THE LOCAL 802 SOFTBALL TEAMS (COMBINED GROUP PHOTO). Top row, standing: Dave Olson, Joe Maldonado, Todd Montgomery, Patrick Milando, Jason Yudoff, Tony Curtis, Adam Hargus, Bryant Snyder, Geo Urbina, Ben Ortiz, Louis B. Crocco, Jack Mead. Bottom row, kneeling: Greg Stuhr, David Nelkin, Eric Wu, Jeff Nelson, Joel Ortiz, Tom Wicus.

The Local 802 softball teams played their hearts out this season. As usual, we competed in the Performing Arts Softball League, a 12-team league composed exclusively of Broadway unions and other entertainment professionals in New York City. In the course of the regular season, the Local 802 morning (A.M.) team and afternoon (P.M.) team don’t actually play against each other. But three years ago, we created a prize – the “Augustino Cup” – and set up a Local 802 vs. Local 802 game. This year’s faceoff was another nail-biter. (See photos on these pages of the game, taken by Walter Karling.)

At first, it was not looking good for the A.M. team, which gave up five runs in the first inning, with the P.M. team tacking on another run in the second to go up 6-0 after two innings. The A.M. squad had the bases loaded in the first and third innings but was only able to scratch across one run to make it 6-1 after three innings. The A.M. team kept fighting and scratching away, plating three more runs in the fourth inning and one more in the top of the fifth, making it 6-5. The P.M. squad plated two of their own in the bottom half of the fifth to go up 8-5. The A.M. team came back and scored three runs in the top of the sixth to tie the game, 8-8. That was all the scoring for the day when the teams decided to end the game after nine innings and a tie score of 8-8. A great time was had by all and there were no losers! Still, after three annual contests, both teams have a 1-1-1 record. Could next year’s game be the ultimate rubber match? Stay tuned!

To get information on playing in one of next year’s teams, see www.802softball.com. Scroll down the left-hand side and look for “Contacts.” Photos by Walter Karling.

Patrick Milando and Todd Montgomery await the pitch.

Joe Maldonado takes a powerful swing.

Louis Crocco is ready for the pitch from Tom Wicus.

Louis Crocco and Todd Montgomery, team managers.