Nurse in Audience Saves Player's Life at the 2023 Proton Sports Top Gun Winter Classic

Jan. 1, 2023

By Donna McGuire

     Numbers tell the story of the Proton Sports Top Gun Winter Classic that concluded Jan. 22 in Bullhead City, Az.

     Teams entered: 53

     Champions crowned: 14

     Lives saved: One.

     Naturally, that last number is the most important.

     Fortunately for Jim Bade, a nurse and an AED were nearby when Bade collapsed near his team’s dugout during the weekend session at Rotary Park. Bade, who plays for Top Gun Warriors 60 Major team, split the back of his head open when he fell to the ground while walking off the field.

     Worse, he wasn’t breathing and had no pulse.

     Amy Handy, a nurse whose husband plays for Vegas Hui 55+ AAA, quickly started cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Director Jerry Smith soon arrived with the AED machine, cut off Bade’s shirt and applied the shock pads.

     One shock brought Bade’s heart back into rhythm. He resumed breathing. Gradually, he regained consciousness. By the time paramedics arrived, he was sitting up and talking.

     As he was being taken away on the ambulance gurney, he gave a thumbs up to Smith.

     “Thank you,” Bade said.

     Smith credited Handy for her quick response.

     “She did a fantastic job,” he said. “That was a big plus.”

     Doctors dismissed Bade from the hospital after only a couple days, Smith said.

     The six-day tournament played through a wide mix of weather, starting with overnight rain that delayed some games the first morning of the tournament. Cold temperatures and wind arrived next. Gorgeous temperatures and warm sunshine bathed the players the final two days.

Results:

     50/55+ Platinum: Scrap Iron Havoc of Colorado (photo below) earned the 50+ Major championship by finishing as the top Major team in the six-team bracket. KB/Westcoast Elite of Arizona took the Major Plus title. Arizona Heat finished third.

     50+ AAA: Team SMS of Nevada won the four-team division with a 20-13 championship victory over Savon of Utah. Pro Vision/Café Elite of Washington finished third.

     55+ AAA: Vegas Hui of Nevada (photo below) nudged Fossil Fuel 55 of California 13-12 for the title of the three-team bracket. TUC Hammertime 55s of Arizona finished third.

     60+ Platinum: Top Gun Warriors of California grabbed the title with a 28-24 win over runner-up Vegas Elite. Express 60s of California finished third in the three-team bracket.

     60+ Silver: Weekend Warriors 60s of California beat TUC Hammertime of Arizona 20-8 in the finale of the eight-team bracket. Third went to 99 Problems of Arizona.

     65+ AAA: Sin City Mob of Nevada (photo below) won the seven-team bracket with a 22-17 title game victory over Top Gun Stealth of California. Scrap Iron Peak of Colorado finished third.

     70/75+ Platinum: Ryan’s Way of Utah (photo below) defeated Sidewinders 75 of Arizona 15-8 in the championship game. Samurai 70 of California finished third in the three-team bracket.

     70+ AAA: It took two tense title bouts to determine a champion. Rezults Realty of Nevada (photo below) lost the first game 14-13 but rebounded to win the second 15-14. Sidewinders/Rattlers of Arizona took second in the four-team bracket. Family 70s of Nevada finished third.

     65/70+ AA: Majestic 65 of California (photo below) defeated Top Gun Olde Dawgs 18-13 to win the three-team bracket. Scrap Iron Diamonds of Colorado finished third.

     75+ Major: SoCal Gusto (photo below) defeated Tharaldson’s of Nevada 19-14 and 19-13 in a best-of-three format.

     75+ AAA: Al’s Sport Shop of California (photo below) won the five-team bracket with a 15-6 championship game victory over Vegas Strong. SoCal Warriors finished third.

     80/85+ Major: Top Gun Blue Angels (photo below) capped an undefeated tournament with a 20-18 title game win over Sidewinders 80s of Arizona. Top Gun 80 Gold finished third in the three-team bracket.

     80+ AAA: Git-R-Done of California defeated IES of Nevada 15-3 and 20-11 in a best-of-three format.