Sweaty, sunburned, dirty and exhausted. That's how Joe Smith and his three sons plan to spend Father's Day.
"Can't beat that," Joe said.
As members of the D-division team the Farm Boys, the Smith men want nothing more than to hoist the trophy today at the end of the 2009 Jock's Nitch Softball Classic. When asked on Saturday what their Father's Day plans were, all three sons — Jamie, Jay and Josh — said, in unison, "winning this thing."
But while winning is always the name of the game, it's not the only reason the Smiths have competed in the annual tournament for the past decade. It's also about family. It's about spending Father's Day weekend doing exactly what Joe Smith loves to do — play ball with his boys.
"I've played in this tournament for close to 20 years," he said. "It was always fun to bring the boys with me. I coached them when they were younger and had a lot of fun with them. But this is the ultimate — to play on the same team with them. It's one of the best experiences to get to play ball with your boys. And there's nothing better than spending Father's Day with your boys."
Joe did not play in this year's tournament, as he no longer plays in United States Specialty Sports Association events. He does play in other leagues, though, and having their dad on the field with them is still a thrill for his sons.
"It's a lot of fun just being with him at the park," Jamie said. "And that's especially true on Father's Day. We always went out to the park when we were kids. Being out here now, we try to remember some of the things he taught us when we were younger. It's doesn't always work out and sometimes we still get our (butts) chewed."
Josh Smith said several father-son combinations have played for the Farm Boys over the years.
"You can't ask for anything better than to play with your family," he said, "especially your dad. We get together and have a good time with friends and family, whether we win or not. It's a great experience every year."
Jay Smith said the team started "with our family and another family."
"So it's basically one big reunion for a lot of people every year," he said. "It's a great time and it's always good to have your father with you."
PITTSBURG —
