Dogpatch), Aaron Emery (Rangers), Mike McPherson (Geriatrics), Mike Beveridge (Gators), Shane McLachlan (Baker Supply) and Ray Anthony (Belfor Restoration).