STRONG – The 11th annual one-pitch softball tournament will begin Saturday to raise funds for maintenance and improvements to Lance Cpl. Scott Paul Park.

The park is not owned by the town, but it is open to the public. The town of Strong donated the land, but construction and maintenance is done primarily by volunteers.

A park committee, led by Sue Ellsworth, donates time and muscle for maintenance and improvements. With an annual budget of about $2,000, the committee holds fund-raising events such as the softball tournament to supplement what it receives in grants and donations.

The park was built in the early 1990s after Scott Paul, a local resident, lost his life at the age of 21 in a helicopter training accident over the Canary Islands, shortly after Operation Desert Storm. Paul’s body was never recovered.

The park, on Burbank Hill Road about a mile from the Memorial Building in Strong, has a playground, covered sandboxes, a climbing wall, basketball and sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, grills and picnic tables. There is also a nature area with picnic tables on Valley Brook, and a picturesque gazebo that is often used for weddings.

A memorial area to Paul has a flagpole and carved wooden eagle. The committee hopes to raise funds to add a monument with a bronze plaque commemorating Paul, and a stone wall with landscaping.

At least 10 softball teams will be competing in this year’s tournament, at the Strong Legion Field off Route 4.

In one-pitch softball, batters have only one chance to hit the ball, instead of the three in normal softball. This makes the games go much faster – with games lasting about 45 minutes, Ellsworth said.

Teams consisting of community members pay $100 per team to enter the event. Spectators pay nothing to watch, but organizers hope to raise money through refreshment sales at their barbecue, which will be happening concurrently. The event costs about $800 for softballs, food, umpires and trophies.

Two teams have not missed a tournament in its 11 years – one a group of Paul’s friends, calling themselves Brew Crew, and another team simply called Gram’s. A Chesterville group, composed of Paul’s family members, has also participated regularly, missing only in years when weddings or graduations have coincided with the event.

About 18 to 20 games will be played in all, and the tournament will continue into Sunday if needed.

jhausen@sunjournal.com

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