Tournament story from the Nebraska ASA website

If you think your life is tough, then meet Ed Cable of Columbus, Ohio, one of the players in this week's Class C national softball tournament in Hastings. He has endured more than a lifetime of hardship. In 1992, Cable tragically lost his 17-year-old son in a car accident. In 2001, a serious injury to his face resulted in the loss of one of his eyes. He also has had two shoulder surgeries, rotator cuff surgery and he has helped his wife in her fight with cancer.

Then, on top of all that, this year Cable underwent triple-bypass surgery and his vehicle was among the targets of the sniper in Ohio who made national news for shooting at motorists traveling on the highway. Cable's vehicle was pierced by a bullet; he was uninjured. The loss of his son has been the most difficult.

"That was the hardest thing that I had to get over, and now accept, in my life," Cable said. "You have to have faith in the Lord and keep believing that there's something better and believe that there will be a better place eventually." His life story is an inspiration to his team, which lost the championship game against Grand Island Home Federal in 2001 when the Class C fastpitch national tournament was last in Hastings. Around him, his Ohio teammates on the Cyclones Fastpitch Club find it easy to keep life in perspective.

"You can't put what he has done into words," said Cyclone third-baseman Matt Wynn. "Without a doubt, he's one of the most inspirational guys ever. I remember early this season when I was tired, my arm was sore and I was complaining about my pulled hamstring. Then I see Ed and his big scar from his bypass, he's just one of the best guy's I've met in my life. "We're all very fortunate to have him on our team, and we all look up to him a lot."

Cable loves playing softball and enjoys the camaraderie of being part of team. "It's the traveling and meeting the thousands of people and making new friends It's the people that make the game," he said. Some of the best pitchers in fastpitch softball are older men who have been doing it for years. There aren't many younger pitchers. At age 54, Cable is a pitcher for the Cyclones.

"I'm really not in shape to play now, but I'm still here trying," he said. "I love this game, and I'm going to try and stay here as long as I can."

The Cyclones won their first game of the tournament 5-2 Thursday morning in a rematch from 2001 against Grand Island Home Federal.

Tournament notes:
One of the Edgar, Neb., players is competing in the tournament despite being seriously injured in a collision with another player about a month ago.

Second baseman/outfielder Darren Shaw, was hit in the face by a baserunner in a collision at first base. Shaw took a helmet to the side of his face next to his eye. The impact broke his eye socket in three spots, he said. A plate was surgically implanted two weeks ago.

"Half of my face is still numb, but the doctor says that it will recover with time," Shaw said.

Edgar was defeated 12-1 Thursday in five innings by Team Sandman of Utah.

A team from Florida was disqualified from the tournament Thursday for the use of an illegal player.