BUCYRUS — After a somewhat subdued version in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Tommy Slugfest Tournament is back for 2021 at Aumiller Park.
The ninth annual tournament will be held Friday through Sunday, June 11-13. It originated as a fund-raiser to benefit the family of Tom Smith, a veteran Little League coach and current Wynford varsity baseball coach, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier that year.
Every year since then, the Bucyrus Little League board has selected a different family or organization to donate the proceeds to. This year, they will benefit Coach Ryan Teglovic, varsity football coach at Colonel Crawford, who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
“We’ve been able to raise almost $35,000 over the last eight years running this tournament for individuals, families and organizations in need,” Co-tournament director Scott Langenderfer said. “It’s our way of giving back to the community, host an awesome tournament and raise some money at the same time.”
One new wrinkle in this year’s tournament is that those coming for the games will be asked for a $5 donation per car, with the proceeds going to the Teglovic family.
Games will start at 6 p.m. Friday and run all weekend. There are a total of 32 teams including ten 12u, ten 11u, six 10u, and six 8u teams set to play.
The other co-tournament director, Steve Rittenour, is excited, not only about this tournament, but that Aumiller Park will be able to host multiple tournaments this summer.
“In May, we hosted the WBBC Spring Slam,” Rittenour said. “This tournament brought in 30 teams from other areas of Ohio and our very own 10u team won their division.”
The league will be hosting the WBBC Summer Slam on July 10-11, bringing another 36 teams to Bucyrus. The tournament helps the local economy, staying at motels, while also patronizing restaurants and gas stations.
Langenderfer also took time while announcing Tommy Slugfest to let the public know of projects the league has planned.
“The Bucyrus Little League has been one of the longest standing and most reliable organizations in Bucyrus and the surrounding area,” Langenderfer said. “I’m proud to have been a part of this organization for the past eight years. There have been so many before me that have paved the way for this great organization and beautiful fields. It’s an opportunity to say thank you to those show have donated. The fields look amazing.”
The league Board of Directors requested funds for the Bucyrus Little League Revitalization Project of 2021 with an estimated cost of over $136,000. The project will include Aumiller Park field renovations and expansion, field restoration at Lions’ Park, portable pitching mounds, fencing and backstop replacement and concrete bleacher pads at North Robinson fields, field equipment upgrades, concession stand equipment, and LED field lighting at the boys’ major field.
According to Langenderfer, the league has received grants or contributions from the Timken Foundation, the Community Foundation of Crawford County, the John Q. Shunk Association, Bucyrus Kiwanis Club, Doug and Renee Leuthold, and Hord Livestock, Hord Elevator, and Hord Family Farms.
Langenderfer also wanted to thank Jeff Laipply for his maintenance of the fields.
“Jeff takes excellent care of the fields and donates 100 percent of his time,” Langenderfer said. “He takes great pride.”
The league serves over 900 players from all over the county and is looking to add opportunities for players 13-16 years old next year at Lions’ Park.