National softball tournament ends today in Cape Girardeau

"Nearly 500 people representing players on 33 teams, plus family members and friends from several states are here for this National K of C Softball Tournament," said Cape Girardeau Knights of Columbus Council 1111 grand knight Daniel Michaels.

Financial secretary Harold Green confirmed the figures following the 8:30 a.m. Saturday opening ceremonies for the 30th annual event.

After the opening ceremonies Saturday the teams headed for the five softball fields at Cape Girardeau's Shawnee Park for a full day of play.

Today's schedule calls for the first five games to start at 9 a.m., with additional games starting about every hour and five minutes through 4:35 p.m.

Hallettsville, Texas, Council 2433 is defending 2008 champion in the "open" division for any age player. Marion, Ill., Council 6210 is defending the No. 2 "open" division spot.

In the "Masters" division for players age 35 and older, Valley Stream, N.Y. Council 4566 is the defending champion from 2008.

Houston Council 7230 is defending their second-place finish in 2008.

A third division, called the Fraternal Division plays a round-robin in the tournament. This division is for players who want to participate for the "fraternal spirit of fun." This division drew four teams this year, mostly from the local area.

The 2008 tournament was held in Waterloo, Iowa.

In addition to states with teams defending titles, many Midwestern state teams are participating, as are teams from Louisiana, Wisconsin, Connecticut and Virginia.

The 2009 event marks the third time in the national tournament's thirty year history that Cape Girardeau was the host: 1983, 2003 and this year.

For the 2003 event, when Atlantic City encountered some scheduling problems, Council 1111 member Harold Green came forward and put the event together for Cape Girardeau.

For his efforts in 2003, Green was awarded the coveted Ken Ehrhart Fraternal Award "given for the best exemplification of fraternalism during the tournament for an individual."

The Larry Kearns Award for the same criteria displayed by a participating team is also awarded each year. The Kearns Award went to the Hallettsville team last year.

Council 1111 grand knight Michaels said. "in addition to [being] a hard-working council member, Harold Green was an outstanding softball player!"

"Well, that was some time ago," Green said. "A long time ago, in fact!"

For his past playing ability and his efforts putting on this and past years tournaments, Green was elected to the Knights of Columbus National Softball Hall of Fame and installed in a ceremony Saturday night.

The opening ceremonies featured a formal color guard -- in black with black and red capes, formal hats and white trim -- from The Thomas A. Langdon Assembly and a prayer by past state chaplain the Rev. Tom Kiefer.

A small choir from Notre Dame Regional High School, under the direction of Ellen Seyer, sang the National Anthem.