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August 2009 |
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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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That Chain that Links Generations |
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by Sue Orsen Just as a chain link fence keeps balls in play, the Victoria Lions Tournament Weekend keeps generations of families in play. This becomes more evident each July as the now 43-year old Victoria Lions Club sees offspring, and also offspring of offspring, hanging out together at the tournament weekend. Mothers and fathers meet up with sons and daughters. Grandparents meet up with children and grandchildren. Despite a lot of road re-construction in the Lions Park neighborhood this summer, people still flocked to Victoria on the third weekend in July and they still found places to park. If it was a bit challenging, it was not daunting. The weather cooperated by keeping away the rain. A drenching downpour would have given a new meaning to the word mudslide. Although temperatures didn’t reach 90 degrees as they often do at the hamburger grill, beer sales were still brisk. Reported Lion LeRoy Worm, “The tournament was equally successful as last year.” He added, “Thank you, Lion workers, Victoria Park and Rec, vendors, Boy Scouts, grounds crew, and umpires.” What is LeRoy’s responsibility with the tournament? “I’m the coordinator kind of guy and I do the team invitations,” he replied. Regarding anticipated parking problems due to torn up streets and intersections in the immediate area, LeRoy said, “Our fans improvised very well with following the park signs.” What does a successful Lions Tournament Weekend mean? In addition to linking generations of families in Victoria, and bringing many new families and friends to the park, it means robust food and drink sales. This is the Lions’ biggest money maker of the year. It’s how they come up with funds to help support community activities and projects as well as donate to their favorite national and international causes. Lion LeRoy said this year they sold 275 cases of beer, which translates to 6,600 cans. “We’re the only tournament that offers five choices of beer,” he stated. This is not including Mike’s Hard Lemonade which is also available at the Victoria tournament. All of that malt brew -- plus the sale of huge amounts of pop and water -- washed down 2,300 hamburgers, 700 brats, and 1,000 hotdogs. In case anyone gets the impression that the main reason for the Lions Tournament is food and funds, that wouldn’t be entirely accurate. Within those chain link fences are a lot of ball games. According to Lion LeRoy, there were 112 games scheduled for the 2009 tournament. “With that many games,” he said, “you don’t dare have a scheduling error. Lion Denny Bjorklund and Patty do our scheduling.” Out of the 60 teams playing in the 2009 tournament, 24 of them won prize money, which comes from the entry fees. This year there were 32 men’s teams, 16 women’s teams, 6 modified men’s fastpitch, and 6 co-rec teams of both men and women. Thank you, Grandpa LeRoy. You’re a good link for information as well as the patriarch of your own three generations at the tournament. Click here to find families in play! |