INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Win or lose, it didn’t seem too important to the players on the four softball teams and competitors in the barbecue cook-off during the Every Dream Has a Price fun-raiser at the Vero Beach Sports Village over the weekend. The weather cooperated and spectators came out to cheer.
“We love baseball and we miss the Dodgers,” said Jennifer Rogozinski, who attended the event with her husband, Peter, to help support the cause.
Every Dream Has a Price is a non-profit organization that works to provide high quality, affordable housing to income eligible residents in Indian River County, helping those in need maintain their home.
The fun-day started with a barbecue competition of five of the 10 barbecue vendors in attendance. Eight judges looked over each entry and sampled them before pronouncing judgment.
“This is just tempting,” said judge Vero Beach Mayor Jay Kramer, looking over his plate of leftover barbecued chicken.
“I could just eat and eat,” said fellow judge County Finance Director Jason Brown.
The judges were encouraged to only sample the entries – not eat the entire serving – to help keep them on point for the rest of the 3-part competition.
The judges reviewed five chicken, three rib, and three pulled pork entries for presentation, tenderness and taste and then ranked them.
“If you like it, score it good,” said judge-wrangler Tom Scott.
One judge, Randy Hagood, said he’s judged barbecue cook-offs in the past, though not as frequently as he’d like.
“It’s the same kind of quality,” he said of the entries.
Between the softball games, the winners of the competition were announced. Bar-B-Q 2 U swept the three divisions, taking first place for chicken, ribs and pulled pork, adding three more trophies to their already over-populated trophy table.
Saussie Pig, Grant’s BBQ, and Hubba Bubba BBQ also placed in the various divisions.
For the first time, Every Dream Has a Price held two softball games – the first between “Guns” and “Hoses,” law enforcement versus firefighters and paramedics, the second between members of the Indian River County Government and Community Celebrities.
Both the Hoses and Celebrities handily won their respective games – scoring 19 runs against their friendly opponents.
Some may have been concerned about conflicts of interest with Sheriff Deryl Loar and Commission Chair Bob Solari officiating the first and second games, respectively. But, as the scores quickly showed, there was no hard evidence of favoritism.
“I tried to be as objective as possible,” Sheriff Loar said. He did admit to trying to help his brothers in law enforcement, but it didn’t work.
“Today wasn’t the day,” he said.
The Guns vs. Hoses game went five innings with the Hoses winning 19 to 5.
“I’m happy with it,” Hoses organizer Vinnie Nadolny said of the score. “We’re all out here for a good cause.”
The Jenkins family was one of many in the stands, cheering on the games. They said they were rooting for the Guns because they have friends and neighbors in law enforcement.
By the third inning, the Guns were trailing far behind the Hoses, but that didn’t put a damper on their enthusiasm.
“We got time,” said Tarsha Jenkins said. Immediately following, the Guns put a run on the board. “See, they’re coming back.”
The second game went much the same way as the first – a quick lead that held for the entire game.
The Government team was the first up to bat – and was held runless.
“Very sad Government, very, very sad!” chided Commission Chair Solari as the team ran out to their positions.
First up for the Celebrities was Matt Parris, of Parris Family Chiropractic – who scored the opening run of the game.
A few batters later, Gifford community leader Freddie Woolfork crushed the ball into outfield, hitting a triple and driving home two runs.
The rest of the game followed from there, ending with a score of 19 to 7 in less than 4 innings.
Organizer Julianne Price said they hoped to raise $5,000 with the third annual event. Halfway through the day, they had collected half the amount.
“We always set the goal high,” she said.
The $5,000 mark was set because that is what the organization needs to finish a project it is working on – a duplex in Gifford.
“The need is greater than ever,” Price said for the assistance Every Dream Has a Price provides, especially with the state of the economy.
To help or get more information, visit www.EveryDreamHasAPrice.com.