MANSFIELD — If Mother Nature cooperates, softballs will be flying at Cyclops Circle on Saturday.
That’s music to Larry Abrams’ ears.
Some of the top men’s slow-pitch teams in the area will be in action beginning at 9 a.m. at the recently-revived four-field complex on the city’s north side in the Cyclops Bash for Cash.
The manager of the Richland County Merchants, Abrams was heavily involved in the management of the complex in the mid-2000s. He had a ringside seat as interest in the men’s game waned and Cyclops gradually slipped into disrepair.
“I ran the fields years ago … and I’ve definitely missed it,” Abrams said Friday afternoon as he dodged raindrops to put the finishing touches on the new dugouts. “It was tough for a lot of us to see the park be neglected. There was grass growing in the infield and I just hated it.
“I’ve been around the game for almost 30 years and I took over those fields probably 15 years ago and it just got to be too much.”
One of the marquee games will be at 9 a.m. on Field 2 when Abrams’ Richland County Merchants take on BCU Electric. The championship game of the 10-team, double-elimination event is scheduled for 4 p.m., with a second title game to follow if necessary.
Not even Friday’s showers could dampen Abrams’ spirit.
“I’m going to be down there all day pushing water off the field and let the wind dry them out before tomorrow,” Abrams said. “I think we’ll be able to get the tournament in and I’m really looking forward to it.”
