Tonkon’s on First! Over 20 Years in Portland’s Lawyer Softball League

All law and no play would make Tonkon Torp very dull indeed. The firm’s softball team, the Tonkon Torpedoes, is a favored summer outlet for Tonkon employees to gather, have fun, and chatter back at opposing teams in the Portland Lawyers Softball League.

The current Torpedo roster includes approximately 16 attorneys, paralegals, admins, and support staff, along with a few family and friends. Attorney Alex Tinker, the current team manager, shares a snapshot of the team, “our team ranges from little leaguers to grandparents, from the mailroom to senior attorneys. It’s a great way for us to build camaraderie, and the wide spread of skill and age keeps it light and fun.”

Since the Torpedoes were league champs in 2009 and 2014, this spread clearly works for the team. They only lost one game in the regular 2016 season before a second-round loss in the playoffs ended their bid for the championship.

Chris Erickson, who was the team manager for nine years before eventually passing the reins over to Alex, added, “We’ve had a team for 20 years, and some of our players have played nearly every year they have been with the firm. It’s a popular activity and we keep it relaxed. We take pride that we have no team uniforms!”

The Lawyer’s League, which is privately organized, includes 15 teams from Portland law firms of all sizes, as well as related organizations like the Multnomah District Attorney’s office and the Clackamas County Bar Association. During the five-week season in July and August, teams are matched up in seven games played at various Portland parks with umpires and official scoring. Playoffs determine the season champs and the winning firm holds bragging rights (since no trophy is provided) until the next year.

 

Posted in
Filed under