COLD SPRING — A celebrity softball game July 17 at the Carl Mitnick School between the Cape May County Herald and Exit Zero raised over $1,970 for Volunteers in Medicine (V.I.M.), an organization that provides free medical care for the many county residents that do not have health insurance.
In addition, Harpoon Henry’s in Town Bank donated 10 percent of bar proceeds from an after game party amounting to $250.
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 Zeroes took an early lead in the game from which the Skeeters were unable to recover.
While this reporter 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 while The Skeeters had seven women and six men.
Despite coming out on 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 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 through out the first pitch.
Groucho Marx impersonator Ron MacCloskey helped the Herald and Exit Zero give away almost $1,000 in prizes to spectators. (See related story.)
Coast Radio’s Scott Wahl provided lively commentary as game announcer.
Lower Township Councilman Thomas Conrad umpired the game.
Many local businesses donated gift certificates and food to be sold at the concession stand. All food sales money was donated to V.I.M.
The Herald wishes to thank the Cape May Lewes Ferry, Seashore Foods, North Cape May Acme, WCZT Radio 98.7 The Coast, ShopRite, Wal-Mart, Harley Davidson of Wildwood, Patty’s Party World, Blitz’s Market, Rita’s Water Ice, Zoe’s of Cape May, Island Ice Cream in Wildwood, Cape May National Golf Club, Jake’s Restaurant, Rio Station, Swain’s Hardware, Bath Time, Offshore Adventure Golf, Harbor Pub, Morey’s Piers and Herald employees Ed Quigley, Dawn Austin, Joan Nash, Nancy James, Annette Champagne and Jane Morley.
The Herald wishes to thank Lower Township School Superintendent Joe Cirrinicione for allowing us the use of the fields at the Carl Mitnick School and Nancy Stone of Little League for all her help with concession sales.
Herald Skeeter T-Shirts were designed and printed courtesy of the Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood Shirt Shops. Visit them online at www.thenorthwildwoodshirtshop.com. Souvenir Herald Skeeter T-shirts can be ordered from the shop.
As part of an agreement between both teams, a representative from the losing team would appear at the office of the winning team to do some dusting. This reporter visited Exit Zero’s office July 18 and cleaned a typewriter and had his photo taken to appear in that publication.
