r a
The friendships are as important as the
games at the Jewish Men's International.
PHOTOS BY DANIEL LIPPITT
•
i*Okr.
40:
i max
•
•
Center:
Bruce Weberman is safe
at third as the throw gets
past Stephen Fields of
Toronto.
Above:
After a home run, Todd
Kaluzny is hugged by his
cousin Randi Schaefer
and gets a high-five from
a teammate.
the Canadian strike zone is defined by a mat
placed over home plate. Any ball landing on
the mat is a strike, while the American strike
zone is called by the umpire.
Radner, age 59, no longer plays on his
team, but his son David pitches and plays
first base.
Detroit's third team, Detroit Weingarden,
,-....lade its first appearance in the tournament
this year, losing to Hamilton Journeymen in
the semi-finals of the consolation bracket.
"We have the love of softball in common
and this has been the conduit for some re-
ally great relationships," says Sherline, who
plays for the Detroit Weberman team. "The
games are important, but the friendships we
forge are treasures."
"You only get to see these guys once a
Y ear," says Grossbart. "I love this tourna-
ment — it's fun. I love playing softball. I love
talking about it. I love partying."
Jake Gold, first baseman for the Toronto
J.D. Boys team, wants to know "how any-
body could not like three days of playing soft-
ball."
Howie Gilmore, coach and first baseman
for the Winnipeg Goldeyes, has been playing
in the Jewish Men's International since 1986.
He calls the tournament well-organized and
says it offers "a combination of competition
and great guys."
Gilmore especially likes coming to Detroit
because "these guys treat us like we're gold-
en."
The host city is responsible for entertain-
ing the visitors. On Saturday night, the De-
troiters took about 60 Canadians to the Royal
Oak Brewery. A banquet was held at the
Novi Hilton on Monday after the tournament
concluded.
Between 60 and 70 wives and girlfriends
come with the Canadians to cheer and shop.
"If you want to play in this tournament," says
Steven Junger, who plays second base for
Toronto's J.D. Boys, "you have to convince
your wife to come here with you so she'll let
you play." Junger was back for his 12th year.
Deborah Kennedy came in from Winnipeg
to cheer for her boyfriend and keep score for
the Goldeyes. This was her first tournament
and she loved the international flavor.
The tournament umpiring was done by a
crew that normally officiates Detroit's B'nai
B'rith softball league, with two exceptions.
According to Sherline, two of the umpires for
last year's tournament in Montreal, Ruby
Goodman and Jeff Kenley, were so hospitable
and friendly that they were invited to offici-
ate this year.
In the championship game on Monday,
Detroit Weberman defeated Detroit Rad-
ner 13-7, paced by leadoff hitter and short-
stop Lee Eisenberg, designated hitter
Sherline and catcher Barry Firsht. Todd
Kaluzny in left and Grossbart at third
sparkled in the field. ❑
CD
C:r)
CO
CC
LU
CC1
LU
CU
LU
C/)
7