April 8, 2005 –– The ninth annual Ruby Rutnik Memorial Softball Tournament kicked off Friday with a victory by Ruby's alma mater, Antilles School. Antilles trounced Eudora Kean High School 14 to 5 in the fifth inning.
"If the score is more than 10 runs ahead by the fifth inning, you call the game," Ruby's father, Andy Rutnik, said, as he manned the microphone for the game's play-by-play.
The tournament, held at Winston Wells Ballfield in Cruz Bay, St. John, runs through Sunday with Country Day School, the St. Croix All Stars and Central High School teams also expected to compete.
Games run from 9 a.m. Saturday, with the playoff game beginning at 8 p.m. The championship game begins at 11 a.m. Sunday.
The tournament raises money for the Ruby Rutnik scholarship fund.
It is held in memory of Ruby Rutnik, an Antilles School softball pitcher who died in a 1996 car accident while she was a senior at American University in Washington, D.C.
"The tournament is a tradition of giving and an opportunity to help others and to have a little fun," Ruby's brother, Amos, said.
Several girls from both Antilles and Eudora Kean said fun was the reason they played.
"And I like to play sports. That's just me," Eudora Kean catcher Jenelle Berry, 17, said.
Eudora Kean pitcher Christine Peters, 15, said that although the game was fun, it wasn't going very well for her team.
"We're losing," she said.
Antilles student Chloe Rosey, 17, who was sitting on the bench as her teammates played, said it was fun to come to St. John and play other schools.
"And Ruby went to our school," she said.
The bleachers held smattering of parents and supporters who came out to watch their favorite teams play.
"It's a great tournament," Kao Joseph said.
Her daughter, Kayla Joseph, 14, pitched for Antilles.
Andy Rutnik, who serves as the Licensing and Consumer Affairs commissioner, said that it was unusual for tournaments to run consistently for nine years.
He credited David Mugar, who owns Starfish Market, with providing the impetus for the tournament.
"He said that a tournament would be a good way to remember her," Rutnik said of his daughter.
He said the tournament was all about the community.
The Love City Pan Dragons were busy selling refreshments at the bandstand kiosk.
"It's conch, barbeque chicken, fish, and johnny cakes tonight," Love City Pan Dragons president Corine Matthias said.
She said Saturday's menu includes saltfish, mutton, barbecue chicken, fried fish, and chicken.
