traveling trophy, which will reside at Flossmoor
Public Library until next year’s contest.
(Photo by Eric Crump/HF Chronicle)
Flossmoor Giants coach Sam Cutrara held aloft the Viking Helmet traveling trophy while his team gathered around and cheered, enjoying their victory Tuesday night over the Homewood Royal Pains in the first Battle for the Viking Helmet girls softball game.
Jeff Kidd, vice president of the girls softball division of Flossmoor Baseball and Softball, presented the trophy to the team at the conclusion of its 12-10 win.
Kidd worked with Robert Maszak, president of the senior girls softball division of Homewood Baseball and Softball, to arrange for the bragging rights game, which they plan to be an annual event.
“It was a great game,” Kidd said. “We came together to do it.”
Inter-village cooperation was one goal of the game. Another was to create some excitement to keep younger girls interested in the sport. The turnout suggested the game was successful at getting the attention he and Maszak hoped for.
“We have more than 200 people here,” he said, gesturing toward the crowded bleachers at the H-F High School field.
Maszak said he, too, thought the event was a success.
“I’m pleased with the great sportsmanship shown on both sides,” he said. “It was an honor to be part of this first ever event.”
The game provided some excitement, too, as the Giants appeared to have the game wrapped up after the top of the seventh inning, capitalizing on several fielding errors to build a 12-7 lead.
But the Royal Pains made a run at them, scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh before the Giants finally got the last out.
The trophy will be on display at game sponsor Forever Yogurt, 18324 Governors Highway in Homewood for a couple of weeks before moving to Flossmoor Public Library, where it will reside until next year’s face-off between champion softball teams from the two villages.
The Giants were sponsored this year by Coleman Roofing, and the Royal Pains were sponsored by Aurelio’s Pizza.
Correction: The first version of this story misstated the name of the Giants’ sponsor. The Chronicle regrets the error.
More information:
Flossmoor Baseball and Softball
Homewood Baseball and Softball