Lines and bases were set upon the damp grass as vehicles approached the softball field. Players with purpose; hands filled with the usual sports paraphernalia...bats, softballs and gloves, left their cozy transportation behind to answer the call of "play ball"! It was a stupendously gorgeous West Texas day, sunny skies and gentle breezes, a perfect day for all to gather and play for a good cause.
All in all, the First Annual Scottish Rite CO ED Slow Pitch Softball Tournament played out with just a few minor snags. Thirteen of the Fourteen registered teams showed to participate that day with players arriving from around the great state of Texas...Dallas, FT Worth, Odessa, Midland, Monahans, Kermit, Wink... and even a team from Jal, New Mexico. The tournament started a little late, but was under way by 10AM and the final championship game ended the tournament early Sunday morning at 3:30AM.
Tournament champions were FTB, a team whose members came from Midland, Odessa and Monahans. Runners up were Last Call. Both teams received printed tee shirts and group photos. After everything was said and done, $1950 was collected from team entries and $109.50 taken in from the concessions and raffles, for a grand total of $2,059.50.
The following businesses and people were instrumental in aiding in the success of the Scottish Rite Softball Tournament: Just-Us-Girlz Lowe's Market Place Midland RockHounds Monogram Shop The Odessa American Robertson's Grocery Vicky Wall Kathy Lovell Jim Mayberry Ratliff Electric Raymond & Lee from team FTB The Young Guns
Bud and Wendy Medina would also like to thank everyone who helped to make this tournament a success!
This is Keegan Ratliff pictured with his kitty and his sister, Johnna. Keegan, diagnosed with Fibular Hemimelia, underwent his first surgery at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children at nine months. He received his first leg prosthesis on his first birthday. As Keegan grows he'll need to get a new prosthesis every nine to thirteen months. Keegan just received a new Spongebob prosthetic leg on his second birthday. Wendy, Keegan's mom, says he doesn't miss a beat, that he's into everything and doesn't know any different. Wendy also commented that when it comes time for swimming he wants to take off both legs! The entire family is very grateful for Scottish Rite Hospital and wouldn't know what they would have done without the hospital. Kolton, another two year old of Wink, stands with a bright smile and blissfully tells me that he likes policemen, firetrucks, Elmo, Winnie the Pooh and Handy Manny. Kolton, a patient of Scottish Rite Hospital, was diagnosed at birth with Amniotic Band Syndrome, which affected his fingers and toes. He had his first surgery at four months and just recently experienced another surgery in June. He'll undergo a third surgery sometime in October or November of this year. Amanda, Kolton's mom, said that the next surgery will give Kolton the ability to grip, but that he can already throw a baseball pretty darn good!
Bree Montoya, a very shy eleven year old attending Wink Elementary, stood smiling telling us she loves Hannah Montana and is excited about meeting her fifth grade teachers. Bree developed bunions on her feet and underwent surgery prior to finding help at Scottish Rite Hospital. Misty, Bree's mom, glowingly related their experience at Scottish Rite, from the loving atmosphere to the very nice security guard, Ron. As Misty talked, she became teary eyed, I knew then that Scottish Rite meant a lot to this family. Misty said that the doctor at Scottish Rite said that Bree was a pretty little girl with old women's feet, but that was soon to be a distant memory.
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children treats Texas children with orthopedic conditions, such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hand disorders, hip disorders and limb length differences, as well as certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. The hospital was established in 1921 when a group of Texas Masons approached Dallas’ first orthopedic surgeon Dr. W. B. Carrell about caring for children regardless of the family’s ability to pay, that mission continues today. It's through generous donations and community support that allow this giving spirit to thrive.
More than not, most of us fail to recognize the importance of supporting these types of charitable organizations. That realization hit home today after finding out that five children in Wink have undergone surgery at the hospital and continue to receive treatments.
It's been thrown around for some time to have a benefit where the proceeds collected would be donated to the Scottish Rite Hospital. Finally, that day has come. Wink will be hosting the 1st Annual CO-ED Slow Pitch Softball Tournament to benefit Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. This event will take place on August 1st and 2nd. We only have space for 20 teams, so make sure you register by July 30th. Interested teams can contact Bud Medina, local organizer, 432-527-3468. If you'd like to make a charitable donation you can mail that to: Scottish Rite Fund, P O BOX 733, Wink, TX, 79789.
Who says over 40 is over the hill? I enjoy listening to great music from all decades and genres, walking hand in hand with the one I love and nurturing the two smartest funnest kids ever! Although I'm not a native of West Texas, I've been here long enough to know the drill. HOT, WINDY and DESOLATE! So, that's why you'll find me and the kids heading out to some of our favorite hangs out...these places would include mild temperatures, mild winds and lush landscapes! I stick around because one day I'm hoping the Permian Basin will be underwater once again, and then I'll have beach front property! :D
