Danny B Suicide Awareness Jack and Jill softball tourney returns at Gile

By JEAN NORDINE

jnordine@yourdailyglobe.com

GILE, Wis. - The eighth annual Danny B Suicide Awareness Jack and Jill Softball tournament is slated for Aug. 25-26 at Gotta's field in Gile.

The tournament originated as a tribute to the memory of Danny Baross, who lost his battle with depression and committed suicide in 2009.

This year the tournament committee expects to top the $20,000 total that they have raised for Range Suicide Prevention Council over the past seven years of holding the Danny B.

Interested teams can contact tournament director Bryan Sokolowski at 906-364-2587 or e-mail bryan_michael_john@hotmail.com.

Baross was an avid softball player. At the time of his death, his long-time friend, Sokolowski, and other former teammates were planning to organize a softball tournament and they decided it would be fitting to name the tournament after Baross and it was suggested proceeds from the tourney be donated to the RSPC.

Some of the money from the tournament has been given to Gotta's Field to help keep it in shape. Neil Gilbertson, owner of the field, has been using the donations to make Gotta's, according to Sokolowski, "one of the best ballfields around." In the works are new lights, a new concession stand and a two-story score box.

The tournament also donates $500 each year to the Polar Bear Hockey Club of which Baross was very involved in coaching and refereeing.

Sokolowski said the initial year of the tourney they didn't know what to expect and thought it would just be a one-time thing. But after experiencing the overwhelming support and participation from the community, they knew it should be an annual event. The tournament is held annually on the weekend before Labor Day weekend.

The tournament committee takes a lot of pride in putting on the last tournament of the local season. It is always held the weekend before Labor Day.

The Baross family runs the concession stand. Sokolowski said, "I have been a part of many tournaments and I don't think I've ever seen a harder working group behind the tables. And you can just tell how much it really means to them to be out there doing this in Danny's name."

Suicide prevention

"Depression and suicide can happen to anyone," said Sokolowski. "Anyone you know. Your brother, your aunt, your best friend, co-worker. And many times it (depression) is something that goes untreated, for many years in some cases, even without anyone close to that person knowing it.

"It's not prejudicial. Doesn't matter the color of your skin, where you live, whether you're rich or poor... just ask the loved ones of the famous, but now deceased, actor Robin Williams. He battled depression for many years they say. Much like Danny did."

According to Pat Gallinagh, RSPC president, the Danny B tournament is a great source of income for RSPC, whose motto is, "Working toward prevention through education."

RSPC was created in 1996 as a grassroots organization whose intent was to prevent suicides and respond to suicide-related crises.

The council works to prevent premature deaths due to suicide across the lifespan through coordinated community action.

They promote education and awareness through regional conferences, community events, life-keeper quilts, multi-media and a healthy communities/healthy youth movement.

According to Gallinagh, better mental health and suicide prevention go hand in hand. "To prevent suicide you must treat depression, as most suicides stem from depression," he said.

The aim is to remove the stigma associated with suicide and tear down the shame and silence that goes with it. Suicide is a public health problem that is preventable.

RSPC states some of the warning signs of suicide are:

-Talking about suicide.

-Making statements about hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness.

-Preoccupation with death.

-Loss of interest in things one cares about.

-Making arrangements, setting one's affairs in order.

-Giving things away.

Gogebic County ranks eighth statewide in suicides, while Ontonagon County is second.

According to the Mayo Clinic if a friend or loved one talks or behaves in a way that makes someone believe he or she might attempt suicide, that person should not try to handle the situation alone. They should get help from a trained professional as quickly as possible and/or encourage the person to call a suicide hotline number.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 800-273-8255.