MARCH 11, 2026 www.wintertexantimes.com 20 WINTER TEXAN TIMES 956-580-3370 • Short Term Rentals Available linnetezride@gmail.com www.easyridegolfcars.com Easy Ride Golf Cars *0% financing available with approved credit. Available on new carts only, model years 2020-2026. Offer available now through March 31, 2026. To pre-qualify for 0% financing, visit prequalify.yamahacard.com REDUCED 2020 Yamaha EFI Gas 30 day warranty on parts Head & Tail lights $4,000 New Yamaha Drive2 PTV Quietech EFI Head & Tail lights Windshield Mirror 2 USB Ports Hour/Gas Gauge Horn 10” Tire & Wheel 4 Year Limited Factory Warranty Finance Available $9,200 New Yamaha Drive2 Electric Custom Wheels Windshield Mirror 4 year Limited Factory warranty Finance Available $8,775 The morning of Cam-Am softball began with the pledge of allegiance led by the league’s chief financial officer Arturo Santana, followed by the U.S. and Canadian anthems. The team members were then asked to introduce themselves and where they were from. And then it was “play ball” on the two diamonds in the tournament that wrapped up the two-and-a-halfmonth-long season. The number of players on teams in the two divisions was less than last year, but league secretary Michael Brower hopes to increase that number next year. The league is open to both men and women with about a dozen of the latter getting in playing time during the Division B tournament game. About half of the players are Winter Texans. Among the spectators was Ed Martens, who started the league 32 years ago. It was known initially as the Ed Martens Senior Texan League. Martens has a history of some 50 years of playing ball which included the first 25 in St. Paul, MN where he was raised. He also coached junior league baseball for young teens for about 20 years. He was proud to mention his son was a good player too. When in the military service during the 1950s, Martens was paid a little to play softball in the Philippines and hardball in Japan. He noted his commanding Air Force officer was Col. Frank Borman, later an astronaut and part of the first space rendezvous and then commander of Apollo 8 flight that was first to orbit the moon. Martens, who spends five or six months each winter living in Bentson Grove Resort, said he sees softball here as a place for having fun. “You meet some great people playing ball,” he added. Just down the street in the park from Martens are Don and Shelly Legarlt, who were in the stands supporting the Canadians. They were dressed in Canadian red and had several national flags. Don said they came to watch, noting there were eight or 10 other ball players from the park who were in the league. The couple, from Saskatchewan, have been at the RV resort for 16 winters. Don said they briefly had tried Arizona and Florida, but came back to Texas, where they think the weather is better and it’s more reasonable cost wise for Canadians. Shelly mentioned that they farm up north and when not doing that they get in a little traveling around. Brower, from Michigan who has played in the past and umpired the Division A game on Friday, is already thinking about next season, which will start off with drafting of players next December. He is hoping for renewed interest and a large turnout. It’s nice to enjoy playing baseball in the winter in south Texas. Be sure to watch the Winter Texan Times where announcements for when the draft takes place will be printed in the fall. SOFTBALL From pg. 1 A Canadian batter takes aim on the pitch headed his way. (Photo by Herb Moering)
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