Senior softball players from around the country are converging on Old Kona Airport Park this week for the 10th annual Mayor’s Cup Senior Softball Tournament.
On Wednesday, women’s team High Octane played Aloha Team for the championship game. Both teams were made up of players from around the country. A total of eight woman’s teams competed in the tournament, with High Octane taking the title 9-6 over Aloha Team.
High Octane manager Nina Baker said her team, based in Indiana, is compromised of players from all over the Midwest and South who travel the country playing in tournaments.
“We’re enjoying ourselves. It’s our first time here and we love the camaraderie and fellowship, on and off the field,” she said. “Just being together has been phenomenal.”
Cathy Nicholson coordinates women’s teams from all over the country to play in tournaments like this. She puts the word out to interested individuals and compiled five teams made up of women age 50 to 80 years old, from beginners to experienced players.
Eight women’s and 22 men’s teams competed in the double elimination tournament that co-chair Bob Fitzgerald started in 2012 while he was director of the Department of Parks and Recreation for Hawaii County under the late-Mayor Billy Kenoi. The West Hawaii Park and Athletic Association hosts the tournament with proceeds going to further the vision of a Kealakehe Regional Park.
The men’s division consists of six teams in the 70s division, which has to have at least seven players over the age of 70, six teams in the 60s AAA division and 10 teams in the Major division.
Kona Gold took the men’s 70s division on Tuesday, beating the Colorado Scrap Iron Surfers 11-9.
Finals for the men’s AAA and Major divisions will take place Friday at Old Kona Airport Park.