The 51st annual First Ward Falcon Club Men’s Fastpitch Softball Tournament is underway.

The festivities kicked off on Friday afternoon with its newest addition to the tradition, the Old Timers and Girls Game. Players from the past 51 years of the tournament took the field at Promenschenkel Stadium to relive the glory days of the tournament that meant so much to them.

“These were some of the best friends I ever had in my life,” said Mike “Harvey” Tofil, co-founder of the tournament. “The guys that I met through softball are terrific. … A lot of good memories here.”

The participants in the Old Timers and Girls Game spanned generations, from “Harvey” Tofil, who originally organized the tournament back in 1975, to his daughter, Alexis, who helped coordinate the City of Dunkirk’s support of the event this year as Youth and Recreation Coordinator.

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Tournament co-founder Mike “Harvey” Tofil delivers a pitch during the Old Timers and Girls Game on Friday at Promenschenkel Stadium.

“Harvey” Tofil said that last year’s Old Timers and Girls Game was fun, and he wasn’t even sore afterwards, despite not pitching for 14 years before he was asked to play. He was excited to play again this year, and just like he did a year ago, he added a little extra to his pitches when his daughter came up to the plate.

Tofil organized the tournament for the first 25 years, along with co-founder Jim “Tails” Fafinski before Tim “Dopey” Wdowiasz took over. He has run it ever since. After the 50th anniversary of the tournament a year ago, there was thought that the tournament would not continue, but the softball community rallied together to keep the tradition alive.

“I enjoy it too much to give it up,” Wdowiasz said. He added that talks of a travel softball team in Dunkirk gave him hope that the future of the tournament could be bright.

Last year’s idea to pay homage to the players of the past continued this year with many of the same faces. Some players were in their 70s, and one was 81, but they all came together to enjoy a game, even with poor air quality and smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

“The Old Timers Game was fun. No one got hurt, that’s the best part of it. It’s nice to see the old faces out here having a good time,” Wdowiasz said.

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Tournament organizer Tim Wdowiasz smiles as he walks back to the dugout during the Old Timers and Girls Game on Friday in Dunkirk.

Tofil pitched his team’s half of the contest on Friday, which lasted two innings. Each side batted through the order once per inning. Ryan Tofil finished the contest by belting a ball deep to left field, over his cousin Alexis’ head, after calling his shot. He made it all the way around the bases and beat the throw home by a step for an inside-the-park home run.

After being one of the original players to participate a half-century ago, “Harvey” Tofil continued playing for close to 40 years. Just like any competitive athlete — whether in the major leagues or just for a weekend on a field in Dunkirk — it is the losses that stick in your mind even more than the wins.

Tofil still remembers a tournament more than 40 years ago where his team nearly won it all, back in late July of 1983. After a rainout on that Saturday, Tofil’s team needed to play eight straight games to win the championship. They came within a run, and with the tying run on third base, a base hit appeared to tie the game.

Instead, the other team appealed that there was tape missing on the bat, just as the Yankees did during George Brett’s infamous pine tar tirade that same summer. Tofil said that roughly 1,500 people watched as the visitors were successful in their appeal. The batter was called out and the game ended, with Tofil’s team losing 3-2.

“If it wouldn’t have been for George Brett, nobody would’ve thought anything of it,” Tofil said. “… It’s over 40 years ago and it’s still fresh in my mind.”

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Alexis Tofil laughs from the outfield grass during the Old Timers and Girls Game on Friday at Promenschenkel Stadium.

Eight teams are participating in this year’s tournament, which continues all day today before a 2:30 p.m. Sunday championship game at Promenschenkel Stadium. Teams from Ohio, Canada, and all throughout New York are participating.

“The guys are ecstatic to keep coming back,” Wdowiasz said. “A lot of familiar faces will be here.”

In addition to the action on the field, the First Ward Falcon Club will have a food and beverage tent set up all weekend at the pavilion across from the stadium. Today, from 7-10 p.m., Ion Sky will perform at the First Ward Falcon Club.

The tournament will feature some of the best fastpitch softball pitching in the world, including Juan Jose Pepe, who pitched for the Argentinian World Cup team in 2023.

“This year’s tournament is going to be a tough one with some of the names of the pitchers that are coming in. It’s going to be a battle to win the prize,” Wdowiasz said.