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ll rilB
Magrzineof theMen'sSeniorandMen'sAdult
6
0n ourcover.
..
Batter lllqx Utslerof the KonsosCili Cubsfaces
pitcher JohnArnold of the lA Alhleticsin this
year's 55+ National Divisionfinal atthe 2006
MSBLA4ABL World Series (LA won, 7-6).
Catcheris SterlingRoux.The Seriesreturnedto
the newly renovatedTempe Diablo complex
this year.
Photo by JackiePiro
Insel pholos:Three of the many teams that
emergedvictorious at their respectiveLabor
Day regional tournaments (1-r): The
Indionopolis
Slqllionswon the 2006 Midwest
Regional (p. l5); in Albany, New York, the
Buffolo Indiqnswon the 38+ Division
Championship at this year's Northeast
Regional (p. 16), and the Socromenlo
Rivercols
won the 55+ Wood Bat Division at the Carl
Flowers Memorial "Best in the West"
tournament in California (p. 14).
Pifching
Fundomentols
Pick-off Moves, Part Two
by John Pinkman
10 2006Lobor
DoyRegionols
T e x a sC u p . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0. . . . . . . . 1
WoodlandDavis......................1
3
Indianapolis
Midwest..............1
5
Albany Northeast....................1
6
Huntsville,Alabama...............1'7
ChicagoShootout....................1
8
18 2006LoleFollRegionols
Delaware
County38+........:....20
Chesapeake,
Maryland............20
C o l u m b uO
s ,h i o. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I. . . . . . 2
Leagues
2 letlers
24 Presiden/s
Reporl
MSBL Approaches
20thAnniversary...................24
President
HitstheRoad...........24
PCFDonations
........................24
NewAgeGuidelines......
.........25
FallClassic
News....................25
Benefitsof Membership..........30
26 Honor
Roll
PeteThorne.Phil Prax.
Ted NunnandJonMaples
28 Around
lheHorn
New Hampshire"Hit for Kids"
Baseball
Marathon
................28
NorthTexashelpsReverchon
P a r k . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9
0noage
4:
2006
Wolld
Series
andtallGlassic
23 Foces
in theCrowd
Score[oard
Remembering
KaleiMahoe....23
1 9 Online
Now
Long Island MSBL Members and Sons
Travel to Dominican Republic
Read the entire article at hardball.net
32 Morketploce
(bockpoge)
Photo
Conlest
Winner
Ericlindquisl,
Columbus
MSBI
HardBall (ISSN 1521-1010)is published
five times per year by HardBall Publishing
Venture. Issue#66. Periodicalspostagepaid
at post office in Oceanside, CA and at
additional mailing offices. @ 2006. A11
rights reserved. 33,000 paid National and
International circulation. Member
subscriptionprice of $12.50(for 5 issues)is
included as part of annual MSBL or MABL
dues. A l-year,5-issue, nonmember
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issue (plus S&H). HardBall, 4949 Lassen
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POSTMASTER: Send addresschangesto
MSBL Inc., One Huntington Quadrangle,
suite 3N07. Melville. M 11747.
MSBL, Inc. headquartersis located at
One Huntington Quadrangle,
Suite 3N07. Melville. NY 11747.
ABOVE'
BobbyNewtonthrew
ninestrong
inningsto
leod
hisleomto 38+ Division
rhompionship
ot the2006
Texos
Cuptournoment
in SonAntonio
overLobor
Doy
photos,
weekend.
Resuhs,
more
10.
onpoge
Photo by Jerry EspositoNisual Touch Photography.
Holidoy
2006
ATTENTI0N
ALLMEMBERS:
Coming
upnexlyeoris
the20lhMSBL/MABL
World
lf you've
Series.
ottended
ollof theWorld
Series
sinre
1988,
the
MSBL
Notionol
offire
would
liketoknow.
Pleose
roll(6311
753-6725
or e-moil
themst:
[email protected]
HordBoll
Mugozine
I
TO: Editors
Hard3atl Magazine
I
MSBL,Inc.
One Huntington Quadrangle, #3NO7
Melville, NY 11747
www.msblnational.com
President and Founder
SteveSigler
Vice President
Gary D'Ambrisi
National Coordinator
Brian Sigler
HardBall Magazine
4949LassenDrive
Oceanside,
CA 92056
www.hardboll.net
Publisher
Dan Piro I 760-732-3477
p ubli sher @hardball.net
Editor
David Krival
805-985-6968
I Fax 805-985-7668
dkrival @earthlink.net
Farewell lo Buchmeie/s
"Field ol Dreams"
WheneverHardBall \lagazine comesin the
mail, my husband's tace lights up. I want to
thank you for providing such a professional
organization.Playin-etbr MSBL enriches the
life of my husband.Kurr Buchmeier,who plays
in the St.Louis
for the Rockiesandthe Pert-ectos
MSBL.
Before I met Kurt. he ou'ned property about
an hour south of St. Louis. on which he built a
regulation-sizebaseballtjeld. After we married,
I suggestedthat we build our home next to the
baseballfield. We did. despitethe fact that Kurt
now had to drive an hour eachway to his games.
He didn't mind the drive. for he loved beingable
to have a baseballfield in his backyard.
Five years later. for several reasons,I have
done what some women often do: changedmy
mind. I want to move backto St.Louis whereour
friendsand family reside.Sincewe built a house
next to the baseballfleld. we must sell the field
in order to sell our house. I am blessed;my
husbandloves me enough to make this move
(not to mention he will be closer to his MSBL
games and to Busch stadium). But, as a true
baseball enthusiast, he is distraught about
leaving his field of dreams with its scoreboard
entitled "Buchmeier Field: Home of Kurt and
Lisa,"-the field on which he and his dad
practicer the team party place.
Only those who truly love baseball could
appreciate such a loss, so I'm asking you, the
MSBL-the
organization that celebrates
baseball-for help. When I asked my husband
what would make it easier to leave his field of
dreams,he saidhe'd love to seea pictureof it in
HardBall Magazine.
Please help my husband say "good bye."
Many blessingsand thanks,
Lisa Buchmeier
[email protected]
Wants More Goverage lor
Garibbean Glassic
Baseball in February in Puerto Rico, and the
tourney only rates a two-pager with a blurb of
the 45 and over games?The coveragedoes not
do this seriesiustice!
Continued on page 4
ManagingEditor
JackiePiro
1-760-732-3477I Fax 760-732-0709
[email protected]
Contributing Editor
Jeff McGaw
4026GreenSt.
Harrisburg,PA 17l 10
(7r7) 608-0817
[email protected]
Contributors
Frank DeMaria
GerryMecca
JohnPinlcrnan
Photographers
Denevi & JonesSportsPhotography
Jerry Esposito,VisualTouch
TomPrendergast
Advertising
Jill Panin/Dan Piro
1-760-732-3477
Fax: l-760-732-0709
advenisi ng@hardba ll.net
AB0VE:
KurlondLissBuchmeier
ot GM(Stodium.
RIGHT
ondB0TT0M,
Buchmoier
Field,
ondu close-up
ofthe
scoreboord.
Thecouple
isreluctontly
selling
thefieldKurtbuiltnext
t0hishome
ondmoving
north.
2 HordBoll
Mogozine
Holidoy
2006
(conl'd)
LETTERS
Gamesareheld on manicuredfields with
picture postcard views of this island
paradise,and the best you can do are two
out-of-focus images and two same age
bracketteam photos? Come on now!
Many peopleput in a lot of sweatto get
this thing going, not to mention the cost to
the participants (player fees, travel and
lodging). There'salsothe fact that although
it's a vacation of sorts for the
out-of-towners,the localssti1lhavetheir 9-5
to get to which makes it that much more
difficult for them to field squads.My hat's
off to them becausethey always come
throughand arealwayscompetitive.
L e t ' s p l e a s eg i v e t h i s t o u r n e y t h e
coverageit deserves.Rich (Rosenblum)
does a great job in getting the tourney
togetheras do all the participantsin making
this tourneythe competitivevenuethat it is.
Kudos to whomever desiened this vear's
logo...AWESOMEl
RickyRuiz
Fairfux, Virginia
Thanks lrom Soulh Dakola
[Excerpts from email to Steve Sigler]:
Steve,I just wantedto sendyou a shortnote
of thanks...Myguys had an outstandingtime
was thinking
at this year'sWorld Series....l
aboutall the times I havebeento the MSBL
World Seriesover the years,and what great
times I have had....Thegift you have given
thousandsof players nationwide over the
your
last l9 years is astounding...through
great vision, hard work and love of this
grand game you have touched so very
many...themagic of being on a team in a
game that lends itself to an atmosphere
wherelifetime friendshipsareend results,is
priceless.Thanksagain Steve.
Jay Bentz, South Dakota Baseball
Kalei Mahoe: My lriend
I want the MSBL family to know that
Kalei Mahoe passedaway on November 14.
He is survivedby his three sons,Koamula,
Kaleiohau, and Kakoa; hrs
mother Rosalee, father
Danny, and brother
Paul. Even though
his cancer was
terminal, Kalei's
will and faith in
God allowed him
to spend more time
here with us. He
exceededall doctors
expectations by
living an additional
Kalei Mahoe
year.He wasa man of
GREAT character,he loved his children
more than life itself, he was kind and
compassionate,and he was a GREAT
baseballplayer.
Mogozine
4 HordBoll
2006 World Seriesond FollClossicResults
(to be reoortedin deoth in next issue)
2 0 0 6 M S B L / M A BW
L O R L DS E R I E-SA r i z o n o
TournamentDirector: Tom Prendergast
MSBLA4ABL Presidc'nt:Stc'r'eSisler
Dlvtst0N
28+ Nntionol
28+ [ontinentol
Rowlinos
Notiono
I8+ MABI
B+ MABIAmericon
lB+ MABL
Federol
l8+ MABI[entrol
28+ Wood
8o
?8+ Federol
28+ [entrol
38+ Wood
Notionol
?R I WnndAmorirnn
(HAMPIONSHIP
GAME
SCORES
WINNING
MANAGERS
elsl l. Atlonto
A$ros
/
islros
10.Tri-Vollev
[ordinols
3
Roqer
Clork
Kellv
Mortv
liors4 Tinseltown
lenor3 (l 0 inninos)
Romsev
0choo
I Block
Sox
/. So[ol
Snoooen
0
' r oPirotes
Moines
Vikinos
4
5.[)es
8"0,"Yorkees
I 2.Denver
Twins
2
[rev.I 7 Newnort
Storm
6
B:,'[ubs
6.Tocomo
Tuos
2
[rrdinoJs
7.Sonto
Eorboro
Red
Sox
I
Fncons
3 Srottsdnlet
Fined?
( li7t vi nRno. v) o l s I ]
[ounlvPodresI2.KonsosC
Rose
Jimmv
Mork
Pricher
Henrv
Folev
lrocvNolon
Comobell
Moriin
Dominick
Goudioso
Pete
Groves
BillvFerron
48+ Wood
Americon
Fother/Son
Notionol
AAA
Deoo
Stors
/. [olzono
Tribe
2
DlceRedr
I0.Arkonsos
Diomonds
6
'Cesond
(ordinols
I
I 0.Socromento
[ordinols
Gino
Suter
Gorv
fire$one
lonvLooreto
Americon
AA
Fother/Son
re Donrnnd
Doos
6 Sorromento
Stnrs
I
Cloir
[rondoll
Fnther/Son
Ameriron
A
nnAriecs
4 So[alifornio
Wnves
2
Ernie
Eorten
48+ Wood
Notionol
:: nnrerrio
65t 8.South
Dokoto
Rushmores
3
'
, , Whrte
Sox
3.Soulh
Dokoto
40sI
Lee
Romlrez
38+ [ontinentol
38+ Mountoin
lnr Anlonio
Misions
5 Ornnoe
Corrntu
SoxI
Rick
Hernondez
38+ fentrol
|r';r [ilvTwins
I 2.Komox
Moster
I
BudSonchez
45+ Notionol
Bombers
,c A lorrio
8.Son
Jose
I
Jerrv
Soencet
48+ Federol
48+ Mountoin
Berr/s
Athletic
Suoolv
5.Rhode
lslond
Soltv
Doos
4
tresno
Phillies
21.Chicooo
Fire
I8
John
Enriuht
Pot
Morrhese
48+ Centrol
(orlOuebe
55+ Notionnl
Arslin
txnress
l? [hirooo
North
lookouts
7
l-AArhletits
7.(onsos
[itv[ubs6
58+ Notionol
Delroit
50s9.Son
Antonio
Ronoers
/
Mike
Hendrie
58+ Americon
[ordinols
[oifornio
10.thicooo
Skvliners
7
Beets
Som
58* fentrnl
Rerl
fleer
Profollision
5 Tene
Hnrrte
Volken
4
65+ Wood
Notionol
Volencio
Jose
BobSherwin
Lvle
Lorenz
- Florido
t CLASSIC
TournamentDi rector:."-' 39^u-[*
AssistantTD: Brian Sisler
Atlrrnto
A$ros
6.MedtekAssoult
4
MABLIS+
Notionol
Mortv
Kellv
MABIl8 + Ameriron
lorksonville
lndions
I 0 Miomi
Nntionols
2
Lindsov
lindsov
28+ Notionol
ihrcooo
Brooklvn
Rovols
B.[hicooo
0rioles
7
KolTote
28+ Americon
28+[entrol
llorvlorrd
Monorch:
5.Son
Antonio
Slorm
3
Fl.Wovne
Ronoers
I 3.Puerto
Rico
Gionts
I
Pouline
Youno
Rondv
Mos
38+ Wood
Bol
Northeost
Pntrinh
5 lokev
At 3
Fronk
DeMorio
38+ Notionol
Pueno
RiroPirores
9 New
York
Hunirones
I
telixRodriouez
38+ Americon
38+[entrol
Rovols
i 0evelond
Puerro
Rico
Steve's
Soorts
2
[o$rillo
Jose
Newlersev
Reds
5 fhcsoneoke
BovSoxI
Andrew
Vnsouez
45+ Wood
Ahonv
Brover
2 Shield
AIMGuords
I
lohnReel
7+ Notionol
tlorido
Hioh
Hoiten
6 Western
PABua4
AlWillioms
47+ Americon
Sonlurce
Eooles
8 Norberth
Mudcots
4
lvoelRivero
Lookforfull coverage
of all the championshipgantes
in the next issueof HardBall Magazine.
Holidoy
2006
i
(cont'd)
LETTERS
I would personally like to thank somepeople
for the support and help they have given Kalei.
SteveSigler: For your compassion,empathy
and contributions to Kalei's trust fund. Thank
you for being a great friend and creating a
baseballleagueu'here all of us are "family" and
supportoneanother.especiallyin timesofneed.
Dan and Jackie Piro at Hardball Magazrne:
To the entire staff for allowing me to sharemy
story on Kalei in the magazine.Kalei received
hundredsof emails offering him support,help
and scriptures.He emailed back almost
e\er\()ne and this gave him more strength to
\ur\i\e. knowing that the MSBL community
s as behindhim.
Jerrv Garnett, Wayne Anderson and John
Herzog: "old school" DeMarini baseball
plal'ers.Thank you for being loya1,trustworthy,
and dependable.I am grateful for ALL ofyour
contributionsfor Kalei and his family. You are
the BEST of friends to him and me.
All MSBL players:Specialthanksto all who
contributed to the Kalei Mahoe Charitable Trust
Fund and sent letters and email to Kalei. We
talkeda lot aboutthe supportthat all ofyou have
given Kalei, and he felt truly blessed.
lrealize that I am leaving out a lot ofpeople;
but this letter would turn into a novel if I
mentionedeveryonewho helped.Words cannot
describethe feelings that I have for each and
every one of you who helpedwith Kalei and his
struggle.You madea hugeimpact in his life and
I am forever grateful to all of you.
I will be changing the name of my annual
Labor Day baseball tournament to the "Kalei
Mahoe Cure For Cancer Toumament." I will
also coordinate somerelay for Iife walk-a-thons
to help raise money for the American Cancer
Society and for Kalei's children. I have set up
account numbers for savings accounts for
Kalei's childrenwhich will be put in CD's, sohis
childrencancollectwhen they turn 18.The bank
is WashingtonMutual. Anyone who wishes to
contribute can deposit money into these two
accountsat any WashingtonMutual branch:
speedyrecovery lit up Kalei's eyes and attitude.
What affected me the most is when Jamestold
me that he did not care ifhe sold a single bat at
the trade show...thathearingKalei's story and
getting Don Mattingly to call Kalei was worth
the trip to Arizona.
The baseball community lost an angel in
Kalei. As presidentof my league,I speakfor all
when I say his spirit, compassion,love for the
game and teammates,will be missed dearly. He
will forever be in all of our hearts. His legacy
will still be in our league.We were truly blessed
to know Kalei. He WILL NOT be forgotten! I
Iove you Kalei, my Hawaiian Warrior.
KoamaluP. Mahoeaccount#0092-0001272602-1
Kaleiohau
K. Mahoeaccount
# 0092-0001272603-9
Even thoughKalei lost over seventypounds,
he still managed to hit over .500 this year!
Unfbrtunately, he was not able to attend the
2006 MSBL World Seriesin Phoenix. At the
trade show there, my wife and I saw the
Mattingly baseball bats. Kalei wore #23 and
Don Mattingly was his hero. I was sharingmy
story with Don Mattingly's businesspartner,
J a m e s W e l l s . H e p r o c e e d e dt o c a l l D o n
Mattingly andtell him aboutKalei's cancer,and
that he was Kalei's hero and so forth. The next
day. Don Mattingly called Kalei at homel His
hero calling him to wish him the besr and a
Randy Clemo, President
P ortland O regon MSBL- MAB L
[email protected] 5 03 -25 6-6992
Read Gregg Sarra's piece on hisfriend Kalei
Mahoe on page 23 of this issue.-Eds.
2007IllISBVIvlABL
Coribbeon
Winlel
Boseboll
Chompionship
February
15.18,2007
Puerlo
Rico
r.800.645.3350
[email protected]
emoil:
HtI.illltlfl''illha
]ilPa
crasG"
r . i . it :
f.
fi
i',ll'
"When
young
bollployus
mehowI developed
osk
into0 prlfessilnllhitter,
fhe
practice.
lns'lvet
I give
is:canstont
Wrth
theIUGS
l'llachine
ondcoge
inmy
pitch
bockyord,
lm oble
to seegonelike
strikes,
ofterpitch,
doyinonddoyout."
Juson
Giombi
2000
A.L.
Ml/P
1. (urveboll
Pitching
MocJrine
(oge'"
2. Bockyord
Boiling
Net#7,
I l9-lb.-Breoking-sfrength
(ll' x ll' x 65')
High-Tenocify
Nylon
Filaments
S. 0utdoor
Frume
for(oge
Nel#/
{. NtWFIXED-FRAMEL-Shoped
Screen
5. FREE
Bo*drop
&Pitcher!
Troiner
"f,emGmDet,
thetoadt0tneBigLGasues
stail$inyouthacluatd."
Holidoy
2006
S. Bsrk-Sover'
Boll
Buskel
l. (4)Doren
Yellow
Dimpled
Sfing-Free@
Bosebolk
HordBoll
Mogozine5
:;i;5:.ii.-,-=:,::.::=:
=i::-=iilr=€::=;j:r+-a"i:;.='::'=:
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fol
Moues
$ Panfwo:Piclr-0ff
lefthanderc
r; The[lOStleated tilgVein BASe[all:
.i TheUIPpi0f l0 fil$t BASS
theread:
\rakea great
3.shorten
suddc'n.
uncrpected
and
move-1uick.
Nothing can confoundan aggressive
r,.
". running game,or devastatea carelessone,
1i. more than a good left-handed pick-off
move-and you eitherhave a good one or
",i
i.:i none at all.
Here's anothernews flash: most pick-offs
+l
iit result from bad baserunning, not innately
;r; clever moves.Bad movesdo not fool good
1ir runners.Don't fret. A good pick-off move is a
learnedskill, and with practiceand the right
,i
,ir approach,you can developone.
We'll focus on two moves:the "no eyes"
1:
45
degreepickoff, and the "gunslinger."
r::
The first stepin developingany good
i:
,111move is to get rid of your so-called"set-up
move." The set-upis a bad move designedto
i.
i:i trick the runnerinto thinking he's seenyour
i'i best move. Invariably everybodyin the
r1 ballpark knows that's not yovr good move. If
;t that is so-and it is-then why do it? If your
,,, move is good enough,you won't needa
:, set-upmove.
,
Focus insteadon your priorities when a
runnerreachesfirst base.
accurate-to first blsr-.
4. Remove the runner from the base.
pli'liti8$
a.a
::ii
::::
l. Make a good pitch: If you can't throw
a strike,or if you hit the lady in the
concessionstand,you'll have more than a
runnerat first to worry about.
Z. Disturb the runner's lead: vary the
time betweenthe set and the move home.
fnis is especiallytrue for righrhanded
pitchers.
l: SetPosilion
$tUdy T[g 0npOSiltOlt
Knowing somethingabout the runneron
first is vital to knos ing rr hen and how to pick
him off.
How do you knos l
There are basicallr thrce typesof runners,
First, the known base\terlers ("Big Lead")
who will stealan1'timcbccausethey can.
Cocky, aggressiverunnersare the easiest
runnersto pick olT. Sccond.are the situational
basestealers("Mediunr Lead") who have
decentspeedbut take lcu er chances.Finally,
thereare slow guys ("Short Lead") who never
steal,are uncomfbrtableon the bases,and
who take short,nervousleads.
Big Lead: The runnerdefineshimself as a
basestealer.He is aggressiveand looking for
the "45 move." Early in the ,eamehe will take
a one-wayleadjust to seeyour move, but
ratherthan steal,he is just planning.Use the
Gunslinger(step-off)move early in the at bat.
"ll0[Y[$":Ihnlrlocnanics
0ta G00d
45llegree
Picl-0ffttloue
As anyonewho has ever fallen victim to it
knows, the "no eyes45," as we call it, is the
most feared move in the game. The ultimate
goal of this pick-off move is to create a
pick-off delivery that mimics the delivery of a
pitch. If you achievethis-and you can-you
will pick runners off.
The timing of the secondarylead,and not
the size of the initial lead,is the determining
factor in when to attempt a pick-off.
The most important ingredientfor a good
45 degreemove is consistencyof movement.
If you are consistentwith the movementof
your headand lift leg (right leg), and if it
looks the samewhetherpitching or picking
off, then you have a solid foundation for a
lethal pick-off move.
Start from the stretch position looking at
the plate as you come set as in (picture L) Pay
no attentionto the runneron first baseat this
mavbethebestbettopickoff this time. Get your signalsand relax. Next, move
H:J""t
only your headand look directly into the
Medium Lead: He's a smartbaserunner, runner's eyes.2.Lift your right leg as you
but not necessarilythe fastest.Generallyhe
would when you throw the pitch home
doesn'tget picked off. The pitchercan't be
(picture3). Do not move any part of your lift
quick enoughto the use the Gunslinger
leg past the rubber;that's a balk, and first
step-offmove, and the runneris smartenough basecoachesalways screamaboutit. It has no
not to take secondarytoo early. They won't
bearingon a good move anyway.Before your
get picked with "45 move" becausetheir first lift leg stopsmoving up, turn and look home
move is most often back to the baseor late
and pick up your target(picture4.) These
after you releasethe ball. As long as the
staggeredlooks further complicate the
2: lookto firsl
3: legup
plone
5:Stepon45degree
4: look home
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runner doesn't get a goodjump to stealwe
have done ourjob.
Short Lead: Runners who lack confidence
on the baseswill make up for a short lead by
taking a big secondarylead. The "45 move" is
usually the best bet to pick off this runner.
Pay no attention to the runner during the at
bat; when you, the catcher,or your coachfeel
the runneris comfortable...pick.
.--:,,: 1,:-ir:::
.:.:: ii::.:-:-
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Holidoy
2005
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runner'sdecisions.Your goal is to make the
runner commit to a secondarylead and look
home while you are in a position to throw to
first.
At this moment your right foot begins to
stride on a 45-degreeangle between first and
home. Move your entire body, not just your
leg, down the mound roughly in the direction
ofthe on-deckcircle (pictures5 and 6). The
secretto this techniqueis to move your entire
body down the mound as if you were
throwing home-not just your leg. As you
can seefrom pictures, it is very difficult
determinewhere the pitcher is going.
In order to make this move work you must
use the same sequenceof movements when
you pick as when you throw a pitch to the
plate. Try videotaping yourself. Compare
each movement.
The final part of the move is to continue
your motion unintenupted towards the first
basedugout. This is to prevent the opposing
coachesfrom getting a fix on your direction
and creating an argument.
Unless it is flagrant, it is very difficult for
a two-man umpire crew to assessthe angle of
a left handedpitcher's movement.
Once you have createdconsistencywith
r our leg and head, it becomesnecessaryto do
the same with your arms. However you
separateyour hands during your normal
delivery to the plate is exactly how it should
be done in the delivery of a pick-off move.
These movements,done correctly, will
give the baserunner the impression a pitch is
being thrown home.
Think like a baserunner. Let's look at
several views from the runner's perspective.
Field geometry can play tricks on the runner
if usedcreatively.
The pictures below are from the runner's
view with a conservativeten-foot lead.
Picture 7 shows a good "No Eyes" (45
degree) movement. Picture 8 shows a direct
move to home plate. From this angle it is very
hard to tell the difference. Picture 9 shows the
typical bad lefty move coming straight at you;
here it is easy to figure out the pitcher's
intention.
A good "No Eyes" move has one hidden
benefit; the hitter may not know which way
you are going either.This causesan insecure
or at leasta hesitantcommitmentto swing.
Often this leads to a ground ball. With the
runnerhugging the bag at first base,this is an
easyrecipefor a doubleplay.
chanceoftaking secondbase.Ifyou throw to
first, the runner is hoping the first baseman
will commit an error (i.e. drop the ball, not
get a good grip, make a poor throw). This is
known as stealine secondon the first
GUll$llllGIR:
Inet[Gcnanics
ola
quiclsl8[-offm0ue
The duel betweenpitcherand runneris
much like the duel betweentwo gunslingers
in an old western movie where each says to
the other,"let's seehow fast you are."
That, in a nutshell, is the secretto a great
gunslingermove. As with the No Eyes45
move, an averagegunslingermove will not
lead to a pick-off in most cases.However, it is
not absolutelynecessaryto pick someoneoff
to stop the running game.
You must have a step-offmove, even if it
is a fake motion to prevent the runner from
stealing on your first movement. In this
instance,at the sight of any motion from the
pitcher, the runner will break towards second
regardlessof whether you throw home or to
first. If you throw to home, he has a great
jump and an almost one hundred percent
About
0u GontriDutors
A regulor
contributor
to Collegiote
Eoseboll
News,
John
Pinkmon
isonotionolly
recognized
leoder
inthefieldofpitchingin$ruction.
According
tolom Housg"lfs obvious
thot
John
hos
tought
hisstudents
fiepitching
skills
thotwerequire
in
profesionol
boseboll.
John
isodedicoted
$udent
ofthegome
os
wellosonexcellent
teocher."
Co-outhor
PolrickPinkmon.
pikhed
Johntsonondthemodel
inthephotol
forVirginio
lech
from]998to 2002.l|eholds
thotschool's
record
formo$
(19)ondmost
(48).
pkkoffs
pickoffi
inoyeor
inocoreer
Johntin$ructionol
focility
islocoted
intheWoshington,
DC
oreo.
ployers,
Designed
forserious
Bollery
Pork"iso bright,
sofe
profesionol
indoor
environmenl
foreliteteoms,
instructors.
0r
folher-ond*on
workouts.
Thefocilitv
isovoiloble
t0rentseven
doys
owee[from
eorly
morning
tolote
otnight.
Conloct
lnformotion:
(/03)661-8586
Phone:
(/03)4761484
Fox:
E-moil:
[email protected]
pinkmonpitching.com
Website:
Holidoy
2006
HordBoll
Mogozine
7
baseman.If a runner doer go on your first
movement, and you step off, the resulting
embarrassmentwill effectively kill the
running on first movement game.
To establish a great Gunslinger move, you
must remember two simple things: speed and
accuracy. The quicker you get the ball to first
basethe better,even ifit's ugly. Ifyou can't
put the ball within a foot of the first
basemen'smitt, the chancesof you getting the
runner out are slim. Slow or inaccurate throws
may effectively shortenthe runner's lead, but
will not eliminate the threat.
The Gunslinger move dependson quick
feet and quick hands. Start with looking back
at picture l. But as you begin to come set in
the stretch, as you bring your right foot to the
set position, you quickly step back off the
rubber with your left foot (picture 10),
creating a shuffle move of sorts. The timing
of this move with your hands is crucial; if you
bring your hands set too soon and come to a
pauseyou lose momentum.
Next, rotateyour hips and shouldersto
gain additional torque. generating speedto the
throw as in picture I I . Then use a side-arm
throw (picture 12). Now try to imagine this
move as if you were pulling you gun out of its
holster and firing; hence the term
"gunslinger"move.
As you get comfortablewith this move, it
is fun to experiment with many different
Every pitcheris unique
looks and sequences.
and can bring their own tactics to the mound;
but I can't stressenoughhow vital it is to
have a Gunslingertype o[ move in your
arsenal.
in their mediocre move than they should be.
Whether you are a lefty or a righty, not
mastering a dominant move is a tactical waste
that hurts your team. In the caseof the lefty it
is a tragedy. A southpaw will literally waste
the greatestassetthe game has given him.
Be confidentyou can do it all. We know
you can!
lohn
Goming
inalutuleissue:
lo
Pin[man
on[icl-offmoue$
sGcond
baselorB0Tlllefi-handGd
andilgnt-nanded
litcncl$.
lnGonclusion
Learning a great lefty move is intimidating
to some lefties. Some are far more confident
We'reOnYourfbam
vVhether
an
ontheii..ic.0n:ouierc anevent
of managing
VOu're
hands-on
service
event.
0lSisthereforylu. urovidin,t
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8 HordBollMogozine
Holidoy
2006
t'
I
I
1
,t
I
'l
Auailaile1l0W0nline
Ever wonder what the over
300team MSBU MABL World
Series looks like from the
tournament director's chair?
Wonder no more. World Series
toumament director Tom
Pr€ndergast paints a clear picture
of nineteenthrunning of the
MSBL/MABL World Series in
our Special Report now available
at www.hardball.net.
From his tribute to long-time
assistantdirector Steve
Rosenburg,who died in June, to
the historic first live broadcast
of a championship game,
Prendergastshareshis thoughts
and insights about this
toumament-the largest
amateur adult baseball
toumament in the world.
Prendergast explains the reasons for some of the tournament's major
alterations, tells a cautionary tale about why it pays to read and follow the
rules, and sharesthe amazing story ofhow one player cheateddeath on the
diamond this year. Included in the report are photos he took throughout the
three-week event.
The full report is available now for downloading at:
srEdiffi
www.hqrdbqll.net
'4
cti
nuTr-yflrflIl[z00
l|AY$ffiZffi'srcamll
OF PRO-1EUE1
tt'sDererqraff
ue DfiGG
ThisYeor's
Bigleogue
Cooches:
RonJockson
-
MikeButcher
Plus:
Spedal
Surprise
Inslrudor!
om
R
3 2!.333.9t99
Holidoy
2006
HordbollMogozine
9
la[orllayBegionals
2006 MSBl/ltlABl
2006TexasCup
$'$*llfu{'%
-'s
by Jeff McGaw
Photographs by Jerry Esposito/Visual Touch
-^^.:.^J,
an Antonio, Texas, September2-4,
2006-Twenty-one teamsfrom all over
Texas, and as far away as New York,
competed in four age divisions at the
2006 Texas Cup in San Antonio.
Visitors from Houston, Dallas and Austin
took home the hardware while San Antonio
teams finished second in the 18, 38 and 47
division age groups.
The toumament, hosted alternately by San
Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston, is
normally held over the July 4th holiday.
However, because Independence Day fell
midweek this year, the tournament was pushed
back to Labor Day weekend, according to San
Antonio MSBL president(andthis year'sTexas
Cup tournament director) Skip Bradley.
Bradley traditionally (13 years and counting)
runs his Alamo Classic in San Antonio over
Labor Day, but canceledit in lieu of the Texas
Cup this year.Next yearboth the Alamo Classic
in SanAntonio andtheTexasCup in Dallaswill
be held on the sameweekend.Bradlev said.
l8* Ifivision
Houslon
MelroAslrosI I,
SonAnlonio
Worhowls
?
Ryan Martin tossed a complete game and
tournament MVP Mike Arevalo had a
three-run homer as the Houston Metro Astros
defeatedthe San Antonio Warhawks 11-2 to
capture the MABL Texas Cup crown.
fl
18+ Division
* ,
Son
Antonio
W0rh0wks...............................
0
NewYorkSeminoles.
...........3
I
lTou$on
Metro
Astros
...........2
2
Houston
Shocken....
............1
3
Broves.......
Hou$on
............1
3
Semifinols
Houston
Metro
A$ros
def.NYSeminoles,
I 2-l0
Antonio
Worhowk
def.Hou$on
7-5
Son
Shockers,
l8+ Chompionship
Gome
Housion
Metro
Astros
def.Son
Antonio
Worhowks
I l-2
28+ Division
(orle.
(left)withAstros
MVP
Mike
Arevolo
Monoger
Rick
Aaron Jablonsky and Rick Carle added
two hits apiecefor the Astros.
The Astros 4-2 toumamentrecord included
round robin lossesto the Warhawks and the
New York Seminoles, whom they later
defeatedin the semifinals.
Arevalo, who relievedin threeof the team's
six toumament games, was the hero in that
12-10 semifinal win over the Seminoles.He
replacedChad Burke when Burke broke his
throwing arm during a pitch. Play stopped for
thirty minutes asparamedicsanendedto Burke.
Ironically, Burke was pitching in relief of
TheHou$onMetroAstroswonthe
Chompionship
ollhe2006
Texos
Cup.
wt
Dollosl\tlets............. ............4
0
Au$inTexons.......... ............3
I
SonAntonioStorm..
............2
2
S0n4nt0ni080mben............................
3
Bryon
Rockies.........
............0
4
28+ Chompionship
Gome
Dollos
Mefs
def.
Austin
Texons
3-2
38+ Division
* ,
Antonio
Missions
Son
...........3
I
Dollos
[oribenos......
............3
I
Houston
Rongers.....
............2
2
Antonio
A$ros..
Son
............1
3
S0nAnt0ni0RedS0x............................
3
Semifinols
Son
Antonio
Misions
def.Son
Antonio
A$ros.
9-5
Dollos
Coribenos
def.
Hou$on
Rongers,
l0-6
38+ Chompionship
Gome
Dollos
Coribenos
def.Son
Antonio
Misions.
7-5
48+ Division
*
Au$in
Pir0tes........................................
Son
Antonio
Meis.......................................
Antonio
Rongers
Son
.......................................
Antonio
Y0nkees..................................
Son
Au$in
fxpres..........................................
H0tj$0n
Colt
45's........................................
Semifinols
Son
Antonio
Rongers
def.Son
Antonio
Mets,
9-6
Au$in
Pirotes
def.Son
Antonio
Yonkees,
I B-4
48+ ftompionship
Gome
Austin
Pirotes
def.Son
Antonio
Rongers,
22-0
lO HordbollMogozine
Holidoy
2006
.*rl
I
-rl
r:-.:rEri-,
TheDollos
Meis,
2006Texos
CupChomps
inthe
AB0VE,
TheDollos
won
28+ Division.
BEL0W
RIGHT,
Coribenos
the38+Division
Chompionship
Gome.
-!!ffir
-:ltrs:i:
!t
f,
t
rtnri
starterMike Adams, who left with a sorearm in
the first inning.
Down 5-3 when he entered,Arevalo got out
of the inning, then came up and smasheda
two-run homer to tie the game and sway
momentum."He pitcheda heck of a gameafter
that," saidmanagerRick Carle, who calledthe
Seminoles"the team to beat."
Jablonsky had a monstroussix RBI
performance in the semifinal.
The Warhawks beat the Houston Shockers
7-5 to advanceto the finals.
28* Ilivision
Dollos
Mets3,Ausfin
Texons
2
(lough
28+ MVP
Eric
Gonzolez
ondMels
monoger
Rick
pose
oftertheir3-2viclory
overfte Austin
Texons.
Holidoy
2005
Mets manager Rick Clough allowed three
runs and had the game-winning RBI in the
ninth-inning as his Dallas Mets defeatedthe
defending champion Austin Texans 3-2 to
claim the 2S-divisionTexasCup title.
It was the fourth straight Texas Cup title for
the Mets.They won the 28-divisiontitle in 2003
and 2004, and dropped down to the MABL
division last year to dethrone the six-time
defendingchampionHoustonMetro Astros.
Clough's sacrifice fly to right field plated
Don Buford (son of the former major leaguer)
who had singledand movedto third on Braulio
Castillo's double.
Castillo, who played for the Philadelphia
Philliesin 199I and l 992, savedthe gamein the
bottom of the ninth inning when, with two out
and runnerson first and third, he made a diving
catch in the righrcenter alley.
Second baseman Eric Gonzalez, batting
second,was 16-for-20 during his team's 6-0
title run andhauledin tournamentMVP honors.
Jorge Alvarez contributed two homers and a
triple in the tournament.
The Mets infield of Alvarez at third. Buford
at shortstop,and Gonzalez at second base
turnedfive doubleplays in thc tournanrent.
38* Ilivision
(oribeios
7,SonAnfonio
Missions
5
Dollos
Bobby Newton lhres nine :trong innings
and Dino Ciufi was named the tournament
MVP as Harry Arroyo's Dallas Caribeffos
defeated the San Antonio Missions 7-5 to
claim a secondstraightTexasCup 38+ Division
title.
An RBI sacrifice fly by centerfielder J.J.
Muffoz and an RBI single by third baseman
John Pollard broke a 2-2 deadlock in the fifth
inning and put the Caribeflos aheadto stay.
The Missions' hopes ended when Newton,
after allowing a run in the ninth, fanned the final
two hittersof the game.
The Caribefros knocked off the Houston
Rangers 10-6 to advanceto the title game.
Pitchers Brent Morton and Steve Pierce
combined for the win. Catcher Frank Turk hit
a two-run homer in the fourth inning. The
Missions defeatedtheir cross-townrivals, the
Astros, 9-5 to move on.
Hordboll
Mogozine
| |
Pirofes,
ABOVE:
TheAuslin
2006Texos
Cupchomps
inthe48+ Division.
presidenls:
Bottle
Pirotes
monoger
Mike
oftheleogue
monoger
0l0ugh
Lucos
ondRongers
SkipBrodley
shore
during48+ competition.
Bothmenorepresidents
of
lheirleogues
ondbothoreMSBL
HollofFomers.
Luros
heods
theAustin
MSBL
ondBrodley
ispresidenl
ofthe
ho$Son
Antonio
MSBL.
(obove),
(right),
VernRodewold
ondKenny
Bolthrop
shored
co-MVP
honon
inthe48+ Division
finol.
48 * Ilivision
Austin
Piroles
22,SonAntonio
Rongers
0
Bob Bryant threw an l1-hit shutoutwhile
outfielders Mike Coy and Vernon Wells had
four hits apiece as the Austin Pirates
shellacked the San Antonio Rangers 22-0 to
claim the 48+ Division TexasCup title.
Co-MVP honors were shared by shortstop
Kenny Balthrop and leftfielder Vern
Radewald, for their outstandingand consistent
performance on offense and defense
throughout the toumament. Radewaldhad three
hits, including a triple in the title game. Bill
Rector led all Piratehitters with a .680 average.
The Pirates scored 93 runs in six games
while its pitchers allowed 19 runs. Five of six
Austin starters threw complete games. Its
l2
HordbollMooozine
closestgame was a 12-6 round robin win over
the Austin Express. Gary Hackelman earned
the complete game win.
The Rangers were 2-2 in round robin play
and moved into the finals by virtue of a 9-6 win
over the San Antonio Mets. Austin advanced
to the finals with a perfect record. They
defeated the San Antonio Yankees 18-4 to
advanceto the championship round.
Austin notched10runs on I I hits in the first
inning of the title game against San Antonio
starter and losing pitcher Skip Bradley. They
finished the game with 29 hits, while the
Rangers committed six errors on defense.I
TOURNAMENI: 2006
Texos
Cuo
(normolly
DATES:
Sepiember
2-412006
held
over
July
4thweekend)
(rototes
HOST
LEAGUE: Son
Antonio
MSBL
between
Son
Antonio,
Austin,
Dollos
ondHou$on)
WEBSITE:
www.s0msbl.c0m
DIVISIONS' l B + / 2 8 +/ 3 8 + / 4 8 +
gomes
guoronteed.
F0RMAT'
Four
Holidoy
2006
temofial
LEFT:
theREBL
Reds
were
25+ Chomps.
AB0VE:
Borry
presents
Morkmon
35+ trophy
to Tri-Volley
40s
monoger
LeoCoslo.
eptember 4, 2006, Woodland,
CA-Thirty teams in four age groups,
25,35,45 and 55, competedat this
year's Carl Flowers Memorial Best in
the West BaseballTournamentin Woodland,
California. The tournamentincluded a Saturday
night barbecue that was attended by an
estimatedfive hundredpeople,and a home run
hitting contest.Paul Hensley of the Woodland
Davis Blackhawks hit three homers to win the
longball title and the $125 first placeprize.
25* Ilivision
Redlond
Empire
Reds
13,
Woodlond
Dovis
Blockhowla
4
Robert Chavez'sgrandslamkeyedal3-run
onslaught as the Redwood Empire Baseball
League Reds defeated the Woodland Davis
Blackhawks 13-4 to claim the 25+ division.
Bob Bowman, who tosseda complete game
u in just a day earlier,threw five stronginnings
to earn the win. He was relieved by A.C.
Bronco and Dustin Enswiler. Chavez and
Ensuiler. both of whom were I l-for-16 in the
tournament.sharedMVP honors.
The Reds finished 2-1 in round robin play
including a loss to the 3-0 Blackhawks. The
defeated the Tri-Valley Cardinals 6-4 to
advanceto the finals.
The Blackhawks dispatched the Fresno
Dodgers l1-2 in the semifinalsto advanceto
the finals.
35*Ilivision
Iri-Volley
40's13,Socromenlo
Pirotes
4
Vince Massaro hit a three-run home run in
the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the
Tri-Valley 40's to a 13-4 win over the
Sacramento Pirates in the 35+ division.
Bill Hawkins pitched a complete game
giving up just one earned run. The 40's
Holidoy
2006
25+Division
35+Semifinols
Brorkef
I
WL
Woodlond/Dovis
Pirotes
def.Socromenlo
River
[ots8-6
TriVolley
[ordinols..
............1
2
TriVolley
40\def.
Soquel
Stun
2l-3
Fresno
Dodgers.......
............1
2
(olBroves........
Nor
.............l
2
35+ Chompionship
Gome
Iri Volley
40tdef.Woodlond/Dovis
Pirotes
I 3-4
Brorkel2
Wt
Woodlond
810ckh0wks.............................3
0
/Dovis
REBL
Reds..............
............2
1
45+Division
StonislousAll
St0rs...........................................1
2
25* Semifinols
Woodlond/Dovis
Blockhowks
def.Fresno
Dodgen
11-2
REBL
Reds
def.
IriVolley
Cords
6-4
25+ (hompionship
Gome
RtB[Reds
def.Woodlond/Dovis
Blockhowks
l3-4
Erockel
I
35+Division
wI
Brorket
I
WL
Socromento
6ionts
............................................3
0
2
2
2
Greenwood
Ridge
Drogons.........
Fresno
Grizzlies
.......
0ld81ues..
..........
wL
Erocket
2
Iri Volley
Yonkees
.3 0
Fog
tity
.2 I
I 2
Socromento
Reds
Sorromento0ldGold................
...............0
3
45+Semifincls
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2
W1
Socromento
Gionts
def.
Fog
City
5-4(10inn.)
Greenwood
Ridge
Drogons
def.Iri Volley
Yonkees
2-l
45+ Chompionship
Gome
Soaomento
Gionts
def.Greenwood
Ridge
Drogons
11-3
Brockef
3
wt
55* Division
* ,
IriVolley
405.........
............3
0
Socromento
River
[0ts.......................................3
0
Soaomento
Volley
C01s......................................1
2
IriVolley
Antiques...
............2
I
So[olA2tea...........
.............l
2
6teenwood
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0r090ns..................................1
2
Mode$o
Reds..........
............1
2
TriVolley
Gionts......
............0
3
35+ Quorlerfinols
Soquel
Stondef.Gold
Countrv
Diomondbocks
9-3
Woodlond/Dovis
Pirotes
def.Socromento
Vollev
Cots
I 9-9
55+ Chompionship
Gome
Socromento
Rivercots
def.TriVollev
Antioues
/-6
HordbollMogozine
l3
40s,35+Chomps,
Socromento
Fromtop:TriVolley
Rivercots,
55+
45+ Chomps,
ondSocromento
Gionts,
(homps.
overcame three costly errors in the second
innings.
Pirate slugger Bobby Brown's solo home
run in the top of the eighth inning put the Pirates
ahead4-3, but that lead vanishedfor good with
Massaro's homer. Rafael Rojo, appearing for
the third time in two days, tossedsevenand a
third strong innings, but took the loss.
45* Ilivision
Socrqmenlo
OionlsI l,
Greenwood
Ridge
Drogons
3
Behind the pitching of former SanFrancisco
Giant pitcher Jim Barr, the Sacramento
Giants defeated the Greenwood Ridge
Dragons ll-3 to claim the 45+ title. The
Giants, a perfect 5-0 in the tournament,reached
the finals with a thrilling 5-4, l0-inning victory
over Fog City. The Dragons knocked off the
Tri-Valley Yankees 2-l to reachthe finals.
55* WoodButllivision
Rivercols
9,
Socromenlo
Iri Volley
Anliques
8
George Anderson knocked in two runs
during a decisive,five-run, eighth-inningrally
as the Sacramento Rivercats defeated the
Tri-Valley Antiques 9-8 to claim the55+ title.
Lee Jackson, who entered the game in the
third in relief of starter Don Franz and first
reliever Irv Scott, allowed one run in nearly
seveninnings of relief to eam the win.
Lamy Grant had three hits and four RBI in
the contest.Denny Brown hadtwo hits andtwo
RBI for the Antiques.Phil Montes and Mike
Rezzanicoaddedtwo hits apiece.
Jacksonallowed one run and three hits in a
9-1 win over the Antiques in the tournament
opener.I
- 1/thyeor
"Be$intheWest"
IOURNAMINT:2006torlFlowers
Memoriol
Tournoment
DATES:
September
2-4,2006
HOSI
LEAGUE: Woodlond
DavisMSBLWtBSITE:www.woodlonddovismsbl.com
L0CATI0N/tlELDS:
Locol
fields
inWoodlond
ondDovis,
including
Socromento
ondClorkfield.
Stote
DlVlSl0NS, 25+/35+/ 45+ond
55+wood.
per1B-ployer
C0ST:
teom
5900
- Three
gomes
guoronteed.
F0RMAT:
Round
Robin
EVENTS, Soturdoy
SPECIAL
Night
Borbecue/Roffle,
Home
Run
Derby
IOURNAMENT
DIRECIOR:
[onny
Ropke
530-662-7060
or530-848-3054
SKYE/[email protected]
l4
HordbollMooozine
Holidoy
2006
labotllau
tlllBl]illiilwGst
2006Indianarulis
Begional
or the second year in a row, this
tournament fielded thirteen teams.
Newcomers to the toumament were
the Chicago Brooklyn RoYals, the
Indianapolis Titans and the Louisville
Redbirds.
Tcams were seededafter the first two games,
$ ith all teams making the tournament.The top
thrcc'teams all received a first round bye.
U:ing a tie-breakerof runs allowed made for
hu.rle free and accurate seeding as evidenced
h1 the fact that the semi finals featuredthe 7,2,
-i and 5 seeds.
(homps.
Regionol
os2006Midwe$
their2005titletorepeot
defended
Stollions
TheIndionopolis
Portionsof the proceedsare donatedyearly
to the ProstateCancerFoundation,the MSBL's
official charity.This year $650 was raised.
Ployoff Resuhs The secondround featured
contrasts with the Indianapolis Expos and
Terre Haute Cubs dominatingwith pitching.
The Expos shut down the Louisville Sluggers
RoundRobinFinolSlcndings
7-0, and the Cubs blanked the Louisville
WI
Redbirds 3-0. Meanwhile the Chicago
0
............................................2
Expos
Indionopolh
Brooklyn Royals and the Indianapolis
0
..................................2
Tene
||outeIubs.........
Stallions broke out the sticks, with the Royals
0
St011i0ns........................................2
Indionopolis
out-scoringthe Ft. Wayne Rangers 15-3,and
0
.. ...................................2
[olumbusPirotes.....
the Stallions topping the Ft. Wayne Marlins
R0y01s.....................................l
Ihicogo
Brooklyn
...................................11 5 - 1 .
It.WoyneMorlins...
In the semifinals, the Expos took a 9-8 lead
.
.. .............................1
LoulsvilleRedblrds
ninth inning, only to see
over
. . ....................................l the Royals into the
IndionopolisTitons
it dwindle away when the Royals scored three
li
.
.
............................1
s,i
5luggers...
L:the
. ..................................0runs in the top of the inning and then shut
[- ::ic00ks..........
half.
the
bottom
door
in
i' ::goGi0nts..................................................0
The Stallions got past the Cubs 6-1 on the
0ri01es.........................................0
[':#ordsville
right arm of Tom Bumgardner on loan
strong
....................................0
F'.Woyne
Rongers....
from the Indianapolis MSBL Pirates.
One
Round
7-4
Morlins,
Royols
def.Ft.Woyne
thicogo-Brooklyn
] I -/
Sluggers.
Rongers
def.louisville
Ft.Woyne
5-0
Gionts,
0rioles
def.Chicogo
trowfordsville
Pirotes,
I -2
Titons
def.Columbus
Indionopolis
I 0-6
Chicogo
0ols,
Redbirds
def.
Louisville
Two
Round
7-0
Sluggerl
def.Louisville
Expos
Indionopolis
3-0
Redbirds.
Cubs
defLouisville
Tene
Houte
I 5-3
Rongers,
Royols
def.Ft.Woyne
Brooklyn
Chicogo
l5-l
Morlins,
def.Ft.Woyne
Stollions
Indionopolis
Semifinols
I l-9
Expos
Royols
def.Indionopolis
Brooklyn
Chicogo
Cubs
6-l
Houte
def.Tene
lndionooolis
Stollions
Holidoy
2006
For the Stallions, tournament MVP Bryan
Foster went 4-4 with two doubles,teammate
John Smith (2005 Tournament MVP) was 4
for 5 with four HRs and 5 RBI and Tim Bragg
hit a grand slam home run.
The Royalsjumped out to an early lead in the
final, picking up two runs in the first inning
from one hit and threestolenbases.Aggressive
on the basesduring the entire tournament, the
Royals racked up sevenstolen basesduring the
game, with lead-off man Chris Yates
accountingfor three.In the bottom ofthe inning
the Stallions set the tone with James Pruett'
who led off with a solo home run.
The only low point for the Stallionswas in
the fourth inning, when stafface Bruce Stanley
had to leave the game with a sore elbow.
Reliever Jeff Johnson was then greetedon his
first pitch with a two-run shotoff the bat of the
RoyalsEl Mc Coy. Johnsonheld off the run and
gun Royals offense for the next four innings to
pick up the win.
Chompionship Gome In the championship,
the Indianapolis Stallions defended their 2005
title, defeating the Chicago Brooklyn Royals
1 9 - ll .
Tournoment
Lobor
Doy
Regionol
IABL
Midwest
TOURNAMENT:2006
2-4,2006
September
DAIES.
LeogueWEBSITI:vvww.indionoboseboll.com
LEAGUI: IndionopolisAdultBoseboll
HOSI
lN,
Noblesville
Trinitv
Bollpork,
LOCATION/FIEI-DS:
(2with
light$.
three
diomonds
complex
with
boseboll
oprivotely-s\/ned
Acodemv.
Indionopolis
Preoorotorv
Brebeuf
willbe25+ only
in2007,fietournoment
Beginning
forlock
ofentries.
DIVISIONS: I B+ wosconcelled
per
in2006
teom
C0ST,
S4B0
- Three
quoronteed.
Round
Robin
oomes
F0RMAT,
ploce;
ploce,
ond
third
forchompion,
second
owords
Trophies
ondmerchondise
AWARDS:
(items
yeor
toyeor)
vory
from
merchondise
receive
boseboll
Allieoms
Concer
Foundotion
Prostote
Proceeds
b benefit
OTHER:
(31
[email protected]
/) 626I 2900remoil:
DeCo$o,
John
iONTAO.
l5
HordbollMogozine
l3th Annual Northeast
Regional
Tournament
eplember4, 2006,Albany, NY-Despite
the rain, the Albany Tri-State
Nationals (28+), Buffalo Indians
(38+), and Albany Golden Marlins
(45+) were crowned champions at the 13th
Annual 2006 MSBL NortheastRegional
tournamentin Albany, New York held over the
Labor Day weekend.
Nineteenteamsin the three divisions were
signedup to play, but the remnantsof Hurricane
Ernestosoakedtournamentflelds on Saturday
and wreaked havoc on the schedule.Several
teams withdrew from the tournament.
according to tournamentdirector John Reel.
Only the Marlinsrepeatedas champions.
That championswerecrownedat all was the
silver lining. "That's somethingwe're proud
o f , " R e e l s a i d . " \ \ ' c ' r c u l w a y s c r o w n e da
champion."
monoged
byJoe
ABOVE,
TheAlbony
Notionols,
Fitzgerold,
wonihe28+ Chompionship
ot the2006
Regionol
in Albony.
BELOW,
StottKlemenl
Northes$
(left)
honors.
ondDon
Renoud
shored
co-MVP
28+Division:
Albony
Notionols
38+Division'
Buffolo
lndions
* Division:
Albony
Golden
Morlins
gome
TheBuffolo
Indions
wonthe38+ Division
chompionship
otthe2006Norlheost
Regionol.
(l 3thYeor)
IOURNAMENT: 2006Northeost
Regionol
Lobor
Doy
lournoment
DATES.
September
2 4,2006
(Albony) WEBSITE:
HOST
LEAGUE. iopitolDislricl
MSBL
www.cdmsbl.com
LOCATION/FIELDS
Copitol
Distriat
finest
fields
per
C0ST'
teom
in2006
5550
AWARDS.
Chompionship
ond
MVP
trophies
oworded.
0TH
ER'
Ho$hoblondTournoment
HQ:
Howord
Johnson's
discounted
rote(pool
open)
(5lB)
i0NTAO,
John
Reel,
768-8069
oremoil:
[email protected]
l5
HordbollMooozine
(left)with
Buffolo
Indions
m0n0ger
Rolph
Proulx
(right)
Monoger
Scott
Lourk,
whowonthe38+
division's
Tournoment
MVPoword
ot the2006
Norlheost
Regionol.
Holidoy
2006
')
\
AttheNortheost
Lobor
DoyRegionol,
TedPoleto
holds
hisMVP
trophy
whilemonoger
TomMoney
looks
on.
TheAlbony
Morlins
were
the45+ Chompions
Golden
olthe2006Nofheost
Regionol
inAlbony,
New
York.
2006tocletGity
Glassic
1
l
eptember
1, 2006,Huntsville,At-Behind
the big bats of Kevin Ferringer,
Dennis Meadows, Jim Karika and
Jay Gray, the Macon Whoopie
overcamea 9-l deficit to defeat the Decatur
Braves. l9-13. and win the 38 Silver division
title at the Rocket City Classrc.
The title was the first for Karika and Scott
Bayles,who co-managedthe team.Bayleswas
part of a pitching staff that allowed less than
three earned runs per game during the
f o u r - g a m e r o u n d r o b i n t o u r n a m e n t .B o b
Cleghorn, Dennis Meadows, Dave Stone,
Charlie Edmonson, and Randy Meadows
also threw well.
Raynard Solomon hit two homers,
including a grand slam,and went 5-for-5 in the
tournament opener to set the pace fbr the
offense.The Whoopie scored70 runs in five
games.Charlie Anderson, Mickey Welch and
Dennis Ussery anchoredthe defense.
TheMocon
Whoopie
teomwonthe38+ SilverFlight
Division
otthe2006
Rocket
Citv
Clossic.
Chompions
38+ Silver
Flight
Division
l
)
TOURNAMENT:2006
Rocket
City
ilosic
DATES.
August
3l - September
4,2006
HOST
LEAGUE' Southern
Senior
Boseboll
Leogue,
Huntsville,
Alobomo
WEBSIIE,
http://eteomz.oclive.c0m/southernseniorbosebol
l/
TOCAIION/FI
ELDS Huntsville
High
School.
Modison
Acodemy,
Sporkmon
High
School.
0risom
High
School
DIVISIONS: 38+ond
48+
C0SI'
I 8-mon
teom,
ofter
thot(upto22ployen)
5/00perminimum
550perployer
- Four
FORMAT:
gomes
guoronbed.
Round
Robin
AWARDS:
lndividuol
medols
&teom
equipment
fowinners
ofeoch
flighf.
OTHER:
discount
if entire
feereceived
byAugu$
1$. Flighted
tournoment.
S50teom
Reduced
hotel
rotes
otHolidoy
InnSeled
ond
GuestHouse
Suites
Plus.
Holidoy
2006
Mocon
13
Whoopie
I 9,Decoiur
Broves,
38+ GoldFlight
Division
- l$ Ploce
Atlonto
Bulls
- 2ndPlo(e
Huntsville
Bondits
48+ Division
- I stPloce
St.Louis
Bondits
- 2ndPloce
Ailonto
Vipers
-limiied
infosubmitted
Hordboll
Moqozine
I7
I
(l-r)'St.Louis
Bondits
cooch
Anlonio
Jones
with
ABOVE
Royldzior.
teomMVP
Glenlllillioms
ondMonoger
Chomps
LEFT:
TheSt.Louis
Bondits
were
48* Division
Rocket
City(losic.
otthe2006
Photos
byWolter
Dicus.
AttheChicogo
Shootoul,
theDuPoge
theirhome-town
rivols,
theChicogo
Cubs,
towinfhechompionship.
Angels
beot
ChicagoCentralMSBI
LaborDayTournament
hicago,Illinois, Oct.21, 2006- Chuck
Douthit, Kevin Britt and Bob
Latchford tossed three innings
apiece as the DuPage Angels
defeated their Chicago Central MSBL league
rival Cubs 7-1 to claim the title in that league's
inaugural labor day tournament, called the
"Chicago Shootout."
Douthit was credited with the win and
Latchford earned a save.
The Angels, managedby Tom LaForce, got
a winning dose of offense in the first inning.
Duryel Thomas's RBI single accountedfor the
first run. Geno Tashjian the cranked a
three-run homer to give the team a 4-0 lead.
Jack Pohlmier added a solo homer run in the
sixth innine.
l8
HordbollMogozine
The Cubs, managed by Dan Spoleti, got
their run in the third inning on a single by Mark
Guerrero and an RBIhit from Mike Niedzella.
The toumament took seven weeks to fully
complete. It began over the Labor Day holiday,
but foul weather made the championship game
impossible to play. More bad weather, and
intervening scheduling conflicts between the
two teams, filled the calendar until the final
could be held October 21.
FinolStondings
DuPoge
Angels........
Chicogo
Cubs...........
[hicogo
[ire............
Sluggers....
St.Louis
Wt
............3
0
............2
I
2
............1
............0
3
Chompionship
Gome
Cubs
I
DuPoge
Angels
/, Chicogo
Shootout"
TOURNAMINT' "Chicooo
pushed
gome
thisyeor
to0ctober
2l
DAIES:
August
31- Sept.
4,2006;
bodweother
thechompionship
MSBL
HOST
LEAGUE: Chicogo
Centrol
Suburbon
WEBSIIE:
www.chishootout.com
Triton
Benedictine
[ollegq
Howkinson
Field,
Midlothion
Minos,
Univenity
ofChicogo,
LOTATION/FIELDS:
/ Howe
College
- Auroro
Tioer
Field
ployen
perteom
over
I 5willbe525
COST:
uptoI 5ployen.
The
feeperodditionol
S750
gomes
guoronteed.
FORMAI:
Ihree
teom
AWARDS:
Allporticlponts
receive
ofreetournoment
l*hirtondeoch
member
ofthewinning
receive
willolso
ochompionship
hot.
OIHER,
teom
discount
ifentire
feereceived
byJuly
7th.
S50
(630)
CONTAO:
lock
Pohlmeier
240-419/
JPMR2/@ool.com
or
Holidoy
2006
Republic
andSonsTravelto Dominican
LonglslandMSBIMembers
l'
l-ikc nranl MSBL players, when they're not pla)ing
\l\lll- b.r.eball.Rich Majka, NickFanti and GreggSana of
::.: l-,,ns Lland MSBL coachtheir sonsin Little Leagueand
:::r si ball.
ln Fcbruary 2006, the three fathers took part in a unique
-r(,..-cultural experience:they accompaniedtheir sons'
rrar.'l ball club to the Dominican Republic for a week of
baseballand goodwill.
\!'hen the competition ended and before retuming home
to the U.S, the Long Island boys gave away hats, gloves,
baseballs,anything else they had to their new Dominrcan
triends. The boys realized that their opponentsneededthese
things more then they did.
For more photos and the complete account of their
adventure,go online at www.hardball.net and click on
"Articles."
[If you and your son are interestedin participating in this
group's 2007 Dominican trip, or helping to create an
MSBl-sponsored Dominican team, contact Rich Majka at
631-851-57071.
youlooked
RichMajka
hasmanaged
theBrookhaven
Knights
MSBL "Everywhere
oftheLonglsland
ontholfieldthereweresmiles
kids'foces.
Boseboll
the
ofioyonthose
bridged
for 19seasons.
NickFantijoinedMajka's
Knights
in 1991
. GreggSana gops
ofnotionolity,
longuoge
ondoge,"
Nicholos
Moiko
soidRich
Moiko.
Above,
Greg
Sono,
Fonti
ondRich
cameonboard
in 1993.TheKnights
havewonseveral
Longlsland
MSBL pose
withtheirsons
Jeffrey
5orro,Nirholos
FontiondGorrett
Moiko
ondteommotes
withlheSonPedro
years.
titles
overthe
RichandNlckwere
members
World
ofthe1998
Series
gome
photos
posted
teom
ofter
the
first
of
the
lournoment.
More
ore
ot
hordboll.net.
played
30+Central
Division
champion
Longlsland
Yankees.
Gregg
Sarra
a
keyrolewiththeLonglslandStorm's
1999FallClassic
MABLNational
Division
chamoionshio
team.
Holidoy
2006
HordbollMooozine
l9
I
2006LateFall Regionals
s p
V
Y!
v
division by allowing just six runs in three
games.
The two-day tournament opened on
September 30, but foul weather pushed the
finals back an entire week to October8. I
Chesapeake
Braves
CaptureRain-soaked
Columbus
DayRegional
Chesopeoke
Broves
7,
Chesopeoke
Morlins
4
GlenBurnie,MD, Oct.7-9,2006-Dave Cross
scatterednine hits and four runs in a complete
game effort as the Chesapeake Braves
defeatedthe Chesapeake Marlins 7-4 to claim
the rain-soaked 28+ Division title at the
ChesapeakeMSBL Columbus Day Regional
Tournament.It was the Braves' second
championship.
Jeff Pate and Earl Williams paced the
TheMontgomery(ountyYonkeesemergedoschompionsotthe2006Delowore(ounty38+
BosebollTournomenl. B r a v e ' s o f f e n s e w i t h t h r e e h i t s a p i e c e .
Williams doubledin two runsin thefirst inning,
DelawareCounty38+
Baseball
Tournament
(PA)Yankees beat the Del Val Chiefs 6-3 to
claim the 38-division title at the 2006 38+
DelawareCounty Tournament.
The win was Callagher's second of the
tournament.
He had allowedjust threehits in a
(ountyYonkees
Monlgomery
6,
2-0 round robin win over the Delco Angels a
DelVolChiefs
3
week earlier.
Ted Geigus had two hits and two RBI in the
elaware County, PA, Sept. 30 and
title game.His sixth-inningsinglescoredTom
Oct. 8, 2006-Tom
Gallagher
Koelzer with what proved to be the winning
allowedfive hits and struckout I I as
run. Singlesby Bruce Levine, John Clark and
the
Montgomery
County
Koelzer contributedto the decisive.three-run
sixth.
Gabe Mastrangelo pitched well, but took
the loss for Del Val.
The Yankees opened the scoring in the
bottom of the second when Gary
Kleinschmidt singled,stolesecond,andscored
on Frank O'Brien's RBI single.
Steve Alemy scored the tying run for the
Chiefs in the top of the fifth.
Down 4- I in the seventh,Alemy led off with
his third walk of the game. Neil Hourahan and
Souft(onlerente
w1
John Evans each singled to load the bases.
Del
Vol
ihiefs....................................................2
Mastrangelo added an RBI single, and Angel
Ihe$er
County
C0br0s........................................2
Rivera hit a sacrificefly to make the score4-3.
Pitmon
S0x.......................................................2
The Yankees advancedto the title game by
R[F
Pir01es.......................................................0
winning the tournament'sNorth Division with
a 3-0 round-robin record.
Chompionship
Gume
Del Val. meanwhile. advanced to the final
Montgomery
[ounty
Yonkees
6,DelVolthiefs
3
by winning a three-way tiebreaker in their
28+ Division
Division
I
W
I PTS
Roleigh
0ri01es
......................................1
0 2
Boltimore
R0n9en..................................1
0 2
(NY)
Rome
Bomben-.............................1
0 2
Morylond
M0n0rchs................................1
0 2
Division
2
W T T PIS
Chesopeoke
Morlins
...............................2
00 4
N.Yumo
Yonkees.........
.,1 l 0
2
Southern
Morylond
AllSt0n....................1
l0
2
Chesopeoke
Pirotes
................................0
20 0
Division3
W t I PIs
Ihes0pe0ke8r0ves...............................
0 I 3
[0n91s10ndSen0t0rs...........................
0 I 3
Menick(NY)St0rfish.............................
I 0 2
Nework(Del.)Phi11ies..........................
2 0 0
*Allowed
fewe$
runs
Semifinols
Chesopeoke
Morlins
def.Long
lslond
Senoton
I 2-4
(NY)
Chesopeoke
Broves
def.Rome
Bombers
I l -3
TOURNAMENT:2006Delowore
(PA)
tounty
MSBL
Regionol
Boseboll
Tournoment www.scorebook.com
DAIES:
September
29-30,
2006
(A$on,
HOST:
Delco
Angels
Pennsylvonio)
IOSI:
teom
5475
oer
LOCAIION
County,
Pennsylvonio
ondNewscostle,
/ FIELDS,Delowore
Delowore
DIVISIONS, 28+38+ond
48+metol
bot
C0SI:
5750perteom
FORMAT:
35+ond
45+,metol
bot(-3differentiol),
guorontee
round
robin,
3gome
ADDITIONAI
INFO: Allporticiponts
must
beregistered
with
MSBINotionol;
roin
dotes:
Oct
6ond/
2O HordbollMooozine
28+ Chompionship
Gome
Chesopeoke
Broves
def.Chesopeoke
Morlins
/-4
38+ Division
Concelled
duetoroin
Holidoy
2006
MSBL
Regionol
Boseboll
Tournoment
TOURNAMENT:2006thesopeoke
ivw chesopeokemsbl.com
WEBSITE.
0ctober
/ 9,2006
DATES:
Chesopeoke
MSBL,
HOSI:
Metropoliton
Areo
LOIATION
Morylond
/ FIELDS'Boltimore-Annopolis,
yeor)
outthis
DIVISIONS: 2B+(38+roined
Alex
Brunet
4l0-923-0.l
[email protected]
CONTACT:
while teammateGary Gubbings stroked a two-run single in the secondto key
a four-run Bravesrally.
Todd Baker, the winning pitcher in the Marlins' 12-4 semifinalwin over
the Long Island Senators, took the loss for the Marlins. Battery-mate Daryll
Morehardt had threehits and knockedin half his team'sruns.
(olumbus
Broves
the2006
MSBL
DoyTournoment
Chesopeoke
were
Chesopeoke
The Braves advancedto the finals with a I l-3 win over the Rome (NY)
Chompions.
Bombers. Larry Mulloy earnedthe win.
RoinForces
38+ Concellotion
On Sunday,after nearly two full days of rain, tournamentdirector Alex
Brunet and ChesapeakeMSBL presidentDuane Cordrey were reluctantly
forcedto cancelthe smaller,seven-team38 + division becausetoo many fields
were washedout. "Mother Naturedid not want to cooperate,"said Cordrey.
Only a Herculeanfield maintenanceeffort by Brunet,Cordrey and Braves
manager Wes Adams enabled the remaining 28-and-overdivision to be
playedat all. The trio beganraking,shovelingand pushingwater off the field
at Sawmill Park at 6 a.m. Sundaymorning.Over sevenhoursand 500 pounds
of Turfacelater,the first pitch of the dramaticallyreformattedtournamentwas
thrown.
"For the Inost part, many of the teams and managersunderstoodthe
obstaclesthat we had to face and overcomejustto get the 28+ division games
played," Cordrey said.I
2006CapitalCityClassic
by Jeff Walker
(hesopeoke
(right)presenh
president
MSBL
Duone
hophy
Cordrey
chompionship
(o-monogers
loBroves
l{esAdoms
ondGory
Gubbings.
BELOW,
Chesopeoke
Morlins
monoger
TodTrios(left)receives
runner-up
lrophy
fromDuone
Cordrey.
Ocktbar6-8,2006,Coluntbus,
Ohio-Perfect weather,immaculatefields and
superbcompetitionmarkedthe 2006 runningof the CapitalCity Classic.Five
new teamsjoined the fray this year,includingthe Cardinalsand Marinersfrom
the Long IslandNY MSBL, the New GenerationCrawibrdsand PA American
Water teamsfrom WesternPennsvlvania,and the GreatLakes Red Sox team
fiom Michigan.
28+ Division
(hicogoBrooklyn
Royols
12,Clevelond
Sfeve's
Sporls
5
The Chicago Brooklyn Royals savedtheir bestof'fbnsiveperfbrmanceof
the tournamentfor last as they defeatedCleveland Steve's Sports l2-5 to
claim the 28 Division title at the 2006 Capital City Classic.
Noah Valentino and Robert Hutchins earned a win and a save
respectivelyas they held a formidableClevelandSteve'ssquadto eight hits.
The Royals, meanwhile, amassed20 hits. Leadoff hitter Chris Yates
singled twice and scored twice, while Edward Dytarious and Maurice
Dorsey, the secondand third hitters, had three hits apiece.Dorsey had three
RBI. Extra hitter Charlie King hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to ice
the victory.
Steve's scored five
times
in
the
fifth-inning-four of
those runs coming on
RIGHT,ChirogoBrooklyn
Royols
hitterChorlie
Kingis
g r e e t eodf t e rh i s2 - r u n ,
runinthe
ninth-inning
home
2B*
Copitol
CityClossic's
gome.
Division
rhompionship
Holiday
2006
HordbollMooozine
2l
I
tournament'sCl Young au ard.Valentino,who
tosseda 7-inning.three-hitshutoutin pool play,
then threw the tlrst fir'e innings of the final
game,was a Cy Young candidateas well.
This was the third straight year the
ClevelandSteve'sSportsteam has finished in
the runners-up position. In 2004 their defeat
was also at the handsof the ChicagoBrooklyn
Royals.
D
F",*,*
-
--I:
*t
gr0nd
5thinning
MikeDoerbecker's
sl0mwosn't
enough
forClevelond
Steve's
in the28+ finolotthe
(opitol
City
Closic
in0hio.
shortstop Mike Doerbecker's grand slam to
left-center field. Doerbecker finished with four
hits, including a double, in four trips, and four
RBI.
The Royals finished pool play 2-1, and then
squeezedout a 4-3 quarterfinal win over the
Columbus Pirates. From there they advanced
to play the Ohio Indians who, with their perfect
3-0 record, earned a first-round playoff pass.
The Royals defeatedthe Indians 7-5.
Cleveland Steve's were the top seed in the
12-teampool as they finishedwith a 3-0 record
and the fewest runs allowed. They shut down
the Long Island Mariners 9-0 to advance to
the title game.
Royals standout and tournament MVP
Xavier Burns had nine hits in 22
at-bats-including a grand slam and six
RBI-and scored five times. He received a
wood bat with "2006 Capital City Classic
MVP" engraved on barrel. Cleveland's Yon
German, who was 2-0 with three eamedruns in
18.2 tournament innings, hauled in the
38+ Division
Sporls
3,Detroil
Gionts
0
Clevelqnd
Sfeve's
Rick Siebert allowed two hits while striking
out 14 and walking one as Cleveland Steve's
Sports defeated the Detroit Giants 3-0 to
claim the 38 Division title.
ClevelandSteve'sowner Steve Baraonats
sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third inning
scoredRoger Freiberg with the first run of the
game. Second baseman Jay Topp and left
fielder Brett Mitchell had two hits apiece to
lead all Clevelandhitters.
ClevelandSteve'sfinishedpool play with a
2-l record. The Washington PA.
Diamondbacks topped all teams, going a
perfect 3-0.
The Giants knocked off the Diamondbacks
4-2 in the semifinals to proceed to the
championship.Cleveland Steve's dispatched
the Ann Arbor A's l3-3 to advance.
Sieberthauled in tournamentMVP honors.
In addition to tuming in a dominant pitching
performancein the title game,Sieberthad5 hits
in 17 trips to the plate including a homer, two
doublesand five RBI.
Giants pitcher Willie Boyd earned Cy
Young honors.He had a victory and tossed12
innings.
28+ Division
Wt
0
0hio
1ndi0ns........................................
I
Long
lslond
M0rinen...................................
Woter.......
2
Pennsylvonio
Americon
3
Michigon
All-St0n.....................................
Wt
Cenlrol
0
0evelond
Stevet
Sp0ris....................................
Indi0n0p01isExp0s.............................
I
2
Greot10kesRedS0x............................
[olumbus
Broves.....
............0
3
Americon
wl.
Nolionol
Chicogo
Brooklyn
R0y01s....................
................2
Pir0tes......................................
Columbus
New
Generotion
[r0M0rds................
..................2
[ong
lslond
[0rdin01s.................................
28+ Chompionship
Gome
I 2,Clevelond
Chicogo
Brooklyn
Royols
Stevet
Sports
5
38+ Division
wt
Woshington
PADiomondborks
...........................3
0
Clevelond
Sp0rts.................................
l
Stevet
Ann
Arbor
A's...........................................
2
2
Detroit
Gionts..............
2
NIMSBL
Morinen........,
38+ Chompionship
Gome
Gionts
Clevelond
Steve's
Soorts
3.Detroit
0
Very specialthanksgo to CMSBL president
Jirn Durham and tournament director Rick
Fryman from the Columbus Pirates. E
LEFT:
28+ Chomps,
theChicogo
Brooklyn
Royols.
(levelond
Rick
in
BEL0lV,
Sfeve's
Sports'
Siebertturned
performon(e
in histeom's
o dominoting,
l4+trikeout
gome
victory
otthe0hioregionol.
38+ rhompionship
Hewos
voted
the38+tournomenl
MVP.
NAME/
HOSI
CITY/YEAR
wos1lthonnuol)
SIARIED:
Copihl
City
tlosic(2006
0hio/ I 996
/ Columbus,
TOURNAMENI
WEBSITE: www.columbusmsbl.com/custom
sertlice.htm
NEXI
YIAR
SDATES:
Columbus
Doy
Weekend
guorontee
AGES/
FORMAT
28ond38/ round
robin,
3gome
bot
/ IYPE:
/ metol
guorontee
FORMAT:
Round
robin,
3gome
per
COSI:
teom
5550
SPECIAL
ROOM
RATE:
otHolidoy
InnWorthington
5/9pernight
- food
ployoffs
SPECIAI
EVENTS:
Copitol
titytlosicPorty
onddrinks,
MLB
onbigscreen
CONTAO
PHONE
/ IMAI[:
Rick
Frymon
orJeffWolker
ot419-592
1000
[email protected]
emoil
22 HordbollMooozine
2006
Holidoy
Bemembering,.il
lhleiMahoe
;'. (;r( (g Surru,Inng Island MSBL
icture this: three men suspended
approximately 1,200 feet above
Florida's Intercoastal Waterway
while parasailing in Clearwater
Beach. The high winds that blow acrossthe
state's west coast are howling and refuse to
allow the boat's captain to reel the men to
safety.Suddenly,in an instant,fear grips them
and those below on the boat, as their towline
snaps and the winds carry the trio towards a
21-story condominium and high-rise hotels.
Only God knows their destiny.
This was the scenethe night before we were
to play in the MABL Fall Classic 1S-and-over
togcther in the MABL Fall Classic and the
championship in November of 1999. We
MABL World Seriesfor the next five years,
thought our teammates Kalei Mahoe, Darren
winning a f'ewnationalchampionshipswith the
Villa and Mike Knobloch were going to die.
Long lsland Storm and the Long Island Black
They flew away from our boat, over the
Sox. We wrestledin hotel rooms, arguedover
buildings and out of sight toward the Gulf of
who had a higher average,who had bigger
Mexico.
fbrearms,hit longer home runs, just about
With unyielding determinationand faith in
everythingthat little boys do. It was always a
God, the powerfully built 5-foor9, 205-pound
short break from reality and all the
Mahoe, positioned at the bottom of the
responsibilitiesthat come with having a family
three-man harness,pumped the lines of the
and a job. We all know how much life tries to
parasail repeatedly.At speedsestimated by
get in the way of having fun.
CoastGuardofficialsof up to 25 miles per hour,
His death has been a devastatingblow. He
the men made it over the top of the buildings,
knew his time was short, as his once chiseled
andinto theGulf. Oncethey clearedthe condos,
frame deteriorated at an alarming pace.
the wind abated,and they spiraleddown toward
Stomachcancerdoesthat-it's evil.
the earth, landing in about five feet of water.
This summer, Kalei flew across the
Mahoe's strengthin his legsfrom yearsas
countryandvisitedmy family in New York. I
a power lifter-and his will to live-saved the
met his son Ko and we went to meet his
lives of Villa and Knobloch.Villa was knocked
favoriteteam-the New York Yankees.They
unconsciousin the water and draggedto the
sat in the dugout and hung out with Derek
beachby Mahoe.All threemen survived.
Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Joe Torre, Mariano
"He savedmy life," saidVilla. "He was so
Rivera, and his hero, Don Mattingly. It was
strong up there and he kept telling us that we
awesome.He was so happy.
were going to live. We cheateddeath."
Kalei left an indelible mark on so many
peopleall over the country.My four kids got
A Passion
lorFriends
andtamily
Kalei Mahoe was a lot of things.To somehe to know him for a short while-and he made
was a hero. To others, he was a wonderful suchan impact.
The tearsstill flow, and they will for a long
friend, a loving father, a great teammate,a true
competitor and a real down-to-earth guy. He time. His memory will live forever. It is
comforting to know that Kalei is in a better
had such passion for friends and family.
Mahoe was a symbol of what the Men's place. His suffering has ended and he's
Senior Baseball League is all about. Whether looking over all ofus. And ifthere's a teamin
he was your opponentor your teammate,he was heaven,he's batting leadoff and making a
always a friend. He respectedand appreciated difference. Rest in peacemy brother.
the game of baseball.He was the guy with the
real Hawaiian punch who had a deep belief in
God. And he loved to bust chopsand laugh.
I first met Kalei when he was with the Seattle
Studs at the Grand Forks International
Tournamentin British Columbiain 1997.I was
playing for the Long Island Storm. We met
again as opponentsat the Nike World Masters
Gamesin Eugene,Oregonin 1998.We played
Holidoy
2006
RIGHT:
ASl.Petersburg
Times
urtidererounted
the
p0r0s0iling
trio's
horrowing
oaidenl
in1999.
FollClosir(l-r):outhor
AB0VE,
Atthe1999MSBL
Villoonthefield
Gregg
Sono,
Kolei
Mohoe
ondDorrin
gome
ofterwinning
chompionship
0ndK0lei,
ffossing
homeploteofterhittingo homerun,isgreeted
by
teommotes
Roy
Kontorinis.
Photos
Grube
ondAndy
by
Norm
Hogood/Visuol
Touch
Photogrophy.
'l thought
wewele
goingto die'
I Desoiteafttal
mrasailinccrashin 1900
ina the tee flight oftlree
menSrrndaY,lndusfY
rulesarefew.ThatmaY
change,
BySE WffiAroT
-,_-._!b!-g!tu
CLEARWATER- Ddin ViL
las thourhE sbout dle bautitul
tu
lj00 fet above Clewater
dislkd
in Emr when he heard
the |@sail's tow line gmp
Fluns mund bv wind Susts he
and noJriends damledlrelPlestY
in hamses athch€il lo ihe ru_
over lhe hbadshl
amy ffisil
wrtetrav. The s8on8 casterly
wildIiled dte pMsil @d MPt it
aw from th€ towb@t and bwd
SaodKry.
"1'm lelliru You. we Ere x]:
ins." sid Wla.30. "We weft h@6
in;risht for a building l\'e seE
o-id-io hit the side of il al about
6e igth [email protected] dr h* mhute a brg Cu$ of
whd frftd the P8nsil. The thffi
rm Dulledthem*lve uPod lhdr
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bv aboul 15 fst ild drcrd inlo
die Gulf of Mqico nw the ltrclr'
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for the t@il
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HordBoll
Mooozine
23
-
Repofi
President's
2olh Anniversanr:
Baseball insteadbl sollbatl?
It seemedlike a good tdea 20 years ago.
and it still seemslike a good idea.
Steve
Sigler
The Men's Senior Baseball League is
ondFounder, embarking on its 20th official year of
President
MSBL/MABL
Notionol providing adults an opportunity to return to
the game they love-hardball.
Special plans to mark the occasion are on the drawing board,
accordingto MSBL Presidentand founderSteveSigler.
"Twenty yearsis much more thansymbolism,"saidSigler."It means
that what we have createdas a national organizationhas persevered.
The MSBL has gone from four
teams at its genesis on Long
Island to over 40,000 players
nationwide. "We have six
nationaltoumamentsand over 30
regional tournamentsheld across
the country. These tournaments
are regarded as the best amateur
baseballtoumamentsanywhere."
he said. "We have a premier
masazine that chronicles all
things MSBL, travel discounts, and promotional materials and
e x p e r t i s e f o r n e w a n d e x i s t i n g l e a g u e s ,a s p o r t s s t o r e
(www.msblsportstore.com)
and insurance,"Sigler said.
"It's beena real cumulativeeffort and it bodeswell for the future of
the league,"he added.
(Editor's note: Stay tunedfor the entire story of the How the MSBL
formed in an upcoming issue of Hardball Magaz.ine.)
The President Hils lhe Road
Pennsylvania,Illinois, andNorthernCaliforniaareprobablestopsas
PresidentandMSBL NationalFounderSteveSiglerhits the roadto talk
with MSBL leaguesacrossthe country
While the specific meeting calendarhas not yet beenfinalized, more
information on those and other meetings will be forthcoming from
nationalheadouarters
in New York.
(shown
2006
MSBL
PresidentSteve
obove
otTempe
Dioblo
Stodium
during
Sigler
t
?
irrosfate
Cani:er
li*Lrndation
Foundolions
Prosfote
Concer
(lormeily
CoPCURE)
2006os ol9l23l05
DONAIfONS
NAMEOFLEAGUVPERSON
YATI DAIIRECD AMOUNI LEAGUEPRESIDENT
MikeJuliono
Ml tl3/06
DEtrOit
MSBL
5300
Mike
Jennings
iA tl3l06
[entrol
[oo$MSBL
5150
Woyne
Munney
iA v13106
Antelope
Volley
MABL
$650
Sleve
Rosenburg
MSBI,/MABL
GA t/l4106
Atlonlo
5100
Fred
Shelton
MSBL
GA l114106
Atlonto
Greoter
5100
Erett
Mondel
PA 2/t/06
Greoter
Philodelphio
MABt
5l50
Steve
Sigler
Long
lslond
MSBYMABT NY 2lt5l06 513,400
Doniel
J.totolini
MABI
cA 3/2106
Sonto
Borboro
5100
Durhom
Jomes
5250
iolumbus
MSBL
0H 312/06
[hrisDunn
Mocon
MABL
GA 3t2/06
sl25
JimBionco
sr00
MSBL
NY 3t2t06
We$che$erlPutnom
Rich
Gorcio
NM 3/3/06
Albuquerque
MABL
5150
Poul
Juotez
MSBL
rA 3t6t06
Boy
Areo
5200
Dovid
Ruegge
tosVegos
MABVMSBL
NV 345t06
5200
Gory
Gomez
Hikhcock
MSBL
Ar 3\st06
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srs0
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Skip
MABVMSBL TX 345106
5onAntonio
s200
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[onlor
MSBL
iA 3/t5/06
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5200
Kevin
Fitzmourice
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MSBL
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TX t0/11106 56oo
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24 HordBollMooozine
Holidoy
2006
;
i
Thesebaseballtown meetingsare a greatopportunity
for many leagueleadersto meetthe presidentand discuss
important leagueissues."It's important to me that these
peoplegetto know me asa personandnot asa figurehead,"
Sigler said.
The meetings offer league leaders a chance to probe
answers to questionsabout rules, eligibility, league
administration, recruitment and retention of players and
other suchimportantmatters,Sigler said."With nineteen
years of experienceat this, I'm a pretty good sounding
board," Sigler said, adding that those in attendancealso
benefitfrom hearingeachother'sexperiences."Problems
may seemuniqueuntil you sit in a room full of peoplewho
havehad to deal with the sameproblems.Then you don't
feel so alone,"he said.
Finally, Sigler said, networking is a good thing.
"Friendshipsand relationshipsdevelopat thesemeetings
that wouldn't have other-wisedeveloped.People leave
these meetings feeling invigorated and connected,and
that's alwayshealthy.I encourageleagueleadersto attend
thesemeetings."
New Age Guidelines
The MSBL is going to "the fives."
Startingthis year,all MSBL nationaltournamentswill
divide their tournamentsinto 25,35 and 45-and-upage
groups.Only the MABL age-18-and-over-will remain
unchanged.
Leaguesare not requiredto follow suit, accordingto
MSBL NationalCoordinatorBrian Sigler."We leaveit up
to them. They can do whateverfits best," he added.
The purposeof the age changeis to revitalizeleagues.
"If you make that 25-year-oldguy wait too long, he might
startto lose interest,"Brian Sigler said."But if we can get
those 25-year-oldguys who are still into playing, then
we'll be able to keep them playing," he added.
Fall GlassicNews
The MABL and the wood divisions at the annualFall
Classic in Florida could move from a four-game to a
five-game schedulein 2007, according to Fall Classic
Tournament Director and MSBL Vice PresidentGarv
D'Ambrisi.
D'Ambrisi unofficially polled managers of those
divisionsprior to the startof the 2006Fall Classic.Most in
attendanceseemedin favor of the change.
The 2006 Fall Classicwood bat divisions(over 38 and
over 45 divisions)playedfrom November2-5.The MABL
teams played November 3-6. Adding a game to each
division would likely add a day to each division,
D'Ambrisi said.
Managers interested in playing in the wood bat and
MABL divisions ar rhe 2007 Fall Classic are welcome to
weigh in on the matter by emailing their preference to
info @msblnational.com.
Note: Pleaseinclude "Fall ClassicProposedSchedule
Change" in the subject line of your email.
2007
Nqtionql
Tournqmenl
Cqlendqr
Ioutnomenf
Holidoy
Clossic Disney
Holidoy
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Jonuory
12-l5
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35+/45+wood
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Closic W e e k l - M o r c h l 0 - 1 2Week
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bot)
Week2
25+/45+
Doy
Weekend
lB+/25+/35+/45
Los
Vegos
0pen Memoriol
+/55+
Moy
26- 28
Los
Vegos,
Nevodo
(35+45+55+
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l4 - Nov.3 l 8 + , 2 5 + ,3 5 + ,
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2007
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2007
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(ontodInformqfion
MSBL
Nofionol
0ffice
Phone:
631-753-6725
Emqil:
[email protected]
wv'rw.
msbInotionol.com
Holidoy
2006
HordBoll
Mogozine
25
I
@p
g(rn,vglrll
*
Petelhorne
Alhens
MSBL
*
PhilProx
Foirbonks
mABt
*
TedNunn
louisville
fnSB[
*
JonMoples
BoyAreoII|ISBI
*
26 HordBollMoqozine
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RoIl
HonCI$
Acknowledging
lheConftibulions
ol locolleogue0fficiols
PeteThorne,
Athens
AreoMen'sBosebqll
Leugue
When Pete Thome assumedleadershipof the Athens Area Men's BaseballLeague
(AAMBL) halt\'ay through 1998, there were six teams and parity was an afterthought.
"Teams were unbalancedand nobody was having a good time," he said.
Things were okay, but Thorne felt they could be whole lot better.Tums out he was right.
Under Thorne's administration,AAMBL has grown to 14 teams:eisht MABL and six
28-and-over.The wood bat leagueplaysgamesunderlightsnearly
everyday of the week.Playershavetheir at-batsannouncedover a
public addresssystem.
Word of the league has spread via word-of-mouth and via
coverageby the local and college newspapers.One local sports
writer evenplaysin the league.The leaguehasa modestadvertising
budget,and has beenfeaturedon local sportstalk radio.
Occasionalcoverageby the college newspaperhelped attract
morecollegiate-aged
players-a groupthatexistedin slim numbers
prior to 1998.
This overall polishedappearancereplete with media coverage
"legitimizesus. It's easierto get sponsorship,"Thorne said.
UnderThorne,the leaguehasbeenproactive.When the City of Athensdecidedit could no
longerafford to maintainLay Field asa baseballdiamond,andplannedinsteadto convertit to
a full+ime socceruse, Thorne and the AAMBL steppedin and legally adoptedthe field
through the city's "Keep Athens Beautiful" program. A sign at the field proclaims that
relationshipmuch like "Adopt a highway" signsfrequentlyseenon roadways."It's a great
working relationshipand we've garneredwonderful public relationsand respectfrom city
officials," Thorne said.
Still, Thorne and assistantGene Harris do about ninety percentof the field maintenance
duties,Thorne said."lt getstiresomeas you can imagine," he said."Gene is my right-hand
man," said an appreciativeThorne.
Maintainingleaguestabilityand leagueparity arechief concernsfor Thorne."I don't want
any teamsthat nevergot beat," he said.
Next Memorial Day, the leaguewill host its first toumament,the ClassicCity Shootout
Memorial Day Tournamentto be held May 27-29.The cost will be $650 per team.
T h o r n e c o a c h e s t h e M A B L D e s p e r a d o s ,a n d p l a y s f o r t h e 2 8 + d i v i s i o n
Diamondbacks-both the teamsto beatin their respectivedivisionsin 2006.He alsomanages
the Athens Selecttournamentteam.
Thorne owns and operatesModern Age and the Smoker's Den Cigar Shops in Athens. He
has beenmarried to his wife Tonya for twelve years and has a seven-vear-olddaughternamed
Emily Rose.
PhilProx,
Foirbqnls
AdultAmoieur
Bosebull
leogue
Phil Prax is doing his part to keep the MSBL alive and well in the 49th state.
Prax,52, a mechanic on the Trans-Alaska pipeline, presidesover the four-team, Fairbanks
Amateur Baseball League-an MABL leagueand the national MSBL's most northern outpost.
His job descriptionis a well-worn pipeline mechanic'sclich6: "I'm
just trying to keep things flowing."
In a place where the nearestworthwhile baseballcompetition is 360
miles away in Anchorage,keeping things "flowing" is a reasonablytall
order. "It takes a lot of time," said the former airline mechanic and
Fairbanks resident.
Baseball itself is big in Alaska, said Prax. The amateur Alaska
Goldpannersare a legendaryteam through which 187major leaguers
have so far passed.That group includes Barry Bonds, Tom Seaver,
Dave Winfield, Graig Nettles, Bill Lee, Jason Giambi, and
Harold Reynolds. Prax is a volunteer member of the
Goldpanners' board of directors, and often hosts players
rosteredwith the team.
Holidoy
2006
If you're not a Bondsor Seaverty pe. but still lo\ e ba:c'ball.\'ou no\r'
have a place to plal'thanks to Mr. Prax. Giren the recreational
Finding lic'lds.par ing umpires.and keepingthe leagueclock wound
alternativesin Alaska,includingfishin-e.hunting.and softball.Praxsays
his greatestchallengeis simply "making surethat1ou alu ayshaveteams is all in a dar': sork tbr most commissioners,but Jon Maples,
Commissioner of the Bal Area MSBL, had one more big job in
and umpires."
Prax is a positive force in Alaska's amateur baseball world. He 2006----coping'* ith the moods of Mother Nature.
The San Francisco Bay Area experienced one of its rainiest years
spearheadedthe league's efforts to donate $9,000 toward field
renovationsat a local high school, and hopesto kick start an effort to add ever, Maples said. "lt really causedmassivehavoc to our schedule.
Fields were closed and when they opened they were overused. It was
a couple of new fields to the area.
A regional baseballtournamentin Alaska? It could happen,saidPrax. really a challenging year," he said. "It was a lot more phone time, and a
lot more worry time."
But, he said, "it's a major undertaking to bring a team to Alaska."
For thesereasonsand more, Maples, who turns 42 this January, has
Prax grew up in Fairfax, Minn., and moved to Alaska with his parents
in 1969.He playedLittle Leaguebaseballuntil the ageof 13,thendidn't earnedhis placeon the MSBL's honor roll.
The Chicago native and eight-year league player took over as
play againuntil joining the MSBL at age34.
When he's not working on pipelines or playing baseball,Prax might commissionerin 2005 after serving on the league'sseven-memberboard
be found piloting aircraft for CubCrafters of Yakima, Washington or for three prior years. "Our league is going through a drastic transition,"
he said. The Bay Area is one of the most expensiveplacesto live and it's
flying around in Alaska.
put recreationalsportsinto difficult situationswhere they arefighting for
resourceslike umpires and fields. I felt like I could add some leadership
to this. It was an opportunity to add structure."
Some campaign for league president. Some earn the title out of
"We've been priced out of a lot of places," Maples said. Municipal
respect for their longevity and wisdom. Some create their own leagues fields can cost about $250 per day, and good college fields can creep up
and are leadersby default.
toward $ I,000 per day. Umps cost up to asmuch as$85 per game. "What
Ted Nunn went on a beer run.
we've had to do is pick our spots, and try to negotiate.
Nunn said he was meeting with a group of team managersfrom the
On Maples' watch, the Bay Area MSBL dropped its age limits from
Louisville MSBL's 28+ division."I went out to set somebeer.andwhen 28 and 38 to 25 and 35 in 2006. As a result, the quality ofthe league,
I cameback I was leaguepresident,"he said.
especially the younger division, improved noticeably, Maples said.
With the blessing of wife Stephanie,and
Maples hopes to add a 45+ division soon. "I definitely think that the
his children Kyle, 7, and Tedi, 5, he accepted
interest is there," he said.
the role and has been capably running the
Maples grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, near Chicago. He joined the
leaguefor nearly three years.
MSBL in 1998and still plays with the SanFranciscoCubs-his original
Louisville, home to the world's most
team.His baseballidol is JackieRobinson."He was a greatplayer, but he
famous baseball bat maker, is a baseball
transcendedbaseball,"Maples said.
town. Ironically,the Louisville MSBL 28 and
38 leagues are not wood bat leagues,
according to Nunn. Managers there "thought
it would cost too much money (to go to
wood.)," he said.
Each year the idea of switching to wood
gains a little more support,Nunn said,adding,
"l'd love it to so wood."
Any
MSBL-sanctioned
Nunn, a logisticsanalystfor Ann Taylor for the past l0 years,keeps
regional tournament (i.e., those
his love for baseballin the properperspective."Just being able to still
approved by MSBL National and
llSll
i.glonrl Tohamlrt
plal baseballat the age of 44 and being able to coach my kids is the
Dlractora
listed in the Regional Calendar) is
Press Kit
thing aboutthe MSBL," Nunn said.
,createst
entitled to get its report in HardBall
udFdb9dpq|d
oFh
hdll
lttd.
Nunn. whose favorite all-time baseball players are Lou Gehrig and
Magazine.
pre-conviction Pete Rose, attended high school in Larue County, and
S
However, since we cannot send
8r@@U
community college in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He hasn't forgotten his
reportersto theseregionals,we rely
rural roots and said he'll try to expandthe leagueinto rural Kentucky. He
entirely on the local tournament
-\l
plans to start that process in Elizabethtown, where a friend owns a
directors to submit their
battingcage.He believesthe interestwill be there."Baseball....it'snot
tournament results (scores,
like playing softball. It's three or four hours away from everything. It's
standings,etc.) to us, as well as
relaxing. All your troubles go away. That's what baseball does. It let's
send to us photos of at least the
them be a kid again," he said.
tournament champions. We
contact all tournament directors in
advance of their regionals to make sure they are aware of our
deadlinesand requirements.
To make this task a bit easier, we have created a link on our
website (hardball.net)to downloadable regional tournament forms
Boseboll
Trivio
and instructions to use as a guide. Theseforms are now available at
1.Who is theonly playerto win the StolenBaseTitle
http://www.hardball.
net/Reporters.html.
in both leagues?
Tournament directors areencouragedto download the forms and
to call or email HardBall Magazine with any questions at
[email protected] or 760-732-3477.
Answer on page 32
Pleasehelp us help you promote your tournament.
Jonffloples,BoyAreoMSBI
(KY)MSBL
Ied Nunn,
louisville
How to Gel Make Sure Your
Regional Tournamenl Repor{ gels
in HardBall Magazine
8sliffi
Holidoy
2006
HordBollMooozine
27
'%)
theHorn
Around
h{ ouDd l*
+
"Hittorlffds"
Annual
llolds$econd
llewHam[shite
Base[all
tllarathon
n September, the New Hampshire Baseball League
(NIIBL40) held its second annual "Hit for Kids" Baseball
Marathon charity event tobenefit the Boys & Girls Clubs in New
Hampshire. This year's event included 80 NHBL memberswho
helped to raise over $60,000 for the charity.
The three-day event was played at Merchantsauto.comStadium in
Manchester(home of the Toronto BIue JaysAA affiliate) and Holman
Stadium in Nashua (home ofthe NashuaPride, an independentleague
team). The weekend event included guest appearancesby Johnny
Pesky, Bill "Spaceman" Lee, Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, Rick Miller,
and Ken Ryan. These former Red Sox players conducted a free Kids
Instructional Clinic which drew 88 participants aged 1-12. The
NHBL4O also held their first event awards banquet following play at
Merchantsauto.comStadium.
Five NHBL players were winners of "A Night on the Town" with
Bill Lee. In addition to spending a whole evening listening to
"Spaceman's" stories,the winners received a one-night stay at the new
Hilton Garden Inn Manchester which overlooks the ballpark, plus
dinner and complimentary drinks at various watering holes. The
winners of this incentive program included: Rick Amidon, Jim
Cronin (78 years old), Marc Garand, Shaun Kelly and Jim Sacco.
Other prizes were awarded during the NHBL banquet and one lucky
winner, who has not been named as of the date of this writing, will
receive two round-trip airline tickets.
Sunday moming began with the final round of the Home Run
Derby, with 16 entrants contributing $100 each to participate. Chris
Rawnsley scoring 9 points to win the top prize of $400, a trophy and
bragging rights, Angel Yazquez finished second and won $250 and
"Doc Knight" and Frank De Maria tied for third place, collecting
"Oil
trosthemotrhup
between
BillLeeondDennis
Ahighlight
ofthechority
event
towotch.
Con"
Boyd
infrontof250fons
whodonoted
55eoch
$50 each.The winners then all donatedtheir winnings back to the Boy
& Girls Club.
Following the Home Run Derby, the NHBL held the instructional
clinic, immediately followed by the Pro Game, featuring "Oil Can" vs.
"Spaceman" in front of 250 fans who donated $5 each. Dennis Boyd
pitchedsevenscorelessinningsto gain a 3-2 victory. NHBL President
Frank De Maria (who had already pitched the two previous days)
struggled a bit but earned the save, stranding the tying run on second
base.He alsostruckout Bill Lee during his two-inning relief stint.Bill
Lee, who had already pitched eight innings during the event, pitched a
complete game and yielded only one earned run. Chris Rawnsley
showed that he could hit something other than a home run by nailing
"Oil Can" for a right-center field double in the contest. The Pro Game
was followed by the inaugural NHBL4O All-Star Game.
The NHBL Board thanked all participating members for their
generosity and community supportefforts. At the awardsbanquet,the
Boys & Girls Clubs recognized the following individuals for serving
on the event's Community Support Committee: Chris Rawnsley
(Falcons), Alan Rogers (Royals), Keith Zimmermann (Granite),
Marc Garand (BoSox), Duane Vossbrink (Mets), John Petrino
(Mariners), Paul Felix (Indians), Chip Cirello (Tigers), Gary Tesch
(Grays), Mike Hoyt (Diamond Aces), Joe Silviera (Waniors), Ray
Lambert (Nationals) and Frank De Maria (Committee Chairman).
Notoble
Quoles
"He's got a great body, very athletic, and he takes care of
himself. He's like a greyhound. Who knows if he will be as
productiveat 38 asat 30, but a lot ofguys in the gamenow are
productive into their 40s."
-Jim Hendry,GeneralManagerof ChicagoCubs,talkingabout
AlfunsoSoriano
ployer
NHBL4O
Leon
morothon.
Gront
withBillLeeotchority
boseboll
28 HordBollMogozine
(Source'
ESPN
online,
November
21,2006)
Holidoy
2006
fot
lnnual]undtaiset
llonhlexasleague
$Ronsots
Beuerchon
Pail
i"
I
i
October 21, 2006-Members of the North
Texas Amateur Baseball League (MSBL)
participated in this year's Reverchon Park
Baseball Classic, a charity game between the
Dallas Police Department and the Dallas Fire
Department.The NTABL has numerouspolice
and fire department connections.For example.
league commissioner Sam Kayea is married to
a Dallas Fire Department Lieutenant Tami
Bloss Kayea. Fans were charged $5 each for
admission,$10 for families.
A free community fair was held before the
game and pregame show. Proceeds from the
game went to support the revitalization.
maintenance and future development of
Reverchon Park, the historic 46-acre park that
opened in 1915 and was intended to become
Dallas's own "Central Park."
Reverchon'sballpark was the first lighted
ballfield in Dallas and has enjoyed a rich
history. Notable players who have competed
there include Willie Mays, Bob Feller. Bob
Lemon, Johnny Bench, Burt Hooton, Jimmy'
Jonesand JasonJennings."It's one of the feu
2006Reverchon
PorkBoseboll
MSBL
Closic:
member
KyleClorkot botforDollos FireDeportment
teom.
remaining fields in the country that has a real
plote.
Dollos
Police
is
Ron
Kromer,
MSBL
rotcher
umpire
Wes
Spencer
works
home
twentiesflavor," saidLinda White, chairmanof
Friends of Reverchon Park."
were Dan McDowell and DonovanLewis of Soortsradio1310.
Goals for improvement include adding modern pro-style lights,
restrooms,an updatedscoreboard,concessionstand and pushing for
Formoreinformation
Reverchon
aboutefforts
to renovate
Park, see
designation as an historic site.
www.reverchonparkfriends.org.
The ballgame'sfinal scorewas Dallas Police 8, Dallas Fire 7.
The eventwas attendedby numeroussupportersand VIPs including
City Council members Gary Griffith, Angela Hunt and Pauline
Medrano and Park Board
members Sheffield Kadane,
Wa1,neSmith, and Gabe Soto.
The North Texas MSBL
donatedthe trophy, gameballs
and the umpires.
Other Sponsors: Alliance
Communities,Dallas Amateur
Baseball Association, Dallas
Parks, Donna
Harris
Company, Dr. PepperBottling
Company of Texas, El Rio
Grande Supermercado,Law
Offices of JosephE Ashmore,
JrP.C.. OKONMetals. Police
and Fireman's Insurance
Association, Reverchon Park
R e c C e n t e r ,S k y l i n e H i g h
School JROTC Raiders,
Southwest Auto Tow, Sports
Fields of the Southwest,Texas
Scottish Rite Hospital for
Dollss
Polire
Deportmenl
teominduded
threeNorth
Texos
MSBL
members.
TopRow(leftto right)Deputy
Chief
C h i l d r e n ,T h e D a l l a s B a n j o Thevictorious
(MSBL),
Brion
Horvey,
Doug
Choney
Andy
Poris,
Chris
Aulbough,
Arnold
Brown,
Rob
Lonnerd,
JerryGomez,
AlphColemon,
Ruben
Band, The Sterling at Turtle
(MSBL),
(MSBL),
MikeMullinox,
lohnBurke
Joey
Worren,
Richord
Morlinez
Wes
Colvin.
Bottom
Row(leftto right)Steve
Creek, and Woodrow Wiison Felon,
RonKromer,
DonLorkin,
Councilmember
Pouline
Medrono,
Kelly
White,
Arondo,
Donny
Torres,
Fernondo
Perez.
George
Senior High School. Emcees Winkler,
(MSBL
gome
member
Richord
Mortinez
threw
ocomplete
fortheDPD
togetlhewin.)
t'
I
I
Holidoy
2006
HordBollMagozine
29
I
IheBenelits
olMemberchi[
Steve
Sigler,
Founder
ondPresident
ofMSBUMABL
goodsandequipmentcan be purchasedover
the internet. You can email us at
[email protected] post comments
or questionson our bulletin board.
Nalional and Reqional
Tournamenls
I
Holiday Classic: Mid-January tournament
held over the Martin Luther King Holiday in
Orlando, Florida at the Disney Baseball
Complex
tr
I
Desert Classic in Palm Springs, California,
held in Mid-January.
tr
E
Las Vegas Kickoff Classics (2 weeks in
March)
I
Las Vegas Open: Memorial Day (all age
divisions).
Choice of Two Insurance Plans: Affiliated
leaguescan chooseiiom two competitively
priced
insurance plans:
one
Medical,/Liabilitycombined plan and one
Liability only.
tr
Promotional Videotape: A 5-minute
p r o f e s s i o n a l ,p r o m o t i o n a l v i d e o t a p e
narrated by Mel Allen. This combined
informative/promotionalvideo can be used
for sponsorshipproposals,organizational
meetingsand/or media solicitations.
E
World Series, Phoenix, Arizona: The
largest baseball toumament in the world,
with 30 separatedivisions.
E
Fall Classic, Clearwater/St. Petersburg,
Florida: 147 teamsparticipatedin 2006
E
Over 30 Regional tournaments
tr
ttISBt Sporls Slore
In conjunction with Anaconda Sports, we
offer eachmembertheir own individual league
membership card and product catalog.
Members who sign up for email get notices
whenever new MSBL discounts are offered.
Each manager receives 80+ page Anaconda
catalog,againwith specialMSBL discounts.
HardBall Magazine
All members receive HardBall, the MSBL
magazine, five times a year, with stories on all
our leagues, national tournaments, regional
tournaments, etc. HardBall includes tips from
the pros columns and articles written by sports
doctors for baseball-related injuries and
prevention. The Yearbook issue, published
every spring,is dedicatedsolely to local league
coverage. The magazine also has a website at
www.hardball.net with links to the MSBL
National website.
E
National Rules: The MSBL/MABL
National office provides league rules that
have been based on years of use and
modification to make them suitable for our
players. All rules (tournament and national)
can be found on the MSBL website and in
every score book.
MSBL Website: Yisit us at our website at
www.msblnational.com for information
about the league, tournaments, and other
news.We alsohave an online. secureMSBL
Sports Store, where all types of sporting
SponsorshipSupport: MSBL Nationalcan
help support local leagues in their
sponsorshipsolicitationsby providing, on
request, a full media package, sample
sponsor letter, and sponsorshipsummary
kits. In addition."national" affiliation often
helps bring credibility to sponsor
presentation.
tr
MSBL/]\{ABL Score book: MSBL has
developed its own 25-game score book,
updatedin 2005, which is delivered to all
teamsat no chargeannually.
tr
MSBLA.IABL Brochure and Poster: The
brochures can be used as mailers and
provide basic background and benefit
information. They are excellent
promotional tools for local leagues.MSBL
Nationalhasan 11" x 17" colorposterwhich
can be used to advertise your local league
and includes a businesscard holder for local
leaguecontactinformation.
tr
MSBL/MABL MasterCard: The official
MSBLMABL MasterCard offers benefits
such as no annual fee, complimentary
additional cards, and low interest rate. To
apply, please call 800-523-7666 and
reference#JDBN.
tr
Discounted Auto and Home Insurance:
MSBLA4ABL membersenjoy discountson
home and auto insurance from Liberty
Mutual. Existing customers of Liberty
Mutual are eligible to receive this group
discount and new members are entitled to a
free quote. To find out more, call
1-800-524-9400and refer to code#9080.
tr
AVIS Rent-A-Car discounts:Every MSBL
member is guaranteedthe lowest rate on full
Supporl and Seruices
E
Website:
Visit
MSBL
Travel
MSBlTravel.com for preferred hotel
pricing and other travel info, field maps etc.
for MSBL National Toumaments.
and mid-sized cars from AVIS throughout
the year. To take advantage of this offer
please call AVIS direct at l-800-331-1212
or visit the AVIS online order form on the
at
National
website
MSBL
msblnational.com. Don't forset to mention
AWD #8745000.
E
Scorebook.com: MSBL/IvIABL signed an
agreement with Scorebook.com, to allow
our leagues to keep league records on the
web. Free league websites include Team
Rosters, Game Schedules, Results, Player
Profiles, Stats and Field Locations (with
driving directions) and new features to be
addedin the future. Special MSBL discount
for memberswho upgradeto PRO version.
"Day al lhe Shorlt' Discounls
MSBL/MABL member leagues get a
speciallow rate on holding their own "Day
at the Show" at their local major league
stadium.
fl'APPY
|/r/UtiA
TO
AUr/r/RIIIi
p[acc;
TXCUSES
YANKEES
IOPTENt{EWYORK
10.WantedColumbusDav off to set to all
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9. ThoughtSerieswasbest6 out of I I
8. \\'e'r e alreadymissedthe first three
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percent
6. Playersdistractedby erotic text messages
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eallywiththe
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