Munger, MI

 

The Argentina National Team stopped in Munger, MI towards the end of their tour to play a 9-inning exhibition game against the Munger Firemen friday night and defeated the hometown team 11-2.

 

Pitchers Juan Potolicchio, Pablo Sequi, and Betto Guerrinieri combined for a 5-hitter and 21 strikeouts over 9-innings.  Greg Wright, Mike Joseph (on loan from the Midland Explorers) and Ryan Truemner threw for the Firemen.

 

While the score was a bit lopsided, the Firemen got the crowd going in the bottom of the 1st when Kyle Beane doubled and Craig Histed hit a long home run to put the home team on top.  The lead lasted into the 4th inning when Argentina scored the 1st of 4 unearned runs.  The Argentine bats came alive late in the game with 3 homeruns in the 9th inning.

 

For those of you who don't know much about Munger, Michigan....manager Del Benson estimated that the number of people who actually have a Munger mailing address might be close to 200 people total.  Most guesses for attendance on Friday were well over 500 people.  It was a great night for the community, and a fantastic night at the ballpark.

 

After announcer Bill Courbier introduced both teams, the players and coaches exchanged gifts - an Argentina pin and a 'Munger Softball' t-shirt.  From there, the Argetina National Anthem was played, and Kyler Syring, a 7-year old Cub Scout from Munger, sang an A Capella version of the USA National Anthem which brought huge cheers from the crowd.

 

For the ceremonial first pitch, three local supporters of both softball and youth sports came out as the pitcher, catcher and umpire:  Dave Jenson, Doug Jacobs and Dave Jacobs are all familiar faces in the community and put immeasurable time and effort into the sport.

 

During the game, each team had 3 different batboys to help out each side, and three times during the game, players of the local little league came out onto the field to throw out Munger Softball t-shirts to the crowd.  By the end of the night, these were very highly sought after souveniers.

 

Following the game, both teams, the fans, the umpires and everyone involved with the game enjoyed some food and beverages and post-game festivities.  The scene around the ballpark afterwards was another reminder that regardless where teams are from and what level they play at, one of the best parts of our game is being able to meet people from all over and begin friendships that will last forever.

 

Kyle Beane

Munger Firemen Softball