Tommy Dowd Memorial Softball Tournament now underway

Monroe - The Monroe Senior Softball League’s fifth annual Thomas Dowd Memorial Softball Tournament kicked off this week with games Wednesday and Thursday nights. Proceeds from this 16-team Tournament, which features local softball players and concludes Saturday, Sept. 9, go to the Tommy Dowd Memorial Foundation. The foundation was originally set up as a scholarship fund for deserving student athletes graduating from high school in the Monroe-Woodbury area. Since then, foundation president Greg O’Connor said, “We have expanded the fund to also include other needs and causes that embody Tommy Dowd’s spirit of dedication to living life fully. In addition to this softball tournament, the board is examining other fund-raising opportunities to take place throughout the year.” Monroe resident Tommy Dowd was 37 when he died Sept. 11, 2001, in the attacks on the World Trade Center. He was a bond broker for Cantor Fitzgerald. He left behind a large family, including his wife, Kerri, and their three children. And according to O’Connor, Dowd also left behind a legacy as “a loving husband, an adoring father, a devoted son, a cherished brother, a good friend: Tommy Dowd was all of these things, and much more. Tommy’s death on 9/11 was tragic and senseless.” In his memory, the tournament and foundation were created, O’Connor said. The foundation has raised more than $15,000 in the last two years, O’Connotr said; during that time four scholarships totalling $10,000 have been awarded. The foundation is incorporated, with tax-exempt status. The Fund is overseen by a board of advisors who consult with school officials to determine a deserving male and female recipient of the scholarship, and to discuss other local causes and or issues that need to be addressed. The fund also has given assistance to military families in need. For information about the fund or to make a contribution, contact O’Connor at 917-335-1835 or Clare Walker, marketing director, at 917-733-6306. Round 2 of tournament play Meanwhile. here is the next portion of the tournament schedule, with games played at Smith Clove Park: Friday, Sept. 8: • 7:30 p.m. Winner of first-round game between Crystal Car Wash and Tommy D’s against J.B. McMinnions. • 8:30 p.m. Winner of first-round game between Pro Motion and Superior Shine against Loyal Tire. • 10 p.m. Winner of first-round game between Best Bud at the Table and Huge’s Garage/Afterdeck against FDNY. Saturday, Sept. 9: • 8 a.m. Winner of first-round game between Wallace & Berry and Fort Apache against FGFP. Play continues Saturday at Smith Clove Park and the Monroe-Woodbury Middle School fields until a winner is crowned. Tournament coverage can be found on the league’s Web site at www.monroesl.com. Home Run Derby Rad Gonzales took the 2006 Tommy Dowd Memorial Home Derby with a 2-1 win over Rob Weyant in the final round a week ago Friday. In order to get to the finals, Gonzales and Weyant had to get past a hearty group of batsmen. In the first round, Weyant led the pack with six dingers, followed by Dan Henderson and Al Hall with four each and Anthony Rizzi and Gonzales, who both hit three. Last year’s winner Chuck Todd and Scott Morrison, who had the most ever in a round with 12 in the 2005 event, both had two and did not qualify. Other notables were Nick Sansalone (two), Greg O’Connor, who was easily the oldest player in the event at 49, (two) and Jim Hogencamp (one). Marty Diamond and crowd-favorite John Murray were unable to hit any out this year but vowed to come back stronger than ever in 2007. Murray had been fighting a bug for the past few weeks and was expected to be back to form by the time the tournament starts. In round two, Gonzales picked up the pace by crushing six moon shots followed by Henderson’s four and Weyant’s three. Rizzi had two and Hall hit one to close out the scoring. In the finals, Weyant and Rad tied at three, eliminating Henderson, who had two homers, to force an overtime round. After a tired Weyant hit one in his turn, Gonzales crushed two bombs with his first two swings to bring home the title. The league offers its special thanks to Shannon Gleeson for throwing more than 100 pitches and Anthony Rizzi who relieved Gleeson in the later rounds. And a big thank you to J.B. McMinnions for hosting the event and the postgame party.