Column -- guest or staff

It Felt a Little Like Kentucky Derby

Nov. 1, 2003 – Special to the News

By Scott Holte

Special to Softball News

The thoroughbreds were out in full force. I mean they were running like yearlings. The crowd was cheering and seeing history before their very eyes.

As I was working in the Tanel 360 booth, trying to keep an eye on the action, the names of Secretariat and Unbridled came to mind.

Why?

Because never before had there been so many Triple Crown winners in history in one sport in one week.

The thing is, though, I wasn't at Churchill Downs or even a race track.

I was in Mobile Alabama, at the Senior Softball World Championships.

Champions need great training, experience ˆ and of course shoe, and I was the valiant blacksmith; fitting these "horses" with the best in comfort, performance and safety.

Watching these teams work, sweat and enjoy the game was most gratifying. The friendships and long-lasting memory of seeing a tournament like this has me counting the days until the next one.