1997 held at Bomber Stadium in Clearwater, Florida on August 30-September 5.
Champion – Tampa Bay Smokers, Clearwater, Florida (65-11)
Runner Up – Farm Tavern, Madison, Wisconsin
The Farm’s Paul Alger hurled a 1-hit shutout in the first final to beat the undefeated Tampa Bay Smokers 1-0. The losing pitcher, Darren Zack struck out 9 for the Smokers. It was Chris Delarwelle who drove in the game’s only run for the Farm. In the Final Championship game, The Smokers nailed down a 4-0 victory to win the title. Algar was the losing pitcher for the Farm and could not find that magic touch he had in the first game. Boomer Brush and Barry Kahler both had singles before Todd Garcia drove them both home to give the Smokers a 2-0 lead. Later in the game, Brush hit a 2-run homer to seal the deal. Brush had 2 hits (both HR) in his first 4 games of the tournament, but exploded for 3 hits in the finals, another being a HR. Todd Martin pitched a 2-hitter for the Smokers. He walked 2 batters with 2 outs in the 7th, before Darrin Zack came in to get the last out.
Miller Toyota defeated the Clearwater Bullets 24-0 to break the record for runs scored in a National Championship. Brett Alvey and Mitch Munthe each collected 8 RBI to also set a record. Munthe had 7 RBI in one inning. He had two home runs in the first inning, a 3-run shot and then a grand slam. Alvey had two 3-run homers in the game. Miller pitcher, Russ Snow pitched a perfect game, striking out 13 of the 14 batters he faced.
Boomer Brush and Barry Kahler both had singles before Todd Garcia drove them both home to give the Smokers a 2-0 lead. Later in the game, Brush hit a 2-run homer to seal the deal. Brush had 2 hits (both HR) in his first 4 games of the tournament, but exploded for 3 hits in the finals, another being a home run.
Todd Martin pitched a 2-hitter for the Smokers. He walked 2 batters with 2 outs in the 7th, before Darrin Zack came in to get the last out.
Jimmy Doyle of Midland made this his last ASA Appearance after 45 years of playing softball at age 63. His career record is 2004-158 with 212 no hitters.
- MVP – Richard “Boomer” Brush, Tampa Bay Smokers
- Batting Leader – Chris Delarwelle, Farm Tavern Chris Delarwelle, Farm Tavern – .400
- HR Leader – Richard Boomer Brush, Tampa Bay Smokers – 3
- Herb Dudley Pitching Award – Todd Martin, Tampa Bay Smokers
FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
P – Todd Martin, Tampa Bay Smokers (4-0, 17 IP, 27 K, shutout)
P – Jody Hennigar, Farm Tavern
P – Chris Bigelow, Meierhoffer Fleeman
C – Todd Garcia, Tampa Bay Smokers
1B – Steve Schott, Tampa Bay Smokers
2B – Lonnie Swan, Farm Tavern
3B – Brian Martie, Farm Tavern
SS – Kerry Shaw, Meierhoffer Fleeman
OF – Boomer Brush, Tampa Bay Smokers (6-18, .333, 3 HR, two of the HR were hit in the 7th inning to give the Smokers a 1-0 victory)
OF – Ed Poirier, Matarazzo Sea Dogs
OF – Brian Neveau, Farm Tavern
OF – Chris Delarwelle, Farm Tavern (8-20)
DH – Michael Jackson, Teutopolis KC
UT – Bob Soricelli, Matarazzo Sea Dogs
UT – Byron DeMoe, Matarazzo Sea Dogs
SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
P – Scott Evans, Midland Explorers
P – Paul Algar, Farm Tavern
P – Darin Zack, Tampa Bay Smokers (2-1, 19 IP, 29 K, shutout, gave up 6 hits)
C – Tim Wahl, Farm Tavern
1B – Trent Rubley, Farm Tavern
2B – Ehren Earleywine, Decatur Pride
3B – Barry Kahler, Tampa Bay Smokers
SS – Bill McDonald, Matarazzo Sea Dogs
OF – Steve King, Farm Tavern
OF – Ron Jones, Decatur Pride
OF – Terry Boetsma, Midland Explorers
OF – Rich Brewer, Meierhoffer Fleeman
DP – Steve Price, Decatur Pride
UT – Chris Wilson, Matarazzo Sea Dogs
UT – Mike Distasio, Tampa Bay Smokers
THIRD TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
P – Doug Gillis, Decatur Pride
P – Doug Sleep, Midland Explorers
P – Michael White, Farm Tavern
C – Gary Doyle, Midland Explorers
1B – Greg Melchert, Midland Explorers
2B – Jason Hanson, Tampa Bay Smokers
3B – Brett Alvey, Larry Miller Toyota
SS – John Bargfeldt, Decatur Pride
OF – Mitch Munthe, Larry Miller Toyota
OF – Todd Davis, River City Rage
OF – Vinne Burke, Coors DC Risco Sunners
OF – Scott Deuel, Tampa Bay Smokers
DP – Pete Spoerl, Larry Miller Toyota
UT – Doug Levy, Midland Explorers
UT – Boyd Dallman, Farm Tavern
FINAL STANDINGS
1. Tampa Bay Smokers, Clearwater, FL (5-1)
2. Farm Tavern, Madison, WI (5-2)
3. Matarazzo Sea Dogs, Stoneham, MA (5-2)
4. Midland Explorers, Midland, MI (3-2)
5t. Meierhoffer Fleeman, Savannah., MO (2-2)
5t. Decatur Pride, Decatur, IL (2-2)
7t. Coors DC Risco Sunners, Reading, PA (2-2)
7t. Suns, Jacksonville, FL (1-2)
9t. Teutopolis KC, Effingham, IL (1-2)
9t. River City Rage, Peoria, IL (1-2)
9t. Larry Miller Toyota, Salt Lake City, UT (1-2)
9t. Townhouse Huskies, Sioux City, IA (1-2)
13t. Clearwater Bullets, Clearwater, FL (0-2)
13t. Abbott Labs, Ashland, OH (0-2)
13t. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (0-2)
