Johnnie’s I Love This Barn
Tournament held May 30,
2015
The Stuarts Draft club really likes holding its
team tournament, and there are a bunch of pitchers that
enjoy this format also. John Monarchy, from Maryland was an
enthusiastic and faithful participant until his health
prevented him from pitching or making the trip.
Johnnie passed away in July of 2013 after a long hard battle
with cancer, and the club decided to change the tournament
name in remembrance of him.
Jim Hartman had brought
a much-treasured poster for display - an original out of
John Monarchy’s tobacco barn. And the award plaques had been
designed with John’s tobacco barn on the plates (he had
indoor courts at his barn, and many fun cook-out / pitchin’
days were held there).
Six teams signed up (three
people per team), and team Captains were assigned. The fun
part of this event is when the Captains assess the opposing
team members, then assign who-will-play-who.
As the games got going, it looked like Turner-Gregory-Hansen
might stand a chance at the winning spot, but with one game
ending in a tie, and another two losses, they shifted to 3rd
place at the end of the regular round robins. AND at the end
of game 5, two teams shifted into 1st & 2nd, TIED with 12
wins/3 losses.
A playoff match followed with
Breeden-Stallard-Sparks facing off against
Cummings-Duymich-Perkins. It was a really good set of
matches. B.B.S. earned 2 wins, 1 loss and
C.D.P. earned 2 losses, 1 win. Breeden-Stallard-Sparks won
the tournament by that one extra win!!
As club
members handed out the plaques and Jim packed up his poster,
we all smiled and remembered how much Johnnie loved this
team thing. And HE was a part of our team over the many
years he came and pitched shoes in Stuarts Draft.
Love that Barn, and we Loved Johnnie.
See you all
on the courts again soon. Pat