37th Annual Bob Purdy Tourney plays on

Sixteen teams took part in the 37th Annual Bob Purdy Co-Ed Softball Tournament at Hooper Park over the weekend.

The slow-pitch tournament was one of the only softball tournaments to be played in the state this year, and both the players and the umpires took precautions to help ensure social distancing, including the use of strike zone mats.

"We followed all (COVID-19) guidelines. They had mat ball, where there's a mat behind home plate...so everybody can stand at a distance," said organizer Laurie Richards. "We had the umps talk to everybody about social distancing. We had every team sign liability wavers. And it was a great weekend."

Richards said they had a full slate of teams from within the state, but didn't promote the tournament.

Since the tournament was one of the only ones in the state, player Heather Montanye noted that the tournament brought in players who would normally have taken part in the state tournament, which is held on the same weekend as Purdy every year. Although Montanye has played in the Purdy Tourney every year, her team, 'Straight out of Quarantine,' had three players who had never played in Lincoln before.

One such player, Clayton Church, said he'd always played in Helena. Although he was new to co-ed softball, he appreciated the scenery and the community. "People have been awesome everywhere here," he said. "I can say I'll be here next year. Hundred percent."

Apart from the teams and the families who camped at the park, attendance by general spectators who weren't playing in the tournament itself, appeared to be minimal. One unidentified player who was watching the championship game for the lower division Sunday, noted that the tournament's two divisions, divided between the two fields on opposite ends of the park, helped keep people spread out. He estimated there were fewer than 50 people taking part in, or watching, games at any given time. Although there were small sets of bleachers, most game spectators used camp chairs and sat a distance from the fields and the bleachers.

Richard said they cancelled other events, such as a post-tournament pot luck, that have traditionally been a part of the Purdy Tourney in past years.

The Red's Bar team took home the Division 1 championship by besting team Stranger Danger, while 'Merica took home the Division 2 championship trophy after beating Deck and Bobs. The Electric Enterprises team earned recognitions with the first place Sportsmanship honor, while the K and S Hydroseed team earned second place.