COLD SPRING — A celebrity softball game July 17 at the Carl Mitnick School between the Cape May County Herald and Exit Zero raised over $1,600 for Volunteers in Medicine of Cape May County, an organization that provides free medical care for many county residents that do not have health insurance.
“The real winners in this game are the people helped by the great folks at Volunteers in Medicine of Cape May County who assist the county’s residents who lack health insurance. The staffs of both publications are to be congratulated for taking part in this game,” said Herald Publisher Art Hall.
The Herald Skeeters lost to the Exit Zero Zeroes, 30-10, in a six-inning game.
WCZT-98.7 Radio Newsman Phil Pizzi described the game as a “wipe-out.”
The Zeros took an early lead in the game from which the Skeeters were unable to recover.
While this reporter, in a light-hearted manner, accused the Exit Zero team of being “martini-sipping theater critics,” they proved to be formidable athletes.
Skeeters Coach Steve Mehl described the Zeroes as “Iron Men.” The Exit Zero team was all male with many of the players under the age of 30.
The Skeeters had seven women and six men with two male pitchers over the age of 40.
Despite coming out of the losing end of a slugfest, Herald Skeeters players Ed Quigley and Rick Racela hit home runs with Racela’s sailing over the fence.
Mehl described his mostly female team as “scrappy.”
The Skeeters suffered a number of injuries including starting pitcher Jim Vanore leaving the game with an injury in the second inning.
Pitcher Joe Hart pitched the remainder of the game.
Four other Skeeters finished the game with injuries.
The evening started with a half hour of live music from Shannon and Wesley followed by the National Anthem sung a cappella by Lois Smith, Cape May’s first lady of jazz.
Sen. Jeff Van Drew, (D-1st) through out the game’s first pitch.
Groucho Marx impersonator Ron MacCloskey helped the Herald and Exit Zero give away almost $1,000 in prizes to spectators.
Coast Radio’s Scott Wahl provided lively commentary as game announcer.
Lower Township Councilman Thomas Conrad umpired the game.
