At the eighth annual F.A.S.T. (Father and Sons Trips) outing, the group journeyed to “The Steel City,” Pittsburgh, Pa. They were warmly received at the Sheraton Square Station Hotel due to the planning of Donna Zervoulis.
After enjoying the ballgames between the Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals and touring the city, the competition was scheduled. This year’s event would be shuffle board, a best of three series.
The fathers’ teams were comprised of Phil and Rich Baccarella, and Willie Lawson and Leo Smith Jr. The son’s teams were PJ and Ricky Baccarella, and Nick Lawson and Leo Smith III.
The showdown was scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Silky’s Bar and Grill, located in the Squirrel Hills section of Pittsburgh. Silky’s is one of the last establishments in Pittsburg that has a regulation size shuffle board table on the premises. After Silky’s manager and bartender, Jay Kimelman, explained the rules and regulations of the game, warm ups began and the game faces came out.
Once again, youthful exuberance and braggadocio proved to be no match for cool, calm and collected leadership. The fathers swept the sons by scores of 21-18 and 21-9.
The boys must now buy the group dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s new steakhouse in Manhattan at a date and time to be determined. More importantly, the fathers have maintained their bragging rights for another year.
Next year’s trip has been set. The destination is San Diego, Calif. The boys, who always pick the competition, are hinting that next year the games may take place on the beach – maybe volleyball or surfing. Whatever the games or the venue, rest assured that the fathers will be ready for the challenge.