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Transcription

WINTER
2010
REDEMPTION
FOR RESMONDO
AT THE USSSA
MAJOR WORLD
SERIES
Don DeDonatis III receiving the 2010 Major World Series MVP award
from USSSA Assistant Executive Director, Danny Brown.
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YOUR ONE STOP FOR SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL
Redemption for Resmondo
WORTH-sponsored team goes undefeated to win
USSSA Men’s Major World Series
By Greg Huchingson
photos by
Rachel Gossens
and Pete Spatula
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA – With almost 50 million visitors annually, Disney World in Florida
is by far the largest theme park in the world. But the theme of the 2010 USSSA Men’s Major
World Series, which was played Sept. 22-26 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Champions
Stadium located at Disney World, was “Redemption.”
continued on page 8
6 USSSA TODAY
CONTENTS
M A G A Z I N E
6028 Rayburn Dr. • Fort Worth,TX 76133
(817) 944-7484 • [email protected]
for
6 Redemption
Resmondo
48World Series Baseball
Executive Director, CEO USSSA
Don DeDonatis
Publisher, USSSA Today
Stafford Connor
for
21 Redemption
Resmondo
Annual Columbus
54 2nd
Softball “Legends of the
Managing Editor, USSSA Today
Greg Huchingson
Communications Director, USSSA
Tom O’Hara
& Women C
Robert Boudreaux
58 Ice Road
REEDESIGN
Contributing Writers
Game”
World Champions
22 2010
Men B, Women B
Design / Printing
Lebco Graphics
52 The Essence of Sport
Anytime
24 Ironpigs,
Garage Door hit jackpot
at Lone Star Shootout
Worlds in Las Vegas
Mike Cisneros
Brett Helmer
USSSA
602010
College Scholarship
Announcement
Scott Kuhnen
Sonya Montoya
John Phillips
John Pond
Paul Rose
SWAT 2010, “Cat
62 Osterman
Experience”
Whole Enchilada
32 The
Is A Whole Lotta Fun
Junior Golf
40Pop-A-Lock
Championship
Craig Scriven
Photographers
Brianne Cisneros
Roy Dean
Inc.’s “Compete
64PLU,
for a Cure” Softball
Tournament
Scott Duffy
Rachel Gossens
Larry Meraz
Daniel Odom
Pete Spatula
Kim Titus
USSSA Today is published quarterly. Publishing offices are
located at 6028 Rayburn Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76133. One
year subscription is $25; two year is $40. Reproduction or
use of the contents in whole or in part without prior written
permission of the publisher is prohibited. USSSA Today
welcomes unsolicited articles or photographs, but must be
accompanied with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for
return of unsolicited material.
Is My Game 42 Softball
Brett Helmer
National Soccer
662010
Series National
Championships
Duo Helps
46Worth
Resmondo Take USSSA
Title
Lakes Men’s C and
68Great
Women’s Nationals
USSSA TODAY
7
Just three weeks after losing to Dan
Smith/Menosse three games to one in
a best-of-five series at the Conference
USSSA Major Championships – with
two of the three losses being run-rules
– Resmondo/Worth redeemed themselves by cruising through five games to
win the biggest event of the year – the
Men’s Major World Series.
Resmondo/Worth outscored their opponents 141-to-41, which is an average of
28.2 to 8.2 per game. Even more impressive may have been the fact that they
outscored Dan Smith/Menosse, the only
other Major team in the tournament,
by a combined score of 55-to-20 in the
winner’s bracket finals and championship game – and both games were shortened by the mercy rule.
Resmondo’s pitcher, Andy Purcell- All Tournament
Resmondo’s 3B Dennis Rulli- All Tournament
8 USSSA TODAY
Resmondo/Worth, based in Winter
Haven, Fla., opened the tournament
with a 28-5 win over Suncoast/Reebok
from neighboring Sarasota, Fla. on
Wednesday night. The following day,
Resmondo/Worth crushed Logo Express,
a B team from Byron, Ga., 32-10.
Resmondo outscored Logo Express 9-0
in the first inning to set the tempo.
Logo Express rallied, thanks to a six-run
outburst in the third inning, to cut
the score to 18-9 after four innings.
But Resmondo exploded for 14 runs
in the top of the fifth, and when Logo
Express could only answer with one-run,
the game ended on a run-rule. B.J.
Fulk went 4-for-4 with 6 RBIs and Jeff
Wallace went 4-for-4 with 4 RBIs to pace
the victory. Matt Bunn went 3-for-3 with
a home run for Logo Express.
In the winner’s bracket semi-finals on
Friday night, Resmondo/Worth faced
Cinderella story Fencebrokers/Worth
from Bryant, Ark. Resmondo got off
to a fast start and never looked back,
winning 26-6. After FBI failed to score
in the top of the first inning, Resmondo
put up an 11 spot. They added seven
more in both the second and third
frames. By the time Resmondo batted
in the fourth inning, they needed just
one-run to complete the 20-run-rule
and they got it. Greg Connell and Jeff
Wallace each went 4-for-4, while Bobby
Hughes and Brian Rainwater each hit a
pair of home runs. Perry Hensley went
2-for-2 with a home run and three RBIs
for Fence Brokers.
Dan Smith’s 1B, Ryan Thiede- All Tournament
Dan Smith’s OF Brian Wegman- All Tournament
Finally, the much-anticipated rematch
with Dan Smith came in the finals of
the winner’s bracket Saturday night.
Resmondo/Worth started the game
especially emotional and scored five
runs in the top of the first inning,
and 11 more in the second to open a
commanding 16-1 lead. By the fourth
inning, Resmondo/Worth had flipflopped Dan Smith from home to visitors, before finishing them off with a
satisfying 29-11 victory. Don DeDonatis
III went 4-for-4 with a pair of home runs
and six RBIs to lead the attack. Bryson
Baker went 4-for-4 with a home run
and five RBIs, while Bobby Hughes went
4-for-4 with four RBIs. Brian Wegman
went 3-for-3 with a home run and three
RBIs for Dan Smith, while Brett Helmer
added a pair of home runs.
Dan Smith dropped to the loser’s bracket
and took a full seven innings to get past
Fence Brokers/Worth in a nail-biter,
23-22, to advance to the championship
game. In what was one of the best games
of the tournament, FBI scored five runs
in each of the first two innings to open
a 10-2 lead over the heavy favorites. FBI
managed three more runs in the top of
the third, but Dan Smith answered with
11 runs to tie the game, 13-13. After
two more innings, the scored was still
tied, 21-21, after the fifth. FBI put up a
goose-egg in the top of the sixth (their
2010 USSSA Major World Champions: Resmondo Sports/Specialty Tank/PhoneMaster/Worth Sports
The 2010 Major World Series All Tournament Team.
second straight inning without scoring
a run) and Dan Smith answered with
one to take a 22-21 lead. The obviouslygassed FBI team only managed one
run in the top of the seventh to tie the
score, 22-22. Dan Smith put two runners
on with just one out, before Geno Buck
plated the winning run with a base hit.
Ryan Thiede went 5-for-5 for Dan Smith,
while Rick Baker went 4-for-4 with a
pair of home runs. Timmy Howard led
FBI by going 4-for-5 with two home runs
and six RBIs.
UIC Larry Lofton presents Team Combat/Laser
Vision’s Jason Kendrick with award for highest total
HRs (11) for the tournament. Jason was also an all
tournament selection.
10 USSSA TODAY
Dan Smith’s OF Rick Baker was recognized as
Defensive Tournament MVP with an award from
USSSA VP Kevin Naegele.
In the championship game, Resmondo/
Worth followed their same pattern of
getting off to a fast start en route to a
knockout. Resmondo scored seven runs
in the first inning and 10 more in the
second to open a 17-1 lead after two
frames. Eight more runs in the top of
the third gave Resmondo a 25-6 lead.
After the fourth inning, Resmondo flip-
flopped Dan Smith for the second game
in a row. And when Dan Smith could not
scratch in the top of the fifth, the game
was over and Resmondo/Worth had a
26-9 championship victory.
“This is the greatest feeling in the
world,” said B.J. Fulk, of Resmondo/
Worth. “We work hard all off-season,
then battle through each tournament
of the year to get to this one event. For
all that work to pay off with a championship is very special.”
Resmondo players(left to right) Brian Rainwater,B.J. Fulk,Offensive Tournament MVP and All Tournament,
Greg Connell, All Tournament and Howie Krause.
Resmondo’s catcher, Jeff Wallace- All Tournament
Resmondo’s MI Bryson Baker- All Tournament
2010 USSSA Major World Series- Third Place: Fence Brokers/GameTime Supply/Worth Sports
12 USSSA TODAY
Resmondo/Worth was not the only team
that redeemed themselves at this year’s
Major World Series. After laying an egg
and going 0-2 at the Men’s B World
Tournament, Fence Brokers/Worth from
Arkansas made an improbable and
historic run by winning their first four
games of the tournament to advance to
the finals of the winner’s bracket. Their
only eventual losses were to the two
Major teams, one of them by just one
run, and the third place finish was the
highest even by a B team at the Major
World Series. Congratulations are in
order for player/sponsor Chris Walker
and manager Mike Wilson for their
team’s performance. While many of the
teams in the tournament are national
all-star teams, the nucleus of FBI’s
roster come from a couple of neighboring states – John Glidewell, Timmy
Howard, Tim Bowser and Zach Keene
from Arkansas, and Perry Hensley, Raul
Cardenas and Joey Urbanek, from Texas.
Another team that earned some
redemption at the Major World Series
was Suncoast/Reebok. After starting
the season with an impressive roster
and hopes of winning the A World
title, Suncoast struggled for most of
the year. The team only finished better
than .500 in just one tournament during
the entire regular season, and went
either 0-2 or 1-2 four times. Suncoast
began playing better at the A World,
where they finished fourth. But they
still had just a 21-20 record entering
the World Series as the last seed, and
many observers felt they shouldn’t even
have been invited to the big dance at
all. But after the opening round loss to
Resmondo, Suncoast rallied to post wins
over Northwest Combat, 15-12; 2010 B
World champion AJS/Easton, 18-17; and
2010 A World champion GTL Cartel/
Worth, 14-13, to earn an impressive tie
for fifth place.
Travis Resmondo accepts the 2010 Championship
Trophy.
Dan Smith’s Bobby Nifong accepts second place
trophy from USSSA VPs, Bob Holland and Kevin
Naegele.
Don DeDonatis III of Resmondo/Worth
was named the Most Valuable Player
of the Major World Series. DeDonatis
batted .813 with seven home runs and
12 RBIs as his team’s leadoff batter, and
played his usual flawless defense from
the shortstop position. More importantly, perhaps, was his inspired play
that did not show up in box scores. In
the winner’s bracket finals Saturday
night, DeDonatis set the tempo by
wiping out Dan Smith second-baseman
Brett Helmer on a hard-but-clean slide at
second base on a force out play. He later
stood up to hulking Dan Smith pitcher
Geno Buck when some chirping started,
and his aggressive leadership proved to
be an inspiration to teammates.
B.J. Fulk of Resmondo/Worth was
named the Offensive MVP of the tournament. The big left-hander from North
Carolina, who was moved up to the
three-hole in the batting order for this
tournament, cranked out six home runs
and 16 RBI’s to go along with his .750
batting average.
Fleet-footed center-fielder Rick “Spike”
Baker of Dan Smith/Menosse was named
the Defensive MVP of the tournament.
The rangy left-hander made play-afterplay to live up to his reputation as the
best outfielder in the game. Baker
also led Dan Smith with a .696 batting
average and was second on the team
with nine home runs and 16 RBIs.
Tournament MVP Donny DeDonatis and his #1 fan,
his wife, Tami.
Resmondo’s manager John Rector being interviewed
before ESPN cameras.
Jean Shoppe’s Timmy Cocco, two-time (‘09 and ‘10) Homerun Derby Champion, is congratulated by
teammate, Earl “Squirrel” Bryant.
14 USSSA TODAY
In addition to DeDonatis and Fulk, six
more Resmondo/Worth players were
named to the All-Tournament Team
– third-baseman Dennis Rulli, middleinfielder Bryson Baker, second-baseman
Greg Connell, pitcher Andy Purcell,
catcher Jeff Wallace, and center-fielder
Bobby Hughes. Rulli had the second
highest batting average on the team
at .765, while Baker tied Fulk for third
at .750. Hughes led the team in RBIs
with 19, and Connell was second with
17. Wallace batted .737 with a couple
of towering home runs. Purcell was his
usual dominating force on the pitching
rubber, and also contributed a .684
average and 14 RBIs with his stick.
Resmondo/Worth skipper Frank Webb
was also tabbed the All-Tournament
Manager.
In addition to Rick Baker, four more
Dan Smith/Menossee players were
named to the All-Tournament Team
– first-baseman Ryan Thiede, secondbaseman Brett Helmer, middle-infielder
Jeremy Isenhower and left-fielder Brian
Wegman. Helmer led the team with 10
home runs and 19 RBIs, while Isenhower
hit seven home runs and Thiede and
Wegman each added six.
Third place finisher Fence Brokers/
Worth placed three players on the
All-Tournament Team – center-fielder
Timmy “Scarecrow” Howard, rightfielder Reggie Schulte, and infielder
Joey Urbanek. Howard’s performance
was one the biggest stories of the
weekend. The Little Rock native had
been away from the Major circuit for
almost seven years, before returning
this season. In six games at the Major
World Series, Howard batted .741 with
eight home runs, 17 runs scored and a
tournament-leading 25 RBIs to lead his
team’s historic finish. Schulte batted
.710 and made some spectacular catches
in right-field, while Urbanek’s .730
batting average trailed only Howard
on FBI. Schulte and Urbanek were lateseason pickup to replace regular players
who could not make the trip to Florida.
Fourth place finisher LaserVision/
Combat also placed three players on the
All-Tournament Team – catcher Michael
Dill, center-fielder Jason Kendrick, and
right-fielder Seth Stephens. Dill led
the team with a .765 batting average,
while Kendrick’s 11 home runs were the
most of any player in the tournament.
Stephens batted .692 with a teamleading 21 RBIs.
A new addition by the USSSA this year was to have the player’s photo on the scoreboard as they came to bat.
Graphics were handled by USSSA’s Tom O’Hara and Rachel Gossens. Pictured here is FBI’s Tim Bowser.
FBI’s OF Tim “ScareCrow” Howard- All
Tournament with a tournament-high of 25 RBIs.
Crowds were bigger as attendence continues to
climb each year.
Rounding out the All-Tournament Team
was middle-infielder Sean McDonald
of Jean Shoppe/Easton and pitcher/
extra-hitter Johnny Dykes of Suncoast/
Reebok. McDonald batted .667 with 5
home runs, and Dykes batted .588 with
six home runs and 20 RBIs.
In other highlights from the tournament,
Sinister/Worth third-baseman Todd
Joerling became the all-time hits leader
in USSSA World Series history. In 2009,
Todd Martin passed Ron Parnell for the
top spot before retiring with 235 hits.
16 USSSA TODAY
The Disney venue for the USSSA Major World Series provides a great opportunity for conversation. Combat’s
Don Cooper(left) and TYJA Sports’ Mark Weber reflect on 2010 and avenues for 2011.
Rusty Bumgardner, who is still active,
was second with 232 hits but missed
this year’s event with a neck injury. The
long-since-retired Parnell was third with
231, and Joerling came in fourth with
229. Sinister only played three games
this year and went a disappointing 1-2,
but Joerling collected seven hits in those
three games to surpass the three Hall of
Famers ahead of him with a career total
of 236.
Another veteran who made headlines was slugger Timmy Cocco of Jean
Shoppe. The big left-hander from
Kentucky put on an amazing performance to beat all comers and win the
Home Run Derby for the second year
in a row. Cocco blasted home runs on
22 of 25 swings, including a perfect
round in the championship. Many of the
mammoth shots cleared the yellow brick
wall far beyond the home run fence, a
wall which may have to be re-named
“Cocco’s Wall.”
The Major World Series was played
before crowds that appeared larger than
in previous years, and those fans were
treated to mostly competitive games on
the field. There was also no controversy
surrounding the bat situation like 2009.
All bats were tested before the tournament. Each team’s bats that passed the
testing were placed in garbage cans,
and only those bats could be used by
the respective teams during the tournament. Logistics expert, T.R. Brockwell,
oversaw the successful SlugFest, where
players were able to test the new 2011
bats.
The umpiring was also consistent
throughout the tournament, as usual.
National UIC Rick Robertson had his
regular Conference crew of Larry Lofton,
Don “Toto” Lombard, Carlos Childress,
Steve Christie, Dan Sullivan, Doc Beckwell,
Jason Oberlag, Duane Posavetz and Tony
Walczak.
Tournament Director Warren Belm from
Minnesota was forced to leave the event
early due to a family emergency, but
veteran directors such as Danny Brown,
Kevin Naegele and Bob Holland jumped
in to keep the ship sailing in the right
direction all the way through a perfect
landing Sunday afternoon.
18 USSSA TODAY
Player Tournament Awards
Players Name
Plays For
Tournament MVP
Don DeDonatis III
Resmondo Sport / Specialty / PhoneMaster
Offensive Tournament MVP
B J Fulk
Defensive Tournament MVP
Rick Baker
Dan Smith / Menosse
Rick Baker
Dan Smith / Menosse
All Tournament Team
Dennis Rulli
All Tournament Team
Michael Dill
Team Combat / Laser Vision
All Tournament Team
Bobby Hughes
All Tournament Team
Rick Baker
Dan Smith / Menosse
All Tournament Team
Brett Helmer
Dan Smith / Menosse
All Tournament Team
Jason Kendrick
All Tournament Team
Johnny Dykes
Suncoast / Reebok
All Tournament Team
B J Fulk
All Tournament Team
Don DeDonatis III
All Tournament Team
Brian Wegman
Dan Smith / Menosse
All Tournament Team
Bryson Baker
All Tournament Team
Jeff Wallace
All Tournament Team
Tim Howard
Fence Brokers / Gametime Supply / Worth
All Tournament Team
Sean McDonald
Jean Shoppe-Easton-Down2EarthSports
All Tournament Team
Greg Connell
All Tournament Team
Jeremy Isenhower
Dan Smith / Menosse
All Tournament Team
Ryan Thiede
Dan Smith / Menosse
All Tournament Team
Seth Stephens
All Tournament Team
Joseph Urbanek
All Tournament Team
Andrew Purcell
All Tournament Team
Reggie Schulte
All Tournament Manager
Frank Webb
t
igh
t
we
igh
ng
we
wi
ng
dS
wi
oa
dS
SB
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e–
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dl
ce
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© 2010 Hillerich & Bradsby Co., Louisville, KY. All rights reserved.
Place
State
1
FL
2
CAN
3
AR
4
Team
Class
Wins
Loses
Resmondosports / Specialty / Phonemaster
SPMensMajor
5
0
Dan Smith / Menosse
SPMensMajor
4
2
Fence Brokers / Gametime Supply / Worth Berth
SPMensB
4
2
WA
SPMensA
4
2
5
FL
Suncoast / Reebok
SPMensA
3
2
5
TN
Jean Shoppe / Easton / Down 2 Earth Sports
SPMensA
2
2
7
WA
GTL Cartel / Worth
SPMensA
2
2
7
GA
Logo Express
SPMensB
2
2
9
MI
Sinister / Line Drive / SSS / Worth / Mojo
SPMensA
1
2
9
VA
Aubrey’s / Taylormade / Mizuno
SPMensA
1
2
9
FL
AJS / Easton / Supreme / Mike Foulks / Mojo
SPMensB
1
2
9
TXN
Wood Law / Miken
SPMensA
1
2
13
MO
Hub’s Pub
SPMensB
0
2
13
WA
Northwest Combat / CJ Financial
SPMensA
0
2
13
IL
EWS / Shirts and Logos
SPMensB
0
2
13
NYD
Albicocco’s / The Scene/Worth
SPMensA
0
2
Maingate
DeMarini’s Jerry Garnett was touting their new Stadium bat
at SlugFest.
The Worth Sports’ staff were on hand to answer all questions
about their 2011 lines at SlugFest.
Sports Teams…
Welcome to Kissimmee!!!
Best Western Lakeside is a USSSA preferred hotel partner for
sport teams, athletes and fans alike. With an ideal location to
several sporting venues and only 2 miles from ESPN Wide World
of Sports Complex the property is a win with sporting teams!
•
•
•
•
•
3 pools, basketball court, miniature golf and fitness facility
On-site Pizza Hut, Greenhouse Restaurant
Hurricane Sam’s Bar & Grill
Coined laundry facility
Free Coaches room with 10 or more
rooms consumed
• 100% non-smoking rooms
• Visiting fan & family rates
• Free high-speed internet access
Each Best Western hotel is independently owned and operated.
7769 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy. • Kissimmee, Florida 34747
www.bestwestern-maingate.com
For more information or to book your teams call April Trantham at (407) 997-1108 or email [email protected]
20 USSSA TODAY
Youth Shoulder Injury Prevention:
What really works?
By Sonya Montoya, M.A., ATC, LAT
Some of the major issues that are facing
today’s youth softball and baseball players
are shoulder injuries which are occurring at a much earlier age than in years
before. The problem has become so
prevalent that orthopedics have started
accepting younger patients and taking
steps to educate the parents and coaches.
One successful program called the Sports
Trauma and Overuse Prevention (STOP)
program is co chaired by Dr. James R.
Andrews, MD who educates youth athletes
how to prevent and treat injuries. Some
of the reasons today’s youth are facing so
many injuries especially in throwing sports
such as softball and baseball is because of
the specialization in the sports themselves.
With youth summer leagues and travel
teams occurring year round there is not an
offseason for sufficient recovery or rest.
As an athletic trainer when working with
softball and baseball coaches I focus on the
prevention of shoulder injury. Since many
travel teams play up to 4 to 5 games in only
several days it is important to take the time
to make sure the athletes have a proper
warm-ups such as a progressive throwing
routine starting with a short toss and
ending in a long toss. In addition, making
time to stretch during the warm up and
cool down periods will also help with the
reduction of muscular strains.
Following games I encourage coaches
to allow their athletes to ice down, this
is especially true for pitchers in softball
who do not necessary have a pitch count
rule and may throw back to back games.
Ice can constrict the body’s blood vessels
within the muscle decreasing any swelling
that may have occurred while pitching
and this will also help the athlete recover
with less soreness the next day.
Since many of these athletes are still very
young their muscles are still developing
and need to be strengthened in order to
prevent rotator cuff strains, tendonitis, and
tears. This is especially true for the shoulder’s rotator cuff muscles that lie under-
neath the deltoid muscles. Since these
muscles are small great amounts of resistance are not needed. I encourage coaches
to have their players use bands or stretch
chords for strengthening the rotator cuff.
The American Sports Medicine Institute
(ASMI) has developed a great program
titled “the throwers ten program” which
is a great resource for coaches to use for
ideas and instruction on how to strengthen
the shoulder.
Keeping athletes healthy should be the
main objective for coaches and parents
so educating them properly is one way to
keep America’s youth away from injury as
much as possible. As an athletic trainer
I have seen youth specialization in one
sport as a starting point for developing
a great deal of overuse injuries. This is
especially true when kids are young so
it is important to allow them some off
time from the sport or cross training in
another sport so that they may develop
their muscles equally.
USSSA TODAY 21
2010 World Champions
Men B, Women B & Women C
AJS/Easton/Supreme/Mike Foulks/Mojo
2010 USSSA Men’s Class B World Champions
Top Guns
2010 USSSA Women’s Class B World Champions
LookOuts/Mizuno
2010 USSSA Women’s Class C World Runner Up
Men’s Class B Player Tournament Awards
Tournament MVP
Women’s Class B Player Tournament Awards
Tournament MVP
Men’s Class B Player Tournament Awards
Tournament MVP
T.J. Thompson
Melissa Chandler
Lacey Stovall
FamousSports.com/Easton
Stacey Christie
Top Guns
Amanda Yurek
SheBangs
Joel Ramos
SheBangs
Ed Vega
Krystal Dixon
Top Guns
Erica Harris
Easton Hooters Rockets
Lookouts/Mizuno
All Tournament Team
All Tournament Team
All Tournament Team
Terry Rosenbalm
David Garcia
Levi Wright
Hub’s Pub
Beverly Gehring
SheBangs
Liane Antonini
Low Profile/Ricky’s Tire Sales
Heather Branche
Jen Grossman
SheBangs
Julie Wagner
Top Guns
Deb Tix
Yasmin Warthen
Top Guns
Jessica Bullock
Top Guns
Amy Wolfe
SheBangs
Michelle Rowedder
Mya McRae
Lookouts/Mizuno
Ashlie Kubes
Shannon Rexrode
SheBangs
Joni Vega
Lady Rebels
Mindy Hardison
Low Bob’s/Miken
Sherri Rabenold
SheBangs
Samuel Christensen Desert Falls/Elite/Miken
Marisela Gutierrez
Top Guns
Dustin Boone
Hub’s Pub
Nyreka Smith
Top Guns
LaShonda Mills
Lookouts/Mizuno
Billy Moore
Low Bob’s/Miken
Lookouts/Mizuno
Terri Ellingsworth
Lisa Parmer
Nicholas J Masur
Travis Thurman
Tiffany Collins
Top Guns
April Green
Lady Rebels
Amanda Defilippo
SheBangs
Brooke Borders
Lady Rebels
Chris Hoshaw
Desert Falls/Elite/Miken
Kyle Yerkes
Danny Lopez
Blake Williams
Tyson Steele
Chris Hansen
Adam Elliot
1
FL
5
0
Nicole Pacicco
All Tournament Manager
Tammy Nattiel
Top Guns
2
CAS FamousSports.com/Easton
6
2
3
UT
4
2
1
FL
Top Guns
8
1
1
MD
SheBangs
6
0
4
MO Hub’s Pub
5
2
2
MN
4
2
2
TXS
Lookouts/Mizuno
6
2
3
WA
Derby Girls Combat
3
2
3
GA
Lady Rebels
7
2
4
KY
Low Bob’s/Miken
4
2
4
NC
5
2
5
WA
Angove
1
2
5
CAS
Boozers
7
2
5
MO
Stage II Softball
1
2
5
CAS
H2O/NTL Worth
4
2
5
GA Logo Express
3
2
5
CAS Elite Sports U.S.A./Combat
3
2
7 OHO Blitz/Watanabe/Weller/Minges/Easton
4
2
7
IL
EWS/Shirts And Logos
3
2
7
FL
Game Time Brokers
1
2
7
MD
Potomac Valley Brick
5
2
9
SC
Fowl Ball Sports/Gas-It/Easton
2
2
7
NC
Showtime
1
2
7
AL
Mobile Heat
4
2
9
MI
BMV Doctors/Mizuno
1
2
9
NJ
Doggie Stylin’
5
2
9
IL
Made To Order
1
2
9
IN
Dented Bats Softball
3
2
9
MN
Team Combat MN
0
2
9
MD
Mid-Atlantic Storm
3
2
9
OHO
CincySoftball.com
0
2
9
OHO
Shooters
2
2
9
WA KTI/Cartel DeMarini
2
2
9
MD Bestrans
2
2
9
OHC MWC/Pipe/Mojo/DSS Bats/Easton
2
2
22 USSSA TODAY
Ironpigs, Anytime Garage
Door hit jackpot
at Lone Star Shootout Worlds in Las Vegas
By Greg Huchingson
LAS VEGAS – With the bright lights of the
world-famous Las Vegas strip looming in
the background on one side and the Spring
Mountains providing the backdrop on the
other, the first-ever Lone Star Shootout
World Tournament was held Oct. 23-24 at
the brand new Big League Dreams in the
desert paradise.
The backdrop of the Spring Mountains behind Dodger Field provided a beautiful setting.
Thirty-two teams from nine different states
competed in both a Men’s D bracket and a
separate Men’s E bracket. Anytime Garage
Door from Las Vegas went undefeated
through five games to win the Men’s D
World championship, while Iron Pigs/Four
Loko from Chino Hills, California went a
perfect 5-0 to win the Men’s E World title.
“It is so exciting to win a World Tournament
of any kind – we are very proud of this
accomplishment,” said Joaquin Villalobos,
manager of the Iron Pigs/Four Loko. “This
was the best-ran and most-fun tournament we played in all season. We will definitely be coming back next and every year
that it is held here.”
In the 16-team Men’s D Division, Anytime
Garage Door began their journey with an
18-8 win over CTM from Laredo, Texas.
They followed that up with wins over the
Brown Sox from Nevada (17-5) and Drty/
Haolefied also from Las Vegas (21-5) to
advance to the winner’s bracket finals. In
the king seat game, Anytime Garage Door
faced another team from Texas, La Familia
Classics from Houston, and came away
with a 19-9 win.
La Familia Classics dropped to the loser’s
bracket and ran into a team on a roll.
Custom Truck from Las Vegas had lost
their first game to Turmoil Softball from
Oklahoma City (21-20), before dropping to the loser’s bracket and posting
consecutive wins over The Benchwarmers
24 USSSA TODAY
Making sure the tournament ran smoothly were (left to right): BLD’s Director
of Maintenance, Trevor Odders, BLD’s Food and Beverage Director, Travis
Owens, BLD’s GM, Ed Farmer and the Lone Star Softball Staff- Roy Dean,
Greg Huchingson, Scott Duffy and Ben “the rat” Templeton.
TYJA Sports’ Dennis Rulli
(left) and Mark Weber were
on premise checking out the
beautiful, new Big League
Dreams- Las Vegas.
from Lancaster, Calif. (22-3); K’s Choice
from Babb, Montana (7-0); Inksignia from
San Antonio, Texas (14-9); Straight Shot
from Montgomery, Texas (22-9); Time To
Mash from Las Vegas (14-10); and Brown
Sox from Las Vegas (19-11) to get to the
finals of the loser’s bracket. Custom Truck
continued their roll by beating La Familia
Classics (19-6) to advance to the finals.
onship with a 5-0 record, and Custom Truck
finished second at 6-2. La Familia Classics
finished third at 3-2, followed by the Brown
Sox in fourth at 4-2. Time to Mash (NV) and
Drty Haolefied (NV) tied for fifth place;
Straight Shot (TX) and Ruff Riders (OR) tied
for seventh; and CTM (TX), Inksignia (TX),
Turmoil (OK) and Don’t Trip (CA) tied for
ninth.
The championship game was an exciting
battle between two Las Vegas teams
played on the Dodger Stadium replica
field. Anytime Garage Door held a 19-15
lead going into the bottom of the seventh
inning, when Custom Truck began a rally
that fell short when a spectacular, leaping
over-the-fence catch at the left-field foul
pole ended the game at 19-17.
The All-World Team for the Men’s D
Division consisted of Cecil Hale, Clayton
Mofford, Micah Schnurstein, Owen
Ondrisko and Joey Serdoza, of Anytime
Garage Doors; Filip Washington, Paul Pena,
Frankie Castillo and Joey Roy, of Custom
Truck; Mike Trevino, Joey Hernandez and
Melvin Glass, of La Familia Classics; and Eric
Stewart, Jerry Gomez and Daniel Ramirez,
of the Brown Sox.
Anytime Garage Door claimed the champi-
continued on page 30
Men’s Class D Champions
Anytime Garage Door
Las Vegas, NV
Men’s Class D Runner-Up
Custom Truck
Las Vegas, NV
26 USSSA TODAY
©2010 Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Busch Light¨ Beer, St. Louis, MO
Men’s Class E Champions
Iron Pigs/Four Loko
Chino Hills, CA
Men’s Class E Runner-Up
Boerne Posse
Boerne, TX
28 USSSA TODAY
There were also 16 teams in the Men’s E Division, where the Iron
Pigs/Four Loko posted consecutive wins over All State Fence from
Portland, Oregon (20-6); Surefire from Henderson, Nevada (17-14);
and B&N Sports Bar from San Antonio, Texas (26-21) to advance
to the winner’s bracket finals, where they met DSC Softball from
Las Vegas. DSC had defeated Anglico from Carlsbad, Calif. (18-2);
Boerne Posse from Boerne, Texas (12-8); and Core Elite from Las
Vegas (12-10). The Iron Pigs crushed DSC in the king seat game
(14-2) to advance to the championship.
La Familia Classics- Houston, TX
Men’s Class D- Third Place
DSC dropped to the loser’s bracket and was eliminated by the
Boerne Posse (18-12) who advanced on to play the Iron Pigs for
the championship. After Posse scored just one in the top of the
first inning, the Iron Pigs answered with seven. But Posse showed
they would not go away easy by scoring eight runs in the top of
the second inning, before the Iron Pigs answered with three to
take a 10-9 lead. Both teams put up goose eggs in the third frame,
scored two runs apiece in the fourth, and blanked again in the
fifth to make the score 12-11 in favor of the Iron Pigs heading
into the sixth inning. Posse scored four times in the sixth to take
a temporary 15-12 lead. But the Iron Pigs posted eight runs in the
bottom of the sixth to go ahead 20-15. When Posse was unable to
scratch in the top of the seventh inning, that was the final score.
Iron Pigs/Four Loko averaged an impressive 19.4 runs in their five
victories – the most of any team in the tournament, regardless of
division. The Boerne Posse (TX) settled for second place with a 6-2
record, while DSC Softball (NV) came in third at 3-2.
Brown Sox- Las Vegas, NV
Men’s Class D- Fourth Place
No Regret/Texas Crooks from San Antonio provided one of the
best storylines of the tournament. After losing their very first
game to Surefire (8-6), No Regret/Texas Crooks dropped to the
loser’s bracket and posted consecutive wins over All State Fence
from Portland, Oregon (16-6); Slumpbusters from San Diego, Calif.
(15-5); Killin’ Time from Las Vegas (16-5); Surefire from Henderson,
Nevada (18-17); and hometown rival B&N Sports Bar from San
Antonio, before finally being eliminated by the Boerne Posse
(14-7) to finish in fourth place with a 5-2 record.
Core Elite (NV) and B&N Sports Bar (TX) tied for fifth place; Team
Diesel (NV) and Surefire (NV) tied for seventh; and Elite Audio &
Video (UT), Cyber Draft (NV), All State Fence (OR) and Killin’ Time
(NV) tied for ninth.
DSC Softball- Las Vegas, NV
Men’s Class E- Third Place
No Regrets/Texas Crooks- San Antonio, TX
Men’s Class E- Fourth Place
30 USSSA TODAY
Members of the All-World Team for the Men’s E Division were
Tony Diaz, Allen Krapf, Eddie Pagliuso, Cesar Garcia and Joaquin
Villalobos, of Iron Pigs/Four Loko; Jacob Villarreal, Tyler Betts, Danny
Perez and Tim Armstrong, of the Boerne Posse; Brandon Naber,
Chris Ortiz and Sean Havins, of DSC; and Robert Flores, Anthony
Hernandez and Richard Mendoza, of No Regret/Texas Crooks.
The tournament also featured a Home Run Derby on Saturday
night. Following two hours of qualifying, the top eight hitters
advanced to a head-to-head playoff for the grand prize. When all
the dust had settled, Willie Taveras of Anytime Garage Door was
the champion. Taveras hit an impressive 8-out-of-8 over the home
run fence in the championship round – including several that
cleared the netting high above the 30-foot walls – and he needed
every one of them to beat out Marcus Thornton of Straight Shot
from Texas, who hit 7-out-of-8 out in his final round.
The first-ever Lone Star Shootout World Tournament could not
have been a success without the support of Las Vegas general
manager Ed Farmer and his staff at Big League Dreams. The
Umpire-in-Chief was Ben Templeton from Austin, Texas who
received support from Nevada State UIC Ernie Gum. The umpiring
crew came from Nevada, except for Damon Massey who made the
long trip from Seagoville, Texas. Finally, tournament directors Roy
Dean and Scott Duffy kept the even running smooth and on time.
CALL FOR
SPECIAL SOFTBALL RATE
775 N. Hwy. 287 • Mansﬁeld, Texas
For Reservations:
817-539-0707
The Whole Enchilada
Is A Whole Lotta Fun
256 teams converge on Las Cruces, NM
photos by Larry Meraz
The Whole Enchilada founder, Bert Frederick oversaw all details.
One of the tournament directors was Neal “Onion” Swanner from Louisana.
The lovely Vonita Madrid was Fun Frederick’s right-hand girl all weekend.
UIC Bill Harper from Colorado.
32 USSSA TODAY
ABQ Affliction
Women’s Class C Champions
Texas Soldiers
Men’s Class D Champions
WOMEN’S CLASS C
Place
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
7
9
9
9
9
13
13
13
13
State
NM
NM
NM
NM
NM
AZ
NM
NM
NM
NM
TXW
NM
TXW
TXW
NM
TXW
Team
ABQ Affliction
Coronitas (Clo)
X24
Too Legit
Venom
Gettin’ Loose
Angry Beavers
Fury
Rattlers
Asesinas (Clo)
Just Us
Custom Craft
Sucias
Team Sike
Breakers
Wish You Could
Tournament MVP
Debbie Gutierrez
ABQ Affliction
Chelsea Scrimshaw
ABQ Affliction
Kristina Goodman
Coronitas (Clo)
34 USSSA TODAY
MEN’S CLASS D
Wins
5
5
3
4
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
Loses
0
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Place
State
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
7
9
9
9
9
13
13
13
TXS
AZ
CO
NM
NM
NM
NM
TXW
TXS
NM
TXW
NM
NM
TXW
CO
Team
Texas Soldiers
Team UUYYY
Mile High Softball Club
LC Sportsline
Rio Rancho Rattlers
DX
Self Made
Outlaws
SA Canes
Units
El Paso Sun Devils
Team Bones
Sundevils Reunited
Unidos
Amp’d Softball
Wins
Loses
13
6
5
7
4
4
6
5
5
4
4
3
6
5
4
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
2
1
2
2
Tournament MVP
Herman Powers
Texas Soldiers
David Escobar
Texas Soldiers
Michael Pino
Team UUYYY
Fields of Gold....
Named both the ISA and ASA Complex of the Year, the Auburn Softball
Complex has hosted over 29 national and world championships in baseball
and softball for all ages. Located in the beautiful college community of
Auburn, Alabama, there’s no better choice than this winner for your next
tournament. Let the folks at the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau help
make your event the most successful one ever. With everything from bid
assistance to housing and registration, even marketing and promotion,
we’ll take care of the details so you don’t have to! Contact us to plan your
event today.
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TECHZILLA™
The patent pending Anderson LaunchPad™
is an integral blend of complex nano-metallic
and aluminum alloys that are molecularly
bonded to create a barrel structure resulting in a single metal wall. The patented
LaunchPad™ combination of materials has
more strength and delivers more pop and
more distance than any solo material or
combination ever tried.
By elastically strengthening just
the hitting area, and efficiently relocating the design captured weight
right behind the ball, the LaunchPad™ is allowed to flex in unison
with the underlying aluminum
shell. The NanoTek™ has the
strongest, most forgiving,
and yet the most reactive
barrel in the game…with no
break-in period required.
NanoTek ® SP
Slowpitch Softball Bat
Model #011026
ANDER
The Power of RockeTech™.
The Anderson PowerArch™ refined the
multi-wall concept by having a series of
opposing arches where there is intermittent constant contact and alternating
separation between walls. It allows the
walls to flex both independently and
concurrently. It permits a differentiation in wall thicknesses that improves
the shortcomings of other bat
design forms.
By design-necessity, the
RockeTech™ is considered more of
an end-loaded bat. It has more
end-load and a higher MOI
than the TechZilla™. It is more
responsive at lower speeds
to compensate for the bat
speed lost due to the endload and resulting MOI.
RockeTech ™ FP -9
Fastpitch Softball Bat
Model #017019
©2010 Anderson Bat Compan
RSON ALL-METAL ALLOY
The Speed of TechZilla™.
Designed to be an option to the endloaded multi-wall configuration, the TechZilla™
will swing faster with less effort without
sacrificing control. It is barrel-weighted
(lower moment of inertia) instead of endloaded, or what some would refer to as
“balanced” in design.
As with the RockeTech™, the
Anderson PowerArch™ series of opposing arches is an integral part of the
TechZilla™ design. Barrel weighting
doesn’t change the center of mass.
The TechZilla™ was the first design
for Anderson that explored a
lower MOI, and it remains
one of the best performing
multi-wall, internal sleeved
products available in the
marketplace today.
ny, LLC • All Rights Reserved
TechZilla ™ XP -9
Youth Baseball Bat
Model #015016
The K-Series™ alloy has a greater yield
value and added strength that allows a lighter,
more responsive, and larger Effective Hitting
Area (EHA). Reducing the weight in the EHA,
while maintaining strength to withstand
impact, allows greater design versatility
including a significantly reduced MOI.
Optimizing the MOI makes it possible to swing a bat faster with less
effort. Like an ice skater spinning, the
distribution of weight determines the
speed of the spin. Arms outstretched, the skater spins slowly.
As the skater brings the weight of
their arms inward toward their
body - or toward the axis of the
spin - their MOI is reduced,
and they spin faster with
no added effort or weight
reduction.
KXS -3 BBCOR
Adult Baseball Bat
Model #014011
Petroset/Tri County/Hub Victor
Women’s Class D Champions
RIP
Men’s Class E Champions
WOMEN’S CLASS D
Place
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
7
9
9
9
9
13
13
13
13
State
OHN
AZ
TXW
AZ
CO
NM
NM
TXW
NM
NM
CO
CO
NM
NM
NM
NM
Team
B*C*E
Home Wreckers
Chittakahs
Twisters
New Mexico Underground
Lady Warrior’s
Lady Outlaws
Inferno
3 Up 3 Down
Fo Sho
Ovary-Z
Alyssas Angels
Who Cares
Tailgators
Jackees Alamo
MEN’S CLASS E
Wins
Loses
7
8
5
6
4
4
6
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
2
0
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Tournament MVP
Dianna Poe
Jen Collum
B*C*E
Brenda Stanford
38 USSSA TODAY
Place
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
7
9
9
9
9
13
13
13
13
State
TXW
AZ
AZ
NM
AZ
AZ
CO
NM
TXS
AZ
AZ
NM
CO
NM
NM
NM
Team
RIP
Mixers
Untouchables
Albuquerque Line
No Big Deal/ Vac Tech
Action Pak’d
You’re It SBC
Los Asesinos
High Voltage - Corpus Christi
Pirates
Showtime Softball
Bonerz Dawgs
Team Elevation
S.F. Venom
Booyaa
Blaze
Tournament MVP
Hector Natividad
RIP
Rudy Bonilla
RIP
Wins
7
6
6
6
4
4
5
3
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
Loses
0
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Hack attack Softball PitcHing MacHine
MoveMent Made faSt. The three-wheel design changes
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dials (no time-consuming awkward throwing head adjustments
between pitches).
MoveMent tHat deliverS everytHing. Three-wheel
design provides significantly more spin. With a quick turn of the
dials you can effortlessly throw fastballs, risers, drops, rightand left-handed screwballs up and into the hitters. Every pitch
with power and accuracy.
MoveMent Made eaSy. Quickly move the Hack Attack Softball
Pitching Machine on and off field, just tilt it, unsocket legs and easily
roll on two transporting wheels.
if MoveMent iS your keyword, tHe Hack attack Softball
PitcHing MacHine deliverS it all.
sportsattack.com
P.O. Box 1529 | 2805 U. S. 40 | Verdi, NV 89439 | tf 800.717.4251 | ph 775.345.2882
Pop-A-Lock
Junior Golf Championship
Atchafalaya at Idlewild Golf Course in Patterson,
Louisiana served as the host for the second USSSA
Golf Junior Tour event on the weekend of September
18-19. Some 14 golfers from throughout the State of
Louisiana braved the tough South Louisiana layout,
and provided the USSSA multi-sports organization a
great junior golf event for its second championship
tournament.
Pop-A-Lock, Louisiana USSSA, Lafayette Coca Cola
and Talk-N T’Shirts served as the official sponsors for
this junior golf outing, and by responses of players,
parents and spectators, the USSSA is off to a great
start in their newest sports endeavor.
Frank Wood, Jr.,
Skye Mejia
Koby Percle
Drew Gonzales
Derrick Pillai
Jevon Perry
Daniel Pillai
Cade Thibodaux
In Boys 15-18 competition, Frank Wood, Jr., Lake
Charles, distanced the field as the West Louisiana
competitor posted scores of 79 and 80 (159 total),
to claim a 13 stroke win over second place finisher,
Skye Mejia, Lafayette (89-83-172). Claiming the third
place hardware was Koby Percle, Morgan City, who
posted 90, 85 and a 175 total.
In Boys 12-14 action, Lafayette native, Drew
Gonzales, completed the 36 hole event with a 146
total (71-75), and defeated second place finisher
Derrick Pillai (74-77), Metairie, by five strokes. Most
impressive was Gonzales’ Saturday play, as he posted
an impressive one under par round. Claiming the
third place was Jevon Perry, Iowa with a 197 (102-95)
two day total.
Boys 9-11 action only saw two competitors, but
competition was keen. Young Daniel Pillai, Metairie,
managed to post an outstanding two day (18 holes)
total of 84 (39-45) and claimed a 22 stroke victory
over Cade Thibodaux, Patterson, who posted a 106
two day score..
USSSA is a multi-sports organization and offers
competition in Youth and Adult Baseball, Basketball,
Fast Pitch Softball, Flag Football, Karate, Lacrosse,
Slow Pitch Softball, Soccer, Tae Kwan Do, Volleyball,
Wrestling and now Junior Golf.
For additional information on USSSA Golf, please go
to www.usssa.com or email [email protected].
We hope to see you at a future USSSA sports event.
40 USSSA TODAY
SOFTBALL
IS MY GAME
Hello Softballers, November
might not be the heart of softball
season but that doesn’t mean that all
of us don’t still have the game on our
brains as the holidays approach.
Hopefully now that the season has
been over for a while you’ve gotten
the chance to rest up and reflect on the
highs and lows of the season. This time
of year is also a great time to go through
your gear and decide which equipment
you want to use again next season and
which equipment you want to replace.
While the action on the diamond might
not be happening in November, there
is always some serious action going on
behind the scenes as teams fill up their
rosters for the next season and acquire
sponsors. Look for some big time
shakeups this year with some familiar
faces shuffling around to different
teams.
For a lot of competitors there truly is no
off-season so hopefully you can get in
the gym, the cages and hit the field a
little bit in these winter months to keep
your game sharp. Many of you that live
in the warmer states will still be playing
league ball and pick up tournaments
right through the winter and spring.
Make sure you are doing your best to
get your work in so when the bigger
tournaments fire up in April you are
ready to go.
The turning of the weather also means
that the holidays will soon be upon us
and I’m sure that all you softballers out
there are looking to use Christmas as an
excuse to add more firepower to your
bat bag. Easton is definitely on your
side this holiday season as they plan on
re-releasing some of the most popular
softball bats they have ever made.
42 USSSA TODAY
Known for its massive sweet spot
and unmatched power, the
Easton SCN2 Synergy CNT has
long been a bat that hitters
have demanded to see on the
market again. Easton will
be granting a lot of hitter’s
Christmas wishes when they
put the SCN2 back on the
market this holiday season.
Also be on the lookout for
the SCX2 original synergy
as it should be in stock everywhere now, and at the $199
retail price you can’t miss
with this bat.
Also,
in
between
training, planning and
stocking up on gear,
take some time to
check out USSSA.
com and be on the
lookout for any
rule changes that
may have happened
during their yearly
convention.
All in all, I hope everyone
has a great offseason
and holidays and is
ready to have a great
2011 season.
See ya at the yard.
Brett
Helmer
A WINNING PAIR
Worth Duo Helps
Resmondo Take USSSA Title
By Michael Cisneros
Resmondo Sports/Specialty Tank/Phonemasters won the 2010
USSSA Major World Series in devastating fashion – they outscored
their opponents 141-41 and won all five games they played by
mercy rule. They were able to do this because they have excellent
hitters, but they also had the advantage of Worth’s dynamic Duo.
boasts “extremely explosive rebound that has directly resulted in
batted ball distance never seen in slow pitch softball…”
n Resmondo End Loaded – the maximum allowable one ounce
end load adds acceleration through the swing. “Added weight to
the end of the barrel tends to shift the maximum rebound location toward the end of the bat,” said Cruz. “Combined with 5.4L
technology, we shifted the location and extended the length of
the sweet spot to really maximize hit distances.”
The Duo is the name of Worth’s newest two-piece bat, the latest
descendant of their Mutant line. But it is also a reference to
players Jeff Wallace and Andy Purcell, a pair of Resmondo teammates (and members of the 2010 USSSA All-World team) whose
play was important to the team winning the championship and
whose input was instrumental in designing the bat.
n HD Handle – the heavy duty aluminized fiberglass handle is
designed to provide optimal flex during the swing yet be strong
enough to survive explosive bat-ball impact scenarios.
“During the initial design stages Wallace and Purcell
provided valuable feedback in regards to how the bat
should be balanced and how much flex should be designed
into the handle,” explained Curtis Cruz, Product Director
for Bats at Worth. Their on-field recommendations helped
result in Worth’s best performing USSSA-approved bat.
The Duo is a heavy bat: the static weight may say 28 ounces,
but the handle weighs much less than the handle of a onepiece bat would, meaning the bulk of this bat’s weight is in
the barrel. The maximum end load puts as much weight as the
rules will allow out at the end away from the hands, giving
the impression of a much heavier bat. So it does take a bit of
strength to swing the Duo.
The Duo is based on the Mutant, but it probably has less in
common with the original Mutant than it has differences.
It is a two-piece design with a long barrel and thin handle;
but it is made of different materials, newer technologies
and unique weighting that make it feel, sound and swing
unlike its predecessors.
It is designed to hit the ball long distances and that’s what
it does: the weighting and location of the sweet spot mean
the bat is hottest out toward the end, where bat speed is the
fastest and where a hitter’s maximum extension and actualized
leverage will allow a batter to realize his potential. There is
no sting at impact and the ball leaps off the barrel, not unlike
hitting a golf ball with a driver.
“The original Mutants used different composite materials
which resulted in different dynamic flex characteristics,”
said Cruz. “The original Mutants also did not have our
patented 5.4L technology in the barrel.”
“Not all players will experience added distance,” cautioned
Cruz, “but many players will. It is best explained, I think, by
saying that the 5.4L technology, special loading, and new
handle work together to maximize hit distance. The specific
characteristics built into this bat don’t necessarily optimize hit
distance for all players, but we have found that a good number
of players at all levels of the game have swings that are complimented by the combination of these characteristics.
The process is complicated but efficient: the inner core
is multi-layered composite for maximum strength and
rebound; a dual layer of braided carbon is applied over the
inner core; a single layer of braided aramid fiber is applied
over that. Then the whole thing goes through a Rapid Air
Vacuum process where air is removed from the composite
structure and a proprietary two-part epoxy is inducted
through the woven layers under constant heat and pressure. The 5.4L multi-layer design extends the length of the
sweet spot 2 inches farther toward the endcap than in the
original Mutant design.
“It probably isn’t the optimal bat for a player that gets about 4
at bats a week. The characteristics are designed for the tendencies of more hardcore players – good swing speed, consistent
mechanics and the like – so it is really meant for players who
play in multiple leagues during the week and tournaments on
the weekends.”
The use of aramid – the same fiber used in bullet-proof
jackets – has been around since 2001, but remains rare in
softball bat design. “I don’t know if we are the only ones
using it,” said Cruz, “but I suspect we are.” Worth first used
the aramid in the much-loved 2004 Mayhem (orange) and
continues to use the expensive fiber in all its high-end bats.
Long story short - if you know how to hit, it works.
It also looks pretty cool. The Duo is the only bat we’ve seen in
the past few years that does not have a glossy finish. The shiny
silver handle is topped by a flat black barrel that recalls the slate
chalkboards found in the classrooms of the mid-to-late 20th
century (you may have to explain to the younger players on your
team that chalkboards is what we had before whiteboards).
Other Duo characteristics include:
n Resmondo Tuned – the precision-tuned barrel works in
unison with the added handle flex resulting in 4-times the
rebound of a single-wall bat. “This is a reference from the
mathematical equations that describe the trampoline effect
on bats,” said Cruz. “4-times the rebound means 4-times the
trampoline, not 4-times the distance.” However the distance
in company field testing has led Worth to claim the Duo
The Duo is approved for play in USSSA, NSA, ISF and all other association that use the BPF 1.20 standard. It is too hot for ASA play.
Photo by
Brianne Cisneros
46 USSSA TODAY
“The flat black and understated graphics seemed to resonate with
the hardcore players,” said Cruz. “The initial concept came from
the Resmondo guys.”
Trophies are Forgotten,
But Memories Last a Lifetime
You can feel the excitement at our first class sporting venues along with the friendly
faces of sports fans in Sulphur and Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana. While you’re in
town, check out Cajun dining, the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail, the Mardi Gras
Museum, Children’s Museum and other attractions and events in Calcasieu Parish.
The staff at the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau
rolls out the red carpet treatment for sporting events, and teams walk away
with memories of playing great games and having great times!
w w w. V i s i t L a k e C h a r l e s . or g
Sulphur, LA
World Series Baseball
8 & under AA
Place
State
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
7
9
9
9
9
13
13
13
13
17
17
17
17
MS
TXS
TXS
LA
TXS
LA
TXS
MS
TXS
TXS
LA
TXS
LA
TXS
TXS
LA
TXS
TXS
LA
LA
Team
Coast Surge
Cy-Fair ThunderCats
Legends
Bullet Baseball
Team Extreme Rebels
Northeast Beast
Gladiators (8u)
Petal Elite
Bombs
Cypress Warriors
Louisiana Young Guns
Venom
Miners
GTB 8U
Cen-Tex Bobcats
Louisiana Spikes (Red)
Triple Play Black
Aztecas
Louisiana Blue Claws Blue
LA Rebels
7 & under AA
Wins
Loses
Place
State
9
7
6
5
5
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
2
1
0
0
3
2
2
3
3
4
3
5
3
2
3
3
3
2
5
5
3
4
5
5
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
7
9
9
9
9
TXS
TXS
TXS
TXS
LA
TXS
TXS
LA
TXS
LA
TXS
LA
Team
McAllen Lake Monsters
Texas Threat
Corpus Christi Punishers
Texas Outlaws
Sulphur Rage
The Woodland Defenders
Chaos
Louisiana Blue Claws
Legends
Lake Charles Bucs
Houston Slam
Driven Baseball
Wins
Loses
7
6
7
4
3
3
3
3
2
1
0
0
0
3
3
3
4
2
4
2
4
4
5
5
48 USSSA TODAY
Sulphur, LA
World Series Baseball
8 & under AAA
Place
State
1
2
3
4
TXW
TXS
TXW
LA
1
LA
Team
6 & under AAA
Wins
Loses
Place
State
El Paso Bluesox
American Avengers VII
Aces
Louisiana Blue Claws Red
6
4
3
2
3
3
4
4
7U-CP AAA
Louisiana Crushers Qualified
2
3
1
2
3
4
5
7
7
9
9
9
9
13
13
17
17
TXS
TXS
TXS
TXS
LA
TXN
LA
TXS
LA
TXS
LA
LA
LA
LA
LA
Place
State
1
2
3
17
LA
LA
TXN
LA
50 USSSA TODAY
Team
Texas Bruisers
Broncos de Zapata Internacional
Biscuits 6U
Top Dawgs
Bayou Bad Boyz
Wake Village Vipers
West Monroe Future
Pirates
Power Baseball
All Star Pirates
Vermilion Aces
Louisiana Blue Claws
DeQuincy All Stars
LA Bolt
Little Braves
Team
Live Oak 6U All-Stars
SL Tarpons
Euless Elite Rangers
LA Rebels
Wins
Loses
8
6
7
7
4
5
3
4
3
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
3
2
2
3
2
4
3
3
4
4
5
4
5
5
Wins
Loses
5
2
1
0
3
4
4
5
The Essence
of Sport
Editor’s Note: In this, the second season of USSSA
Today, we continue our series of articles devoted to
sportsmanship.
by Scott Kuhnen
sports. These guidelines of our sports
are intended to make for fair play and
allow participants to not only enjoy the
game but also contribute to the game in
multiple ways.
Scott Kuhnen, Central OH State Director and
sportsmanship proponent
The essence of sport is
sportsmanship.
I like to play golf. I don’t get out but
maybe four or five times each year, but
I always enjoy the challenge of it. Yet, I
don’t consider myself to be a golfer.
One of the reasons I don’t consider
myself a golfer, is that I really don’t
know the rules. I’m disappointed to
admit that I have never, ever read The
Rules of Golf.
Like a lot of people, I think I understand
the basics. I don’t improve my lie…
excessively. I take an extra stroke when
I hit it in the water and have to drop.
And, I try not to laugh at my partners…
especially when they are addressing or
striking their ball.
On the other hand, I do consider myself
to be a softballer. From the time I
started playing, in about 1968, until
today, I have always taken this game a
little more seriously. I have most definitely read the Official Rules of Softball,
many times.
It is my contention that in order to be
considered a serious participant in any
game you play requires a complete and
thorough understanding of the rules.
I further contend that understanding
the rules is about successfully and fairly
competing. Call that sportsmanship.
Like professional sports of all sorts,
USSSA publishes a set of rules for all
52 USSSA TODAY
Due to changing conditions or circumstances, the rules of the slow pitch game
are often in need of change. The most
noticeable example these days relates
to equipment. Whether the change in
bat technology or the evolving nature
of softballs to better cope with the
advancements in bat technologies,
each year comes a new challenge which
requires that the official rulebook be
carefully examined and adjustments
often made.
Last year we saw the introduction
in slow pitch softball of a new ball,
designed to better cope with hot and
humid playing conditions. The Classic
Plus soon became a player favorite
during such hot and humid conditions.
Another change which occurred
recently included added flexibility in
roster management, now allowing six
deletions and/or additions across the
long season. Appreciating the difficulty
that team managers have with player
availability, USSSA considered and then
adopted this new flexibility.
As participants in any of our sports,
you are invited to be a part of the rules
change process through your local
USSSA state director.
Each year in November, at USSSA’s
National Convention, changes to our
official rules and By-Laws are suggested
and, after considerable debate and
discussion at least some are adopted.
The process of debate starts in a program
committee then works its way to the
National Playing Rules Committee and,
if recommended for vote by that body,
is then sent to the voting delegates for
floor debate and a vote.
This process is rigorous and might be
said to be too difficult and slow to well
adapt to changing times. However,
it is also designed to prevent sudden
changes which might put sports at risk if
they were adopted too quickly. Frankly,
not all changes can be said to appropriate. Care is taken and consensus is
reached so that all the game’s stakeholders understand the risks and potential benefits.
Team managers and players are often a
source of recommended rules changes.
USSSA welcomes this.
Our participants are our best stakeholders and we
welcome their ideas.
Suggested changes to existing rules are
provided for in Article VII, Section 4 of
the Official USSSA By-Laws found in the
back of the Rulebook on USSSA.com. It
provides for two timeframes for submitting suggested rules changes. The first
of these is prior to September 1st each
year.
Such changes, if considered by the
National
Rules
Committee
and
forwarded to the voting delegates
require a simple majority in order to
pass into effect.
Rules or By-Laws changes submitted
after September 1st, but in time
for consideration at the National
Convention, are more difficult to pass,
requiring a 75% consent of the voting
delegates, but are also welcome.
Suggested rules changes are welcome
by State Directors and/or the VicePresidents of the various USSSA sports.
Each of these representatives may be
found on USSSA.com (Link: “Find a
Director”).
Good Luck in the off-season and, please,
continue to be a Good Sport!
Editor’s Note: The author invites you
to share your stories of good sportsmanship in the game. Whether as a player,
coach/manager, sponsor, director, or
umpire, please feel free to send your
favorite moments of sportsmanship to:
[email protected]
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2nd Annual Columbus Softball
“Legends of the Game”
Editor’s Note: The following is the prepared remarks made at this event, held in Columbus, Ohio on July 10-11, 2010.
by Scott Kuhnen
Before we begin today’s ceremonies,
I’d like to share with all of you how
this event came about. The concept of
the “Legends of the Game” Softball
Weekend is really the result of a request
by USSSA’s Ohio District III Director, Mike
Bartee, who asked me one day if we
might consider honoring Flip Lucas, of
Springfield at our Annual “Memorial”
Tournament?
Mike McNutt, Terry Folino, Christan Dowling
I immediately said, “Mike, what is it
that you don’t understand about a
‘Memorial’ tournament? Flip Lucas is
very much alive and kicking!”
He replied, “Well, it’s a shame you have
to die before the game recognizes and
thanks you!”
I realized, of course, that Mike was right
and said, “Give me a little time to think
on it.”
Christan Dowling, Denny Wombold, Terry Folino
The result is a concept which recognizes
and honors the giants…the “Legends”
of the Game…while they are still here
to enjoy it. This is our way of thanking
softball people who have contributed
to the game in multiple ways and been
shining examples to others in this game.
If there is one thing we need, it is examples like these people to help save the
game!
Next, I’d thank the sponsor of the
“Columbus Softball Legends,” Mr. Mojo
himself, Mark Witte.
Pete Nance, Terry Folino, Christan Dowling
We’d like to thank Jack Castle and
Columbus Parks & Rec for the use of
these particular fields near the Columbus
Slow Pitch Hall of Fame Plaza, a suitable
setting these honorees.
Each “Legend” receives a “Legends of
the Game” plaque and a “Legends of the
Game” shirt the tournament and Mojo
Sports Gear. Mark was unable to join us
for this year’s ceremonies, so I will ask
Toby Marvin, our Tournament Director,
and Al Clark representing Central Ohio
USSSA, to help me with presentations.
Christan Dowling, Jan Deters, Terry Folino
54 USSSA TODAY
Now then…for the 2010 Class of
Columbus Legends…
Our first Legend of
the Game is a man
who after what he
describes as a totally
unremarkable playing
and coaching career has
turned a passion for the
Steve Carr
game into something
remarkable indeed. During his tenure
as Grove City Parks and Recreation
Director from 1980 to 1984, this Legend
expanded Grove City’s five-league,
40-team program into a 20-league,
150-team softball program. After this
early success he then moved to the
Pickerington Parks and Recreation
Department’s USSSA sanctioned, fiveleague, 42-team softball program
from 1998 through 2009. But most
notably, this Legend is the founder and
director of the “World’s Largest Alumni
Tournament.” Last year, 98 teams representing five decades of Grove City High
School graduates competed for braggin’
rights and silver cups in six divisions. The
tournament, which is held annually on
the last full weekend in July, features
a tournament web site, tournament
drawing parties, a downtown homecoming celebration, and a tournament
hall of fame. The program is a model for
other to follow and I personally know a
couple of people who are interested in
following in this Legend’s foot steps.
Ladies and gentlemen, please help me
welcome the newest member of the
Columbus Legends of the Game: Mr.
Steve Carr.
Our next Legend of the
Game started playing
competitive fast pitch
softball in 1963 with
the U.S. Postal Service
and continued playing
until the age of 69.
Roy Norman
This Legend played
on such notable teams as Al Williams,
Southwest Insurance, RAW Electric,
Safeway Electric, Mayer Insurance, and
Steve’s Used Tires. Whereas last year we
Toby Marvin, Al Clark, Steve Carr
honored one of the Columbus area’s
greatest homerun hitters in Jerry King,
this year we honor one of the greatest
base hitters, speediest base runners, and
fleet outfielders of his era. The coach
who nominated this Legend of the
Game told me he never hit below .700
in all the years they were together. He
could hit both baselines equally well and
could consistently find the hole where
no defender could cover. As a player
and equally as coach, this Legend of the
Game made every team he played on or
coached a much better team. His teams
won multiple Premier League titles and
took home State, National and World
trophies is various associations. If not
for an unfortunate illness by his wife,
Dee, we have little doubt this Softball
Legend would still be getting base hits,
running the bases, and coaching teams
to victories all over the area.
Ladies and gentlemen, please help
me welcome the newest inductee to
the Columbus Softball Legends of the
Game: Mr. Roy Norman.
Toby Marvin, Al Clark, Roy Norman
Toby Marvin, Al Clark, Jeff Hague
Jeff Hague, Steve Carr, Roy Norman, Scott Kuhnen
56 USSSA TODAY
Our
next
Softball
Legend is one of the
best
know
softball
people in the State
of Ohio. This Legend
started playing fast
pitch softball in 1961
Jeff Hague
and has done it all in
the years since then. He’s been a player,
in both fast pitch and slow pitch, he’s
been a manager, and he’s been a player/
manager on various teams since the late
1960’s. He’s contributed to the game by
umpiring since 1966 and has worked
every level of play from local recreational
league ball to the highest level of men’s
play in this town. Maybe most importantly, there is a chance that this Legend
has hosted more tournament teams in
this general Central Ohio area by way of
his famed Firefighter’s Tournament held
every year on Memorial Day weekend
than any other tournament director
ever. He cares deeply about the game
and his longevity and commitment testifies to that better than anything I could
say.
welcome the newest inductee to the
Columbus Legends of the Game: Mr.
Jerry Myers
Our next two Softball Legends were
unable to join us this year but were
members of the famed McGlothlin Oil
women’s slow pitch team which was
recognized as one of the teams of the
decade (1980’s) by the Columbus Softball
Hall of Fame Committee. They are Ms
Janet Patton and Ms Cookie Ebert.
Last, but surely not least, our final
Softball Legend of 2010 …this Legend
of the Game started playing Class E ball
more than 25 years ago and moved in
only one direction, toward the pinnacle,
ever since. Over the years this teams won
126 tournaments and over 2100 times
in approximately 2700 total games. His
teams won 13 World Championships,
including one in Class B, six in AA, and
another six in Major play. One of those
teams, in 1995 was the only AA team
to ever capture the USSSA Major World
Series. He is also well known for running
softball tournaments, including 39 wellattended and well-known USSSA tournaments which benefitted that organization greatly when it was first starting
up. However, he may be best known as a
true friend and benefactor of the game.
He was instrumental in the creation of
BATS and has helped countless players
in the Columbus area (whether they
know it or not) by his support of the
Columbus Parks & Rec, BATS, and the
Columbus Softball Hall of Fame.
welcome the final 2009 inductee to the
Columbus Softball Legends, a class act
for his entire career: Mr Jeff Hague.
Thank you to all our Legends for all they
have contributed to the game. We want
them to know how much we appreciate
all their years of sacrifice and commitment to this game we all love.
One last announcement: I’d like
everyone here to help us nominate the
next class of Greater Columbus Softball
Legends. We will make our announcement of the 2011 Class of Columbus
Softball legends at next year’s Columbus
Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame dinner,
which we hope all of you will attend.
We appreciate your support and hope
to continue recognizing people who
have contributed to the game in the
Greater Columbus area.
Thank You and…
Let’s Play Ball!
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VISIT US AT JUSTBATS.COM OR
CALL 1-866-321-2287
Ice Road
By Rick Phillips
As the Albuquerque ICE team
initially began in the Petroglyph
Little League few if any new the
roads that they would travel. The
majority of the team had been
together since the 2007 season.
They began their competitive
year after the Little League Minor
Division (9-10 yr olds) took the NM
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in 2008. A
State title was as far as they could
go as per Little League rules so other options were now considered.
After another local recreation league the team chose to go to the
more competitive club circuit in 2009, and have never looked back. The
Albuquerque ICE was formed and the journey began.
As these unchartered waters swelled so did the realizations of new costs.
Uniforms, (resizing after they didn’t fit) different types of insurances, fees
for registrations, equipment etc. Along with the costs came the broken
fingers, sprained ankles, sprained hands, and the many lost tournaments.
Those times were tough in the beginning but this team muddled through
and have maintain their primary goal, keeping together, toughing it out,
and teaching the girls to be better players with dignity, class and most of
all, a lot of heart.
Winning isn’t everything as Coach J.J. says but yet keeping our family
together and our spirit intact is what we have done. As Coaches,
Parents, and Players, we believe we have come far, and will continue
to go further because of what we have been able to do together.
My staff and I are dedicated to teaching these girls who are now
young ladies the game of softball. I would like to say that Managers
as well as Assistant Coaches of other teams within our Little League
program are responsible as well for the growth of our players.
While traveling over this time to other towns and cities our performance
on the field has been exceptional at times as well as mediocre in others,
more importantly our team has become a family, we are truly
blessed to be able to play this sport at a level that we not
only compete at yet we succeed in That word “BELIEVE” is
our team motto. We believe we can win with hard work
and we have.
As participants in the October Qualifier in Arizona at the
Field of Dreams and playing in their first 14u tournament
in an out of state event they took 2nd place. This travel is
hard on everybody with work commitments, and the economy
as it is as the Parents say. We take pride in our team by fundraising which includes car washes, raffles, and preparing food and
then selling at other events including boys baseball tournaments.
As Coaches we understand that the level of participation from our
young ladies as well as their parents to even consider the travel as well
as the monthly costs are indeed a huge sacrifice to their family. We
also know as a coaching staff that if these young ladies want to pursue
a career in this sport whether it be for high school, college or maybe
professional we have to travel and fund raise. Remember we still have
our goal and to get to that goal whatever it may be it does not come
without hard work, dedication, and most of all, we have to BELIEVE!!!!!
58 USSSA TODAY
SOFTBALL ENTHUSIASTS
S U N C AT C H E R S
T E A M P L AY E R S
Get into our sports culture.
Life is both fun and competitive on our coast.
Our professional staff and corps of local volunteers
can skillfully host your softball camp using our
experience, industry professional standards, and
best practices. It would be our privilege to become
your destination of choice.
Contact Joe Pickett at the Manatee County Sports Commission
941-224-7344 [email protected] www.TimeForSports.net
2010 USSSA College
Scholarship Announcement
Meeting a commitment made in 2009, USSSA CEO, Don
DeDonatis, has approved the awarding of $15,000 in
college scholarship money to USSSA participants.
“This is one of the finest programs USSSA has to offer,”
says DeDonatis. “Not only do we reward student-athletes
for participating in USSSA sports and excelling at athletics
at the same time, but we also honor one of the association’s founding fathers and our former CEO, Al Ramsey.”
The A.E. Ramsey USSSA College Scholarship Program is
named for one of the founders of USSSA and former
National President, Al Ramsey
This year’s scholarship money goes to 20 student-athletes
in fast pitch and slow pitch softball and baseball. The
scholarship amounts range from $500 to $1000 and,
unlike many scholarships which are awarded to the
schools to defray solely tuition costs, the USSSA scholarship funds are sent directly to the students and their
families and can be used for tuition, books, housing, or
just a living allowance.
According to Mr. DeDonatis, scholarships are currently
available to both our youth softball programs, baseball,
and basketball. And, as additional sports begin to grow
and our involvement by high school students begins to
expand in those sports, USSSA will award even more
scholarships.
“We look forward to receiving more and more applicants from our participants,” says DeDonatis. “The
number of applicants was slightly down in 2010, but
we look for it to climb again in 2011. We are anxious to
help those student-athletes who have participated in our
programs.”
Interested student-athletes should go to www.USSSA.
com to download an application form and begin the
process of applying today. The application form can be
found on the various home pages for slow pitch, fast
pitch, baseball, and basketball.
The application must be endorsed by a USSSA Sponsor
(manager/coach, State Director, National Board Member),
forwarded to the State Director in the sport for which you
are applying, must be accompanied by a letter of acceptance from the college you are attending, and include a
brief essay (200-300 words) explaining how USSSA sports
helped you prepare for college and future endeavors.
USSSA College Scholarship applications are due to the
USSSA National Headquarters by 15 August of each year.
If there are any questions, please direct them to your
USSSA State Director or Scott Kuhnen, So/Central Ohio
State Director, (937)429-0029 or e-mail: [email protected].
60 USSSA TODAY
Baseball
Matthew D. Barras
Broussard, LA
Univ. of Louisiana
Zakary J. Ballard
Galdstone, MO
KC Comm College
Daniel G. Deutsch
Farmington Hills, MI
Kalamazoo College
Natalie A. Stroud
Denver, CO
University of Vermont
Lillian L. Thompson
Huachuca City, AZ
Eastern Arizona Coll.
Brandi A. Wilson
Goochland, VA
Randolph Macon Coll.
Jessica Lewis
Renton, WA
Colorado Sch of Mines
Gabriela Losoya
Midland, TX
Midland College
Bailey Lynn Tom
Monroe, MI
Miami Inst. Of Tech.
Holly Jordan Martinez
Nirthglenn, CO
Seattle University
Hayli K. Erdmann
Toledo, OH
Concordia Univ.
Danielle M. Summers
Fort Collins, CO
Chadron St. Coll.
Sara A. Bell
Green Ridge, MO
Baker University
Amanda A. Ell
Kansas City, MO
Dana College
Anna E. Linderman
Dardenne Prairie, MO
Culver-Stockton C.C.
Katherine G. Baxter
Platte City, MO
Missouri Western St.
Melissa A. Marshall
Colorado Springs, CO
Garden City C.C.
Hailey N. Johnson
Battlefield, MO
not apparent
Chelsea Ann Martin
Fort Collins, CO
Lamar Comm. College
Shelby A. Smith
Louisville, KY
Tusculum College
Fast Pitch
Slow Pitch
SWAT 2010
“Cat Osterman Experience”
Article Contributed By Paul Rose
SWAT is a softball team that consists of a group of young ladies that are comprised from
the East Texas area that has taken to the fields in five different states through the years
and in the 2010 season added a new one…Nebraska.
This was the home of the first annual Cat Osterman Experience
and was held in Bellvue Nebraska on July 5-10. This was the
opening week of the new complex, and the first of a four week
run through the complex with other age groups attending.
SWAT competed in the 14U division as a first year 14U team.
During the 14U week there were a total of 32 teams from 23
different states including teams from Canada and Australia.
SWAT finished 9th in the week long tournament with all record
of 5-3 and all 3 losses coming by a one run margin.
Of all the tournaments these girls have ever played this
“Experience” seemed to be the team favorite, the girls were
able to room together in a dorm type atmosphere and had
plenty of bonding time and they took full advantage of their
time together. They also had the opportunity of having two
University of Texas stars Cat Osterman and Megan Willis come
into their dugout during a game and sign autographs and talk
softball with them, and with SWAT being from Texas that just
made it more special.
SWAT team members are; Taylor Pyland from Ore City, Texas;
62 USSSA TODAY
Ashlin Roach from Hughes Springs, Texas; Ali Modisette from
Harleton, Texas; Kaylee Knowlton from Harleton, Texas;
Madison Martin from Longview, Texas; Haley Krumplebeck
from Shreveport, Louisiana; Annie Mehringer from Kilgore,
Texas; Nicole Linton from Hallsville, Texas; Karley Free from
Henderson, Texas; and Jacqualyn Bartley from Tatum, Texas.
This group of girls have made their mark around the Ark-La-Tex
for many years and most of these girls have played together
since they were 8 years old, and have been dedicated to their
coaches and to each other through thick and thin, and are truly
“SWAT Girls” to the core. They have competed in the USFA
World Series twice, finishing 4th as a 10U team in 2007 and 5th
as a 12U team in 2009, also in 2009 played in the Triple Crown
World Series Oklahoma City, finishing 3rd, and in 2008 they
won the 11U USSSA World Series.
SWAT will definitely give Bellvue, Nebraska and the Cat
Osterman Experience another look for a future tournament,
and they are anticipating an exciting and successful 2011 season
and plan on making a lot of noise on the dirt!
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PLU, Inc.’s
“Compete for a Cure”
Softball Tournament
by John Pond
Raises $12,000 for
Breast Cancer
During the first weekend of August,
22 women’s softball teams descended
on Taunton, Massachusetts for the First
Annual “Compete for a Cure” Softball
Tournament, sponsored by PLU, Inc. to
raise money for the American Cancer
Society’s “Making Strides Against
Breast Cancer” Walk. The tournament
was a USSSA-sanctioned and National
Qualifying event with over 240 competitors and at least another 150 fans in
attendance. Throughout the weekend,
attendees participated in various
activities; including a Fundraising
Competition, a Home Run Derby, a
Throwing Competition and a Team
Social with dinner and a series of raffles
prizes that culminated with a 50/50
Raffle whose lucky winner took home
almost $2,000.
Although the main goal of the tournament was to raise as much money as
possible for Breast Cancer, the weekend
proved to be a great testament to
the spirit and camaraderie of USSSA
Women’s Softball; drawing women as
young as 14 years old and teams from
as far as Quebec, Canada. Fairwarning
(Rhode Island) won the tournament
by coming back from the Loser’s
bracket to beat second place team S&S
Landscaping (Rhode Island). Twisted
Sistahs (Massachusetts) fought hard to
finish in third place. Tournament MVPs
were Cathie Noversa (Fairwarning)
and Jen Arrajj (S&S Landscaping).
Tracy-Lee Miller (Fairwarning) finished
the weekend as the Home Run Derby
Champion and Kerri LeMasters (Express)
won the Throwing Competition by
hitting 4-foot high Breast Cancer Ribbon
targets placed at each of the bases.
A highlight of the weekend was the
inspirational play of CLCF Softball
(Rhode Island), winners of the tournament’s Sportsmanship Award. CLCF
Softball was a team of former fast-pitch
64 USSSA TODAY
players, ranging in age from 14 – 18 years
old, playing in its first slow-pitch tournament. On Saturday, with only 9 players
on the field, the young women beat a
strong and experienced FreeWheelin’
Team (2010 Rhode Island Champions)
to advance. On Sunday, the affectionately nicknamed “Baby Sistahs” (by the
Twisted Sistahs) continued to play with
heart and dignity as they were eliminated early by large margins; earning the
respect and admiration of the crowd and
providing an encouraging glimpse into
the future of USSSA Women’s Softball.
Thanks to the teams and spectators, the First Annual “Compete for
a Cure” Softball Tournament was an
overwhelming success, raising more
than $12,000 for the American Cancer
Society’s “Making Strides Against
Breast Cancer” Walk. Plans are already
underway for the 2011 “Compete for
a Cure” Tournament to be held from
August 6-8, 2011 in Taunton, MA. Visit
www.pluinc.org for details. Space is
limited. Contact Ginny Trainor (gtusssa@
comcast.net; 617-594-8322) to register
for what we expect to be the biggest
and most successful USSSA Breast Cancer
Softball Tournament in the nation.
About PLU, Inc.:
People Like Us, Inc. was founded by a
group of four women who decided over
a round of golf to make a difference and
raise money to fight breast cancer. As
each of their lives has been personally
touched by breast cancer, they decided
to band together to create a golf event
where they would make a difference in
fighting this disease.
Early in 2004 they incorporated in
Massachusetts as a non-profit organization and received tax-exempt 501(c)
(3) status from the Internal Revenue
Service. The founding members held
three amazing events - all a tremendous
success - raising a significant amount of
money for Massachusetts women and
families dealing with breast cancer.
In the fall of 2009, with the blessing of the
founding members, six friends equally
dedicated to fighting Breast Cancer
took the reins of the organization. We
pledge to carry on the legacy started by
the founding members and to continue
the battle against Breast Cancer with the
same passion and determination.
Overland Park, KS
2010 National Soccer Series
National Championships
by Craig Scriven
The 2010 National Soccer Series held
its first ever National Championships in
Overland Park, KS this past October. The
tournament was played at the Overland
Park Soccer Complex and under perfect
conditions with the temperatures in
the high 70’s all weekend. The world
class facility was only opened in 2009
and has already hosted two National
Tournaments, all twelve synthetic fields
are lighted and allow for teams to experience top quality fields for the finals.
National Champions were crowned in
seventeen divisions from U9 to Adults.
The finals were played on Sunday afternoon with teams progressing from
qualifying groups. Teams participated
from: Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska,
Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Oklahoma and
Arkansas; the total number of teams
was 83.
USSSA Flag outside of the Overland Park Soccer
Complex at sunset.
66 USSSA TODAY
Games started on Saturday with teams
playing two group games to work
towards qualifying for the knock out
stages and finals. In the evening teams
took place in the tournament parade
which was held during the half time
period of the Kansas City Wizards and
Seattle Sounders Major League soccer
game. For some of the teams it was their
first opportunity to witness a live professional game and these players enjoyed
being on the field during half time.
It heated up on Sunday as games were
played at a higher tempo with results
now determining elimination or progression into the finals. There was plenty of
noise on the sidelines as teams scored to
progress into the championship games.
As the finals were played you could see
what it meant to the players and teams
as games ended. Some teams were able
to celebrate with cheers and there was
even vuvuzela’s (the horns used from
the World Cup in South Africa) heard, as
other teams fell to their knees and had
to be consoled from coaches at the final
whistles.
Three games had to be decided by the
dreaded penalty shootout due to the
score being tied at the final whistle and
players who stepped up had the chance
to make history. These were the first
penalty shootout’s ever in the USSSA
National Finals and one of the shootout’s went into sudden death where
whoever misses first loses.
Overall the first National Championship
started and ended with many high notes
and memories for players, coaches, fans
and tournament staff. We are pleased
to announce that USSSA National Series
will again end in Overland Park in 2011
with qualifying tournaments starting in
January at Coco Expo, Florida.
The U11 finalists come together for a group picture
after the presentation of awards. Arkansas Wizards
(AR) claimed the 4-2 victory in the U11 Boys
Silver bracket over Blackfire Inferno (MO)
Arkansas Wizards (AR) U13 Boys before their
championship game against Sedalia Select.
Coach Carlos Chicas (Arkansas State Director)
pictured far left and his team narrowly lost 2-1 in
the final game. Kansas City Wizards player Kei Kamara signs
autographs after the tournament parade during the
half time period at the MLS Saturday night game in
Kansas City.
U9 Girls
BVSC STARS Flamengo 01/02
0
BFC U9 Red Jaguars
0
BFC Red Jaguars win 4-3 on PK’s.
U10 Girls
Kansas Rush Rance
2
BV KCFC Hurricanes
1
U11 Girls Gold
Lou Fusz Shooting Stars
3
BVSC Stars Boavista 99/00
0
U11 Girls Silver
Flint Hills Jaguars
3
Ascension Arsenal
1
U12 Girls
Kansas Rush Nike
0
Parkville Panthers
2
U14 Girls
Futura Coraggio
2
KC Comets 97G
2
High School Girls
LT Impact
1
Chili Peppers
5
U9 Boys
BVSC Stars Cruzeiro
5
Harambe Strykers Jrs.
1
U10 Boys Gold
Panathinaikos GFD
5
Topeka Select Cudas
0
U10 Boys Silver
Futura Parma
2
BVSC STARS Sting 00/01
2
KC Comets win Final on PK’s 3-2
Futura Parma wins on PK’s 4-3
Championships trophies and awards that were
presented to the finalists at the tournament. U11 Boys Gold
Futura U11 Academy
4
SSC Fury - MV
2
U11 Boys Silver
Arkansas Wizards U11 Boys
4
Blackfire Inferno Red
2
U12 Boys
LSC Prime
4
Futura Fire
3
U13 Boys Gold
KVSA Brasil Jambars
5
Futura FC Cosmos
1
U13 Boys Silver
Sedalia Select Sting
2
U13 Arkansas Wizards
1
U14/15 Boys
KC Legends World Cup I
3
Vantage Barcelona
1
Santo Tomas United
5
Arkansas Chicas
2
Aggregate Score played over two legs
USSSA TODAY 67
2010 USSSA
Great Lakes Men’s C and
Women’s Nationals
Pole Position/Dooley’s, Men’s C Champions
Berliner Park in Columbus, Ohio was the
host for the 2010 USSSA Great Lakes
Division Men’s C and Women’s National
Championship. Held the weekend after
Labor Day due to facility conflicts, the
tournament realized a similar number
of teams as the previous year on a great
weather weekend.
The men’s C division hosted many of the
divisions’ top ranked teams, including
#1 seed, Pole Position/Dooley’s, the #2
seed Select Restoration, and #3 seed
Line Drive/SSS Sports Cards, all from
Michigan.
Order of finish held fairly true to form,
with one exception. The tournament’s
#6 seed, Groundscape Maintenance/
Maxim Roofing, from Dayton, Ohio,
played the spoiler through the bracket,
taking out all three of the higher seeds
at one point or another.
Groundscape Maintenance/Maxim Roofing, Men’s C Runners-up
68 USSSA TODAY
Pole
Position/Dooley’s
fought
their
way back to the finals by taking out
fellow Michigan competitor Line Drive/
SSS by a score of 16-14. Then, experience and confidence showed as Pole
Position double dipped Mike Cruea’s
Groundscape in two hard fought
contests 15-14 and 17-15.
Tournament MVP was Pole Position’s
Charlie Anderson.
In the Women’s B divisions of play, a
similar scenario unfolded as Illinois’s
Made to Order took out Kentucky’s Low
Bob’s Miken (11-6) in the second round
only to see Low Bob’s again in the finals
where Low Bob’s/Miken dominated
(18-3 & 15-5).
In the Women’s C division, perennial
Indiana power, Dented Bats, took out
Pennsylvania’s Metro Sports in the very
first round (15-5), only to have to face
them again in the finals, where Metro
provided paybacks to the tune of 17-16.
In the “if” game, Dented Bats, returned
to early tournament form by winning
20-2.
Low Bob’s/Miken, Women’s B Division Champions
The Women’s D bracket hosted 15
teams from eight USSSA states. Jerry
Kruger’s Sheetrockers, from Rochester,
NY, showed the most consistency of the
tournament, scoring in double digits in
every one of their games and holding
their opponents to single digits in every
victory. Finishing second and third
respectively were K&G/Sunrise out of
Warren, Ohio and Raiders/ Elk&Elk, from
the Cleveland area.
Dented Bats, Women’s C Division Champions
Men’s C MVP, Charlie Anderson, Pole Position/
Dooley’s
Sheetrockers, Women’s D Champions
USSSA TODAY 69
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