A True Dog Fight

What a game-- a true dog fight-- and for the fans at the Winterberry Park on a cooler Saturday morning, they watched a hard-fought Marco Brewery win over a talented Miami Formula Team.

The final score: According to Tom Polston, a player for Marco Island Senior Travelling Team, Brewery, they “barely edged Miami Formula 23-22. Miami Formula jumped out to a quick lead but then Marco Brewery scored 10 in the next two innings. Miami fought back and went ahead 19-17.”

Marco Brewery scored 5 in the eighth to make it 22-19. Miami tied it up 22-22 in the top of the ninth. Luckily, Brewery had the home team and was last at bat. John Nicholas led off the bottom of the ninth with a base hit. Mike Reale, pinch running for Nicholas, then scored on a double by Brian Alexander to win the game. There were lots of great defensive plays and great hitting by both teams. 

From the stands, this is how the fans saw the game: Marco Brewery started hot by scoring the maximum five runs in the first two innings. Leading the Brewery Team in hits were Gary Revall with five hits; Tom Polston with four hits; Sal Tidona, Ed Seery, Paul Nussbaum and Brian Alexander all contributed with three hits each. Every member of the team contributed to the win!

Thanks to sponsor Mike Jones, owner of the Marco Island Brewery. The game was a nail biter, and he stayed all nine innings and then hosted both teams at the Brewery after the game. Also, thanks to all the family and fans who came out to watch a great game. Big thanks to the scorekeepers and booth announcers William “Buff” Morris and Jimmy Cuevas. (Jimmy had to sit out this game due to a foot injury.)

The Marco Senior Softball League is looking forward to playing the Miami Formula team again next summer. This was a true cultural exchange with Winterberry Park as the perfect summer venue.

The Brewery Travelling Team roster included: Paul Nussbaum, Brian Alexander, Gary Revall, Tom Polston, Ed Seery, Sal Tidona, Mike Reale, George Grygorcewicz, Dave Falls, Jeff Kaczka, Lou Marinaccio and John Nicholas.

The Miami Formula team roster included players returning from last year’s first annual Miami/Marco Challenge: Alex Morejon, Jerry Durant, Jorge Rangel, Tony Quintana and Angel Ruiz; First-time playing against the Marco Brewery: George Calceran, Luis Sanchez, Rody Carballo, Edwin Garcia, Albert Moreno and Carlos Gonzalo. To complete their roster, Jim O’Toole of the Marco Island Division joined their team. 

Who are the Marco Island Senior Softball players? Who are these “old timers” playing softball almost every day even in the heat of the summer? According to their website, “The primary mission of the League is to provide men in their senior years an opportunity to play competitive softball within an organizational structure that encourages and fosters the principles of sportsmanship, collegiality, and physical fitness. Their vision is to be recognized by others as the premier senior softball league in the region. The League plays senior softball in according with USA Softball and they have a Board of Directors. A charter was approved by their general membership on February 20, 2005.”

For the 2023 season, the Marco Island Senior Softball League had a robust roster of business sponsorships. The Marco Island Division (most competitive) consists of six teams bearing the names of their business sponsors; the Marco Division also has six teams wearing uniforms and hats bearing the names of their business sponsors. And the Gulf Coast Division has four teams also doing the same. 

Keeping it local. During the competitive season of January through March, players, families and friends find themselves celebrating the games at one of those 10 local restaurants. It is a great way for the Marco Island Senior Softball players to give back locally.