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Holiday Happiness
Steve Stein
Contributing Writer
T
hey're headed down
the stretch in the Inter-
Congregational Men's Club
Summer Softball League.
With Week No. 8 of the 10-week
regular season in the books, no less
than five teams appeared to have a
great shot at winning the champion-
ship in the league's 18th year.
Yes, five teams. Temple Shir Shalom's
long reign may be in jeopardy.
Temple Israel No. 2 (8-1) and Temple
Israel No. 1 (8-1) were in first and sec-
ond place and Shir Shalom (7-1) was in
third at the eight-week mark.
Congregation Shaarey Zedek (7-2-
1) and Adat Shalom Synagogue No.
1 (7-2-1) rounded out the top five in
the standings. Temple Israel No. 2
and Shaarey Zedek owned tie-breaker
advantages.
"It's been a competitive season:' said
Chuck Freedman, one of the league
coordinators. "And it has been an
enjoyable one, too, with great weather
and great camaraderie
Shir Shalom has won four consecu-
tive league championships, six in seven
years, and 10 titles overall since league
play began in 1996.
It lost for the first time since 2010
when Temple Israel No. 1 won 7-2 in a
game played June 23, but this is still a
dangerous team.
As Freedman pointed out, Shir
Shalom had scored more runs (134)
than anyone else in the league through
eight weeks.
There are 12 teams in the league,
the most ever. And they'll all be in the
single-elimination playoffs at Keith
Fields in West Bloomfield that will
begin Aug. 11.
After a league brunch, the winners
of four games between teams seeded
No. 5 through No. 12 will play the top
four seeded teams.
The four remaining teams will play
semifinal, championship and third-
place games Aug. 18. It will be the first
time the league has held a third-place
game.
There will be a special moment
between the two rounds of games Aug.
11 when the second annual Jeff Fox
Sportsmanship Award is presented.
Each team's nominee will receive a
certificate. One will be chosen at ran-
dom for the award, which is named for
a former Shir Shalom player who died
before last season.
For more information about the
league, including times for playoff
games, go to mensclubsoftball.org .
Spare Time
It is possible to go home again.
Nearly 50 years after graduat-
ing from what is now Lawrence
Technological University in Southfield,
Phil Horowitz has returned to the
school as the coach of its new women's
bowling team.
This isn't just any coach. Horowitz
is a member of the Michigan Jewish
Sports Hall of Fame, Maccabiah Games
gold-medal winner and former profes-
sional bowler.
The 74-year-old West Bloomfield
resident still averages 220 and bowls
in leagues and tournaments. He most
recently bowled in the National Senior
Games in Cleveland.
Horowitz said he's looking forward
to coaching at Lawrence Tech even if
the school may not seem very familiar
to him.
"I've been promised a tour of the
campus. It's a lot different than when
I was there Horowitz said. "I think
there were two buildings back thee
Horowitz bowled for Lawrence Tech
when he was a student, winning two
letters. In fact, he's credited with start-
ing the men's team.
Former Livonia Clarenceville High
School bowling star Bridget Moricz
is one of the bowlers on Horowitz's
women's team.
They're reuniting at Lawrence Tech.
Horowitz coached the boys and
girls bowling teams at Clarenceville
the last five years and Moricz went
to the Michigan High School Athletic
Association state tournament twice
with Horowitz as her coach.
In March, Horowitz coached the
Clarenceville boys team to the MHSAA
Division 3 state championship. He's
had to stop coaching at Clarenceville
because of the Lawrence Tech job,
which also involves recruiting.
Besides bowling and coaching,
Horowitz is still working in the life
insurance and financial planning busi-
ness.
His degree from Lawrence Tech was
in industrial management. He gradu-
ated in 1965.
Meet Sarah
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With Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur holidays upon us,
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can build a variety of lush dairy style trays including an
assortment of fruits and salads, and options that include
lox, sable, and whitefish. Our famous sour cream coffee
cake makes any meal a holiday.
Please stop by for a free taste of any of our delicious
offerings, and to meet Sarah in person. To celebrate
her arrival at Plaza Deli, we'd like to extend this special
holiday offer to you!
RECEIVE $10 OFF ANY 10-PERSON OR MORE
HOLIDAY TRAY WHEN YOU BRING IN THIS AD.*
ASK US ABOUT OUR DELIVERY SERVICE!
QUESTIONS?
Call or email Sarah directly at:
sgerman@theepicureangroup.com
248.356.2310
29145 Northwestern Highway
Southfield, MI 48034
❑
Send news to sports@thejewishnews.com .
*Offer valid for Yom Kippur
and Rosh Hashanah holiday trays.
Expires September 30, 2013.
theepicureangroup.com
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August 1 • 2013
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