Haney announces baseball winners

(9/18) The Harney baseball coalition of partners has announced the winners of the second annual baseball tournament, and the three finalists donated their winning to aid a 10-year-old in battling a serious illness.

The event, held September 14 and 15, was sponsored by the Harney Volunteer Fire Department, Harney Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church. The ball park is owned by Saint Paul's, which is located at Conover and Bowers roads in Harney.

Frank M. Rauschenberg, an active member of the VFW, identified the tournament winners as:

• First place: Rills Construction Company, Taneytown;
• Second place: Bobby Saves the Day, Westminster; and
• Third place: AJ Plumbing, Mt Airy, MD.

Ten teams competed in the single elimination event, which featured cash prizes awarded to the final top three teams. Gift certificates were given to all participating teams.

This year’s tournament represented the second year the event has been held since it was established by the partnership. Rauschenberg noted that 100 to 150 individuals attended this year’s competition.

"It went very good," he said. "I was very pleased turn out and the teams playing, the whole concept of reviving the memories of the game, and giving to a charity."

Rauschenberg stated that proceeds from the tournament "will be given to a local family for medical expenses of their 10-year old daughter, Julie Lochary, who is battling a serious illness. It’s hoped that the family and their daughter will be present on Saturday to open the ceremonies."

"All three teams donated their winnings to Lochary in showing their support for her," he said "As a special guest, Lochary along with her brother Jared, participated in the opening ceremony by throwing the first soft ball pitch. Julie has and continues to fight a long and hard battle with a serious illness."

"Back in the 50s and 60s, many of the citizens in and around the community of Harney remember the Harney Ball Club at Conover and Bowers Road in Harney," Rauschenberg said. "People from all around came to play and/or watch on any given Sunday afternoon. Then the field lay dormant for many years. Now, the ball field will come alive again."

The field and concession stand were restored for this year’s game, along with the addition of a back stop and bases. Additional improvements are already planned for next year’s event, which has been given the go-ahead by the event partners, including expanding the baselines "more in accordance with the regulations of the American Softball Association," and the addition of grand stand bleachers.

Service clubs, civic organizations, church assemblies, and community groups are welcome to organize a team and participate in next year’s tournament. There in a per team entry fee.

Additional information can be obtained by calling Rauschenberg at 410-756-5444.