Second annual ‘Boomer’ Ethan Stahl Pool Tourney Saturday in Costa Mesa

Ethan Stahl with his father Harry and Ethan’s nephew Jack Cohen at an Angels game on July 18, 2018. (Photo courtesy Stahl family)

Friends of Ethan Stahl are invited to come by and take part in a pool tournament Saturday, July 24 at Goat Hill Tavern in Costa Mesa in honor of the popular former University High baseball player who died last July 4 at the age of 43.

“Ethan loved to play pool and his favorite spot was the Goat Tavern in Costa Mesa,” said his father Harry Stahl. “Last year the Goat was the site of the inaugural ‘Boomer’ Stahl Pool Tournament.” (Boomer was Stahl’s nickname).

The second pool tournament, open to adults 21 and over, will start at noon on Saturday.

About 100 friends showed up at last year’s event, according to Harry Stahl.

“About half played pool and the rest just socialized,” he said. “It’s as much a social gathering of Ethan’s friends as it is a tournament.”

Stahl said last year’s event was held in November and with more people getting vaccinated from the coronavirus, he expects a bigger turnout this year.

The Goat Tavern now has a plaque dedicated to the tournament which has Ethan Stahl’s picture on it, his father added.

Stahl, who was in University High’s class of 1995, was a catcher on the Trojans’ baseball team that won the league title that season. Stahl, who was also used as a designated hitter, was with the program for four years.

Stahl, an all-league player his senior year, was a catcher and designated hitter for the Trojans with a batting average around .360. To read OC Sports Zone’s tribute to Ethan Stahl, click here.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com