Summary
The 2nd Annual Wounded Warrior Project Benefit Tournament was held on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at the Big League Dreams Sports Park in Perris, CA. This event, hosted by Menifee Valley Upper Division Senior Softball, honored the wounded veterans of the military actions following the events of September 11, 2001; as well as those members of our armed forces (both past and present) for their service, dedication, and sacrifices for our country.
Over 300 players, family, and friends attended this year’s festivities. An opening ceremony, 24 softball games, a Home Run Derby, and a raffle were all part of the day’s activities.
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony began at 8:15 am with the presentation of the colors. The presentation was led by retired Air Force Technical Sergeant Roy Lantz, a volunteer member of the Riverside National Cemetery Memorial Honor Detail, accompanied by current active duty members of the United States Air Force Honor Guard stationed at March Air Force Base.
Bob Fuhrmann, a veteran of the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam from 1968-1969 and a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, threw out the first pitch. He was assisted by our Menifee Tuesday/Thursday league commissioner Ed Hustead, a World War II and Korean War veteran.
Tournament Games
Seventeen teams competed in the four-division tournament format with four games played on each of the six fields
The division champions were:
Recreational League Division – Hemet #1 team
65+ Division – Brandon’s Diner
70+ Division – Paradise Chevrolet
Competitive League Division – Grant’s Posse
Home Run Derby
Tom Jadwin won the Home Run Derby. Jack Brunschmid was the runner up. Fifteen players participated in this event.
The Raffle
Over 50 prizes were raffled off throughout the afternoon; including a softball bat, television, Angels tickets, boombox, and team discounts on team jerseys.
100% of the net profit from the tournament goes to the Wounded Warriors — $5,008.
Like all big endeavors, there are always lessons learned. And next year’s tournament promises to be bigger and better.
Divisions / Teams
| Recreational League Teams | 65+ Tournament Teams | 70/75+ Tournament Teams | Competitive League Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| H1 - Hemet 1 | 65A - FV Outlaws 65AAA | 70A - Cal Crush 70AAA | GP - Grant's Posse 60AAA |
| H2 - Hemet 2 | 65B - Git-R-Done 65AA | 70B - Git-R-Done 70AA | MV - Monday League/BLD Perris 60 Major |
| MSSL1 - Menifee 1 (Red) 65C | 65C - MSSL Tourney Team 65AAA | 70C - Paradise Chevrolet 70 AAA | TG1 - Top Gun 65AAA |
| MSSL1 - Menifee 1 (Red) 65C | 65D - Brandon's Diner 65AAA | 70D - Sons of Pitches 70 AAA | TG2 - Top Gun Mavericks 65 Major |
| 75 - Top Gun 75AAA |
Schedule / Field Assignments
| Yankee | Dodger | Angel | Fenway | Durham | Pawtucket | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 | Opening Ceremony | |||||
| 8:30 | MSSL1 (Red) - H1 | 65A - 65B | 65C - 65D | 70A - 70B | 70C - 70D | TG2 - MV |
| 10:00 | MSSL2 (White) - H2 | 75 - 70A | 70B - 70C | GP - TG1 | 65A - 65C | 65B - 65D |
| 11:30 | Raffle - Part I | |||||
| 11:30 -12:30 | Home Run Derby | |||||
| 12:30 | Raffle Part II | |||||
| 12:30 | 70D - 75 | MSSL1 (Red) - H2 | TG2- TG1 | 65C - 65B | GP - MV | 70A - 70C |
| 2:00 | Raffle Part III | |||||
| 2:00 | 70B - 70D | MSSL2 (White) - H1 | TG2- GP | TG1 - MV | 65A - 65D | 75 - 70C |
Standings
| Divisions | Won | Lost | Runs Scored | Runs Allowed | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational League Teams: | ||||||||
| H1 - Hemet 1 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 21 | 8 | 13 | ||
| H2 - Hemet 2 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 15 | ||
| MSSL1 - Tu/Th Menifee 1 (Red) | 1 | 1 | 8 | 15 | 14 | 8 | ||
| MSSL2 - Tu/Th Menifee 2 (White) | 0 | 2 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 21 | ||
| 65+ Tournament Teams: | ||||||||
| 65A - FV Outlaws 65AAA | 0 | 3 | 21 | 8 | 13 | 22 | 12 | 20 |
| 65B - Git-R-Done 65AA | 2 | 1 | 22 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 26 | 12 |
| 65C - MSSL Tournament Team 65AAA | 1 | 2 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 8 | 19 |
| 65D - Brandon's Diner 65AAA | 3 | 0 | 16 | 26 | 20 | 13 | 17 | 13 |
| 70+/75+ Tournament Teams: | ||||||||
| 70A - Cal Crush 70AAA | 1 | 2 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 13 |
| 70B - Git-R-Done 70AA | 0 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 |
| 70C - Paradise Chevrolet 70AAA | 3 | 0(1) | 20 | 20 | 13(21) | 15 | 12 | 7(22) |
| 70D - Sons of Pitches 70AAA | 2 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 14 | 20 |
| 75 - Top Gun 75 AAA | 2 | 1 | 15 | 14 | 22 | 14 | 15 | 21 |
| Competitive League Teams: | ||||||||
| GP - Grant's Posse 60AAA | 2 | 1 | 19 | 16 | 22 | 10 | 30 | 19 |
| MV - Monday League/BLD Perris 60 major (Exhibition Team) | 3 | 0 | 23 | 30 | 23 | 15 | 16 | 8 |
| TG1 - Top Gun 65AAA | 0 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 19 | 24 | 23 |
| TG2 - Top Gun Mavericks 65 major | 1 | 2 | 15 | 24 | 19 | 23 | 10 | 22 |
Photos
