Category: ASA Men’s Super Slow Pitch

2015 held at Hall of Fame Stadium Complex in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on October 1-2.

Champion – BBS/Mr. D’s/Rip City, Rochester, Minnesota
Runner Up – Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton, Cicero, New York

BBS of Minnesota defeated West Coast Monsta of California 30-15 in the winners bracket final on Orlando Castillo’s run rule walk off homer. Castillo was 5-5 with 2 HR and 5 RBI in the game. West Coast Monsta then had to face Long Haul in the losers bracket final.

The decision was not close as Long Haul won 34-18. Long Haul had traveled through the losers bracket to reach the championship. They found themselves down 19-5 to Reds Astros, before coming back to win 49-29 on the strength of Ryan Parfitt’s 6-6 game with 4 HR and 8 RBI. Bryson Baker was 7-7 in the win. Long Haul then defeated Heartland Investors 37-21, then T’s 13 fell to the Long Haulers 52-36.

T’s actually led 25-2 and 31-15 in that game, before Long Haul out scored them 50-11 in the last 4 innings. In the Championship round, Long Haul needed to beat BBS to force the “if” game, but that was easier said than done. Long Haul led 25-18 in the 6th inning.

Greg Connell of BBS hit a line drive off the top of the 45 foot high scoreboard to ignite a fire that saw BBS then hit 5 consecutive homers, capped by Lee Payne’s shot that gave then a 26-25 lead. In the top of the 7th, Brett Helmer (4-5, with 3 HR and 6 RBI in the game) hit a HR to tie the game 26-26. It was over quick in the bottom of the 7th as big Greg Connell hit a walk off 2-run home run to win the ASA Super National Championship. Connell and Tournament MVP Andrew Collins combined to go 11-11 with 6 HR and 14 RBI in the final game.

Collins was named the Tournament MVP, Batting Champion (.905) and Co-Home Run Champion with 10.

Ryan Parfitt of Long Haul also hit 10 HR. Dale Brungardt of Long Haul had 26 RBI. Pitcher Travis Clark of Long Haul was 21-29 (.724) with 8 HR and 25 RBI. By far the best tournament by any pitcher.

• MVP – Andrew Collins, BBS/Mr. D’s/Rip City
• HR Champion – Andrew Collins, BBS/Mr. D’s/Rip City – 10
• HR Champion – Ryan Parfitt, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton – 10
• Batting Leader – Andrew Collins, BBS/Mr. D’s/Rip City  – .905

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Travis Clark, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (21-29, .724, 8 HR, 25 RBI, 19 Runs)
IF – Vincent Chente Granados, West Coast Monsta/The Scene (15-19, .789, 9 HR, 15 RBI, 15 Runs)
IF – Orlando Castillo, BBS/Mr. D’s/Rip City (15-21, .714, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 13 Runs)
IF – Brad Reckart, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (19-25, .760, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 19 Runs)
IF – Dennis Rulli, BBS/Mr. D’s/Rip City (14-22, .636, 4 HR, 4 RBI, 13 Runs)
IF – Ronald “Bubba” Mack, ASPNation.com/A&A Utility/KV Weld (14-19, .737, 9 HR, 24 RBI, 14 Runs)
OF – Andrew Collins, BBS/Mr. D’s/Rip City (19-21, .905, 10 HR, 19 RBI, 17 Runs)
OF – Jeremy Yates, BBS/Mr. D’s/Rip City (15-19, .789, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 14 Runs)
OF – Ryan Parfitt, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (22-31, .710, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 20 Runs)
OF – Mike Umscheid, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (19-31, .613, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 20 Runs)
UTIL – Chris Larsen, T’s 13/DeMarini (16-19, .842, 9 HR, 20 RBI, 17 Runs)
UTIL – Ryan Harvey, West Coast Monsta/The Scene (14-18, .778, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 14 Runs)
UTIL – Brett Helmer, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (18-24, .750, 9 HR, 24 RBI, 15 Runs)
UTIL – Greg Connell, BBS/Mr. D’s/Rip City (17-22, .773, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 15 Runs)
UTIL – Dale Brungardt, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (18-28, .643, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 17 Runs)

OTHERS

Bryson Baker, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (24-33, .727, 7 HR, 20 RBI, 23 Runs)
Stephen Lloyd, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (21-30, .700, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 21 Runs)
Kevin Filby, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (20-29, .690, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 22 Runs)
Luis Reyna, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (17-28, .607, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 18 Runs)
Kevin Bazat, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (14-25, .560, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 19 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. BBS/Mr. D’s/Rip City, Rochester, MN (4-0)
2. Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton, Cicero, NY (4-2)
3. West Coast Monsta/The Scene, Calimesa, CA (2-2)
4. T’s 13/DeMarini, Omaha, NE (2-2)
5t. Heartland Investors, Mandan, ND (1-2)
5t. ASPNation/A&A Utility/KV Weld, Dallas, TX (2-2)
7t. Red’s Astros, Indianapolis, IN (1-2)
7t. OC, Grimes, IA (0-2)
9. Team Combat/Baugh Ford/Softball.com, Kent, WA (0-2)

2014 held at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 26-28.

Champion – Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton, Albertville, Minnesota
Runner Up – Sonny’s, Casper, Wyoming

In a rematch of last year’s Super Slow Pitch National Championship Game the result remained the same as Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton kept a hold on the title. Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton’s Brian Wegman forced the “if” game with a 2-run  walk off homer after a single by Bryson Baker to secure the 21-20 win over Sonny’s in the first Championship Game, and his team came alive at the plate to claim the title in the final Championship game with a 39-16 (five inning) run-rule victory.

An outstanding effort by Travis Clark of Long Haul, racking up 8 RBI on 4 hits, including 2 HR. Brian Wegman, Bryson Baker, Scott Kirby, Stephen Lloyd and Mike Umscheid all hit 2 homers the champs. For Sonny’s, Bubba Mack went 3-4 with 2 HR and 3 RBI. The Long Haul/H. Auto Easton bats came to life in the first inning, scoring 21 runs off 9 home runs. Their hitters combined for 37 hits, 35 RBI and 36 runs scored, while Sonny’s combined for 20 hits, 19 RBI and 19 runs scored.

For his efforts at the plate, Brian Wegman took home the tournament MVP award and Batting Champion titles (.800), while Sonny’s Bubba Mack and Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton’s Dale Brungardt and Brian Wegman shared the Home Run title with 6.

• MVP – Brian Wegman, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton
• HR Leaders – Dale Brundardt, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton  – 6
• HR Leaders – Ronald “Bubba” Mack, Sonny’s – 6
• HR Leaders – Brian Wegman, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton – 6
• Batting Leader – Brian Wegman, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton  – .800

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Travis Clark, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (6-13, .462, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 7 Runs)
IF – Bryson Baker, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (12-17, .706, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 12 Runs)
IF – Ronald “Bubba” Mack, Sonny’s (11-15, .733, 6 HR, 9 RBI, 12 Runs)
IF – Dale Brungardt, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (11-16, .688, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 9 Runs)
IF – Dan Bean, Sonnys (5-8, .625, 3 RBI, 2 Runs)
IF – Steven Lloyd, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (9-15, .600, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 8 Runs)
OF – Brian Wegman, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (12-15, .800, 6 HR, 9 RBI, 10 Runs)
OF – Brian Zirkle, Rip City/Demarini (3-5, .600, 2 Runs)
OF – Chris Terry, Sonny’s (7-14, .500, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 7 Runs)
OF – Scott Kirby, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (10-15, .667, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
OF – Nick Price, Sonny’s (6-14, .429, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 Runs)
UTIL – Kevin Filby, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton (11-14, .786, 5 RBI, 6 Runs)
UTIL – Mike Umscheid, Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton
UTIL – Brian Lipman, Sonnys (7-16, .438, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 6 Runs)
UTIL – Sam Christenson, Sonny’s (7-12, .583, 6 RBI, 8 Runs)
UTIL – Jeremy Davis, Sonny’s (7-12, 583, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Long Haul/H. Auto/Easton, Cicero, NY (3-1)
2. Sonny’s, Casper, WY (2-2)
3. Rip City/Demarini, Davenport, IA (0-2)

2013 at Midway Stadium in St. Paul and Nieman Sports Complex in Minneapolis, MN on August 21-24.

Champion – H. Auto/Easton, Le Sueur, Minnesota
Runner Up – Sonny’s Softball Club, Casper, Wyoming

H. Auto/Easton claimed the first Super Slow Pitch title since 2003 as they blasted past Sonny’s in the Championship Game at the ASA Super Slow Pitch National Championship. Held at the historic Midway Stadium, H. Auto/Easton combined for 10 HR, including 3 from tournament MVP Brian Wegman, and 27 hits to defeat Sonny’s 29-14 in five innings. Sonny’s scored first after Jeremy Davis reached on a throwing error by the second baseman. Needing just eight runs in the bottom of the 5th inning to claim the run-rule victory, H, Auto/Easton did just that as they combined for two home runs and seven hits. After 2 runs had scored, Kevin Bazat banged out a 2-run double. Then with two runners on,  Bryson Baker hit a 3-Run HR to clear the bases. With no outs and no runners on, Brian Wegman hit a solo shot to end the game after five, with H. Auto/Easton taking the 29-14 win.

This marks the first time since 2003 that a Champion has been named in the Super Slow Pitch Division. The first Men’s Super Slow Pitch National Championship took place in 1981 in Burlington, N.C., where Howard’s/ Western Steer of Denver, NC claimed the inaugural Championship and Hall of Fame member Rick “The Crusher” Scherr took home the MVP title.

Throughout the 22-year existence of the Super division, 12 teams were crowned champions, with Ritch’s Superior (Windsor Locks, CT) and Steele’s Silver Bullets (Grafton, OH) leading the pack with 4 championships apiece.

The Batting Champion was Donavan Prokraka of Rip City/DeMarini (.800). Dale Brundardt of RipCity/DeMarini and Bryce Oliveira of Sonny’s shared the Home Run title with 7 HR.

H, Auto had earlier sent Sonny’s into the losers bracket with a 22-20 win and then Sonny’s came back in the losers bracket final as a walk off home run secured Sonny’s a spot in the Championship Game as they came out with the 20-18 win over Rip City/DeMarini. Trailing by six as they came to bat in the bottom of the 7th, costly errors by the Rip City defense and 2 HR by Sonny’s set up the championship game.

• MVP – Brian Wegman, H. Auto/Easton
• HR Leaders – Dale Brundardt, Rip City/DeMarini – 7
• HR Leaders – Bryce Oliveira, Sonny’s – 7
• Batting Leader – Donavan Prokraka, Rip City/DeMarini – .800

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Dan Bean, Sonny’s (10-17, .588, 6 RBI, 3 Runs)
IF – Scott Kirby, H. Auto/Easton (13-17, .765, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 13 Runs)
IF – Bryce Oliveira, Sonny’s (10-18, .556, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 13 Runs)
IF – Dale Brungardt, Rip City Iron Hawk (12-20, .600, 7 HR, 18 RBI, 13 Runs)
IF – Matt Pesso, Sonny’s (10-20, .500, 8 RBI, 7 Runs)
IF – Bryson Baker, H. Auto/Easton (12-16, .750, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 13 Runs)
OF – Donovan Prokraka, Rip City Iron Hawk (12-15, .800, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 10 Runs)
OF – Brian Wegman, H. Auto/Easton (12-17, .706, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 14 Runs)
OF – Brian Rainwater, H. Auto/Easton (11-16, .688, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 7 Runs)
OF – Westy Guill, Sonny’s (14-20, .700, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – Chad Durick, H. Auto Easton (11-17, .647, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 13 Runs
UT – Kevin Bazat, H. Auto/Easton (11-17, .746, 4 RBI, 7 Runs)
UT – Brett Helmer, H. Auto/Easton (12-17, .706, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 11 Runs)
UT – Chris Greinert, Sonny’s (16-22, .727, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 14 Runs)
UT – Landon Helm, Team Combat (11-16, .688, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 8 Runs)
UT – Andy Schiltz, Rip City Iron Hawk DeMarini (9-14, .643, 3 RBI, 5 Runs)

OTHERS

Rick Baker, Team Combat (10-15, .667, 2 RBI, 6 Runs)
Kevin Filby, H. Auto Easton (11-18, .611, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 12 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. H. Auto/Easton, Cicero, NY (4-0)
2. Sonny’s Softball Club, Casper, WY (3-2)
3. Rip City/Iron Hawk/DeMarini, Davenport, IA (3-2)
4. Team Combat/LBG/Derby Boys, Kent, WA (2-2)
5t. Tharaldson/Easton, Fargo, ND (1-2)
5t. Shoppe/Backman/TYJA/Louisville, Aurora, IN (1-2)
7t. Xtreme/Miken, Brooklyn Center, MN (0-2)
7t. Whalers/CA Gear, Bloomington, MN (0-2)

Bottom 4 teams were entered into a single elimination Consolation Flight for 5th through 8th place

Consolation Record – (Total Record)

(5). Xtreme/Miken, Brooklyn Center, MN 2-0 – (2-2)
(6). Tharaldson/Easton, Fargo, ND 1-1 – (2-3)
(7t). Shoppe/Backman/TYJA/Louisville, Aurora, IN 0-1 – (1-3)
(7t). Whalers/CA Gear, Bloomington, MN 0-1 – (0-3)

2013 ASA Super National Game 1 on CBS Sports Channel

2013 ASA Super National Championship Game on CBS Sports Channel

2003 held at Sanford, Florida.

Champion – Hague/Resmondo/Taylor Brothers/Sunbelt, Columbus, Ohio
Runner Up – Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton, San Jose, California

This was the final year of the Super until is was rebooted in 2013.

• MVP – Howie Krause, Resmondo/Hague
• HR Leader – Brett Helmer, Dan Smith/Backman – 11
• Batting Leader – Bob Woldyk, US Vinyl – .923

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Andy Purcell, Hague/Resmondo/Sunbelt
C – Hank Garris, Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse
1B – Jeff Wallace, Hague/Resmondo/Sunbelt
2B – Brett Helmer, Dan Smith/Blackman/Menosse (11 HR, 23 RBI)
3B – Howie Krause, Hague/Resmondo/Sunbelt (11-16, .688, 7 HR, 16 RBI)
SS – Dal Beggs, Hague/Resmondo/Sunbelt
MI – Todd Martin, Hague/Resmondo/Sunbelt
OF – Scott Striebel, Hague/Resmondo/Sunbelt
OF – Rick Baker, Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse
OF – Robin Higginbotham, Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse
UTIL – Bob Woldyk, U.S. Vinyl/Z Wear/Miken (12-13, .923, 4 HR)
UTIL – Dennis Rulli, Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse
UTIL – Todd Joerling, Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse
UTIL – Randy Kortokrax, Hague/Resmondo/Sunbelt
UTIL – Rusty Bumgardner, Hague/Resmondo/Sunbelt

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Shane DuBose, Dan Smith/Blackman/Menosse/Easton
C – RJ Howerton, US Vinyl/Z-Wear/Miken
1B – Jeff Hall, Dan Smith/Blackman/Menosse/Easton
2B – Joel Ramos, Bell Corporation/Easton
3B – Mike Zerbe, Bell Corporation/Easton
SS – Demond Thomas, Dan Smith/Blackman/Menosse/Easton
MI – Scott Brown, Dan Smith/Blackman/Menosse/Easton
OF – John McGraw, US Vinyl/Z-Wear/Miken
OF – Randall Boone, Dan Smith/Blackman/Menosse/Easton
OF – Bryson Baker, Resmondo/Hagae/Sunbelt/Taylor
UTIL – Billo Harvey, T&R Stucco/Easton
UTIL – Paul Cullen, Vernon’s/Higgs Properties
UTIL – Ronnie James, US Vinyl/Z-Wear/Miken
UTIL – Ray Cowart, US Vinyl/Z-Wear/Miken
UTIL – Mike Chambliss, T&R Stucco/Easton

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Resmondo/Hague/Taylor Brothers/Sunbelt, Columbus, OH (3-0)
2. Dan Smith/Backman/Mennose/Easton, San Jose, CA (4-2)
3. US Vinyl/Community Access/Z-Wear/Wooters/Miken, Chattanooga, TN (1-2)
4. Bell Corp/Easton, Tampa, FL (1-2)
5t. T&R Stucco/Easton, Polk City, FL (1-2)
5t. Vernon’s/Higgs Properties/Miken, Jacksonville, FL (0-2)

2002 held at Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, Florida on September 12-15.

Champion – Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS, Albertville, Minnesota
Runner Up – Backman/Dan Smith/Menosse/Easton, San Jose, California

• MVP – Jeff Wallace, Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS
• HR Leader – Jeff Wallace, Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS – 14
• Batting Leader – Jeff Hall, Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton – .909
• Offensive MVP – Jeff Hall, Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Andy Purcell, Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS (9-14, .643, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 10 Runs)
C – Hank Garris, Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS (11-16, .688, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 16 Runs)
1B – Jeff Wallace, Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS (17-19, .865, 14 HR, 26 RBI, 15 Runs)
2B – Rusty Bumgardner, Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS (13-18, .722, 8 HR, 10 RBI, 15 Runs)
SS – John Mello, Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS (7-12, .583, 7 HR, 11 RBI, 11 Runs)
3B – Mike Shenk, Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS (13-17, 765, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 10 Runs)
MI – Todd Martin, Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS (9-17, .529, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 9 Runs)
OF – Robin Higgonbotham, Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton
OF – Ronnie James, Mid-South/Mizuno
OF – Brad Stiles, Long Haul (7-13, .538, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 8 Runs)
EP – Dewayne Nevitt, Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton
UTIL – Jeff Hall, Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton (20-22, .909)
UTIL – Jeff Ott, Mid-South/Mizuno
UTIL – David Hood, Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton
UTIL – Demond Thomas, Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Shane DuBose, Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton
C – Scott Brown, Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton
1B – J. C. Phelps, New Construction
2B – Brett Helmer, Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton
SS – Dal Beggs, Hague/Resmondo/Walser Chevy/Worth
3B – Albert Davis, Hague/Resmondo/Walser Chevy/Worth
MI – Dennis Rulli, Hague/Resmondo/Walser Chevy/Worth
OF – Dewayne Frizzell, Hague/Resmondo/Walser Chevy/Worth
OF – Johnny McCraw, Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton
OF – Scott King, Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS (8-16, .500, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, 7 Runs)
EP – Randy Kortokrax, Hague/Resmondo/Walser Chevy/Worth
UTIL – Todd Volkers, Hague/Resmondo/Walser Chevy/Worth
UTIL – Chaun DeMars, Mid-South/Mizuno
UTIL – Todd Joerling, Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton
UTIL – Randall Boone, Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS (9-16, .563, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 8 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS Albertville, MN (4-0)
2. Backman/Smith/Menosse/Easton, San Jose, CA (3-2)
3. Hague/Resmondo/Walser Chevy/Worth, Columbus, OH (3-2)
4. Mid-South/Mizuno, Portage, IN (3-2)
5t. Phonemasters/K&G/TPS, Wood River, IL (1-2)
5t. New Construction, Shelbyville, IN (1-2)
7t. W.W. Gay/Aubrey’s/Mizuno/TPS, Gainesville, FL (0-2)
7t. Team Mizuno, Fort Pierce, FL (1-2)
9. Team AH/TPS, Dayton, OH (0-2)

2001 held at Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, Florida.

Champion – Long Haul/Taylor Brothers/Shen Corp/TPS, Albertville, Minnesota (70-6)
Runner Up – Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS, Columbus, Ohio (57-29)

Long Haul went through this tournament unbeaten cap one of the most remarkable seasons in Softball History. They won all four legs of the Grand Slam and in doing so, went 17-0 in the four Championship Tournaments to put an explanation point on their 70-6 season. All 11 starters for Long Haul made the All America team. They started out by beating Team Mizuno 24-22 in a very close game. They came back to defeat New Construction 23-2. They defeated Team Mizuno once again 31-8 and in the Championship Game, took out Hague/Resmondo 23-20.

Only four teams entered, due to the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and the fact that the whole country was on edge to travel. ASA made this a three game guarantee event. This event could have easily been cancelled, but give kudos to Hague/Resmondo, New Construction and Team Mizuno for making the trip to Florida to play in this.

Jeff Wallace, Todd Martin and Hank Garris made all four Associations All World Teams and Wallace was an incredible 52-70 (.743) with 29 HR in Grand Slam play (17 Games).

Mike Shenk had 25 HR, Todd Martin 22 and Hank Garris 20 to lead the Long Haul attack. Jimmy Powers also batted over .700 as he was 41-56 (.732) and added 12 HR.  For the season, Jimmy Powers was 3rd in the Major Softball Circuit in batting with a .768 Average.

Jeff Wallace was fourth (.766). Hank Garris was 10th (.735), Rusty Bumgardner 12th (.728) and Todd Martin 14th (.720). In the Home Run race, Wallace was the HR King with 150, well ahead of 2nd place Hank Garris (129). Bumgardner was 4th with 117, Shenk 6th (99) and Martin 8th (96). The Home Run Frequency leader was Hank Garris with a HR for every 2.387 At Bats. Wallace was third (2.543).

Andy Purcell batted .659 and hit 43 HR. More Important, his Pitching and even more so, his defense earned him the “Old Scout” National Player of the Year Award.

• MVP – Brad Stiles, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS
• HR Leader – Jeff Wallace, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS – 7
• Batting Leader – Brad Stiles, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS – .929
• Outstanding Offensive Player Award  – Brad Stiles, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Andy Purcell, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS (6-11, .545, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 4 Runs)
C – Hank Garris, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS (10-19, .526, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 9 Runs)
1B – Jeff Wallace, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS (13-17, .765, 7 HR, 11 RBI, 11 Runs)
2B – Rusty Bumgardner, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS (11-19, .579, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 8 Runs)
SS – John Mello, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS (7-13, .538, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 9 Runs)
3B – Mike Shenk, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS (10-18, .556, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 9 Runs)
MI – Todd Martin, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS (11-18, .611, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 10 Runs)
OF – Brad Stiles, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS (13-14, .929, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 9 Runs) – also walked 7 times making him 20-21 for an on base percentage of .953.
OF – Jason Kendrick, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS (7-11, .636, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 11 Runs)
EH – Jimmy Powers, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS (9-11, .818, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 8 Runs)
UTIL – Randall Boone, Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS (8-17, .471, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 Runs)
UTIL – Albert Davis, Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS
UTIL – Randy Kortokrax, Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS
UTIL – Greg Harding, Team Mizuno

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Paul Drilling, Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS
C – Roy Eppley, Team Mizuno
1B – Robbie Ergle, Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS
2B – Howie Krause, Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS
SS – Dennis Mendoza, Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS
3B – Butch Smith, Team Mizuno
MI – Dennis Turner, Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS
OF – Scott King, Team Mizuno
OF – Dan Segui, Team Mizuno
OF – Ron Owsley, New Construction
EH – Steve Roeder, New Construction
UTIL – Carl Rose, Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS
UTIL – J.C. Batista, Team Mizuno
UTIL – Otis Barnes, New Construction
UTIL – Greg Neal, New Construction

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Long Haul/Taylor/Shen Corp/TPS, Albertville, MN (4-0)
2. Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS, Columbus, OH (2-2)
3. Team Mizuno, Fort Pierce, FL (2-3)
4. New Construction, Shelbyville, IN (0-3)

2000 held at Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, Florida on September 15-17.

Champion – Team TPS, Louisville, Kentucky (79-15)
Runner Up – Bell Corp/Easton, Tampa, Florida (59-27)

The Championship went to the “if” game as Team TPS had to double dip Bell Corp. and they did; Team TPS 39-13 and 41-21.

On Sunday afternoon at approximately 5:30 Eastern time Team TPS finally shook the monkey off of it’s back to win one of the most coveted events in slow pitch softball. They won the ASA Men’s Super Division crown. Team TPS who has just announced that it will not sponsor a super softball tTeam in 2001 finally won one of the big ones.

The last two years the national championships have eluded them and now they have finally won and get to take one of the biggest prizes in softball back to Louisville. I am very happy for the players and management from Team TPS. There is nothing harder than winning when you are supposed to win. Team TPS has never quit trying to achieve a goal that they sat out to achieve two years ago. Winning a national title.

The story is already out about them not sponsoring a team next year but do people understand the reasoning behind it? I think Hank Garris has finally showed the softball world why he has been one of if not the leader in almost every TPS Power Ratings category the last couple of years. He put on quite a display of power this weekend as he helped lead the Team TPS ball club to the ASA Men’s Super World Series Crown.

Team TPS came charging out of the losers bracket and defeated Bell Corp/Easton twice to take the coveted award. They won 39-18 in the first game and then ran up a 28-5 lead after 2 innings to secure them the championship title in the second game 41-21. Hank walked away with all of the awards as he led the tournament in home runs and on base percentage. He was also tabbed with the MVP award to top off a tremendous weekend.

Team TPS got up on Sunday morning and it was liked someone had switched the light back on. They scored over 100 runs in the 3 games they played on Sunday. Hank was leading the way on Sunday and Jeff Wallace, Rusty Bumgardner, Randall Boone and the rest of the boys just followed suit.

I got to speak with Hank Bassett last night briefly and this is what he had to say about the boys from Louisville. “I know how awesome our offensive attack looked yesterday but I want people to know just how great our defense was also. The outfield played like I don’t know what. I have been around softball for quite some time now but I do not believe I have ever seen a better display of defense from an outfield as I saw this past weekend from the Trio from Team TPS.”

Between the 3 of them there had to be at least 10 to 15 diving catches made by them and Higgy had 7 or 8 of those. The outfield really took charge this weekend. They were challenging the players instead of letting them have that extra base. By doing that they kept the hitters on first and this was giving us a chance for some double play balls.”

Team TPS trying to make sure that they win picked up Paul Drilling from Long haul and brought in veteran Rick Weiterman to help with some of the leadership. Paulie did a great job pitching and Rick’s presence was felt immediately.

It has been a long wait for Team TPS but I am sure it was worth it.

• MVP – Hank Garris, Team TPS
• HR Leader – Hank Garris, Team TPS – 16
• Batting Leader – Hank Garris, Team TPS – .900

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Paul Drilling, Team TPS (.565, 2 HR, 8 RBI)
C – Hank Garris, Team TPS (.900, 16 HR, 37 RBI)
1B – Jeff Wallace, Team TPS (.667, 13 HR, 27 RBI)
2B – Brett Helmer, Bell Corp./Easton (.714, 6 HR, 15 RBI)
3B – Mike Shenk, Team TPS (.720, 7 HR, 26 RBI)
SS – Todd Martin, Team TPS (.667, 10 HR, 19 RBI)
OF – Jason Kendrick, Team TPS (.667, 2 HR, 8 RBI)
OF – Brad Stiles, Team TPS (.731, 2 HR, 15 RBI)
OF – Mark Creson, Dan Smith/Blackman (.733, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
UTIL – Curtis Williams, Sunbelt (.813, 6 HR)
UTIL – Rusty Bumgardner, Team TPS (.667, 10 HR, 20 RBI)
UTIL – Keith Brockman, Bell Corp./Easton (.833, 8 HR, 11 RBI)
UTIL – Tim Cocco, Bell Corp./Easton (.647, 1 HR, 9 RBI)
UTIL – Randall Boone, Team TPS (.773, 9 HR, 19 RBI)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Robbie Ergle, Dan Smith/Blackman (.667, 3 HR, 8 RBI)
C – Jeff Smith, Budweiser Softball (.875, 7 HR, 15 RBI)
1B – Tot Powers, Sunbelt (.714, 5 HR, 8 RBI)
2B – Todd Weigand, Budweiser Softball Club (.643, 3 HR)
3B – Dewayne Nevitt, Bell Corp./Easton (.682, 6 HR, 14 RBI)
SS – Dennis Mendoza, Sunbelt (.684, 6 HRs, 8 RBI)
OF – Doug Kissane, Dan Smith/Blackman (.529, 6 HR, 7 RBI)
OF – Scott King, Bell Corp./Easton (.643, 1 HR, 4 RBI)
OF – Dewayne Frizzell, Sunbelt (.700, 5 HRs, 15 RBI)
OF – John McCraw, Sunbelt (.600, 3 HRs, 8 RBI)
UTIL – Jeff Hall, Dan Smith/Blackman (.647, 4 HR, 9 RBI)
UTIL – Tom White, Hague/Resmondo/TPS (.667, 3 HR, 4 RBI)
UTIL – Shane DuBose, Bell Corp./Easton (.684, 1 HR)
UTIL – Steve Craven, Sunbelt (.737, 9 HRs, 14 RBI)
UTIL – Wendall Rickard, Dan Smith/Blackman (.647, 6 HR, 11 RBI)

OTHERS

Britt Hightower, Sunbelt (.700, 3 HR, 5 RBI)
Paul Brannon, Hague/Resmondo (.647, 4 HR, 6 RBI)
Rob Schleede, Bell Corp (.633, 5 HR, 13 RBI)
Randy Kortokrax, Bell Corp (.615, 5 HR, 8 RBI)
Lonnie Fox, Dan Smith (.571, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
Dale Walters, Budweiser Softball (.600, 6 HR, 10 RBI)
Dan Schuck, Bell Corp (.600, 3 HR, 6 RBI)
John McCraw, Sunbelt (.600, 3 HR, 8 RBI)
Dale Sensineg, Hague/Resmondo (.600, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
Jerold Smith, Budweiser Softball (.600, 4 HR, 10 RBI)
Derrick Williams, Budweiser Softball (.571, 3 HR, 14 RBI)
Tim Linson, Hague/Resmondo (.571, 3 HR, 6 RBI)
Ron Parnell, Hague/Resmondo (.563, 2 HR, 3 RBI)
Larry Carter, Budweiser Softball (.556, 5 HR, 13 RBI)
Albert Davis, Dan Smith (.538, 1 HR, 5 RBI)
Dal Beggs, Dan Smith (.538, 2 HR, 9 RBI)
Carl Rose, Dan Smith (.529, 6 HR, 11 RBI)
Doug Roberson, Hague/Resmondo (.529, 3 HR, 5 RBI)
Jimmy Powers, Sunbelt (.524, 8 HR, 17 RBI)
Todd Joerling, Bell Corp (.500, 3 HR, 7 RBI)
Ricky Huggins, Sunbelt (.500, 4 HR, 8 RBI)
John Mello, Team TPS (.455, 3 HR, 6 RBI)
Scott Striebel, Dan Smith (.417, 1 HR, 7 RBI)
Larry Fredieu, Sunbelt (.412, 5 HRS, 11 RBI)
Howie Krause, Hague/Resmondo (.333, 2 HR, 5 RBI)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Team TPS, Louisville, KY (6-1)
2. Bell Corp./Easton, Tampa, FL (3-2)
3. Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
4. Sunbelt Plastics, Centerville, GA (2-2)
5t. Budweiser Softball Club, College Station, TX (3-2)
5t. Hague/Resmondo/TPS, Winchester, OH (3-2)
7t. Roosters/A+/Astros/Easton, Reynoldsburg, OH (1-2)
7t. Red’s/J&J/Fairweather/Worth, Kent, WA (1-2)
9t. Southern Tag, Mountain Home, AR (1-2)
9t. TPS Northwest, Everatt, WA (0-2)
9t. Watanabe Softball/TPS, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
9t. Craig’s Hitmen/Nike, Wadley, AL (0-2)

1999 held at Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, Florida on August 10-12.

Champion – Team Easton, Burlingame, California (56-27)
Runner Up – Team TPS, Louisville, Kentucky (77-14)

The championship was not decided until the “if” game, here is the First Final, Team TPS 20, Team Easton 19. Team Easton, without the benefit of a home run, scored 7 in the top of the first inning. Team TPS managed only one. The last out came when left fielder Robin Higginbotham made a leaping catch at the fence on Randell Boone.

Dan Schuck hit a 2-runner against the wind in the top of the second. Johnny McCraw and Mike Shenk had back to back triples. Team Easton continued to base hit, stretching the bulge to 13-1. Mike Glasscock came out to have a meeting with his team. “Go to a 7-man infield,” yelled one of the Team Easton players.

With Team TPS trailing 18 to 7 come into bat in the bottom of the 4th. Jeff Wallace’s 3-run home run with 2 outs in the bottom of the fifth pulls Team TPS within 18-17. Wallace, Hank Garris and Todd Martin each have 9 home runs. “We got a ballgame going, let’s go,” says Team Easton’s Jeff Hall. “We got a good game going.” “We didn’t need that zero in the (top of) fifth,” said Brett Helmer of Team Easton.

Team Easton didn’t need another blank in the bottom of the sixth, but that’s what they got. Rusty Bumgardner and Todd Martin homered to start the bottom of the sixth, giving Team TPS the lead at 19-18. Martin’s was his 10th, giving him the tournament lead. “It’s a one-inning game,” said Dan Schuck as Team Easton comes to bat in the top of the 7th . . . on the short end of a 19-18 score.

Team Easton is at the top of their order, Jeff Hall, Brett Helmer, Larry Fredieu, Todd Joerling and Dan Schuck. It’s starting to rain. Hall raps a single. Helmer homers into the teeth of the rain and wind. 20-19 Team Easton. But wait, Hall was caught off the base before the pitch. Dead ball. Do it again, says the head umpire. “You can do it again, Brett,” says Robin Higginbotham from the Team Eastons bench. “Go hard, Large,” hollers another teammate. “Say you will.” Helmer walks. Fredieu steps in. Fredieu flies out, to the fence in left. Joerling’s turn.

Glasscock calls a timeout. Stay tuned . . . Joerling flies to deep left center (against the wind) for a sac fly. Darrell Beeler flies out. 19-19 going into the top of the 7th. John Mello leads off the bottom of the 7th with a double to left center and when the ball kicks away from Johnny McCraw and Robin Higginbotham, Mello scores.

Now onto the “IF” Game for all the marbles – Team Easton 16 defeated Team TPS 14, After Team Easton draws a blank in the top of the 6th, Home runs by Randell Boone, Doug Kissane, John Mello and Jeff Wallace put Team TPS ahead 14-12 headed for the top of the 7th. Dewayne Nevitt has 2 HR in the game, giving him 10 for the weekend. Wallace has 12 and a bunch of RBI. Darrell Beeler starts the 7th inning with a single. Johnny McCraw is robbed of a hit on diving grab by Jason Kendrick in center field. Mike Shenk sac fly makes the score 13-14. Ron Parnell gets RBI single making the score 14-14. Greg Harding gets a hit. 2 out, 2 on. J.C. Phelps called on to pinch hit. He hits grounder which kicks off Demond Thomas at third. Everybody safe.

Team Easton bench has their rally caps on. Bases loaded for Jeff Hall. He lines a single to left field, for 2 RBI. 16-14. Brett Helmer walks, bases loaded again.

Team TPS bottom of the 7th: Rusty Bumgardner flies to left. Todd Martin walks. Randell Boone walks. Bill Messina is new pitcher to start this inning. Doug Kissane hits low liner to Ron Parnell at middle infielder. He steps on second, but his throw to first for a triple play is way high. But no triple play needed. Force at second would have bee third out. Big discussion on whether Parnell trapped ball or not, or whether he got the force at secone. Long discussion. Long, long discussion. It was ruled that Boone was safe at second. Phil Jobe up with 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd. Jobe pops up. Game over.

Team Easton wins 16-14 for second Grand Slam title.

• MVP – Todd Joerling, Team Easton
• HR Leader – Jeff Wallace, Team TPS – 12
• Batting Leader – Brett Helmer, Team Easton – .833

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Greg Harding, Team Easton
C – Hank Garris, Team TPS (19-30, .633, 9 HR, 22 RBI)
1B – Dan Schuck, Team Easton (13-18, .722, 14 RBI)
2B – Tim Cocco, Hague/Resmondo/TPS (10-14, .714)
3B – Dewayne Nevitt, Team TPS (9 HR, 13 RBI)
SS – Todd Joerling, Team Easton (15-19, .789, 5 HR, 14 RBI)
OF – Doug Kissane, Team TPS (19-27, .704)
OF – Jason Kendrick, Team TPS (4 HR, 12 RBI)
OF – John McGraw, Team Easton (11-18, .611)
OF – Todd Martin, Team TPS (17-26, .654, 11 HR, 17 RBI)
EH – Brett Helmer, Team Easton (15-18, .833)
UTIL – Jeff Hall, Team Easton (12-20, .600, 3 HR)
UTIL – Ron Parnell, Team Easton (12-18, .667)
UTIL – Jeff Wallace, Team TPS (15-26, .577, 12 HR, 25 RBI)
UTIL – John Mello, Team TPS (6 HR, 13 RBI)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Phil Jobe, Team TPS
C – Keith Brockman, R&D/Easton (11-14, .786)
1B – Tim Linson, Hague/Resmondo/TPS (6 HR)
2B – Rod Hughes, R&D/Easton (10-15, .667, 4 HR, 17 RBI)
3B – David Hood, R&D/Easton (11-15, .733, 5 HR)
SS – Dennis Rulli, JWM/Herb’s/TPS
OF – Derek Oliver, Paramount/TPS
OF – Mark Creson, Dan Smith/Worth (9-12, .750, 4 HR)
OF – Dewayne Frizzell, Dan Smith/Worth (5 HR, 14 RBI)
OF – Robin Higginbotham, Team Easton
EH – Randy Kortokrax, R&D/Easton (10-14, .714, 5 HR)
UTIL – Jerald Smith, Paramount/TPS
UTIL – P.J. Jones, JWM/Herb’s/TPS (7-10, .700)
UTIL – Larry Fredieu, Team Easton
UTIL – Randy Romagna, Paramount/TPS (10-14, .714)

OTHERS

Greg Cannedy, Dan Smith/Worth (7-9, .778)
Jim Devine, R&D/Easton (7-10, .700)
Albert Davis, Dan Smith/Worth (7-10, .700)
Mike Shenk, Team Easton (9-15, .600, 3 HR)
Wendell Rickard, Dan Smith/Worth (7-12, .583, 3 HR)
Paul Drilling, Dan Smith/Worth (5-10, .500)
Scott Striebel, Dan Smith/Worth (6-13, .462)
Robbie Ergle, Dan Smith/Worth (5-11, .455, 1 HR)
Paul Brannon, Hague/Resmondo (8 HR)
Randall Boone, Team TPS (4 HR)
Rusty Bumgardner, Team TPS (4 HR)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Team Easton, Burlingame, CA (4-1)
2. Team TPS, Louisville, KY (5-2)
3. Hague/Resmondo/TPS, Columbus, OH (2-2)
4. R&D/Easton, Lima, OH (2-2)
5t. JWM/Herb’s/TPS, Riverside, CA (2-2)
5t. Paramount/TPS, Virginia Beach, VA (2-2)
7t. Dan Smith/Wessell/Backstop/Worth, San Jose, CA (1-2)
7t. Watanabe/TPS, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
9t. Creative Stucco/Easton, Columbus, OH (0-2)
9t. New/AAA/Worth, Shelbyville, IN (0-2)

1998 held at Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, Florida on August 14-16, 1998

Champion – Lighthouse/Worth, Stone Mountain, Georgia (56-20)
Runner Up – Sunbelt/Dan Smith/Easton, Centerville, Georgia (59-23)

Ricky Huggins ASA Super National MVP at age 46.

Lighthouse/Worth won the first two legs of the Grand Slam by breezing to a surprisingly easy sweep of the ASA Super Nationals August 13-16 at the Sanford Memorial Stadium near Orlando. Lighthouse opened with a 15-7 win over Xtreme/Hinson/Worth, then won four more games . . . all via the run rule.

Lighthouse, sparked by the MVP hitting of veteran pitcher Ricky Huggins, was a 29-14 winner over Team TPS in the finals of the winners bracket, then walloped Sunbelt/Dan Smith/Easton 37-10 in the championship game . . . after Sunbelt sent Team TPS reeling 26-25 with an 8-run rally in the bottom of the seventh that saw a grand slam by Greg Harding and a towering game-winning 2-run blast by Dan Schuck.

Sunbelt had to play the last game without Jimmy Powers and Johnny McCraw who cramped up because of the heat. Shane Dubose did the same thing late in the game. Sunbelt held off Sierra/TPS 25-22 in the late game on Saturday night, leaving Sierra to settle for fourth place. Lighthouse exploded for 17 runs on 9 home runs in the first inning of the finale. Dewayne Frizzell and Huggins each had two home runs in the big first inning. The 46-year-old Huggins had a triple and three homers in his last four at-bats in the win over Team TPS Saturday night. He added another HR for a string of 6 in a row, then hit another for a spree of 7 HRs out of 8 swings. Frizzell finished the final game with five home runs. Huggins had four, Carl Rose three as the LH crew totaled 18 on the baseball field with dimensions of 330-385-330. Robbie Ergle went 6-for-6, with a home run in the big first inning.

Elliott, Mendoza, Rickard and Rose also homered in the first. Huggins wound up with 11 home runs and a tourney leading 24 RBI while going 17-for-21 — an .810 average. Rose led in homers with 12. Frizzell had 11, Sunbelt’s Tot Powers 11. Rose, Frizzell and Powers had 5-HR games. Team TPS opened up an 8-1 lead going into the bottom of the third vs. Lighthouse. That’s when LH hit for 12 runs on 3 HRs — 3-runners by Frizzell and Scott Elliott and a 2-runner by Wendell Rickard, who opened the inning with a triple off the 385-mark in center. Two of Rickard’s HRs were awesome blasts.

Sunbelt’s Todd Joerling hit four home runs over the center field wall, and Robin Higginbotham of Lighthouse had seven triples. Lighthouse closed out the win over Team TPS with nine runs on five home runs in the bottom of the sixth — by Rose, Albert Davis, Dennis Mendoza, Huggins and Rickard.

Team TPS had to play without Todd Martin because his grandmother passed away.

Lighthouse had a 22-run first inning in a 39-24 win over Steele’s/R&D. The inning saw a whopping 12 home runs — three by Rose, and two each by Frizzell, Davis and Elliott. Rickard had a homer and two singles. Lighthouse had another big inning in an early matchup vs. Sierra — 18 runs on 8 homers in the top of the second. Higginbotham had a pair of 2-runners, Davis a slammer and a 2-runner. Sixteen of the runs came after two outs. Elliott had a single and homer in the inning, Huggins a single and a double off the left field wall, Striebel a single and homer, Rickard a single and homer, Rose a long double off the base of the left center field wall and a homer and Frizzell two walks. Sunbelt was upended 26-24 by Chase in the first game for Sunbelt.

Chase built up leads of 16-9 and 21-11 as Mark Weaver and Paul Brannon each walloped three home runs. Weaver had three as Chase opened with a 30-10 romp over Planet/New/TPS.

In nip-and-tuck games, Steele’s nipped Backstop/Easton 19-18 in an early matchup and Sierra held off Backstop 37-35 in the losers bracket.

The only team to win the Grand Slam was Ritch’s/Superior/TPS in 1992.

Last year, there were four different champions — Sunbelt in the ISA, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli in the ASA, Shen Valley/Taylor in the NSA and Lighthouse in the USSSA. Thus, Lighthouse has won three consecutive Grand Slam events — the USSSA last year and the ISA and ASA this year.

This was the second ASA Super title for Lighthouse. The other came in 1995. Huggins has now earned MVP honors in six championships. The others were the ASA Major in 1981 (with Elite), ASA Class A in 1985 (with Thompson’s), the USSSA Class A in 1986 (Ardis), the ISA Class A in 1990 (Lighthouse/Sunbelt) and the ASA Major in 1992 (Vernon’s).

Sierra’s Greg Cannedy was the leading hitter at Sanford. He went 12-for-14 for an .857 average. Plus, he had two walks.

Jason Fleming of Chase was next in line at .846 (11-for-13, plus three walks).

Huggins was third on the list at .810.

Other pace-setters for the red-hot Lighthouse crew included Mendoza at .773, Frizzell at .750, Rose at .731, Robbie Ergle at .714 (he missed the first two games because of his teaching duties) and Rickard at .708. Shane Dubose batted .731, Tot Powers .692 and Dan Schuck .682 for Sunbelt. Todd Joerling, who sparked as usual at short, and pitcher Greg Harding, who snared two rocket shots in the same inning, each had nine HRs for Sunbelt. Rickard had eight homers for Lighthouse.

That number was matched by Sierra’s Hank Garris and Darrell Beeler. Larry Fredieu had five for Sierra. Garris now has 184 homers compared to 177 for Fredieu, the leader until Garris hit 12 in the ISA World Series.

Jeff Wallace had a big tournament for Team TPS. He went 13-for-17 to hold on to his season on-base percentage lead at .804. He had four homers and three triples, one off the 385 sign to the opposite field in his first at-bat and one off the 385 mark in center field.

Robin Higginbotham had seven triples (and four doubles) for Lighthouse. Lighthouse totaled 67 home runs in five games, Sunbelt 62 in six. Team TPS had 33 homers in four games, Sierra 29 in four. Steele’s had 27 in three games. Chase had 21 home runs in its first two games, then only six in the next two, losing 20-4 to Team TPS and 27-12 to Sierra. The all-tournament team included Huggins, Rose, Rickard, Frizzell and Mendoza from Lighthouse, Joerling, Schuck, Harding and Tot Powers from Sunbelt, Wallace and Doug Kissane from Team TPS, Cannedy, Garris and Beeler from Sierra and Fleming from Chase. The second team included Davis, Elliott, Higginbotham and Scott Striebel from Lighthouse, Jeff Hall, Britt Hightower, Shane Dubose and Todd Volkers from Sunbelt, J.C. Phelps and Doug Roberson from Team TPS, Jason Kendrick from Sierra, Larry White from Chase, Rod Hughes and Dal Beggs from Steele’s and Judson Jackson from Backstop. Lighthouse opened with a 15-7 win over Xtreme/Hinson/Worth, but started slow. Xtreme led 7-5, but did not score over the last four innings. Lighthouse sewed it up with a 7-run bottom of the sixth as Frizzell, Davis, Huggins and Rickard homered. Fleming matched Weaver’s 3-HR output in the 30-10 romp for Chase over Planet/New. Chase had a 12-run top of the sixth when Fleming, Weaver and Paul Brannon led off with successive HRs. Bob Fisher, Kenny Carver, Tim Williamson and Jose Santiago also homered for Chase. It was 10-1 after two innings. Steele’s used a 10-run, 6-HR top of the fourth to take a 15-11 lead against Backstop. Lonnie Fox, Rob Schleede, Rod Hughes, Derek Jones, Dennis Pierce and Dal Beggs homered, with the last four coming in a row. It was the second HRs for Pierce and Beggs, and Hughes added a second. Backstop managed only 1-1-2 over the last three innings, leaving a runner on in the bottom of the seventh. Judson Jackson was 4-for-4 with 2 HRs for Backstop. Melvin Mallernee had two 3-runners in the first three innings. Team TPS grabbed an 8-1 lead in the first inning vs. Reece. Wallace and Kissane tripled and Todd Martin, Dewayne Nevitt, J.C. Phelps, Phil Jobe and John Mello homered. Nevitt and Jobe homered again in the third the lead ballooned to 12-3. Final score: 21-4 in 5 innings. Martin went 4-for-4 before having to return home. A home run by Huggins helped Lighthouse to a 6-run fourth for a stunning 27-9 lead over Sierra. After a rain delay, both Lighthouse and Sierra went 1-2-3. Sierra had scored three in the bottom of the fourth. Sunbelt found itself trailing Chase by 10-3 after the first inning. Chase led by 16-9, 21-11 and 26-14 before Sunbelt rallied for 10 runs in the top of the seventh. Brannon matched Weaver’s three HRs. Fisher, Carver, Fleming and Santiago also homered for Chase. Fisher had four hits, including a triple. Weaver totaled seven RBI. Backstop, getting two homers and five RBI from David Burch and a home run from Judson Jackson, eliminated Planet/New 10-9 and Reece ousted Xtreme 11-2 as Howie Krause, Steve Dickey, Steve Ellis and Derek Oliver homered. Krause was an added player from Wessel/Hague/TPS. Three other Wessel players were pickups — Tom White and Brett Helmer with Team TPS and Tim Cocco with Backstop. Sierra’s 37-35 elimination of Backstop saw Garris go 7-for-7 with 3 HRs and 7 RBI. Beeler had 9 RBI. He went 6-for-7 with a triple and 2 homers, one a 3-runner, one a grand slam. Kendrick had six hits, including a triple, and Cannedy and Mike Rodriguez five hits each. Ron Parnell also had a triple. Backstop scored 12 in the fifth to get within 24-25, but Sierra rebounded with 11 in the top of the sixth for a 36-24 command. Bob Van Erem had three homers for nine RBI for Backstop. Judson Jackson had five hits, including two homers, and Burch had four hits, including two homers. Phil White chipped in with two triples and a homer. Sunbelt’s 4-inning 26-6 rout of Reece saw nine runs in the first and eight in the second (for a 17-3 bulge). Thirteen of the 17 runs came after two outs. Sunbelt had only one HR in the first inning — a 3-runner by Todd Volkers, the last man in the lineup. Sunbelt wound up with nine homers. Volkers hit another one. Little Bobby Gilbert had two. Team TPS saw Chase scored four runs on three home runs (by Fisher, Fleming and Brannon) in the first inning, and trailed 4-3 after three innings. But Chase did not score again. Final score: 20-4. Team TPS finally broke it open with nine runs in the top of the sixth. Nevitt had 3-runners in the fifth and sixth. Wallace hit for the cycle. Jobe and Kissane were the only other TPS players to homer. Sunbelt eliminated Steele’s in a 38-27 slugfest. Sunbelt had leads of 19-6 and 27-11. Steele’s broke loose for 11 runs in the top of the sixth to get within 26-28, only to see Sunbelt retaliate with 10 runs on 4 homers in the top of the seventh, including a 3-runners by McCraw and Joerling. This was the 5-HR game for Tot Powers. Sunbelt had 18, with Joerling accounting for three and McCraw, Britt Hightower and Shane Dubose two each. Steele’s had 11, including three by Schleede and two by David Hood. Sierra eliminated Chase 27-12 as Garris and Beeler each had three homers while combining for 13 RBI. One of Garris’ blasts sailed over the 385 sign in right center. Fredieu had two homers as the top three batters in the Sierra lineup accounted for eight of the team’s nine homers. Brannon had two for Chase. Little Dennis Mendoza was 5-for-5, including a home run, in the winners bracket finals win for Lighthouse over Team TPS. Frizzell was 5-for-6 with a homer, Rickard 5-for-6 with a triple and three homers and Huggins had his triple and three homers. A bases-loaded single by Al Davis ended the game via the run rule . . . after intentional walks to Rose and Ergle. Rose had four hits, including a homer, and Scott Elliott had two homers. Frizzell and Elliott had 3-runners in a 12-run third inning as Lighthouse grabbed an 13-8 lead. Team TPS managed only four homers. Sunbelt had 13 homers compared to nine for Sierra in the 25-22 losers bracket semifinal. Joerling and Harding each had three, Volkers two. Schuck’s 3-runner (giving him four hits in the game) and Volkers’ 2-runner gave Sunbelt a 22-20 lead in the top of the sixth. Then Sierra managed only one in each of the sixth and seventh. A hit by Cannedy loaded the bases for Sierra in the bottom of the seventh, but Garris could not connect. He had two HRs. So did Beeler, Fredieu and Everett. Parnell had a slam in the fifth, then saw Hightower run down his long drive in the seventh. Three homers each by Wallace (he was 5-for-5), Nevitt and Kissane and two each by Phelps and Roberson had Team TPS leading by 25-18 going into the bottom of the seventh vs. Sunbelt. After the first batter went out, Jeff Hall homered (he was 4-for-5) and Jimmy Powers, Joerling and Hightower got hits. Tot Powers, who was 4-for-4 with a homer, walked, setting the stage for Harding’s slammer. It was his second homer and fourth hit of the game. After a double by Dubose, Schuck socked his game-winner. He had a 3-runner just the inning before.

• MVP – Ricky Huggins, Lighthouse
• HR Leader – Carl Rose, Lighthouse – 12
• Batting Leader – Greg Cannedy, Sierra/TPS – .857

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

Ricky Huggins, Lighthouse (17-21, .810, 11 HR, 26 RBI)
Carl Rose, Lighthouse (19-26, .731, 12 HR, 18 RBI)
Dewayne Frizzell, Lighthouse (18-24, .750, 11 HR, 19 RBI)
Wendell Rickard, Lighthouse (17-24, .708. 8 HR, 16 RBI)
Dennis Mendoza, Lighthouse (17-22, .773, 2 HR, 11 RBI)
Todd Joerling, Sunbelt (15-28, .636, 9 HR, 19 RBI)
Tot Powers, Sunbelt (18-26, .692, 11 HR, 15 RBI)
Greg Harding, Sunbelt (17-27, .630, 9 HR, 19 RBI)
Dan Schuck, Sunbelt (15-22, .682, 6 HR, 15 RBI)
Jeff Wallace, Team TPS (13-17, .765, 4 HR, 9 RBI)
Doug Kissane, Team TPS (10-13, .769, 5 HR, 8 RBI)
Greg Cannedy, Sierra/TPS (12-14, .857, 6 RBI)
Darrell Beeler, Sierra/TPS (15-20, .750, 8 HR, 20 RBI)
Hank Garris, Sierra/TPS (14-19, .737, 8 HR, 20 RBI)
Jason Fleming, Chase (11-13, .846, 5 HR, 11 RBI)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

Shane DuBose, Sunbelt (19-26, .731, 2 HR, 9 RBI)
Todd Volkers, Sunbelt (13-21, .619, 5 HR, 15 RBI)
Rod Hughes, Steele’s (9-12, .750, 4 HR, 6 RBI)
Albert Davis, Lighthouse/Worth (12-22, .545, 6 HR, 14 RBI)
Dal Beggs, Steele’s (7-10, .700, 3 HR, 7 RBI)
Scott Elliott, Lighthouse/Worth (12-20, .600, 7 HR, 15 RBI)
Britt Hightower, Sunbelt (17-27, .630, 6 HR, 12 RBI)
Doug Roberson, Team TPS (9-12, .750, 3 HR, 6 RBI)
Robin Higginbotham, Lighthouse/Worth (14-22, .636, 2 HR, 14 RBI)
Scott Striebel, Lighthouse/Worth (12-21, .571, 4 HR, 9 RBI)
JC Phelps, Team TPS (11-15, .733, 3 HR, 7 RBI)
Jeff Hall, Sunbelt (15-25, .600, 4 HR, 10 RBI)
Larry White, Chase Mortgage (5-13, .385, 3 RBI)
Jason Kendrick, Sierra/TPS (13-18, .722, 4 RBI)
Judson Jackson, Backstop/Easton (10-13, .769, 5 HR, 9 RBI)

OTHER PLAYERS

Rob Schleede, Steele’s (8-10, .800, 4 HR, 7 RBI)
Robbie Ergle, Lighthouse (10-14, .714)
Bob VanErem, Backstop/Easton (8-12, .667, 4 HR, 12 RBI)
Greg Harding, Sunbelt/Easton (17-27, .630, 9 HR, 19 RBI)
Dennis Pierce, Steele’s (5-8, .625, 3 HR, 9 RBI)
Tim Williamson, Chase (8-13, .615, 1 HR, 3 RBI)
David Burch, Backstop/Easton (7-12, .583, 5 HR, 11 RBI)
John McCraw, Sunbelt/Easton (10-18, .556, 4 HR, 12 RBI)
Rusty Bumgardner, Team TPS (8-15, .533, 1 HR, 5 RBI)
Larry Fredieu, Sierra/TPS (10-19, .526, 5 HR, 10 RBI)
Jimmy Powers, Sunbelt/Easton (11-21, .524, 4 HR, 10 RBI)
Dewayne Nevitt, Team TPS (7-15, .467, 7 HR, 13 RBI)
Mark Weaver, Chase (7-15, .467, 6 HR, 12 RBI)
Paul Brannon, Chase (7 HR)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Lighthouse/Worth, Stone Mountain, GA (5-0)
2. Sunbelt/Dan Smith/Easton, Centerville, GA (4-2)
3. Team TPS, Louisville, KY (2-2)
4. Sierra/TPS, Reno, NV (2-2)
5t. Chase/Easton, Wilmington, NC (2-2)
5t. Steele’s/R&D/Reda, Brook Park, OH (1-2)
7t. Backstop/Easton, Aurora, IN (1-2)
7t. Reece/Sports World/Chip’s/TPS, Lebanon, TN (1-2)
9t. Planet/New/TPS, Lexington, KY (0-2)
9t. Xtreme/Hinson/Worth, Little Rock, AR (0-2)

SCORES

WINNERS BRACKET

Lighthouse 15, Xtreme 7
Chase 30, Planet/New 10, 6 innings
Steele’s 19, Backstop 18
Team TPS 21, Reece 4, 5 innings
Lighthouse 27, Sierra 12, 5 innings
Chase 26, Sunbelt 24
Lighthouse 39, Steele’s 24, 5 innings
Team TPS 20, Chase 4, 6 innings
Lighthouse 29, Team TPS 14, 6 innings

LOSERS BRACKET

Backstop 10, Planet/New 9
Reece 11, Xtreme 2
Sierra 37, Backstop 35
Sunbelt 26, Reece 6, 4 innings
Sunbelt 38, Steele’s 27
Sierra 27, Chase 12, 6 innings
Sunbelt 25, Sierra 22
Sunbelt 26, Team TPS 25

CHAMPIONSHIP

Lighthouse 37, Sunbelt 10, 5 innings

STATISTICS

BATTING AVERAGE

Greg Cannedy, Sierra 12-14 .857
Jason Fleming, Chase 11-13 .846
Ricky Huggins, Lighthouse 17-21 .810
Dennis Mendoza, Lighthouse 17-22 .773
Jeff Wallace, Team TPS 13-17 .765
Dewayne Frizzell, Lighthouse 18-24 .750
Darrell Beeler, Sierra 15-20 .750
Hank Garris, Sierra 14-19 .737
J.C. Phelps, Team TPS 11-15 .733
Carl Rose, Lighthouse 19-26 .731
Shane Dubose, Sunbelt 19-26 .731
Jason Kendrick, Sierra 13-18 .722

HOME RUNS

Carl Rose, Lighthouse 12
Dewayne Frizzell, Lighthouse 11
Ricky Huggins, Lighthouse 11
Tot Powers, Sunbelt 11
Greg Harding, Sunbelt 9
Todd Joerling, Sunbelt 9
Wendall Rickard, Lighthouse 8
Darrell Beeler, Sierra 8
Hank Garris, Sierra 8
Scott Elliott, Lighthouse 7
Paul Brannon, Chase 7
Dewayne Nevitt, Team TPS 7
Albert Davis, Lighthouse 6
Mark Weaver, Chase 6
Britt Hightower, Sunbelt 6
Dan Schuck, Sunbelt 6

RUNS BATTED IN

Ricky Huggins, Lighthouse 24
Darrell Beeler, Sierra 20
Hank Garris, Sierra 20
Dewayne Frizzell, Lighthouse 19
Greg Harding, Sunbelt 19
Todd Joerling, Sunbelt 19
Carl Rose, Lighthouse 18
Wendall Rickard, Lighthouse 16

1997 held at Sanford, Florida on August 15-17.

Champion – Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS, Windsor Locks, Connecticut (67-19)
Runner Up – Shen Valley/Taylor Brothers/TPS Bridgewater, Virginia (77-23)

The Windsor Locks-based Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS defended their Amateur Softball Association Super Nationals title by defeating Shen Valley of Bridgewater, Va., 30-29 in Sanford, Fla. Dewayne Nevitt’s two-run homer in the seventh was the difference. He had 20 homers and 37 RBI in eight games and was named MVP.

• MVP – Dewayne Nevitt, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS
• HR Leader – Dewayne Nevitt, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS – 20
• Batting Leader – Mike Rodriguez, Sierra/TPS – .826

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Brad Stiles, Lighthouse/Worth (16-20, .800, 9 HR, 17 RBI)
C – Dewayne Nevitt, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS (24-38, .632, 20 HR, 37 RBI)
1B – Dirk Androff, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS (24-36, .667, 11 HR, 21 RBI)
2B – Rusty Bumgardner, Shen Valley/Taylor Brothers/TPS (19-25, .760, 5 HR, 13 RBI)
3B – Albert Davis, Shen Valley/TPS (16-26, .615, 6 HR, 12 RBI)
SS – Greg Cannedy, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS (18-28, .643, 1 HR, 7 RBI)
OF – Doug Kissane, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS (25-35, .714, 18 HR, 26 RBI)
OF – Hank Garris, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS (24-33, .727, 13 HR, 22 RBI)
OF – Larry Fredieu, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS (20-33, .606, 14 HR, 32 RBI)
OF – Todd Martin, Shen Valley/Taylor Brothers/TPS (12-27, .444, 6 HR, 13 RBI)
EP – JC Phelps, Shen Valley/Taylor Brothers/TPS (18-26, .692, 6 HR, 15 RBI)
UTIL – Jason Kendrick, Shen Valley/Taylor Brothers/TPS (16-25, .640, 2 HR, 13 RBI)
UTIL – Mike Shenk, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS (23-32, .719, 7 HR, 18 RBI)
UTIL – Dennis Mendoza, Lighthouse/Worth (19-25, .760, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
UTIL – Mark Creson, Sierra/TPS (12-19, .632, 9 HR, 16 RBI)
UTIL – John Keigley, Sierra/TPS (14-20, .700, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
UTIL – Mike Rodriguez, Sierra/TPS (19-23, .826, 10 RBI, 13 Runs)

OTHERS

Jeff Wallace, SoJern/Specialty Tank (12-14, .857)
Todd Joerling, Sunbelt Dan Smith (18-22, .818, 7 HR, 21 RBI)
Jeff Hall, Sunbelt Dan Smith (14-19, .737, 7 HR, 16 RBI)
Shane Dubose, Sunbelt Dan Smith (15-21, .714, 7 HR, 16 RBI)
Brett Helmer, SoJern/Specialty Tank (10-14, .714)
Ricky Huggins, Lighthouse/Worth (16-24, .667, 4 HR, 10 RBI)
Wendell Rickard, Lighthouse/Worth (17-26, .654, 16 HR, 30 RBI)
Greg Harding, Sunbelt Dan Smith (16-23, .652, 8 HR, 21 RBI)
Robbie Ergle, Lighthouse/Worth (15-24, 625, 7 HR, 14 RBI)
Dale Walters, Sierra/TPS (13-21, .619, 3 HR, 18 RBI)
Darrell Beeler, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS (21-34, .618, 12 HR, 17 RBI)
Tot Powers, Shen Valley/Taylor Brothers/TPS (16-26, .615, 6 HR, 13 RBI)
Randall Boone, Shen Valley/Taylor Brothers/TPS (14-24, .583, 8 HR, 17 RBI)
Phil Jobe, Shen Valley/Taylor Brothers/TPS (14-24, .583, 1 HR, 9 RBI)
Ron Parnell, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS (18-31, .581, 8 HR, 14 RBI)
Britt Hightower, Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS (22-38, .579, 7 HR, 19 RBI)
Steve Craven, Lighthouse/Worth (13-24, .565, 7 HR, 14 RBI)
Dewayne Frizzell, Shen Valley/Taylor Brothers/TPS (13-24, .542, 6 HR, 14 RBI)
Jimmy Powers, Shen Valley/Taylor Brothers/TPS (15-29, .517, 7 HR, 16 RBI)
Carl Rose, Lighthouse/Worth (12-24, 500, 3 HR, 3 RBI)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Ritch’s-Superior/Tri-Gems/Beloli/TPS, Windsor Locks, CT (7-1)
2. Shen Valley/Taylor Brothers/TPS, Bridgewater, VA (4-2)
3. Sierra/TPS, Reno, NV (3-2)
4. Lighthouse/Worth, Stone Mountain, GA (3-2)
5t. Sunbelt/Dan Smith/Easton, Centerville, GA (3-2)
5t. Major League/Easton, Chattanooga, TN (3-2)
7t. Robert’s/Easton, Orlando, FL (2-2)
7t. Hague/Ohio Transport/Wessel/TPS, Columbus, OH (2-2)
9t. Steele’s/Reda, Brook Park, OH (1-2)
9t. SoJern/Specialty Tank/TPS, Cedar Brook, NJ (1-2)
9t. R&D/Grover, Lima, OH (1-2)
9t. D’s Alliance/JWM/Easton, Valley Center, CA (1-2)
13t. Long Haul/TPS, Albertville, MN (0-2)
13t. Herb’s/TPS, San Diego, CA (0-2)
13t. NASTY Boys/TPS, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
13t. Martin/Mizuno/Bike/Demarini, Seymour, IN (0-2)