from The Epicurean Group Temple Israel No. 1 with some young fans Steve Stein Contributing Writer F or the first time in five years, there's a new champion in the Inter-Congregational Men's Club Summer Softball League. Temple Israel No. 1 defeated Temple Shir Shalom 16-15 on Aug. 18 in a thrill- ing playoff championship game at Keith Elementary School in West Bloomfield, ending Shir Shalom's run of four consecu- tive league titles and winning Temple Israel's first title. There were 12 teams in the league this season, the most since it was formed in 1996. Shir Shalom lost twice this summer, once in the regular season and once in the playoffs. Both defeats were inflicted by Temple Israel No. 1. Winning man- ager Steve Achtman has great respect for the former champs. "They're the elite team in our league he said. Shir Shalom came into the season with 45 victories in 46 regular-season games, 11 straight playoff wins and 10 championships, three more than every other team combined. Temple Israel No. l's 7-2 win over Shir Shalom on June 23 ended a regular- season unbeaten streak that stretched to 2010, but Shir Shalom still won the regular-season title with an 11-1 record. Temple Israel No. 1 was second at 10-2. Their rematch for the championship was highly anticipated, and the game lived up to its billing. Temple Israel No. 1 scored twice in the top of the seventh inning to move in front 16-13. Shir Shalom pushed across two runs to make it 16-15 and had runners on first and second with two out when home-run threat David Gach stepped up. He drove Barry Fishman's pitch deep to left-centerfield, where Andrew Kaye made the title-clinching catch just in front of the fence. "My heart was pounding; said Atchman, who already has taken the championship trophy to be engraved so it can be on display at Temple Israel during the High Holidays. Six Temple Israel No. 1 players had three hits in the title game including Ryan Columbus, who belted a grand slam homer. Brandon and Shawn Achtman (Steve Achtman's sons), broth- ers Andrew and Jordan Kaye and Randy Chudler also had three hits. Other team members were Jonathan Fellows, Justin Columbus, Bruce Kaye, Steve Kraft and Eric Kamen. Temple Israel had a modest beginning in the league. Steve Achtman said he discovered Temple Israel had a softball team when he became president of the Brotherhood in 2007. He said he was disappointed to find out several players weren't Brotherhood members, so he made that a require- ment starting in 2008. The decision paid dividends. A sec- ond Temple Israel team was formed a few years ago and a third team was added this year. "We don't have A, B and C teams:' Achtman said. "We put teams together based on connections like family and friends. For example, my two sons (Brandon and Shawn) and my brother-in- law (Fellows) were on my team this year." Other Softball News Larry Lipnik of Bais Chabad Torah Center was presented the league's Jeff Fox sportsmanship award Aug. 11 during a brunch on the first day of the playoffs. Each team nominated a player for the award, named for a Shir Shalom player who died in 2011, and the winner was selected at random. The other nominees were Matt Bassin (Congregation Shir Tikvah), David Bedol (Adat Shalom Synagogue No. 2), Jerry Beigler (Temple Beth El), Justin Columbus (Temple Israel No. 1), Larry Dell (Congregation Shaarey Zedek), Richard Elias (Shir Shalom), David Feld (Temple Israel No. 3), Jeff Kaplan (Temple Kol Ami), Howie Lupovitch (Temple Beth Ahm), Evan Weber (Temple Israel No. 2) and Sam Yashinsky (Adat Shalom No. 1). The softball season isn't ending for several league players. A fall league has been organized with six teams made up of players from all teams and a few B'nai B'rith players. Teams were stocked through a draft. There will be double- headers for five weeks and two weeks of playoffs at Keith and Drake Sports Park in West Bloomfield. Bad News Jews, Kosher Ribs, Marble Rye, Breaking Mad Men, Dances with Softballs and the Winners are the cre- ative team names. Yom Kippur is fast approaching and we want to help you "Break the Fast." We'll prepare beautiful, lush dairy trays for you to enjoy with family and friends. And our dessert trays are also the perfect ending to any celebration. Please remember to think of Milk & Honey* and Plaza Deli for all of your catering needs during this holiday season. MILI1 248.661.2327 248.356.2310 6600 West Maple Rd. West Bloomfield, MI 48322 29145 Northwestern Hwy. Southfield, MI 48034 *Supervised by the Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Detroit. For more information about our on- and off-premise catering, visit theepicureangroup.com . . ❑ Send news to sports@thejewishnews.com . Part of The Epicurean Restaurant Group. August 29 • 2013 127