Thank you to all the fans who came out to Tavistock Optimist Park on Tuesday July 3rd to take in a tremendous exhibition of old time fastball. The park looked like every county ball park should, perfectly groomed, alive with some 400 fans young and old.
Lawn chairs strategically placed for the best views and rural ball players from decades gone with their best tractor or implement hats cocked at just the perfect angle.
The local teams , the Tavistock Merchants and the Tavistock Hops gave the New Zealand Black Sox all they could handle with New Zealand winning both games by scores of 5-0 and 3-0.
Special thanks to the Black Sox who were so classy and gracious to the many kids in attendance, many with their own club sweaters on.
As well, thanks to Jeff Roth and Kevin Zehr for their great work in putting the evening together. Special thanks to the Tavistock Minor Softball Association for looking after all the field arrangements; the Tavistock Optimist Club for opening and providing great ball park food; to the great umpiring crew put together by Trevor Topping and to the scoring and announcing duo of Mary Ann Stroh and Joe Todd, two of the absolute best in the game.
Softball has its roots in country ball parks and Tavistock is certainly a benchmark for doing things right. Dave Narghang the head of minor softball and the entire community should take a deep bow for keep a great game alive, and developing talented young players at every level in their minor system.
If you missed Tavistock, you can catch it all over again tonight down Highway 59 in Hickson Ball Park. Kyle Smith and the Hickson Lions will host the Black Sox and Team Ontario beginning at 6:30 pm with another great doubleheader. The address for the park is 99 Loveys Street, and admission is just $5.00.
Don't miss the action, it will be a beautiful July night for fastball.
