Danny B tournament back on the diamond

By TOM LAVENTURE

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GILE - There was some rain, but not enough to stop a successful 11th annual Danny B Jack and Jill softball tournament this past weekend in Gile.

Nathan Fechter, tournament managing director, said it would be a couple of weeks to know how much the tournament raised in support of the Range Suicide Prevention Council this year. It will take some time for all the team and sponsorship money, along with silent auction and raffle funds, to come in before a check is presented to the organization.

The tournament was established by friends and family of Danny Baross, an Erwin Township man who died by suicide at age 31 in 2009. So far, the event has donated over $38,000 to Range Suicide Prevention Council.

"Getting back and actually doing it again is pretty nice," Fechter said, noting the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the tournament from being held in 2020. "Last year, when we didn't have the tournament, we still decided to fundraise and the community really came out and really helped out with that." 

The tournament typically fields about 16 teams, he said. There were only eight teams this year, and he attributed this in part to ongoing pandemic concerns but also from people slow to get back to normal after a year of little to no public activity.

"Obviously, you know, the more the better," Fechter said. "We would have liked more teams, but we've got to bring it back up first and then we'll kind of go from there again." 

The Hideaway Bar of Iron Belt bested the field of eight teams to become the tournament champions. The team then promptly donated their prize money back to the tournament that raises money for Range Suicide Prevention Council. 

"It's for a good cause and it's fun," said Cheyenne Otto, a Hideaway player who came all the way from Ashland, Wisconsin to play in her second Danny B tournament.

Friends and loved ones have been lost to suicide and so it's "a heavy topic," she said. The tournament provides a way to have a good time while also providing support for survivors and loved ones along with the effort for prevention and awareness, she said.

"I like the environment," Otto said. "Some tournaments are not fun when there's not-so-fun-people, but this is a good time."

Otto came to the tournament with fellow Ashland resident, Kyle Kauss, who shared similar sentiments for the event. But for Kauss, it's also about the love of the game.

"I just like to play ball," Krauss said. 

The Rigonis team came in second and also donated their winnings. Team Idle Hour took third place and donated their winnings as well.

The 42 Diamonds team won a trophy in the kickball tournament. 

The Beer Barrel tavern in Hurley has been involved with the Danny B tournament since the event was formed, according to owner Carly Lanctoe. She is a close friend of the Baross family and wanted to be involved in something that kept Danny's memory alive and has never had a problem fielding a team.

"Just the fact being that it's a good time and we get to hang out with good people," Lanctoe said. "I just love the sport myself, and I just think that it's for a great cause. Why not get out and support and have a good time?"

Pat Gallinagh, president of Range Suicide Prevention Council, spoke to the crowd on Saturday afternoon. He thanked the players for participating and acknowledged the work of tournament organizers and sponsors who raise money all year long - of which 99% stays in the Gogebic Range for suicide prevention.

Gallinagh said that Danny Baross lost his battle with depression, but that support mechanisms exist to help individuals, families and friends prevent others from losing their battles.

"I know that for a fact, because I've been through that long, black hell-hole of a tunnel called depression," Gallinagh said. "I came out the other side because I got help."

It was nearly 50 years ago that Gallinagh faced that battle. Lives are saved when people know the risk factors, the triggers, the symptoms of depression, and how do you intervene, he said.

"We definitely know suicide can be prevented," Gallinagh said.