More Pictures from the Tournament!

It's been two weeks since CAID's first annual softball tournament, and now that things are getting back to "normal", I'm happy to say we have more pictures from the event!

Here are some snapshots...and there are more pictures from the diamonds on the events page. Check out my Buffalo.com/YourHub blog too for some "behind the scene" stories.

Thanks again for supporting Crusade Against Impaired Driving, Inc.!

Deanna

Swing, a hit and a success!

Awesome!

I can't begin to say how pleased I was with the turn-out for CAID's first annual softball tourney that was held on Saturday at Sunshine Park in West Seneca.

To call it a success just seems like such a cliche. Not only did the weather cooperate for a terrific day, but everyone had a terrific time at the event.

It was a "one-pitch" tourney, and for many people that was a new thing. How it works is that the batter gets one pitch to swing at, and if he misses he's out. The "one pitch" really moved things along, and kept the games exciting too. It prevented teams from playing until 7, 8, or even 9 at night....and because of the timing of the rain on Saturday...it kept everyone dry too.

The Junkyard Dawgs beat the Best Buy team by a score of 7-2. We also had teams from The Buffalo News, Buffalo.com, a couple teams that were put together by Karen's friends, and a team of teens that was organized by my brother-in-law. A special thank you to all the teams for coming out and entertaining us all with great games of softball.

Our silent auction was also a success. One of the most popular prizes...a large stuffed dog was won by a very ecstatic young girl, and her twin sister won a sports prize with just one ticket!

Support from the volunteers, community, teams, and sponsors all contributed to make it a very successful event.

We raised over $3,000 to fight drunk driving on our roads, and that's not the final tally. Crusade Against Impaired Driving, Inc. is a young organization, and to have everyone rally behind our cause in the memory of my sister Karen really brought tears to my eyes.

I did a lot of the pre-planning for the tournament, but I couldn't have done it without the support of all the sponsors, teams, and a volunteers who helped in the days leading up to and on the day of the event. THANK YOU to everyone for all their help.

If you have suggestions, comments, or would like to play in next year's tournament, email me.

I look forward to a bigger and better tournament next year!


Until next time...

Deanna

Promoting the CAID Softball Tournament on Daybreak

I put on the softball gear and woke up bright and early Wednesday morning to talk about the CAID Softball Tournament on Channel 2's "Spot 2 Be" on Daybreak.

Let me say on the record, that meteorologist Chesley McNeil is just as nice off the air as he is on TV. We wake up watching Daybreak every morning.

My friend and tournament "helper" Cindy Henning and I were on the segment, and CAID appreciates everything WGRZ-TV does to help promote community events like the softball tournament. "Spot 2 Be" is a great segment.

Seven teams will be taking part in the "one-pitch" tournament on Saturday at Sunshine Park on East and West Road in West Seneca. The first game gets underway at 10am, and the championship game is scheduled for 4pm. A silent auction will be held with lots of great prizes and gift baskets. All proceeds go to Crusade Against Impaired Driving, Inc. For those who want to make this an "all-day" event, refreshments will also be sold.

Come enjoy some great softball, take a chance on some awesome prizes, and support a great cause!

Go to our events page to learn more and see the tournament brackets.

You're all invited!

Thanks,

Deanna