MSBL World Series Team Profile: Paladin, managed by Vince Overfeldt
By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications
MSBL Hall of Fame member and MSBL Honor Roll inductee Vince Overfeldt rides herd over Paladin, an MSBL World Series team with a long history in Arizona. The past New Mexico MSBL league president can also be found with his Paladin teammates in Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Kickoff Classic and Las Vegas Open, among other regional tournaments, including past appearances in San Diego.
Why the name Paladin?
“For those of you old enough to remember, I loved the TV show ‘Have Gun Will Travel’ with Richard Boone,” explained Vince. “He was called Paladin so, what the heck?”
Vince was an avid softball player and attended New Mexico State University. But like many of us, there was something missing.
“I returned to the real game at the age of 48. One of my slow-pitch teammates was playing in the Albuquerque MSBL and invited me to play. I’ve been playing ever since. We formed Paladin as an MSBL tourney team in 2007. We actually won the American Division 55+ ring that year at the World Series! It’s been a long time between rings but we hope to capture another one soon.
Before that, as a player, I won a ring in 2003 with the Phoenix 50’s in the 48+ wood Federal division. I owe a big thanks to Wally Kopp, manager of Phoenix ’50s and a past Paladin player, for getting me going in MSBL baseball tournaments.”
Paladin is usually in the thick of it but Vince makes no bones about being placed where they are.
“Playing the Sacramento Tribe and LA Athletics isn’t a lot of fun and we can’t compete with their endless list of quality players. But we still take them on. We’ll be in the 70-over Cactus division this year and look to be competitive. We’ll only have 13 or 14 guys, including maybe a half dozen new guys. I use the player pool, too. We’ll stay in the 70s a couple of more years and then dive into the 73s or 75s when we all come of age.”
What is the secret to recruiting new players?
“I am always on the lookout like most teams are. I start in May watching people and contacting them. If they can commit and like what we have to offer, we’ll bring them along. We go to Arizona to win but we want to have a good time along the way. Winning is good but you have to enjoy yourself. If they agree with our philosophy, they’re in.”
Are there any special person or Paladin moments to share and any people to thank along the way?
“The ring we won in 2007 is the highlight of my personal and team World Series career so far. The final out still looks like slow motion in my memory. That is what sticks out.
Karl Quebe and Roland Azcuy have been with me and the Paladins since the beginning. They are two of my closest friends.
The MSBL regional and national tournaments are great since you get to play against other teams your age from throughout the country. It’s just a great time. Paladin and I look forward to the competition and camaraderie every year. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.”