All night tournament to be played in July
Instead of playing until the streetlights go on, participants in an all-new summer softball tournament in Rogers City will ?play ball? until they go off. Sponsored by the Presque Isle County Men?s Softball Association (PICMSA), the tournament is scheduled for July 11 & 12 at Sportsmen?s Park. The tournament will begin Friday, July 11 at 8 p.m. with the first half of the tournament winding down at 8 a.m. Saturday. They?ll resume play at 8 p.m. that night and conclude play at 8 a.m. Sunday.
Roger Wenzel, PICMSA representative, and city employee, appeared before council Monday in the time for citizens to address council. Wenzel was seeking permission to use the softball diamond, which is commonly known as ?the hole,? for the games.
?I TALKED WITH a few people who live around the park. They don?t seem to have a problem with it. They said there?s no problem with noise,? said Wenzel, in introducing his idea. ?A few of the people said it would be a good thing because it would bring some money into town.? One of the people who makes their home in the area is police chief Matt Quaine. Quaine said he didn?t have a problem with it as long as the ground rules are laid out ahead of time.
?I discussed it with the chief,? Wenzel said. ?I said if there?s any problem, with anybody getting out of hand, arrest them and throw them in jail.? Wenzel told council that he would remind participants, in the flyer the organization will distribute, there would be no excessive noise, which would include loud music. Camping also would be prohibited anywhere on city property.
Wenzel proposed the organization pay for use of the lights at the softball field, which is the main field used to play the Nautical Festival softball tournament.
COUNCIL MEMBER Karl Heidemann asked Wenzel if PICMSA had ?some kind of a liability insurance policy that covers events like this?? ?No, we don?t,? Wenzel answered. ?It?s play at your own risk. That?s how our league plays it.? Wenzel says he?s participated in other tournaments, in other towns, and that?s how it?s handled. ?We are covered for events using our facilities… but if there is any injury, that would have to be handled by the softball league,? said clerk/treasurer Theresa Heinzel. Wenzel said he?ll send out a letter to each team and have each player sign
SENSING THE CONCERN of liability, mayor Beach Hall considered tabling the decision until the next meeting, but understood the need for additional time to get the word out. Council member Jim Sinclair was encouraged that the two-day event could bring 200 to 300 people into the city.
The only other event that weekend in Rogers City is the Lions Salmon Tournament. ?Fishing and softball — they are probably not going to do both,? said Hall. ?This would be open to teams from all over the state??
?Whoever wants to pay their entry fee,? Wenzel answered. A motion to approve the request, with the provision every player sign a release from liability, was made by councilmember Ralph Baker and supported unanimously. The funds raised from the games will support PICMSA.