Huff-N-Puffers conclude 2023 season, hold fundraiser, appreciation night
The Huff-N-Puffers (Ashland fast-pitch chapter) Senior Softball Organization completed its 16th season. Doubleheaders consisted of two age divisions - seniors (ages 68 and over) at 4:45 p.m., and juniors (ages 60-67 ) at 6:40 p.m. Games were played weekly on Wednesdays at Brookside Park Main, beginning after Memorial Day and ending before Labor Day (barring rainouts).
Gold member donations were received by Tom and Cathy Blechschmidt, Rick Goss and Thomas Reynolds. Silver member donations by Julie Altman and Jim and Janet House. Bronze member donations by Jeff Haldeman, Erv Howard, and Bob Young.
COO Erv Howard led an unexpected but appreciated fundraiser, by the players themselves, to reward CEO John Maiken and his wife, Donna Rae (scorekeeper), with gas gift cards to help with the couple's expenses driving back and forth from their residence in Englewood (Dayton).
Player Jeff Haldeman once again organized the Fan Appreciation Night. Fans in attendance were given tickets for a free ice cream at the Red Barn and another for four raffle drawings, two each from Fin, Feather and Fur and two each from the Candy & Nut Shoppe that were donated by the business establishments. Numerous players made donations in different amounts to cover the expense of the ice cream. The owner of the Red Barn \gave a discount. Player John Beninhof donated the printing of the cards. Jeff's middle daughter, Vanessa, distributed the cards and tickets.
Maiken thanks the players for participating; the organization's loyal fans for attending; Parks Director Jason Counts for his scheduling; the Parks ground crew, who readied the diamond for play during the summer; Tim Hershey for umpiring; Janet House for her press box contributions and excellent between inning music selections; Donna Rae Maiken and substitute Gary Marshall for their accurate scorebook keeping.
The Junior Division is closed for next summer due to attrition, but a waiting list is available. One qualifies as long as their 60th birthday falls within the 2024 calendar year. The Senior Division has openings for its 24-player roster limit. If interested for either division, text or leave a voicemail at 419-651-6697.
In memoriam: Bob Pettit, Sr., Dale Hershey, Mike Altman, Clark Repp, Chuck Griffith, Stan Bloodhart, Sherman Jones, Mark Hamilton, Gary Wallace, George Martin, and Dave Barr.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland Huff-N-Puffer season ends with Fan Appreciation Night
