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Softball tournament gives back

It was a great time for a great cause last weekend at the Whitehall baseball fields.

Whitehall's Second Annual Charity Softball Co-Ed Tournament took place both Saturday and Sunday, and once again helped out with a worthwhile cause.

According to tournament director Mikel Kelley, the tournament had double the amount of teams from last year. The 2016 tournament featured teams from Ennis, Sheridan, Three Forks, Whitehall and Butte (two teams).

Kelley said Saturday at the tournament that it was the most cars she has seen at the ball fields since she was 10-years-old.

Kelley ran the tournament with a mixture of ASA and Gallatin Valley league rules, but also had fun alternating rules.

"Some of these fun rules were that men were challenged to hit weak handed. All the games were played on the smaller fields and had rules for home runs. All home runs cost $5. If a home run was hit without a ticket it was an out, but if teams brought so many pounds of animal food they were rewarded with so many home run tickets," she said.

The players competed in a male and female home run derby they paid to compete in. Kelley said she also raffled off bats, gloves, hats, socks and bat handle grips.

"All of the money proceeds and food were raised for the local animal shelters in the community. Everyone seemed to have a fantastic fun filled weekend and are already talking about coming back next year," she said.

The tournament came to a close Sunday night. Kelley added a total of 300 pounds of food was raised.

The "NF" team from Butte finished in first, the "T Lazy G" team from Ennis was second, and the "Ruby Valley" team from Sheridan placed third. Tammy from Ennis won the home run derby for women, and Chris from Butte won the derby for men.

Kelley said the championship game was played on the legal softball field, which helped create an intense competitive game.

"The Ennis team had already lost one game in the tournament, while the Butte team was undefeated. Ennis won the first game forcing a tie breaker game to be played," she said. "Butte managed to hold on and win the second game and take home the Championship with a score of 8 to 3."

Kelly said by the end of the weekend, counting team members, spouses of team members, umps, kids and spectators; the baseball fields were occupied by an estimated 100 plus people.

"We look forward to seeing this tournament growing every year," she said.

 

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