A beautiful evening Friday, August 17 was the backdrop for the Co-Ed Adult Softball League. They held their annual end-of-the-season barbecue followed by the Home Run Derby, open to the entire community. During the barbecue, Joel Richardson manned the grill while players of the different teams brought in various sides. At the derby, twenty-five guys and five gals entered for a total of twenty-nine.

The $10.00 entry fee purchased each contestant fifteen swings. Softballs this year were thrown through the coach-pitch machine to assist with accuracy for each participant. While the objection was to hit as many home runs as possible, if a participant’s ball landed in one of the circle rings in the outfield, it was a free extra swing. 

Following the first round, the top ten males moved on and the top three females moved. Top ten males included: Will Smith (9 homeruns), Alex Miller (7), Jake Heil (6), Danny Matney (5), Shawn Leimser (5), Pete Kruse (4), Kale Morse (4), Ty DesEnfants (4), Larry Williams (4), Jason Gill (3), Billy Hite (5), and Riley Ross (5). The top three females also came back for round two and included: Lindsey Gill (4), Pam Richardson (11), and Sabrina Kruse (3). Participants had the option to buy back in for the second round and everyone was combined for the second round. The second round, each participant received ten swings.

A three way tie between Larry Williams, Kale Morse, and Will Smith resulted in a five-swing-sudden-death smack down. Williams, who was the returning champion from last year, hit one homerun, Smith hit two, and Morse came out this years’ champion with three. 

Proceeds and donations collected from the event totaled over $500.00 and will be donated locally within the Niobrara County community.