Well, the Frank Monahan Foundation is at it again.
That fun-loving group that’s made it its mission to spread the good word about the former Bishop Brady basketball coach and raise all kinds of money to benefit local youth is gearing up for its signature event. The Fore the Kids Golf Classic is less than two weeks away, but this year, instead of just one big fundraising effort at a time, they’ve decided to make a weekend of it with the addition of a Chicago-style softball tourney the day before.
So in the span of two days, you can either play at least two softball games or watch a lot more, hit the links for 18 holes and get a nice lunch with a well-known guest speaker. It will cost you some of that hard-earned dough of yours, but there’s no questioning the amount of fun you’d have – and don’t forget that it’s for a good cause.
The softball tournament will be held Sunday, July 12, starting at 8 a.m. with two fields going at Memorial Field and another at Rollins Park. Cost is $250 for a 12-player team and additional players can be added to the roster for $20 each. Each team will have 10 players in the field, including at least three women, so for some of the more seasoned players looking to put a team together, you might want to take advantage of the extra buy-in.
“There are so many softball tournaments going on, but nothing like this,” said foundation President Marshall Crane. “It’s just another avenue for people to have fun.”
The tournament is double elimination, and the goal is to have 12 total teams for the day, but they need a few more to sign up in order to make that happen. That’s where you come in. Board member Mel Keeler, who just so happens to be a Concord High legend when it comes to the softball diamond, was the one who came up with the idea, and obviously the rest of the board agreed.
“We like to take fun things and put a twist on them,” Crane said. “She came to us and said let’s do something back-to-back for people who are only going to be here for the weekend.”
In terms of play, Chicago-style softball uses a 16-inch ball, four inches bigger than a standard softball, and a lot mushier.
“It’s almost like a mini basketball,” Crane said.
Using a glove is optional, although that’s a call only you can feel comfortable making. The tournament will follow the American Softball Association’s rules on 16-inch play, which would be too lengthy and boring to list here. So use your Google machine and read for yourself.
And if you don’t feel like playing, you can still go out and support the players. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and maybe a cooler of drinks and snacks and spend the day. It’s free to watch, but you can make a donation if you want, with the proceeds of the tournament going to the Concord Parks and Rec Department.
On July 13, the third annual Monahan Foundation golf tournament will tee off at Concord Country Club with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. It’s a best ball scramble format, so get ready for some pretty low scores.
Cost is $125 per player or $500 for a foursome and includes a luncheon following the round. And whether you don’t like to golf or simply can’t, you can still attend the luncheon under a giant tent for just $30, where you can listen to UNH basketball coach Bill Herrion, this year’s guest speaker. Herrion will have big shoes to fill, following the likes of Dick Hoyt and Travis Roy as the foundation’s first two guest speakers. But what Herrion brings to the table is that he knew the man the foundation is named for.
“This year we wanted someone who has the New Hampshire connection and has a tie to coach Monahan,” Crane said.
Herrion played his final two years of college ball for Monahan at Merrimack College and had quite a relationship with the longtime coach.
“It’s an honor for me to be a part of this. Coach Monahan had a direct influence on me as a college player and helping me get into college coaching,” Herrion said. “If he did not give me that opportunity, I would not be in the place I am now.”
Through the first two years of the golf tournament, the foundation has raised about $56,000 to benefit a number of community service projects in the Concord area, including new baskets at White Park and basketball uniforms for the varsity programs at Bishop Brady and Merrimack Valley.
For more info or to register, visit frankmonahanfoundation.org.
