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VBS Softball Team

We are proud to highlight our members who commit their time and resources to helping VBS thrive. Throughout the year, we will be sharing their stories and hope you will be inspired to learn more about our programs or get involved with a new project at VBS. To view articles written by VBS members, check out our Community News Blog > 

VBS Softball Team

With all the varied programs and activities at Valley Beth Shalom from the College of Jewish Studies to the Counseling Center, Hazak, Sisterhood, Men’s Club and Homelessness Task Force, just to name a few, there is one activity that many members may not be aware of -- the VBS softball team. Yes Virginia, (make that Shoshanna), there really is a VBS softball team.

It was formed in the late 1990s when then VBS member Brett Zatulove attended a wedding and met a man who was the commissioner of something called the Valley Synagogue Softball League. Zatulove was immediately intrigued.

“I thought, ‘what a great idea,’” Zatulove said. “And with our large membership, I felt we could easily field a team and hopefully be competitive.”

So he immediately put out the word, printed flyers, did some personal recruiting and held tryouts. The result was a 15-member team ready to play in the league’s 1999 season.

“Unfortunately, we were only 3-10 that season,” he recalled. “But it built the foundation for our future success.” Within a year, the team finished in second place in its division and in the subsequent 10 years under Zatulove’s coaching, the team was in the playoffs for seven of those years with four championships, throughout the league’s divisions.

Zatulove said being on the team was valuable in his job as a financial advisor as well. “It’s helped me to better understand how building relationships leads to success. That’s a valuable skill to have, whether on a sports team or in one’s profession.”

Ricky Mintz joined the team in its second year and is still involved. “For those of us who played a bit of baseball and softball in high school back in the day, it’s a lot of fun and keeps the competitive juices flowing,” he said. “There are about 15 of us on the team. And now that we’ve opened it up to 18 year-olds, I’m proud to say my son, Noah, 22, is playing this year, keeping the family tradition alive.”

Harry Cynamon was one of the original team members and its current coach. And over the last 10 years the team has garnered six more titles under his leadership. “You get to know people better year after year, and watch their families grow and eventually see some of their sons join us. I guess it’s our own small version of L Dor v’ Dor, from generation to generation.”

All three agree being on the VBS softball team offers a real feeling of being part of a community within a community.

“Not only do you get to know the players on your team, but also many of the players and their families on the other teams. It’s just like one great extended family,” Cynamon concluded.

Any member over 18 interested in trying out for the team should contact Coach Cynamon at cyking17@gmail.com.

Interview conducted by and article written by Jay Schuster

   

 

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784