Twenty-six softball players from around Michigan gathered at Clintonwood Park on August 4 to crown the 8th Annual Michigan Home Run Derby champion.
Spectators watched the participants hit over 115 home runs before Rob Stafford of Waterford took home the $300 first prize.
Stafford, Matt Sweeten of White Lake and Sed McCollum of Flint each hit seven home runs in the first round. In a five pitch playoff, Stafford hit three home runs to capture the championship.
Stafford, who was one of the first 10 hitters, said he was surprised nobody hit more than seven after he went.
‘I was a little nervous, there are a lot of good hitters out here,? Stafford said. ‘I thought for sure someone was going to get eight or nine, but seven held up. This is my fifth year doing this and I never placed before.?
Three Clarkston residents took part in the event. Rodney Mullins, Tood Frosten and Dwayne Lile all competed in the derby. Forsten and Lile finished in a seven-way tie for ninth place with five home runs each.
Lile finished in second place last year and was a little disappointed with his place this year, but said he had fun.
‘It’s always a good time,? Lile said. ‘A lot of great players come together. It’s nice to come out here and just have some fun. It’s always so serious during the season, so it’s nice to come out here and relax.
‘I would have like to been a little more patient. I think I would have done a little better if I was more patient. It’s so easy to get up there and get all excited, and not take a pitch. You get to take five pitches. The more relaxed you are the better off your going to be.?
Forsten, who finished in second place in 2001, said he enjoys giving the fans a show and was pleased with his performance.
‘I thought I did well,? Forsten said. ‘I hit five. The balls were flying out of here tonight, so unfortunately you had to hit six or seven to have a chance, but I’m happy with five. That was my goal coming in.?