August 19, 2019 | By Jaymi Firestone

Cancer has touched most of our lives in one way or another, whether you have been diagnosed with cancer yourself, or you have a family member or friend who has, we all have some connection to the dreadful disease. It is something that is difficult for those diagnosed, as well as their loved ones.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), in this year alone (2019) there will be an estimated 1.7 million new cancer cases diagnosed, and over 606,000 deaths due to cancer in the United States. These numbers are staggering, but thanks to the research done by the American Cancer Society, the survival rate is higher than it has ever been. In 1991, during the tobacco epidemic, there were approximately 215 deaths per 100,000 people fighting cancer. A study in 2016 showed that that rate had dropped by 27% to 156 deaths per 100,000 people. The numbers prove that research has helped with early detection, treatment, and ultimately survival. Because of this success, cities across the United States have joined the movement to help ACS raise money to further study this dreadful disease, in hopes of one day finding a cure.

Our communities are no different. Clovis and Portales have been part of this for many years with events year-round to get people involved and gather funding to benefit cancer research. Both communities host an annual Relay for Life, and Portales has an event called the “Portales Relay for Life Mushball Tournament.”

You may be wondering what Mushball is.

To put it simply, the game is played like softball. The difference is in the ball. You can see in the photo below, it is 16 inches in diameter, rather than the typical 11 inch ball used in softball. The mushballs become “mushier” the longer you play with them, making the travel distance shorter as the game continues, which ultimately makes it harder to score.

The tournament has been happening annually for the last several years, and has raised thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society. The community has joined together with a great response for this event, and the event coordinator, Connie Cuevas-Flores is hoping this year will be no different.

Cuevas-Flores began her involvement with Portales’ Relay for Life in the early 2000s. She said, “I saw what a great event it was and how the community came together to raise money for the American Cancer Society. All of us have been touched by cancer one way or the other. Some have won their battle and some have lost their battle to cancer.” She has seen over the last decade plus how ACS has helped cancer research, and the immense leaps they’ve made in prolonging and saving lives of those who are diagnosed.

“I participate in the ACS events as I feel it’s important to me to participate to help raise money, to keep the hope, save lives, to help fight for a world without cancer. It also helps with research,” Cuevas-Flores added. “We as volunteers, the community and I, have hosted this event together as a team. Our Mushball Tournament consists of volunteers helping each other. Everyone helps out, including the spokesperson, umpires, scorekeepers, registering /coaching their teams etc.”

There are up to 16 teams of 12-16 players that make up the tournament field, a lot of which participate every year, and it is a great event to bring people together. The proceeds of this year’s event however will go to Hope Lodge in Lubbock, which provides free lodging to cancer patients age 12 and older, as well as their caregivers. This year will be the inaugural event to benefit the Hope Lodge, because 65% of the residents that stay there are from Eastern New Mexico. These funds will directly benefit people in this community, which makes it all the more special.

Cuevas-Flores added, “As a community we all come together to fight, but mostly as a softball family.”

She never could have imagined such amazing results of the annual event. “I play softball for the Clovis Womens’ League, and I have been part  of the Relay for Life for years and years,” she said, and mentioned she just dreamed the idea up one day to have a mushball tournament and is so proud of the way it has turned out each year. “I kept thinking about it and decided to do it.” She now has been the organizer for the event for 5 years, and is looking forward to another successful tournament in 2019.

Each year, an honorary cancer survivor is designated for the event. For the 2019 tournament, the honorary survivor is Laurie Hall of Portales.

Laurie was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2017. She had 2 surgeries in just 3 weeks, because the cancer had spread beyond what they originally expected. She began her recovery, feeling confident the cancer had been removed successfully.

Unfortunately, later that year, they found a mass on her colon and small intestine. She then had to undergo another surgery to remove part of her colon where the mass had formed, and thankfully, it was successfully removed. “Today, I am 2 years cancer-free and thankful for each day. It is a blessing to still be here with my family and friends, living life,” Laurie said. The first pitch of the 2019 Mushball tournament will be thrown in Laurie’s honor, by her best friend, Amy Dickerson!

Not only are proceeds going to a worthy cause that will benefit our very own communities, but its a lot of fun for participants! The organizers have added a little extra to this year’s event. You can participate in the annual mushball tournament, or the brand new Kickball tournament!!!

But wait, there’s more!

You can also enter into a home run derby for just $5. There will be a woman’s division, as well as one for men.

Each participant will provide their own regulation softballs, and will get 10 swings for the first round. The 2 men and 2 women with the most home runs will move on to the final round of each division. The 4 finalists will get 10 more swings each, and the winner of each division with the most home runs wins a trophy!

Jessica Roark is in charge of the derby, and has been a participant of the Mushball Tournament for the last 3 years. She said, “I like the sense of giving back and helping those that need it so much. We can do a fundraiser that brings awareness and let’s everyone have fun at the same time!”

The 2019 Mushball & Kickball Tournament is scheduled for September 14 at the Portales Softball Complex.

Participation fee for Mushball is $150 per team. To participate in the first ever Kickball Tournament, the cost is only $50 per team. Proceeds from entry fees will be donated to Hope Lodge in Lubbock.

If you don’t want to participate, come watch the teams play! A portion of the concession proceeds will also be donated to Hope Lodge. Come cheer on one of the teams and help support a worthy cause!

To participate in either the mushball or kickball tournaments, or if you have questions about the event, please contact Connie Cuevas-Flores (event organizer) at 575-693-9555.

If you’d like to participate in the home run derby or have questions about it, please contact Jessica Roark at 575-791-2995.

Resources: American Cancer Society Website