Category: ASA Men’s Super Slow Pitch

1986 at Burlington, North Carolina.

Champion – Steele’s Sports, Grafton, Ohio (217-13)
Runner Up – Pepsi-Cola, Danville, Virginia

Steele’s went undefeated in winning it’s second straight Super National Championship. They were 5-0 in Pool Play and then 3-0 in the Elimination round, defeating Pepsi-Cola 28-2 in the championship game. Pepsi had previously eliminated Pantry 28-11 in the semi-finals.  Craig Elliott and Mike Bolen each 3 homers in the title game. Steele’s connected for 15 HR during that game and had 94 total home runs in the tournament. Pitcher, Craig Elliott was the MVP for the second straight year as he went 8-0 pitching, and hit a tournament leading 17 HR. He wound up batting .703 and had 28 RBI. Mike Macenko had 14 HR and Charles Wright walloped 12 homers in addition to batting .810. This was Elliott’s 6th career National MVP Award, (He won the 1977 Open/Major MVP for Ken Sanders Ford and the past 2 years for Steele’s captured his 2 ASA Super National MVPs. He also has earned 2 NSPC National MVP awards: 1982 with York Barbell/Ken Sanders and 1983 with Elite Coatings. Throw in the 1984 USSSA World Series MVP for 6 total, the most all time up to date.

• MVP – Craig Elliot, Steele’s Sports
• HR Leader – Craig Elliot, Steele’s Sports – 17
• Batting Leader – Charles Wright, Steele’s Sports – .810

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Craig Elliott, Steele’s Sports (8-0 Pitching, 26-37, .703, 17 HR, 28 RBI)
C – Mike Bolen, Steele’s Sports (27-36, .667, 14 HR, 22 RBI)
1B – Dennis Graser, Steele’s Sports (25-36, .694, 12 2B)
2B – Mike Macenko, Steele’s Sports (27-39, .692, 14 HR, 26 RBI)
UT – Tim White, Howard’s/Western Steer
SS – Greg Whitlock, Steele’s Sports (19-29, .655)
OF – Dan Schuck, Steele’s Sports (20-32, .625, 11 HR, 25 RBI)
OF – Ken Loeri, Steele’s Sports (20-35, .571, 8 HR, 20 RBI)
OF – Jay Setliff, Pepsi-Cola
OF – Ray Moore, Pantry
EH – Tim Rhinehart, Howard’s/Western Steer (.750)
UTIL – Steve Johnson, Pepsi-Cola
UTIL – Charles Gibson, Pepsi-Cola
UTIL – David Dixon, Pepsi-Cola
UTIL – Wayne Pyrtle, Pantry

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Jerry Robinson, Dickie’s TV
C – Neal Waltman, Pepsi-Cola
1B – Kenny Reynolds, Pepsi-Cola
2B – Tommy Spoon, Pantry
3B – Charles Wright, Steele’s Sports (17-21, .810, 12 HR, 16 RBI, 9 consecutive HR)
SS – Richard Wilborn, Howard’s/Western Steer
OF – Joe Young, Steele’s Sports
OF – Doug Roberson, Steele’s Sports
OF – Wayne Barley, Pepsi-Cola
OF – Ken Broadwell, Pantry
UTIL – Johnny Hagins, Pantry
UTIL – John Baxter, Alamance Merchants
UTIL – Ed McGill, Dickie’s TV
UTIL – Doug Vincent, Alamance Merchants
UTIL – Mark Hierlmeir, Howard’s/Western Steer

FINAL STANDINGS (overall record counting Pool Play games)

1. Steele’s Sports, Grafton, OH 3-0 – (8-0)
2. Pepsi-Cola, Danville, VA 4-2 – (5-6)
3. Pantry, Sanford, NC 2-2 – (4-5)
4. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC 1-2 – (4-4)
5t. Alamance Merchants, Burlington, NC 0-2 – (2-5)
5t. Dickie TV, Asheville, NC 0-2 – (2-5)

POOL PLAY RESULTS

1. Steele’s Sports, Grafton, OH 5-0
2. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC 3-2
3. Pantry, Sanford, NC 2-3
4. Dickie TV, Asheville, NC 2-3
5. Alamance Merchants, Burlington, NC 2-3
6. Pepsi-Cola, Danville, VA 1-4

Winners bracket

Alamance 13 Dickies 9
Steeles 39 Alamance 16
Pantry 14 Pepsi 8
Pantry 13 Howards 8
Steeles 29 Pantry 11

Losers bracket

Pepsi 9 Alamance 8
Howards 8 Dickies 5
Pepsi 15 Howards 12
Pepsi 28 Pantry 11

Final

Steeles 27 Pepsi 2

1985 held at Burlington, North Carolina.

Champion – Steele’s Sports, Grafton, Ohio (159-27)
Runner Up – Elite Coatings, Gordon, Georgia (115-11)

MVP Craig Elliott had 2 HR and 4 RBI in the 29-13 Championship Game win over Elite Coatings. Steele’s previously defeated Elite in the Winner’s Bracket final by a 27-11 score. Steele’s also defeated Howard’s in the first game to send them to the loser’s bracket. Howard’s went 0-2 in the elimination portion of the event. Steele’s was without two of their most consistent hitters as Mike Nye and Mike Bolen both had to sit out the tournament with injuries.

• MVP – Craig Elliot, Steele’s
• HR Champion – Craig Elliot, Steele’s Sports – 17
• Batting Champion – Bruce Meade, Elite Coatings – .815

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Greg Fuhrman, Steele’s Sports
C – Craig Elliott, Steele’s Sports (27-38, .711, 17 HR, 32 RBI)
1B – Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer (10 HR)
2B – Kurt Steger, Lilly Air Systems (5 HR)
3B – Charles Wright, Elite Coatings (19-27, .704, 15 HR)
SS – Greg Whitlock, Steele’s Sports (19-32, .594)
OF – Ken Loeri, Steele’s Sports (21-29, .724, 14 HR, 30 RBI)
OF – Bill Schllian, Lilly Air Systems
OF – Bruce Meade, Elite Coatings (22-27, .815, 14 HR, 25 RBI)
OF – Ken Parker, Lilly Air Systems (6 HR)
UTIL – Dennis Graser, Steele’s Sports (21-28, .750, 11 HR, 32 RBI)
UTIL – Tim Rhinehart, Howard’s/Western Steer
UTIL – Bill Pollock, Elite Coatings (7-19, .368, 5 HR)
UTIL – Bill Gatti, Elite Coatings (13-22, .571, 11 HR)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Rick Weiterman, Steele’s Sports (15-21, .714)
C – Dave Steffen, Lilly Air Systems
1B – Cecil Whitehead, Elite Coatings (19-24, .792, 7 HR)
2B – Mike Macenko, Steele’s Sports (26-41, .634, 14 HR, 26 RBI)
3B – Bill Blake, Howard’s/Western Steer (7 HR)
SS – Steve Williams, Elite Coatings (21-31, .677, 3 HR)
OF – Rick Gentry, Greensboro Merchants
OF – Dan Griffin, Steele’s Sports (16-25, .640, 12 HR, 24 RBI)
OF – Curtis Williams, Howard’s/Western Steer
OF – Clyde Guy, Howard’s/Western Steer
UTIL – Freddie Trice, Elite Coatings (16-27, .593, 7 HR)
UTIL – Henry McBeth, Steele’s Sports (21-32, .656, 12 HR, 24 RBI)
UTIL – Darrell Misenheimer, Howard’s/Western Steer (5 HR)
UTIL – Ernie Montgomery, Steele’s Sports

OTHERS

Doug Brown, Elite Coatings (18-25, .720, 10 HR)
Rick Wheeler, Elite Coatings (16-27, .593, 9 HR)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Steele’s Sports, Grafton, OH (4-0) 6-2 including pool play
2. Elite Coatings, Gordon, GA (2-2) 5-3 including pool play
3. Lilly Air Systems, Chicago, IL (2-2) 4-4 including pool play
4. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (0-2) 3-3 including pool play
5. Greensboro Merchants, Greensboro, NC (0-2) 0-6 including pool play

1984 held at Burlington, North Carolina.

Champion – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, North Carolina (104-40)
Runner Up – Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, Florida (61-25)

Howard’s/Western Steer went 0-4 in the round robin, defeated Elite Coatings (2-2), then defeated number one seed Jerry’s Catering (4-0) in the winners bracket final.

Jerry’s then eliminated Elite Coatings to get another crack at the Howard’s/Western Steer squad.  Jerry’s won going away 51-27 to force the “if” game.

The game was not contest as the defending champs won 45-12 over Jerry’s to retain their ASA Super National title.

Clyde Guy was 7-7 with 6 HR and 10 RBI in that final game. MVP Rick Scherr, Ed Roth, Stan Harvey and Ricky Huggins all hit 4 HR in the game. Rick Scherr hit 20 HR in the tournament and counting his Intentional Walks, his on base percentage was .846 (39-46).

Bruce Meade was 31-40 to win the batting title with a .775 average, just edging out Scherr, who batted .774.

• MVP – Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer
• HR Leader – Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer – 20
• Batting Leader – Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers – .775

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Don Arndt, Howard’s/Western Steer (7 HR)
C – Bill Gatti, Elite Coatings (3 HR)
1B – Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer (24-31, .774, 20 HR, 37 RBI, 15 intentional walks)
2B – Doug Brown, Jerry’s Catering (9 HR)
3B – Ricky Huggins, Howard’s/Western Steer (6 HR)
OF – Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Catering (31-40, .775, 14 HR, 23 RBI)
OF – Dick Bartel, Howard’s/Western Steer (8 HR)
OF – Denny Jones, Jerry’s Catering (7 HR)
OF – Curtis Williams, Howard’s/Western Steer (3 HR)
UTIL – Rick Wheeler, Jerry’s Catering (10 HR)
UTIL – Craig Elliott, Elite Coatings (7 HR)
UTIL – Stan Harvey, Howard’s/Western Steer (10 HR)
UTIL – Mike Bolen, Jerry’s Catering (7 HR)
UTIL – Freddie Trice, Elite Coatings (2 HR)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Rick Weiterman, Elite Coatings
C – Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Catering (6 HR)
1B – Bill Pollock, Elite Coatings
2B – Bill Meyer, Jerry’s Catering
3B – Charles Wright, Elite Coatings
SS – Danny Basso, Jerry’s Catering
OF – Glenn Borquin, Howard’s/Western Steer (6 HR)
OF – Dennis Graser, Elite Coatings
OF – Richard Wilborn, Howard’s/Western Steer
OF – Clyde Guy, Howard’s/Western Steer (7 HR)
UTIL – Russell Bradley, Howard’s/Western Steer
UTIL – Dan Griffin, Jerry’s Catering
UTIL – Ron Ford, Elite Coatings
UTIL – Steve Williams, Elite Coatings

FINAL STANDINGS (overall record counting Pool Play games)

1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (3-1) 0-4 in pool play
2. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (2-2) 4-0 in pool play
3. Elite Coatings, Gordon, GA (0-2) 2-2 in pool play

GAME RECAPS

Jerry’s 51, Howard’s 27 (first final)
————————–
Bruce Meade (8-8, 5 HR, 9 RBI)
Rick Wheeler (5-6, 3 HR)
Doug Brown (8-8, 4 HR, 9 RBI)
Denny Jones (5-6, 4 HR)
Chic Downing (HR)
Mike Bolen (HR)
Greg Fuhrman (HR)
Harold Kelley (2 HR)
————————–
Don Arndt (5-5, 2 HR)
Russell Bradley (4-5)
Dick Bartel (4-6, HR)
Stan Harvey (3 HR)
Rick Scherr (2 HR)
Ricky Huggins (2 HR)
Glen Bourquin (HR)
Clyde Guy (HR)

Howard’s 45, Jerry’s 12 (Championship Game)
————————–
Clyde Guy (7-7, 6 HR, 10 RBI)
Ricky Huggins (6-7, 4 HR)
Russell Bradley (5-6)
Rick Scherr (5-6, 4 HR, 8 RBI)
Ed Roth (5-7, 4 HR)
Dick Bartel (2 HR)
Stan Harvey (4 HR)
Don Arndt (2 HR)
Glen Bourquin (3 HR)
Curtis Williams (2 HR)
————————–
Danny Basso (3-4)
Doug Brown (3-4, 2 HR)
Bruce Meade (2 HR)
Mike Bolen (HR)
Mike Cellura (HR)
Rick Wheeler (HR)

1983 at Burlington, North Carolina.

Champion – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, North Carolina (128-23)
Runner Up – Elite Coatings, Gordon, Georgia (132-13)

Howard’s/Western Steer went undefeated winning 4 straight games to capture the ASA Super National Championship. In the winner’s bracket final, Howards beat Jerry’s Caterers of Miami 39-38. There was a total of 34 HR hit by the 2 teams. Dick Bartel led Howards with a 6-6 game to go with 9 RBI.

Jerry’s now had to face Elite Coatings in the loser’s bracket final. Jerry’s hit 21 homers and Elite hit 20 homers for a total of 41 home runs hit in the game.

Elite prevailed however 34-27. Fred Trice led the Elite attack with 5 HR. James Washington, Mike Cellura, Bruce Meade and Mike Bolen all hit 3 apiece for Jerry’s.

Howard’s, who was sitting back and waiting, jumped out to a 27-6 lead after 3 inning and coasted to the championship. MVP Rick Scherr led Howards all weekend going 15-17 (.882), with 12 HR, 19 Runs Scored and 30 RBI. Dick Bartel (13-17, .765 and 7 HR, 12 RBI, 19 Runs), Richard Wilborn (15-20, .750, 4 HR, 10 RBI), Russell Bradley (16-23, .696, 17 Runs), Ed Roth (12-18, .667, 6 HR, 13 RBI), Don Arndt (14-22, .636, 5 HR, 13 RBI), Clyde Guy (11-18, .611, 8 HR, 19 RBI) and Tom Beall (10-19, .556, 4 HR, 14 RBI) were all the big hitters for Howard’s.

The North Carolina softball power scored 137 runs in the 4 games and hit 53 total HR.

• MVP – Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer
• HR Leader – Craig Elliot, Elite Coatings – 14
• Batting Leader – Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer – .882
• Outstanding Pitcher Award – Don Arndt, Howard’s/Western Steer

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Don Arndt, Howard’s/Western Steer (14-22, .636, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 12 Runs)
C – Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Catering (5 HR)
1B – Bill Pollock, Elite Coatings (13 HR)
UT – Clyde Guy, Howard’s/Western Steer (11-18, .611, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 12 Runs)
3B – Rich Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer (15-17, .882, 12 HR, 30 RBI, 19 Runs)
SS – Danny Basso, Jerry’s Catering (3 HR)
OF – Richard Willborn, Howard’s/Western Steer (15-20, .750, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 9 Runs)
OF – Mike Cellura, Jerry’s Catering (8 HR)
OF – Dick Bartel, Howard’s/Western Steer (13-17, .765, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 19 Runs)
OF – Ronnie Ford, Elite Coatings (3 HR)
UTIL – Freddie Trice, Elite Coatings (11 HR)
UTIL – Cecil Whitehead, Elite Coatings (8 HR)
UTIL – Craig Elliott, Elite Coatings (14 HR)
UTIL – Ed Roth, Howard’s/Western Steer (12-18, .667, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 14 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Catering (5 HR)
UT – Bill Meyer, Jerry’s Catering
1B – Daryl Oldham, Poe & Associates
2B – Russell Bradley, Howard’s/Western Steer (16-23, .696, 4 RBI, 17 Runs)
3B – Doug Brown, Jerry’s Catering (8 HR)
SS – Steve Howard, Howard’s/Western Steer (6-14, .429, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 4 Runs)
OF – Denny Jones, Jerry’s Catering (5 HR)
OF – Mike Nye, Jerry’s Catering
OF – Curtis Williams, Howard’s/Western Steer (10-19, .526, 2 RBI, 10 Runs)
OF – James Washington, Jerry’s Catering (6 HR)
UTIL – Ricky Huggins, Elite Coatings (8 HR)
UTIL – Charles Wright, Elite Coatings (11 HR)
UTIL – Mike Bolen, Jerry’s Catering (5 HR)
UTIL – Tom Beall, Howard’s/Western Steer (10-18, .556, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 12 Runs)

OTHERS

Stan Harvey, Howard’s (6-9, .667, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 7 Runs)
Steve Howard, Howard’s (6-14, .429, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 4 Runs)
Steve Williams, Elite Coatings (8 HR)
Chic Downing, Jerry’s Caterers (2 HR)
Bill Blake, Cable TV (2 HR, 5 RBI)

GAME RESULTS

Winner’s Bracket

• Jerrys 33- Elite 32 (Jerrys – Doug Brown 5 HR, 13 RBI)
• Howards 17 – Cable TV 9 (Howards – Rick Scherr 3 HR, 6 RBI)
• Jerrys 11 – Poe 8
• Howards 36 – Dave Carrol 10 (Howards – Rick Scherr 3 HR)
• Howards 39 – Jerry’s 38 (WB Final) (Howards – Dick Bartel 6-6 9 RBI and Clyde Guy 2 HR)

Loser’s Bracket

• Elite 29 – Dave Carroll 11 (Elite – Charles Wright 4 HR and Ron Ford 3 HR)
• Elite 24 – Poe 4
• Elite 33 – Jerrys 32 (Elite – Fred Trice HR; Craig Elliott and Cecil Whitehead 4 HR – Jerrys – Bruce Meade, Mike Cellura, Mike Bolen and James Washington 3 HR)
• Howards 45 – Elite 41 (Championship – Howards – Clyde Guy and Rick Scherr 4 HR; Tom Beall and Richard Wilborn 3 HR – Elite – Craig Ellitt 6 HR and Bill Pollock 5 HR)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (4-0)
2. Elite Coatings, Gordon, GA (3-2)
3. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (2-2)
4. Poe & Associates/City Radiator, Tampa, FL (1-2)
5t. Cable TV, Garland, TX (0-2)
5t. Dave Carroll Sports, Birmingham, AL (0-2)

1982 held at Burlington, North Carolina.

Champion – Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, Florida (93-13)
Runner Up – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, North Carolina (143-24)

This championship was a longtime coming for Jerry’s Caterers of Miami, FL.  After Jerry’s won their first game over Mann’s-Vada of Atlanta 10-2 with Bruce Meade going 3-4, they ran into trouble in their second game losing to defending champ, Howard’s/Western Steer 16-11.

Dick Bartell had 2 HR and 5 RBI to lead Howards. Meade was 3-4 again. But this put Jerry’s in the loser’s bracket.  York Barbell/Ken Sanders won two straight in the winner’s bracket 19-9 and 18-17.

Charles Wright (3 HR in 19-9 game) and Craig Elliott (3 HR in 18-17 game) led the offense for the York/Sanders crew.

Howard’s won two more in the winner’s bracket as Rick Scherr broke the all time single season HR record set by Mighty Joe Young, playing for Steele’s Sports in 1980. Scherr hit number 338 to pass Young.  Rick Scherr and Stan Harvey combined for 7 HR and 14 RBI against York-Sanders to win the winners bracket final 33-8.

Meanwhile, defending Major Class Champion, Elite Coatings led by Cecil Whitehead won its second straight as well as Whitehead was 5-6 with 5 RBIs for Elite Coatings in its opening game victory.

Jerry’s started its run through the loser’s bracket by beating Copher Brothers 9-6 and Garrett & Houck 15-7. Jerry’s Mike Bolen had 6 RBI in that last game. After eliminating Elite Coatings 47-13 (Meade was 8-8 in that game and Harold Kelly had 2 HR and 6 RBI in one inning) and York Barbell/Ken Sanders 26-19, Jerry’s had to defeat the might Howard’s squad two straight games.

Bruce Meade was a one man wrecking crew as he led Jerry’s to a 25-11 win in the first final as he clubbed 3 HR and collected 7 RBI.

Then in the Final Championship Game, Jerry’s defeated Howards 10-8 to capture the ASA Super National Championship.  Meade was 2-3 in that last game with a double and a single.

• MVP – Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers
• HR Leader – Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers – 12
• Batting Leader – Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers – .703
• Outstanding Pitcher Award – Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers (15-33, .455, 5 HR)
C – Harold Kelley, Jerry’s Caterers (17-31, .548, 9 HR)
1B – Stan Harvey, Howard’s/Western Steer (13-22, .590, 6 HR)
2B – Bill Meyer, Jerry’s Caterers (20-34, .588)
3B – Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer (12-24, .500, 9 HR)
SS – Charles Wright, York Barbell/Ken Sanders (10-16, .625, 4 HR)
OF – Richard Wilborn, Howard’s/Western Steer (11-18, .611, 1 HR)
OF – Dick Bartel, Howard’s/Western Steer (13-20, .650, 5 HR)
OF – Curtis Williams, York Barbell/Ken Sanders (9-13, .692)
OF – Cecil Whitehead, Elite Coatings (12-19, .632, 3 HR)
UTIL – Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers (26-37, .703, 12 HR)
UTIL – Mike Bolen, Jerry’s Caterers (19-33, .576, 4 HR)
UTIL – James Washington, Jerry’s Caterers  (19-28, .679, 6 HR)
UTIL – Freddie Trice, Elite Coatings (11-16, .688, 6 HR)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Craig Elliott, York Barbell/Ken Sanders (8-15, .533, 5 HR)
C – Mike Parrott, Jerry’s Caterers (16-30, .533, 3 HR)
1B – Bill Pollack, York Barbell/Ken Sanders (9-17, .529, 6 HR)
2B – Dennis Myers, Howard’s/Western Steer (11-19, .579, 4 HR)
3B – Lacy Brumley, Mann’s/Vada (8-15, .533, 4 HR)
OF – Mike Cellura, Howard’s/Western Steer (10-21, .476, 3 HR)
OF – Clyde Guy, York Barbell/Ken Sanders (7-14, .500, 1 HR)
OF – Tom Beall, Howard’s/Western Steer (10-20, .500, 5 HR)
OF – Mike Nye, York Barbell/Ken Sanders (9-18, .500, 1 HR)
OF – Homer Salazar, Garrett & Houck (9-12, .750, 3 HR)
OF – Perry Kennington, Mann’s/Vada (10-15, .667)
OF – Richard Mummaw, Elite Coatings (9-14, .643, 3 HR)
UTIL – Myles Schexnayder, Jerry’s Caterers (9-19, .474, 3 HR)
UTIL – Ronnie Ford, Elite Coatings (12-21, .571, 3 HR)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (7-1)
2. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (3-2)
3. York Barbell/Ken Sanders, York, PA (2-2)
4. Elite Coatings, Gordon, GA (2-2)
5t. Garrett & Houck, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
5t. Mann’s/Vada, Atlanta, GA (2-2)
7t. Copher Brothers, Tampa, FL (1-2)
7t. T&K, Lexington, KY (1-2)
9t. Dan’s Sports, Tampa, FL (0-2)
9t. Alabama Sports, Birmingham, AL (0-2)

1981 held at Burlington, North Carolina.

Champion – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, North Carolina (160-15)
Runner Up – Steele’s Sports, Lima, Ohio

Surprise team, B&S Construction from Rome, GA made it to the winners bracket final where they lost to Howard’s 30-10.

Steele’s Sports, already in the loser’s bracket, eliminated Jerry’s Caterers of Miami 31-16 and then eliminated B&S 11-6 in the loser’s bracket final to get a shot at Howard’s in the Championship.  The North Carolina club was just too strong as they  beat Steele’s 30-13 in final, Scherr 4-4, 3 HR, 6 RBI in final.

Dick Bartel (5 hits, including a home run), Tom Beall (4 hits, including 2 HR) and Don Arndt (4 hits and also 2 HR). Ed Roth and Bill Ferguson also hit dingers for Howard’s. Howard’s broke the game open with a big 13-run third inning as Rick Scherr hit 2 of his home runs in that inning. Scherr swept most of the awards winning the MVP and Batting title. He also tied for the Home Run Lead with teammate Don Arndt and Henry McBeth of Steele’s, all three had 8.

For the entire tournament, Howard’s players had some crazy numbers: Dick Bartel (15-19, .789, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 13 Runs), Bill Ferguson (12-17, .706, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 9 Runs), Russell Bradley (13-21, .619, 5 RBI, 11 Runs) and Tom Beall (9-18, .500, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 10 Runs).

For Steeles, Chic Downing (16-25, .640, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 14 Runs), Jerry King (13-21, .619, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 14 Runs), John Brenner (17-28, .607, 11 Runs), Al White (12-20, .600, 14 Runs). Rick Hollingsworth (14-17, .824) and Warren Scarborough (11-15, .733, 7 HR, 13 RBI) were the top 2 hitters for B&S. Harold Kelly and Mighty Joe Young were both 13-21 (.619) and combined for 13 HR and 24 RBI to lead Jerry’s. Bruce Meade chipped in with a (12-20, .600, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 13 Runs) performance.

York Barbell/Ken Sanders was led by the trio of Craig Elliott (9-12, .750, 6 HR, 15 RBI), James Boyette (9-14, .643) and Mike Nye (10-16, .625). This Howard’s team has been voted upon over the years to be one of the greatest teams of all time. They finished the season as the Triple Crown Champs, also winning the NSPC Regular Season and Playoff Championship and USSSA World Series Championships as well to finish the season 160-15.

• MVP – Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer
• HR Leader – Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer  – 8
• HR Leader – Don Arndt, Howard’s/Western Steer – 8
• HR Leader – Henry McBeth, Steele’s Sports – 8
• Batting Leader – Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer – .842

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Don Arndt, Howard’s/Western Steer (11-18, .611, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 11 Runs)
C – Harold Kelley, Jerry’s Catering (13-21, .619, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 12 Runs)
1B – Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer (16-19, .842, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 14 Runs)
2B – Jerry King, Steele’s Sports (13-21, .619, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 14 Runs)
3B – Bill Ferguson, Howard’s/Western Steer (12-17, .706, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 8 Runs)
SS – Russell Bradley, Howard’s/Western Steer (13-21, .619, 5 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – Dick Bartel, Howard’s/Western Steer (15-19, .789, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 13 Runs)
OF – Henry McBeth, Steels’s Sports (14-21, .667, 8 HR, 12 RBI, 10 Runs)
OF – Chic Downing, Steele’s Sports (16-25, .640, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 15 Runs)
OF – Rick Hollingsworth, B&S Construction (14-17, .824, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 13 Runs)
UTIL – Mighty Joe Young, Jerry’s Catering (13-21, .619, 7 HR, 10 RBI, 8 Runs)
UTIL – Craig Elliott, York Barbell/Ken Sanders (9-12, .750, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 9 Runs)
UTIL – Warren Scarborough, B&S Construction (11-15, .733, 7 HR, 13 RBI, 9 Runs)
UTIL – Al White, Steele’s Sports (12-20, .600, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 14 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Larry Garrard, Steele’s Sports (12-22, .545, 4 RBI, 2 Runs)
C – Herman Rathman, Steele’s Sports (9-19, .473, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 10 Runs)
C – Ed Roth, Howard’s (7-14, .500, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 10 Runs)
1B – James Washington, Jerry’s Catering (10-21, .476, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 6 Runs)
2B – James Boyett, York Barbell/Ken Sanders (9-14, .643, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
SS – John Brenner, Steele’s Sports (17-28, .607, 2 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – Mike Nye, York Barbell/Ken Sanders (10-16, .625, 2 RBI, 4 Runs)
OF – Tom Beall, Howard’s/Western Steer (9-18, .500, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 10 Runs)
OF – Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Catering (12-20, .600, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 13 Runs)
OF – Denny Jones, Steele’s Sports (13-26, .500, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 10 Runs)
UTIL – Myles Schexnayder, Jerry’s Catering (9-19, .473, 5 HR, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
UTIL – Buck Hall, B&S Construction (7-15, .467, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 4 Runs)
UTIL – Sidney Cooper, B&S Construction (7-16, .438, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 6 Runs)
UTIL – Curtis Williams, York Barbell/Ken Sanders (8-15, .533, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 6 Runs)

OTHERS

Mike Parrott, Jerry’s Caterers (10-20, .500, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 9 Runs)
Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers (9-20, .450, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 6 Runs)
Freddie Trice, Jerry’s Caterers (5-12, .417, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
Ron Ford, Yor Barbell/Ken Sanders (7-17, .412, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
John Geckle, Steele’s Sports (10-25, .400, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 6 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (4-0)
2. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH (4-2)
3. B&S Construction Company, Rome, GA (2-2)
4. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (3-2)
5t. York Barbell/Ken Sanders, York, PA (2-2)
5t. Skoal Bandits, Sherrills Ford, NC (1-2)
7t. Kelly’s, Waco, TX (1-2)
7t. Nationwide Advertising, Cleveland, OH (1-2)
9t. Capitol Insulation, North Hollywood, CA (0-2)
9t. LeAlCo, Lebanon, TN (0-2)