VERO BEACH — A long dormant tradition was revived as local doctors and attorneys took to the field at Holman Stadium in a fun but competitive contest to raise money for the United Way. The second annual Sawbones (doctors) vs. Jawbones (lawyers) charity softball game over the weekend, with the Sawbones squeaking by the Jawbones to win the game, with a score of 14-13.
“Is there a doctor in the house?” asked local attorney Gene O’Neill, who sprinkled his sports casting duties with doctor jokes.
“They’d probably sue us,” laughed Indian River Medical Center Cardiovascular Services Director Jason Nance, when asked why the doctors’ announcer wasn’t cracking any lawyer jokes,
Trash talk flew, but the good natured banter was all part of the fun, as local lawyers and physicians met on the field to play a 7-inning game.
Almost $3,500 was raised for the United Way.
“The ultimate goal, besides avoiding injury, is to raise money for charity when people need it most,” said organizer Andrew B. Metcalf of Green & Metcalf, P.A.
“We wanted it to be nine innings, but the docs were complaining,” a brooding Metcalfe said. “We hope to keep doing this every year. Raising money is the most important thing.”
“Nah, the winning is the most important thing,” quipped attorney Adam Chrzan. “You’re just saying that because we lost.”
Vero Beach’s own field of dreams was inhabited by the ghosts of Dodger greats, as the crowd of about 250 people reveled in the nostalgic glow of games gone by. Kids lined the outfield and played catch, while waiting optimistically for an out-of-the-park home run ball to be hit.
The Jawbones team lead until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Jeffrey Livingston, an ear, nose, and throat specialist, hit a grounder that brought a run home, tying the game at 12-12.
The Sawbones team was comprised of practitioners from all fields of medicine, including plastic surgery, psychiatry, cardiology, and pediatrics,
Joe Cheries, a local psychiatrist, was the only major casualty of the evening. His arm looked broken to the other docs on the team, and was dispatched to the emergency room to have it checked.
“Thank goodness he doesn’t need his arm to do his job,” said United Way CEO Michael Kint.
“We used our skills this time, instead of our mouths,” said psychiatrist Srinivas Yerneni, describing the secret to the Sawbones’ success.
“This evening is another example of the giving in this community,” said Campaign Co-chair Don Loftus. “This is like the American Dream, bringing the kids out to the ball park. It’s a wonderful family event.”
Sponsors for the event included Consulate Health Care, Dean Wellness Institute, First United Bank, Indian River Medical Center, The Duke Heart Center, Kmetz, Nuttall, Elwall, Graham, CPAs, Florida Eye Institute, Rubin & Rubin, Anesthesia of Indian River, Rossway, Moore, Taylor & Swan, Vero ENT Associates, Dr. Amber Paradoa, DPM, and Dr. Laurie Welton, DO, PA.
With the moon rising, children ran the bases as the Jawbones grudgingly handed over the large trophy to the Sawbones, in a semi-solemn ceremony behind home plate. Team members shook hands and made plans to adjourn to local watering holes to replay the game and strategize for next year’s contest.