The first ISSA/Miken/Worth/Swing Nation Mike Macenko Home Run Challenge went off just like I figured it would... With a blast off of a softball bat. That first home run got things rolling for a good two hours of softball fun. The Home Run Derby itself was a lot of fun and then you add the USA Patriots to the event and it becomes more fun... After two hours of hitting long balls when the smoke finally cleared the 52 degree weather left more of a thought like" let’s get some hot chocolate." The weather was ok but it would have been nicer if the weather would have been more cooperative. After the two rounds of bombing away Andy Purcell stood by himself with a 7 out of 10 performance for the championship. It was not an easy championship as he edged out Mike Brock from Orlando, Florida as Mike hit 6 out of 10. So it was Andy's last swing that won the championship for him. Andy and Mike both have now qualified for the National Senior ISSA/Miken/Worth Mike Macenko Home Run Challenge Championship. The event is co-sponsored by Swing Nation! It will be held in Myrtle Beach in October at the ISSA US Open National Championship which is a Ring Tournament.
As I said there was great competition as there was 12 hitters with 3 or more home runs after the first round. I took the first five leaders after the first round, which were Mike Dill with 6, Geoffrey Orr with 6, Andy Purcell, Albert Davis and Mike Brock with 5 each after smoke cleared. We were not thru with the first round because we had to wait on some of the hitters in the event because they were still playing in their respective divisional round robin. So as not to slow the momentum down we invited the USA Patriots to do their thing with the ISSA All Stars that were picked to participate in the 2 man event. The 2 Man Event was the was where the USA patriots had already picked five hitters to hit against five of the ISSA All-Stars. We actually had them pair off. One USA Patriot and One ISSA All Star. If you have never watched the USA Patriots play softball you’re in for a treat because these guys play the game harder and as fast as anyone that takes the field. And when you have a home run hitting contest you get a good chance to actually watch these guys do their thing. I have seen some of these players before and I recognize the one real quick because of his size and just his looks. I remembered him. He did not disappoint the crowd as he hit some balls in the area of 350 feet if not more. Doing this with a prosthetic leg. . Here is a true American athlete/hero that does his duty for his country and now is having fun playing softball. So after we had 10 more hitters swing for the fences, we had a winning pair as ISSA All-Star Dale Mayo partnered up with Rick Wilk/Army to win the doubles home run championship. It was really cool as Rick Wilk and Cody Reis both USA Patriots battled back and forth on the attempts. One would hit one and so did the other. It went on for at least 3 more rounds and had the crowd buzzing….. Finally Rick hit one and Cody didn’t.
So after we crown them with their trophies and Miken/Worth equipment it was time to finish the Mike Macenko Challenge. So after the USA Patriots finished their home run Derby I had five more players that came from their game fields to participate. Larry Jackson, Alan Puco, were a couple of them. They had called and I told them to come over and hit and that is what they did! Once again we were swinging away and the balls were flying… There was some long home runs hit during the context… Some to right field off of the bats of Albert Davis and Ed Starcher. Bob O’Brien, Dale Mayo, also hit some long ones for the right handers. The air was very cool and some of the players were using some older bats as not to break their good stuff.. Smart thinking on their part…. One of the cool parts of the event was to see 72 year old Davey Reed hit not one but 4 out of the stadium. Davey who is making his way back from some health issues last year is getting the job done again. His home runs were no doubters… Very happy to see Davey doing what he likes to do best and that is hit! Nice job Davey!
So Congratulations to the players Andy Purcell and Mike Brock as they have done their part in securing a spot in the National Home Run Challenge Championship in October. The third place trophy went to Miken Pro Mike Dill. Mike led the charge the first round as he hit 6 out of 10 to tie the other Miken Pro Geoffrey Orr. Mike finished with 9 in 20 swings and Geoffrey ended up with 7 out of 20 swings to move them into the final round.
So it went like this in the first round
Geoffrey Orr 6
Mike Dill 6
Andy Purcell 5
Mike Brock 5
Albert David 5
After The Second Round:
Andy Purcell 7 - Winner
Mike Brock 6 - Runner Up
Mike Dill 3 - Third Place
Albert Davis 2
Geoffrey Orr 1
All in all it was a great time… The next Mike Macenko Home Run Challenge will be in Myrtle Beach March 12th thru the 17th…. Hope to see you there.