Saturday, November 14, 2026
New MICMS AD Matt Huneke was the star of the day, kicking for two home runs and making plays in the field.
Tommie Barfield fielded the best dressed team: (front to back) Julie Morell, Adys McDuffie, Eymy Grisko, principal Alyssa Ledbetter, Molly Skudnig, Georgina Dolan, Haven Hardin, Michelle Robau, Mabel Pena, Katie Ball, Monica Mourad, Lisa Richart, Jane Ledoux, Julia Cizek, Sarah Ball, Stephanie Parker, Elizabeth Kerens, Leanne Hope, Gus Cortez, Deana Richett, Dawn Albright, Christina Elliott, Heather Leedy, Craig Greusel, Kelsey MatthiesenTrisha Herzog and Sophia Popoff.
The MICMS team was small in numbers, but mighty in production. Starting front left: Matt Huneke, Jackie Lightell, Jill Hammond, and Cheryl Toth. Back row: Margo Heidenreich, Rona Donato, Michele Wheeler, Teri Bush, Marilyn Morales, and Viviana Jones.
The combined City of Marco Island kickball team. (Front row) Heather Reed, Martha Montgomery, Mike Garner, Rich Blonna, Samantha Malloy, Casey Lucius, and Lina Upham. (Second row) Gabriel Arteaga, Mario Blanco, Miguel Carballo, Erik Brechnitz, Jared Grifoni, Dan Smith, Brandi Garwood, Michael Graczyk, Patrick Youngkin, Tracy Frazzano, Mike McNees, Ryan Montgomery, Steven Schneider, Dawn Snyder, Tristan Ashby, Mike Snyder, Eric Garwood, Lynn Musgrave, and Guillermo Palanco.
City council chairman Erik Brechnitz enjoys a moment with police chief Tracy Frazzano.
Jill Hammond, Marilyn Morales, Jackie Lightell, and Teri Bush show some team spirit.
Tommie Barfield principal Alyssa Ledbetter hustles toward home plate ahead of Matt Huneke’s throw.
The spirit of competition to the very end.
Police officers Ryan Montgomery and Mike Garner seem to be working in different directions.
MIPD Officer Ryan Montgomery ducks as Gabriel Arteaga rifles the ball to home plate.
Steve Schneider was one of the stars of the city’s kickball game.
Council members Rich Blonna and Jared Grifoni come together to make a play.
Assistant City Manager Casey Lucius looks intent on making a play.
Police officer Mike Marner makes the play of the day, much to the delight of community service officer Patrick Youngkin.
Principal Michele Wheeler takes in the action on the field.
City council member Rich Blonna was willing to get dirty to make the out.
Marco Island Police Chief, Tracy Frazzano, runs to make a tough catch.
Julie Morales is ready to fire the ball home while Trisha Herzog looks on.
TBE principal Alyssa Ledbetter has her hands full as she arrives for the 25th Anniversary Kickball game.
Michele Wheeler’s words captured the spirit of the day as she flew out of the dugout following the final out of the 25th Anniversary Kickball games on Tuesday, August 23 at Winterberry Park.
“This should be an annual event,” Wheeler gushed as she went to join her teammates in slapping hands with her opponents from TBE. Everyone was smiling and having fun from the opening pitch to the final out.
The games were part of the City of Marco Island’s 25th Anniversary weeklong celebration. It’s hard to imagine any of the activities being more fun than these kickball games.
Assistant City Manager Casey Lucius echoed Wheeler’s post-game sentiments on Friday. She said it was a city council member’s idea to stage the kickball games.
“Jared Grifoni came up with the idea of us having a staff kickball game with the council members,” said Lucius. “We had a great turnout and our employees loved it. We’ve actually decided to make it an annual tradition."
The opening game of the doubleheader featured two interestingly named teams from the City of Marco Island. In the end Kicking and Screaming defeated the One Kick Wonders, though the actual scores of these games aren’t really relevant. It was all for fun - and what fun the participants and onlookers had! Tommie Barfield Elementary (TBE) and Marco Island Charter Middle School (MICMS) played the second game, with MICMS taking the win. A throng of students and their families from both schools were there to cheer on the adults.
The city’s game featured city manager Mike McNees, councilman Rich Blonna, and police officer Mike Garner all hitting the ground to make plays. Mike Snyder and Martha Montgomery both ended up on the ground following a close play at second base. The common theme was laughter.
Alyssa Ledbetter, TBE principal, led a sharply dressed squad onto the diamond in bright pink t-shirts. MICMS principal Wheeler noticed.
“I must admit I was a little nervous when TBE staff showed up in their matching 25th Anniversary shirts with over 20 players,” said Principal Wheeler. “But the game was so much fun. The amount of energy at the event was outstanding.”
Though TBE didn’t take the win, Ledbetter could not have been more pleased.
"TBE staff and students have really enjoyed celebrating the beautiful city of Marco Island this week,” Ledbetter said. "Activities and events, both in and outside of school this week have provided all the opportunity to not only celebrate the island but learn more about its rich history. The staff kickball game at Winterberry Park was a great way to show support for the island, while having fun with colleagues, students, and families. The energy at the ballpark could not be matched. TBE staff is grateful for the continuous support we receive from our Marco Island community."
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