to - USSSA - United States Specialty Sports Association

Transcription

FALL
2011
Left to right: Don DeDonatis III, Brett Helmer, Brian Rainwater, Brian Wegman, Bryson Baker, Dennis Rulli
In Conference USSSA’s six year existence,
there have been six players make first
team, all conference each six times
Travis Resmondo receiving
his sixth consecutive regular
season Conference USSSA
Champions Award from USSSA
Assistant Executive Director,
Danny Brown
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LONE STAR
SHOOTOUT WORLDS
October 29-30
BIG LEAGUE DREAMS
LAS VEGAS
featuring
ALL TURF INFIELDS
Men’s Upper • Men’s Lower • Women’s • Co-ed
TO ENTER go to:
www.LoneStarSoftball.com
and click on
“Online Registration”
For more information:
(979) 774-9408
HOST HOTELS:
Palace Station
Boulder Station
To book hotel rooms, call
(702) 221-6584
Resmondo wins out on Sunday to win
the Conference USSSA Championships
by Dale Weiser
Resmondo-Specialty Tank / Worth, the #1 ranked men’s slowpitch team in the nation came out of the loser’s bracket and
“double dipped” Team Combat/Laser Vision/D2E/Supreme, the
#4 ranked team in the country for the Conference Championship
title. The Championship’s were held in their traditional location, the Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Florida the
weekend of September 2-4, 2011. Resmondo had dropped to
the loser’s bracket on Saturday after losing to Team Combat/
Andy Purcell was selected Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a tough out with a .716 OBP.
2011 Open Conference/Lower Division Champions- R&M Metals/Troupe/TCP/Easton
6 USSSA TODAY
USSSA Live was broadcasting live from Osceola
County Stadium, Kissimmee,FL all weekend. Manning
the camera is Paul O’Leary.
Co-Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year and
Batting Champion with a .823 average- Combat/
Laser Vision’s Brett Helmer.
CONTENTS
M A G A Z I N E
6028 Rayburn Dr. • Fort Worth,TX 76133
(817) 944-7484 • [email protected]
Awards
Executive Director, CEO USSSA
Don DeDonatis
Publisher, USSSA Today
Stafford Connor
Managing Editor, USSSA Today
Greg Huchingson
Communications Director, USSSA
Tom O’Hara
Design / Printing
REEDESIGN
Lebco Graphics
Contributing Writers
Robert Boudreaux
Scott Cameron
Stefan Cooper
Mike Cuzzone
Bob Egr
Stacy Fish
Van Galeon
Gary Godden
Scott Kuhnen
BJ Larsen
Kelly Osowski
Dave Owens
Rick Phillips
Denny Rose
Craig Scriven
Kaylen Shimoda
Kirk Tarabokia
Kim Titus
Matt Trebuchon
Gerry Turnberg
Dennis Turner
Dale Weiser
Photographers
Brianne Cisneros
Roy Dean
Scott Duffy
Rachel Gossens
Larry Meraz
Daniel Odom
Pete Spatula
Kim Titus
USSSA
6 Conference
Championships and
16 Smoky Mountain Classic
28 NPF Championship Series
38Metals/Troupe/TCP/
Easton to claim A
WORLDS
USSSA 40Conference
Cincinnati
Annual Rocky
42 27th
Mountain Shoot Out
USSSA 46Conference
Michigan
Lone Star Shoot Out
50 “Battle
for the Rings”
USSSA New Jersey
56 Softball
Minnesota
57 USSSA
Softball
Establishes
64USSSA
Relationship with
Perinton Recreation
Department
Fastpitch of
66USSSA
Southern California
East Region Fast
68USSSA
Pitch World Series
70 Midnight Madness
Makes a
72 MSP/USSSA
Difference
74 Umped Up
76 Global Sports Baseball
78 USSSA National Team
Gold Medal
80USSSA
Games
USSSA Oklahoma
58 Softball
USSSA Today is published quarterly. Publishing offices are
located at 6028 Rayburn Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76133. One
year subscription is $25; two year is $40. Reproduction or
use of the contents in whole or in part without prior written
permission of the publisher is prohibited. USSSA Today
welcomes unsolicited articles or photographs, but must be
accompanied with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for
return of unsolicited material.
62 Legends of the Game
Year for Worth
60Banner
Sports
87 Elite World Series
89USSSA Golf
92 USSSA Soccer
USSSA TODAY
7
Laser Vision by an astonishing score of 23-4 in the
winner’s bracket championship game. Then on
Sunday they ran the table, winning 3 straight and
picking up their 4th Conference Championship
title in the 6 years the league has been in existence. Resmondo’s first win Sunday was a 26-23
win over Suncoast/Reebok after they trailed 15-4
in the second inning. Then they beat Combat/
Laser Vision 22-7 and finally 23-22 on a walk off
bases loaded single by Jeremy Isenhower to take
the title. All of the games in the Major portion
of the Championships were played on baseball
fields with 330-390-410-390-330 dimensions. The
largest fields used in softball today.
2011 Conference USSSA B Champions- The Scene/AJ’s/D2E/Easton
2011 Co-MVP and HR Champion- Greg Connell with 111 homeruns.
2nd Place Team Combat/Laser Vision finally broke
through with that 23-4 win over Resmondo.
That was the first time Resmondo had been held
under 10 runs since April of 2009 when Long Haul
beat them 20-5 at the Hall of Fame Classic. This
was the first time Combat has beaten Resmondo
all year long. 3rd Place went to Suncoast/Reebok
who knocked off Sinister, Sonny’s, Team 454 and
GTL to make it to the Sunday final 4. 4th place
went to GTL Cartel/Demarini who has tailed off
here at the end of the season but still managed
to maintain their #2 ranking in the standings
and Conference points.
The Championships featured a new format where
the top 16 teams in Conference points faced off
in the Major bracket, but the loser’s in the first
two rounds of games dropped down into the
“Open” division and played their own double
elimination tournament. The “Open” was won
by the red hot R&M Metals/Troupe/TCP/Easton
team based out of Waterloo, Iowa. They won
the championship game in an offensive shootout
31-27 over Taylormade/TM Sports/Mizuno. R&M
has a 3 tournament string of finishing at least
2nd or better in Conference and World tournament play.
There was also a ‘B’ Division which featured
5 teams from Conference USSSA playing in a
3 game guarantee bracket of their own. The
Scene/A.J.S./Easton/D2E sponsored out of Florida
and New York beat Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/
MAB/Easton out of Cincinnati, Ohio 28-23 in the
Championship game. The Scene went 3-0 on the
weekend.
The Conference Championship weekend is highlighted by a banquet for the teams on Saturday
night at the Mystic Dunes country club, and
awards for “All Conference” are given out to the
players along with some other special awards
like the inaugural John Glidewell Sportsmanship
award which was given to Team Combat/Laser
Vision center fielder Rick Baker.
3B Jimmy Salas was a nice, late season pick up for Resmondo.
8 USSSA TODAY
Conference Championships
Top 20 Stats - Minimum 10 Plate Appearances
Rank
2011 Co-MVP- Bryson Baker sported an .800 OBP.
Co-Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year- GTL/
DeMarini’s Chris Larsen
The players and the fans were treated to the
entertaining and informative announcing team of (l to
r): Ken Franzen, Jeff Brown and Paul Brown.
10 USSSA TODAY
Name
Team
G
OB-PA
R
HR
RBI
BB
OBA
1
Vincent Bisbee
Resmondo-Specialty T
5
17-20
7
1
9
5
0.850
2
Andy Purcell
6
19-23
12
2
11
1
0.826
3
Steven Lopez
Doerflinger/TSC/Pro-
7
11-14
5
0
5
1
0.786
4
Cal Ford
7
22-29
12
9
24
3
0.759
5
Greg Connell
6
18-24
15
8
27
0
0.750
6
Rusty Bumgardner
Team Combat/LaserVis
5
14-19
12
6
17
1
0.737
7
Leslie Griffis
Down2EarthSports.Com
4
11-15
7
0
3
1
0.733
8
Larkin Grant
4
10-14
5
3
10
0
0.714
9
Jimmy Salas
6
13-19
11
1
9
1
0.684
10
Howard Krause JR
5
12-18
9
5
14
2
0.667
11
Johnny McCraw
5
11-17
9
5
12
1
0.647
12
Joey Smith
7
18-28
10
1
6
0
0.643
13
Brian Plenkovich
7
17-27
10
0
5
4
0.630
14
Pat Paschal
7
17-27
7
2
11
4
0.630
15
Rafael Robledo
7
18-29
12
3
11
0
0.621
16
Brett Helmer
5
13-21
10
3
7
4
0.619
17
Lee Payne
4
8-13
5
0
2
0
0.615
18
Dennis Rulli
5
11-18
7
1
9
0
0.611
19
Billy Fulk
6
14-23
12
4
9
2
0.609
20
Rick Baker
5
12-20
9
0
6
1
0.600
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Learn more about Kissimmee’s sports facilities at KissimmeeSports.com.
Snap the tag at left to see our Kissimmee vacation video.
Get the free mobile app for your phone at gettag.mobi
For The Good Of The Game
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – USSSA will
celebrate the 40th anniversary of
the Showcase of Men’s Slow Pitch
Softball on Sept. 21-25, with the 2011
Men’s Major World Series at ESPN’s
Wide World of Sports Complex.
While other associations have slowly
bowed out of the Major Program,
USSSA has continued to embrace the
challenge of continuing this great
tradition.
“Nothing
worthwhile
is
ever
easy,” said Don DeDonatis, USSSA
Chairman/CEO. “We owe it to the
game to continue supporting the
upper divisions of slow-pitch softball.
USSSA has a responsibility to provide
quality events for our membership,” he continued. “As the leader
in this industry, we will continue to
make every effort possible to insure
that this program remains front and
center.”
Income:
$175,000
Team Entry Fees (paid to Tournament Directors)
($82,000)
C-USSSA Team Travel Money
($52,000)
Top 22 Teams x $2,000 = $44,000
2 Teams x $4,000 = $8,000
C-USSSA Room Accommodations - Value - 1008 x $113.00
14 Two-Bedroom Condos For CUSSSA Championship
28 Two–Bedroom Condos for World Series Championship
X 24 Teams = 1,008 Total Room Nights
($113,904)
Umpire Travel Cost for 2011
($18,000)
Awards - Individual Awards, Watches, Team Awards
($12,800)
Conference Banquet 340 x $20.00 ($6,800)
Miscellaneous Expenses
Conference Books
Media/Broadcasting
Staff (UIC’s)
Full-Time Administrative Staff (stats)
($15,000)
Total Expenses
($300,504)
Total (Loss)
($125,504)
Here Is An Example Of How The Conference Can Work For You
Down2EarthSports.Com/Worth
Men’s Class “B”
Conference Entry Fee: $5,000
Conference Tournaments Played:
Travel Money Earned:
9
$2,000
$2,000
$ 500
Condo Room Nights Earned: Value 28 ($113 each)
28 ($113 each)
14 ($113 each)
In 2006, Conference USSSA was introduced and designed to become as
close to a professional league as possible.
Teams and coaches would all be solicited
for their input, statistics would be kept on
a national level, and teams of all classes
would be welcome to join.
Conference USSSA has experienced steady
growth, adding up to five teams each year.
In 2011, 35 teams joined the Conference as
members and 21 teams participated in the
Conference Championship Tournament.
In all, 22 Conference Tournaments were
held this season, with all being held in the
highest quality facilities nationwide.
Why It Makes Sense To Join
The Conference
In joining Conference USSSA each team
receives a minimum of six tournament
entry fees, to any Conference event of
their choice. Qualifying teams also receive
a seventh tournament in the C-USSSA
Championship and an eighth tournament
by participating in the World Tournament
(of your team classification) and a possible
12 USSSA TODAY
Entry Fee: $5,0000 x 35 Teams
Expenses:
Baxley, GA
($3,150 Entry Fees)
Finishing in the Top 16 C-USSSA
Travel To The Men’s B World
Top B Team Attending The MMWS
To Men’s “B” World ($3,164)
To MMWS ($3,164)
To Conference Championship
($1,582)
ninth event by participating in an additional World Series, such as an “A” team
playing in the Men’s Major World Series.
On average, each Conference team gets
a total of eight tournaments included in
their Conference membership fee, for
an approximate value of $2,800. In addition, each team that participates in the
C-USSSA Championship is invited to the
end-of-year Awards Banquet. This season,
dinner was provided to approximately 340
players and coaches. Individual awards
for the All-Conference Teams included
Fossil watches for each player, as well
as an engraved glass individual award.
Individual awards were also presented
to the C-USSSA MVP, Defensive Player,
Offensive Player and Home Run Champion.
A glass team trophy was awarded to top
team in each division.
The cost of becoming a member of
Conference USSSA is $5,000. There is
no question that is a significant investment. But let’s take a second to review
the economics of the cost and expenses
of such an endeavor and let you
be the judge. There are many
misconceptions and many opinions
regarding Conference USSSA, but
the truth lies in the numbers. The
simple arithmetic that follows tells
the story of USSSA’s commitment to
rebuilding and growing the game
of slow-pitch softball:
Down2EarthSports.Com made an
initial investment of $5,000 to enter
Conference USSSA. They earned
$4,500 in travel money, earned
three additional tournament entry
fees ($1,050) and $7,910 in condo
rentals/room nights in 2011, for a
total $13,460. In any economy, an
investment of $5,000 that yields a
return of $8,460 is a great deal.
“As you can see, the numbers don’t
lie. The teams really collect the
travel money, they really stay in
the rooms and they all enjoyed the
banquet,” said DeDonatis. “Let’s
think about this for just a second.
When the Conference began, gasoline was
$1.89 a gallon and unemployment was at
5.1 percent. It was a different financial
climate altogether. For six years, our entry
fee hasn’t changed. Conference USSSA is
a $300,000 venture, yet we only collect
$175,000. USSSA is taking a $125,000 loss
each year to keep the Major and upper
divisions of softball alive.”
As DeDonatis points out, “It’s necessary
to absorb the additional costs of our staff
and umpire travel. Unemployment is out
of control and many of the sponsors and
others who would typically get involved
with Conference USSSA are backing off for
financial reasons. We understand that the
economic climate is not what it used to be.
With that said, we here at USSSA still feel
we have a responsibility to the game. We’ll
do what we have to do.”
For more information on joining
Conference USSSA, contact USSSA National
Headquarters at 1-800-741-3014.
2011 Conference USSSA Banquet
And the award goes to...
Mystic Dunes Resort
Orlando, FL
First Team All-Conference
Andy Purcell
Geno Buck
Brett Helmer
Kevin Filby
Chris Larsen
Jeremy Isenhower
Kyle Moyer
Tim Cocco
Vince Bisbee
Bobby Hughes
Erick Thompson
Rusty Bumgardner
Greg Connell
Dal Beggs
Lee Powers
Dennis Rulli
Don DeDonatis III
Anthony Dress
Bryson Baker
Matt Pesso
Rick Baker
Brian Wegman
Donovan Pokraka
Ronald Mack
Tim Howard
Brian Rainwater
Scott Striebel
Second Team All-Conference
Chairman of the Board/CEO Don DeDonatis welcomes the
participants of the 2011 Conference USSSA Championship
Tournament
Kyle Yerkes
Mike Dill
Mikael Taylor
Jonathan Scott
Dennis Shrum
Brian Justice
Charlie Baumgartner
Mitch Mabe
Sean Greer
John Robinson
Kevin Bazat
Chris Hansen
Chad McLamb
Kevin Rye
Adam Rockoff
Brian Zirkle
Adam Elliott
Ryan Robbins
Tim Taylor
Class B All-Conference
Cody Gilbert
Mike Noonan
Rick Potter
David Kessler
Jon Jamison
Brad Tabler
Matt Arlett
Kathem Martin
Blake Williams
Baline Bolin
Jason Gilfillan
Brad Clark
Chris Carr
John Hickey
Jeff Lahair
Andrew Dubberly
Bernie Guenther, USSSA Live
Rick Robertson, UIC and Emcee
Stafford Connor, USSSA Today
Laurie Timmons, Stacie Loving, Wendi Brockwell
USSSA Headquarters
Victoria Rosenblum, Danny Brown, Rachel Goossens
USSSA Headquarters
All Conference ManagerJohn Rector
Batting ChampionBrett Helmer
Most Valuable Players- Greg Connell
and Bryson Baker
Travis Resmondo receiving the
Regular Season Conference
USSSA Champions Award
Outstanding Offensive Players Chris Larsen and Brett Helmer
Outstanding Defensive
Player-Andy Purcell
Home Run ChampionGreg Connell
First Team All-Conference
Second Team All-Conference
Class B All-Conference
Rick Baker was awarded the 1st Annual
John Glidewell Sportsmanship Award
presented by Don DeDonatis III
Gloves Have Everything To Do With It
Resmondo/Specialty Tank
wins fourth straight Smoky
by Stefan Cooper
The game is changing, and Resmondo/Specialty Tank is
changing right along with it.
The nation’s top-ranked team made it a record four Smoky
Mountain Classics in a row July 10 at the annual, three-day
Conference USSSA softball festival in Maryville, Tenn.
Resmondo routed the GTL/Cartel, 27-12, in the 43rd annual
event’s championship game.
16 USSSA TODAY
The Winter Haven, Fla., powerhouse put to good use the classic’s unlimited home runs, using an eight-run sixth inning to
end things early on the mercy rule. Resmondo slugger Greg
Connell clubbed his way to 11 homers and 20 runs scored
over the three days of the tournament in securing most valuable player honors.
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That said it was more the occasional
flash of some spectacular leather than
a succession home run bombs that got
the champs their four-peat. A winner’s
bracket final the night before would
prove telling for the Cartel in more ways
than one.
The home team, GTL had the winning
run at third with two outs in a tie game
in its half of the seventh. Resmondo Hall
of Fame pitcher Andy Purcell induced
a ground ball to short with the next
batter, Don DeDonatis III killing the
Cartel rally with a quick stab and sure,
accurate throw to first.
“That was a big out, a big stop,”
Resmondo manager Frank Webb said.
“Everybody pitched in on that game.”
Half an inning later, Brian Rainwater,
Howard Krause Jr., Jeremy Isenhower
and Michael Rhines all went deep for
Resmondo, which put four of its five
runs in the frame across on two outs.
Rines finished the evening a sizzling
4-for-5 at the plate.
Greg Connell....Smoky Mountain MVP
Andy Purcell backing up after a pitch.
“He kept coming up in key spots with
two outs and he kept banging,” Webb
said.
A ground ball back to Purcell to start the
GTL eighth, followed by a pair of pop
ups, and Resmondo, with a 28-24, come-
Resmondo’s Greg Connell receives his MVP award.
Unprecedented four Smoky Mountain Classic
Championships in a row- Travis Resmondo and
Specialty Tank’s John Riccio hold their championship
award.
18 USSSA TODAY
Second place presentation (l to r) Chris Clark, GTL’s Jose Sanchez, Blount Today’s Marty Millsaps and Joe Huff.
from-behind win, got to sleep in Sunday
morning while the Cartel was forced to
rise early and fight its way to the title
game through the loser’s bracket.
“We definitely should have gotten it
done last night when we had the opportunity,” GTL manager Jose Sanchez said.
“They just got us. They just beat us. They
(Resmondo) got to sleep in late and
come in fresh.”
In the later innings Sunday, the champs
only grew stronger.
“Our team’s older,” Purcell said. “To stay
out of the heat as much as possible is
big.”
Resmondo’s big sixth inning in Sunday’s
final was one thing. Connell, Purcell and
Striebel each homered, with Striebel’s
three-run blast to collect Vince Bisbee
and Rainwater bringing an end to the
proceedings.
“We’ve been together so long we know
what to expect,” Connell said. “You just
get up there and do your job. It’s not
over until the last out. This is the fourth
year in a row. They know what it takes
to get it done.”
Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth players received their
2010 World Champions rings at the Smoky Mountain
Classic. Pictured is Travis Resmondo, with son, and
USSSA Assistant Executive Director, Danny Brown.
All-Tournament selection, B.J. Fulk takes on an extra
rider.
More telling in getting it done this time
was Purcell shutting out GTL in both the
fifth and sixth innings from the pitching
circle in the championship game,
working the corners and not giving the
Cartel anything good to hit.
“If you just lay the ball in there,” Purcell
said, “they just hit it wherever they
want.”
The play of Rhines at third, DeDonatis
at short and Connell at second repeatedly kept hard-hit balls on the infield,
the trio often snuffing opposition
rallies with crisply turned double plays.
Striebel’s running grab in center in the
GTL sixth in Sunday’s title game put the
second out on the board and noticeably
deflated the challengers.
Making the 43rd Annual Smoky Mountain Classic happen were: (l to r) Maryville,TN Parks & Rec’s Joe Huff,
sponsor Rick (RJ) Jackson, Boombah, sponsor Blount Today’s Marty Millsaps, sponsor Hank Bassett, Louisville
Slugger and Maryville’s Park & Rec’s Chris Clark.
“At this level,” Purcell said, “you can’t
give extra outs to anyone because
everyone is so good. I like my chances
with our defense because we can catch
it.”
Home run limits at all other Conference
USSSA tournaments have had a telling
effect on the sport, DeDonatis said.
The limits have brought more station
20 USSSA TODAY
Resmondo’s pitcher, Andy Purcell, used all his tricks....breaking out the no-look, Sunday afternoon church picnic
toss.
The Miracle Home Run
Holcomb recovery from
hunting accident ‘a blessing’
By Stefan Cooper
Nathan Holcomb homered during his first
trip to the Smoky Mountain Classic five
years ago. He was 18, a college baseball
pitching prospect and, at 6-foot-8, an
athlete of truly biblical proportions.
The Suncoast Reebok designated hitter
went deep again on opening night of the
43rd annual Smoky Mountain Classic July
8 in Maryville, Tenn., but this one would
mean so much more. The blast, Holcomb’s
first this season, cleared the 325-feet,
left-field fencing at the Maryville College
baseball stadium with ease. After reaching
the Suncoast dugout, Holcomb excused
himself and stepped out back.
it wasn’t just any physician making the
diagnosis.
Dr. Anthony Hadden of Bend, Ore, is one
of the country’s most respected neurosurgeons. When Holcomb was brought to
emergency, “(Hadden) just happened to
be at the hospital checking on one of his
patients,” Holcomb said.
Nathan scores the winning run on Friday night at
Maryville College, jarring the ball loose from the
catcher.
“I felt like I was a 5-year-old,” he said. “I
broke down. I had to go behind a tree
because I didn’t want to cry in front of all
of these people.”
“It’s just a miracle he’s here,” said
Holcomb’s father, Mike, a Baptist minister.
Unable to walk or call to Vaughn for help,
Holcomb crawled back to his four-wheeler
on his forearms, rolling downhill on his
side when he could.
“I pulled myself up on (the four-wheeler)
and rode about two miles to where my
buddy was,” Holcomb said.
When the pair reached a nearby home,
Vaughn
phoned
Bavaria
Holcomb,
Nathan’s mother.
Bavaria Holcomb said Vaughn told her
Nathan had been in an accident and that
they were transporting him to a local
22 USSSA TODAY
The surgery took six hours. It would be
four months before Holcomb regained full
use of his legs.
“Standing to make the bed was the hardest
thing I did for months” he said. “The first
time I tied my shoes (at five months), I
thought about throwing a party.”
Holcomb would later score the winning
run from second in a 7-6 Suncoast victory
over Famous Sports. As little as 10 months
ago, all the Watertown High School assistant softball coach wanted to do was to
walk again.
Holcomb had planned to spend Sept.
18, 2010 deer hunting with longtime
friend Eddie Vaughn near Graham, N.C.
Holcomb had married Watertown head
coach Brandi Baird only four weeks earlier.
While Vaughn and he waited, the deer
stand Holcomb was resting on let go,
the 25-foot drop to the ground below
resulting in a broken back, a cracked wrist
and five broken ribs. At impact, the former
Elon University right-hander had bitten
through both sides of his tongue.
Hadden had Holcomb immediately airlifted
to the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill Medical Center, where the
latter had a pair of titanium rods inserted
in his lower back, held in place by eight
screws, to fuse five vertebrae.
While at UNC, Holcomb would again see
fortune take a hand in his recovery. He
needed surgery to repair the break to
his wrist as well. One of the country’s top
surgeons in that field, as luck would have
it, just happened to be a resident.
“Again,” Holcomb said, “she was supposed
to be on vacation.”
After doctors had done all they could,
the most important person in his recovery
became his new bride, Holcomb said.
Nathan and parents, Mike and Bavaria Holcomb,
and niece, Aubrey Pierce, after the game at Maryville
College.
hospital. That it wasn’t Nathan calling set
off alarm bells, she said.
“I’m thinking, ‘I don’t have enough information,’” Bavaria Holcomb said. “So
I dialed the number again. This time,
Nathan answered. He said, ‘Mom, it’s me.
I’m bad. I’m sure I broke my back.’
“My wife wouldn’t let me feel sorry for
myself,” he said.
Neither would physical therapist Casey
McGhee, who Holcomb said helped bring
him the rest of the way back once Brandi
and he returned to Lebanon, Tenn.
“He (McGhee) is the reason I am where I
am,” Holcomb said.
“The hearing his voice and knowing he’s
alive was a whole new adrenaline.”
By March, Holcomb was hitting off a tee.
In April, he played in his first tournament
since the accident. On opening night of
the Classic, he hit one out for the first time
this season.
As bad as the day had begun, it began
to reverse course every bit as dramatically, Holcomb said. Had he not gotten to
Vaughn as quickly as he did, he said doctors
told him, the paralysis he’d suffered from
the fall would have been permanent, and
“I’m very big in my faith that God has
been very good to me through this whole
thing,” Holcomb said. “I’m just blessed to
be able to walk and to talk. It’s a miracle I
didn’t die. We truly believe things happen
for a reason.”
to station softball into play. The allrounder who can also get it done defensively has become as much, or more,
prized than the guy that hits for power.
“Defense is a big part of the game,”
DeDonatis said. “It can be the difference
between winning and losing. I definitely
take it very personally.”
Connell, third, and Rainwater, 10th,
were the only Resmondo players ranked
in the top 10 nationally at the time of
the Classic. In runs scored, however, a
quicker, more athletic Resmondo held
three of the top five spots, with the
leader, Connell, joined by DeDonatis,
third, and Bryson Baker, fourth. Baker,
Connell and Bobby Hughes ranked
second, fifth and ninth, respectively, in
on-base percentage.
On hand for the major softball action was (l to r) USSSA CEO, Don DeDonatis, Danny Brown and tournament
director, Chris Clark.
Offensive MVP-GTL/DeMarini’s Kevin Filby
Wood Law/Famous Sports’ all-tournament selections
(l to r) Jesse Harrison, Ed Vega and Chris Hansen.
24 USSSA TODAY
GTL/DeMarini’s Donovan Pokraka was an all-tournament selection.
Few players better typify the changing
face of top-flight softball than Purcell.
One of a handful of players on the
circuit with better than 1,000 career
home runs, the Resmondo ace was 50
pounds lighter for this year’s trip to
Maryville, an offseason P90X regimen
replacing a winter spent in the weight
room.
“I’m older,” he said, “so I just wanted
to get healthier and play on as long as
I can.”
The game is changing, Purcell said, and
Resmondo is changing right along with it.
Third place went to Wood Law/ Famous Sports. (l to r) Doug Wood, John Gilmore and Chris Clark.
Louisville Slugger’s Hank Bassett is a fixture at all
Smoky Mountain Classics....#43 is no exception.
Team 454 Emerald/Worth’s Tim (Tiny) Taylor receiving the 4th place trophy from Chris Clark.
Fair or foul? Suncoast/Reebok’s Hector Pagan and
umpire Tony Walezak discuss the call.
26 USSSA TODAY
Don DeDonatis III was selected the tournament’s defensive MVP.
SUPER BOWL OF SOFTBALL
USSSA Slow Pitch Softball Invitational
October 7-9, 2011
Divisions of Play: Men’s B, Men’s C, Men’s D, Men’s E
Women’s C, Women’s D, Women’s E
Entry Fee: $315
Information: Bert Frederick 575-647-3034 or email [email protected]
USSSA Pride claims regular season NPF Championship
Bandits Make Quick Work of
Pride -Capture Cowles Cup
Sulphur, LA - All season long the USSSA Florida Pride had
softball fans confident that they would repeat as Cowles Cup
Champions. The Chicago Bandits never got that memo as they
Photos by Dina Kwit
28 USSSA TODAY
struck early and often in a 10-3 rout of the defending and
regular season National Pro Fastpitch champions here at the
NPF Championship Series at McMurry Park.
Congratulations
on a successful
2011 Championship
We built it, and they came! Four teams and more than 3,800 fans
packed McMurry Park in Sulphur, Louisiana, August 17-21, 2011.
Thank you to NPF for coming, to the fans for showing your
support and to the players, for the memories!
www.visitlakecharles.org
Chicago Bandits celebrate 2011 Cowles Cup Championship
2011 Champs- Chicago Bandits
Series MVP, Monica Abbott kept the
Pride off balance for the second day in
a row and avoided a deciding game 3
by ending the Pride’s hopes of taking
the Cowles Cup back home with them.
The Bandits took advantage of a 5 run
1st inning and scattered 5 additional
runs took take the cup to Rosemont
in 2 games. Megan Wiggins came up
huge in the Bandits win offensively and
defensively. A national audience on
30 USSSA TODAY
ESPN2 watched Wiggins go deep, hit a
triple, and make a huge game changing
diving catch in left field. Meanwhile the
Pride used 3 pitchers on the day, started
Jordan Taylor pitched only. 1 innings
and gave up 5 runs before being pulled
for Sarah Pauly who was replaced later
in the game by Danielle Lawrie.
The Bandits came to Sulphur as the
league’s 3rd place team and go home
Champions as they dismantled their
rivals in 100+ degree temperatures. The
Pride who committed 4 errors on the day
never found a rhythm and found themselves fighting for their softball future
all game long. Abbott and company
made things tough for the Pride as they
kept plugging away and never letting
up. “You can never slack up on them,
you have to go into each inning like the
score is 0-0, said Wiggins.
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SULPHUR, LA
Morgan Reigns Over
Battle of the Bats
The 2011 NPF Battle of the Bats Competition concluded
Wednesday night at McMurry Park in Sulphur, Louisiana at Fan
Fest of the National Pro Fastpitch Championship Series, and the
results were the same as last year’s competition. The defending
Battle of the Bats Champion, Charlotte Morgan of the USSSA
Pride took home her 2nd B.O.B. title in as many years with
32 USSSA TODAY
a strong performance. Morgan who led after the 1st round
of the night with 6 home runs, turned in 4 in each the 2nd
and Championship rounds to seal the deal. Morgan, facing the
Chicago Bandits Alisa Goler in the Championship round was
down to her last swing, a home run wins it, and anything else
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a smash to repeat as the B.O.B. Champion. Morgan also delivered the competitions longest bomb, a 333’ shot to left field.
The B.O.B. race was tight all season long and tonight was no
different. Regular season leader Dorian Shaw of the Chicago
Bandits came in to Sulphur as the favorite pounding out 15
in the regular season. Shaw failed to advance past tonight’s
first round putting only 2 out of the yard. Crowd favorite and
the regular season runner-up HokuNohara of the Akron Racers
who entered the night having hit 14 home runs advanced to
the 2nd round after her 5 home run 1st round performance,
but fell short of advancing to the Championship round having
hit 4 in the 2nd.
Earlier in the evening 30 NPF players joined on the field with 19
Southwest Louisiana youth of the Awesome Kids Association in
the Friends of the Pro’s Game. The Awesome Kids Association
offers sporting activities for physically challenged children and
young adults and the NPF Friends of the Pros game proves to
be the highlight of these children’s year.
Chicago Bandits’ Monica Abbott was the NPF Championships’ MVP and Diamond Sports Co-Pitcher of the Year.
All-NPF Bandits’ Megan Wiggins laying out to make a spectacular catch in the championship game.
USSSA Pride’s Sarah Pauly had a solid 2011 season.
All-NPF USSSA Pride’s Andrea Duran
34 USSSA TODAY
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NPF Announces Award Winners
ALL-NPF Selections
C
Samantha Marder
Louisville Slugger Offensive Player of Year
Natasha Watley
Pride
Akron Racers
Wilson Defensive Player of Year
Bianca Mejia
Diamonds
Natasha Watley
Pride
1B
Nicole Trimboli
Racers
Diamond Spikes Award by Ringor
for Most Stolen Bases
2B
Ashley Charters
USSSA Florida Pride
Worth Home Run Champion
Alisa Goler
Bandits
3B
Andrea Duran
Pride
Miken Rookie of Year
Goler
Bandits
SS
Natasha Watley
Pride
Diamond Pitcher of Year
OF
Megan Wiggins
Chicago Bandits
Abbott
Osterman
Bandits
Pride
Mizuno Player of Year
Jessica Mendoza
OF
Jessica Mendoza
Pride
Diamond Coaching Staff of Year
OF
Alyssa Haber
Pride
Ringor Regular Season Champions
Jennie Finch Award
Jessica Mendoza
Pride
At-large nominees:
Danielle Zymkowitz
Shannon Doepking
Brittany McKinney
Charlotte Morgan
Bianca Mejia
Bandits
Bandits
Diamonds
Pride
Diamonds
P
Monica Abbott
Bandits
P
Cat Osterman
Pride
P
Kristina Thorson
Racers
P
Danielle Lawrie
Pride
All-NPF USSSA Pride’s Danielle Lawrie
receiving her award from Combat Sports’
Johnny McCraw.
USSSA Pride’s Natasha Watley, pictured
with Combat Sports’ Johnny McCraw,
received across the board honorsAll-NPF, Louisville Slugger Offensive
Player of the Year and Diamond Spikes
Award by Ringor for Most Stolen Bases.
2011 Diamond Sports Coaching Staff of the Year- USSSA Pride
36 USSSA TODAY
Pride
Pride
Pride
Miken Sports and USSSA Pride’s
Charlotte Morgan won the Battle of the
Bats for the second consecutive year.
Charlotte is pictured with Akron Racers’
Craig Stout.
Diamond Sports’ Co-Pitchers of the
Year- Cat Osterman (Pride) and Monica
Abbott (Bandits)
USSSA Pride’s CEO Don DeDonatis receiving the award for regular season
champions.
Team 454 Emerald/Worth turns back R&M
Metals/Troupe/TCP/Easton to claim A WORLDS
Dale Weiser
Team 454 Emerald/Worth (A Champs)
Team 454 Emerald/Worth based out of
Glen Allen, Virginia remains the #1 Class
‘A’ team in the country as they go 5-1 to
win the ‘A’ World Tournament. They were
pushed into the second game (the “IF”
game) of the Championship Sunday afternoon by runner up, R&M Metals/Troupe/
TCP/Easton based out of Waterloo, Iowa.
R&M turned an early 11-1 lead into a hard
fought 13-8 victory and forced the “IF”
game.
In the final game Team 454 held small leads
the majority of the way and R&M pulled to
within 1 run on a 3 run pinch hit homer
by Keith Anderson. 454 didn’t score in the
bottom of the 6th and R&M failed to score
in the top of the 7th and lost 21-20 when
454 pitcher Andy Vitcak snapped off a Sam
Lopez liner up the middle to end the game.
Except for the night games, the tournament was played in 90+ degree temperatures with a high humidity and the scores
were low as the ball just would not fly. The
true homerun hitters came to the forefront and needed to spin the ball to get it
out of the park.
In the second round games on Friday
night things were even crazier as 1st Step/
DCS, a local ‘B’ bracket filler team, trailed
Shoppe, the #2 seed, 18-13 going into the
top of the 7th. DCS used the last of their
allotted 8 homer’s to tie the score when
David Garcia came to the plate with 2 outs.
Garcia smashed one in the left centerfield
gap that hit the very top of the 6.5 foot
Disney fences right at the 305 foot mark
and the ball caromed back into play for
a bases clearing double. Then DCS, riding
a wave of momentum, ended up with an
38 USSSA TODAY
William Rhew (team 454 sponsor and MVP)
incredible 23 run inning, the last 16 of
which came with two outs and no homer’s
left. After the 23 run inning Shoppe had
no answer and lost 34-18.
The best game of the second round was
R&M Metal vs Linedrive. In an entertaining
game with lots of energy and strategy,
Linedrive came up in the bottom of the
7th inning trailing and loaded the bases
down 14-13. Brian Ward didn’t get enough
of a one out sacrifice fly attempt and R&M
left fielder Nick Robertson caught it and
gunned the runner tagging from third at
the plate for the double play and the win.
R&M Metals
Also, Primetime shocked the nations #3
ranked team, Sonny’s 18-12. Sonny’s couldn’t
get the offense on track and Primetime had
a lethal 3 run homer by Roderick Armour to
put the game out of reach.
Wood Law in the other semi-final against
Team 454 held a nice 11-6 lead going into
the 4th. Then Team 454, like they did
against EWS, had a mid-game rally and
held off Wood Law 20-16 to go to the
winner’s bracket championship.
In other second round action, Suncoast
shut down Dave’s Place 14-4 and Sinister
pummeled Down2EarthSports 28-13 on a
12 run - 5 homer first inning.
In the third round a feisty 1st Step/DCS
teams “Cinderella” run came to an end as
Sinister beat them 20-17 on the stadium
field. R&M Metals beat Suncoast 28-17 on
the back field #12, and Wood Law smoked
Primetime 17-6. In the final quarter final
game EWS led Team 454 when the rain
came and a listless Team 454 used the 2
hour rain delay to their advantage and
came back and scored the last 10 runs of
the game to win 17-9. EWS was able to
muster just 2 home runs in the game.
The semi-finals were full of drama and
big plays (or big bad plays) as R&M Metals
used a two out error, a walk, and a bases
loaded game winning walk to beat Sinister
13-12.
The winner’s bracket championship game
between R&M Metals and Team 454 started
late on Saturday night on the stadium
field. R&M Metals was outscored 8-0 in the
4th and 5th inning and lost 22-13.
When the sun rose on Sunday morning
it was EWS handing Sinister a 19-9 loss
after EWS had finished off Shoppe late
on Saturday night. On the other diamond
at 8 AM Wood Law used a couple of long
offensive innings to put away Suncoast by
the run rule 21-6.
Wood Law then crushed EWS with a huge
first inning and went on to win by the 20
run rule 33-13.
In the loser’s bracket championship R&M
held off a tired Wood Law team 16-10 to
make it to the finals against Team 454.
12th Annual Cincinnati Major
Mid America Ballyard, July 15 - 17
by Dale Weiser
The 12th Annual Cincinnati Major was
loaded with talented teams throughout
the bracket. 15 of the best B and C teams
from the surrounding States of Ohio,
Kentucky, and Indiana took on the 15
teams from Conference USSSA and gave
them all they could handle. On Friday
night the Cincinnati Seminoles held a
lead on the Major team Combat/Laser
Vision going into the bottom of the 7th.
Laser Vision used a solo homer and then
a 3 run walk off homer by Rick Baker to
escape with a 34-33 win. Also on Friday
Tyler Trucking from nearby Charleston,
Kentucky beat Primetime 31-24 then
went on to beat EWS 28-17 on Saturday
afternoon. The final upset of the night,
even though it may not really be an
upset, was Creative Designs 44-30 win
over Midwest Swing. Creative Design is
a ‘C’ team from Joliet, Illinois and may
have the best offense in that division in
the country.
On Saturday the tournament resumed
with a pair of great games. On field #2,
Magic used a walk off homer by Chris
Carr to beat EAP 23-22 and over on
field #1 Sportsco used a walk off single
by Brian Lakes to beat Linedrive 18-17.
In the 3rd round the #1 team in the
nation, Resmondo, found themselves
in jeopardy against a non-conference
‘B’ team called Red’s Astros/TPS from
the KY-OH-IN tri-state area. Red’s Astros
had home runs to burn and just a 6 run
deficit in the bottom of the 7th but
couldn’t pull it out and lost 34-30.
Even with all the upsets, when it came
time for the winner’s bracket “final 8”,
it was Conference USSSA teams only
that were still undefeated. And GTL,
Team Combat/Laser Vision, Resmondo
and Shoppe all moved on to the final 4
easily.
The final 4 festivities began late on
40 USSSA TODAY
Resmondo’s Jeremy Isenhower- Tournament MVP
GTL’s Kevin Filby and Geno Buck.
Saturday night with a long awaited
matchup
between
Shoppe
and
Resmondo. Shoppe hung with Resmondo
for most of the game and in the 7th
inning they used a dramatic 3 run
homer by Cory Boothe with 2 outs in
the bottom half of the inning to tie the
game at 33-33. Shoppe then loaded the
bases. With the bags juiced and 2 outs
Jamie Gordon hit a sharp grounder back
through the middle to the left of 2nd
base and the ball hit the runner going to
3rd and ended the inning. It is possible
that Bryson Baker, the Resmondo middle
infielder, may have had a play on it but it
was looking like a game winning hit. In
extra innings Resmondo put up an 8 spot
and Shoppe didn’t score and Resmondo
slid into the winner’s bracket championship with a 41-33 extra innings victory.
Messina who was on in relief of Scott
Brown.
In the other final 4 game which lasted
for what seemed like 2+ hours, Team
Combat/Laser Vision and GTL traded big
innings all the way until the end when
Laser Vision pulled out a 46-39 victory.
The key hit of the game was a two
out grand slam by veteran pitcher Billy
The games were so far behind that the
winner’s championship started after
2 AM on Sunday morning. Resmondo
defeated Team Combat/Laser Vision but
Laser Vision had home runs left on the
table in the 39-33 final. Also Shoppe
run ruled Sinister in the loser’s bracket
to make it to Sunday and GTL run ruled
R&M Metals in the wee hours of the
morning Sunday to set up a Sunday run.
Just a few hours after Saturday’s games
ended, the players were back at the
field as GTL needed a come from behind
walk off homer by Chris Larsen to finish
Shoppe and they held off a late run
by Team Combat/Laser Vision 37-33 to
go to the championship game against
Resmondo. GTL was out of gas though,
and was quickly trailing Resmondo
when Resmondo put up a double digit
first inning and went on to “flip flop”
GTL. Resmondo then finished off GTL
in the 4th inning 35-6 to win their 8th
tournament of the season.
27th Annual
Rocky Mountain Shoot Out
by Scott Cameron
It’s a well-known fact amongst USSSA
Directors that as go the Major teams,
so goes the success of your Conference
USSSA event; and so with much of the
big-time softball world focused on a
point just south and east of Aurora;
Colorado USSSA brought back the Rocky
Mountain Shootout in its 27th year and
3rd as a Conference USSSA event.
The event held at the twelve diamond
Aurora Sports Park, over two days July
23-24 featured fast and furious action
as 65 teams met in three divisions to
claim crowns in Men’s Major, Men’s E
and Women’s Open. With mild summer
time weather, temperatures in the 80’s
and 90’s and virtually no humidity ,
the park is only minutes from Denver
International Airport and features easy
access to local lodging and dining. In
fact, nearly everybody who has the
opportunity to visit Colorado and play
at the ASP promises they can’t wait to
come back!
With the Conference teams traveling
week to week and always creating a
buzz, they don’t always realize the
42 USSSA TODAY
impact they have on a local community’s softball program as every player
wants to come out and ‘test’ themselves against the best in the nation.
“The scheduling conflict the Majors
found themselves in the last couple of
years is disappointing but the buzz and
local support has been overwhelming as
we brought Major softball back to the
Rocky Mountains” said Colorado State
Director and tournament host Scott
Cameron. “We’re committed to the
event and look forward to welcoming
the top teams in the nation back in the
future” he added.
The tournament has a long and storied
history beginning its life not long after
Colorado USSSA was founded in 1980. In
fact, many in Colorado who have been
around since the beginning contend
that this event has hosted as many USSSA
Hall of Famers as any event in the nation
save the Smokey and Dudley. National
Assistant and Colorado State UIC Bill
Harper, a Colorado Hall of Famer himself
as a player at the A level, remembers
when this was a can’t miss event among
softballs elite and added, “Howards,
Steeles, Ritches, they all visited back in
the day. In fact if you were to walk the
USSSA Hall of Fame, nearly every player
on those walls played in the Shootout
in the 80’s and early 90’s when held at
its original venue in Colorado Springs.
Scott is trying to return it to its original
glory and we’re really appreciative of
the local and Conference support we’ve
received the last three years. It’s exciting
to do something special for the local
players each year.”
Because the venue has twelve fields
available, Conference action didn’t kick
off till Saturday morning and it led to
a schedule that some teams referred to
‘challenging’. With 36 teams overall,
six from CUSSSA, the tourney was once
again a top five attended event despite
the lack of any Major participants. The
favorite going in had to be the events
only A team in Dallas based Wood Law/
Mizuno/Famous/Easton but there was
a buzz that Sonny’s/ Desert Falls/ Elite
playing as a B team at the time and with
many players having played locally over
the years, was going to be a tough out.
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Play kicked off like it always does in
these events with many of the local
teams getting thoroughly trounced by
CUSSSA teams and happy just for the
experience…..that is until local C team
Renegades knocked off Conference
B Team Demarini 22-11 while D team
Colorado Mush took T’s 13/ Easton to
the last at bat before falling 26-25.
Nothing wakes up a ball park like a
good (and completely unexpected)
upset or two! The upsets were few and
far between from that point forward
as the Conference teams methodically
worked their way thru the bracket.
As a chamber of Conference Colorado
July Saturday progressed with temperatures in the low 90’s, it became clear
that the buzz around Sonny’s was justified as they handled Mile High Mayhem
43-4, The Truth/ RPN 24-9, Stars/ Worth
22-5 and local CUSSSA team Peak/ L3
Screenprinting/ TLG 31-24 on their way
to the winners bracket final.
Texas Miken had the more difficult road
to the final as they faced local teams in
their first two games before downing T’s
13/ Easton 38- 23 and Wood Law 32-17 in
what had to be considered an upset. As
evening fell and crowds gathered with
memories of last year’s Resmondo/ GTL
showdown, Sonny’s proved dominant
taking an easy 31-1 victory.
Sunday morning broke cool and comfortable and saw Wood Law having survived
Saturday night with a 28-13 victory over
Peak facing Texas Miken for the right to
challenge Sonny’s in the championship.
A back and forth game saw Texas Miken
holding off Wood Law for the 38-30
victory and a return engagement with
Sonny’s. The game was in doubt for only
a few minutes as Sonny’s came out and
put it away early with timely hitting and
tight defense to earn the championship
31-13.
Led by tournament MVP Tyson Steele
and Offensive MVP Charles Cunningham,
Sonny’s averaged over 30 runs a game
but that wasn’t the whole story. They
gave up less than 10 runs a game, a 21
run per game difference….unheard of
in a CUSSSA event.
As fields became available Saturday
afternoon, 24 E teams started play in a
spirited event that saw champion and
44 USSSA TODAY
eventual State Tournament winner
Prime Time take home their third title
of the year. The E classification has been
a real surprise in Colorado in 2011 as a
number of quality teams emerged in
their first year together. Prime Time has
proved to be one of them along with
other Worlds bound teams Tiger Blood/
Copper Rail, Infamous/ AA Concrete,
Whitewater and a couple of E powers
Forget About It and Mares Metals who
are unable to make the trip this year.
Prime Time averaged better than 18 per
game, hard to do in E with the strict
homerun rules and started their run
with a 17-5 victory over First 2 Third and
followed that up with relatively easy
victories over You’re It SBC and Softball
Mulisha.
The other side of the bracket was brutal
as sometimes happens, with some of the
state’s best teams all eliminating each
other in an effort to meet Prime Time
on the hill. First tournament favorite
Forget About It was knocked off by
a surprising Extreme Weed Control.
Then tournament co-favorite Mares
Metals was sent the way of the losers
bracket by Middles Open while E power
Whitewater was upended by Denver
Jammers. E aficionados were wondering
what was up with the upsets, the next
thing you know cats would be hanging
out with dogs!?!
Extreme Weed Control eventually
fought their way thru the lower half
before falling to a ready to roll Prime
Time 28-15 Sunday afternoon. That
seemed to take some air out of their
sails as they fell to Denver Jammers in a
rematch 18-12. Led by tournament MVP
Jerry Bryan the championship game
was in doubt till late with Prime Time
pulled away for the 18-6 victory. Prime
Time played solid defense and featured
timely hitting all weekend to manage
a 10 run differential per game and are
peaking at just the right time as they
prepare for their first trip to Disney in
September.
On behalf of Colorado USSSA, thanks
to all participants, spectators, umpires,
staff and the City of Aurora for what
proved to be an exciting and successful
Rocky Mountain Shootout. We look
forward to hosting you all again in 2012!
presents
Fall Budweiser
Softball Festival
In Bryan/College Station
on November 12, 13
Brought to you by
Jack Hilliard Distributing,
Bryan/College Station,TX
To enter your team,
contact Greg Huchingson
at (979) 774-9408
Michigan “Last Chance” Major
August 5-7
by Dale Weiser
The final Conference regular season
tournament of the 2011 season was
played in Sterling Hts, Michigan and
was called “The Last Chance”. Meaning,
this was the last chance teams had to
score championship points before the
post season. The tournament on Friday
night and Saturday morning went as
predicted with none of the local nonconference teams winning any games
against Conference teams the whole
weekend.
In the second round of the tournament
there were some great match ups but
the two that stood out was the R&M
Metals vs Combat/Pharmapar marathon
game that R&M held on to win 34-27
and the Shoppe vs Taylormade game
where Shoppe jumped out with a 20 run
first inning on only 3 homers and won
26-18.
In the third round the 3 big Major teams
all lost to ‘A’ teams and this round of
games was delayed for over 2 hours
by rain. Famous Sports beat Resmondo
33-25 after trailing Resmondo when the
rain came. This was Resmondo’s first loss
to a non-major team this year (17-1).
R&M Metals also knocked off GTL 23-22
in a game they led before the rain came.
GTL came up short in their comeback
bid when R&M turned a double play to
end the game.
In other third round action EWS “flip
flopped” Laser Vision and Laser Vision
came all the way back and had a 4 run
lead in the last inning when EWS came
back on the power of a Brett McCollum
homer and then a walk-off 3 run homer
by Tony Mack. Also in this round Team
454 dominated Shoppe in a game which
pitted the two best ‘A’ teams in the
country. Team 454 won 24-11 and led
throughout as they beat Shoppe for the
3rd straight time this year (3-0).
So after the “super powers” fell, the
tournament was wide open for any of
the ‘A’ teams to break through and win
46 USSSA TODAY
Lee Powers and Tim Cocco from Shoppe/TPS
championship 25-24. The game began
at 1:30 AM on Sunday morning and
ended after 3 AM. In the game Team
454 led most of the way and there was
some pushing and shoving on a close
play at third base in the 5th. R&M closed
the gap and trailed by one going into
the bottom of the 7th and got a single
by Chris Greinert and the walk off by
Robertson to win!
Meanwhile in the loser’s bracket, played
on the back fields, Team Combat/
Laser Vision marched through Combat/
Pharmapar 36-21, then had a seesaw win
over GTL 39-35 and sent Famous packing
27-10 very early on Sunday morning to
meet Resmondo in the loser’s semi-final.
R&M Metals
Jr hitting for Resmondo
one. In the semi-finals Team 454 was
first to take advantage of the situation
with a late night domination of Famous
24-8 when the fog rolled in and nearly
postponed the tournament. Over on
the other diamond EWS was unable to
come from behind against R&M Metals
as newly acquired Sam Lopez, playing
middle infield, made some spectacular
defensive plays including a bare hand
diver off the glove of pitcher Kyle
Yerkes and subsequent throw out at
first. Lopez also had a key 3 run homer
and R&M beat EWS 25-20.
The late night heroics weren’t over for
R&M Metals as they used a walk-off
homer by left fielder Nick Robertson to
beat Team 454 in the winner’s bracket
Resmondo knocked off Linedrive 36-15
in a game that had some middle war
shots going on. Then they run ruled
Sinister and EWS after midnight on
Saturday by a combined score of 69-30.
In the loser’s semi-finals, Resmondo
batted around two and a half times in
the 2nd inning but Laser Vision came
back to make a game of it before
Resmondo held on to win 30-29. In
the loser’s championship Resmondo
hammered Team 454 by a score of 38-18
and advanced to the finals against R&M
Metals.
Before the finals, a banged up R&M
team that saw the previous night’s
hero’s Sam Lopez and Nick Robertson
leave on a plane because of early flights,
decided to just play one game for the
championship. Resmondo held an early
8-4 lead and extended the lead to near
“run rule” territory before R&M showed
some real heart and closed the gap to
19-17 going into the 7th. Resmondo
then scored 8 in the top of the 7th and
R&M went scoreless in the bottom half
and lost 27-17.
Overall it was still a great weekend
for the ‘A’ division which finally broke
through with some wins over the three
big major teams.
PLAY AT T
For more information and to re
HE NEXT LEVEL
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espnwwos.com
PRESENTED BY
Disney’s Slowpitch Holiday Classic
Presented by Worth® | December 16 - 18, 2011
Disney’s Slowpitch Slam
Presented by Worth® | May 4- 6, 2012
Disney’s Mixed/Coed Fall Festival
Presented by Worth® | September 28 - 30, 2012
PRESENTED BY
Rawlings® Gold Glove Award® Classic
December 28 - 31, 2011
Disney’s Sun & Surf Baseball Bash
presented by Rawlings® | May 25 - 28, 2012
Rawlings® International Salute to Baseball
July 3 - 9 and July 8 - 14, 2012
Disney’s Turn Back the Clock Weekend
presented by Rawlings® | August 30- September 3, 2012
Six teams capture bling at Lone Star Shootout
“Battle for the Rings”
By Van Galeon
MANSFIELD, TEXAS – The Lone Star
Shootout State Championship Series is the
premier adult slow-pitch softball event in
Texas. Qualifiers begin in early January and
are held in every corner of the state on a
weekly basis, culminating with the Grand
Championship “Battle for the Rings” in late
summer.
In true Texas tradition, where everything is
bigger, Super Bowl-style rings are presented
to members of the championship teams in
every division. This year’s piece featured
a prominent star made of stones on top
of the gaudy ring. And though it may
resemble the star worn on the side of the
helmet of a popular football team in Dallas,
it actually signifies the “Star” of the Lone
Star Shootout Series.
In years past, the “Battle for the Rings”
was a simple head-to-head, best-out-offive game series between the North Texas
State Champion and the South Texas
State Champion. This year’s “Battle” was
expanded to an full-fledged, invitation-only
tournament held July 30-31 at Big League
Dreams in Mansfield. The ultra-modern
eight-field complex was selected due to
50 USSSA TODAY
its large number of fields, plus its recently
installed FieldTurf playing surfaces.
In every division except Men’s B, there were
eight automatic invitations handed out for
the “Battle for the Rings.” Those bids went
to the top two finishers at four tournaments
– the North Texas State Finals (Mansfield),
South Texas State Finals (League City),
Southwest State Finals (San Antonion) and
the gigantic Budweiser Softball Festival
(Bryan-College Station). Other at-large
berths were awarded to the teams with the
next highest point totals in the Lone Star
Shootout Final Standings.
The Men’s B Division has dwindled nationwide, but Texas is fighting hard to keep it
going. About a dozen teams attempted to
play Class B during the 2011 season, but the
number shrunk to just four by the “Battle
for the Rings.” But they was four good
ones. Two of the four had runnerup finishes
in Conference USSSA Major N.I.T.’s to their
credit – Texas Miken Softball Club (Little
Rock and Denver) and Gold’s Gym (League
City) – while one of the others won the
Class C “Battle for the Rings” in 2010 (Steel
Softball). But none of those three were the
&
at
team that emerged with jewelry this
year.
Zamora’s All-Out Sports/TPS from
Rosenburg was the surprise champion.
Zamora’s All-Out did win first place at
the League City B/C N.I.T., and tied for
5th at the Texas Legends Conference
Major in Euless, tied for 7th at the Busch
Conference Major in Little Rock, and
tied for 9th at the Space City Conference
Major in League City, but were a darkhorse for this event. Zamora’s All-Out
opened with a pair of narrow one-run
victories over Steel Softball (13-12)
and Texas Miken (16-15) to reach the
championship game undefeated. Texas
Miken, playing just one week after
placing second at the Denver Major,
rallied in the loser’s bracket to reach
the championship game, and even beat
Zamora’s All-Out once (19-6) to force an
“if” game. But Zamora All-Out’s Z-1000
bats woke up in the rubber match and
scalded Texas Miken, 21-10, to win the
championship.
“This is probably the proudest moment
of my softball career,” said veteran
manager Richard Zamora, who is no
stranger to winning Lone Star Shootout
rings. Several years ago, when the Series
was just starting, Zamora’s team won
the rings as a Men’s D team. “My guys
have stuck together through adversity
all year long and it paid off here. I would
also like to give all the credit in the
world to Mr. Hank Bassett of Louisville
Slugger who took a chance on our team
and has backed s up with anything we
needed all year. This championship is for
you, Mr. Hank!”
Zamora was assisted in the management
of the team by veteran coach and longtime friend Manuel Bijarro. The players
on the championship team were Homer
Hinojosa, Donte Lapoint, Abelardo
Lerma, Luis Marcano, Justin Mark, Benny
Munoz, Matt Pavlich, Ricardo “Chiner”
Pena, Rubern Segura, Chris Smith, Ryan
Van Landingham, Doug Waindel and
Patrick Williams.
Texas Miken Softball Club from Pearland,
another former winner of the “Battle
for the Rings,” settled for second place
52 USSSA TODAY
Men’s B Champion’s - Zamoras All-Out
Men’s C Champions- Sagnasty/ASPNation/Team TPS/Prototype
this year. Steel Softball came in third
place, and Gold’s Gym from nearby
Dallas finished fourth in their last tournament before folding for the year.
In the Men’s C Division, 16 teams battled
it out and John Heath’s Sagnasty/
ASPNation/Team TPS/Prototype proved
that a season-ending classification
bump does not have to be a Kiss of
Death. In 2010, Sagnasty won first place
in the Men’s D Division of the “Battle
for the Rings” by defeating Apaches
Softball Club in a best-of-five series.
They followed that up by going 8-2
to finish fourth out of 208 teams at
the USSSA Men’s D World Tournament
in Orlando. Justifiably, Sagnasty was
bumped to Class C for the 2011. They
accepted the challenge and manned-up
for the journey.
B/C Bracket at the Budweiser Softball
Festival. That championship exempted
them from playing in the Lone Star NTX
Finals, so they went to Little Rock that
weekend instead and tied for 9th at the
Busch Conference Major. But Heath’s
troops were ready when the “Battle for
the Rings” rolled around. They posted
wins over Brown Pride (14-4), BTX
Outsiders (19-6), Classic Roofing/Mizuno
(24-14) and Slapaho (19-15) to advance
to the championship game undefeated.
After the loss, Slapaho dropped to the
loser’s bracket and snuck past Classic
Roofing/Mizuno (16-15) to get another
shot at Sagnasty, and even beat them
in the first game (12-7). But Sagnasty/
ASPNation/Team TPS/Prototype rallied in
the “if” game to crush Slapaho (26-7) to
win the championship.
Sagnasty started the year by winning
first place at the North Texas Early Bird
Shootout back in January and won first
place in eight other tournaments during
the regular season, including the 32-team
“We are extremely proud of everything
we’ve been able to accomplish the past
few years,” said manager John Heath.
“We never back down from a challenge,
and have proven ourselves time and time
17th place at the Budweiser Festival.
But they won first place at the League
City N.I.T. and also claimed first the Hype
LSSS Finals Warmup. That was an omen
of things to come.
DGK posted wins over the Gamecocks
(16-12), Brewskies/Worth (20-12) and
Triumph (9-8) before losing to Call Your
Shot (17-6) in the finals of the winner’s
bracket. DGK dropped to the loser’s
bracket and snuck past STX rival the
Woodpeckers (13-12) to get another
crack at Call Your Shot, where they
pulled off the double-dip (14-12) and
(9-7) to win the rings with a 6-1 record.
Men’s D Champions-DGK
“I couldn’t be more proud of these guys
right here,” said Pete Chavez. “We had
some struggles early in the year, but we
stepped up when it counted the most
by winning first place at the South Texas
State Finals, then winning the rings.”
Men’s E Champions - Wharton’s Worse Nightmares
again. There were a lot of great teams
in this tournament and we congratulate
each one of them on the seasons they
have had. We look forward to more
battles with them in the future.”
Hank Bassett of Louisville Slugger
certainly has to be proud, with Lone Star
Shootout “Battle for the Rings” winners
in each of the two highest divisions.
Members of the championship Sagnasty/
ASPNation/Team TPS/Prototype team
were Todd Hawpe, Austin Peacock, Cory
Large, Kyle Hatcher, Cody Kagiorgis,
Brad Sisk, Mykel Garrett, Jason Allen,
Corie Waldrep, Luke Morgan, Ty Herrick,
Matt Vern, Zane Trammell, Rodney Sisk,
Sammy Cardona, Jason Trammell, Lyf
Nimmo and Andy Walker.
Slapaho from Dickinson made a valiant
effort, before settling for second place
with a 5-2 record. Manager Jonathan
Rodriguez’s
team
almost
folded
mid-way through the year, but stuck it
out and reaped great rewards for doing
so. After finishing second at the “Battle
for the Rings”, Slapaho went on to win
first place at the South Texas USSSA
Men’s C State Tournament.
Classic Roofing/Mizuno from Grand
Prairie came in third with a 4-2 record,
followed by Clutch/SaveSecond.com
from Euless in fourth at 3-2. Old School
from Houston and Jokers/SPS tied for
fifth place; Austin Speed and the BTX
Outsiders from Beaumont tied for
seventh; and Fidelity Medical from
League City, Terror Squad from Bryan,
Apaches from Crystal City, and Team
Odyssey Group from Tomball all tied for
ninth.
In the Men’s D Division, 24 teams
battled it out and the final standings
had a strong South Texas flavor, with 11
of the top 12 spots going to teams from
below the “Texas Mason-Dixon Line”
(Waco). Dirty Ghetto Kids from Houston
peaked at the right time and went 6-1
to win the championship. DGK had tied
for 13th place at North vs. South and
Members of Chavez’s championship
DGK team were Danny Hernandez,
Victor Garcia, Alex Martin, Alfonso
Garcia, Francisco Moreno, Jose Reyna,
Jose Molina, Silvino Careaga, Oscar
Santos, Arturo Galvan, Noel Plaza, Blake
Vallet, Ismael Govea, Javier Gonzalez,
Steven Diaz and Daniel Martinez.
Marty Jenkins’ Call Your Shot team
from Round Rock had to settle for
second place with a 5-2 record, while
the Woodpeckers from Galveston came
in third at 5-2 and DFL Construction of
West Monroe, La. finished fourth at 4-2.
Tribe Del Rio and Triumph from Houston
tied for fifth place; Urban Assault from
Austin and Aerial Assault from Cypress
tied for seventh; and Gamecocks from
Temple, Team Ego from Houston, RPN/
SwingTyme/Syndicate from Crosby, and
Brewskies/Worth from Houston all tied
for ninth place. The highest finisher
from North Texas was Lethal Assault
from Keller who finished in a four-way
tie for 13th.
In the Men’s E Division, there were 24
teams and the final standings also had
a strong South Texas flavor, with a team
that struggled early in the season persevering over the dominant E teams of
the regular season. Wharton’s Worst
USSSA TODAY 53
Ring Champions Womens - Louisiana Finest
Nightmares from Wharton opened the
season with a 1-2 finish at South Texas
Winter Worlds, which was good for a
tie for 25th place. They got progressively better by tying for 13th place at
the Hooters Shootout I, ninth at Hooters
Shootout II, and second at Hooters
Shootout III. Then they tied for ninth out
of 80 teams at the Budweiser Softball
Festival, traveled to Louisiana and took
third at the Cajun Classic, and finished
second at the League City N.I.T. Their
first tournament championship came at
the Sixth Street Shootout in Austin, with
a 7-1 record. After placing only 13th at
the South Texas State Finals, WWN was
a darkhorse at best for the “Battle for
the Rings.”
At the Grand Championship, manager
Cody Boatwright’s team posted wins
over BN Sportsbar/TX Crooks (13-4),
Head First (13-12), Free Agents (9-3) and
Bad Decisions (16-15) to advance to the
championship game, where they beat
the Free Agents in a re-match (8-5) to
win the rings.
54 USSSA TODAY
“I never would have dreamed this could
have happened at the beginning of the
season,” said Boatwright. “But the guys
never gave up and just kept getting
better and better all season long. It
doesn’t matter who won those tournaments back then. This is when it counts,
right now.”
Members of the championship Wharton’s
Worst Nightmares team were Anthony
Fira, Eloy Fira, Vincent Pena, Hondo
Marin, Kiki Vaughn, Anthony Cruz,
Preston Shannon, Jayme Garcia, Damon
Scoggins, Jordan Calhoun, Tyrone Fields,
Trevor Barker, Tyler barker, Andrew
Medina and Anthony Garcia.
Free Agents Softball Club from
Rosenburg, who won first place at both
the League City N.I.T. and South Texas
Shootout State Finals, settled for second
place with a 5-2 record. Bad Decisions
from San Antonio, who was 52-14
coming into the “Battle for the Rings”
including six championships and three
runnerups, came in third place with
a 3-2 record. Head First from League
City, who won first place at South Texas
Winter Worlds as well as both Hooters I
& II, finished fourth at 4-2. Hardfeathers
from Houston and team Extreme from
Cypress tied for fifth place; Texas Tigers
from San Antonio and Rack Em Up
from Houston tied for seventh; and
Dirty Sox from Conroe, Sabinal Tigers
from Sabinal, North Texas Takeover
from Waxahachie, and H&H also from
Waxahachie, all tied for ninth.
The 16-team Women’s Bracket featured
eight C teams and eight D teams. The C
teams had to spot three runs per game
whenever they played a D team, and
Louisiana’s Finest, a D team from Bossier
City, La., used that charity to eventually win the championship. Louisiana’s
Finest defeated Lady Canes II (8-3), Killer
B’s (18-17), Lady Warhawks (18-17) to
advance to the winner’s bracket finals,
where they beat Team Dallas Women
(16-13). Team Dallas Women dropped
to the loser’s bracket and crushed
Killer B’s (20-8) to get another shot at
Louisiana’s Finest in the championship
game. The game was nip-and-tuck all
Mixed Champions-No Chance
the way through, with Louisiana’s Finest
winning by the exact margin that they
were spotted (16-13) which did not sit
well with Team Dallas Women.
Louisiana’s Finest were led by Shirley
Snell, an A-rated player who has been
one of the very best female players in
the United States for many years. Snell,
a Louisiana native who played for Class
A Kinder/Sharks from Cincinnati, OH
the past three years, did not want to
travel as much this year and wanted to
play with a hometown team. She was
allowed to be on a D team’s roster, since
no other players on the team were classified higher than D.
In addition to Snell, other players from
Louisiana’s Finest were Barbara Rogers,
Dani Bendarvis, Leanne Shanks, Meagan
Pearson, Diane Cervantez, Kelly Daniels,
Gina McPherson, Celeste Smalley, Katie
Meza, Emerald Doria and Cody Herring.
The team was managed by Sam Meza,
who was assisted by Travis Bass and
Danny Bass.
Team Dallas Women settled for second
place with a 4-2 record, while Killer B’s
from Baytown came in third at 5-2, and
Texas Collision from Houston finished
fourth at 4-2. Lady Terror Squad from
Bryan and Lady Warhawks from San
Antonio tied for fifth place; RBI from
Houston and Jolt from Mesquite tied
for seventh; and Fort Hood Ballers,
Connection from San Antonio, Lady
Canes II from Cedar Hill, and San
Antonio Aces all tied for ninth.
2011 was a bittersweet season for the
Escobar men’s D team. The team went
undefeated at 28-0 by winning first
place in their first five tournaments of
the year – four of those being N.I.T.’s. The
team finally lost at the Mansfield N.I.T.,
where they finished fourth at 4-2. But
Escobar was not allowed to play in the
D Division of the North Texas Shootout
State Finals, which prohibited them from
qualifying for the “Battle for the Rings.”
So five Escobar players and their coach
did the next best thing – they played
Co-ed. No Chance from Fort Worth
went undefeated through five game to
win the 16-team Mixed bracket at the
“Battle for the Rings.” No Chance beat
The Misfits (17-12), Does It Matter/Whut
It Dew (21-12), Co-ed Connection (13-12)
and Smack That (4-3) to advance to the
championship game, where they beat
Smack That again (9-6) to win the rings.
“I’ve been close before, but I finally
won my ring,” said jubilant manager
Paul Wheat, who is also the manager
of Escobar. Wheat coached KG’s Sports
Grill/Natty D’s to the 2009 Men’s D
“Battle for the Rings,” where they lost
to Texas Threat.
Escobar players who helped No Chance
win the Mixed Division championship
were Toby Bradshaw, Shane Mack,
Cameron Squires, Todd Myers and
Jeremy Chancellor. Other players on the
No Chance roster were Levi Lynch, Jason
Diaz, Tamara Wheat, Abigail Matthews,
Shawna Lynch, Danna Johnson, Nancy
Myers and Shelly Puente.
USSSA TODAY 55
NEW JERSEY SOFTBALL
Border Wars
N.E. Men’s
E National
by Bob Bergner, Area Director
by Kirk Tarabokia
A new team this year, Ninuzzo Trattoria is making their presence felt around NJ USSSA in 2011. Coming off of strong showings in the top 3 of almost every tournament they have played
in, Ninuzzo steamrolled the competition at the Border Wars
qualifier on July 16th, 2011. Ninuzzo, led by tournament MVP
Anthony Donahue, went 6-0 on the day. Ninuzzo came out of
bracket play with the #1 seed, posting wins over Pave Patrol,
Grand Slam, and Cray Electric. Ninuzzo defeated Grand Slam
and Diamond Nation to advance to the championship under
the lights at Moody Park. Pave Patrol also earned a spot in the
finals and were in the lead most of the game until Ninuzzo
posted a shocking half inning in the bottom of the 6th.
Sparked by a two out in-the-park home run by Jason Fleming,
Ninuzzo went on to put up 17 runs all with two outs to put the
game out of reach for Pave Patrol and give Ninuzzo their 3rd
tournament win of the 2011 season. Thomas De Stefano took
the defensive MVP honors and other All-Tournament team
members included John Donahue, Joe Dirt Donahue, Edward
Thompson, and Kenny Yauger. After taking third place in NJ
State and fourth place at Northeast National tournaments,
Ninuzzo is confident and ready to take their talents to Orlando
for the World Series in mid-September.
Aug. 20-21 was the weekend of the North East Men’s E
National hosted by New Jersey USSSA. Two days of action
were marked by stellar pitching and solid defense. The tournament opened up Saturday morning 9am at Brick’s Drum Point
Sports Complex. The fields were in amazing shape considering it rained hard all day on Friday. Sunday’s action was in
Lakewood, NJ at Pine Park Softball Complex. Showtime from
northern NJ proved to be the best team going undefeated 5-0
to win the title. They bested CDC Pipe from Long Island NY in
the first game of the finals. Showtime, whom also won the
NJ State tournament, could be heard saying, “2 Down, 1 To
go”. Nick Defreese tournament MVP led the way offensively
with a .800+ average for the tournament. Tony Soto and Jay
Stemetzki shared the pitching duties and kept most teams
off balance all tournament. Showtime will be attending the
USSSA Worlds Men’s E East Tournament in Kissimmee Florida.
Nick Defreese
Showtime/ProfessionallyGreen.com
Offensive Tourn. MVP
Marden Medina
Defensive Tourn. MVP
Dave Castellano
Pipe/Elite
All Tournament Team
Rodney Gregory
Butter Nation
All Tournament Team
Joe Esposito
All Tournament Team
Joe Larocca
Pipe/Elite
All Tournament Team
Arthur Lorocca
Pipe/Elite
All Tournament Team
Thomas Butler
Pipe/Elite
All Tournament Team
Monte Harris
All Tournament Team
Jay Stemetzki
All Tournament Team
Dan Warchol
All Tournament Team
Gregory Dalton
All Tournament Team
Justin Petho
Tournament MVP
All Tournament Team
Pipe/Elite
Jason Campanaloga Butter Nation
North East Men’s E National
Place
State
Team
Team Class
Wins
Loses
Ties
Runs
Scored
Runs
USSSA
Allowed Avg Runs Avg Allow Avg Diff Max Runs Points
1
NJ
Showtime/Professionallygreen.com Frozen Berth
SPMensE
5
0
0
61
33
12.2
6.6
5.6
16
600
2
NYD
Pipe/Elite Frozen
SPMensE
5
2
0
68
49
9.71
7
2.71
14
225
3
NJ
Butter Nation
SPMensE
3
2
0
55
47
11
9.4
1.6
18
200
4
NJ
Ninuzzo Trattoria Softball Frozen
SPMensE
3
2
0
46
43
9.2
8.6
0.6
21
175
5
NYD
Steamrollers/ The Bench Bar & Grill Frozen
SPMensE
4
2
0
67
22
11.1
3.66
7.5
20
155
5
NYD
LI Xtreme/Short Bus Softball Frozen Berth
SPMensE
3
2
0
36
16
7.2
3.2
4
17
155
7
NJ
Harper’s Pub Softball
SPMensE
3
2
0
62
45
12.4
9
3.4
19
130
7
NYD
All Out/Bolt Athletics Frozen
SPMensE
2
2
0
31
42
7.75
10.5
-2.7
14
130
56 USSSA TODAY
MINNESOTA SOFTBALL
2 Repeat Performances
for TC Turmoil
by Gery Turnberg and Kelly Osowski
The TC Turmoil co-ed team out of Blaine, MN has had 2 big
repeat performances this summer. In June, TC Turmoil took
1st in the Father Hennepin tournament (Champlin, USSSA) by
beating Wise Guys and then Southside Slammers (14-13) to
win their berth to the World tournament in Florida in October.
In July, TC Turmoil took 1st at Fireman’s. TCT was undefeated
going into the championship game, but lost 6-3 to a tough BBS
squad, and came back to win the IF game 17-15. TC Turmoil
were Champs in both tournaments in 2010 & 2011!!
The Andover Storm 14U club went undefeated in capturing the 2011 State Rec USSSA State title in Oakdale!
USSSA TODAY 57
OKLAHOMA SOFTBALL
2nd Annual Summer Stock Tournament
Legit As It Can Get
by Kim Titus
The 2nd Annual Summer Stock
Tournament was held June 25, 2011 at
Boomer Sports Complex in Oklahoma
City, OK. This year’s tournament offered
brackets for both Men’s and Mixed
Classifications.
Each field was provided a 27oz and 28oz
B.J. Fulk Worth Mayhem and Worth
Hot Dot Softballs. These bats and softballs were the only equipment used
throughout the tournament. Bracket
seeding a random draw by the team
coaches and every team played as the
same classification…no run spot. The
game bats were distributed to the
winning teams at the completion of the
event
HR Contest Winner Shannon Smith
The Men’s Bracket Champion was Men’s
D team PUNISHMENT AGAIN from
Oklahoma City followed by Men’s C
team XCORP/TPS from Collinsville, OK
and Men’s D team TWP from Oklahoma
City. The winning Men’s team was
awarded 3 Worth tournament bats,
Worth Hats, a set of Worth pants and
tournament t-shirts. 2nd place was
awarded 2 Worth tournament bats and
tournament t-shirts.
Tourney MVP Jimmy Wilson
The Mixed Bracket Champion was Mixed
C team BEAT DOWN from Tulsa, OK,
followed by Mixed C Team SHOWPONIES
and Mixed D team STINKBAIT, both from
Oklahoma City. The winning Mixed team
was awarded 2 Worth tournament bats,
Worth Hats and tournament t-shirts.
2nd place was awarded 1 Worth tournament bat and tournament t-shirts.
Shannon Smith from EVICTED and
SHOWPONIES was awarded a bat for
winning the Home Run Contest.
Men’s Tournament MVPs were Tommy
Stanley from Punishment Again and
Justin Beal from XCorp/TPS.
Mixed Tournament MVP was Jimmy
Wilson from Beat Down.
Tourney MVP Tommy Stanley
58 USSSA TODAY
The 3rd Annual Summer Stock will be
held in late June 2012 at Carl Smith
Sports Complex in Tulsa, OK.
Tourney MVP Justin Beal
OKLAHOMA SOFTBALL
State Championships
by Kim Titus
The Women’s State Championship was held at
Boomer Sports Complex in Oklahoma City on
August 13, 2011. Women’s D team BTY from
Oklahoma City won the State Championship
Title by defeating Lady Karma 7–5 in extra
innings, then defeating Whoosh 19-18.
Whoosh defeated Lady Karma 13–12, to meet
BTY in the finals. BTY defeated Whoosh 6–2 for
the title.
Women’s State Champion - BTY
Men’s D State Champion - Breakdown/CSI
The Men’s D State Championship was also held
at Boomer Sports Complex on August 13, 2011.
Breakdown/CSI emerged as State Champions
but not without a scare from Ducks. Ducks lost
their 1st game of the tournament 7-4 to Karma/
Sports55/Spaded and Jaded/Miken then won 5
games back-to-back to meet Breakdown/CSI
in the finals. Ducks came ready to play and
posted a 19 -9 victory over Breakdown/CSI
for force the “if” game. But CSI/Breakdown
rallied back to defeat Ducks 10-4 for the title.
Walkoff, from Oklahoma City, took 3rd place
followed by GBU from Broken Arrow, OK.
The Men’s C State Championship was held
August 20, 2011 at Carl Smith Sports Complex
in Tulsa, OK.
Men’s C State Runner Up - XCorp/TPS
Men’s E State Champion - Architectural Salvagers
Evicted defeated Resurrected (22-9), Jokers
Softball (14-13) and XCorp/TPS (21-20) to take
the Winners Bracket. After losing to Evicted in
the Winner’s Bracket finals, XCorp/TPS defeated
TWP 22-21 to meet Evicted again in the finals.
Evicted defeated XCorp/TPS 23-13 for the title.
3rd place went to TWP from Oklahoma City,
followed by Jokers Softball from Tulsa, OK.
Men’s D State Runner-Up - Ducks
Men’s C State Champion - Evicted
The Men’s E State Championship was the largest
E State Tournament since 2004 with 26 teams
in the bracket. First year team Architectural
Salvagers, from Ada, Oklahoma lost their
1st game to G Money from Henryetta, OK
and played 6 games back-to-back defeating
Outta Control from Tulsa, Ninja Monkeys from
Tulsa, Waisting Time from Oklahoma City,
OKC Smoke, Quack Attack from Oilton, Keep
it Comin from Tulsa and Long Knockers from
Kingfisher to meet G Money in the finals.
Architectural Salvagers defeated G Money
9-7 in the finals and 10-1 in the “if” game to
win the title. 3rd place went to Long Knockers
followed by Keep it Comin,. Quack Attack and
Ruptured Disk tied for 5th place.
Men’s E Runner Up - G Money
Men’s E 3rd Place - Long Knockers
USSSA TODAY 59
Team 454 Emerald Makes
it Three in a Row for WothSponsored Teams at A Worlds
by Dennis Turner
It’s been another great season for Worth
Slow-pitch softball. We have had some
great things happen over the past
several months. The 454 HR Derby series
has been a huge hit across the nation
hosting almost 50 derby’s at various
venues in which more than 2000 players
have participated and thousands have
watched as players demode the new 454
Titan line of high-end composite bats. I
want to applaud our 454 Advisory Staff
for working with tournament directors,
local parks, and close friends who put in
countless hours of preparation to make
these derby’s go off without a hitch. We
performed benefit derby’s in which all
of the entry fees went to a local charity
of family in need, as well as enhanced
the tournaments to make the whole
softball atmosphere a success. Our plan
is to continue this in 2012 to promote
the new line of 454 bats that will start
60 USSSA TODAY
being released in the next few months.
future.
A lot of players and teams have been
asking me about the new USSSA (ABI)
Bat Standard that will be taking effect
in the near future. I have included some
bullet points along with the new fingerprint that you will start seeing on the
new USSSA bats.
Same great 454 technology platform and
performance as before, just designed to
meet the ABI and anti-altering requirements of USSSA.
New USSSA 1.20 fingerprint (fingerprint
shown below) will be mandatory on all
softball bats after 1/1/13.
New bat standard is designed to meet
a new Accelerated Break-In test (ABI)
and new requirements for anti-altering
so the game is not dictated by players
that choose to alter their bats from the
way the manufacturers designed them
to perform. Worth will start having the new bats
ready with the new designs in the near
Our Worth Slowpitch Facebook page
continues to be a great interactive site
for Worth loyalists interested in new
products and venues as well as posting
various pictures and videos for all to see
and comment on. You can type http://
www.facebook.com/WorthSlowpitch to
view all of the current posts and stay up
to date on players, teams and products
that are being talked about on a day to
day basis. We will answer any questions
that we can in a timely manner and
understand that we cannot let the cat
out of the bag on some issues, but we
will be as helpful as we can in providing
you with all of the information you
need in order to make decisions on future Worth
equipment purchases.
As you have probably heard that Team 454/Emerald
Consulting/WORTH fought hard through the USSSA
“A” Worlds at the ESPN Wide World of Sports to
capture the national title. They battled some tough
teams, but outlasted them all after going into the
“if” game. A special congrats to Bill Rhew who is
not only the sponsor for the team but was named
MVP for the tournament along with 7 other team
members to be voted to the All-World team. Team
454 was our #1 “A” team this season and did not
disappoint as they played well all season long after
some early player moves. They gelled quickly as a
tightly knit bunch to pull for each other and definitely made their mark in the USSSA Conference
circuit. This makes it 3 years in a row, where Worth’s
top “A” team has won the title at ESPN’s Wide
World of Sports.
The Border Battle that was played in July and also
aired on ESPN, was considered a revenge game for
Team USA. Last year, Team Canada won the game
as Team USA could not score in the last inning. Well
this year was different story as Team USA with five
of the Resmondo/WORTH players on the roster
jumped early and often as Team USA pounded
out base hits and homeruns left and right as they
dominated Team Canada. The game only lasted 4
innings as the mercy rule was in effect and the final
score was 25-3. It looked as though Team Canada
was beat before they stepped foot onto the field.
They will have to regroup over the season and gear
up for 2012 as it looks as though Team USA with
the direction of Scott Shortland will put another
quality team on the field to represent the Stars and
Stripes. The Resmondo players were using the new
Resmondo ASA 454 Titan that is sold exclusively at
Resmondo Sports and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
The USSSA Slugfest was held on back to back weekends in Lake Buena Vista where hundreds of players
stopped by the Worth hitting station to demo all
of current bats we have in the current line. We had
30 bats lined up for all to hit and test out before
they made their purchase of the 454 Titans and
Mayhems. Both 1.20 BPF and 98 mph bats were on
site amongst the other slow-pitch manufacturers
displaying their current bats for all to demo. It was
good to see a constant group of players lined up at
the Worth tunnel hitting bombs out into the open
football field. Advisory players such as BJ Fulk, Greg
Connell, Don DeDonatis and other Worth Advisory
players stopped by to hang with and talk to players
about playing at the top level and picking their
brain on hitting, it was good to see the interaction
as these guys are down to earth and love talking
softball.
Until next time, stay focused and play hard.
DT
Important Baseball & Softball Bat Changes
for 2011 / 2012 / 2013
As you have probably aware, the rules regarding legal baseball and softball bats are changing. To understand those changes and
how they may impact you or your team and the use of legal bats in USSSA sanctioned play, you should carefully review following
USSSA.com information.
IMPORTANT NEW BAT ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SOFTBALL. Please go to National Announcements found at USSSA.com under the
SLOWPITCH Tab and review the following Bat rule announcements
1.Important USSSA Baseball & Softball Announcements - January 2011 UNDER NATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
2.Worn/Abused Damaged/Foreign Substance Bats – February 2011 UNDER NATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
3.Softball Bat Standard Announcement – 10/19/2010. – UNDER LICENSED EQUIPMENT
4.Softball Bat Standard Announcement Update – 4/1/2011
IMPORTANT NEW BAT ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR BASEBALL. Please go to National Announcements found at USSSA.com under the
Baseball Tab and review the following Bat rule announcements:”
1.Important USSSA Baseball & Softball Announcements - January 2011 UNDER RULES, EQUIPMENT AND LEGAL INFORMATION
2.Worn/Abused Damaged/Foreign Substance Bats – FEBRUARY 2011 UNDER NATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
3.USSSA Baseball Bat Performance Standards Announcement for 2011 & 2012 – UNDER RULES, EQUIPMENT AND LEGAL
INFORMATION
4.Licensed Baseball Bat Manufacturers – NEW 2/1/2011 – UNDER RULES, EQUIPMENT AND LEGAL INFORMATION
5.2011/12 New USSSA Baseball Bat Marks & Grandfathering Rules - 5/16/2011
USSSA TODAY 61
Legends of the Game
Dayton, Ohio
by Scott Kuhnen
The following remarks are from the 6th Annual Greater Dayton Softball
Legends of the Game Softball weekend, held the last weekend of June at
Dayton’s Kettering Field Softball Complex. Like previous “Legends” events,
this is Ohio USSSA’s way of saying “Thank you” to softball people who
have contributed in multiple ways to the game. Whether player, manager,
umpire, director, sponsor, or just friend to the game, the Softball Legends
concept provides a forum and a great feel-good moment which comes far
too seldom in our game. The following are the induction remarks as made
the day of the ceremonies.
Our first Legend of the Game is a player, coach, and sponsor for a team name wellknown in Dayton softball circles and around the state of Ohio in general. The team
is Chris’s Band Box.
Chris Mantz started his playing career in 1972, which means he has now logged just
short 40 years in this game. Like many an ambitious young player, it wasn’t long
before he got frustrated and took over coaching duties…in 1974. His teams have won
numerous title through the years, including two World title from different associations in 2006. As a long-standing member and past president of the Dayton Amateur
Softball Committee here in Dayton, Chris has spent numerous hours volunteering in
countless ways. Due to his business connections, he has been the person who acquires
the liquor permits each year for both the Dayton City Tournament and the National
Police Tournament, both of which represent pretty much the sole fund raising efforts
of the DASC…and which led most recently to covering the dugouts you see here at
Kettering Field. He has served as well as the secretary/treasurer of the DASC and,
most recently, helped organize and run the Dayton Softball Hall of Fame fund raiser
tournament to build a “Wall of Fame” like the one we’ve all admired at Berliner
Park in Columbus. He has recently been nominated for induction into that Dayton
Amateur Softball Hall of Fame and we hope he gets the necessary votes to get in.
Chris Mantz
For all that he has done for Dayton Softball…
Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome a true gentleman and the newest
inductee to the Greater Dayton Softball Legends: Dayton’s Chris Mantz.
Our next Greater Dayton Legend of the Game is already in our Dayton Amateur
Softball Hall of Fame, having been inducted just last year. In addition, however, he
is a member of the Clinton County Sports Hall of Fame and the Ohio ASA Hall of
Fame. This well known player from a well-known sports family from Wilmington
Ohio got his start in adult softball with his dad, Jack Haley, and one of our 2011
Memorial honorees, the late Don Fields. This Legend of the Game has played with
some of the most recognizable teams in Ohio softball history, including Ohio Players,
Danny’ Drilling, Carroll Marathon, Miller’s Piper’s, and the great Steele’s. In fact, he
was named to the All-Decade Steele’s squad for the period 1971 until 1981. Tim Haley
became one of the best players, both offensively and defensively, on 11 state championship teams, winning five MVP awards, four homerun titles, and was named to the
ASA All-American Team in 1983. He has played with and against some of the biggest
names in softball history, including Mighty Joe Young, Don Clatterbaugh, and two
of our previous Softball Legends…Henry McBeth and Ken Booher. But, for all that,
Tim Haley, is a “Legend” for his continuing love of and contribution to the game by
umpiring league and tournament ball in the Wilmington area.
Tim Haley
62 USSSA TODAY
Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome the newest inductee to the Greater
Dayton Softball Legends: Wilmington’s Tim Haley.
Our next Softball Legend may be recognized more for her fast pitch career than her
slow pitch career, although she has been actively involved in both since 1982.
A native of Urbana, this Legend played four years at the University of Dayton where
she was named team MVP in both her junior and senior years, and was named
All-Midwestern Collegiate Conference First Team her Junior season. Her senior
season and graduating year of 1991, this Legend set a school record which still ties
for first place by giving up a measly 0.76 earned run average for the entire season.
This Legend then went on the become the head softball coach at Urbana University
winning the Mid-Ohio Conference Coach of the Year award in 1993, which led to her
becoming head coach at the University of Dayton in 1996, where, in 2001, she set a
school record for most wins…35. She has the distinction of pitching twice against
the great Eddie Feigner, better known as the “King and His Court.” She continues
to serve as a Voluntary Assistant Coach at Wittenberg University, she coaches for
the elite Miami Valley Xpress girls fast pitch team, and she continues to play at a
high level in women’s and mixed slow pitch, where she is competing tomorrow with
another of our Softball Legends, Pete Nance. As a slow pitch player, Jodi has been
named to multiple All-Tournament and All-American teams at both the A level and
the C level. She has hit more than 250 career homeruns and, although we’ve not been
able to recruit her to umpire for USSSA, she continues to serve as a representative of
the Dayton Amateur Softball Commission. For all she has done for Greater Dayton
area softball…
Dayton Softball Legends: Urbana’s Jodi Eickemeyer.
Jodi Eickemeyer
Our next Softball Legend hails from Clark County and has a softball career that spans
five decades now. This well known player/manager has been involved with some of
the best known teams to come out of the Springfield area since 1968. This includes
Stroh’s, PS Pub, Springfield Merchants, MacDonald’s. Sleep-Tite, and most recently,
Tilton Trucking. He has always been involved with pushing his teams to play at the
highest level and to reach their most potential. He was also one of the driving forces
on a movement many years ago now to bring USSSA softball to Springfield. Of this
person, long-time Ohio USSSA Director, Mike Bartee, says, “Louie Stoll has heart,
strong work ethic, commits the time to be successful, and love’s the game more
than most. Scott Kuhnen also commented, Louie Stoll may be the Springfield area’s
most avid ambassador for the Annual Worth/USSSA memorial Tournament. He really
appreciates and understands why we remember these families of former softballers
and is always ready to help us reach out make their memories very special. “Thank
you, Louie!”
Dayton Softball Legends: Springfield’s Louie Stoll.
Louie Stoll
Thank you to all our Legends for all they have contributed to the
game. We want them to know how much we appreciate all their
years of sacrifice and commitment to this game we all love.
Group photo: Louie Stoll, Springfield, Ohio; Jodi Eickemeyer,
Urbana, Ohio; Tim Haley, Wilmington, Ohio; Chris Mantz,
Dayton, Ohio; Terry Folino, Tournament Director
Thank You and…
Let’s Play Ball!
USSSA TODAY 63
USSSA Establishes Relationship with Perinton
Recreation Department in Upstate New York
by Gary Godden
photo by Joseph Sorrentino
The USSSA has established a
great working relationship with
the Town of Perinton Recreation
Department in Upstate New
York. Over the last few years,
the USSSA has registered and
provided officials for Basketball,
Slow Pitch and Kickball. In addition, the Fairport Little League
fields have been used to run
USSSA
sanctioned
baseball
events.
During this time, the USSSA has
worked with Jeff Ackerman,
recreation director for the town. Last year was a very trying
time for Jeff and his wife as his mother-in-law, Cindi Fonte,
was fighting cancer. Last September, she lost her battle with
Pancreatic Cancer. Jeff’s wife and sister-in-law decided that it
would be a nice to run a charity co-ed softball tournament in
their mother memory.
64 USSSA TODAY
On Saturday, Aug. 20, participants gathered at Fellows Road
Park in Fairport to play in the
first annual “Swinging for a
Cure,” memorial softball tournament. Funds raised went to
Pancreatic Cancer research as
well as to the Shepherd Home
hospice care facility in Penfield,
New York.
The USSSA was able to provide
insurance, umpires and balls at
a reduced rate for the event. In
2012 the USSSA umpires group,
Sports Officials of the Rochester Area, will look to take a
more active role. Bob Reed, President of SORA, will be asking
umpires to work the tournament as volunteers. It is also hoped
that with the USSSA relationships with sponsors future tournaments can get balls and prizes donated so that all proceeds can
go to finding a cure for cancer.
USSSA Fastpitch of Southern California
by Stacy Fish
10 U
Tournament MVP
Offensive Tournament MVP
Defensive Tournament MVP
Outstanding Pitcher
Reese Vargas
Madison Cappuccio
Emily Facio
Crystal Amaral
So Cal Mirage 00
Ozone Gold (Rick)
So Cal Mirage 00
So Cal Mirage 00
10 U
Place State
Team
Team Class
Wins
Loses
Ties
Runs
Scored
Runs
Allowed Avg Runs Avg Allow Avg Diff Max Runs
USSSA
Points
1
CAS
So Cal Mirage 00 Qualified
FPGirls10UA
6
1
0
52
11
7.42
1.57
5.85
12
650
2
CAS
Ozone Gold (Rick) Qualified
FPGirls10UA
5
4
0
53
41
5.88
4.55
1.33
11
350
3
CAS
Titans Qualified
FPGirls10UA
4
2
1
47
41
6.71
5.85
0.85
11
300
4
CAS
West Coast Voodoo Qualified
FPGirls10UC
2
4
0
25
45
4.16
7.5
-3.3
8
250
5
CAN
Bustos Elite 2000 Qualified
FPGirls10UB
3
3
1
43
40
6.14
5.71
0.42
7
200
5
NM
Lady Devil Dogs
FPGirls10UC
0
5
0
11
55
2.2
11
-8.8
5
200
12 U
Tournament MVP
Outstanding Pitcher
Ryan Jackson
Alexis Chavez
Alexis Vargas
Alexis Vargas
Sudden Impact 98
TeamSmith ‘98
Sudden Impact 98
Sudden Impact 98
12 U
Place State
Team
Team Class
Wins
Loses
Ties
Runs
Scored
Runs
USSSA
Points
1
CAS
Sudden Impact 98 Qualified
FPGirls12&UA
8
0
0
52
14
6.5
1.75
4.75
12
650
2
CAS
TeamSmith ‘98 Qualified
FPGirls12&UA
6
3
0
61
26
6.77
2.88
3.88
15
350
3
UT
SLC Firebirds Qualified
FPGirls12&UA
5
4
0
39
41
4.33
4.55
-0.2
10
300
4
CAS
Strike Force Qualified
FPGirls12&UA
7
2
0
59
31
6.55
3.44
3.11
14
250
5
CAS
USA Athletics-Pulver Qualified
FPGirls12&UA
6
3
0
47
32
5.22
3.55
1.66
13
200
5
CAS
So Cal Heaters 99 Qualified
FPGirls12&UA
4
2
1
45
21
6.42
3
3.42
11
200
14 U A
Player Tournament Awards
Tournament MVP
Outstanding Pitcher
Players Name
Arizona Pilgrim
McKenna Valencia
Gabriela Arizaga
Arizona Pilgrim
Plays For
Central Cal Intensity 97
Team Boombah Munoz
14 U A
Place State
Team
Team Class
Wins
Loses
Ties
Runs
Scored
Runs
1
CAN
Central Cal Intensity 97 Qualified
FPGirls14&UA
7
0
1
42
15
2
CAS
Team Boombah Munoz Qualified
FPGirls14&UA
8
2
0
67
26
6.7
3
CAS
Xplosion 14U Qualified
FPGirls14&UB
4
5
0
32
48
3.55
4
CAS
mizuno pride 97 (Tiumalu) Qualified
FPGirls14&UA
5
3
0
39
38
4.87
5
CAS
CA Desperados 97 Qualified
FPGirls14&UA
5
3
0
59
45
5
CAN
Magnum Force 96 Qualified
FPGirls14&UA
5
3
0
49
21
66 USSSA TODAY
5.25
1.87
USSSA
Points
3.37
10
650
2.6
4.1
13
350
5.33
-1.7
6
300
4.75
0.12
10
250
7.37
5.62
1.75
15
200
6.12
2.62
3.5
17
200
14 U B
Tournament MVP
Outstanding Pitcher
Monroe Peed
Molly Schnaubelt
Alexis Maynez
Jackie Flores
Ballers
Ballers
NM Starz
Ballers
14 U B
Place State
Team
Team Class
Wins
Loses
Ties
Runs
Scored
Runs
USSSA
Points
1
CAS
Ballers Qualified
FPGirls14&UB
6
1
0
45
22
6.42
3.14
3.28
13
650
2
NM
NM Starz Qualified
FPGirls14&UB
7
2
0
56
25
6.22
2.77
3.44
13
350
3
NM
SYNERGY
FPGirls14&UB
4
3
0
37
25
5.28
3.57
1.71
13
300
4
CAS
Ozone Gold Qualified
FPGirls14&UB
5
4
0
45
37
5
4.11
0.88
10
250
5
CAN
Lady Rebels 14U Qualified
FPGirls14&UB
3
4
0
33
45
4.71
6.42
-1.7
7
200
5
CAS
SEAHAWKS Qualified
FPGirls14&UB
3
4
0
36
29
5.14
4.14
1
14
200
Runs
USSSA
Allowed Avg Runs Avg Allow Avg Diff Max Runs Points
16 U
Tournament MVP
Outstanding Pitcher
Kelsey Smith
KaeTazia Hernandez
Rachel Meyer
Andrea Larkins
Tucson AZtecs ‘96
Tucson AZtecs ‘96
OC Banzai (Williams)
Tucson AZtecs ‘96
16 U
Place State
Team
Team Class
Wins
Loses
Ties
Runs
Scored
1
AZ
Tucson AZtecs ‘96 Qualified
FPGirls16&UB
8
0
0
49
17
6.12
2.12
4
13
650
2
CAS
OC Banzai (Williams) Qualified
FPGirls16&UA
8
2
0
51
26
5.1
2.6
2.5
12
350
3
CAS
Minor’s Gold Alvarez Qualified
FPGirls16&UA
7
2
0
54
26
6
2.88
3.11
10
300
4
CAS
CENTRAL CAL INTENSITY Qualified
FPGirls16&UA
5
4
0
39
32
4.33
3.55
0.77
8
250
5
CAS
Mizuno Pride 96 Qualified
FPGirls16&UA
6
4
0
35
39
3.5
3.9
-0.4
7
200
5
CAS
STC PROSPECTS Qualified
FPGirls16&UA
5
4
0
41
39
4.55
4.33
0.22
16
200
Runs
USSSA
Points
18 U
Tournament MVP
Outstanding Pitcher
Sarah Thomas
Samantha Gartner
Alicia Brown
Blaire Taylor
Edmonton Warriors
Edmonton Warriors
So Cal Showtime
Edmonton Warriors
18 U
Place State
Team
Team Class
Wins
Loses
Ties
Runs
Scored
1
XX
Edmonton Warriors
FPGirls18&UA
8
1
0
44
25
4.88
2.77
2.11
10
650
2
CAS
So Cal Showtime Qualified
FPGirls18&UA
7
3
0
47
33
4.7
3.3
3
CAS
so cal conneXion Qualified
FPGirls18&UA
8
2
0
60
16
6
1.6
1.4
9
350
4.4
11
300
4
CAS
SoCal Aftershock Qualified
FPGirls18&UA
9
2
0
58
17
5.27
1.54
3.72
13
250
5
NJ
Jackson Renegades 18-U
FPGirls18&UA
6
3
0
60
32
6.66
3.55
3.11
11
200
5
AZ
AZQuicksilver Qualified
FPGirls18&UB
4
2
1
31
19
4.42
2.71
1.71
8
200
USSSA TODAY 67
USSSA East Region
Fast Pitch World Series
by Denny Rose
Photos by Michael McNutt
The
USSSA
East
Region
11U-13U-15U Fast Pitch World
Series was held in Maumee,
Ohio July 20-24, 2011. Rain
forced many changes to the
schedule but the teams never
lost the enthusiasm and their
competitive spirit. As a result,
everyone was treated to some
excellent softball games.
In the 11U division, Edge
Chaos of Plainfield, IL went
undefeated in the field of 24
teams. They defeated Lady
Lasers of Mt. Gilead,Ohio 9-2
in the Championship game. PA
Poison of Greencastle, PA was
third and Thunder Elite Blue
of Newton Falls, Ohio finished
forth.
In the 13U division, Team
Pennsylvania of Washington,
PA went thru their field of 28
teams undefeated. Team PA
beat the Pittsburgh Spirit Black
4-1 in the finals to claim the
championship. The Pittsburgh
Spirit Black played seven games
on Sunday to finish second. The
MI Batbusters of Shelby Twp.
MI finished third and the Cincy
Static of Cincinnati, Ohio was
fourth.
11U Champions, Edge Chaos of Plainfield, IL
13U Champions - Team Pennsylvania of Washington, PA
The 15U division was won
by the Great Lakes Sharks of
Sylvania, Ohio. In the semi
finals, the Hollidaysburg Blue
Diamonds of Hollidaysburg,
PA defeated the Sharks 18-9
to force a deciding game. The
Sharks came back with an 8-0
shutout of the Blue Diamonds
to claim the championship.
The tournament staff would
like to thank all of the teams for
their completive spirit, sportsmanship, help and patience
during the tournament.
68 USSSA TODAY
15U Champions - Great Lakes Sharks of Sylvania, Ohio
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Midnight Madness
By Cate Deramus
Teams from all over Texas, Louisiana,
and Arkansas got together to beat the
heat and play under a full moon in the
5th annual Midnight Madness tournament hosted by Sneaky Cleats 99 from
East Texas. The tournament, held at Lear
Park in Longview, Texas on July 15th and
16th, hosted teams in age groups from
8-U to 14-U with the 8-U group being
divided into coach pitch and modified
pitch. “We do this tournament every
year to raise money for the team. We
use the funds to participate in national
tournaments. This year we are traveling to Bellevue, Nebraska to participate in the Cat Osterman Experience,”
said head coach Cody Cisco. The action
began on Friday night with pool play.
In each age division, the teams got to
70 USSSA TODAY
play 2 or 3 pool games to get warmedup and ready for bracket play the next
night.
In addition to the regular softball
games Friday night, the teams got to
participate in pajama relay races and an
around-the-horn competition. Usually,
the players who win get a tournament
t-shirt as a prize and this year was no
exception. The pajama relays were a real
hit with the teams, even the moms got
involved in the competition. “We try to
keep the tournament fun,” said Cisco,
“we want the girls to have a good time
and for it to be a positive experience.”
Saturday night began with bracket play
and all of the girls were rested and ready
for a long night of softball. There was
good competition in each age group
leading to lots of hits, great defensive
plays and close games. Traveling the
farthest to compete in the tournament
was the Wylie Rockers from Abilene,
Texas. They competed in the 8-U Coach
pitch division. After watching them play,
it was apparent why their team traveled
7 hours to play. “They were a pretty
good little team”, said the umpire officiating the game, “their 3rd baseman
had the glove of an adult and could
throw a straight shot to 1st base. Their
second baseman was pretty good player,
too.” The night went pretty well for the
Rockers and around 3 AM was awarded
the first place trophy after beating the
Bomb Squad from Carthage, Texas, 13-5.
The 8-U Modified Pitch allowed teams
to utilize their pitchers and using the
coaches only when the pitcher threw
ball four. After losing to Bad Company
’02 from Queen City, Texas earlier in
the evening, Texas Swat from Sulphur
Springs came back to beat Bad Company
9-5 in the championship game. In the
10-U age division, Bad Attitude, from
Nacogdoches, dominated the winner’s
bracket all the way to the end, winning
the championship game 9-2 against the
Marshall Madness from Marshall, Texas.
On the other side of the complex, the
older girls were swinging bats and
making plays in some exciting and
competitive games. The 14-U games
were dominated by the hot bats of the
Louisiana Storm 97 from Bossier City.
Throughout the weekend, they boasted
high scoring games (in one game they
scored 20 runs) and finished first in the
tournament by beating the Razorbabez
from Texarkana, Arkansas, 8-3.
The final game of the night (or
morning) was the 12-U championship
being played by the Foreman Fury from
Arkansas and Sneaky Cleats 99 from
Marshall, Texas. Earlier in the evening,
Sneaky Cleats 99 had sent Foreman
Fury to the losers bracket with an early
loss of 3-0. Foreman Fury came battling
back through the losers bracket to end
up facing Sneaky Cleats 99 again, this
time they were looking for the win.
Unfortunately for them, they will again
be denied. The Cleats got an early lead
with quick bats and solid defense. They
kept up the momentum throughout the
entire game, winning in the end with
a score of 9-2. Coach Cody Cisco was
able to catch the end of their championship game. He said, “What makes it
interesting for us, is that our coaches
are all busy running the tournament so
the parents of the girls had to coach the
team. The girls seem to like it. It makes it
fun for them.” And that was the theme
for the whole tournament: Fun!
So, if your team is looking for a fun and
competitive tournament that beats the
heat of hot southern summers, then
check out the Sneaky Cleats 99 Midnight
Madness tournament for next year. It
promises to be fun and competitive for
teams of all ages.
USSSA TODAY 71
MSP/ USSSA
Makes a Difference
by B.J. Larson
Midwest Sports Productions is a Kansas City based sports
event management company that operates USSSA Baseball,
Basketball, Fastpitch, and Fastpitch tournaments. After
two seasons of operating over 150 tournaments per year, a
concerted effort was made to begin to use this platform to
help raise awareness and provide some opportunities for the
sporting community to give back and effect change in their
own communities.
The tournament partnered with several other local outreach
and educational programs to help raise the awareness. There
were 43 teams in attendance at this event, as well as one on
hand from 10 hours away, the Denver Kayotix. Members of
their coaching staff work in the counseling field and know the
challenges that an individual can face when hit with one of
these illnesses.
Heart of America Stand Down/Memorial Day
Grand Slam NIT
Over the last 18 to 24 months, MSP has partnered or hosted
several events to help further this idea. Through these efforts,
MSP has been able to add exposure or open the programs of
some amazing individuals to a completely new audience. All
the while helping youth coaches teach the life lessons that
sports are truly designed to provide and give them a hands on
application and first-hand account of those lessons at work.
NAMI Benefit Awareness Tournament/
Cars4Heroes
In 2009, one of the families of MSP was hit with a challenge of
a lifetime. Their son was diagnosed with depression. Through
the process, they took all of the necessary steps to provide
treatment and counseling. Along the way some very valuable
lessons were learned about the difficulty in finding adequate
treatment and care, as well as the dangerous stigma that is
attached to mental illnesses in our society. After a long and
continuing battle through this experience, it became apparent
that this is an issue that MSP could help to bring help to. In April
of 2011, MSP hosted the inaugural NAMI Benefit Awareness
Tournament.
MSP partnered with a local group that works to donate cars
to veterans. For this event, they chose to take their nominations from the local VA hospital among individuals that were
being treated for PTSD and other mental illnesses after being
in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
72 USSSA TODAY
For the Memorial Day Grand Slam NIT, MSP partnered with the
local Stand Down organization. This is an organization that
helps to support and provide assistance for Veterans. One of
the main programs for Stand Down is collection drives that
provide necessary items for homeless Veterans in the area.
A collection drive was done at the tournament with a tremendous amount of work by 2Xtreme Softball team. Items (from
jeans to toiletries) were given a point value, and the team that
earned the most points were awarded a gift certificate.
The Stars & Spikes 96 and Stars & Spikes 97 outpaced the
competition by a great distance. Their efforts and commitment
to this project was a great compliment to their players and
families.
Swing for the Cure
In November of 2007, local baseball player Jimmy “Hooty”
Wade was diagnosed with cancer. After a sitting out of baseball for almost a year, Jimmy resumed his baseball playing and
earned a scholarship to Ottawa University. Jimmy has been
cancer free for three years and still on the Ottawa University
baseball team carrying out his dream.
On Memorial Day weekend, MSP held a benefit/awareness
tournament in the name of Jimmy. Through the efforts of
Jimmy’s family and a local church, there were ceremonies held
throughout the weekend to honor those that have and are still
fighting the various forms of cancer.
Though the Single A tournament was small, the camaraderie
and community that was achieved will be a building block for
future events in the name of Hooty.
2011 Scholarship Winners
Brooke Gilland
Hannah Jokisch
Staci Sanders
Karly Schulte
Lisa Weeda
On April 21, 2011 MSP hosted the inaugural Scholarship
Golf Tournament to help support this endeavor. There were
many local softball teams that entered teams, including the
Cowgirls of Lee’s Summit, the Mustangs, and KC Blaze just to
name a few. The event was sponsored by Hasty Awards. Plans
are already in place for the 2012 tournament, and preparations are being made to help make this event even bigger in
an attempt to help grow the Scholarship Opportunities in the
game of fastpitch.
MSP Scholarship Fund/Golf Tournament
2012 and Beyond
In 2012, MSP is looking to continue on with the programs
already established as well as continually adding ways for
youth sports to become an outreach into our communities to
help both sides grow and prosper.
In 2011, Midwest Sports Productions was able to award five
$1,000 scholarships to deserving fastpitch softball players that
have been MSP participants. We will continue that program
for 2012 and will hopefully be able to expand that program
even further. An outside committee has been assembled to
select the worthy applicants. These scholarships will be onetime awards and will go to post-high school courses of study at
either a college/university or other post-secondary educational
opportunity.
USSSA TODAY 73
Umped Up
by Rick Phillips
Kevin Dukes ( pictured second from left
) coached club ball for 12 years before
donning the mask behind the plate.
During those 12 years while taking
daughters from 10u – 18u and attending
nationals as a Coach it was then he
decided to get into officiating. Kevin
has been calling games now for 14 years
at the High School and club scenes. As
one of the more respected officials in
the High School ranks it is no wonder he
has worked two State Championships
over the last couple of years.
When you are caught between a rock
and a hard spot there is usually two
things you can do. You can continue
to do the same old thing and hope
for better results ( insanity ) or make a
change! This was the position Arizona
USSSA Fast Pitch was facing in September
of 2010, I’ll explain.
After taking the State program over in
November of 2008 many things were
needed for the short as well as long term
recovery and the Director’s Warren &
Katie Williamson and yours truly rolled
up the sleeves and forged ahead. We
made many changes in an effort to establish the foundation we have today, but
there was still that missing piece of the
puzzle, that last building block. You see,
it all focused around our vision of what
our officiating should be. Not just balls
and strikes mind you we had our sights
on a program that we could not even
describe, a gut feel that we had to fix.
September, 2010. After hearing of a
gentleman leaving another organization we decided to make the call. We
knew after 15 minutes into our first
meeting that we had our guy. Our now
AZ. UIC Greg Lovette (pictured in black)
almost shook as he described his idea’s
of leadership and training, his infusion
of energy into our Umpiring program
has led USSSA to the top in this category. As UIC, Greg has now 77 Umpires
74 USSSA TODAY
on our roster as well as having in place
an active mentoring / developmental
program. One can’t just claim to have
such a program without putting those
going through in a position to succeed.
Listed below are the resumes of some of
the finest men in this arena who serve
as mentors. As Greg likes to say, “Simply
the Best”.
Greg Lovette started with USSSA in
Nebraska from 1998 through 2004.
The Lovettes relocated to Az. in 2004.
Greg has umpired for 30 years and is
currently calling games at the collegiate
NCAA level as well as AZ. High School.
When Greg gets amped up look out. He
fronted thousands of dollars to insure
his crews were properly uniformed.
Conducted clinics and pleaded with us
to install three man crews for all championship games which we continue today.
Norman Crittle Sr. ( pictured far left )
began his career in 1984 doing multiple
sports. In 1988 fast pitch became his love.
Over the next 23 years Norm has called
many national tournaments. Norm
began working JC in 93’, D2 in 97’, D1
in 03’ and was named as a conference
official with the then named Pac-10 in
07’. Known as the gentle giant, Norm
says he will continue to call games until
he feels and thinks he has called the
perfect game, at that time he will retire!
Todd Tucker (pictured 3rd from left) like
many others started umpiring in his local
rec. league. While serving as a board
member, coach and umpire while living
in Texas. Todd, like those who have a
passion to be behind the dish chose to
end his coaching career and devote full
time as an official after relocating to Az.
In 2004. Todd also works High School
games along with his club dates.
Jeremy Hernandez (pictured 2nd from
right) the current Az. Deputy UIC has officiated for over 15 years while amazing
over 1800 games worked. Jeremy’s goal
of perfection was instilled in him early
by his mentor Emily Alexander.
Mike Lang (pictured far right) started
umpiring in Ohio as an 18 year old.
After moving to Az. In 1983 and further
skilling himself through the rec. channels Mike began doing High School in
1987 which led to title games. In 2005
Mike began his college career as an
umpire which he continues to do in his
41st year.
We are very proud of our official’s in
Az. We have 11 collegiate official’s
among our 77 umpires. The approach
is simple, be on time, know the rules
and be approachable. Greg Lovette and
his entire roster have proven that this
formula does make us Simply the Best.
In closing I will share the most definitive compliment we have received in
regard to our official’s. As Jim Henry, a
well respected Coach in Arizona made
his way out after a tough loss on a late
Sunday afternoon he said to me and I
quote, “ great tourney, great organization and once again your Umpires were
invisible”.
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Global Sports Baseball
2011 Season a huge hit!
by Bob Egr
In 2009, USSSA Baseball introduced
Global Sports Baseball. Global Sports
Baseball was created to serve the
growing needs of regional, affordable
World Series with teams playing 6 or
7 games over a four day event. Global
Sports Baseball host ages 7 through 14
with NIT type qualifiers held throughout
the country. Global Sports World Series
format includes a four game pool play
followed by multiple single elimination
championships.
In just three years, Global Sports
Baseball grew from 10,000 registered
teams in 2009, 12,000 teams in 2010 to
over 14,000 teams in 2011. The Global
Sports World Series grew from just over
500 teams in 2009, 700 teams in 2010 to
932 teams in 2011. With over 900 teams
participating, Global Sports Baseball
is the second largest brand of baseball hosting teams in World Series play
(USSSA is #1).
Global Sports Baseball will continue to
produce quality qualifiers and World
Series in 2012. Global Sports Baseball
plans of introducing more World Series
locations throughout the country where
teams can play in a quality, affordable
regional World Series that has all the
amenities.
2011 10U Red Champions - Mac-n-Seitz Indians
2011 12U Red Champions - Mid Mo Express
Thanks for playing
Global Sports Baseball!
2011 14U Red Champions - Des Moines Oaks
76 USSSA TODAY
8U
7/13/2011 - Des Moines, IA
Red: IA - Inner City All-Stars
White: IA -Ankeny Warhawks
9U
6/29/2011 - Greensboro, NC
Red: NC - Carolina Havoc
7/6/2011 - Gulf Shores, AL
Red: TX -T.H.A. STIX
White: AL - Bandits Baseball
Blue: GA - Hopewell Hawks
Red: AR -Arkansas EXPRESS
White: AL - Dirtbags
Blue: LA -Ascension Angels
Red: AR - Cabot Storm
7/20/2011 - Charleston, SC
Red: SC - Carolina Stars
White: GA - Bambinos Baseball
Blue: SC - Carolina Sluggers
10U
Red: AL - Viper Baseball Academy
White: LA -Acadiana Elite
Blue: OH - Columbus Sharks
Red: AL - Dirtbags
White: AL -Auburn Slammers
Blue: LA -Ascension Astros
7/13/2011 - League City, TX
Red: TX - SLLL All Out
White: TX -Team Mizuno Houston
Red: NC - Charlotte Hurricanes
White: SC - Carolina Magic
Red: MS - Bomber Baseball
White: GA - Chain Baseball
Blue: SC - Greenville Joes
Green: GA - Macon Cardinals
12U
6/29/2011 - Liberty, MO
Red: KS - Mac-n-Seitz Indians
White: KS - KC Barnstormers
Blue: MO - Northland Royals
Red: NC - Panther Baseball Club
Red: NC - Carolina Grasshoppers
7/6/2011 - Cedar Hill, TX
Red: AR - Maumelle Bulldogs
Red: LA - Louisiana Legends
White: MS - Oak Grove Eagles
Blue: LA - Beast Baseball
7/6/2011 - Tulsa, OK
Red: AR - Springdale Wild Dawgs
White: OK -Tulsa Tide Blue
Red: TX -Texas Colt .45’s
White: TX - Dynasty Black
Blue: TN -TN Mudhens
Red: KS - Mac n Seitz Indians
White: IA - Quad City Heatl
Blue: IA - Rockies
Green: IA - Eastside Sox
7/6/2011 - Tulsa, OK
Red: OK - Oklahoma Royals
White: AR -Arkansas Dragons
Blue: AR -Arkansas Outlaws
Red: MO - Mid-MO Express
White: IA - Rams Baseball Club
Blue: IA - Closers
7/20/2011 -Ypsilanti, MI
Red: MI - Diamonds Drive
Red: MS - Mississippi Stixx
White: LA - Gorilla Axle
Blue: LA - Cubs Baseball
Red: AL - G Force
White: LA -Louisiana Prospects
Blue: LA -Ascension Orioles
Red: GA - Savannah Bulldogs
White: NC - Carolina Baseball
Red: GA - Chain Dirt Dawgs
White: SC - Charleston Braves
Blue: GA - Georgia Thunder
7/20/2011 - Hyland Hills, CO
Red: CO - 10U Armour
White: NE - Omaha Cardinals
Red: TN - Fultz Prospects
White: TN - East Tenn Select
Blue: AL - Birmingham Legends
11U
6/29/2011 - Branson, MO
Red: MO - Southwest Rawhide
White: TX - Georgetown Tornados
Blue: MO - Cape County Cherokees
Red: MS - Mississippi Pirates
Red: LA - Louisiana Bounty Hunters
White: LA - Padres - Blue
Blue: TX - GTB Demolition
Green: TX -TX Swagger
7/27/2011 - Cypress Mounds, LA
Red: LA -Tsunami Baseball
White: LA -Ascension Orioles
Blue: LA - Covington Angels
13U
6/29/2011 - Knoxville, TN
Red: TN - Naturals Gold
6/29/2011 - Kansas City, MO
Red: MO - Mac-N-Seitz Red Sox
White: KS - Mac-N-Seitz Indians
Blue: MO - KC Blues
Green: MO - Kansas City Kings
Red: GA - East Cobb Braves
White: LA - Louisiana Blast
Blue: LA - Southern Sluggers
7/13/2011 - Southhaven, MS
Red: AR -TAMA Travelers
White: AR - Rogers RedHawks
Red: OK -Team Combat R
White: TX -Texas Razorbacks
Blue: LA -Team Louisiana
7/13/2011 - League City, TX
Red: TX -Texas Hurricanes
White: TX - BPT Hurricanes
Blue: LA -Traction Black
7/20/2011 - Littleton, CO
Red: AZ -AZ Buzztails
White: CO - Slammers Pink
Blue: OK - Orioles Baseball
Red: GA - MGBA Braves
White: TX -Texas Hurricanes
Blue: LA - Westbank Ripp
Green: AL - Gordo Greenwave
Red: FL - Maverick Baseball
White: SC - Diamond Devils
7/20/2011 -Ypsilanti, MI
Red: MI - Brighton Bulldogs Black
7/20/2011 - Council Bluffs, IA
Red: IA - Quad City Redbirds
White: KS - Capital City Elite
7/27/2011 - Cypress Mounds, LA
Red: LA - Renegade Baseball
14U
6/29/2011 - Kansas City, MO
Red: IL - Quad City Hitmen
White: KS - Kansas Storm
Red: NC - Cubas Baseball
Red: LA - Louisiana Titans
White: GA - First Strike Legends
Blue: LA -Traction Baseball
Red: IA - Des Moines Oaks
White: NE -Tagge Rutherford
Red: AR - Fayetteville Cardinals
White: TX -Texarkana Indians
Red: MS - Diamond Dogs
Red: NC - Carolina Mustangs
White: SC - Palmetto Phillies
7/20/2011 - Lakewood, CO
Red: LA - Marucci Sports
White: MO - KC Astros
USSSA TODAY 77
USSSA National Team
The USSSA National Team, though the youngest by far at Prague Baseball Week, was the most talented. Arriving
in Prague with an abundance of arms, skilled hitters, and quality defensive players made the older European
National Teams uneasy at the thought of playing this “Amateur” team. The fact that USSSA was not in the least
bit intimidated made it even tougher. Throughout the event one thing became clear, USSSA had the most
prolific offense, hardest throwers, fastest base runners, and most explosive players.
USSSA finished Prague Baseball Week with a 3-3 record. They defeated the collegiate AIST baseball team, the
French National Team, and the Czech Republic 18u National Team. Their losses came by the hands of UCLA, the
Czech National Team (older team that participates in the World Baseball Classic), and AIST in what would be the
semi-final game. In the end, the lack of experience became too much to overcome against teams that were used
to playing along side each other and who were years older.
The buzz around Eagle Praha Stadium wasn’t about the Czech National Team preparing for the World Baseball
Classic, or about UCLA having eight year big leaguer Garrett Atkins playing first base, rather it was about the
talented USSSA National Team. From Donald DeWees flying around the baseball field, to Wyatt Mathieson
leading the tournament in homeruns, to Bryant Hodge and Matt Ferreira lighting up the radar gun, people took
notice.
The other National Teams wanted to know if this is how baseball was in the United States. Do all players have the
ability of LJ Newman and Chris Elander? Do all pitchers have the curveball of Thomas Olsen and the fastball of
Jacob Milliman? Do juniors in high school throw as hard as Nicholas Lawrence? Are all second baseman as smooth
as Trey Rodriguez? The questions kept coming: Do all players run as fast as Jorge Montes and play the outfield as
well as Cody Sharp? Is it normal to throw from multiple arm angles like Alex Juday? Do all first baseman have the
ability to use the whole field like John Batchelor and Jacob Hornbacher? Do all pitchers create the downhill angle
of Lucas Schiraldi and have the secondary stuff of Zach Brown? Do all hitters have the bat speed of Joe Wabick?
Whoever was in the game that day, people were amazed by the level of such young players.
The USSSA National Team consisted of DI signees, top junior college commitments, and a few undecideds. One
thing is for sure, wherever these players end up they will be having the same impact as they had at Prague
Baseball Week. It was truly a very talented group, but on top of that were quality individuals. It was a group of
player’s that did everything that was asked of them, that played as hard as they could on the field, and that
represented their country before they tried to represent themselves. This was one of the most remarkable
experiences that I have ever been a part of and cannot explain my gratitude to USSSA and the player’s on this
team for allowing me to be a part of it. I can only hope that next years 17u USSSA National Team is the same
types of players, but more importantly people, as this year’s team.
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USSSA National Teams Both Take Gold
The chance to represent your country in international competition, the opportunity to see baseball on a global
level, and the experience of playing baseball with players from around the United States, that is what the USSSA
Gold Medal Games are all about. With representatives from Peru, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Great Britain, France,
Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the 2011 USSSA Gold Medal Games was extremely diverse.
Young men between the ages of fifteen and eighteen years old gathered in Kissimmee, FL from July 9th – July
16th with one goal in mind: Winning Gold and proving to be the world’s best. One would be lying if they said
when they walked into Osceola County Stadium in mid July and saw the different countries represented that they
weren’t a little blown away. It was like a gathering of countries, each with their own unique style of play. Would
the swagger of Venezuela or Puerto Rico prove to be too much to handle for the United States? Would European
baseball put themselves on the map and knock off the United States in their own game?
The 15u USSSA National Team, which was led by thirteen year big leaguer Luis Alicea, was stacked with talent
from top to bottom. Powerful arms such as Matt Ruppenthal, Ryder Ryan, Dylan Williams, Chad Donato, and
Tristan Fields blew away the competition all week long. Nick Vespi, Hunter Tackett, and David Vaccaro led the
offensive charge and allowed Team USSSA to finish pool play with a perfect 4-0 record.
The only speed bump for the 15u National Team came against Team Mexico in the second game of the
Championship Round. USSSA suffered their first defeat in a 4-3 loss and made the road to a championship a lot
more difficult. Luckily for them it was a double elimination tournament and they were able to defeat Canada
8-4 in the semifinals before knocking out Mexico twice in the finals.
The 18u USSSA National Team was led by another thirteen year big leaguer Walt Weiss. Just like the 15u National
Team, the 18u National Team finished pool play with a perfect record by going 3-0. They too suffered their first
and only loss in the second game of the championship round by losing to a very talented Puerto Rico team 7-4.
In order to win the Championship, the 18u USSSA National Team would have to win three games in the hot Florida
heat on the final day of the event. They did just that beating France in the semifinals and then Puerto Rico in the
championship.
The 2011 USSSA Gold Medal Games was an outstanding event for both USSSA Teams. Both teams were able to
overcome the odds and win three consecutive games on the final day of the event in order to be crowned
champions.
USSSA Jr. Midwest Games
*Powered by ABR
The inaugural USSSA Jr. Midwest Games took place at beautiful Waukegan SportsPark (Waukegan, IL) on August
12th-14th, 2011. The event brought together elite all-star state teams at the 9u, 10u, 11u, and 112u level from Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Over 270 players participated with 101 travel baseball organizations
represented. The event kicked off with the ABR Skills Competitions on Friday night. Players had the option to
participate in one of the following: Fastest Runner, Pitching Velocity, Outfield Accuracy, and Home Run Derby.
With five states represented, each team played each other state once in a round
robin format. The teams were put together in different ways. Players were
invited to attend based on how they fared in camps and tournaments. The
coaches were selected by each state’s respective USSSA Director. The directors
and coaches worked together in rounding up the top players in their state. It
was clear from the very beginning that the Midwest’s top players were at the
event: the catchers were shutting down the run game and tough defensive plays
were handled routinely.
The atmosphere at the park was extraordinary. Although the parents and fans
from each team were meeting each other for the first time, they rallied behind
their state, cheering and supporting their team. From the first inning of the first
game to the last out of the event, excitement filled the park.
9u Recap
10u Recap
Team Illinois showed its dominance at the 9u level as
they outscored Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and
Wisconsin by a total of 39 runs.
The story of the 10u event was the offensive display
that Team Indiana put on throughout both games on
Sunday. They exploded for 33 runs in two games.
First Place: Illinois
Second Place: Michigan
Third Place: Indiana
Fourth Place: Iowa
Fifth Place: Wisconsin
First Place: Indiana
Second Place: Illinois
Third Place: Michigan
Fourth Place: Wisconsin
Fifth Place: Iowa
11u Recap
12u Recap
It came down to the final game as Team Illinois and
Team Michigan battled it out for first place. Team
Illinois jumped ahead 9-0 before winning 14-7.
The 12u age division came down to a rain shortened
game that gave Team Iowa a 4-3 victory over Team
Illinois.
Third Place: Wisconsin
Fourth Place: Indiana
Fifth Place: Iowa
Third Place: Wisconsin
Fourth Place: Indiana
Fifth Place: Iowa
For a complete recap please visit www.amateurbaseballreport.com/usssajrmidwestgames.aspx
Medals Won
Team Records
Illinois: 2 Gold, 2 Silver
Michigan: 2 Silver, 2 Bronze
Indiana: 1 Gold, 1 Bronze
Iowa: 1 Gold
Wisconsin: 1 Bronze
Illinois: 13-3
Indiana: 9-7
Michigan: 8-8
Iowa: 6-10
Wisconsin: 4-12
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G A M E
I M P R O V E M E N T
B Y
D E S I G N
If one would have walked up to the Osceola County Stadium on August 11th, it would have been very easy to confuse
what was going on with a Houston Astros game. Kids between the ages of 13 - 17 filled the complex in the
anticipation of the 3rd annual USSSA All-American Games.
The 2011
20 USSSA All-American Games, which is the selection process for the 2012 USSSA National Teams, kicked
off on August 11th with a chance for the participants to showcase their tools in front of college and pro scouts alike
during an evaluated workout. The University of North Florida, The University of Jacksonville, Barry University,
Florida International, Pittsburgh University, William Baptist, and representatives from the San Diego Padres, Seattle
Mariners, Minnesota Twins, and the Texas Rangers all gathered in order to watch the young prospects showcase their
abilities.
Friday, August 12th, marked the first official pitch of the 2011 USSSA All-American Games. All teams, which
Frida
consisted of individual players from around the country, would play four games over the span of three days. The
teams were separated according to age and were led by college coaches and industry leaders. The event rovers, which
included thirteen year big leaguer Luis Alicea and ex Kansas City Royal Jaime Bluma, were very impressed with the
quality baseball players that were in attendance.
“The competition proved to be outstanding and it made it very difficult for the USSSA National Team Selection board,
in choosing the standout players,” explained rovers Alicea and Bluma.
“It’s always exciting to get that kind of talent that was present at the USSSA All-American Games in one place at the
“It
same time. It’s even more exciting to have the privilege of meeting these quality individuals knowing that they will be
representing our country next summer against the world’s best.” – DJ Wabick- ABR National Scouting Director
Osceola County Sports Complex. Home for the Houston
Astros Spring Training and site of the 2011 All-American Games.
First Teamer, Alex Galik, dives back to 1B after a
pick-off attempt.
The Essence of Sport
by Scott Kuhnen
The essence of sport
is not contained in
winning or losing.
The true essence of
sport is contained in
sportsmanship.
As we work our way
through the exciting
summer of 2011, the
major league sports
are confronted with
serious issues of violence at their events.
Fans in team colors have been fighting
both inside and outside major league
stadiums. The level of violence has
become truly dangerous in what should
be considered family entertainment.
Scott Kuhnen, Central
OH State Director
and sportsmanship
proponent
USSSA has recognized the need for an
increase in sportsmanship for several
years now and always encourages its
participants, coaches, sponsors, and fans
to promote an atmosphere and environment for healthy competition and
sportsmanship.
Whether our original adult slow pitch
game or our newer youth sports like
baseball or fast pitch softball, USSSA
believes that the sports we offer are
designed to build character, promote
healthy competition, and allow our
participants to safely participate in fun
activities. The bottom line, frankly, is
safe and wholesome athletic fun.
In each and every edition of USSSA
Today, our readers will find stories
about events which are designed to
help others and promote good sportsmanship. We have tournaments all over
the country which raise funds for cancer
research or other worthy causes. We
have directors and umpires who give
of themselves for the good of the sport
and their customers.
The Winter edition for 2010, for example,
N.E. Division V-P, John Pond, shared with
us the annual PLC (People Like Us, Inc.)
“Compete for a Cure” softball tournament run in Taunton, Massachusetts.
Every Labor Day weekend in Beavercreek,
Ohio, another example is a Habitat for
Humanity fund raiser which has been
helping that outstanding national
charity build and donate houses for the
last five years. Tournament Director,
Terry Folino, who also serves as the Ohio
State Church Director, is as proud of this
event as any other he runs…and he runs
events for both adults and both girls
slow pitch and fast pitch.
Examples can be found in all our sports
and in all our states. They are born from
a desire to contribute and from a deep
belief in sportsmanship and all that it
contributes to our families, our communities, and our respective sports.
As always, we ask for your help. We
need USSSA’s participants to carry the
banner. When it comes to sportsmanship, we want you to do everything you
can to keep all our sports safe, fun, and
about sportsmanship. Please…Be good
sports and lead by example!
Visit your local team dealer store!
USSSA TODAY 85
Disney’s ESPN World Wide Sports Hosts
Elite Baseball World Series
by Matt Trebachon
This year’s Elite Baseball World Series
played at Disney’s ESPN World Wide
Sports, once again did not disappoint!
From the Opening Ceremonies held in
Champions’ Stadium (Spring Training
home of the Atlanta Braves) staring the
one and only Mickey Mouse, to the 664
games played to crown the six single
age division champions…excitement
built with every pitch.
To just qualify for the Elite is a season
long task for most then upon arrival
teams are greeted with 31 opponents,
each as competitive as the next plus
the sometimes harsh Central Florida
elements including the heat and
humidity as well as the rain and lightning delays. Winning the Elite is a
task unlike any in amateur baseball.
Sometimes a little luck helps along
with loads of pitching and line-up deep
hitting. Teams that win the Elite World
Series can truly claim themselves World
Champions at the top level!
Session I (even ages 10U, 12U & 14U)
started play on July 10th and crowned
champions July 16th. The 10U division was won by the Oakley Stingrays
based out of Norwalk, California. The
Rays beat the Georgia Yard Dogs based
of Decatur, Georgia 6-4 in the final. In
route to their championship, Oakley ran
the table finishing a perfect 9-0 on the
week outscoring their opponents 71-25.
The Yard Dogs took the scenic route
to the title game with a second round
loss to the Lightning from Lakeland,
Florida and eventually defeating them
back to back 14-9 & 9-7 to advance. The
Stingrays’ Jonathan Fuentes was named
Tournament MVP and teammate Henry
Galindo was named Most Valuable
Offensive Player. Georgia Yard Dog
Lavictor Lipscomb was awarded Most
Valuable Defensive Player. The Motor
City Hit Dogs and South Florida Stealth
both finished tied for third place.
continued on next page
USSSA TODAY 87
The 12U division was captured by the
Bandits of Georgia defeated Team
Florida 2-1 in the final. The Bandits
played 10-1 baseball for the event
outscoring the field 97-29 while playing
their way through the losers bracket
and beating the MBA Pride twice, 6-5
& 8-7. Team Florida’s lone loss came in
the championship game. Bandits Tucker
Bradley & Chaney Rogers were named
Tournament MVP &Most Valuable
Offensive Player respectfully while
Team Florida’s Ryan Yeager landed Most
Valuable Defensive Player honors. The
East Cobb Astros of Marietta, Georgia
and Oklahoma Rays finished third.
This year’s 14U division saw two new
faces in the championship game to
include eventual winner the Louisiana
Tigers as well as Runner-Up Beaver Valley
of Pennsylvania. The Tigers finished the
week 8-1 knocking off Team Georgia in
the semi-finals before finishing of Beaver
Valley 5-3 in the championship contest.
Beaver Valley completed their second
place campaign knocking off the national
power house East Cobb Astros in the
semis. Louisiana Tiger Lenni Kunert was
Maingate
honored with MVP accolades while team
mates Simon Prevot & Kale Breaux were
honored with Most Valuable Offensive &
Defensive Player awards.
Session II (odd ages 9U, 11U & 13U)
started play on July 31st and awarded
trophies on August 6th. In the 9U division we witnessed Southern California
rivals VSA Vipers and Team Rawlings
battle it out in a 5-4 semi-final clashon
one side of the bracket along with
Midwest rivals Oklahoma Elite and
South Texas Longhorns on the other
side. Ultimately the Vipers held on to
win the 9U title with a 5-2 win over the
Oklahomans in a true nail bitter. VSA
stand out Daylen Reyes was awarded
MVP honors and teammate Brenden
Durfee was honored with the Offensive
Most Valuable Player award.
Team Florida captured the 11U crown
with an 8-7 win over the Banditos
Black of Tomball, Texas. Florida ran
the table with a week long record of
9-0, outscoring the competition 88-21
winning each game by an average
margin of 7.4 runs per game. MVP
honors were awarded to Florida’s
Douglas Nikhazy while the Offensive
Most Valuable Player was awarded to
Darius Diaz (Team Florida). Defensive
Most Valuable Player honors were
awarded to Texas’s Greyson Lembcke.
Third place finishers included the South
Florida Extreme and SoCal Outlaws Elite.
The 13U division was as exciting as
always as VooDoo Baseball of New
Orleans, Louisiana outlasted the East
Cobb Astros of Marietta, Georgia in a
15-9 championship slugfest. VooDoo
eliminated North Carolina’s Greenville
Batting Center in the semis while East
Cobb ended Florida’s Leon Medical
Centers’ run early. VooDoo’s Matthew
Muhleisen was named Tournament
MVP while his fellow VooDooist Connor
Caminita was named Offensive Most
Valuable Player. East Cobb Astro Connell
Boyle claimed Defensive Most Valuable
Player honors.
Qualification for the 2012 Elite World
Series begins next month and the 360+
day countdown to first pitch has already
begun!
Sports Teams…
Welcome to Kissimmee!!!
Best Western Lakeside is a USSSA preferred hotel partner for
sport teams, athletes and fans alike. With an ideal location to
several sporting venues and only 2 miles from ESPN Wide World
of Sports Complex the property is a win with sporting teams!
•
•
•
•
•
3 pools, basketball court, miniature golf and fitness facility
On-site Pizza Hut, Greenhouse Restaurant
Hurricane Sam’s Bar & Grill
Coined laundry facility
Free Coaches room with 10 or more
rooms consumed
• 100% non-smoking rooms
• Visiting fan & family rates
• Free high-speed internet access
Each Best Western hotel is independently owned and operated.
7769 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy. • Kissimmee, Florida 34747
www.bestwestern-maingate.com
For more information or to book your teams call April Trantham at (407) 997-1108 or email [email protected]
88 USSSA TODAY
USSSA Host Inaugural Junior
Golf National Championship
by Robert Boudreaux
Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club,
Celebration, Florida, served as host to
the Inaugural USSSA Junior Golf National
Championship, on the weekend of August
12-14. This magnificent golf course
designed by NBC Golf analyst, Gary Koch,
provided a unique topography, and offered
the USSSA golfers a fantastic and memorable experience. Mystic Dunes’ par 71 was
the perfect fit for the Inaugural USSSA Golf
Championship.
Arnie Burke, Texas; Elks Lodge 287, New
Jersey; Missouri USSSA Golf; North Texas
USSSA; North Texas USSSA Golf; Louisiana
USSSA Golf; Pinnacle Benefits, North
Carolina; Premier Logistics, New Jersey;
Wrap Around Sports, New Jersey; and the
USSSA National Office provided the sponsorship for each participant with souvenir
National Tournament tee shirts, and a
collared, dri-fit National Championship
shirt.
In
Boys
15-18
competition,
Ryan
Desormeaux, Broussard, LA, captured
the National Championship trophy with
a 224 (75-75-74), 54 hole, three day total.
Desormeaux recorded 30 pars and seven
(7) birdies in his quest for the USSSA honor.
David Caulfield, Oldsmar, FL, garnered
second place honors, with a 230 total
(79-76-75). Caulfield’s three days of golf
produced 26 pars, and six (6) birdies. Third
place honors went to Skye Mejia, Lafayette,
LA, who posted a 239 score (78-88-73). Mejia
also claimed the “POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP”
as well, and was awarded the prize (Adidas
golf bag) at the Saturday evening Awards
Banquet at Mystic Dunes Resort. Jordan
Cole’s 89, 80, 77, 246, provided the Gibsland,
LA, resident, a fourth place finish. Cole’s
trek included 25 pars, and seven (7) birdies
In Boys 12-14 action, Jacksonville, Florida
golfer, Michael Mattiace, captured his
first USSSA Championship, with a 215
total (72-74-69). Mattiace’s final round 69,
provided the only sub-par round for the
Championship. Finishing in second place
was Austin Campbell, Lake Charles, LA,
with a 225 (73-80-72) three day total while
Nolan Zikas, Papillion, Nebraska, 79, 81, 79,
239 total was good enough for a third place
finish. Mattiace’s effort recorded 32 pars
(tournament high), and ten (10) birdies,
NATIONALS
David Caulfield,
Jordan Cole,
Skye Mejia, Seated;
Ryan Desormeaux.
Michael Mattiace,
Austin Campbell,
Nolan Zikas.
Alex Welch, Stephen
Sul, Alex Muniz,.
Sydney Bowman
Tiara Carter,
Mackenzie
Gallagher, Emily
McLatchey.
BOYS 15-18
Michael Case
Jordan Cole
Skye Mejia
BOYS 12-14
Jamison Thomassee
Dakota Simon
Matt Andrus
Austin Campbell
Hunter Cooley
BOYS 9-11
Dylan Domingue
Jevon Perry
Jake Outlaw
Sydney Bowman
Derick Pillai
Olivia Hansen
Tiara Carter
Stephen Sul
GIRLS 15-18
Maurer Maher
GIRLS 9-11
Matthew Weber
Jennifer Nguyen
Mackenzie Gallagher Emily McLatchey
Emily Pellerin
Shrayon Thibodeaux
while Campbell managed to record 28 pars, and nine (9) birdies over the 54 hole event.
Zikas also recorded 32 pars for the championship, as well as three (3) birdies.
Campbell’s second place finish also produced an ample amount of points to provide
Campbell with the Boys 12-14 “POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP”. Campbell’s Points Award golf
bag was awarded on Sunday at conclusion of play.
Boys 9-11 play saw Stephen Sul, Jackson, New Jersey, capture the National Championship
with scores of 47, 44, 44, and a 135 score over the 27 hole championship. Sul also captured
the “POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP’ with 7000 points over the Inaugural Season of USSSA Golf.
Alex Muniz, League City, Texas, playing in his first USSSA Golf event, was the nine hole,
continued on next page
USSSA TODAY 89
and eighteen hole leader, only to see his lead diminish on Sunday,
and settled for a second place finish with a 139 total (45-42-52).
Alex Welch, League City, Texas, posted scores of 53, 60, 57, and
a 165 total and a third place finish. Muniz and Welch are best of
friends, traveled to the National Championship together, roomed
together, played together, and left Celebration, Florida, better
friends, than when they arrived.
Sydney Bowman, Ft. Worth, Texas, 102-95-103, 300, captured the
top honors in Girls 15-18. Bowman’s effort over the 54 hole championship included four pars, and one birdie.
Three Floridians provided the competition for the Girls 9-11
Championship, as Mackenzie Gallagher, Deltona, Florida, captured
the top honor with her 157 (56-50-51), 27 hole score.
Boys 15-18:
Boys 12-14:
Boys 9-11:
Tiara Carter, Lake City, Florida, finished her three day efforts with
a 179 score (57-60-62), while Emily McLatchey, Orlando, Florida,
completed the 27 hole competition with a 187 total (59-64-64).
As mentioned above, Saturday evening provided the setting for
the Inaugural Junior Golf Awards Banquet. During festivities,
USSSA CEO Don DeDonatis spoke to the golfers and their families,
and thanked them for their USSSA support, and pledged USSSA’s
continued support to create the premier Junior Golf Tour available.
The Inaugural 2010-2011 Junior Golf Season provided “POINTS
CHAMPIONS” in five different categories. See chart for season
results.
Congratulations to our Points Winners! Top point winners were
awarded an Adidas golf bag, while 2nd thru 5th place finishers
were awarded USSSA leather score card holders.
Girls 15-18:
Girls 9-11:
Skye Mejia, Lafayette, LA.
Dakota Simon, Lafayette, LA
Jordan Cole, Gibsland, LA
Michael Case, Lafayette, LA
Jamison Thomassee, Opelousas, LA
Austin Campbell, Lake Charles, LA
Jevon Perry, Iowa, LA
Dylan Domingue, Lafayette, LA
Hunter Cooley, DeRidder, LA
Matt Andrus, Lafayette, LA
Stephen Sul, Jackson, NJ
Daniel Pillai, Metairie, LA
Kyle Spielman, Dumont, NJ
Jake Outlaw, Baker, LA
Matthew Weber, Scott, LA
Emily Pellerin, New Iberia, LA
Olivia Hansen, Lake Charles, LA
Maurer Maher, Lafayette, LA
Sydney Bowman, Ft. Worth, TX
Jennifer Nguyen
Sarah Elizabeth Smith
Brooke Thibodeaux
Shrayon Thibodeaux, Erath, LA
Mackenzie Gallagher, Deltona, FL
Tiara Carter, Lake City, FL
Emily McLatchey, Orlando, FL
14,400 points
8,800 points
7,700 points
7,400 points
7,100 points
5,600 points
5,200 points
5,000 points
4,500 points
4,300 points
7,000 points
4.200 points
4,100 points
3,555 points
3,300 points
4,700 points
2,700 points
2,500 points
2,400 points
1,400 points
1,400 points
1,400 points
3,300 points
2,400 points
2,300 points
2,200 points
As the Inaugural Season comes to an end, we would like to thank
everyone who made this year a highly successful endeavor, and we
look forward to Season Two!
Cajun Classic Returns to Oakbourne CC
Oakbourne
Country
Club,
Lafayette,
Louisiana, served host to Cajun Classic
Junior Golf Championship, on Tuesday and
Wednesday, August 2-3. This magnificent golf
course served host to the former PGA Cajun
Classic in the 60’s, with the likes of Arnold
Palmer and Jack Nicklaus strolling its fairways.
Unlike those PGA professionals, these aspiring junior golfers were
able to display their talents amidst 100 degree temperatures, and
a difficult set golf course, which tested their developing talents.
Louisiana USSSA and Lafayette Coca Cola served as the official
sponsors for this junior golf outing, and with the help of PGA
Professional, Cliff Wagner, the USSSA conducted another quality
junior golf event, despite triple digit temperatures both days.
In Boys 15-18 competition, Joshua WIlson, Abbeville, Louisiana,
captured his first USSSA Championship with a two day total of
163 (82-81) and outdistanced second place finishers Nick Hollier,
Abbeville, LA, and Dakota Simon, Lafayette, LA, by five (5) strokes.
Wilson recorded 22 pars over the 36 hole event, while Hollier
90 USSSA TODAY
recorded 18 pars, and one birdie, and Simon carding 17 pars and
two birdies.
In Boys 12-14 action, Lafayette, Louisiana golfer, Drew Gonzales,
captured his third USSSA Championship, in as many attempts, with
a 152 total (78-74). Finishing tied for second place were Hunter
Cooley, DeRidder, with a 163 (85-78) two day total and Casey
Miller, Carencro (78-85). Gonzales’ effort included 21 pars and four
birdies during his 36 hole effort. Cooley’s second place tie, marked
back-to-back second place ties for the DeRidder, Louisiana, golfer.
Boys 9-11 action saw Matthew Weber, Scott, post scores of 49-50-99
for his second USSSA win. Weber’s efforts included three pars over
the two days.
Emily Pellerin, New Iberia, 94-95-189, captured the top honors
in Girls 15-18, while Shrayon Thibodeaux, Erath, posted scores of
49-50-99 (18 total holes) and claimed first place in the Girls 9-11
tournament.
The next Louisiana USSSA Golf event will be the Mike Classic,
September 17-18 at The Farm d’Allie, Carencro, Louisiana, and will
be sponsored by District Attorney Mike Harson.
USSSA Governor’s Games
Seated L-R: Jordan Cole, Jesse Hunter Cooley, Austin
Hebert. Standing L-R: Nick
Campbell, Nick Dartez.
Hollier, Matthew Chastain.
Matthew Weber, Jake Outlaw.
Emily Pellerin
Shrayon Thibodeaux
Le Triomphe CC, Broussard, Louisiana,
served as the host for this USSSA Golf Junior
Tour event on the weekend of July 16-17, as
a record 31 golfers participated in the 2011
Governor’s Games Championship.
73 on Sunday provided the low score for the tournament, and his
16 pars, and six birdies provided Jesse with his first trophy win in
USSSA Golf. Third place honors went to Nick Hollier, Abbeville,
79-77-156, while fourth place award was claimed by Matthew
Chastain, Zachary, after he posted a 159 total (83-76).
The Governor’s Office on Physical Fitness,
Cajun Carts, Acadiana Karate, Louisiana
USSSA and Lafayette Coca Cola served as the
official sponsors for this junior golf outing,
and with the help of PGA Professionals,
Craig Perks, Jeff Perry, Matt Berry and John Hargrave, the USSSA
conducted another quality junior golf event, despite rain, and two
lightning delays on Sunday.
In Boys 12-14 action, Lake Charles, Louisiana golfer, Austin
Campbell, captured his second USSSA Championship with a 157
total (80-77). Finishing tied for second place was Hunter Cooley,
DeRidder, with a 158 (80-78) two day total and Nick Dartez, Baton
Rouge (78-80). Campbell’s effort included 20 pars and four birdies
during his 36 hole effort.
In Boys 15-18 competition, Jordan Cole, captured the championship as the Gibsland, Louisiana, competitor posted scores of 76
and 77 (153 total), and then survived a five hole playoff against
Jennings High School golfer, Jesse Hebert (80-73), as Cole eagled
hole number one, in their fifth playoff hole to determine a champion. Cole’s two day total included 18 pars, and six birdies. Hebert’s
Boys 9-11 action saw Matthew Weber, Scott, post scores of 44-4892 for his first USSSA win. Weber’s efforts included seven pars
over the two days. Jake Outlaw, Baker, captured second place
with a 110 total (50-60).
Emily Pellerin, New Iberia, 92-83-175, captured the top honors
in Girls 15-18, while Shrayon Thibodeaux, Erath, posted scores of
52-53-106 (18 total holes) and claimed first place in the Girls 9-11
tournament.
USSSA NJ Junior Golf State Championship
by Kirk Tarabokia
Ronak Patel
Stephen Sul
Vincent Walsh, Ronak Patel, Tate Olson
Eagle Ridge Golf Club was the host of our very first state championship for USSSA Junior Golf New Jersey. Eagle Ridge is a semiprivate club located in Lakewood, New Jersey, that features a spectacular 27-hole Championship Golf Course with generous fairways
and bent grass greens. A natural pinelands look is maintained
throughout the course. The boys played the “Pines” & “Ridge”
portion of the golf course in the tournament.
In boys 15-18 age group newcomer Ronak Patel utilized 17 pars
and 1 birdie to capture the title. The birdie and 10 of his pars came
on the 2nd day of action to pull away from the field. Vincent Walsh
a NJ tour veteran and the 15-18 point leader for 2011 took 2nd
place. Vincent a Pennington, NJ resident played a steady consistent two rounds of golf posting low 80’s for both days. Tate Olson,
another tour newcomer came back from a rough start to finish
third in the state tournament. Tate & Vincent both plan to battle
it out for the new 2012 Season Kick Off tournament in September.
The boys 9-11 group title was captured by future National
Champion Stephen “Straight as an Arrow” Sul. Stephen posted 8
pars in the 18 hole championship to defeat Melchior Lee . Stephen
had a stellar year earning multiple tour victories, the overall point
leader for all NJ golfers, the National point leader for boys 9-11,
and finally the National Championship.
USSSA TODAY 91
A small-town team’s devastation becomes
their path to a dream come true at the
USSSA National Championship
by Kaylen Shimoda
From July 22 to 24, USSSA Soccer hosted a
very successful 2011 National Championship
in Overland Park, Kansas. This event is so
important to USSSA as it represents their
main goal; to bring players, coaches and
families together through the wonderful
game of soccer, and provide an alternative
tournament series for young and aspiring
soccer players to enjoy. The tournament
offers both competitive and recreational
brackets in which teams are given a shot
at the tournament’s national cup.
With weather conditions in the high 70s,
teams came together and played some
high-energy, fun and talented soccer.
The entire weekend ran smoothly and
the USSSA tournament staff provided
many opportunities for the teams to meet
and greet. One of the highlights was
the professional soccer game between
Sporting Kansas City and Toronto. The
inspiring professional match-up instilled
even more excitement and motivation in
each and every team that attended the
game; especially to the Cobra ’96 team
from Joplin, Missouri.
Attending
the
USSSA
Nationals
Tournament meant so much to this small
town squad. Back in May, just as they won
the State President’s Cup in Springfield,
Missouri, there was a tornado that devastated their town and left them shocked
and worried for their friends and family.
With the success of the tournament
moved to the back of their minds, the boys
were caught in what was a whirlwind of
emotions and events. Some of the team
was unable to return home after the
tournament while others were overcome
by the news that some of their family
members went missing during the storm.
Michelle Maggard, the Cobras manager
and wife of the head coach, Lenny
Maggard, was at a complete loss as she
couldn’t find out the status of each team
member until late that evening. “We
had no idea we would come home to the
devastation and traumatic events that
took place,” and she adds, “All of us were
in different vehicles so we were completely
unaware of the safety of our entire team.”
92 USSSA TODAY
It was a scary event which would prove to
bring the team and community together
even more than before.
Spending several hours a day helping to
clean up the community, the boys remained
very positive and supported each other
and their families during this difficult
time. Even after their clean-ups Maggard
said, “The boys wanted to continue practices after the first week, they felt this was
something that could remain constant and
was a positive part of their lives.” While
they would travel to Carthage, MO to
practice even after spending the day in
Joplin cleaning up, all they wanted to do
was play soccer and continue to grow as
a team.
To their pleasant surprise, the Cobras
received an email invitation to the USSSA
National Tournament and there was no
way the boys were going to let this opportunity go. At first, it was sheer excitement until the reality snuck in that they
wouldn’t have enough money to cover the
trip; the tornado left some of the team
members with nothing. This wouldn’t stop
them, though, and the team was determined to do whatever they could to raise
the money and give their team a chance to
attend and compete.
And determined they were! Not only did
the team get to attend the tournament
and the Sporting Kansas City game, they
were given so much support from around
the globe. Their customer service contact,
Preetam Sen, ensured the team’s financial stability and the team was recognized
during half time of the game for their
display of courage and drive during what
seemed like the town’s ultimate devastation. Maggard adds, “Being on that field
and walking past the players seats made
them feel so special, and they all said they
had butterflies! It was a huge moment for
them.” Even after their recognition, Craig
Scriven, VP of USSSA Soccer, had arranged
for the Cobras to be the Honor Guard
and greet the players as they entered
the field for the second half. “Wow, it
was amazing!” said Maggard, and it truly
was a special moment for each and every
player on her team.
After the game, the players were delighted
to get a chance to kick the ball around on
the field. Not only that, Omar Bravo was
walking out who is known for not usually
sticking around to sign autographs or
pictures. Maggard was determined to get
her boys the opportunity to meet him and
to her delight, Bravo graciously agreed to
meet and greet with the team. A once in a
lifetime chance to meet one of their soccer
hero’s, the entire team was smiling from
ear to ear. “This was the highlight of their
trip!’ Maggard exclaimed.
The tournament proved to be some tough
competition but that didn’t get the team’s
spirit down. They had been through so
much prior to attending and to say the
boy’s gave everything they had is an understatement. Their tournament run ended
with a tie and two losses; the team never
gave up and they showed such spirit and
heart through every minute of play and
even off the field. “The Cobras hope to
attend again and plan on being prepared
and hopefully a little more rested and
relaxed next time,” Maggard said, “They
had been through a lot and even though
they were pumped to be there and were in
good shape, many were drained from the
emotional and physical things they were
dealing with back home while training.”
She also explained that soccer was always
something for the boys to look forward
to, “it remained the constant and relaxing
get-away for most of them.”
The Cobras also received donations from
Joel Massey, who is the head of Cleans
for Bare Feet as well as from the USSSA
association and Sporting KC. Cleats for
Bare Feet was created in Kansas City, an
amazing organization in which new and
used soccer equipment such as cleats, balls,
jerseys and shin guards were donated to
give everyone a chance to play soccer.
Their mission is simple, “To collect boys
and girls second-hand soccer cleats and
redistribute them to disadvantage youth
around the world.” The organization’s
slogan is “Building Better Lives through
Youth Soccer,” and that they did as they’re
always striving to make this world a little
bit brighter, one step, and foot, at a time.
As they continue to expand their collection, they continue to help youth around
the world gain the opportunity to play
soccer and be part of a team. Learning
to have fun and come together with a
group of teammates is so important in
the development of every individual and
Cleats for Bare Feet promotes this unity
and harmony among friends, families and
communities around the globe.
A memorable experience at USSSA’s Soccer
National Championship
by Kaylen Shimoda
The annual USSSA Soccer National
Championship tournament was an exciting
opportunity for many different levels of
teams to come together and showcase
their soccer talents. This past July 22-24,
USSSA hosted what is known as a fun and
competitive tournament bringing youth
soccer to a whole new level. It brought
about talent and teams from all over the
country and proved to be an ever-growing
tournament and very successful event.
This tournament was especially important
to the GCYSA Lady Eagles 2000 team who
hadn’t gotten a chance to participate in
a playoff event outside of winning their
South Texas Western District Division 3
Championship. The Lady Eagles coach,
Bob Fallis explains, “The USSSA National
Championships provided the opportunity
to compete against teams from comparable divisions outside South Texas in a
national tournament setting.” As USSSA
provides a tournament setting unlike any
other, they strive on creating something
new and different for teams. With its
various levels of play, there is an option
to play in the recreational or competitive
bracket.
The Lady Eagles were very excited to be
participating in this tournament and the
moment they found out they qualified,
their training and preparation took on a
whole new level. Coach Fallis said the girls
played a strong spring season against select
teams to become more familiar with their
style, size and individual talents. Honing
in on these attributes of opposing teams
as well as their own was a great strategy
in developing the confidence they needed
to compete in a high level tournament.
“Our experience in the league qualified us
for a western district playoff and a state
championship playoff where we gained
valuable tournament experience and our
confident kept on growing,” said Fallis.
With the training part down and their
team chemistry constantly growing, they
had to start fundraising to prepare and
pay off!
Fallis admits that he and his team were
very curious as to what they should expect
and what they would actually see once
they got to the tournament. “We were
curious to see how our style of play would
compare to others. We were playing for
the experience itself,” he said.
get into the tournament. Through selling
t-shirts, car washes, club presentations,
bake sales and small donations, the Lady
Eagles were able to raise $13,000 which
covered a travel allowance and lodging for
the team and their families. The girls took
on an amazing opportunity and were sure
to grasp every bit of it.
Through the summer, they were training
twice a week and participated in numerous
scrimmages including, games against U11
Division II boys state champs and U12 DII
girls western district qualifier team. Fallis
emphasized playing high-level teams,
which would only help his Lady Eagles
grow stronger in a competitive environment. He also prepared them by playing
on artificial turf so the team would get a
feel for any type of field setting.
An exciting decision and opportunity for
the team came when Fallis set-up a meet
and greet with the Texas A&M Chief
Trainer. His expertise came in handy as the
team learned the different precautions
while playing on hot turf, which ended up
being a major aspect of the tournament.
“The temperature of the turf was over 120
degrees so the advice he gave us was priceless,” said Fallis.
“The Overland Park venue was first class
and the USSSA staff was friendly and
professional,” Fallis exclaims. He felt as
though his team had such a great experience and they were presented with a
challenge to fundraise and gain support.
They learned how to prepare both physically and mentally for a competitive and
exciting tournament; hard work really did
Their first game was a bit tense and they
ended up losing; once they loosened up,
their confidence grew and they learned
they could be competitive in the tournament. “When the dust settled, we found
ourselves in a 3-way tie for first place with
two select teams. We ended up having to
take third place as it came down to goal
differential,” said Fallis.
Overall, the team had an amazing experience and had some special memories to
take home. Fallis reminisces on a memorable moment: “The highlight of the tournament came when we defeated an excellent U12 select team in the last 5 minutes
of a great game. The lead flip-flopped
and remained tied for 20 minutes…by the
reaction of our parents and players, you
would have thought we won the world
cup!” Fallis, the Lady Eagles, and their
families can all agree that the tournament
brought about many memories that will
last a lifetime.
“It was the perfect climax for our dream
year and the perfect springboard for our
move into the select divisions. We hope to
qualify and participate again.”
As the tournament welcomed teams from
all over the country, it’s become a major
goal of USSSA to bring together teams
of all levels and give them a chance to
shine. They provided a team MVP after
each game as well as a coaches and players
evening dinner. USSSA Soccer takes pride
in knowing that it has done everything
possible to create a competitive, safe and
fun environment for all who attended and
continues to promote the importance of
soccer at all levels and ages.
USSSA TODAY 93
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CHRIS LARSEN 2009 ASA “A” ALL-AMERICAN
2010 BORDER BATTLE TEAM USA
DEMARINI SIGNATURE PLAYER
The ONE.12 ASA and the GTL
CHRIS LARSEN 2009 USSSA MAJOR ALL-WORLD TEAM
2010 LONG HAUL POWER TOUR CHAMPION
2010 USSSA ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM CHAMPION
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Because Homeruns are Awesome™

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