It started amazingly over the center field wall. It almost seemed like a sign we could get this event in and done. Was it another home run blast off of Phil Mazzuca's bat? No...It was the rainbow that came out just before the third game during the championship bracket for the Renegades Pitch for Kids $oftball Tournament.
Rain threatened all day Thursday and in fact the Pitch for Kids staff was not sure they would be able to get any of the championship bracket in. Dutchess Stadium grounds keeper Tim Merante said that the field was in good enough condition; "So let's play tonight!" The games started with a light sprinkle until the rainbow came out.
Defending champs McCauley's led the field into the final day along with Hometown Deli, The Field and first time participants Sherwood Tile & Granite. At the start of the third game of the night the clouds over Dutchess Stadium began to part and the sun was started to peak through the cracks. Then, just as Hometown Deli was facing The Field, the rainbow appeared over the outfield wall. All seemed good and the $oftball gods were pleased.
Rain threatened all day Thursday and in fact the Pitch for Kids staff was not sure they would be able to get any of the championship bracket in. Dutchess Stadium grounds keeper Tim Merante said that the field was in good enough condition; "So let's play tonight!" The games started with a light sprinkle until the rainbow came out.
Defending champs McCauley's led the field into the final day along with Hometown Deli, The Field and first time participants Sherwood Tile & Granite. At the start of the third game of the night the clouds over Dutchess Stadium began to part and the sun was started to peak through the cracks. Then, just as Hometown Deli was facing The Field, the rainbow appeared over the outfield wall. All seemed good and the $oftball gods were pleased.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/8/26388954/5341917.jpg)
By the time the Championship matchup was set the rain was all but gone but the temperature was dropping. Sherwood Tile and Granite was charging out of the losers bracket. After losing to McCauley's in the second round Sherwood Tile & Granite had to force the re-match. They did so by beating Hometown Deli by one run. The championship matchup against a well rested McCauley's was their third game in a row. Sherwood Tile & Granite would have to beat McCauley's two games in a row which no else had done in two straight years. McCauley's beat Sherwood Tile & Granite 22-14. The eight run victory - and second straight championship- was the closest victory Brian Durkin and his teammates endured, winning their matchups by an average of 13 runs.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/8/26388954/3580643.jpg)
In an act of generosity the champions turned $350 around back towards the Pitch for Kids Fun to offset the price of running the lights, due to the extra use during the dark rain clouds. Not only was this an exciting and entertaining Softball Tournament it showed the best quality a winning team could portray. Giving back.
The Hudson Valley Renegades and the Pitch for Kids Fund want to thank Joe's Italian Market Place, our major sponsor, for their support and feeding our volunteers with some delicious heroes. Thanks also goes to Davis Furniture, Mount Saint Mary College and K104 for helping make this the most successful $oftball Tournament ever. We all look forward to next year and watching to see if McCauley's can three-peat.
The Hudson Valley Renegades and the Pitch for Kids Fund want to thank Joe's Italian Market Place, our major sponsor, for their support and feeding our volunteers with some delicious heroes. Thanks also goes to Davis Furniture, Mount Saint Mary College and K104 for helping make this the most successful $oftball Tournament ever. We all look forward to next year and watching to see if McCauley's can three-peat.