Tough day

Yesterday as I was walking I received a phone call from league president Brad who informed me that bocce player Pete had died in a tractor accident over the weekend.  It stopped me in my tracks.  Pete was a charter member of the MBC playing on the Eclectics since the club started.  He also played on Can't Be Trusted and was a long time member of the MBC board.
Our Monday team, Boro City Rollers, played the Eclectics in the first game last night.  The Glue and Fred separately came up with the idea to pay tribute to Pete by dressing up in his normal attire.  He was known for wearing either a hawaiian shirt with a wife beater tee shirt or a tee shirt with the sleeves cut out and a V cut into the neckline in front.  He almost always finished his "look" by wearing a fedora and boat shoes. 
I was worried on how the other players would take this but everyone realized that it was a tribute.  It was another HOT Monday night and the mood at the courts started our very subdued.  No one can replace Pete's flair for calling games, especially the towel tournament and keychain for the league winners.  His long time friend and teammate Gene is taking over Monday night coordinator and gave a very nice talk and prayer about Pete.
Even though the Eclectics had four players there they wanted to have one of their players sit out and have players from other teams throw a ball or two in Pete's honor.  What an awesome gesture by the his teammates.
As the night went on the subdued atmosphere gradually loosened.  The games themselves were an afterthought and Pete was in everyone's mind.  Condolences to all Pete's family and friends, he'll be missed by a lot of people.