Thursday evening started with the Players Welcome Party featuring
open bar and some New York Italian style food from Borelli’s restaurant.
Many were on hand including Dan Spinelli which a video tribute was played
at the party for Dan that ended in a standing ovation sending chills
throughout all those in attendance. This would serve only as a prelude for
Dan “52 Strong” Spinelli during the weekend.


Friday began with round robin pool games with Nassau as top seed,
Hounds second and Max Elite third heading into elimination play. As Friday
played out the park was jumping with excitement as the DJ played in Party
Tent area all day and night and vendors such as Budweiser, Monster Energy
and Fogo De Chao was setting the tone to give the ps.com players and family
members a treat that is second to none. Ceremonies began midday with
National Anthem sung live by the NYPD Color Guard and presentation of
Flags, Speakers from the NYPD, C.O.P.S.(tournament charity), Fogo De Chao
and our Biggest Police supporter in Long Island Legislator John Ferretti, all
praising the work we do. Nearing the end of the ceremony we had a special
treat as Andy Wurm was on hand to announce this year’s HOF class at the
ceremony where we were able to be the first to congratulate them on field in
front of everyone.


This year the NY Hounds were to honor Dan Spinelli with a
Marquee game featuring past NY Legends that have played with and are
special to Dan vs. a team picked of Police Softball HOF’s/Legends and Future
Stars. In addition to this game the tournament started a 52 Strong Hero
Award for Individuals who go above and behind for BOTH Police Softball and
Police Families in the community. It was with a proud Honor this award which
is in honor of Dan Spinelli was given to its 1st recipient winner Dan Potter.

The Marquee game was a huge success, it was everything it could be with
lifting the spirits of Dan and his family also giving the chance for his old
teammates to come out and get together and shed some love with their
brother who gave so much of his life to 9/11 and is suffering daily. The game
was live streamed with Mike O’Neil calling the game from behind the mic. A
competitive close game the was decided in the bottom 7 as the NY Legends
prevailed for their Hero. Great Job by all. In all the years of Police Softball this
was an epic special event. To have that amount of camaraderie in one place
with 2 teams of 50+ men having fun on the field and a huge crowd watching
will be hard to duplicate. Police softball members came down in droves to be
in attendance both from far and near. It is a true testament of the man Dan
Spinelli is. For more on the game there are links to watch the event. ​

Elimination resumed and 7 teams were knocked into a Gold Division Friday
that would return on Saturday for a double elimination tournament.

Saturday continued the weekend with the games rolling and the beers
flowing. Some top East Coast team were battling throughout the day. The
brackets were set up for Max and the Hounds to have a date in the winners
bracket final, loser to have to battle the tough TBL crew to get back to the
ship’. Max Elite was victors in a back and forth game sending the Hounds to
work against TBL. The Hounds were able to overcome the gritty TBL team
and make their way back to the Finals. Max Elite deemed too much for the
Hounds this weekend and continued to build on their strong season by
becoming the ‘21 ECC champs with no need for the “if” game.

Over in the
Gold Division Necessary Force was rolling and awaiting a battle between
Suffolk and The CT Goatz for the matchup for the Gold Championship. Suffolk
would overtake the Goatz and set up an all NY Gold division Championship.
But it would be Necessary Force led by coach Norm McQuade to win their
2nd consecutive Gold Championship in the ECC. Congratulations to all
players and thank you to all who worked so hard on this event as a
celebration to the ps.com player.

Majors -
1st- Maximum Elite
2nd-NY Hounds/Juno
3rd- Thin Blue Line

MVP- Craig Sears - Max Elite
“D” MVP- Andy Lopez- Max Elite
All Tourney Majors
Keith Edgar - Max Elite
Tony Wargo - Max Elite
Eric Theiss - NY Hounds/Juno
Warren Rivell- NY Hounds/Juno

Gold —
1st. - Necessary Force
2nd - Suffolk Lawmen
3rd - CT Goatz

MVP-Anthony Anglisano - Nec Force
Dave Castellano - Nec Force
Jon Tait - Nec Force
Rueben Rijos - Suffolk
Ben Markus. - Suffolk