It started off as a somber affair on Sunday afternoon at the Aktion Club of Highlands County Softball Classic in Sebring as the athletes remembered two members with disabilities who passed away earlier this year.
After members of the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office escorted in the American flag being carried by Aktion Club member and West Sebring Volunteer Firefighter Ralph Meyers, he was followed by former Coffee News coach Mary McCormack who was carrying Jonny Tanner’s picture, Mike Webb from Hardee County who was carrying William Dickson’s photo and Jimmy Phipps who was holding Patrick Arft’s photo. Special athlete Dickson, who lived in Wauchula, passed away in January while Arft, who lived at the Avon Park Clusters, died in March.
Dickson and Tanner, who was a firefighter with Desoto City Volunteer Fire Department and a partner in the community who played on the Coffee News team, had a longtime friendship. Tanner passed away 11 years ago but his legacy lives on at the tournament. An award was named after him to go to a person in the community that goes beyond the ball field to show respect and appreciation toward people with disabilities.
This year’s recipient of the Jonny “J.T.” Tanner Heart of Gold Award went to a couple – Cesar and Marlen Martinez, of Sebring. Both have coached and helped athletes with disabilities for 13 years on the field. Marlen has helped children with disabilities for the past 30 years in the Early Steps Program. With her knowledge in that field combined with her husband’s knowledge in coaching softball, they are a winning pair.
In honor of Dickson, the William Dickson Memorial Skill Player of the Year Award was created and it was won by Kristen Steinberg with the Avon Park Clusters. Another special award that has been given for several years has been the Joe Singha Memorial Rookie of the Year Award. This year’s winner was Cristian Perez Centeno of Sebring who played on Coffee News/Hendrix Lawn team.
Other special awards were given for Best Coach, Erin McCarta of Germaine Surveying team; Best Community Partner, Crystal Gamez of Lampe & Kiefer Hearing Aid Center team; Best Special Athlete, Michael Sweet of Coffee News/Hendrix Lawn Service team; Coach Sportsmanship, Jamie Bustamante of Lampe & Kiefer Hearing Aid Center team; Community Partner Sportsmanship, Enrique Ramos of Germaine Surveying team; and Special Athlete Sportsmanship, James Carroll of Germaine Surveying.
After the opening ceremony for the 23rd annual Softball Classic at Highlands County Sports Complex, Sebring Elks Lodge 1529 Exalted Ruler Joe Stockenberg threw out the first pitch. Four teams then hit the field to play in a slow-pitch coed softball tournament. Nucor took the win at the end of the day with Lampe & Kiefer Hearing Aid Center coming in second, Germaine Surveying was third and Coffee News/Hendrix Lawn Service took fourth.
There were two levels of skill players competing in the tournament for trophies. Each of these athletes were tested on their throwing, running, batting and fielding skills.
One division was set up specially for nine individuals in wheelchairs and walkers. In that division sponsored by J & J Angels, first place winners were Patricia Butterfield, Penny Motz and Norman DelPiano. Second place winners were Kristen Steinberg, Jeannene Eby and Eddie Mae Jones. Third place trophies were presented to Jimmy Phipps, Leigh Golden and Christa Martin.
In the more advanced skill competition, there were 13 athletes vying for trophies. They were sponsored by Sebring Firemen Inc. First place winners were Serenity Jordon, Cody Crouse, Beth Blanchard, Tammy Furman and Dustin Cole. In second place was Mac Smith, Sue Talios, Ruth Estrada, Bobby Paradise and Douglas Ryder. Third place awards went to Fred Moore, Sylvia Gratz and Jim Smith.
Thanks to the many sponsors of the tournament, the Aktion Club was able to generate $6,000 to help pay for sports and recreational activities for people with disabilities in Highlands County this year. The club is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Sebring. Major sponsors in the tourney were Sebring Elks Lodge 1529, Highlands Sertoma Club, David and Doris Magowan and Sebring Firemen Inc. Lunch was sponsored by Livingston Law Firm. Other sponsors were Heartland Tax & Accounting, Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home, First Southern Bank, Toadally Teez, Cindy’s Engraving, Highlands County Board of County Commissioners and Denise, Grant and Lindsey Turner.
