SUTHERLAND ALLOWS DUNEDIN TO IMPROVE THEIR RECORD IN THE CHICO CUP CHALLENGE

Our umpires: W:.Alan Rosenthal & R:.W:.Rick Hoover
Click on photo to enlarge.

PALM HARBOR, FL, USA (May 2, 2010) - The Brothers of Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M. were finally able to wrestle the coveted "Chico" softball trophy away from Sutherland Lodge No. 174 F.& A.M. at Putnam Park in Palm Harbor. The softball game is intended to promote inter-Lodge camaraderie, and generate money for the Grand Master's Charity, which this year is the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer’s Center & Research Institute.

The captains for the two teams were the Worshipful Masters of the Lodges; W:. Mike Wilson for Dunedin, and W:.Brian Campbell for Sutherland. The umpires for the game came from District 21; R:.W:.Rick Hoover, PM, PDI, PDDGM of Nitram Lodge No. 188 F.& A.M., and W:.Alan Rosenthal, PM of St. Petersburg Lodge No. 139 F.& A.M. The official scorekeeper was Bro. Dick Brown of Dunedin. Prior to the start of the game, W:.Jarvis Wood, PM of Sutherland delivered the invocation. The Chico Commissioner, W:.Tim Bryce, PM made the introductions. Also on hand to throw out the first pitch was the District 20 District Deputy Grand Master, R:.W:.Chris Schlenker, PM.

The "Chico" award was intended to be a traveling trophy, whereby any Lodge in Districts 20 & 21 can challenge the Lodge currently in possession of the trophy. The softball game primarily follows ASA rules with some minor modifications (consult Tim Bryce). The winning team donates to the current Grand Master's Charity pursuant to the game in the name of the Chico Cup Challenge.

This particular game lasted seven innings with Dunedin winning 15-8. Afterwards W:.Brian Campbell of Sutherland graciously turned the "Chico" trophy over to W:.Mike Wilson of Dunedin. According to W:.Campbell, "This was a fun competition for a good cause. There was a lot of Brotherhood here today and a great way to involve our families and friends." Dunedin's W:.Wilson echoed these sentiments and added, "Dunedin welcomes any challenger from Districts 20 and 21."

There have been other "Chico" games over the years. The current records for the Lodges participating are:

Clearwater Lodge No. 127 - (0-1)
Dunedin Lodge No. 192 - (1-1)
Sutherland Lodge No. 174 (2-1)

Photos courtesy of R:.W:.Chris Schlenker, PM of Dunedin.