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By Ron P. Coderre
It’s great to be back on the computer keyboard following a whirlwind week in Florida. This week’s RPC sporty shoutout goes to my good friend and faithful backup Doc Cody. Thanks for filling in so ably while I was away Doc.
You can run but you can’t hide. Regardless of how far you may wander from dear old Putnam, it seems that you inevitably run into someone from the Antique City or from the area. Of course that happened to our foursome of Rick Carnahan, Roger Franklin and Doug Valentine on the recent sojourn south.
On the Southwest Airlines flight from Providence to Tampa we had the pleasure of being joined by the Providence College Friars who were headed to the Sunshine State for an encounter with the University of South Florida. Yours truly was sandwiched between Bryce Cotton and New London’s Chris Dunne. Our foursome was surrounded by players, coaches and team personnel throughout the airplane.
While waiting for our luggage and golf clubs we had the opportunity to speak with Head Coach Ed Cooley. The affable Cooley was a true gentleman as he always is. He sends his hellos to all his friends in Putnam but especially to his college roommate at Stonehill College Lance Coderre and a special greeting to Lance’s dad, Moe Coderre.
By the way, the Friars easily handled the USF Bulls and then much to our disappointment they slapped the favored Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish with a loss at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Enough said about that.
While enjoying an après golf libation at McAllister’s Restaurant in Lakewood Ranch, Doug Valentine and I ran into Putnam residents Ted Bazinet and Peter Aucoin who were enjoying an afternoon luncheon with their lovely wives, Lorraine Bazinet and Betty Aucoin. Were they ever surprised to see us?
Prior to teeing off at one of Bradenton’s finest golf facilities, the 27-hole River Strand Golf and Country Club, my gregarious brother-in-law, Mr. Rick struck up a conversation with one of the starters, who just happened to be former Eastern Board Basketball Official Phil “Yogi” Yering from Waterford. Yering related many stories of his officiating days in Putnam. He especially wanted to be remembered to two of his favorite coaches, Tony Falzarano and Dave Vitale.
On the one abnormally cold day we encountered (55 degrees), we ventured to Pirate City, the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. We enjoyed a brief chat with former Pirate great Manny Sanguillen and watched the optimistic Buccaneers workout.
If you can pick up the gist of these notes, a good time was had by all. The return to Providence and some chilly temperatures greeted us and made us yearn for the warmth of Florida.
Softball World Series MVP
Can you imagine someone batting .979 and hitting five home runs over a six game span? That’s what Pomfret resident John Smutnick did during the Senior Softball USA 2013 Tournament of Champions in Auburndale, Fla., over the weekend of Feb. 7-9. Smutnick, playing for the South Florida Heat, helped his team to its second consecutive title in the 60 Year Old Division. For his effort, Smutnick was named tournament Most Valuable Player and was honored with a commemorative bat and ring.
The red hot Smutnick is in great demand, as he’ll be playing in five tournaments in the next six weeks. He’s also participated in the Roy Hobbs World Series in Fort Myers. There were 33 teams from throughout the U.S. and Canada entered in his division. Playing for the Midwest Nine from Springfield, Ill., Smutnick led the Niners to a second place finish, as he continued his hot hitting. He batted .565 over the eight-game tourney, while anchoring the defense at shortstop.
Smutnick and his wife Laura are enjoying the warmth of Florida as they play golf everyday that John isn’t on the softball diamond. They’re in the South Central Florida area where they are surrounded by many friends from northeastern Connecticut and Quinnatisset Country Club.
Local Whistle Blower in Worcestr
Danielson resident Corey Pothier, a member of the Eastern Board of Basketball Officials, is quickly and quietly moving up the officiating ranks. Pothier has been doing women’s college officiating for the past few years in addition to a full slate of high school games.
Feb. 20 Pothier was part of a three-man crew that refereed the NCAA Division II contest between the College of St. Rose and Assumption College at the Laska Gymnasium in Worcester. Pothier’s partners for the contest were Amy Davagian, and Michael DoCouto. Pothier, who has great court presence and sense, had a flawless game as the Lady Hounds of coach Kerry Phayre easily beat St. Rose to raise their record to 18-6 overall and 15-5 in the rugged Northeast-10 Conference.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: What’s important is not how busy you are, but why you are busy – the bee is praised, but the mosquito is swatted.