Sunset Ridge Softball Team History
The first Ridgers to colonize our hood landed in 2004. NOTE: For newcomers to The Ridge, as you gaze about and hear a number of geezer jocks reminiscing about their softball accomplishments, moments of fame regarding softball exploits, etc. -- you may be thinking Sunset Ridge fielded a softball team? The answer is UBETCHA!
The Ridge had a noteworthy, highly competitive neighborhood softball team per the photo above. The 16 players pictured formed the initial team organized by Wayne Drake in 2006. The team was organized to to compete in the level 4 Villages Neighborhood League. As most players had not played in decades (like since high school) Our team struggled in the beginning despite wives and neighbors enthusiastically attending games and forming a raucous cheering section wearing Ridger colors, bringing pom poms, and our celebrated ( subsequently banned) cowbell.
Slowly but surely victories became more and more frequent. Skills improved, and incentives (beer, elaborate BBQs, karaoke, dancing girls (not), etc., created a festive atmosphere throughout The Ridge. In 2009, Coach Drake remarried and moved away, but our congenial loved by all Haskell Boyter stepped up and took the helm. He introduced eye-popping black and white uniform shirts and caps, a contagious can-do attitude, and the team achieved won-lost records of 9-1 and 10-0. Alas -- age began to take it's toll, playing in the heat and high humidity created stamina issues, which lead to frequent injuries, which begins with "I" which almost rhymes with "P", which stands for "POOL", and then we had trouble in River City. Ridger wives became vocal and were soon bellowing in unison "I told you so!". The team voted to disband in 2011.
The Ridge had a noteworthy, highly competitive neighborhood softball team per the photo above. The 16 players pictured formed the initial team organized by Wayne Drake in 2006. The team was organized to to compete in the level 4 Villages Neighborhood League. As most players had not played in decades (like since high school) Our team struggled in the beginning despite wives and neighbors enthusiastically attending games and forming a raucous cheering section wearing Ridger colors, bringing pom poms, and our celebrated ( subsequently banned) cowbell.
Slowly but surely victories became more and more frequent. Skills improved, and incentives (beer, elaborate BBQs, karaoke, dancing girls (not), etc., created a festive atmosphere throughout The Ridge. In 2009, Coach Drake remarried and moved away, but our congenial loved by all Haskell Boyter stepped up and took the helm. He introduced eye-popping black and white uniform shirts and caps, a contagious can-do attitude, and the team achieved won-lost records of 9-1 and 10-0. Alas -- age began to take it's toll, playing in the heat and high humidity created stamina issues, which lead to frequent injuries, which begins with "I" which almost rhymes with "P", which stands for "POOL", and then we had trouble in River City. Ridger wives became vocal and were soon bellowing in unison "I told you so!". The team voted to disband in 2011.
A List of Team Members, their positions, and nicknames follow:
Tony Angle, catcher, "T" Bill Beasley, outfield, "Scooter" Dick Burkhart, 2nd base, "Burk"
Haskell Boyter, Manager, "Coach" Jack Crandall, outfield, "Piper" Stu Crow, outfield, "Stu"
Danny Doubrava, shortstop, "Mo" Wayne Drake, pitcher, "Shoes" Bob Figler, catcher, "Bird"
Dick Fuller, scorer, "Bird" Bill McIlhenny, outfield, "Mac" Dennis Moore, 1st base, Gazelle
George Moore, catch, "Stealth" Art Malacky, 1st, "Tinman" John Pitts, 3rd base, "JP" Roland Lanctot, outfield, "Rollie" Bob Williams, outfield, "Bobby" John Smeby, short field, "Smebs"
Mark Schuldiner, utility, "Lil Bubba" Russ Greata, outfield, "Rusty" Joe Olimpio, outfield, "Jo"
Dave Mathews, 1st base, "Freighttrain"
Haskell Boyter, Manager, "Coach" Jack Crandall, outfield, "Piper" Stu Crow, outfield, "Stu"
Danny Doubrava, shortstop, "Mo" Wayne Drake, pitcher, "Shoes" Bob Figler, catcher, "Bird"
Dick Fuller, scorer, "Bird" Bill McIlhenny, outfield, "Mac" Dennis Moore, 1st base, Gazelle
George Moore, catch, "Stealth" Art Malacky, 1st, "Tinman" John Pitts, 3rd base, "JP" Roland Lanctot, outfield, "Rollie" Bob Williams, outfield, "Bobby" John Smeby, short field, "Smebs"
Mark Schuldiner, utility, "Lil Bubba" Russ Greata, outfield, "Rusty" Joe Olimpio, outfield, "Jo"
Dave Mathews, 1st base, "Freighttrain"