Tournament Loss Does Not Dampen Charlestown Sluggers Enthusiasm

CATONSVILLE, MD (June 11, 2015) – On defense Charlestown Sluggers third baseman Carlton Butler caught a sharply-hit line drive down the line, and second baseman Al Blackburn stopped a ground ball up the middle of the infield, turning it into a double play.

On offense the home team Sluggers had the bases loaded on three occasions, led by the hitting prowess of Angie Beltram, Gene Martin and Walt Plitt (seen in photo swinging for the fences).

It wasn’t enough, though, as the Sluggers went down to defeat – their enthusiastic love of baseball unaffected -- in a double elimination softball tournament involving four Erickson Living-managed communities in Maryland and Virginia.

Teams from Greenspring (Springfield, VA), Riderwood (Silver Spring, MD) and Oak Crest (Parkville, MD) participated in the tournament held June 10 on Charlestown’s campus baseball field. Results follow:

Riderwood defeated Charlestown, 8-1.

Oak Crest defeated Greenspring, 3-2.

Greenspring defeated Charlestown, 9-0.

Oak Crest defeated Riderwood,10-0, to take home the championship trophy.

Charlestown’s Brass Band (Bill Sarraf, Jack Knoll, John St Amore, Fred Wolf, Ben Bulla, and Paul Bagley) entertained the nearly 100 spectators who watched the games. Cheerleaders Eugenia High and Rosemary Erdman rooted seemingly nonstop. Bethany Stiles, the grand-niece of Naomi McAfee, sang the National Anthem.

The Charlestown Sluggers team roster included the following men and women:

Elba Hinish

Harry Kahler

Bert Clegern (Coach)

Susan Lamar

Walt Plitt

Charles Denton

Al Blackburn

Norma Gunkle

Charles Denton

Angie Beltram

Gerald Martin

Naomi McAfee

Carlton Butler

Glenn Young

Marty Tewksbury

John Kasuda

Pat Kasuda

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