Phil Hanenkratt holds the bat with “Blackie”. The 60+ year old bat was auction off and Steve Black won the bid for $140. The bat will be donated to the Paulding County Historical Society.
The Paulding Memorial Marathon Tournament took place this past weekend at the Paulding Reservoir Park. The tournament was held in memory of Randall Smith, Perry Sinn, and Shelly Litzenberg.
On Friday night, the tournament began even though the threat of rain and storms lurked on all horizons. These teams would not let a little rain hold them back; they played through it all. One such player is Phil Hanenkratt. Phil Hanenkratt is only 83 years young and plays softball just like the young guys. Phil has been playing 67 years pitching and batting and playing third base. He has used the 1950 Wooden bat used since he got it. Phil was a part of the Old Timers team, and they won in the evening game 4-7 over the Perry Sinn family in good friendly fun!
Ron Riggenbach performed the auction after the game for the bat and shirts. Hanenkratt’s 1950 bat went up for auction after the game and sold for $140 to “Blackie” Steve Black. After the auction, Phil signed the bat, and it was then donated to the John Paulding Historical Society. Ron Riggenbach honored past and present players at Legends game on Friday night.
Ron made statements of how his father worked hard to bring the softball community together. Ron also talked about how he came to the Lord and it made a huge difference in his life and wanted to let people know that Jesus can make changes in your life, you just have to let him.
Paulding Reservoir Park Softball Marathon Men’s Champion: Grace Home Improvement / LSI. Pictured here (l-r, back to front) are Korey Walz, Beau Kobee, Barry Hook, Josh Hahn, Aaron Hughes, and Derek Smalley; Jared Riley, Justin Riley, Mike Hook, Larry Grace, Mike Stuart, and Kyle Kauser.
On Saturday the team, Grace/LSI, were the mens champions in the Paulding Memorial Softball Marathon Tournament.
Overall 24 teams competed and Grace/LSI went undefeated during the 24 hour, all-night event. They won the championship game 22-4 Saturday evening. They were sponsored by Leland Smith Insurance and Grace Home Improvement.
