INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The previous crown jewel of major league baseball spring training sites, Holman Stadium, came alive Saturday evening as local doctors and lawyers gave it their best effort during a softball game to benefit the United Way of Indian River County. The game, ultimately, was called when a thunderstorm moved in from the west, with the Jawbones firmly in command.
Nostalgia was not lacking amongs players and spectators alike at Vero Beach Sports Village, formerly Dodgertown, where legends Jackie Robinson, Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax once mesmerized locals during spring training.
“It’s hard not to feel the incredible baseball history here,” Bobby Guttridge, a lawyer and one of the organizers of the Sawbones vs. Jawbones benefit, said before entering the field that sprouted in 1953 from an abandoned naval base and closed 61 years later in 2009.
Guttridge was among the many present that evening whom couldn’t help but reminisce about those highly anticipated springtime visits by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Sawbones consisted of an anesthesiologist, gastrointestinal and, ear, nose and throat doctor, gynecologist, pediatrician and psychiatrist.
The Jawbones fielded judges, criminal attorneys, personal injury, family and real estate lawyers. Speaking of the players, anesthesiologist and co-organizer of the event Geoff Wolf noted that these professions are so stocked with competitive-spirited people that the game would be fun to watch.
“Doctors and lawyers are well-motivated, driven professionals,” he said. “They tend to like being organized and have directed goals. They don’t like to lose.”
Paul Hebig, a psychiatrist, said his team squeezed in a few practice sessions before the fund-raising game in hopes of fine-tuning their skills.
The Sawbones won last year, but the Jawbones were victorious the year before, so this was the rubber match.
There was no shortage of camaraderie and competition, as players hit home runs, caught fly balls and slid safely into bases. Cheers erupted often from the stadium of about 100 spectators who were mostly family members and colleagues.
A Jawbone made a base running error and got tagged out after rounding second base.
In another play, the Sawbones’ second baseman made a circus catch before falling on her derriere, miraculously holding on to the ball.
Spectator Bill Penney enjoyed watching friends put forth their best athletic efforts, as he sat comfortably removed from the competition.
“I’m a banker,” he said. Still, he enjoyed watching his doctor and lawyer friends having fun playing on this field of dreams. “I’m seeing how long it takes for them to pull a muscle!”
Glenda Wild watched her husband, Indian River County Judge Joe Wild, resurrect his skills.
“Baseball is one of the great loves of his Life,” she said.
Wild, who played high school and college baseball, hit, ran and fielded well, looking like he hadn’t missed a beat in the years that followed his playing days.
Circuit Judge Robert Pegg was the Jawbones’ third base coach, signaling the runners as they rounded the bases. He reveled in his teammates’ efforts and the historic venue that appeared to be inspiring them.
“Most of us lived here when the Dodgers played in Vero,” he said. “It was the best place to play hookie!”