RBG Tourney Big Hit on All Counts

 

(This is another of my paid published articles from some 25-30 years ago…as I have always enjoyed covering events of a charitable nature, helping with the St. Louis Volunteer Meetup group events and doing P.R. writing for not-for-profit/charitable organizations.)

     The jingle, ‘You deserve a break today’ could not have been more fitting for the third annual Rubin, Brown, Gornstein and Co. Coed Softball Invitational played Saturday and Sunday at Shaw Park.

     After experiencing 100-degree temperatures at the tournament for two consecutive years, this year’s participants received a reprieve.  A break in the heat wave brought comfortable temperatures in the 70’s and low 80’s for this year’s activities.  The tournament was also a big break for the Ronald McDonald House, raising $7,400 for that charitable organization located in the Central West End.

     “The purpose of the tournament is two-fold,” said Steve Hays, the creator of the event and auditing CPA manager at RBGF and Co. “One, to raise money for charity, and two, it’s a good avenue to get all the clients together.  The first year, we held it for the Dream Factory, and this is the second year for the Ronald McDonald House.  We know they do a lot of good things in St. Louis, are kids are of interest to all of us.”

     According to its executive director, Libby Gutberlet, the Ronald McDonald House is a temporary home-away-from-home for out-of-town families with children who require care at St. Louis hospitals for serious illnesses like cancer and cardio transplants.

     Since the Ronald McDonald House charges just $5 night for a stay, contributions are necessary to maintain the 90-year-old building and to pay for electricity, sheets and laundry facilities.

     “We’re a small charity,” Gutberlet said.  “Since only 30 per cent of our income comes from the McDonald Corporation, most of our donations come from softball, golf and other fundraisers.  We depend on community businesses because we don’t have the budget or mailing list that major charities have.  The Ronald McDonald House is important because without it, out-of-town families who couldn’t afford hotel facilities used to sleep on hospital floors, in lobbies or parking garages.”

     RBG and Co. is no stranger to athletic events. The Clayton-based CPA firm has a special trophy room on its premises that is filled with mementos from its company softball, soccer and basketball team successes.  One of its men’s softball teams has captured the Shaw Park League championship some nine years in succession.

     That same competitive nature was evident in RBG and Co’s coed softball tournament.  Beth Friend pitched a four-hitter as University City-based Tomco blanked Midwest Petroleum, 3-0 to reach the finals against Cord Moving and Storage.

     “I haven’t had much sports background,” said Friend, who actually works at nearby Gershman Investment Corporation.  “I’m only here because my husband works here (and plays third base).  I thought I did pretty good this game.  I won yesterday, too, but it wasn’t a shutout.  I might even try a softball team next year.”

     Another Tomco star was shortstop Joe Doyle, a Webster Groves resident who walked and singled in his two plate appearances against Midwest Petroleum before going three-for-three with two RBIs in Tomco’s 10-5 loss to Cord in the title game.  Dave Johnson, Jim Vorio and Dave Bolesta had two hits apiece as Tomco rallied from a 10-0 second inning deficit.