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A Day of Softball Bliss, as Greenwich Honors McMurray

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By Paul Silverfarb
Sentinel Editor

On Saturday, Binney Park will be transformed into a softball heaven, as 12 teams will compete in the second annual Sandy McMurray Co-Ed Softball Tournament.

“We have grown a lot in one year,” said Elaine Marrero, one of the event organizers for the tourney. “We went from eight teams to 12 teams. There’s 120 participants and their families and friends will also be there to help celebrate the life of Sandy and have a great day.”

The tournament is in honor and remembrance of McMurray, who passed away in November of 2017 after fighting a courageous battle with Glioblastoma. McMurray grew up in Greenwich and graduated from Greenwich High School. She worked in Stamford Hospital for 35 years and was a fixture at the Cos Cob Fire Department and Cos Cob Volunteer Ambulance Corporation.

One of her passions was the sport of softball, as she played in town league for countless years.

Last year, Marrero, who works for the Stamford Police Department, was a volunteer with the Sandy McMurray Co-Ed Softball Tournament. This year, she was asked by co-founders John Bosco and Mike Fina to come in and help out in a much bigger way.

And for Marrero, it was an easy answer. She first met Sandy at the Cos Cob Fire Department, as their parents were volunteers as a part of the auxiliary.

“I grew up in this town and I knew Sandy grew up in Greenwich,” Marrero said. “I met Sandy when I was just a little kid. I don’t think I was even in my teens at that point. But she always had a smile on her face and always eager to help someone. She was very encouraging to people and was all-around a terrific spirit.”

And getting support from the community for this softball tourney in McMurray’s honor was easier than Marrero thought it would be. An example is the Greenwich Softball Organization, which has waved the fees for the softball fields and is helping out with T-shirts and organizing the tournament.

“I wanted to put her name out there to as many local businesses and they were more than happy to help. It’s humbling to see how the Greenwich community, whether it’s an old business or new business, wants to be a part of something special,” Marrero said. “Sandy meant a lot to a lot of people.”

While the teams are set and ready to roll for this year’s tournament, people are still encouraged to come out, cheer on the teams and celebrate McMurray’s encouraging spirit. In addition, Marrero said she will gladly take any volunteers looking to help out during the tourney.

“We asked people, starting in March, to pre-register so that way we had everything on hand,” Marrero said. “We got the word out and we were able to get four more teams than we had last year. We are open for volunteers, especially high schoolers that need community service projects. I can always use a hand with kids running around getting scores to put on our scoreboard or by selling T-shirts. For the community as a whole, we would love you to come out, just be a part of the day and cheer on the teams and watch good softball.”

The Mianus River Boat & Yacht Club has graciously given the Sandy McMurray Co-Ed Softball Tournament their facilities for an after-tournament barbecue.

“We would love the community, or anyone who knew Sandy, can come down and enjoy a barbecue,” Marrero said. “We are asking for a small donation at the door and we will provide dinner, drinks, and a raffle for great prizes. We want to celebrate Sandy.”

The event will take place starting at 9 a.m. and run throughout the day on Saturday. If there is rain, the rain date is set for Sunday, June 30. Money raised from the tournament will go to the McMurray family.

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