The Smyrna Merchants men’s traveling softball team is making its comeback.

The team disbanded at one point in the 90s, but now the Smyrna Merchants have reorganized and they’re picking up where the old team left off.

Brandon Dunning and Torrie James followed up on an idea to bring the team back, and they found plenty of people and sponsors who were interested.

“Myself and Torrie began making phone calls and visits to local businesses and before we knew it, the idea quickly became a reality and we soon realized how excited people were to be involved,” Dunning said.

Several local businesses signed on as sponsors for the team: Willis Ford, Willis Chevrolet, Sheridan's Irish Pub, Marcum Contracting, D Jay's Music for Occasions, Atlantic Apothecary, and State Farm Insurance – Richard Downs.

Dunning said the majority of the players are from Smyrna, Clayton, Middletown and the surrounding areas. The players range in age from 21 to their mid-40s, he said.

The team hopes to compete at a high level and have a good time in the process.

The Smyrna Merchants recently competed in their first tournament of the season on August 2 and 3, and they have a couple more tournaments coming up soon.

The team will travel to Wilmington on September 6 and head to Ocean City, Maryland on the weekend of September 20-21.

“We want to represent our sponsors in the best way possible on and off the field,” Dunning said. “We hope that as many citizens as possible will come out and support us at our tournaments and if that’s not possible, then show your support for us by visiting our sponsors. Tell them who sent you.”

Smyrna Merchants finish third in debut tournament

On August 2, the Smyrna Merchants took third place in the ISA Delaware State Championships.

“This was our first tournament that we played in together, so we are excited about what the future may bring as we get better,” Dunning said.

The Smyrna Merchants finished with a 2-2 record in the tournament. The team lost its opener 8-11, but bounced back by winning its next two games by the scores of 9-5 and 22-5, and closed out the tournament with a 21-11 loss.

Gary Everage went 9 for 11 and scored three runs for the Smyrna Merchants. He hit two homeruns, two triples, and finished with 10 RBI.

Dave Ramsey batted 7 for 11, scored nine runs, hit a homerun and batted in six runs.

Tyler Reynolds was also 7 for 11 in the tournament. He scored four runs, hit a homer and had seven RBI.

Brian Mast batted 8 for 12 and scored six runs.