What tournament director Damian Capozzola envisions becoming a longstanding tradition, Lunada Bay Little League hosted the inaugural “Glory Days” adult softball tournament where players recalled the days of their youth while the next generation of diamond stars cheered on the “old-timers.”
Held Jan. 24, the event served as a fundraiser through entry fees and donations and children spent the day playing in the bounce house or getting their faces painted at the kids’ attraction on the Minor Field.
“This was a terrific way to open what we hope will be a new tradition for Lunada Bay Little League,” Cappozola said. “Next year we plan to expand to twelve or even sixteen teams and include even more activities for kids to play up the festive atmosphere and create an event the whole Lunada Bay community will get behind and look forward to each year.”
Team Hud won the six-team tournament that included an LBLL Alumni team, the Comanche Indian Guides and a team captained by LBLL board member Stacy Fuchino. Also competing was a team from Redondo Sunset and one from Desksite, a startup online media company based in Irvine.
Redondo Sunset Assistant Softball Commissioner and Player Agent Adam Almeida said his team enjoyed the tournament and, even though overmatched, looks forward to participating in the event next year.
“We had a great time,” Almeida said. “We thought it was going to be our board members/coaches vs. other board members/coaches. We ended up playing against some teams that were much younger than us – so we got a lesson or two, but regardless, we had a blast. For those that live and breathe the game, there was no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon on the Peninsula.”
Team captain Tom Mills led the Comanche Indian Guides to the top seed after round-robin games were completed in the morning at the Major Field and Palos Verdes Intermediate School.
After upsetting the Comanche team in the semifinals, Jim Hudnall’s Team Hud squad defeated the Alumni team 19-14 behind the stellar play of Pat Kerigan. Highlighted by a game-winning, bases-clearing triple in the semifinals, Kerigan’s performance earned him Tournament MVP honors.
