The annual softball tournament by Florida Half-Century Amateur Softball Association kicked off recently. All matches will be held at four softball complexes in The Villages with 89 teams in varying age groups battling it out for top spots.
The tournament had to be canceled last year due to pandemic.
Teams tour all over Florida during the year for the league, and it is one of the favorite spots for most players. The Villages have earned a lot of appreciation for having tremendous fields and well-maintained pitches.
“This is probably the best place we play,” Bruce Breiner, of the Village of Marsh Bend, said. “The fields are in great shape; they do a fabulous job. Our fans get to watch us play. It’s great playing here.”
All 89 teams are segregated according to age groups. The age 60-64 group will be seen in action at Buffalo Glen. The 65-69 age group playing at Saddlebrook. The 70-74 age group was allotted Everglades Softball Complex, and the 75-and-older group will be at the Soaring Eagle Softball Complex.
Glen Softball Complex and Saddlebrook Softball Complex were jam-packed with supporters.
In every age group, teams were divided into separate sections, consisting of five teams in each. Florida Hall-Century ranks the teams based on skill level, and it is made sure that in each section teams are paired against opponents with similar skill levels.
The teams move up or down in the section depending on the match results and can be promoted to a different section before the next tournament stop.
John Martellacci is a team member of the Beach Boyz 65s, a visiting side in the top bracket of the 65-age range.
In his first match, he will be playing against Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, from The Villages. He is very enthusiastic about the spirit and competition of the tournament.
“They’re all good teams when you get in the top bracket,” Martellucci said. “Nobody is easy at the top.”
Organizing a tournament with such a magnitude is surely an uphill task. Dave Mamuscia, of the Village of Belvedere, has been helping manage the tournament for 11 years in The Villages. After a day’s play, Mamuscia is looking forward to a successful event.
“It’s been outstanding,” Mamascia said. “We’ve had tremendous help from The Villages recreation department getting set up. We really want to express our appreciation to them. In particular, Andrew Esposito and his staff. And of course (John) Rohan who oversees all of it. This is the best support we’ve ever had.”
– Attributed Source, The Villages Daily Sun
