The softball team from Cruizer's Bar & Grill in Russia hosted a softball tournament this past weekend at Russia Park and I couldn't help but remember the end of my own playing days some 13 years ago. Back then our team was sponsored by Mo's Place, which actually occupied the same building as Cruizer's does today. Men's softball seemed to be a more popular sport in this area back then, although I'm told by current players it's still popular in the Mercer County area. For me, it was almost all I wanted to do from about age 20 to 28. Nothing was more fun than competing on the diamond against other local teams and then enjoying some camaraderie with a cold beverage in the bleachers afterward. In our early years we'd play in 3-day tournaments on the weekend and then a league game during the week. We'd travel on overnight trips to the state tournament and once we even played in an all-night tournament that lasted from sun down to sun up. It was perfect us single guys. As our playing years went on we attended a lot of teammate weddings, started bringing little kids to the ballpark, and played less and less softball. Those 3-day tournaments turned into 1-day tournaments and league night became a thing of the past. Family life got busier and we all gradually retired from the sport we had so much fun playing. Great memories and great friends all thanks to softball!
Note: Click on the picture above to get a close-up of these weekend warriors. Notice the little girl in the corner is now a Russia sophomore and standout athlete for the Raiders!
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