Back on the field

CLOVIS - The Custom Classic is a longstanding conglomeration of double-elimination softball tournaments at Guy Leeder Softball Complex.

That's the techincal definition. But a stroll through the complex Friday night often felt more like a family reunion. The tournament made its return Friday after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tournament organizer Roger Jackson said this year's tournament fielded only three fewer teams than the 2019 version. He predicted the number would be closer to 20.

"You miss the people," Jackson said from the director's office, before ribbing a veteran Custom Classic player who walked in. "Even though you hate them, you miss them. We have such a good relationship with our ball players, it's tough (to miss a year)."

It was evident at each field, where teams were in the dugout as early as 45 minutes before first pitch. Jaden Stephens was an early arriver with most of her Xtreme Heat teammates. Last year aside, Stephens doesn't remember a year she hasn't played at Guy Leeder and treasures the Lil' Custom championship ring that long ago became a necklace when her fingers outgrew it.

As she picked up a T-shirt from the ASP trailer in the center of the complex, Stephens said she was devastated to lose the tournament last year because it's really the only sport she gets to play since graduating from Texico High.

It goes without saying she was overjoyed to make the trip from Lubbock to see her longtime teammates and friends.

"I teared up, honestly," Stephens said when the tournament was confirmed. "I was so excited to play."

It's even nice for the people who don't ever step into a batter's box. Brandon Roberts of North Carolina and Stacey Benzing of California were glad to be in the ASP trailer selling pretty much any softball gear somebody could need, whether the customer needs to replace an old item, fill in for a forgotten one or just wants something different.

Roberts usually does sales at 100 tournaments a year, and Clovis tournaments are usually his best weekends. He sells mostly T-shirts and shorts at the summer Custom Classic, and does a custom long-sleeve tee for the chillier Halloween Howwwl.

"This field has an atmosphere, this complex," Roberts said. "The food's good, the people are good."

Jeff Greene, an assistant tournament director, said the last year the calls have been non-stop. He understood the frustration, but said there was a big picture as well. He loves the Custom as much as anybody, but he wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing a tournament he supervised caused an outbreak.

"It was really strange," Greene said. "Everybody wanted to play. The biggest thing is this - this is for fun, and health is for real."