Sandy Recreational Softball Crowns a New Champion And Remembers A Beloved Friend
By Daniel Crawford, The Sandy Standard
The 2026 co-ed recreational softball league came to a close with a dominating performance by the Hoodlums as they out-slugged Fully Loaded 19 - 12.
The Hoodlums tallied 22 base hits and took advantage of four walks as they bedazzled their opponent with a hitting clinic. Every player in Hoodlums batting line-up contributed something to the cause, but it was two key defensive plays that squelched two futile rallies by Fully Loaded that sealed the deal.
Hoodlums third baseman Mike Simkovic gloved a hard-hit shot down the line to put an end to a bases-loaded rally, and left fielder Lukas Johnson made an improbable catch with two runners on base to end the second rally.
By rule, teams are limited to scoring five runs during innings one through six. The Hoodlums reached the limit three times while Fully Loaded recorded only one maximum inning. In seven innings of play, Fully Loaded was held to two runs or less, including two goose eggs, in five of the seven innings.
Recreation Coordinator Carol Cohen presented the Hoodlums with an impressive yet generic trophy to the Hoodlums which merely read ‘2026 Champions.” The 2026 trophy was made generic on purpose due to a gaffe made by Cohen during the 2025 season trophy presentation. She laughs about it now, but Cohen was just doing what any practical time-saving Recreation Coordinator would do to stay ahead the moment.
“In 2025 there was a team that rolled through the season undefeated. And they were again mowing down their opponents without a loss throughout the playoffs. Before the Championship game, I had ordered the 2025 trophy with the undefeated team name engraved on the trophy. But the undefeated team lost the Championship game and I had to order a new trophy,” said Cohen.
The 2026 softball season marked the first year the league played without a familiar face and friend Jeff Flood. Known to all as ‘Pee Wee’, Flood lost his life in a tragic motor vehicle accident in 2025. Flood had played in the Sandy co-ed softball league for 16 years, forming meaningful friendships with players and umpires alike. Both teammates and rivals loved Flood for his larger-than-life personality and the way he carried himself on the field. Flood was an infielder known for tossing his mitt into the air at line drives that were hit in his direction but just out of reach.
Before the Championship game, players from both teams honored Flood by tossing their gloves into the air in a touching tribute to their legendary friend.
The ceremonial first pitch was a perfect strike delivered by Flood’s girlfriend Casey Ingraham with a softball marked by a Sharpie that read ‘In memory of Jeff “Pee Wee” Flood’.
“Jeff knew and loved everyone in this league and they all loved him back,” said Ingraham.
Flood was nicknamed ‘Pee Wee’ by his father (also named Jeff) who was a big fan of Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodger shortstop Harold ‘Pee Wee” Reese.
The champion Hoodlum team unselfishly gathered for a picture with the trophy and to share their victory in homage to their late friend by posing with a custom-made uniform with Flood’s name and his number – 23 – on the back, and decorated with a picture of Flood with his two boys on the sleeve.