A co-ed softball tournament next weekend will raise money for restoring the fields at Nick Iorio Park in Cobleskill.
Set for August 1 and 2 at Doc Reilly Park in Howes Cave, the tournament will pit teams of five men and five women against one another.
The tournament is sponsored by the Cobleskill Rec Commission, with funds going to the Fast Pitch Fields Donation Project.
Several fundraising efforts are ongoing for the fields, which are in disrepair. The co-ed tournament, organized by Becky Terk, is the latest drive.
An athlete in high school, Ms. Terk said she came up with the tournament so that the fields could be playable for kids––especially girls.
“I want to encourage more females to play,” Ms. Terk said. “Get away from the TV and play ball.”
The tournament, for players 18 and older, will have a few special rules.
The batting order must be man-woman-man-woman, there probably won’t be bunting or stealing bases, and a ball hit over the fence by a man will be a triple, not a homer.
“It’s supposed to be fun,” Ms. Terk said. “If you miss a ball in the field, so what? No big deal.”
Even though she announced the tournament only last week, Ms. Terk has seven teams signed up.
It’s a double-elimination tournament. Teams will be drawn randomly for the first round; after that, there will be winners’ and losers’ brackets.
The cost is $15 per person, and although there are no cash prizes, winners get something.
“They get bragging rights and really cool tee shirts I had made up,” Ms. Terk said, laughing.
The first game starts at 9am on the 1st.
There will be food and beverages for sale, a 50/50 raffle and a bake sale.
Anyone with questions can call Ms. Terk at 231-0978 or beckterk@yahoo.com.
Captains should register their teams as soon as possible, Ms. Terk said.