Breese memorial softball tournament scheduled
In 2014, Jack Burt and a couple of his friends wanted to do something to remember their friend Stephen Breese, who was killed in a car crash, and also help Breese’s wife and infant daughter.
Breese, 28, died in a head-on crash along Route 18 in Morris Township on Christmas night 2013. His wife, Katherine “Katie,” and daughter Addison, who was 8 months old at the time, were injured.
To help with medical bills, the Stephen Breese Coed Charity Softball Tournament was started, since Burt and his friends played softball with Breese.
“At that time, any little thing would help,” said Burt, chairman of the tournament committee. “(Katie) accepted the money for a few years. After that she was comfortable. She didn’t feel right taking the money anymore. We still wanted to honor Stephen’s name. So, we started donating the money for anything that happened to a softball player that year. We hold onto that money throughout the year and if something bad happens to somebody or a few different people, we write them a check or give them cash to help them out.”
The tournament, in its 10th year, continues with Burt, of Houston, at the helm. This year, it will be held July 26-28 at the Claysville softball fields.
“I didn’t want to give up on it,” Burt said. “A lot of people love it and it’s a good thing to do. It’s a great time.”
Throughout the years, anywhere from 10 to 25 teams participated in the double-elimination, slow-pitch tournament. Games are played rain or shine.
Trophies are awarded to the first-, second- and third-place teams. The fourth-place team receives a plaque.
Addison throws out the ceremonial first pitch every year with Stephen’s father, Keith, on the receiving end.
Other activities scheduled for the three days include a home run derby on July 26, which can have as many as 40 to 50 participants. The male and female winners receive a plaque.
A 50/50 drawing, Chinese auction, basket raffles, face painting and ducky races are also planned. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Plus, the dunk tank is returning.
Breese was a 2003 graduate of McGuffey High School, where he lettered in football, baseball and wrestling. He worked in mine shaft construction for R.G. Johnson for more than six years and played adult softball every summer.
“He was a great guy,” Burt said of Breese. “We just really clicked. He was a good athlete. He was a bigger-sized boy, but he still had speed and agility. He got along with everybody. I don’t want his name to ever go away. I want to keep his name alive.”
Teams are being sought for the tournament. Entry fee is $250, which covers up to 12 team jerseys, and each team must have at least four female members. To register or be involved in the tournament in another way, call or text Burt at 724-747-1633.
“It doesn’t fix what’s going on with these people’s lives, but if you’re handed money just to help out with gas, it’s something,” Burt said. “Those are the people that are putting back into it. That’s why we do this. If something happens to the softball community, we chip in a little bit.”