Softball Reports for 2001

2001 / Gordie Heagle
November 15, 2018

USSSA AA-A NIT Las Vegas, Nevada March 19th, 2001

Pov’s/Walser Chevy/Reebock/TPS rolled through their first AA NIT of their season. Pov’s won their first game by beating Thermco of Massachusetts 25-5 in 4 innings. Pov’s had it’s toughest game when they had to score 7 runs to hold off a very good A team, FRS from Colorado 32-31. In game 3 for Pov’s they played another good A team, Perkins/Watanabe/TPS and scored 20 runs in the top of the first and went on to win a 38-8 game in 3 innings. Pov’s won their final game and the Championship when they defeated a pretty good AA team, Strike Zone/San Antonio Texas 32-14 in 5 innings. As I said in my earlier Softball Report Pov’s is a very strong AA team and will be at the top most of the season.

This is all I have on scores from the tournament. Here is some of the All Tournament team that I have.

From Pov’s/Walser Chevy/Reebock/TPS – Bryson Baker, Wes Cambell, Chaun De Mars, Dan Yochum, Scott Brown and R J Olson. All these guys each hit over .750.

MVP: Todd Volkers was 15-16-7

Pov’s next tournament will be in Harrison, Ohio in the USSSA NIT AA-A. If I get anymore information on the All Tournament or anymore scores from the Vegas tournament I’ll post them on my message board.

The 2001 Season Kicks Off March 16, 2001

It’s been a long winter, but on the eve of the opening NIT of the season in Las Vegas I would like to wish good luck to all teams this year. I would also like to write a little about some of the rule changes for this year. One of the big issues is the homerun rule that has been put in effect in the USSSA for 2001. I believe that this rule at all levels of play is not in the best interest of this game. I would hope that the powers to be will keep a close watch on these homerun rules. I sure hope at the Major level that a pitcher doesn’t get seriously hurt because of this new rule. I know that when the homeruns are used the middle will become a shooting gallery. Yes I have heard people say “well we’ll put the 5th infielder over the middle and that will stop anybody trying to hit through the middle”. I totally disagree with that, and I can guarantee you that hitters who hit the ball as hard as people like Rose, Hall, Helmer, Wallace, Nevitt, Bumgardner, Rickard and a lot of others will not stop hitting the middle just because that 5th infielder is over the middle. Believe me the pitcher is in danger with this homerun rule in effect, especially when these better teams play against
the lesser talented players, who don’t see the ball being hit that hard until they play against the best players in the world. Enough of this subject. I want to commend all of the tournament directors who have taken the initiative to move some of their games on to baseball diamonds, this is a very good move on their part. This is where all Major NIT’s must go. I want to also support and commend Jim Kimmel and the whole NSA staff for being the first association to play on baseball fields using 90′ bases. I guarantee this will be the most exciting andbest played tournament of the season. I hope that other associations will follow the same format for the betterment of Big Time Softball. As I look at the tournaments on the schedule for the 2001 season I see trouble brewing, as a lot of these NIT’s are going to have trouble getting teams. People ask why? I’ll tell you why; “no player or sponsor of any of the A & AA teams likes being embarrassed when they have to play against a Super team and get beaten 50-3 in 3 innings on 300′ fields, and these kind of things happen a lot of times during the course of the year. Yes there are other reasons this happens, and one of the big reasons is small fields and juiced up balls. It doesn’t make sense. I say “Let’s go to the baseball sized fields, let’s move the bases back, and most certainly let’s use the right ball.” I can guarantee you on these big baseball fields and with 90′ bases and the right ball these good A teams and AA teams will be competitive, will play a full game, will come to Major tournaments, won’t be embarrassed and put the game back where it belongs. exciting, great defense, good hitting and only the real homerun hitters who can hit homeruns in any park, including Yellowstone will hit them. Point being made, no more 50-3 games in 3 innings and give the lesser teams a chance at maybe winning a few or at least being able to compete and feeling good about it. Remember this
is only my opinion. I do love this game and I know changes must be made to save “Big Time Softball”. I also know there are other issues that need to be addressed, hopefully during the course of the 2001 season the powers to be will sit down and negotiate the right things to do in all associations, and try to save the greatest game there is.

Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS’s Mini Camp – Winter Haven, Florida – March 12, 2001

I was invited to attend their camp this weekend, and it sure was an enjoyable worthwhile weekend. Travis, Jeff and the rest of the sponsors brought down all the players for a little mini-camp and a chance for all the players to bond, not only in practice, but also socially.

First of all, I would like to say that all of the players came to this camp in great physical condition. Everyone looked like they’ve put in a hard winter in the gym. They worked very hard in their work-outs this weekend, which consisted of a lot of BP. and a lot of infield work, both on 70′ bases and 90′ bases. They also worked out Sat. night at the beautiful Lake Wales High School baseball field. They did a lot of simulated BP with the defense set up for both 70′ & 90′ bases, it was very interesting. It looked to me like most of the boys had been swinging the bat, and some were hitting it extremely well. I’ll go on record now that this team will be a contender to win any given weekend. They will have a very strong offense, and will be as good as anybody on defense. Now for the social end of the weekend, let me tell you it was First Class all the way. On Friday night the team’s management and myself were treated to a dinner that was absolutely great. Saturday night Travis had a cookout barbecue that was catered at his 300 acre ranch for all the management, players and some friends of theirs. The menu consisted of 24 oz. Porterhouse’s and all the fixings from salads to all kind of fancy desserts. I can tell you that these kind of actions can bring friendships, camaraderie, which will help make this team come together. As you know this is a whole new team and they’ll have to all ban together to make this a successful team, and that is the impression I got as I was leaving them all yesterday. I want to especially thank Travis, Laurie, Jeff, and the whole Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS’s softball team for making it possible for me to attend and be a part of their weekend. Good Luck to all of you in the 2001 season, and a special thanks to my roommate, the Grand Old Man of softball, 86 yr. old Carl “Chickie” Selman.

Continuing my team coverage for the 2001 season, this week’s teams are Winzer/Aftershock/Easton and Gasoline Heaven/Worth – March 7, 2001

Beginning with Winzer/Aftersock/Easton this ball club will be a very good AA team this season. They have some very talented players, who have proven they can play at this level. Players like Ray Cowart, Derrick Williams, “big” John Heller, Kenny Hutchison, Ronnie James, Will O’Neal, and Alan Tanner and a host of other talented players, will put this team in contention every weekend. Brad Altimore will be the field boss and has been there before when he was at the helm of SoJern/TPS and led that team through a terrific season. I want to wish Wally, Pete and their whole organization a very successful year.

Now for Gasoline Heaven/Worth, this bunch, year in and year out are always a contender every weekend. With players like Dewey Fussell, Phil Castellano, “big” John Hackenburg, and the new addition of young talented, hard hitting Kris O’Hara should improve this team even more. Rudy has always been the leader of this ball club for many years, and seems to be able to get a lot out of his players. I know Rudy and his players are looking to win that “big one” once again. Maybe with hard play, and a few breaks this team will once again win another National Crown. Good Luck to Rudy, and the whole organization in the upcoming 2001 season.

THE OLD SCOUT’S TOURNAMENT DAYTONA BEACH – February 28, 2001

Aubrey’s/TPS, a very very good A team out of Savannah, Georgia won this tournament going 5-1 in this 7 team, 6 game round robin. They tied with Florida Heat/Nave Plumbing/Joe Blacks/Worth, but won their head to head game with Florida Heat. Aubrey’s has now made it two wins in a row in the winter tournaments. They look to me in fantastic form. They definitely will be contending in the A World’s this year. Young Brian Henderson can flat out play this game hands down. He has tremendous power as he blew out 2 homeruns against the wind and can play some great outfield. Aubrey’s also has a bunch of talented softball players who can play this game, both offensively and defensively. Congratulations to the whole Aubrey’s/TPS squad. Florida Heat is another great A team, and will also be a contender all season long. They have an outstanding offense and defense, and will have a chance to win in the A Worlds. Finishing third in this tournament was a pick-up team consisting of players like Hank Garris, Jason Kendricks, Jeff Wallace, Jeff Hall, Brett Helmer, Dan Houchin, Scott King, Bob Fischer, Bill Eurice, Doug Kissane and Dal Beggs. They just didn’t hit much in their first 3 games. They also played 5 games on the wind blown field. Finishing in fourth was Kar Phone/Sunnyvale/Easton. They had players such as; Larry Carter, Dan Schuck,Andy Purcell, Brad Stiles, Brian King, John Hellar, Derrick Williams, Dennis Rulli along with 3 other good players. Taking the fifth spot was a local team called Team Softball/Daytona. Sixth place went to Becks Beer out of Orlando, and seventh place went to Harrison Sports out of Maryland. I didn’t do any stats for this type of tournament. If any of the teams did do them, feel free to post them. I want to thank all the teams for participating in this experimental tournament. I appreciate all of you for coming here to Daytona Beach. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend, because I certainly did. I’m getting some feedback from the tournament.

TheOldScout.com’s Softball Tournament – Daytona Beach, Florida – February 26, 2001

I have talked about making changes in the great game of slow pitch softball at the Major level for quite awhile. Finally I got a chance to see it become reality in my tournament this weekend. Changes is just what I did. We played on one baseball field that had dimensions of 340′ down the lines, 375′ in the power alleys and 400′ to center. The winds were blowing in off the intercostals all weekend long, which made it very difficult for homeruns. One player said to me, “on this field you’ve got to hit it about 400′ to get it out anywhere”. There were a total of 8 games played on this field for the weekend, and there were a total of 8 homeruns hit. I believe that if the wind had not been blowing, there would of been somewhere in the neighborhood of about 20 homeruns. The ball being used was a .44 core Legend with about 400 compression, which is plenty of ball for that field. There were about 10 balls hit that were right up against the fences, and one that was brought back in by a great catch. I believe that in the right conditions this field is perfect for Big Time Softball. Now let me get into the format we used for experimental ideas to see what changes might be made to help improve the game. First of all I’m going to give you my opinion and will follow up with quotes from some of the players, managers and association reps. As I stated earlier all games were played using 90′ bases, and in some of the games the base runners were allowed to leave the bag when the pitch left the pitcher’s hand. We used that in most of the games. I also put in a rule that allowed the base runners to lead off up to 10 ft. We had a line drawn at each base and used that in some of the games. We also used the 11 men on defense in some of the games. Now in my own opinion of these rules we used, here are some of my thoughts; On the 11 man defense I personally didn’t like it, because I think it took some of the offense out of the game having that extra man out there. On the base runners, I feel either one of the rules used would be effective. As for the 90′ bases, I liked using them. Some of the players obviously didn’t like the extra length to run. I can tell you that if this game does ever go to these formats it will change some of the athletes that play the game today. I believe that the outfielders will have to be very athletic and very fast to compete in playing in these conditions. The game will still have the big catchers, AH’s and first baseman’s, but I can guarantee you that playing on 90′ bases you’ll have to have infielders who have great range, strong arms and who can flat out pick it. What I seen this weekend was some great defensive plays made by infielders and outfielders, lots of double plays, and almost a triple play 5-4-3. Let’s turn to the other ball field used in this tournament. Now that field’s dimensions were 320′ down the line, 345′ to the power alleys and 375′ to center. Now here the wind, if any was blowing out. There were 13 games played on this field. They hit 64 homeruns on this field. Obviously the conditions and the size of the field here made quite a difference. I believe this field was the perfect size field using the 90′ bases and made for better competition. I want to say this too, that two of the best A teams in the country played in this tournament, that being Aubrey’s/TPS and Florida Heat/Nave Plumbing/Joe Blacks/Worth, were both very competitive against the two stronger pick up teams consisting of many of the top players in the world. Taking nothing away from those two A teams. if they had to play the Pierce Construction/Taylor Brother’s team or the KarPhone/Sunnyvale/Easton team on the smaller field it may have been different results. I can tell you this, when they played on the other field those two A teams were competitive and could win on that field. My feelings are, now that I’ve seen these games played in these conditions, I’m more convinced that this would truly give the good AA & A teams a chance to compete and play full games in every tournament they entered, and it doesn’t mean that those AA or A are going to win Nit’s, but I can tell you that playing on these size fields, using longer bases, with the right ball will let these teams compete at the super level and make it a much more interesting game, and when the fans see this game played like this I guarantee we can bring the interest back to this great game we all love. I didn’t like the 3-1 games or the 7-4 games, but that was caused by the wind conditions, and also because a lot of the players obviously have not picked a bat up since the end of last season, which caused a lot of fly ball outs in the big parks. If this tournament had been played in mid-season it would of been unbelievable to watch.

Here are some of the quotes made by some of the players about these formats: I asked Brett Helmer what he thought about the 90′ bases, and this was his comment ” I don’t mind the extra running, but I’m sure it effects some players, but all it tells me is that we all better be in great shape or we won’t be around this game playing these conditions. I also think it sure makes for a better defensive game and for our team this weekend, we just didn’t hit well period.” Brad Stiles’s comments were ” I like this game played in these conditions, I like the 90′ bases and I believe that players like myself, being a base hitter, that this game is perfect for me, so that when I get a hit people like Garris and Wallace can hit the homerun, and that’s how this game should be, base hits and a few homeruns.” I also talked to a few of the fans that were there, and I asked them if they had ever seen Major level softball played, and here was his comment, ” Yes, I have seen it played both on softball complex’s and in stadiums, and I don’t go watch these big guys play on those small fields, it’s way too boring to stand there and watch homerun after homerun. I play senior softball and have played the game for years and I am 62 years old, and with the equipment out there today I can almost still hit it out sometimes. I really enjoyed watching these games this weekend here, especially with those long bases. It was exciting to see some great defensive plays and only a few homeruns.” I asked him if he would come back to watch this kind of ball, and he said in a heartbeat.” I was very pleased with the results of this tournament and I finally got to see the game played in the conditions that I’ve always felt that this game needs to go to. I’m sure there will be pros and cons from the players, and hopefully players, coaches, managers, sponsors and the association people that attended my tournament can and will post their comments and thoughts on my message board or e-mail me.

This tournament, bat challenge, and hitting clinic would not of been possible for me to pull off without the numerous help I received to make it so successful. I would like to thank the following people: City of Daytona Recreation Dept., Hilary for use of their fields, Mike Burton for opening his baseball teams refreshment stand for our use, Glen Walker and Spruce Creek High School for use of the other baseball field, the girls softball booster club for opening up their refreshment stands for our use. Harold Nichols from Louisville Slugger TPS, Mike Cunningham from Worth Sports, Rich Lomas from Easton Sports, Mr. Dan Smith, Mr. Jerry Bachman, Mr. Ed Menosee, Jackie Hayes, Pat Dalsanders, Jim Kimmel from the NSA, Sonny Carmen from ASA, Charlie LaRoche from USSSA, Chet Tyl from ISA, Don Stratton from ISA, and also all the team sponsors. I also want to thank my son-in-law Jeff Wallace, Brett Helmer, Hank Garris and Dan Houchin for taking their time to put on a fantastic hitting clinic for me on Friday. My heartfelt thanks goes out to my good friends here in Daytona, who without them I could of never had done this by myself, and they are Jack Ralston, Glen Walker, Don McMahon, Ray Maraviglia, Ray Cummings, and of course our scorekeeper Sue Heisey and most definitely all my senior players, whom I play senior ball with here in Daytona for their full support of my efforts, both at the batting challenge, the hitting clinic and al the games played. Lastly I want to thank the Comfort Inn Suites for their hospitality to all the teams and reps.and to the Team CD Hospitality Marketing International, Carene Darcy and Del Reitzel for making all the hotel reservations for the teams for me.

This week’s teams are Budweiser/Summerlin/Easton and Maroadi’s Transfer/Frank-n-stein/TPS February 19, 2001

Beginning with Budweiser/Summerlin/Easton, this team looks to be a very strong AA team. Greg has done a good job recruiting to make this team a contender to win at the AA level. As I look over their roster, they have a team of hitters who have proven they can flat out hit the ball. Players like Jeff & Jerold Smith the twin bombers out of Virginia, and Tim Cocco, Shane DuBose, and Bobby Gilbert are veteran hitters who will help this team tremendously. Now add big Bobby Fisher, who had an unbelievable year with Long Haul last year and great fielding, good hitting, Scott King should put this team in the running every weekend. They also have some other good players to help them along. I want to wish this team good luck in the up coming season.

Maroadi’sTransfer/Frank-n-stein/TPS is making the jump from A ball to AA, and who by the way was a very good A team last year, who will have to get some good play out of returning players Tommy Thompson, Dave Dahonas, Mark Mastorovich and veteran Kevin Birkhofer. Joe has made some good choices in picking up veteran pitcher Jim Burbrink, who has played with Hague for years to back up one of the games best USSSA pitchers, Scott Nastally. I also think picking up Scott Holt was a big addition to their offense. Scott has been a proven “big time” hitter for a few years. This ball club also has some other talented players to go along with this bunch I’ve mentioned. I expect this team to be in the hunt all season long. I want to wish them good luck in the upcoming 2001 season.

This week’s teams are Pov’s/Walser Chevy/Reebok/TPS and Reece’s/Roosters/Easton – February 14, 2001

First of all beginning with Pov’s, this should be one of the best AA teams in the country this season. They have without a doubt some of the best players out there this season. As I look at this team they have some veteran players who can flat out play this game, led by one of the Big Time players in the country Todd Volkers, along with veteran players Richie Alioti and Doug Berfeidt, who will be the leaders of this ball club. Then you can add some great young talent in the likes of big Wes Cambell, Alex Laverico, Bryson Baker, Chaun Demars and some other talented players will make this team a contender all season long. I think if this team gets it together and plays hard they have a good chance to capture some AA Championships and will most certainly make it into any of the Super Worlds they choose to qualify in. I want to wish this team good luck in the 2001 season. See you down the road.

Now for Reece’s/Roosters/Easton they will also be an excellent AA team. With the roster I’m looking at they’ll be giving all the AA teams all they want all season long. With experienced players like Rob Schleede, Billy Byrd, Twinkie Jones, Dennis Pierce, Chris Lashley, and veteran David Crawley along with the rest of their good players, I look for this team to be in the hunt every weekend. When you take players like this and put them on the field with a guy like Cobbie Harrison calling the shots, I can’t help but think this ball club will have a great chance of winning some championships and also making it to any of the Super Worlds they choose to get in. This ball club will have strong defense, good hitting, good power and also a very good pitcher in Ricky Jackson. I want to wish this team good luck in the 2001 season. I’ll be seeing you down the road.

Hague/Resmondo/TPS – February 7, 2001

Continuing my 2001 team report, this week’s team is Hague/Resmondo/TPS. Jeff Hague and Travis Resmondo along with John Riccio, Bill Tazaneri and Frank Webb have made the jump from AA to putting together one of the top 3 teams in the country. Jeff Hague with his background, who has fielded some of the best AA teams in this game’s history and has won the USSSA World Series Championship, and the only AA team to have ever won this prestigious event will be a big factor in this teams success in the 2001 season. Travis Resmondo, the young sod man from Lake Wales, Florida will be just as big in his contribution to bringing this team to success. Travis, like Jeff have won in every level that they have sponsored in the past. Now after all the years they have had AA, A, B and C teams they have now reached the Super level. They have put together a team that this reporter thinks will be a contender to win some NIT’s, and a very good chance at capturing one or more of the World titles. This ball club will be managed by a man, Mr. Jim Wessel, who has been to the big dance and has won. Combined with Jeff and Travis along with players like Paul Drilling, who has won many many World Championships and Brett Hightower, who has also won many many championships. When you add players like big Wendell Rickard, one of the great homerun hitters this game has ever had, who has also won many championships, and mix all this together with some great other talented players you’re bound to be knocking at the door every weekend. I think this team will be solid defensively, and very strong offensively. Add hitters like Larry Carter, Randy Kortokrax, Dennis Mendosa, young Paul Brannnon, veterans Howie Krause, Al Davis along with young shortstop, Demond Thomas, slick fielding outfielder, Scott Striebel, and backup pitcher and utility player Jimmy DeVine I see great things coming from this ball team. I want to wish this team the very best for the 2001 season.

Long Haul/Taylor Bros./Shen Corp/TPS – January 31, 2001

I’m continuing my reports on the Super Teams for the 2001 season. This week’s report is on Long Haul/Taylor Bros./Shen Corp/TPS, which is the former Team TPS team. For those of you who are not familiar with the changes made after the 2000 season in both sponsors and players, I will give you the run down. In my opinion in the three years that Team TPS was together there was no better softball team in the game. Over the three years they totally dominated in the NIT’s, and in the World Tournaments they won four of the twelve that they played in. As I have said before, in the baseball stadiums I don’t think anybody can dominate, it’s a different game. As for the changes for 2001, John Daniels from Long Haul Trucking, who was the Class of the AA last year, has come aboard as a sponsor with Bill Taylor from Taylor Brothers and Brent Rhodes from Shen Corps to form their new Super Team. TPS is continuing to sponsor their equipment, along with honoring their contract players. As for player changes they are: Andy Purcell, a pitcher who played with Sunnyvale last year, Jimmy Powers, who played with Sunbelt last year, Brian King, who played with Sunnyvale and veteran pitcher Teddy Larson, formerly with Long Haul are the new additions to their roster. Taking over as manager of this team is Gary Jost, who was the boss of Long Haul/TPS last year, whom I named myself Manager of the Year. Gary will have Big Shoes to fill, as he takes over for Mike Glasscock, who stepped down as manager of this winning team, Team TPS. This team, in my opinion will be as good, if not better than the previous team with their additions. I’m sure they can improve and maybe the best team again. I believe that if the players come ready to play both mentally and physically, and get the same chemistry they had as Team TPS, this team will be able to reach any goals that they set. I can tell you from past experience, that this is a World Class, First Class organization from TPS to the sponsors and the players. This team will be a Class Act. I would like to wish John, Bill, Brent, Gary, TPS and the players a successful, healthy and a great 2001 season.

Tournament Coverage for the Weekend of April 28th – 29th, 2001

The Bowling Green Tournament this past weekend was won by Reece’s/Roosters/Easton, a very good AA team, who is coached by Cobbie Harrison. They were pushed to the ‘if” game by a really good A team, Mercers/K&G Sports/Bike/Miller Limousine/TPS. Getting the third spot in this tournament was T-Shirt Express.

The Flag City Shootout A Division Tournament this past weekend was captured by a really good A team, L&L Painting/TPS. This team maybe too strong in the A’s, but will get a test at the Twitty, as they move up into the upper bracket there, we will see in time. Team Mizuno of Ft. Pierce finished second, and is also a very good A team. Finishing in third was Bank Oil.

The Fairfax, VA tournament this past weekend was another Class A event. Smokes/ABS/TPS were the winners, as they rolled to the Championship. Eagle Group/Buckeye finished second. Third place went to TNT/Power, and fourth place was taken by TJ Lite.

The NSA Class A Waterloo, Iowa Tournament this past weekend was won by T’S13/Nike of Omaha, Nebraska. Second place went to Doc’s/Easton of Minnesota and third place went to Deery Bros./Easton. In fourth place was Iowa Sports, and fifth place went to Sid Grinker/TPS.

Heartland, Michigan was the site for this NSA Class A Tournament this past weekend. Metro Glass was the winner, second place was Creative Stucco/Easton, third place went to DJ/Varsity/Easton, leaving fourth spot to Cobras. The Softball season is Heating up and we are getting some Great Tournaments from all over the country at Every level…

NSA NIT PASADENA, TEXAS – April 21st – 22nd, 2001

The two giants of softball over the last few years have been battling for the #1 ranking in all of softball. Last year these two teams were virtually deadlocked, in this reporter’s eyes as I had ranked them at the end of last season both #1. Well the 2001 season is off and rolling, and Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS has taken off ahead of the pack after winning their first tournament of the season two weeks ago and then came to Texas with one thing in mind, and that was to gain the #1 ranking over all, and that is just what they did. Long Haul rolled through this NSA tournament by run-ruling Dan Smith/Backman/Menosee/Easton twice on the way to the championship. Long Haul won the winners bracket finals by beating Dan Smith 30-8, and then waited for Dan Smith to fight it’s way back through the loser’s bracket, and sure enough the two giants had to get it on again. Long Haul, who played extremely well throughout the tournament was determined to not let Dan Smith get back in and went on to a 34-13 win and the #1 ranking was finally alone at the top belonging to Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS. This tournament with the extreme wind conditions made for some good competitive games. The problem for some of the teams seemed to be not only the wind, but the grueling marathon of having to play 5, with some teams having to play 6 games on Saturday. It sure is a tough grind early in the season. Over all I felt this was a great tournament for it gave everybody a chance to play a lot of games, instead of some of the teams playing only 2 and out. Now let’s turn to the team that finished 3rd. in this great field of teams and that was a very very strong AA team, Budweiser/Summerlin/1-Travel/Master Graphics/Easton. I can tell you that this team is the real thing, being they have a very potent offensive attack and a pretty good defensive team. They have an outstanding young shortstop by the name of Kevin Johnson, another one of a long list of great players from that big old state of Texas. Keep an eye out on this boy, he’s a little green yet, but when he gets some more experience I think he has the chance to be one of the very best. Budweiser who scored the most runs in the tournament helped a little by playing their pool games on a wind blown field and then had to come off the field to play Long Haul and got beat. and then met the #3 team ranked in the country Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS coming up with a big win , sending Hague out of the tournament and earned a shot at reaching the finals, if they could beat Dan Smith in the loser’s bracket final, but came out flat and finished 3rd. Getting the 4th spot in this tournament was a team whom I knew would probably be a pretty good team, but I didn’t know exactly who they had on their roster, because I never received theirs. I do know this, if Sterling Ibrom had anything to do with it I knew he would put together a very good competitive AA team, and that’s exactly what he did with BEP/KCS/JDS/TPS. This team will be in the hunt every weekend they play. Another outstanding team, who I admit I didn’t know all that well, other than the fact that they had one of the great hitters in this game, 50 yr. old Billy Blake and another very good player his son Bubba Blake. I can tell you this, this team has a lot of good players who can play this game and they belong in the Top 15 they’re that good in my eyes. Speaking of Billy Blake in the Hague game, in which Strike Zone/Worth upset the big boys and all Billy did was go 5-5 with 5 hrs. and one big one with 2 outs and down 3 runs in the game was bust one dead through the wind about 350 ft. What an amazing player this man has been. While on this subject of players, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS has picked up the former Georgia University College Baseball Player of the year, Brian Rainwater. and I want to tell you this, that this young man is destined to be a Big Time player when he gains the experience that is needed to play at this level. Believe me he has all the tools , he can hit it, catch it, throw it and boy can he ever run. He will be a good one and will definitely improve this ball team, no question about it.

As usual Mr. Jim Kimmel has stepped up again with the help of Sterling, George and Jamey, owners of the Panther Park, Pasadena Park did a terrific job. The boys are working hard to improve their park and I’m sure they will succeed. I want to thank all of them with their hospitality to me all weekend and wish them good luck in their endeavors. I also want to say to Jim and Eddie what a tremendous job their umpiring staff did in this tournament. They truly are professionals. To all the teams who participated you should be proud to have people like Jim Kimmel putting on these type of tournaments and striving to promote Big Time softball, Great Job by All.

Championship Game
Dan Smith / Easton – 13
Long Haul / TPS – 34

Long Haul Wins NSA Pasadena Texas

All Tournament Team

BEP/KCS/JDS/TPS

Ken Scobee
Jim Tannery

Budweiser/Easton

Tim Cocco
Kevin Johnson

Dan Smith/Easton

Dale Beggs
Dewayne Nevitt
Mark Creson

Long Haul/TPS

Rusty Bumgardner
Mike Shenk
Jeff Wallace
Andy Percell

Home Run Champion – Hank Garris with 17

MVP – John Mello

CONGRATULATIONS LONG HAUL/TAYLOR BROS/SHEN CORP/TPS on winning this NSA NIT.

ASA Super NIT Spring Classic – Kissimmee, Florida – April 9, 2001

Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corps/TPS gets off on the right track as they captured their first tournament of the season. It wasn’t easy as Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS gave them all they could handle. I stated in my report before this tournament that it was small in size, but 30 of the best players in the world were going to compete against each other, and that’s exactly what happened. The two other teams in this round robin and double elimination tournament were Techfire, a very very good B team from central Florida and Sea Dogs another B team from Florida made up this early tournament. This is how it went; in round robin play Hague/Resmondo went 3-0, Long Haul went 2-1, Techfire was 1-2 and Sea Dogs were 0-3. Hague/Resmondo defeated Long Haul 42-35 in their first meeting of the season. Now it was time to start the double elimination of the tournament. Hague/Resmondo beat Techfire, Long Haul defeated Sea Dogs, which brought us to another battle between the two powers. Long Haul wins a low scoring affair as they squeaked by Hague/Resmondo on a grand slam homerun by Mike Shenk in the bottom of the 7th. by the score of 25-22. In the meantime Techfire defeated Sea Dogs, which gave them an 8:00 am Sunday game against Hague/Resmondo, and the winner would get a chance to beat Long Haul two times. Hague/Resmondo did just that as they beat Techfire, and now it was on again Hague and Long Haul in the first game of the finals. Here’s how this one went in their third battle of the weekend. Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corps/TPS came out flying to the tune of 30 big runs in the top of the first, leaving Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS in a deep hole to climb out of. Hague didn’t get off to a good start in the bottom of the first, as they only came up with one run that inning. But things started to change as they rallied back. Hague needed 11 runs to stay alive in the bottom of the 3rd. or they would of been run ruled, but then came up with 18 to keep the game going. Long Haul in the 4th only managed to score 2. Hague then came up with 12 more runs in the bottom of the 4th and the battle was on. Hague could not overcome that 30 run 1st inning, but gave it a gallant try before losing by the final score of 56-44. It was definitely an early tournament and some of the boys weren’t hitting it that good, but I thought the defense on both sides played extremely well. Long Haul is a very good team and will be there most every weekend. Make no mistake about it Hague/Resmondo is a very good team also, and they will be in the hunt every weekend. I’m sure when the three power teams move into Texas in 2 weeks for the NSA NIT, the competition will be at its best, as the

Dan Smith/Backman/Menosee/Easton team makes its debut for the first time in the 2001 season, along with a whole bunch of very competitive AA & A teams to make this a great early season tournament. I’ll be reporting to you all from Texas on the weekend of April 20-22.

Homerun Champion: Wendall Rickard with 20 hrs.

MVP Award: Mike Shenk 24-28-12

First Place: Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corps/TPS (5-1)
Second Place: Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS (5-2)
Third Place: Techfire (2-4)
Fourth Place: Sea Dogs (0-5)

The Rose City Classic Thomasville, Georgia Tournament – April 9, 2001

L&L Painting/TPS sweeps through this very good A tournament by going 5-0 to capture the championship. Believe me this is a very good team. It was very good last year and with the additions of Dwayne Frizzell and Curtis Williams this team will be at the top all season long in the Class A Division. Finishing in 2nd place is another good Florida team, Mizuno/Fort Pierce. Rick Gosser’s bunch can play with any of the A teams, they’re very good. Another Florida team gets the 3rd. place spot, Suncoast/TPS. Lee Trotter and his Smith Barney sponsor has put together a very good A team. Finishing in the 4th spot is another good Florida team WW Gay/TPS. This ball club will be in the running in Class A all season long. Finishing in the 5th spot were the boys from the peach state Aubrey’s/TPS, who are a very good A team and will be there most weekends. Another Florida team, Florida Heat/Nave Plumbing/Joe Blacks/Worth is another very good A team. This team was a little short this weekend due to the death of Scott McDaniel’s father, whom we’re very sorry to hear about and are sending our prayers for him and his family.

Virginia Beach Dudley Open Tournament

First Place: Paramount Builders
Second Place: Ultimate Bat Bag/Worth
Third Place: Buckeye Group
USSSA NIT Cajun Classic Carencro, Louisiana

May 26 -27, 2001 Richmond Round Robin Class “A”

Budweiser/Summerlin/I-Team Travel/Master Graphics/Easton rolled through the 22nd. Annual Cajun Classic to capture a trip to Disney World for the USSSA World Series in September. Make no mistake about it this bunch can flat-out hit it with anybody. Led by MVP, slick fielding outfielder and the leading homerun leader in the nation up to now Scott King, along with the cough drop brothers Jeff and Jerold Smith, who believe me can hit with anybody. Then add Bob Fischer, who came into Sunday’s games hitting under the Mendoza line, but came alive Sunday especially in the Championship game hitting four homeruns, with 12 RBI’s leading the assault in the win over 2nd. place Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS. The Budweiser boys are strong hitting from 1-11, and will score a lot of runs every weekend out. I can tell you, don’t take this team lightly, they are very good. Hague/Resmondo played this tournament without “Big” Wendall Rickard and Larry Carter and could of used those two big bats against those Budweiser boys, but as I reported before this tournament the management of the Hague/Resmondo team had elected to leave them home this weekend because of the new homerun rule being in effect. I earned a lot of respect for Jim Wessel this weekend when he told me before the Championship game that he had made a mistake leaving them home. He said he certainly could of used those two big boys against Budweiser with the 16 homerun rule in effect. Finishing in 3rd. place was a team who had been struggling early in the season, but came into this one and played excellent all weekend long before falling to Hague/Resmondo in the losers bracket final was Mississippi/Worth. I had Mississippi/Worth ranked in the Top 15 early, but slid them out when they were faltering, but I knew they were a much better team than they had been showing, and they definitely proved it this weekend. Getting the 4th spot is a team that I’ve been hearing a lot about lately, but I admit I didn’t know myself how good they might be. Take my word for it this is a very, very good A team, Quick/Advanced Roofing/Nike, another one of those good Texas teams with excellent players. Believe me they will be heard from come National time. I have been attending the Cajun the past few years and most of the time I’ve been at the park from 8:00 in the morning to well past midnight, but this year with 20 teams entered, but softball fans this year I was eating a steak at 9:30 and I’ll tell you the reason why. Robert Boudreaux and his Louisiana USSSA staff had the perfect ball for 300′ fields, a .44 core 350 compression Legend. You had to hit it to get it out, and if you missed it didn’t go. Now as for the new homerun rule, once again I think it was perfect when the A teams played against each other. In my opinion I believe that when the better teams on the 300′ fields play against the A teams we still end up with a lot of run-ruled games. I believe it is not the answer to leveling the playing field, but that’s another story. Congratulations to Robert, his staff and his umpiring crew who did another terrific job in running this tournament.

Congratulations to Budweiser/Summerlin/I -Team Travel/Easton for winning this prestigious tournament.

All Tournament Team:

Quick/Advanced Roofing/Nike: Kirk Swaim, Wade Casey
Mississippi/Worth: Todd Thomas, Shay Cooper, Craig Upton
Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS: Scott Streibel, Albert Davis, Paul Brannon, Randy Kortokrax

Budweiser/Summerlin/I-Team Travel/Master Graphics/Easton: Jeff Smith, Jerold Smith, Shane Dubois, Rusty Hoke, Scott King, Bobby Fischer

MVP: Scott King

Thoroughbred Classic Major ASA Tournament

Gasoline Heaven/Worth had to withstand a loss of the first game of the finals to a very good Mercers/K&G/TPS, another one of those fine A teams in the country. Gasoline Heaven managed to come back in the “if” game and get the win to capture this ASA Major Championship. Mercers/K&G/TPS was the 2nd place finisher in this field of good Major and Class A teams. Finishing in
3rd. place was New Construction, who has been playing very good early in the season. I saw them play earlier in the Twitty, and I can tell you Roger has one of his better teams in a long time.

Congratulations to Gasoline Heaven/Worth for their win.

Choo -Choo Classic Chattanooga, Tennessee

The winner was Lighthouse Baptist, 2nd. place went to RTC/Worth ,and finishing in 3rd. place was J.W. Construction/Mizuno. Congratulations to Lighthouse Baptist on a job well done.

Richmond Round Robin

Paramount Builders/Worth won the A portion of the World’s Largest Tournament in Richmond over the Memorial Day tournament. Paramount/Builders/Worth lost the 1st game of the DE portion of the tournament to Smokes/ABS/TPS 31 – 21. In the first round of the losers bracket, Paramount/Builders/Worth defeated O&S Cattle/Mizuno from Minnesota 35 – 11. BJ Fulk and John Adams lead the charge for Paramount going 5 for 5 each in the victory. The highlight of this game was a 27 run second inning by Paramount Builders/Worth. In the loser’s bracket final, Paramount Builders/Worth beat a scrappy Braddock Motors/Suds Shop from Frederick, Maryland 31 – 16. BJ Fulk and John Dutch went 5 for 5 in the victory. Roy Jarman was 4 for 5 with 2 HR’s. This set-up a rematch with Smokes/ABS/TPS. Smokes had already defeated Paramount twice once in the bracket and in the first round of DE. In a hard fought victory marked by great defensive plays from both teams, Paramount Builders/Worth beat Smokes 21 – 19. Roy Jarman and Tim Smith were 3 for 3 and BJ Fulk, Derek Oliver, Randy Romagna were 3 for 4. Derek Oliver had 2 HR’s. Ken Ezzell was 4 for 4 for Smokes. The final went to Paramount Builders/Worth 16 – 12. Paramount Builders/Worth. Derek Oliver led the charge with 4 hits (2 HR’s) and Roy Jarman and BJ Fulk had 3 hits apiece.

O&S Cattle/Mizuno won the bracket going 6 and 0, Smokes finished second 5 and 1, Paramount Builders/Worth, Braddock Motors/Suds Shop, and Buckeye/Eagle Group finished tied at 3 and 3. Buckeye Eagle Group did not advance losing the tie breaker.

USSSA NIT Kettering, Maryland May 19 – 20, 2001

Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton came out this weekend to get back on track, and that’s exactly what they did. With the new homerun rule in effect for the first time on 300’ fields, with a .40 core Dudley ball, none of the teams were exactly sure what would happen. The Dan Smith boys used good base hitting, combined with using their homeruns allowed when they counted, and had no problems adjusting as they cruised to the Championship. Dan Smith was really not threatened much throughout the tournament and was leading by a bunch going into the bottom of the 7th, and Buckeye/Eagle Group made a run, to get within 6, but came up short, and that was as close as anybody got to Dan Smith all weekend long. Pov’s/Walser Chevy/Reebok/TPS, who came to this tournament looking for their berth were beaten in their first game by Smokes/ABS/TPS. Smokes, who captured the Rock Hill Tournament when Pov’s had to leave to catch their flights, were leading by 17, couldn’t wait for this week’s re-match. Smokes won it on a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the 7th 26-25. The Minnesota boys came charging out of the losers bracket and once again the battle was on between Smokes and Pov’s with the winner getting their trip to Disney. Pov’s came out flying and proceeded to ”smoke” Smokes and get what they wanted, a berth to the USSSA World Series. Make no mistake about it, Smokes is a very good Class A team and will contend for a National title, as well as the very good Pov’s boys in the AA Worlds. Finishing up in fourth place was Viggiani Plumbing out of New Jersey, who had veteran Tommy White playing for them, and as usual Tom had an excellent tournament going 14-16 with 7 bumps. Dan Smith was led by MVP Todd Joerling, and the Defensive player of the tournament and good hitting infielder Dennis Rulli. The Pov;s team was led by Todd Volkers and Richie Aliotti. Volkers, who was injured from sliding into 2nd. base couldn’t play anymore, along with a couple of other players who had also sustained injuries. They couldn’t continue after the first half inning of the Championship game, thus the tournament was over. It was a good weekend for Dan Smith as far as winning, but only playing 3 games with most of the boys only getting 12-14 swings, it certainly wasn’t what they had hoped for I’m sure. Dan Smith quoted “stats aren’t the most important thing, winning is what it’s all about”. As far as the new homerun rule, what I observed watching almost every game of the tournament, is that the rule seems good when the A teams play each other and makes for a pretty competitive game. When the better teams are using the new rule it doesn’t stop them from run-ruleing those good A teams. I was hoping at the end to see Pov’s being able to play against Dan Smith to see how that game would have turned out, but I guess we’ll have to wait for another time. I want to congratulate Bob Holland and his entire staff for a job well done, especially having to deal with all the rain and getting this tournament completed, and also to say what a fine job the umpires did..

All Tournament Team

Viggiani Plumbing: Tom White, David Cutright
Smokes/ABS/TPS: Scott Grant, Steve Helewicz, Keith Roberts
Pov’s/Walser Chevy/Reebok/TPS: Todd Volkers, Richie Aliotti, Bryson Baker, Chaun DeMars
Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton: Jeff Hall, Brett Helmer, Todd Joerling, John McCraw, Dennis Rulli

Offensive Player: Todd “Bucky” Volkers
Defensive Player: Dennis Rulli
Homerun Champion: Alex Lavorico (12)
MVP: Todd Joerling

1. Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton
2. Pov’s/Walser Chevy/Reebok/TPS
3. Smokes/ABS/TPS
4. Viggiani Plumbing

USSSA Berth (Pov’s/TPS)

ASA Super College Station, Texas – May 19 – 20, 2001

Winzer/Aftershock/Easton finally put it together and rolled through this big Texas Tournament. The Winzer boys, who had trouble in their first two tournaments finally clicked on all cylinders on their way to the Championship. In my early season rankings I figured this team to be right up they’re in the top 5 or 6 teams, and maybe now they’re on their way. There’s no question that they have some talented players, and sometimes with new teams it takes awhile to get it going, and it looks like they did that this weekend. It was quite a feat that the former running rebel basketball player from Las Vegas, Derrick Williams put on in the Championship game going 9-9 with 9 dingers. That my friends is” Big Time”, no matter where you do it. Derrick was named MVP, and also led the tournament with 25 homeruns. Budweiser/Summerlin/I-Team Travel/Master Graphics/Easton came in 2nd. In this explosive offensive tournament. Scott King, who also had an excellent tournament with 24 homeruns, led Budweiser. Obviously a bunch of others had excellent offensive tournaments, along with Tim Cocco who was named Defensive player of the tournament. Finishing in third place was Medic-Aide, another one of those good Texas teams, who by the way have some good players that not many people know about. Getting the fourth spot was another Texas team, the Houston Merchants, another decent A team from Texas. There’s no question that the state of Texas has some very good teams and players, that’s for sure. I’m not going to take anything away from any of the teams who participated in this tournament. Greg did a very good job of getting all these teams entered into this tournament. I congratulate Winzer/Aftershock for winning this 22-team tournament, and the rest of the teams for their efforts. As a reporter I have to say as I always do, that this tournament turned out to be an offensive homerun derby because of the 300′ fields and the hard rock balls. I understand that these tournaments have to be played under these conditions that do no justice for the game. These high scoring, 3 hour games are not the answer and certainly do not prove the talent this game really has when being played on baseball fields with 80′ or 90′ bases. I don’t blame Greg, who by the way did a terrific job putting this on, and also did a great job reporting the tournament so that I could keep up with the updates. Hopefully next year Greg will take a look at holding this great tournament on baseball fields and make a better situation for all the teams to compete.

Defensive Player: Tim Cocco
Offensive Player: Derrick Williams
Home Run Champ: Derrick Williams (25)
MVP: Derrick Williams

ISA Sunshine Shootout Mens Class A NIT May 19 – 20, 2001

I’ve been talking and writing a lot about how good the A teams are around the country all season long, and seven of them, plus a AA team showed up at this tournament and the battle was on. The one team I didn’t talk about was Team Mizuno, out of Ft. Pierce, Fla. Yes, Team Mizuno swept through this pool play and single elimination event by going 6-0 to capture the Championship. This is a good team boys. Rick Gosser and Dick Landris have put together some veteran players combined with some good young players to make a strong team. Mizuno was led by one of the top players from Florida and a guy that can play with anybody that has also played at the Big Time before, MVP of this tournament, Roy Eppley. Big Scott Alley also contributed big in this win. Then add one of the top up and coming prospects in the country, Chad Durek. This young man is still learning, but I can tell you he can go get it with the best in the outfield right now. He can hit for average and also can hit it out of any park. I believe he still needs to play at this level for awhile. Finishing in 2nd. place in this tournament was Maroadis/Transfer/Frank-n-stein/TPS. This bunch has played two tournaments this year and hasn’t got it all going yet, but believe me they will. They’re a very good team. Getting the 3rd. spot was another good Florida team, Suncoast/TPS out of Sarasota, Fla. Fourth place went to W.W. Gay/TPS out of Gainesville, Fla. Don Stratton and the ISA staff did another good job putting together this field of eight strong teams. When you can get eight teams like this to play in a tournament it makes for a real competitive tournament. You don’t always need 14 or 16 teams, when some of the teams just can’t compete against the competition.

1. Team Mizuno
2. Maroadi’s/TPS
3. Suncoast/TPS
4. W.W. Gay/TPS

MVP: Roy Eppley

ASA Super “Twitty” Classic May 11 – 13, 2001

Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corps/TPS sweeps through this prestigious tournament by going 4-0 to capture the Championship. Long Haul continues to have a hold on Dan Smith in the early goings, as they have a 4-0 win streak against this powerhouse team. Long Haul has rolled to four consecutive run-ruled games against them. I’m sure that the battles between these two powerhouses will continue when these two and Hague/Resmondo get it on again in the NSA Super in Indianapolis, Indiana the first weekend of June. As for the “Twitty”, it is truly amazing what Dave LeMarbre and the City of Hendersonville have done building that beautiful baseball field at Drake Park. That my friends is a job well done. As you well know by now, I’m a total advocate of playing Big Time softball either in stadiums or on baseball fields with 80′ or 90′ bases and using the right ball. I can tell you the ball field in Hendersonville is as good as it gets for softball. With the dimensions of 320′ down the lines, 345′ in the power alleys ad 370′ to center, using a .44 core. 450 compression was absolutely perfect for this park. As I said before, the main goal to play on baseball fields is to level the field for the good A & AA teams in this country so that they can be competitive and be able to play a full 7 innings. That my friends is just what happened to these good A teams that played in this tournament this weekend. We had three run-ruled games for the tournament. Two of those happened in the Long Haul/Dan Smith games and the other one was the Long Haul/New Construction game. The rest of them were as competitive as you can get. That is what this game needs to do. I want to talk about how a good A or AA team can compete when it plays against the Big Boys on these baseball fields, and that is a team like L&L Painting/TPS. This team twice played against Dan Smith/Easton, and believe me gave them all they wanted before losing. I also can tell you, in talking to Pat, one of the sponsors of L&L Painting, who has been around this game for a long long time had this to say about playing on the baseball fields with 80′ bases; “It sure lets us be competitive playing in these conditions, and we probably would of been back to the hotel room in 3 or 4 innings, if we were on 300′ fields, that’s the difference. This is where all Super tournaments should be played on, baseball fields with longer bases, no doubt about it”. I said earlier in the season when I got the roster from L&L Painting/TPS that this would be a very good team, well I can tell you they are solid and will be a contender to win National Championships in the A or AA, whichever they choose. This team is very good. They played all weekend without two of their best players, one of which is Brian Rainwater who graduated this weekend from the University of Georgia, and the other Will Watson, who got hurt in the 1st game Friday night. I wonder how much better they would of played with these two in the lineup. Make no mistake about it, they are one of the top 8 teams in America. L&L Painting/TPS finished in third place, and getting the 4th spot is another fine AA team, Reece’s/Roosters/Easton, who was also very competitive in their games against the Big Boys. The bottom line this weekend was the Long Haul bunch were just too strong as they came out hitting on all cylinders both offensively and defensively, and now have made it 3 out of 4 wins in the 2001 season. Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton who captured last week’s baseball field tournament at the NIT in Cocoa, came out this weekend and did not play very well for them, but I’m sure they will go home and work hard and get ready to go to Kettering, Maryland this coming weekend and try to get back on track. Make no mistake about it, this team will recover, they have a lot of talent.

I want to thank Dave LeMarbre and his entire staff for their hospitality and a truly great job in running this tremendous tournament. With people like Dave we can keep this great game of “Big Time Softball” going.

Gold Glove Award: John Mello
Homerun Champion: Hank Garris (10)
MVP: Jeff Wallace

Class A “Twitty” Tournament May 11 – 13, 2001

Hooters/Easton out of Kansas came back to Hendersonville, Tenn. after finishing second in last year’s Twitty A Division and captured this year’s title. This team has to step up to the next level and play against stiffer competition. I believe they’re capable of playing against some of the good AA teams and will be very competitive. Finishing 2nd. this weekend was a very good A team, who had to come a long ways through the loser’s bracket to get the runner-up spot, and that was Phonemasters/TPS. Third spot went to Deery Brothers, another fine A team and fourth place went to Sportstar. I want to say it’s great to see the participation of these 38 teams entered in the Twitty A Class. You guys should be proud to be able to go to tournaments like the Twitty and all the other great A tournaments around the country and get to play against all this competition. There’s no question in my mind, that the A Division is unbelievable in how many good teams and how competitive they are.

Good luck to all of you this season.

1. Hooters/Easton
2. Phonemasters/TPS
3. Deery Brothers
4. Sportstar

USSSA NIT Cocoa, Florida May 5 – 7, 2001

Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton captured the title by going 4-0. I want to congratulate Dan Smith on an extremely well played tournament on the biggest field any tournament has played on this year. As you all know I am an advocate of playing on baseball fields. I don’t believe they need to be this big, but all in all this is where Big Time Softball has to be played. I can tell you it was like being at the Word Series as far as the play went. You talk about defense! It was a pleasure to go to an NIT and see the incredible play both from the infielders and outfielders. This is what it’s all about boys. The conditions were very tough to play in the stadiums, with a very strong wind blowing in all weekend long making it very hard on the homerun hitters, of which the leader only had six. That is the way this game should be. If the winds were not blowing in, I believe the leader would probably of not had more than ten homeruns. I was very proud to see the five A teams that precipitated in this event giving a good showing in most of their games. I can tell you that if the A teams in this country played more on the baseball fields they would become more competitive, and I also believe the intimidation factor playing against the Super teams would diminish. As it is right now, they don’t play enough against the better competition to become more competitive. Hopefully the good A & AA teams in the country will enter the tournaments that are being played on the baseball fields. As I was walking around the stadium this weekend, I took the time to ask some of the A players what their thoughts were of playing on baseball fields against these big teams. “When other players talk about how the big teams have nothing but big guys who hit homeruns, don’t have a clue how good defensively these big guys really are. It is amazing how players like Mello, Thomas, Joerling, Davis, Shenk, Rulli, Beggs, Mendoza, King, and Martin can pick it, and the outfield play of players like Striebel, Kendricks, Kissane, Higginbotham, Hightower,Creson, McCraw, Carter, Boone and others, they can flat out play the game.” Another quote ” we don’t see all this great defensive play on 300′ fields because of all the homeruns, there’s no question where the Super NIT’s should be played, definitely on baseball fields.” Another quote from one of the A players was “I sure wish they could move the bases back so I don’t have to have them rockets bouncing off my body, it’s not fun.” Now getting back to the tournament, Dan Smith from the top to the bottom did what it took to win this one. A prime example; not once did I see one of the great homerun hitters in this game try to hit it out. I seen him go back side all weekend long, and that was Carl Rose. From this reporter’s eyes, if you want to win in these big parks you have to do the little things or it isn’t going to happen. That is just what this team did to regain the #1 ranking. Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS also played very good this weekend, as they managed to squeak by the #1 team coming into the tournament, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS two times on route to their 2nd. place finish. Long Haul could only manage a 3rd. place finish in this one. Taking the 4th place spot was one of those fine Fla. A teams, Suncoast/TPS who played extremely well all weekend long. There’s no question in my mind they’re a lot of good A teams in the country this season. It should be interesting when they all get together in the four A Worlds this year. There’s a tremendous rivalry building between Dan Smith and Hague/Resmondo, keep an eye out on these two, as I think it could even build bigger. So far in the early goings Hague/Resmondo has the advantage over Long Haul, as they lead their season series 3 games to 2, and that is another great rivalry building. Take my word for it, these three teams are fairly evenly matched, which will be a battle every time they meet up this season. Boy how nice it would be to see the Top 15-15 teams in the country get it on every weekend somewhere in this great country in a baseball stadium or baseball fields playing this great game. I know this was only an 8 team tournament, but folks the games were running approx. an hour and 20 minutes tops. Not once did they get behind. All the teams were back to the hotels at 5:30 Sat. night and the tournament was over by 2:15pm on Sunday. I can tell you they could of had 14 teams, and this tournament would of still finished early Sat. night and early Sun. There’s no reason for any tournament to be keeping players from missing their flights or to be playing into the wee hours of the morning. All we have to do is move these Super tournaments to the baseball parks and you’ll solve all the problems that arise every weekend. The ball used this weekend was a .47 core Dudley, very highly compressed which turned out to be the right ball for these fields and conditions. If we’re on fields 340′ or less down the lines a .47 core 375 compressed ball is the right ball to use. What happened this weekend in another tournament, of which I’ll be reporting as soon as I get all the facts was pretty simple, a rocket ball on a 300′ softball complex is just not the answer when tournament directors and Association directors use the right balls in the right situations we won’t have 100 runs scored or 3 hour games which is totally ridiculous and doesn’t prove a damn thing about how good a softball team or a player is. All you have to do is the right thing, “Put the game where it belongs, and let the B,C,D & E teams play on the 300″ fields and that will solve all the problems”!

1st. Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton
2nd. Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS
3rd. Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corps/TPS
4th. Suncoast/TPS

Final Game Score

Hague Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS 9
Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton 18

All Tournament Team

From Suncoast TPS – Wayne Busby

From Long Haul/Taylor Bothers/Shen Corp/TPS – Jeff Wallace, Rusty Bumgardner

From Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS – Scott Striebel, Demond Thomas, Howie Krause

From Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton – Brett Helmer, Dewayne Nevitt, Todd Joerling, Dan Shuck

Defensive Player of the Tournament from Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS – Albert Davis

Offensive Player of the Tournament – From Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton Dewayne Nevitt

Home Run Champion — with 6 from Long Haul/Taylor Bros./Shen Corp/TPS – Rusty Bumgardner

The MVP from Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton – Greg Harding

USSSA AA-A NIT Harrison Ohio

Finals Of the Winners Bracket

LDJ/Varsity/Easton 12 Reds/J&J/Fairweather/Worth 6
LDJ/Varsity/Easton 7 Mountain Top 4
LDJ/Varsity/Easton 23 Maroadi’s/TPS 16

Championship Game

LDJ/Varsity/Easton 15 Mountain Top 16
LDJ/Varsity/Easton 13 Mountain Top 12

All Tournament Team from LDJ
Sam Gatto — Chad Trudel

Ron Lukasik —- Randy Windham

Tournament MVP– From LDJ — Pitcher Pat Wayne

1.LDJ/Varsity/Easton
2. Mountain Top/TPS
3. Maroadi/TPS
4. Reds/J&J
5. Freeze Concrete/Nike
6. Creative Stucco/Easton
7. Perkins/TPS
8. Team Ah
9. Mercer/K & G/TPS
10. EMR/Worth
11. Wartrom/Worth
12. Metro Glass/TPS
13. Sleep Tite/Demarini

NSA NIT Rock Hill, S.C. May 6 – 7th, 2001

The fireworks came early in this one, and the final climax ended when the Pov’s boys had to catch their flights back to Minnesota and this tournament came to a hault. Pov’s was leading by 17 when the action stopped. Smoke’s/TPS was declared the winner and thus gets the berth to Ft. Wayne, Ind. for the 2001 World Series. There’s no question that this is the way the rules are written when this type of incident happens. It certainly isn’t any fault of Pov’s that they couldn’t get later flights. I have been told that they had notified the tournament directors. If anybody is at fault, then obviously someone has to take the blame, then it has to be the people in charge. I’m constantly preaching to the people that run these NIT’s that they’ve got to factor in all of the problems that can and will happen before they draw up the tournament. There was no way using two fields that are 300′ and play like 280′ using a very strong ball, playing pool play and single elimination , unless they played to the wee hours of the night could this tournament be completed on time. When the directors of these tournaments on 300′ fields wake up and put the right balls in these tournaments on these band boxes, then maybe the tournaments will run smoothly. Nobody works harder than Jim Kimmel promoting, understanding and total dedication to the teams. Jim cares about the teams, sponsors and the players. Hopefully lessons were learned from this situation and it won’t happen again. It sure is not the first time this has happened. There’s no question that Pov’s should have been able to win this tournament between the lines. Hopefully they will attend more NSA tournaments, because I believe they must be one of the teams in the NSA World Series. Now as for Smoke’s, I knew they had a very good team. I didn’t rank them up early for I wanted to see what they would do against better competition, and they sure proved they can play with the best of the AA, A teams. Smoke’s/TPS beat a very good AA team in Budweiser, and also won against some other very good teams that were in this tournament. I want to congratulate Smokes/ABS/TPS on their win in Rock Hill, no matter how they won it. It certainly wasn’t their fault that Pov’s had to catch their flights. I don’t believe that they should of committed to a 5 inning game either. Congratulations also goes to Gasoline Heaven/Worth who tied for third place in their first tournament of the year. I’m sure they’ll do better in their next outings for they are a very good team. As for Budweiser/Summerlin/I-Travel/Master Graphics/Easton who also tied for third, they didn’t play very well this weekend after coming off a great showing in Texas last weekend. Okay boys this one’s over and some mistakes were made, but believe me the NSA will make sure this doesn’t happen again, and they will continue to do a terrific job in their NIT’s, as they’ve always done in the past. Let’s go on from here looking forward to their next event in Indianapolis. I want to wish all the teams good luck throughout the season.

1. Smokes/ABS/TPS
2. Pov’s/Walser Chevy/Reebok/TPS
3. Gasoline Heaven/Worth – Tied
3.Budweiser/Summerlin/I-Travel/Master Graphics/Easton – Tied

All Tournament team as I have them

Budweiser/Easton

Jerald Smith
Bobby Gilbert

Smokes/TPS

Jimmy Rogers
Bobby Baines
Scott Grant
Dale Sensenig
Randy Roberts

MVP: Jimmy Rogers

ASA Spring Open Maryville, Tenn. May 6 – 7th, 2001

L&L Painting/TPS rolled through this tournament by defeating Reece’s/Roosters/Easton in the championship game. There’s no question how good L&L Painting really is as a team. They can play with any of the AA teams and be very competitive. They have won everything they have played in so far this season. I’m sure they will get a test at the Twitty this coming weekend when they step up with the likes of Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton and Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS. Congratulations to L&L Painting for winning this tournament. Reece’s/Roosters/Easton another fine AA team finised 2nd. in this event. Third place went to New Construction, another good AA team. Fourth place went to Lighthouse Baptist.

MVP: Dewayne Frizzell from L&L Painting/TPS

Tournament Coverage for the Weekend of April 28th – 29th, 2001

The Fairfax, Virginia Tournament this past weekend was another Class A event. Smokes/ABS/TPS were the winners, as they rolled to the Championship. Eagle Group/Buckeye finished second. Third place went to TNT/Power, and fourth place was taken by TJ Lite.

Heartland, Michigan was the site for this NSA Class A Tournament this past weekend. Metro Glass was the winner, second place was Creative Stucco/Easton, third place went to LDJ/Varsity/Easton. leaving fourth spot to Cobras.

NSA NIT PASADENA, TEXAS April 21st – 22nd, 2001

Championship Game
Dan Smith / Easton – 13
Long Haul / TPS – 34

All Tournament Team

BEP/KCS/JDS/TPS

Ken Scobee
Jim Tannery

Budweiser/Easton

Tim Cocco
Kevin Johnson

Dan Smith/Easton

Dale Beggs
Dewayne Nevitt
Mark Creson

Long Haul/TPS

Rusty Bumgardner
Mike Shenk
Jeff Wallace
Andy Purcell

Home Run Champion – Hank Garris with 17

MVP – John Mello

CONGRATULATIONS LONG HAUL/TAYLOR BROS/SHEN CORP/TPS on winning this NSA NIT.

ASA Super NIT Spring Classic – Kissimmee, Florida April 9, 2001

Homerun Champion: Wendall Rickard with 20 hrs.

MVP Award: Mike Shenk 24-28-12

First Place: Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corps/TPS (5-1)
Second Place: Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS (5-2)
Third Place: Techfire (2-4)
Fourth Place: Sea Dogs (0-5)

The Rose City Classic Thomasville, Georgia Tournament April 9, 2001

Virginia Beach Dudley Open Tournament

First Place: Paramount Builders
Second Place: Ultimate Bat Bag/Worth
Third Place: Buckeye Group

My Salute To Some Of The Boys Of Big Time Softball April 2, 2001

As we get ready to open the 2001 Super NIT’s I want to give recognition to some of the players who will not be in the starting line-ups of the Top 5 or 6 teams. Most of these players have been on top teams throughout their career. Here is the list of players, and oh by the way, this would still be a pretty good team, “anybody got any money”? Kenny Carver, David Hood, Rod Hughes, Dwayne Frizzell, how about JC Phelps, one of the great hitters in the game at one time and still could be if he chose too. Tot Powers, what a hitter this guy was and still is, “big” Steve Craven what a season he had last year and most of his career. This guy was and still is one of the best hitters who has played this game and has also played for some pretty good teams and is a real nice guy. Derrick Oliver, Darryl Beeler, one of the great players from the Ritch Superior team. What about Larry Fredieu another Ritch’s player this fellow was one of the great players of all time and can still play. What a tremendous hitter and defensive player throughout his career. Mr. Ron Parnell, a true legend who is also another Ritch’s player; this old boy has been one of the top hitters in the history of this game and has played on some awfully good teams. Mr. Ricky Huggins another legend. When we talk about age and a great player who was a member of the great Howard’s teams in the early days and is still able to play with anybody today, none other than the boy from Panama City, Mr. Curtis Williams, who is truly a legend. Richard Howard told me one time “when he picked up Williams he knew he had a great one”, and boy was he right. This man in this reporter’s eyes was the best two-way player to ever play this game. I know it’s only my opinion, but tell me who was any better. He could hit for average, for power and could flat out go get it in the outfield up the fences, over the fences, and run them down from one side to the other. Mr. Doug Roberson, what a great player he was. This fellow is without a doubt the Babe Ruth of softball, he just was the best homerun hitter this game has ever seen. He could hit it a long way, and he hit a lot of them in his fabulous career, and believe me he can still hit it a long way. When I think about this man, I think about the great song that Sinatra always finished his show with, “I did it my way” from Cleveland, Ohio Mr. Mike Macenko, who was not only a great hitter, but also a great team man and leader of some great teams who won a lot of games, and as I said he did it his way, truly a great legend. As I stated some of these players might get back on some of the top teams, and obviously some won’t, but I’ll sure remember the memories of some of the “Great Players” to ever play this game. I would like to wish good luck to all of them in whatever they do. Before I close, I could not forget the men who won’t be in the 2001 season, but these are the guys that have kept the game going with their sponsorship. Mr. Moe Tackett, who left halfway through last season because of health problems and has been a sponsor for years at all levels. I want to wish him good luck. Wayne Williamson, who has given a lot to this great game for a long time. Wayne has had some tremendous softball teams over the years and has always treated his players First Class, and hopefully will come back to this game, for it’s people like Wayne who have helped make this a great game. This man has been a sponsor for quite awhile at all levels of the game and without a doubt one of the nicest guys I have ever met, both in my hockey career and softball days, Mr. Mike Winkel, a First Class gentleman, who treated his players with utmost respect, and gave everything he had to a winning organization. I hope Mike will come back to this game someday, for God knows we need people like Mike to make this game and keep this game First Class. A special recognition to one of the great sponsors in the history of the game, Woody and Pat Bell who have given their heart and soul to this game. It was a prime example last year when Woody stepped up to the plate to help keep the Easton team afloat so they could finish the 2000 season, First Class Woody and Pat. The game sure misses you both. This man has left, but believe me will not be forgotten. He gave his heart and soul to this game and to his team, Mr. Mike Glascock. Mike, whom this reporter didn’t always agree on things, and I know he felt the same about me, but that’s what made his job and my job great. I will always have the utmost respect for Mike. He was a great motivator, and could always get the best out of his players. He gave 100% all the time and expected 100% from his players, and that’s all you could ask for. I’m sure the umpires won’t miss Mike, but believe me the players will and that’s not taking anything away from Gary Jost, who took over for Mike and is also an excellent manager. Good luck Mike. Well it’s time to head to the first Super NIT in Kissimmee, Florida. It may be a small tournament in size with only four teams, but I know one thing for sure I’m going there and I will see 30 of the best players in the world competing and that my friends is why I spend my money, my time and my efforts because I love Big Time Softball. I close by saying My Friend, My Buddy, My Partner, Jerome Earnest whom I’ve traveled thousands of miles with to see Big Time Softball over the years and I believe is the most knowledgeable person in softball that I’ve ever met, won’t be with me in person, but I can guarantee he will be with me in spirit and in my mind, as I travel the circuit this season. Let’s not forget that our friend passed away on Monday April 9th, one year ago. Say a prayer for him, our friend, our mentor, and the best reporter we have ever had in our softball family. God Bless you Jerome. I will never forget you.

Cincinnati USSSA Major Nit – June 29 – July 1, 2001

Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS rolls through this NIT to make it seven out of eight tournament wins in the 2001 season. This week Long Haul had no one threatening them through out the weekend. The Long Haul Bunch was led by MVP, Robin Higginbotham, who played his usual great defense and hit the ball extremely well. The All Tournament team selections were Todd “Will” Martin, Randell Boone, Rusty Bumgardner and Jimmy Powers. The rest of the Long Haul team contributed to this win. The long Haul Sponsor, Bill Taylor said.” We really played well this weekend in all the games we played.” Manager, Gary Jost told me,” This team is unbelievable, it sure is nice for me to be lucky enough to be able to run this ball club.” “The chemistry on this team along with the talented players is a big contributor to our success and makes it easier running this ball team.” Gary told me that they were playing very good now even though we got four or five banged up players. We will just have to go home and hope the boys can get healthier as, we head to the Smoky Mountain Classic in two weeks. Hague /Resmondo Specialty Tank/TPS finished second and received their berth to the USSSA World Series at Disney World in September. The Hague Boys just couldn’t get it going this weekend against the number one team in the nation. Hague Resmondo the only team on the circuit this season to be able to beat Long Haul couldn’t get it done this time, as they were run ruled in both games this weekend. Finishing in third place was Creative Stucco/Easton from Columbus Ohio who played extremely well as they won games against a very good “A” team, Mountain Top/TPS and an “AA” team, Marodi’s Transfer. The Columbus boys have played well in tournaments that I have seen them play this year and I believe should go to Salem Virginia and Detroit and get enough points to get into the USSSA World Series. They would be a good team for that tournament. Fourth place goes to Mountain Top /TPS, another very good “A” team, who has battled two weekends in a row in USSSA events, and I am sure will make it into the world series and will be another fine team. This Michigan bunch has a lot of talented players, some veterans as well as some young ones, and a very good young shortstop Don DeDonatis Jr. who is an up and coming player who will be playing for one of the big boys in the near future.

I would like to commend Hank Basset for a job well done, running this USSSA NIT event as Tournament Director and to Jim Wessel and his staff at Eggleston Park. The staff at the beautiful Little Fenway Stadium. I can tell you that if any associations would like to run a tournament Eggleston Park is a great place to hold your tournament. Jim has done a great job getting these fields in shape and there is no better place to watch a softball tournament with the beautiful shade trees and great concessions. Jim and his wife are truly two great people and fine hosts.

Thanks For everything

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

From Hague Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS

Randy Kortokrax
Paul Brannon
Robbie Ergle

From Long Haul Trucking/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS

Randall Boone
Todd “Will” Martin
Rusty Bumgardner
Jimmy Powers

Homerun Champion – Hank Garris – 12

Defensive player – Demond Thomas

MVP – Robin Higginbotham

Paramount Builders/Worth Wins Dover Firecracker Softball Classic – June 30 -July 1, 2001

David Allen hit a home run with 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th inning of the championship game to defeat Buckeye’s/Eagle Group/TPS 34 – 18 to win the Dover 4th of July Firecracker USSSA Softball Classic. The home run capped a 19 run inning in which Paramount fought back to take the lead. Paramount Builders/Worth went 6 and 0 to capture the tournament against a very tough field. The tournament field included 20 teams and was held at the beautiful Schutte Park in Dover, Delaware. Weekend temperatures reached into the high 90’s. Buckeye’s/Eagle Group/TPS lead the final 18 – 14 in the 5th inning. The Buckeye’s were threatening to break open the final when Paramount’s short stop Randy Romagna made a diving stop and fed second baseman, David Allen to turn a spectacular double play. Paramount’s left fielder, BJ Fulk then ended the inning with a running over the shoulder catch at the fence to end the inning and keep the Buckeye’s scoreless. Paramount Builders/Worth then scored 19 runs, 15 of those runs coming after 2 outs. BJ Fulk had 3 home runs in the game (2 in the final inning), Travis Matthew’s went 4 for 4 with a home run, and John Adams, Derek Oliver, Roy Jarman, Larry White, and Randy Romagna each had 4 hits in 5 at bats. The leading hitters for Paramount were Travis Matthews .885, Derek Oliver .861, Roy Jarman and Larry White batting .804 each. Derek Oliver lead the team with 15 home runs and BJ Fulk and Randy Romagna each hit 8 home runs.

Buckeye’s/Eagle Group/TPS defeated Gas Heaven/Worth 50 – 30 and 36 – 9 to reach the winner’s bracket final. Paramount Builders/Worth defeated a very tough Vigianni Plumbing 43 – 26. Paramount Builders/Worth Paramount Builders/Worth broke open the game with a 10 run seventh inning. Travis Matthews’ 6 for 6 performance and Randy Romagna’s 3 home runs highlighted the offense for Paramount Builders/Worth.

2001 FIRECRACKER SOFTBALL CLASSIC SCORE SHEET

GOLD FLIGHT PLAYOFFS
1. Paramount Builders/Worth (VA) 4-0
2. Buckeye/Eagle Group/Al’s/TPS (DE) 4-2
3. Gasoline Heaven/Worth (NY) 3-2
4. Vigianni Plumbing (NJ) 2-2
5. Giant Softball (NY) 2-2
5. TNT Power (VA) 2-2
7. Taylor’s (MD) 1-2
7. Team Hertrich (DE) 0-2
9. DWS Outlaws (MD) 0-2
10. Brown Jug (PA) 0-2

SCORES
Giant Softball 40 TNT Power 18
Buckeye/Eagle Group/Al’s/TPS 28 DWS Outlaws 8
Paramount Builders/Worth 33 Taylor’s 18
Vigianni Plumbing 29 Giant Softball 9
Buckeye/Eagle Group/Al’s/TPS 23 Team Hertrich 3
Gasoline Heaven/Worth 29 Brown Jug 12
Taylor’s 7 DWS Outlaws 0
TNT Power 7 Brown Jug 0
Giant Softball 26 Taylor’s 11
TNT Power 27 Team Hertrich 25
Paramount Builders/Worth 43 Vigianni Plumbing 26
Buckeye/Eagle Group/Al’s/TPS 50 Gasoline Heaven/Worth 30
Gasoline Heaven/Worth 34 Giant Softball 32
Paramount Builders/Worth 33 Buckeye/Eagle Group/Al’s/TPS 13
Gasoline Heaven/Worth 21 Vigianni Plumbing 6
Buckeye/Eagle Group/Al’s/TPS 36 Gasoline Heaven/Worth 9
Paramount Builders/Worth 33 Buckeye/Eagle Group/Al’s/TPS 18

This Softball Report Compliments of William Ortiz

Thank You Mr. Ortiz

ASA Super Lexington, Kentucky – June 22 – 24, 2001

Pov’s/Walser Chevy/Reebok/TPS decided very late to enter this tournament knowing two or three of their starting players could not attend this tournament, but off they went and it was well worth it as they captured the Championship and a berth to the ASA Worlds in Sanford, Florida in September. Pov’s rolled through this tournament undefeated with their win over Reece’s/Rooster/Easton, which gave them the title. There’s no question about it that Pov’s is a very strong team. Pov’s was led by “Big Time Player”, MVP choice Todd Volkers, who continues to be one of the best players in the country. Not only does Todd do it every weekend, he also is a tremendous leader that any team would be proud of. Also, everybody else on this great ball team contributes to the high ranking of this ball team. When we talk about the three Super teams, you can add Pov’s and Budweiser who are not far behind. Both of these teams are very very good. Finishing in 2nd. place was Reece’s/Rooster/Easton, who seem to be up and down most of this season. There’s no question that they have some quality players, but they just can’t seem to get it together week in and week out. but who knows maybe down the stretch. Third place went to New Construction, who is another one of those teams who has some good talent, but have yet to get it together week in and week out. The 4th spot goes to Mercers/K&G/TPS, who has played well most of the season, but also seems to fall off a little bit some weekends. I would like to commend Raymond and Dawn for getting this tournament off, and as usual Raymond always does a great job running his tournaments. I would hope that Pov’s would accept this berth, not only in this association, but in all the associations because I totally believe that one of the top 5 teams in the nation should be playing in all four Super World tournaments. It would be a shame if they didn’t.

MVP – Todd Volkers, Pov’s

HR – Todd Volkers, Pov’s (w/15)

Gold Glove – Tony Henry, New Construction

All Tournament

Scott Kirk, Pov’s
Gene Burdick, Pov’s
Dan Yocum, Pov’s
Scott Brown, Pov’s
Brian May, Reece
Chile Chilton, Reece
David Crawley, Reece
David Barnes, New
Rod Hughes, New
Rodney Falls, New
Monty McCory, Mercer
Kenny Slagle, Mercer
plus one apiece for B&C and Berardi’s (don’t have them).

Seattle NSA NIT – June 22 – 24, 2001

Budweiser/Summerlin/I-Team Travel/Master Graphics/Easton comes charging out of the loser’s bracket and wins the title as Champions of this NIT by double dipping Winzer/Aftershock/Easton. Budweiser, who lost the winner’s bracket final 10-7 and proceeded to climb back to the finals and sweep Winzer 16-14 in the “If” game to capture the Championship. Budweiser manager Greg Huchinson was overheard telling one of the umpires “don’t plan on resting long after the loss to Winzer, we’re coming back through this and there will be an “If” game and we’re going to win it”, and that’s exactly what they did. Budweiser was led by MVP Scott King, along with All Tournament selections Shane Dubose, Tim Cocco, Jerold Smith, Chad Sylte and Judson Jackson, along with the other players on this very good Budweiser softball team. Winzer/Aftershock didn’t go away easy after losing the first game of the Championship, as they fell in the “If” game 16-14. They were led by Cliff Wilson, Jason Mc Crae, Ronnie James and John Meyers, but fell short in this one. Getting the third spot in this tournament was Red’s/J&J/Fairweather/Worth, who had just won last weekend at the ASA in Portland, Oregon. Red’s is another very fine team out of the West. They were led by Devon Klaudt and Shane McCullough. I would like to Congratulate Joel and Jim on a fine job running this NSA Nit out in the great state of Washington. It’s good to see that some of the better teams in the country go out west to participate in this tournament. Next year I would expect a larger turnout of teams, especially with this tournament being played on baseball fields and a 300′ complex with 80′ bases. Once again Congratulations to Greg and his softball team and to the rest of the participating teams who played in this NSA NIT. I want to thank Jim Kimmel, who went out of his way to call in the
updates to me this weekend making it possible for me to keep you all up on this tournament.

All Tournament Team:

Red’s/J&J/Fairweather/Worth- Devon Klaudt, Shane McCullough

Winzer/Aftershock/Easton- Cliff Wilson, Jason McCrae, Ronnie James, Jon Meyers

Budweiser/Summerlin/I-Team Travel/Master Graphics/Easton- Tim Cocco, Shane
Dubose, Chad Sylte, Jerold Smith, Judson Jackson

MVP: Scott King from Budweiser/Summerlin/I-Team Travel/Master Graphics/Easton

USSSA NIT Lancaster, California – June 22 – 24, 2001

Quick Roofing/Advanced/Nike captures the Championship and berth to Disney World. I will post more information on this tournament later on when I receive it. Congratulations to the Quick Roofing/Advanced/Nike softball team. This is a very good A team. I’ve seen them play twice this year and they do have a lot of talent.

John Glidewell – MVP (25 – 29, .862 OB, .854 Ave., 12 HRS)

John Glidewell – HR Champion – 12 HR

All Tournament Team:

From Quick Roofing/Advanced/Nike

Frankie Kubenka
Paul Sheppard
Vince Bisbee
Rob Gundry

From Mountain Top

Raith Adair
Chuck Maiorana
Don Sikora
Don DeDonatis, Jr.

Scores of the games were as follow:

1 Mountain Top/TPS 14 over FRS/Easton 8
2 BEP/KCS/JDS/TPS 25 over Sunnyvale Valve& Fitting/Easton 22
3 RPM/TPS 9 over Team Amaya 4
4 Mountain Top/TPS 25 over Quick Roofing/Advanced/Nike 22
5 BEP/KCS/JDS/TPS 15 over RPM/TPS 11
6 Sunnyvale Valve& Fitting/Easton 12 over Team Amaya 5
7 FRS/Easton 15 over RPM/TPS 7
8 Quick Roofing/Advanced/Nike 15 over Sunnyvale Valve& Fitting/Easton 14
9 Mountain Top/TPS 43 over BEP/KCS/JDS/TPS 18
10 Quick Roofing/Advanced/Nike 9 over FRS/Easton 8
11 Quick Roofing/Advanced/Nike 38 over BEP/KCS/JDS/TPS 17
12 Quick Roofing/Advanced/Nike 25 over Mountain Top/TPS 20
13 Quick Roofing/Advanced/Nike 25 over Mountain Top/TPS 21

Final Standings:
1st – Quick Roofing/Advanced/Nike (5-1)
2nd – Mountain Top/TPS (3-2)
3rd – BEP/KCS/JDS/TPS (2-2)
4th – FRS/Easton (1-2)
5th – Sunnyvale Valve& Fitting/Easton (1-2)
5th – RPM/TPS (1-2)
7th – Team Amaya (0-2)

ISA “A” NIT – Louisville Kentucky – June 23 – 24, 2001

1. LDJ/Varsity/Easton — Canton, MI
2. Phonemaster/TPS — St. Louis, MO
3. Snap On/Kluever/Easton– Peoria, IL
4. Southend Sports – Louisville, KY

Round Robin portion:

LDJ/VARSITY/EASTON 29 VS- Southend Sports 5
Snap On/Kluevers/Easton 29 -VS- PhoneMaste/TPS 28
LDJ 39 -VS- Snap On 5
PhoneMaster 42 -VS- Southend 13
Phonemaster 24 -VS- LDJ 23
Snap On 22 -VS- Southend 7

One Game elimination Bracket

LDJ 24 -VS- Southend 9
Phonemaster 32 -VS- Snap On 16

Championship game
LDJ 32 -VS- Phonemaster 12

LDJ/Varsity/Easton – wins the Berth to ISA Mens A World Series.

USSSA Dudley Budweiser NIT – Brooklyn Center, Minnesota – June 15 – 17, 2001

Long Haul/TPS/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS has made it 6 out of 7 as they captured the prestigious Minnesota Dudley Budweiser NIT by double dipping Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton. Softball fans, that is 6 straight run-ruled games Long Haul has played against Dan Smith this season. I want to tell you it wasn’t easy getting to that point of the tournament, as the Long Haul
boys ran into their nemesis Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS early on into the tournament when they lost to the Hague team for the fourth time this year. These are the only four losses that Long Haul has in the 2001 season. Long Haul came flying back through the losers bracket and proceeded to beat Hague/TPS to get back to the finals and on their way to their sixth Championship of the season. Long Haul was led by MVP Hank Garris in a complete team effort, especially pitcher Andy Purcell, who was over looked and should of been named to the All Tournament team and truly a candidate to be the MVP of this tournament. As I said earlier in my Softball Reports, this guy is without a doubt the best pitcher in the game today. Andy started numerous double plays with his great ability to field the ball up the middle throughout the weekend. I talked to Gary Jost, the manager of the Long Haul boys of what he thought about this win, and he said ” this team has a lot of heart, great players, great team chemistry and we never quit no matter what the circumstances. He also stated ” that he would take the blame for the Saturday night game against Hague for not having his team come out swinging and be more aggressive at the plate, instead of trying to hit the ball down, but said he told the boys after to come out and be aggressive in this homerun ruled tournament and do what you have to do, and if we run out of homeruns then so be it”. Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton was playing pretty good as they ran through and captured the winners bracket final game by beating Hague/TPS, but then waited to see who they would play in the finals, and sure enough back came Long Haul and I’m sure it wasn’t the team they wanted to see. In the first game of the Championship Long Haul rolled to a 42-21 win over Dan Smith. Then in the “If” game Dan Smith jumped out to an early 16-3 lead, looking like they were on their way. to winning this tournament, but hold the phone a couple of errors and the bats began to roll for Long Haul as they went on to win the Championship Title and Dan Smith had to settle for second place. Finishing in third place was Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tanks/TPS who played extremely well all weekend in this very tough tournament. POV’s only two losses in the tournament came from Long Haul, as they played them two very good games. Finishing in fourth was POV’s/Walser/Chevy/Reebok/TPS. Once again the Dudley Budweiser NIT ranks at the top of the Softball World, and is without a doubt one of the truly great tournaments this country has. Warren Bellm continues to show why this tournament is considered one of the top tournaments in the country. He has done a magnificent job running this tournament for years, a truly First Class operation from top to bottom. Warren told me “it had done nothing but rain there for two straight weeks”, and the outfields were very wet, but I can tell you that the Parks and Recreation staff of Brooklyn Center should be commended for an unbelievable job in getting these fields ready and making it possible to play this great tournament. The USSSA should be very proud to have State Director, Mr. Gerry Turnberg and Warren Bellm in their organization. These two men are truly softball people who care about the game itself. We definitely could use more dedicated people like them to keep this game at the top level. I want to thank Warren and Gerry for their hospitality to me for inviting me up there to this great tournament, and also thanks to the staff of the Brooklyn Center Parks & Recreation for giving me use of their office all weekend, and like I said before this was truly a “First Class” operation from top to bottom. Congratulations to Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS for their win and to all the teams who participated in the Dudley Budweiser Nit.

MVP Dirk Androff Award – Hank Garris

Defensive Player — Dennis Rulli

Homerun Champ- – Hank Garris (19)

All Tournament Team;

O&S Cattleman — Matt Kelsey

POV’s/TPS — Scott Brown and Bryson Baker

Hague/Resmondo/TPS — Albert Davis, Larry Carter and Robby Ergle

Dan Smith/Easton — Carl Rose, Dan Schuck, Dennis Rulli, DeWayne Nevitt and Brett Helmer

Long Haul/TPS — Mike Shenk, Hank Garris, Rusty Bumgardner, Jeff Wallace, Todd Martin and Jason Kendricks

1. Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS
2. Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton
3. Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS

4. Pov’s/Walser Chevy/Reebok/TPS

ASA Super Cincinnati Shootout – June 15 – 17, 2001

A surprising EMR/Worth came out of the loser’s bracket and double-dipped Reece’s/Rooster/Easton to win the Championship and a berth to the ASA World Series in Sanford, Florida in September. Congratulations EMR/Worth, that’s a “Big Win” for your ball club. Second place goes to Reece’/Roosters/Easton. Taking third place was Freeze a team out of Cincinnati, and fourth place went to Team AH.

1. EMR/Worth
2. Reece’s/Roosters/Easton
3. Freeze
4. Team AH

Pic-O-Dixie Chattanooga, Tennessee

Congratulations to Aubrey’s/TPS for winning the Pic-O-Dixie Tournament this weekend. I don’t have much information on this tournament, but the Pic has always been a good tourney. I do have the order of finish here:

1. Aubreys/TPS
2. Lighthouse Baptist/Select/Mizuno
3. Paramount Builders/Worth
4. Jonesboro/TPS
5. RTC/Worth
5. JW Construction/Mizuno

USSSA Concord California

Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS played it’s 6th NIT of the year, and in none of them have they played better than they did this weekend on the big baseball field at the Pickenington High School, a suburb of Columbus. Both ball diamonds, the high school field and the Junior High School field, were absolutely perfect for this tournament. Long Haul started out Friday night hitting it and never stopped until the end when they captured the Championship by beating Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS in the first game of the Championship 26-19 in a hard fought game. Long Haul/TPS put on an explosive weekend on the baseball fields with the 90′ bases. They were led by MVP Rusty Bumgardner, Hank Garris, Jeff Wallace, Todd Martin, Jason Kendricks, Brian King and the rest of the team, who put on an “Awesome” display of power. Garris led the Tournament with 14 homeruns, and there were a whole bunch of players with a dozen or so. At one time Wallace had 8 consecutive hrs. in a row and then hit a single to snap his homerun streak. Bumgardner hit some long bombs and a lot of base hits to capture the MVP. Long Haul played excellent defense turning numerous double plays to end threats from their opponents. That’s what happens playing on the longer bases. Hague/Resmondo/TPS in their first three games of the tournament, came out slow and did not score very often, as they squeaked by their first three games in the pool play. In their first game of the double elimination they came out flat against a very good Mercers/K&G/TPS and wound up losing, and the marathon was on for Hague. But back they came as they fought their way to the first game of the Championship and surely ran out of gas, as that game was their ninth for the weekend. Hague was led by Howie Krause, who was the Offensive Player of the Tournament, as he went 30-34-11. Quite a weekend for Howie, who is without a doubt one of the best in the game. He does it week in and week out. Getting the third spot in this tournament was a very good ASA Major team, Mercers/K&G/TPS, who played very well all weekend, but were just over matched by the #1 team in the country. This team has some excellent players, whom I believe if they played this kind of competition more often in the baseball field conditions could prove to be a contender and would be able to compete with many of the great teams out there. They have a very good young player who will be headed up the ladder soon after watching him play, and also talking with veteran Monty McCory this weekend. This young man definitely has all the tools to become a Super player, he can hit for average, he can blow it out anywhere in the park believe me, and his greatest asset is he can go get it in centerfield with the best of them, and he’s only 23 yrs. old. His name is Rick Baker, remember that name! Finishing in fourth was a nice A team, Creative Stucco/Easton, who also played very well this weekend. This is another team that needs to play better competition. They also have some very good players. As you all know by now I am an advocate of the game being played on these baseball fields with longer bases. I know 90′ bases is a long way to run for some of the guys out there, but for the best interest of this game at the Major level we need to do just what was done this weekend. What I see is that teams like Mercer’s and Creative Stucco and if some of the other better A & AA teams in the country would play in these conditions. When these good A & AA teams play in tournaments using .47 core balls on 300′ fields and score 40 & 50 runs, it doesn’t prove a thing. Like this weekend, those good A teams were hitting legit .44 core 325 compressed ball, which obviously kept their run production down and only the real homerun hitters were getting their numbers. That is the way this game should be, only the “real” homerun hitters should be hitting homeruns on baseball fields and the rest should be using the whole field for base hitting. When using 80′ or 90′ bases on baseball fields will become more competitive and the more they play the intimidation factor will fade, and those good players on those teams will begin to realize they can also play this game at that level. There are some very good players that play on these A & AA teams, who can play this game both offensively and defensively. Hopefully the other associations will begin to realize at this level we don’t need homerun rules, we just need these good AA & A teams to play in these conditions. If this game goes this way, I feel better things will come for all. I know there are critics who disagree and that’s fine, but if you can play this game there will be no problem playing it on baseball fields. Were there complaints this weekend? Sure there were, mostly from the guys who are not physically in good enough shape to run 90′ bases and that’s understandable. There were a lot of players who can run them, and that is what would happen if this game goes totally to baseball fields. You would have to have players that are in better shape physically to stay at the top level of this game. You will always have the “big Bangers” on every team, whether they can or cannot run, as long as they continue to do their job hitting. I know players at the top level spend a lot of time hitting and taking ground balls, but they’ll have to start working on their legs if this game is to go where it belongs, and that my friends is where it was played this past weekend. I would like to say that when I put the experimental tournament on this past winter in Daytona Beach, Mr. Jim Kimmel took the time and effort to come down and witness this game being played in these conditions. He then took it to his superiors of the NSA and they decided to go ahead and play some NIT’s using these formats. Jeff Hague also took an interest and a look at what Jim & I had talked about and proceeded to get an NSA Nit and boy was that a great move for the NSA in softball. Jeff spent a lot of time and a lot of money putting this tournament on. Believe me boys this stuff doesn’t happen without people like Jeff Hague. I totally commend Jeff and Chic Campbell, the baseball coach at Pickerington High School in getting these fields in tip top shape for this tournament. It was a tremendous job done by Jim, Jeff, Chic and his staff who also did a great job with the concessions, and keeping the fields up all weekend. It was totally a “First Class Tournament” from start to finish ran by “First Class People”. I would like to thank Jim and Jeff for letting me be a part of this ‘Great Event’ and hope to be able to see this continue for years to come.

All Tournament Team:

Reece’s/Roosters/Easton:

Chris Chilton

Creative Stucco/Easton:

Tom Ellis, Tony SharkinsMercer’s/K&G/TPS: Monty
McCrory, Larry Wert, Rick Baker

Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS:

Howie Krause, Larry Carter, Wendall
Rickard, Scott Striebel,Albert Davis

Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS:

Jeff Wallace, Jason Kendricks, Brian
King, Todd Martin

Offensive Player: Howie Krause 30-34-11

Defensive Player: Demond Thomas

Homerun Champion: Hank Garris -14

MVP: Rusty Bumgardner

1. Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS
2. Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS
3. Merser’s/K&G/TPS
4. Creative Stucco/Easton

USSSA NIT Concord, CA – June 8 -10, 2001

Dan Smith Backman Menosse/Easton went to this tournament not only to play but also to receive their 2000 World Championship USSSA rings. They got more than the rings as they captured the championship by beating Budweiser/Summerlin/I-Team Travel/Master Graphics/Easton in the IF game 34-25. Budweiser had beaten Dan Smith in the first game of the finals 24-20 and were leading by 12 runs in the fourth inning of the IF game before losing. Dan Smith was led by MVP Dennis Rulli along with Carl Rose, Brett Helmer, Jeff Hall, John McCraw, DeWayne Nevitt, Mark Creson, Dan Houchin and Greg Cannedy. Dan Smith had to battle to win this one as Budweiser gave them all they wanted. This Bud team is no doubt one of the better teams in the country as they continue to play well and will give any team a battle every time out. They were lead by Scott King, Jerald and Jeff Smith, Shane Duboise and the rest of this great team. Getting the third spot in the tournament is another very good AA team who has been up and down this year but played good enough this weekend to capture the USSSA berth to Disney World in the 2001 USSSA World Series. This bunch also has a lot of good players and I am sure will be in the running more often than not. Congratulations to Winser/Aftershock/Easton for getting their berth. Finishing in fourth place was a pretty good A team from Outwest, RPM/TPS. This ball club always seems to find a way to make it to the Worlds and I see this happening again as I think they will get their berth somewhere down the road. Coach Jackie Hayes of Dan Smith told me that the play of Dennis Rulli, Dan Hutchen and the pitching effort they got from Greg Cannedy was crucial for them in their win. Without it, we would have been beaten said Jackie. As I said earlier, this Budweiser team is for real! Make no mistake about it. You better play your best when you play this team or your going to get beat. They definitely have a lot of talent. Once, again congratulations to Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton for winning this NIT. I will post the All Tournament team as soon as I get it.

All Tournament Team from Dan Smith

Carl Rose

Brett Helmer

Jeff Hall

Johnny McCraw

DeWayne Nevitt

Mark Creson

Dan Houchen

Greg Cannedy

MVP: Dennis Rulli

Paramount Builders/Worth Wins Fairfax ISA NIT – June 10, 2001

Paramount Builders/Worth defeated the 6th ranked Smokes/ABS/TPS team to capture the ISA Men’s A/B NIT held in Fairfax, Virginia. Paramount Builders/Worth overcame a 16 – 0 deficit to go undefeated and capture the crown and $1,000 jackpot. David Allen went 6 for 6 in the final that included a triple to knock in the winning run. Derek Oliver, John Dutch, John Adams, and Tim Smith each had 5 hits in the final.

The final was highlighted by a strange incident with 2 outs in the top of the seventh inning and Paramount Builders/Worth leading by 1 run the lights went out. Both teams returned the next day and on the 2nd pitch Ken Ezzell bounced a ball to David Allen to end the game with Paramount a head 35 – 34.

Paramount Builders/Worth defeated a much improved TNT/Power in the opening round 38 – 27. John Adams and John Dutch each went 6 for 6 with 2 homeruns apiece. Roy Jarman went 5 for 5 with 3 homeruns. Blaine Lee had 5 hits in the loss for TNT. The second round of double elimination pitted Paramount Builders/Worth against Buckeye’s/Eagle Group. Paramount Builders/Worth scored in every inning and defeated Buckeye’s/Eagle Group by the slaughter rule 27 – 12. Larry White went 4 for 4 with a grand slam and John Adams, Derek Oliver, Randy Romagna, Roy Jarman, David Allen, and Travis Matthews had 3 hits each. Smokes/ABS/TPS defeated Taylor’s of Maryland and Wine Trucking to get to the winner’s bracket final with Paramount Builders/Worth. Both teams had played 2 weeks earlier in the finals of the Richmond Round Robin with Paramount Builders/Worth winning two close games to capture the crown.

Smokes jumped out to 11- 0 lead with Scott Grant leading the charge with 2 home runs. Paramount Builders/Worth scored 7 runs in the 3rd and 7 runs in the 4th innings sandwiched around a Smokes scoreless inning to take the lead. Smokes fought back in the 6th inning to cut the lead to 21 – 17 but Paramount scored 11 runs in the top of the 7th to seal a 32 – 17 victory. John Adams had 2 homeruns in the final inning and Derek Oliver and Larry White had 2 hits each in the final inning.

Smokes defeated Buckeye/Eagle Group in the loser’s bracket final to set-up the rematch with Paramount Builders/Worth. Wine Trucking finished fourth and Taylor’s fifth. The leading hitters for Paramount Builders/Worth were John Adams (.913 8 HR’s), Derek Oliver (.840), Larry White (.792), John Dutch (.762), and David Allen (.762).

This Softball report was sent to us compliments of William Oritz

NSA “Classic City” 2001 Major/AA NIT Indianapolis, Indiana – June 2 – 3, 2001

Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS makes it 4 out of 5 in 2001, as they swept through going 7-0 on route to the Championship. Long Haul was led by the whole ball team, as everybody contributed in their run through this event. Andy Purcell, who just may be the best pitcher in the game today with his ability to catch the ball at his position and contribute offensively both on base and power, makes him the complete player. This boy has all the tools. I can tell you that this team and the former Team TPS, who have dominated on 300′ fields for 3 consecutive years just seems to get better and better. every time out. The surprising team of the weekend, Reesce’s/Roosters/Easton, whom I had said in my earlier Softball Reports would be a strong AA team led by Cobbie Harrison, finally put it together and defeated the #2 ranked team in the country, DanSmith/Backman/Menosse/Easton, and then preceded to beat the #5 ranked team in the country Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS. Like a lot of teams, sometimes it takes a while to get it going. Reece’s/Rooster/Easton, who have struggled in their first few outings of the season, came here this weekend and just flat out hit it and caught it to gain their NSA berth in the World Series. Hopefully they will stay on track as they head to Columbus, Ohio this coming weekend for another NSA Nit. Third place went to Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS, who continues to struggle after 5 tournaments, but managed to beat Dan Smith in one of the semi games this weekend. This ball club has some great talent, but just can’t get it together so far, but who knows there’s still a lot of ball left to be played for them. Finishing in fourth spot was also a struggling team Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton. This is another team that is full of talent, but just isn’t getting the job done, as some of the boys continue not to hit up to their ability, especially power-wise.

Once again let me say that Jim Kimmel and the NSA continue to climb to the top of the softball world by running a “First Class” Tournament. Their umpiring staff are not only the best dressed crew in the country, but also have some of the “Top-notch” umpires.. I also want to commend Tim Fishburn and his staff at the Midwest Sports Complex for an unbelievable job getting the fields ready Saturday morning after the all night rainfall. That was a tremendous job done, as Tim and Jim got the games underway to complete this tournament on schedule. My hat goes off to their whole crew.

All Tournament Team:

Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton: Dewayne Nevitt

Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS: Dennis Mendoza, Albert Davis

Reece’s/Roosters/Easton: Jeff Edington, Chris Lashley, David Crawley

Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS: Rusty Bumgardner, Mike McColman, Randell
Boone, Todd “Will” Martin

Defensive Player: Robb Schleede from Reece’s/Roosters/Easton

Offensive Player: Hank Garris

Homerun Champion: Hank Garris (23)

MVP: Andy Purcell

Order of Finish

1. Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS
2. Reece’s/Roosters/Easton
3. Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS
4. Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton
USSSA Nit Shawnee Mission, Kansas

June 2 – 3, 2001

1) Hooters/Easton (wins USSSA Major berth)
2) Doc’s
3) Mississippi/Worth
4) Quick/Advanced/Nike
5T) Maroadi’s
5T) Povs/Walser/TPS
7T) T’s 13
7T) Winzer/Aftershock/Easton
9T) Deery Brothers
9T) Sidewinders

Billy Bowlegs Open – June 2 – 3, 2001

First place went to L&L/Painting/TPS who continues to have a good season. Second Place goes to FRS, whom I don’t know a lot about, but obviously must of played very well. Third Place went to Tommy Currid, a very good A team. The Fourth Place spot went to Team Mizuno, another good Class A team. This is all I have ate this time, but if I receive any more information I’ll report it.

Randy Lewis Benefit Tournament – Sept. 29 & 30th, 2001

This past weekend a benefit Softball Tournament was held at Rumpke Field in Cincinnati for Randy Lewis, a long time softball player who has played for Dave Watanabe for quite a few years. Randy has kidney failure and is on dialysis treatment. Twelve teams entered into this benefit tournament to help raise money for Randy’s treatments and medical costs. They also had an auction to raise more money for the cause. They raised about $10,000 for the event. Jerry Backman donated $5.00 per run for every run scored in the tournament, which came to $1,200. Jerry Backman, who sponsors Bauser’s boys consists of players from K&G and Reece’s/Roosters who won the tournament. They had to beat Perkins/Watanabe in the “if” game. More important than winning was the fact that all the players and fans contributed to this great event, by giving of themselves for Randy’s benefit. These are some of the things that people don’t see when players and sponsors give from their hearts for the great family of softball. I would like to commend all the players and sponsors for putting on this benefit tournament. I was in Cincinnati this past weekend for meetings and was happy I was able to attend the tournament myself. I would like to say this is a part of the game that makes it the greatest amateur sport in the world. Great job boys!!!

USSSA Super World Series Disney World – September 19 – 23, 2001

Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS wins the USSSA title. Three down and one to go, that is what the best team in the nation is talking about. If they succeed they will become the first team to win the Grand Slam on the field, and also become the first to win playing all four World’s in baseball stadiums. Make no mistake this is the most talented team to ever play this great game from top to bottom both offensively and defensively. There has been no better team ever assembled. From the start of the season the management and players had one thing on their mind, and that was to win it all. Let’s take a look at this team that was put together in 1998 with most of the players being together all four seasons with some changes made throughout the run, especially this season. Here’s a list of their over-all accomplishments in their four year existence playing as Team TPS to the present Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS. Thirty five NIT wins, seven World Championships, three NSA’s, one ASA, one ISA and two USSSA’s. Their four year over-all record 293 wins, 54 losses.

Now for this 2001 Championship Long Haul/TPS played great defense all weekend long to hold off all opponents and got enough offense to win this “Showcase of Softball”, the USSSA World Championship. Long Haul was led by MVP Jason Kendrick, who has been one of the most talented players in “Big Time Softball” for a long time. Jason has not received the credit he so richly deserves by the softball world, but believe me from his peers they know what he means to this team. Manager, Gary Jost told me “we didn’t let the other teams get any big innings going, as we shut them down with our great defense. We then got our offense going and that’s pretty much how we played, not only in this tournament but all season long. We also got great pitching from our guy Andy Purcell who has just did a great job for us all year”. Gary also stated “we need to stay focused for one more tourney and hopefully win the Grand Slam”. Finishing in 2nd. place was Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS, who has been playing very strong the last two months and have certainly played great ball in all three World Championships, as they have finished 2nd. in the three events. This team has proven to be very good. Long Haul’s manager Gary Jost told me “he feared Hague/Resmondo more than any other team, stating they have great defense and a lot of good hitters and are a Force out there”. Hague/Resmondo was led by “Big” Larry Carter who led the tournament in homeruns hitting 11 big ones. Travis and Jeff should be very proud of the job they did this season and also the effort their players gave them. This team showed a lot of character and deserved being ranked as the second best team this season.

Third place went to a very good A team Maroadi’s/Frank-n-stein/Mizuno, who I know had to play USSSA AA this season, but are really a very good A team. This team had a lot of ups and downs this season, but with some changes made they began to play better and finished up being awfully strong down the stretch. Maroadi’s, who upset Hague but lost to Long Haul in the Winners Bracket Final was led by one of the great base hitters in softball who has been for a long time and is the leading hitter in USSSA World Series history, Steve Dickerson. Maroadi’s got great defensive play from left fielder Scott Janack who took at least four homeruns away reaching over the fence to rob them. Congratulations to Joe and the boys for a great World Series. Fourth place went to Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton who just couldn’t get it together in this one. Dan Smith got beat by Maroadi’s in their third game and had to battle back in the Loser’s Bracket and did so, but were totally embarrassed when Hague/Resmondo thrashed them in the Loser’s Bracket Final. Dan Smith has now finished in third place in two Worlds and fourth in the USSSA.

I can tell you the Showcase of Softball is just that. It was a First Class tournament ran very well. The staff of the USSSA did another outstanding job and it was just what they needed to do bringing in the Class C Worlds to help bring the crowd in. The attendance was much better than last year which made for a better World Tournament. The Bat Wars was also outstanding and definitely contributed to the attendance this year. Congratulations to Gene and Lou Anne from Softball Magazine for making this a total “First Class Event”. The opening ceremony was the best night for attendance and was a great show. The Homerun Derby was very exciting as Jeff Wallace and Brett Helmer put on an unbelievable show and the crowd loved it. Helmer and Wallace both tied in their first round hitting 5 each to force a playoff. Helmer hit first in the playoff getting 5, and Wallace came to bat hitting 6, and that is exactly what he got to win the Homerun Derby. Well there’s one World Series left and I’m looking forward to that one next month October 21 & 22, the ASA World Series in Sanford, Florida. Finishing up, I want to say the ball used was perfect, a .47 core Dudley .375 compression for the size of this park. There were some very competitive games all week long, especially by some of the A teams. Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2001 USSSA World Series.

MVP: Jason Kendrick
All World Manager: Gary Jost

Home Run Champion: Larry Carter with 11 Home Runs

Defensive Player: Demond Thomas

Offensive Player: Steve Dickerson

All Tournament Team:

Alex Lavarico
Brett Helmer
Scott Nastally
Randy Kortokrax
Jeff Wallace
Paul Shepard
Larry Carter
Hank Garris
Jeff Hall
Scott Striebel
Steve Dickerson
Todd Martin
Scott Janick
Robby Ergle
Jimmy Powers
Todd Joerling
Scott Simpson
Jason Kendricks
Demond Thomas
Andy Purcell

NSA Class “A” World Series Schaumburg, Illinois – September 15 & 16th 2001

Mercer’s/K&G/TPS became the fifth A team to win a World Tournament in the 2001 season. Normally there are only four Class A World’s, but this year the ASA had two, that being one in the East and one in the West. K&G who had to play Major in the ASA this year, were allowed to compete in the other associations in Class A too. There’s no doubt about it, they’re a very good A team. New Construction who won a Major this year are also a Class A team. Both New and K&G are caught in the old trap both being very good A teams, but
not quite as good as two or three of the AA teams, but did beat those AA teams during the season. K&G/TPS has proven as well as New Construction that they both played against A & AA and have held their own when they played in the Super NIT’s. K&G played very well in the NSA Super World’s this year finishing fourth.

Congratulations to Carl and his whole organization on their great 2001 season. K&G was led again by up and coming Super player Rick Baker, who was named MVP again. Finishing in second place was New Construction who has picked it up in the World Tournaments, and showed they can play with any A & AA team down the stretch. Third place went to Rose City Motors a team I don’t really know much about, but must be fairly good. Getting fourth place was a very good A team, T’s 13/Nike who has played very good all season long. They’ve played in quite a few tournaments this season and have been very competitive.

To all the teams that participated in this Class “A” Division this year Congratulations on a very competitive year in Class A ball. There’s still one tournament left in Class A and that will be played next month in Oklahoma in the ASA Championship when T’s 13/Nike will play Creative Stucco/Easton for the 2001 Class “A” ASA World Championship.

ALL Tournament Team:

Mercer’s/K&G/TPS:
Brad Jones
Larry Wert
Jason Sterling

New Construction:
Mo Moss
Brian Goins
Vern Hensley

Rose City Motors/CE/Kelly’s/Worth

Kevin Shannon

Andy Pepper

MVP: Rick Baker

USSSA “AA” World Series, Shawnee Mission Kansas – September 8 – 9, 2001

Pov’s/Walser Chevy/Reebock wins the last leg of the AA Grand Slam. That makes it four different teams to capture a World Championship this season in AA. Reeces/Rooster/Easton-ISA, New Construction-ASA, BEP/KCS/JDS/TPS-NSA and of course Pov’s the USSSA. This win was a great win for the Pov’s team, who lost a big one this season, that being their manager and a special person Pat Stanchfield, who passed away a few weeks before this great win. I’m sure Pat was looking down on his boys this weekend. The Pov’s boys are a great bunch of guys and a terrific team who have played very good all season long. This win keeps alive the winning streak for the Minnesota teams who every year seem to win at least one. Last year the Long Haul AA team captured 3 of the 4, before that it was Spectrum. Pov’s was led by MVP Scott Brown who was 14-16 with 5 homeruns. Finishing in 2nd. place was a very good team out of Texas, Quick Roofing/Advanced/Nike This team has played in a lot of tournaments this season and have proven that they are very competitive. Getting the 3rd. spot in this one was Maroadi’s/Transfer/Frank-n-stein/Nike, who have had an up and down season, but who are a very talented and just didn’t get it together in this year’s Worlds. Fourth place went to Deery Bros/Gold’s/Easton a good A team. There was a lot of talk that this wasn’t a good field of teams, but I disagree. First of all we only had about four legit AA teams playing this season. Most of the teams that declared they were AA, in fact were very good A teams. This was the first year that there were no Long Haul AA team, a Hague AA team or a Spectrum AA team to contend with. Taking a look at what happened this year, Budweiser & Pov’s were the best two teams after the 3 Super teams, then a couple of other teams like Reece’s, K&G were the next best teams at the upper level. I don’t think it’s hard to figure out what needs to be done in 2002 with the 3 Super teams whoever they end up being and maybe a fourth team. I think the rest of the teams should be sanctioned Class A and get rid of the AA program. There are about 30 good A teams and on any given weekend one of the 15-20 could win. If your A team isn’t good enough to compete then I suggest you go down to a lower level. There are a lot of good ball players playing on these A teams who surely could be playing at the next level up, but unfortunately there aren’t enough sponsors to make up more teams so that these players could get a chance to play every week against the best players in the World. I’m here to tell you there were some great A teams who on the bigger fields and longer bases competed against those best teams this season and played very well. Teams like K&G, L&L Painting, Reece’s, Creative Stucco, Marodi’s/ Quick, Team Mizuno, Mountain Top, LDJ Varsity, Mississippi Worth, Red’s, New Construction, Aubrey’s, Florida Heat, WW Gay & Suncoast. They were much more competitive in these conditions. Take these teams along with Pov’s, Bud, Aftershock and the 3 Super teams it sure would make a hell of a tournament every weekend in the right city, state with the TV involved, and with the right balls to make this game more competitive and a much better situation for all. This year the AA programs in the World Tournaments were made up of a lot of good A teams, and if they didn’t enter we would of had about 4 or 5 teams in each AA World. All I can say is thank God for those A teams who came to play to help make it a better Series. In my opinion the 2002 season should be made up of about 3 or 4 Super teams and the rest should be Class A, no AA. Again this is my opinion.

ALL Tournament Team

Pov’s/Walser Chevy/Reebock:

Chaun DeMars
Todd Volkers
Dan Yochum
Wes Cambell
Bryson Baker
Richie Alioti

MVP: Scott Brown

This is all I have for the All Tournament team.

Creative Stucco/Easton Wins ASA Men’s East World – September 1 – 2, 2001

Creative Stucco/Easton of Columbus, Ohio defeated Paramount Builders/Worth of Virginia Beach 35 to 15 to capture the ASA Men’s East World held in Dothan, Alabama. Creative Stucco/Easton went undefeated winning 6 games to capture the crown. The first inning of the finals opened with Derek Oliver hitting a 3 run blast for Paramount. Larry White followed with a triple to make the score 4 – 0. Creative Stucco followed with a 9 run outburst lead by hits from Doug Shannyfelt, Gene Paszke and Tim Linson. Paramount scored in every inning but could not hold back the Creative Stucco onslaught. Creative Stucco answered a Paramount 6 run fourth with 11 runs to beat a tired Paramount squad playing its ninth straight game through the loser’s bracket.

Paramount Builders/Worth and Creative Stucco/Easton took different paths to the finals. Paramount Builders/Worth lost it first game on Friday night to Elza Construction of Kentucky 28 – 26. Elza took a 20 – 6 lead into the top of the 4th inning. Paramount stormed back and cut the lead to 2 runs in the top of the 7th. David Allen’s ground out to 2nd sent the 2nd seeded Paramount into the loser’s bracket of a very tough field. Things looked dim for Paramount, the ISA A World’s champions the previous week in Auburn, Alabama. Not only did Paramount lose the game but it also lost star player, John Adams who pulled a calf muscle and was lost for the weekend. Creative Stucco/Easton opened the tournament by beating Lighthouse Baptist/Select of Tennessee 30 -24. In the second game, Creative Stucco/Easton defeated Sid Crinker of Wisconsin 27 – 21, while Paramount enjoyed a forfeit victory over JW Construction. Paramount then faced the difficult task of playing L&L Painting/TPS of Alabama. Paramount had beaten L&L Painting a week earlier in the ISA World’s 34 – 30 in a hard fought come from behind 7th inning victory. The game opened with L&L scoring 3 runs and Paramount winning the inning on Derek Oliver’s 3 run home run and BJ Fulk’s double followed by Larry White’s RBI single. L&L lead the game 13 – 11 in the bottom of the 4th when Paramount erupted for 18 runs sealing a 29 – 14 victory. Derek Oliver went 4 for 4 with 3 home runs and BJ Fulk also had 4 hits with 2 home runs. In its 3rd game, Creative Stucco beat Berardi’s/TPS of Lexington, Kentucky 39 – 34. In its 4th game, Creative Stucco defeated Perkin’s Roofing/TPS of Cincinnati, Ohio 28 – 27. In its 4th game, Paramount played Lighthouse Baptist. Paramount won the game 26 – 12 by scoring 6 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Paramount was lead by Derek Oliver, Randy Romagna, and Roy Jarman with 4 hits each. Paramount then played Chief Transport of Arkansas. Paramount scored 9 runs in the 2nd and 14 in the 3rd inning to win 29 – 5. Roy Jarman led Paramount with 5 hits and Derek Oliver, Randy Romagna and Tim Smith each had 4 hits.

Paramount then played the local team, C&M Sporting Goods of Dothan, Alabama. Paramount defeated C&M 16 – 4 in a slow paced game. Roy Jarman had 3 hits and Tim Smith, Doug Flowers and John Dutch had 2 hits a piece.

Mother Nature then took control. A thunderstorm halted play for 2 hours. The Westgate Complex crew did an excellent job all weekend keeping the fields playable despite 2 violent storms.

Creative Stucco was facing Suncoast/TPS in the finals of the winner’s bracket. Suncoast/TPS had defeated Kluever and L&L Painting/TPS to get to the final. In a tight game, Creative Stucco held on for a 32 – 31 victory. Suncoast/TPS had the hammer and put the tying run on second with no outs but could not push the run across the plate.

Paramount then faced the difficult task of playing 3 games to get to the finals. Paramount played its 1st game after the break against Beradi’s/TPS which earlier had defeated Riverside/TPS 35 – 23. Paramount jumped out to a 14 – 7 lead led by Derek Oliver’s two 3 run home runs. Paramount scored 9 runs in the 4th to seal the victory. Derek Oliver was an offensive force hitting 4 home runs and being set-up by Roy Jarman who had 5 hits batting in front of Derek. BJ Fulk had 5 hits batting behind Derek and David Allen, Travis Matthews and Doug Flowers had 4 hits each.

Paramount then faced Perkins Roofing which earlier had defeated Sid Grinker 34 – 6. Paramount scored 8 in the 1st inning lead by Derek Oliver’s 3 run home run and John Dutch’s 3 run home run. Paramount scored 16 runs in the 5th inning to break open a 22 – 19 game. Roy Jarman, Travis Matthews, David Allen, Tim Smith, Doug Flowers and Larry White had 4 hits a piece for Paramount. Paramount then faced a Suncoast/TPS team which had lost a heart breaker to Creative Stucco.

Paramount jumped out to a quick 3 – 0 lead on Derek Oliver’s 3 run home run. In the 5th inning, the score was 12 – 10 in favor of Suncoast/TPS. Paramount then scored 12 runs in the 5th inning and with home runs gone 10 in the 7th for a 32 – 23 victory. Derek Oliver hit 4 home runs for the victors and Randy Romagna, BJ Fulk, David Allen and Tim Smith had 4 hits each.

Ironically, a week earlier Paramount stood undefeated and played a Florida Heat/Worth team which lost its first game in the ISA A World’s. Paramount defeated a worn down Florida Heat team to capture its second world title in 2 years. This time Creative Stucco was undefeated and Paramount was the tired foe. Creative Stucco never allowed Paramount into the game and pounded out a 4 inning 20 run rule slaughter to gain the crown.

The tournament was extremely well run and the ground crew did an excellent job of keeping the fields playable despite 2 violent storms. The snack bar featured the best corn dogs in softball as rated by the Paramount coaching staff.

First Team ASA East All Americans:

Position Player Team
Pitcher Shanyfelt, Doug Creative Stucco/Easton
Catcher Oliver, Derek Paramount Builders/Worth
First Base Jarman, Roy Paramount Builders/Worth
Second Base Linson, Tim Creative Stucco/Easton
Third Base Paszke, Gene Creative Stucco/Easton
Shortstop Romagna, Randy Paramount Builders/Worth
Outfield Furrey, Matt Creative Stucco/Easton
Outfield Luneborg, Rob Creative Stucco/Easton
Outfield Brown, Reggie Suncoast/Dudley/TPS/Smith Barney
Utility Reynolds, Jerry Suncoast/Dudley/TPS/Smith Barney
Utility Allen, David Paramount Builders/Worth
Utility Smith, Tim Paramount Builders/Worth
Utility Lane, Robert Perkins Roofing/TPS
Utility Jones, Brad Perkins Roofing/TPS
Utility Brown, Charlie Suncoast/Dudley/TPS/Smith Barney

Second Team ASA East All Americans:

Position Player Team
Pitcher Matzdorf, Bruce Sid Grinker Co/Yamaha/TPS
First Base Wagner, Jason C&M Sporting Goods
Second Base Steele, John Perkins Roofing/TPS
Third Base Miller, Mike Suncoast/Dudley/TPS/Smith Barney
Shortstop Soult, Dave Perkins Roofing/TPS
Outfield Buteaux, Shane Suncoast/Dudley/TPS/Smith Barney
Outfield Mullins, Sean Perkins Roofing/TPS
Outfield Much, Mike Sid Grinker Co/Yamaha/TPS
Outfield Atwood, Kevin Perkins Roofing/TPS
Utility Roop, Rob Central Paving
Utility Judah, Drew C&M Sporting Goods
Utility Lee, Tim C&M Sporting Goods
Utility Matthews, Travis Paramount Builders/Worth
Utility White, Larry Paramount Builders/Worth
Utility Terrill, Rick Berardi’s/TPS

HR Champion: Derek Oliver 24 Home Runs .850 BA

MVP: Doug Shannyfelt

Final Results:

Place M/R Team Name Hometown Record
1st Creative Stucco/Easton Columbus, OH 6-0

2nd Paramount Builders/Worth Virginia Beach, VA 9-2

3rd Suncoast/Dudley/TPS/Smith Barney Bradenton, FL 4-2

4th Perkins Roofing/TPS Cincinnati, OH 4-2

5th Sid Grinker Co/Yamaha/TPS Milwaukee, WI 6-2
5th C&M Sporting Goods Dothan, AL 3-2

7th Berardi’s/TPS Lexington, KY 3-2
7th Central Paving Carmel, IN 3-2

9th EMR/Worth Softball Cincinnati, OH 3-2
9th Riverside/TPS Louisville, KY 3-2
9th SCB/Denelex Lake Grove, NY 3-2
9th Chief Transport Benton, AR 2-2

13th Lighthouse Baptist Chattanooga, TN 3-2
13th MS/Worth Jackson, MS 3-2
13th Florida Heat/Nave Plbg/Joe Blacks/Worth Sanibel, FL 2-2
13th Team Mizuno Ft. Pierce, FL 2-2

17th Aubrey’s TPS Savannah, GA 1-2
17th Bridges Sportsbar Griffith, IN 1-2
17th Elza Construction London, KY 1-2
17th L&L Painting/TPS Prattvile, AL 1-2
17th Las Vegas Funjet/TPS Milwaukee, WI 1-2
17th Reynolds Concrete/Fish Net Panama City, FL 1-2
17th Smokes/ABS/Joe Corbis/TPS Elliott City, MD 1-2
17th Worth/Sports Star Louisville, KY 1-2

25th Diamond Sports Gainsville, GA 0-2
25th J.W. Construction Riverdale, GA 0-2
25th Jonesboro/TPS Kingsport, TN 0-2
25th Kluever’s Snap-On/Easton Metamora, IL 0-2
25th Team A-H West Carolton, OH 0-2
25th Team/South Dixie Etown, KY 0-2
25th Viggiani Plumbing Toms River, NJ 0-2
25th W.W. Gay/TPS Gainesville, FL 0-2

33rd Bradlock/Tailgaters Hagerstown, MD 0-2
33rd Tommy Currid Investments Milton, FL 0-2

Thank You William Ortiz for this Softball Report

ASA “A” West National – September 2-3, 2001

Heavy hitters from Omaha finish as champs in day-long national men’s softball tourney

By PIKEY RODRIGUEZ

It was around 1:25 a.m. Sunday when the final pitch and last out were recorded at the 2001 Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Men’s West National Class A Slow pitch Tournament at Westside Softball Complex in McAllen, Texas as a handful of spectators remained to see who would capture the day-long, double-elimination tournament.
In the end, T’S 13 of Omaha, Neb., defeated Quick Roofing/Advanced/NIKE of Texarkana in a 38-30 slugfest for the title. The championship game started at 11:30 p.m. Saturday in the 20th contest of the tournament that attracted 11 teams.

“We saw some big guns who came down to McAllen for this tournament,” McAllen Parks and Recreation director Larry Pressler said. “We’ve never seen so many home runs hit at our ballpark. For the fans who came out, they can appreciate how softball is played at a higher level.”

T’S 13 built a 21-9 lead through five innings before Quick Roofing battled back, scoring 15 runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 24-21 advantage. T’S 13 added nine runs in the sixth inning and eight in the seventh to pull out the victory.

Quick Roofing knocked off PhoneMasters/TPS of St. Louis Mo., 50-40, in the semifinals and had lost to T’S 13, 40-38, earlier in the evening. Hooters/Easton/B&B of Kansas City, Kan., placed fourth, losing to PhoneMasters, 26-24.

The Diablo’s/Lopez Tires of McAllen finished fifth after dropping a 14-10 decision to Hooters. The Diablo’s went 2-2 during the tournament, losing to Quick Roofing, 32-14, in the first round and coming back with an 18-14 victory over The Mob of Angleton and posting a 22-21 win over TPS NW of Everett, Wash.

“We had a chance to win that first game, but let it go,” Diablo’s manager Julio Montenegro said. “We came out and hit a lot better in our other games. It was tough having to come up through the losers bracket.”

Tuffy Martinez and Hilberto Valenzuela were selected on the ASA All-American second team by tournament officials. Martinez hit .714 with 10 RBIs while Valenzuela hit .800 and had six RBIs.

RIPP/Knock On Wood, also representing McAllen, finished tied for seventh. RIPP/Knock On Wood dropped its initial game, 30-9, to T’S 13 before coming back to beat 10 Bear Construction/Community Access of Lawton, Okla., 17-5. RIPP/Knock On Wood also lost to Deery Brothers/Gold’s Gym/Easton of Waterloo, Iowa, 17-5.

“In that first game, we needed a wake-up call and got it,” Knock On Wood manager Joe Solis said. “In our other games, our bats finally woke up and we played better defense.”

Pressler said things went well even though a storm blew through the Valley Friday night and threatened to alter Saturday’s day-long schedule of games.

“Tournaments like this are great for McAllen and the surrounding area,” Pressler added. “Many of these people who come down are visiting the area for the first time. It helps market McAllen. We look forward to hosting other national tournaments in the future.”

Thank You Pikey Rodriguez for this story

Softball Reports for 2001

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