45 years of softball, community, and giving in Millston

What began with a mowed field, makeshift bases, some beer, and a group of friends playing softball has grown into a Labor Day tradition that has raised roughly $325,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The 45th Annual Millston MDA Labor Day Softball Tournaments will return Sept. 5-7, bringing three days of men's and co-ed softball, fundraising, and family activities to Millston.

The tradition began in 1981, when friends from two local bars decided to get together for a softball game. The site of today's park was little more than an unmowed field. They mowed it, set up bases, and erected a small fence.

Then something happened that changed a friendly ballgame into a 45-year tradition.

The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon was on television that weekend, so the players passed a hat. They sent the money to MDA.

"And then it just grew from there," organizer Sue Marcou said.

The event expanded first to eight teams, then 16, eventually becoming a full Labor Day weekend tournament.

This year's field is full, with 10 men's teams and six co-ed teams. Many have remarkably long histories in Millston. Some teams have participated for over 20 years, and second and third generation players are now taking the field. One man who played in the original game in 1981 still returns each year and brings a team.

The teams aren't playing for prize money.

"They are all playing for bragging rights," Marcou said. "It's all for bragging rights and for charity."

That charity has become an increasingly important part of the weekend.

During the first 44 years, the tournament itself raised more than $240,000 for MDA. Anonymous donors have provided more than $84,000 in matching contributions in the last four years, bringing the overall impact to approximately $325,000.

Since around 2010, Millston has designated its MDA donations specifically for the organization's summer camp program. The camps give children with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases an opportunity to participate in activities adapted to their abilities while their medical and physical needs are cared for.

It also gives their caregivers a week of respite.

The Millston tournament adopted a simple motto explaining the connection: "We play all weekend so they can play for a week."

One family has helped make that mission personal.

About a decade ago, a local family contacted organizers after their son, Samuel, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare genetic disease that causes progressive muscle weakness. Samuel has since become part of the tournament tradition, throwing the first pitch before the championship game. Championship players sign a game ball for him each year.

This year's 0.1K, a 109-yard trek across the ballpark, has already raised $4,000 from 13 T-shirt sponsors for MDA.

Softball is only part of the weekend.

Games begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. A live MDA auction and announcement of the Millston Citizen of the Year are scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday. Sunday features a pancake and sausage breakfast, volleyball, and bean bag tournaments. Monday includes the 0.1K walk, a free kids' pedal tractor pull, and the championship game at 3 p.m.

Children will also have a bounce house and sawdust pile throughout the weekend.

The live auction remains the largest single fundraising component, and bidders have demonstrated that almost anything can raise money for the cause. Marcou once jokingly donated an oversized zucchini from her kitchen counter. It sold for $30. A longtime player's worn-out, duct-taped old softball cleats brought $125.

Around 30 volunteers help make the weekend possible, many representing second and third generations of families involved with the event. Proceeds from concessions and a raffle also support improvements to Millston's park, including projects such as the scoreboard, bleachers, fencing, trees, picnic tables, and playground areas.

But the 45th tournament could also mark a turning point.

"I'm willing to, you know, give people helpful hints and advice and that kind of thing. But it's, I've gotten to an age where it's time for maybe some fresh ideas and someone with a little bit more energy," said Marcou.

After organizing 28 tournaments, Marcou said this will be her final year putting the event together. She hopes someone new will step forward, although future events could take a different form.

"I'm not saying that this year will be the end. I'm just saying it might be different next year," said Marcou. If you are interested in volunteering for Sue, give her a call at 715-299-5823.

For now, success this Labor Day won't be measured solely by a dollar amount.

Whether the weekend raises "a nickel or over twenty thousand dollars," Marcou said, the important thing is that the money helps send children to camp.

"That's what makes it fun," she said, "and that's what makes it worth it."

For more information, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/millstonmdasoftball