Bob Reinhold's dedication to eastern Hillsborough County lives on through a commemorative softball tournament.
By Terry Jones
Published February 27, 2004
BRANDON - Youth athletics in eastern Hillsborough County were always a big part of the Reinhold family lifestyle.
Bob Reinhold graduated from Brandon High in 1968 and immediately made the surrounding community his home.
His wife, Jeannie, graduated from Brandon in 1970, and his daughter, Nickie, finished her Eagle career in 2000. Reinhold's son, John, attended Armwood High, where he continued baseball and football careers that began at North Brandon Little League and the Brandon Cowboys youth football program.
Reinhold and his family were active with the athletic booster clubs at Armwood and Brandon high schools, and he worked as a volunteer for the two youth programs for baseball and football. Those duties encompassed tasks ranging from working the concession stands to cleaning the fields to officiating.
That ended three years ago when Reinhold died of a heart attack at age 50.
But that doesn't mean the giving has stopped.
To commemorate his twin brother's involvement in Brandon community sports, Ken Reinhold established the Bob Reinhold Memorial Softball Tournament last year. The tournament, which features 12 teams of men and women, is designed to contribute to the financial needs of the booster clubs at Armwood and Brandon high schools and the two youth programs in the area.
"We had eight teams donate $250 each to play in the tournament, and we distributed $500 to each of the four organizations last year," Ken Reinhold said.
Some of the participating teams are established, and others are put together just for the tournament. Twelve teams, sponsored at $300 each, signed up to play in this year's double elimination tournament, scheduled to start at 8 a.m. March 6 at J.C. Handley Field off Kings Avenue, north of Bloomingdale Avenue. In case of bad weather, the backup date is March 13. Reinhold said he needs volunteer umpires. Oh, and some fans in the stands.
"We invite the public to come out for a day of fun watching community softball," Reinhold said. "We also invite contributions to help the four organizations help the youngsters in our community."
Anyone interested in helping with the tournament or contributing to the trust can call Ken Reinhold at 685-4252 or e-mail him at bridgestop@aol.com
