Goffords Throw A Big Bash

We swear. We were there.

We enjoyed their menu -- bratwurths, corn, beer, cheese, etc.

Just ask anybody 100 miles within the Kimberly radius. Like Ed Pinto, who was drinking a beer, make that Bud-Light, to celebrate. "I was there. I saw it," he said. "I understand there wasn't a (TV) camera out there, so who can prove that I'm lying? I love fastpitch softball."

Pinto could've have been lying like a shag carpet.

He wasn't.

And oh my, what an effort.

The Big One. Magnifico Uno.

It was a 94-game stretch against the men's major fastpitch Godzillas, and when it was over last Saturday night, with Tampa Bay defeating The Farm Tavern, 4-2, to win the ISC World Championship, the survivors could be remembered more by words than deeds.

Take Kimberly's (Wis.) Chris Timm. No one was more thrilled to play in the 1998 ISC World Championship. It was like a dream come true for Timm to have played with the Kimberly Merchants.

Timm was playing in memory of his late grandfather, Jack Grafmeier, an ISC Hall of Fame inductee. "I know he's looking down right now and he's proud," said Timm, while gazing up at the sky searching for his grandfather's approval.

Bruce Gofford might have sounded like an Alka-Seltzer salesman before the tournament started. He could've had major heartburn. It didn't happened. He could've have made a nightly ritual of acid cocktails. Such an undertaking, like the ISC Tournament, can almost become impossible to stomach. A gut wrencher.

It didn't happened.

Why?

Bruce always had his beautiful wife, Kerry, there for support. Together they are dynamic. They were always there, sharing damage control together. What an incredible venture, considering they had only eight months to prepare. That's because Tampa Bay's bid (the original bidder for 1998), sank somewhere, like the Titanic, only on land.

They had no chance of the venture being a two-year work in progress. Thank God, the Goffords weren't neophytes. They had been there and done that.

"I don't think teams or the average fan realizes the efforts the Goffords," said Bob Welby, ISC President. "Kerry was everywhere, even registering the teams when they came in, and always staying on top of their volunteers. They led by examples. Their work efforts were selfless. You couldn't ask for a better effort than where they gave. They aren't in the game to be self promoters. They don't seek it.

"They left their egos at the door," added Welby. "But personally, on behalf of the ISC Executive Board, I would like to say simply, 'thank you.' Maybe, people, in fastpitch softball, should write them thank you notes, too. They would appreciate them. But they aren't seeking any accolades. It would just be a good gesture to do it."

In respect, fellow ISC Commissioner, Bill Hillhouse, simply put it, "Bruce doesn't need to wear a white-hat to prove he's a good guy. He's one of the most down-to-earth people I know. The ISC should feel fortunate to have him, and knowledge of the game. I know the same can be said of his wife. But I have not been graced with the honor of meeting her yet."

To do what the Goffords have done so well, they faced a challenge. They had channels to follow. It started with the ISC Executive Board, the fans, and then, the volunteers had to be satisfied. They had make sure that both parties didn't suffer heartburn or burnout. Not an easy task. Actually, it's a thankless challenge.

They had their critics. But they shouldn't have.

The Goffords are proud people, with bone-deep humbleness. They always have disdained shedding light on themselves. They are never dull. But don't attempt to goad them into self-promotion. It would be like trying talk a nun onto the dance floor.

When talking about the Goffords, it's like measuring the whole person -- talent, work ethic, attitude, all of that. If someone was seeking to bid for the ISC World Tournament, and learn the "ins-and-outs" of the game, they should ask the Goffords. It would be a gratifying assignment.

They would learn an awful lot. They never get caught blowing their own whistles.

But the whistle blows for them today. And I'm not the least bid unhappy in doing it. Actually, I take great pride in my efforts to do so. Maybe, there are more deserving people than the Goffords.

I haven't met them.  

(Note: The Post-Crescent contributed to this column.)

Editor's Note:
DAN PATTISON has been a sports writer and columnist for over 30 years with The Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune, Las Vegas Sun, The Sporting News, Basketball Times & USA Today.  He is currently enjoying his association with men's major fastpitch and as an ISC Commissioner.