RANGELY I A men’s and a coed softball tournament played in memory of Jerry LeBleu Sr. at Kevin Poole Memorial Field in Rangely raised funds for a scholarship awarded annually to a Rangely High School senior.
“While Dad was alive, he always donated to anything that had to do with the youth,” Jeff LeBleu said of his father. “When he passed away, I named these tournaments after him, and all proceeds from them go into an annual scholarship to a local high school senior.”
The men’s softball tournament was played Aug. 10 and featured four teams — Subway and Prather’s Plumbing from Rangely and Showalter Motors and Dave’s Crew from Vernal, Utah.
A round-robin format was used, and each team played four games with the championship game featuring both teams from Rangely playing for the title.
“It was a very close game throughout, but, in the end, Subway came out on top 14-9,” LeBleu said.
The coed tournament was played Aug. 17 and also featured four teams, two from Rangely (Subway and Silver Sage RV Park), one from Vernal (MRC) and Deets Construction from Roosevelt, Utah.
LeBleu said the coed tournament was “fun” and, in the end, Subway was crowned as returning champions, beating Deets Construction in the championship game.
According to LeBleu, he plans to host the tournaments in July in hopes of non-conflicting schedules and more teams entering.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped me run these tournaments and Western Rio Blanco Recreation and Parks District for the use of the facilities, umpires, concession stand workers, scorekeepers and others just being my go-fers,” LeBleu said. “Last, but not least, thanks for the very kind donation I received from a local gentleman who asked me not to mention his name, but a big heartfelt thank you.”