By DAHALIA SMITH,NG Sports Reporter,dahalia@nasguard.com

The Masters Softball Association (MSA), in collaboration with Florida's Senior Moments Softball, hosted the 3rd Bahama Ball Cruise Tournament on Tuesday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. In the end, many promised to return.

Two exhibition masters games, sanctioned by the Bahamas Softball Federation, were held between the Shelby and Glen teams. Only players between the ages of 50 to 85 were allowed to participate. Shelby won the first game 18-11 and Glen won the second, 20-9. The highlight of the games were home runs blasted by Glen Forest and Ray Johnson.

MSA's Anthony 'Bones' Weech and Florida's Shelby Simmons entertained the idea to host exhibition games between Bahamian and Florida masters teams several years ago. Over the past three years, Simmons played an integral role in getting the teams to The Bahamas.

As the co-organizer for the event, Simmons sent a notice out last July to interested players who live in Florida and are above the age of 50, and booked reservations for them to travel as a team onboard the Carnival Sensation to The Bahamas for the tourney.

"Overall, the tournament went well. We love the beautiful weather and the calm seas made the trip very smooth. We have commitments from several players already to return next year. More than anything it is the great hospitality that keeps us coming back," he said. "We always meet new players and bring new players to the islands on each trip we make down here. In return, the people who we bring down here spread the word and even more people from Orlando become interested in this annual tournament."

Co-organizer Weech is impressed that the event is becoming more and more popular.

"The guys who played out here had a really good time and we are in the process of seeing if we can take a Bahamian team to Florida some time soon. I met Shelby some time ago and so far the tournaments have been running smoothly in New Providence and Grand Bahama," said Weech.

As the MSA President, Weech added: "The Bahamas' main industry, tourism, also benefits from these teams coming in from Florida because they also bring their friends and family on the cruises. This type of tournament is also good because it gives the local masters players a chance to play against Floridian teams instead of the regular MSA teams."

In related news, the MSA resumed its regular season over the weekend and was scheduled to continue play this Saturday, but the games slated for this Saturday have been postponed due to the funeral service of prominent sports broadcaster, Phill Smith. Smith's funeral is set for 11:00 a.m. this Saturday at St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral on West Street.

Sunday's MSA games will remain as scheduled. The first game starts at 1:00 p.m. between the Six Pack Abs and the Agnes Lions. At 3:00 p.m., the Miller Lite Royals will play Andeaus Insurance Brokers.