All eyes were on Dave Rearick. All eyes – players, fans, and perhaps the ducks that flew into the Arbor Fitness Center pool a few weeks ago. There Dave was, at home plate, a white-knuckled grip on the bat, engaged in a staring match with the pitcher. A tied game. Two outs. Full count. Bottom of the final inning with a runner on second base.
A few scenarios here. Dave gets walked, and the next batter is faced with wetting his pants. Dave strikes out, and the game is history. If Dave gets a strategically placed hit, the runner on second (unless he’s a hippo) scores the winning run.
The pitch looked good, with a perfect arc right where Dave wanted it. The fans are going nuts, and it was a packed house. Like in slow motion, Dave took a nice, even cut at the ball and felt the contact. When he opened his eyes, the ball was slicing into right field and heading away from the fielder toward the first base foul line. A perfectly placed shot it was, the one that is a memory etcher.
And guess what? The runner on second was no hippo. The runner was Robby Iraci, who happened to be the fastest and most agile player on the team. He easily crossed the plate with the winning run to end the game in victory. Major League Baseball? Nope, this was last year’s Veterans Classic Softball Tournament game between Air Force and Warriors, with Air Force winning it all. Stop the madness!
The tournament is the brainchild of Captain Rick Munsell, U.S. Navy, retired, who is the chairman and who also plays in the regular softball league, as do most of the veteran ballplayers. The culmination of the tournament, of course, is the championship, which is comparable to “the Army-Navy game” with the winner claiming bragging rights and a whole lot of ribbing whenever the opportunity arises, which is quite often. Oh, the ribbing was alive and well when I interviewed these very spirited guys, players on the three-peat championship Air Force team: Pete Feliciano, 25 years of service, captain (O-3E), US Air Force, retired; Dave Rearick, 25 years of service, colonel, US Air Force, retired; Mark Gatchell, 20 years of service, technical sergeant, US Air Force, retired; Ernie Serson, four years of service, sergeant; and Bill McElroy, one and a half years of service, airman first class.
The camaraderie between these guys was evident. Dave Rearick (2024 MVP) said that “we are playing for our brothers”, and also said, “Navy wants to win, big time!” Pete Feliciano (2023 co-MVP with Bill McElroy) explained that the big rivalry is between Air Force and Navy, comparing it to “the Hatfields and McCoys.” Ernie Serson (2022 MVP) said that their military background makes them “wired to win,” while Mark Gatchell (3-0 as a manager) noted that any veteran is invited to play in the Veterans Tournament, and playing in the regular season is not a requirement (contact Rick Munsell).
In speaking about competitiveness, Bill McElroy (3-0 as the pitcher) reflected on another tournament in which he was the pitcher, and “inadvertently” beaned a very well-known major-league baseball player. Competitive spirit at its finest. Part of the game.
Since the Air Force has won it all over the past three years, needless to say, they are this year’s target. You can’t miss this tournament! This will be one to remember. Trash talk? Ha, you ain’t heard nuthin’ yet. But it’s all in that wonderful competitive spirit that sport is all about. It’s all about the brotherhood that our veterans share, the respect they have for each other, and we have for them. Come cheer on your team – Air Force, Navy, Army, and Warriors (combo of Marines and Coast Guard). Come see if Mark Gatchell will duplicate last year’s pirouette at the plate when his tremendous swing and miss spun him around. The tournament will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8 (Sunday, Nov. 9, rain date) at the softball field. As of this writing, the schedule is as follows:
8:20 a.m. Player’s lineup on base paths.
8:30 a.m. Presentation of the Colors by Marion County Memorial Honor Guard.
8:35 a.m. National anthem and opening prayer.
8:45 a.m. Presentation of the honorary first pitch.
8:50 a.m. Introduction of the players and game one commences.
Yes, food trucks, a home run derby, and a full day of activities with Mr. Kenneth D. Colen presenting the coveted captain’s trophy to the winning team!
So come on out and cheer on your team with the Poms Dance and Cheer Squad! Join your team in trash-talking. But most importantly, honor our veterans, past and present, while celebrating this day. Don’t miss it!
