Category: ASA

2021 ASA Women’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

2021 held at Drakes Creek Park in Hendersonville, Tennessee on August 20-22.

Champion –  MPT Rentals/AOB/Juno Athletics, Woodbridge, New Jersey
Runner Up – Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/Easton, Kent, Washington

  • MVP – Bernadette Tenuto – MPT Rentals/AOB/Juno Athletics (11-14, .786, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
  • HR Champion – Megan Baltzell – Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/Easton (19-30, .633, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 14 Runs) – 5
  • Batting Champion – Amber Parrish – Team 24/Proton (16-20, 6 RBI, 7 Runs) – .800

Competition in the Women’s Open division was fierce today as the field of 14 teams narrowed to four. Seven games were won in run-rule fashion while three contests were won by only one run. The women racked up a total of 716 hits in 23 games played and will look to tally more as the competition continues.

Advancing to the Women’s Open Championship Game tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. CT is MPT Rentals/AOB/Juno Athletics who won three consecutive games in the winner’s bracket after having a bye in the first round of play. Each game MPT Rentals played was close-scoring, but they always found a way to come out on top. MPT Rentals took down Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/Easton 13-10 and pulled-out a 15-12 victory over Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos. MPT Rentals met La Famiglia/Easton/Riot in the winner’s bracket finale to cap out the night. La Famiglia started the tournament hot, shutting out Classic Glass/Easton/Dirty Sports 11-0 in their first game on Saturday morning and posting back-to-back run-rule wins against Smash It Sports Traders reloaded and BSC Dynasty to make it to the winner’s bracket finale.

In the final game of the night, MPT Rentals fought hard against La Famiglia throughout the entire contest. MPT Rentals scored the first runs of the game in the second inning via a walk, triple, and sacrifice fly to make it 2-0, MPT Rentals. La Famiglia answered back in the third and took the lead, holding it through the fifth inning. The score continued to pinball in the sixth when MPT Rentals strung five singles together to get ahead 5-3. Once again, La Famigila accepted the challenge and scored three more runs in the bottom of the frame. Falling behind 6-5 going into the seventh inning, well-placed hits allowed MPT Rentals to plate four runs, pulling ahead for good and eventually claiming the 9-8 victory to send them to the Championship.

Three teams remain in the loser’s bracket with Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos facing off against Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/Easton at 8 a.m. CT in the win-or-go-home game. The winner will advance to the semi-final contest against La Famiglia at 9:15 a.m. CT. Smash It Sports lost their second game of the tournament but made an impressive run through the loser’s bracket by winning three consecutive games. Low Bobs was sent to the loser’s bracket after falling to MPT Rentals in a close, 15-12 game but bounced back with a 7-3 victory over Team 24/Proton to advance in the bracket and continue the fight for a title on Championship Sunday.

The loser’s bracket kicked off the Women’s Open division on Championship Sunday as Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/Easton took down Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos 12-5. Smash It Sports struck first when Fiana Finau drove a three-run shot over the center field fence in the third at-bat of the game. The damage continued with three singles, a double, and a sac fly to extend the Smash It Sports lead to 5-0. Low Bobs put up a run in the bottom of the frame but was unable to catch up as Smash It Sports continued tacking on runs throughout the game. Mandy Hollman homered in the sixth to score Smash It Sports’ final run of the contest, putting them up 12-4 after the sixth. Low Bobs attempted a rally in their final three outs by scoring on a sacrifice fly, but a ground out would end the game and give Smash It Sports the victory, sending them to the semi-final contest.

Smash It Sports continued their hot streak by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning against La Famiglia/Easton/Riot. The lowest scoring game of the tournament, Smash It Sports was able to pull-off the 8-2 win and advance to the Championship game. Megan Baltzell led Smash It Sports by going 2-3 with two home runs and three RBI in the contest.

In their third and final game of the day, Smash It Sports faced-off against MPT Rentals/AOB/Juno Athletics to battle it out for the Championship title. MPT Rentals wasted no time in getting on the board, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Defense was also on point for MPT Rentals as they retired Smash It Sports in order in each of the first three innings. MPT Rentals kept their foot on the gas while Megan Higginbotham went 3-4 with three RBI to lead MPT Rentals to a 14-1 (five innings) victory as they claimed the 2021 Women’s Open Slow Pitch National Championship title.

Bernadette Tenuto led MPT Rentals with 11 hits and a .786 batting average throughout the weekend. Haylee Leatherwood and Higginbotham each tallied eight hits in the tournament with Higginbotham scoring a team-leading eight runs.

2021 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

Loren Thomas, MPT Rentals/AOB/Juno Athletics (5-13, .385, 3 RBI, 4-0 Pitching)
Megan Baltzell, Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/Easton (19-30, .633, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 14 Runs)
Kacey Britt, La Famiglia/Easton/Riot (8-12, .667, 2 RBI, 4 Runs)
Bethany Brown, Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/Easton (15-24, .625, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 9 Runs)
Fiana Finau, Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/Easton (18-28, .643, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 12 Runs)
Megan Higginbotham, MPT Rentals/AOB/Juno Athletics (11-17, .647, 7 RBI, 8 Runs)
Mandy Hollman, Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/Easton (17-28, .607, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 9 Runs)
Kaylnn Johnson, MPT Rentals/AOB/Juno Athletics (8-12, .667, 3 RBI, 5 Runs)
Heather Leatherfield, MPT Rentals/AOB/Juno Athletics (8-14, .571, 5 RBI, 4 Runs)
Desiree Mejia, La Famiglia/Easton/Riot (10-15, .667, 6 RBI, 4 Runs)
Amber Parrish, Team 24/Proton (16-20, .800, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
Robin Pettit, BSC Dynasty (9-11, .818, 3 RBI, 2 Runs)
Bree Setree, Low Bobs/Shirts&Logos (10-17, .588, 5 RBI, 2 Runs)
Bernadette Tenuto, MPT Rentals/AOB/Juno Athletics (11-14, .786, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
Kylie Wolfe, MPT Rentals/AOB/Juno Athletics (7-13, .538, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)

OTHERS

Lora Helton, BSC Dynasty (10-14, .714, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 7 Runs)
Janna Korak, Lady SNI (10-15, .667, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
Dara Toman, Team 24/Proton (13-20, .650, 5 RBI, 9 Runs)
Chelsea Showers, Team 24/Proton (12-17, .706, 7 RBI, 3 Runs)
Stephanie Call, Team 24/Proton (10-18, .556, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 6 Runs)
Tara Licuanan (Salcedo), Smash It Sports/Derby Girls (15-28, .563, 3 RBI, 4 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. MPT Rentals/AOB/Juno Athletics, Woodbridge, NJ (4-0)
2. Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/Easton, Kent, WA (6-2)
3. La Famiglia/Easton/Riot, Bethel Park, PA (3-2)
4. Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos, Lexington, KY (3-2)
5t. BSC Dynasty, Tallahassee, FL (2-2)
5t. Team 24/Proton, Apollo Beach, FL (3-2)
7t. Xtreme/Greenspace, Lino Lakes, MN (2-2)
7t. Lady SNI/LazyLlama/DeMarini/Slugger, Lake Mary, FL (2-2)
9t. Lady Mojo/S2SN, Louisa, VA (1-2)
9t. Smash It Sports/Traders Reloaded, Collierville, TN (0-2)
9t. Classic Glass/Easton/Dirty Sports, Shoreline, WA (0-2)
9t. On Point, Grimes, IA (0-2)
13t. Real Talk Softball/Riot, Wichita, KS (0-2)
13t. Dbbrand/SNC/Team199, York, PA (0-2)

2021 ASA Men’s AA Slow Pitch Nationals

2021 held at Drakes Creek Park in Hendersonville, Tennessee on August 21-22.

Champion – Thunder/Chosen/All American Restoration, Gladewater, Texas
Runner Up – Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals, Toms River, New Jersey

The competition was an absolute slugfest with 164 home runs leaving the park. Teams tallied a grand total of 485 runs in 12 games with just under half the winners scoring over 30 runs in their victories. Five games were decided via run-rule and another five were won in walk-off fashion. Three teams remain in the men’s division and will duke it out on Sunday morning in hopes of claiming the Championship trophy.

Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals sealed their spot in the title game after going undefeated in today’s action. Bats were hot all day for Juno Athletics as they scored 91 runs on 97 hits. In their first game, Juno Athletics edged out Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta in a tight 25-24 contest before posting a 34-19 rule-rule victory over Apex. The winner’s bracket finale was a solid matchup between Juno Athletics and Thunder/Chosen/All American Restoration that resulted in a come-from-behind walk-off win for Juno Athletics after two home runs tied and won the game in the seventh. Juno Athletics will compete for the title in the Championship Game on Sunday at 10 a.m. CT.

After falling to Juno Athletics 32-28, the Thunder was sent to the loser’s bracket where they will face off against Daddy Rocks/Hoffman/Ductech/S&S in the semi-final contest Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m CT. The Thunder had a solid showing in their first two outings, defeating Daddy Rocks 22-18 and Comotose/S2N/Monsta 8-7. Daddy Rocks’ loss to Juno Athletics in their first game of the day fueled the fire for them to blast through the loser’s bracket, pulling out three straight wins including two run-rule victories.

Daddy Rocks/Hoffman/Dutech/S&S and Thunder/Chosen/All American Restoration met for the second time in the tournament as they faced-off in the semi-final contest at 8 a.m. on Sunday. Both teams got on the board in the first inning, but after Thunder’s nine-spot in the second they left Daddy Rocks in the dust. Another big inning in the third extended Thunder’s lead before they sealed the 25-3 run-rule victory after four innings. Travis Clark, Brian McBryde, and Kyle Pearson each hit two home runs apiece with Pearson leading the Thunder with six RBI.

The Thunder entered the Championship game against Juno Athletics needing to win to force an “if-necessary” game and complete their quest for the title. This proved to be no issue for the Thunder as they got to work and scored a quick four runs in the first inning. Sending seven home runs out of the park including a grand slam from Bradley Jones, the Thunder racked up a total of 19 hits to take down Juno Athletics 18-11 and force another game.

In the final game of the 2021 USA Softball Men’s Class AA Slow Pitch National Championship, both teams came out swinging and put up 13 combined runs in the first inning of play. Juno Athletics cooled off in the second, but the Thunder stayed hot and pushed 12 runners across the plate, putting them ahead 21-6. Nineteen home runs were hit in the title game as each team had 24 hits apiece. The Thunder had multiple chances to walk-off the game via run-rule but were unable to take advantage of the opportunities. Juno Athletics threatened a comeback in the top of the seventh, but they fell short as the Thunder walked away with the 28-20 victory and the National Championship title.

Pearson led the Thunder with a .696 batting average and 10 home runs with 22 RBI over the course of the tournament. Pearson finished third on the team in hits with 16 while Austyn Dawe accounted for 17 hits and Jones led the Thunder with 18.

  • MVP – Kyle Pearson, Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
  • HR Champion – Kyle Pearson, Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S – 10
  • HR Champion – Jeremy Yates, Daddy Rocks/Ductech/Hoffman/S&S – 10
  • Batting Champion – Filip Washington, Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics – 0.857

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS (no positions listed)

Kevin Bazat, Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S (16-23, .696, 8 RBI, 12 Runs)
Austyn Dawe, Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S (18-27, .667, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 12 Runs)
John Dombrowski, Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals (13-15, .867, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 10 Runs)
Brandon Hooks, Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics (13-15, .867, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 12 Runs)
Tristan Johnston, Daddy Rocks/Ductech/Hoffman/S&S (12-17, .706, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 13 Runs)
Bradley Jones, Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S (20-28, .714, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 8 Runs)
Erik Kanaby, Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals (17-25, .680, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 14 Runs)
Brian McBryde, Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S (16-25, .640, 8 HR, 15 RBI, 13 Runs)
Ryan McClanahan, Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals (17-23, .739, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 11 Runs)
Kyle Pearson (LA), Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S (21-28, .750, 10 HR, 22 RBI, 16 Runs)
Josh Riley, Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S (17-27, .630, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 16 Runs)
Jeff Roxby, Daddy Rocks/Ductech/Hoffman/S&S (18-24, .750, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 12 Runs)
Filip Washington, Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics (15-17, .882, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 13 Runs)
Johnathon Williams, Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals (17-25, .680, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 12 Runs)
Jeremy Yates, Daddy Rocks/Ductech/Hoffman/S&S (20-24, .833, 10 HR, 19 RBI, 19 Runs)

OTHERS

Jason Matusik, Monsta/Black Sheep (14-19, .737, 4 HR, 5 RBI, 12 Runs)
Tyler Buck, Daddy Rocks (15-22, .682, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 10 Runs)
Zach Messer, Daddy Rocks (14-21, .667, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 10 Runs)
BJ Fulk, Daddy Rocks (14-23, .609, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 5 Runs)
Kyle Pearson (FL), Daddy Rocks (14-23, .609, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 11 Runs)
Dale Brungardt, Juno Athletics (13-24, .542, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 10 Runs)
Jason Branch, MPT/Anarchy (15-26, .577, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 13 Runs)
Travis Clark, Thunder/Chosen/All American Restoration (13-26, .500, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 9 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Thunder/Chosen/All American, Gladewater, TX (5-1)
2. Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals, Toms River, NY (3-2)
3. Daddy Rocks/Hoffman/Ductech/S&S, South St. Paul, MN (3-2)
4. Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics, Spring, TX (2-2)
5t. Comatose/S2N/Monsta, Beloit, WI (1-2)
5t. Apex, Ankeny, IA (1-2)
7t. Team No Limits, Gainesville, VA (0-2)
7t. Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta, Becker, MN (0-2)

2021 ASA Men’s Super Slow Pitch Nationals

2021 held at Drakes Creek Park in Hendersonville, Tennessee on August 19-20.

Champion – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S, Cicero, New York
Runner Up – Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics, Spring, Texas

  • MVP – Josh Riley, Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
  • HR Champion – Jason Matusik – Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics
  • Batting Champion – Bradley Jones – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S

THUNDER/SIS/CHOSEN/ALL AMERICAN/MENOSSE/RDD/S&S CLAIMS FOURTH STRAIGHT MEN’S SUPER SLOW PITCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

The 2021 USA Softball Men’s Super Slow Pitch National Championship was full of nonstop action as the one-day, double-elimination tournament took place today in Hendersonville, Tenn. Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S won three straight games to defeat Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics 27-12 in the Championship contest to claim their fourth-consecutive USA Softball Men’s Super Slow Pitch National Championship title.

The Thunder made their way to the Championship Game by kicking off the day with a 35-15 run-rule victory (five innings) over Comatose/S2N/Monsta. Josh Riley led the team with four home runs and was one of eight Thunder players with a long ball in the contest. Riley also racked up eight RBIs for the Thunder while Jeremy Yates went five-for-five at the plate. In their second game of the day, the Thunder took down Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics thanks to a 13-run sixth inning. Down 17-14 in the bottom of the frame, back-to-back home runs from Riley and Kyle Pearson sparked the rally for the Thunder. A single, a double, and four more home runs in the inning would put the Thunder ahead and lead them to a 26-20 victory and a spot in the title game.

Monsta Black Sheep played a total of four games today and started out strong with a 18-16 win against Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals. They then took on the Thunder in the semi-final game and led through five innings of play but fell 26-20 after the Thunder’s explosive sixth inning. Sent to the loser’s bracket, Monsta Black Sheep took on Juno Athletics for the second time in a win-or-go-home matchup. Jason Matusik got things going for Monsta Black Sheep in the first inning with a solo shot to left field. Once on the board, Monsta Black Sheep didn’t look back, scoring in five out of six innings with home runs off the bats of seven different players, propelling Monsta Black Sheep to a 13-9 victory to send them to the Championship Game.

The final game of the tournament reunited the Thunder and Monsta Black Sheep for the second time today. The Championship contest was an impressive matchup with runs crossing the plate for both teams in all but one inning. Once again, Matusik put Monsta Black Sheep on top with a solo home run to start off the game. The lead didn’t last long, however, as the Thunder responded with a sacrifice fly and a home run of their own to make the score 3-1, Thunder, after one inning of play.

The Thunder continued to tack on runs, extending their lead to 8-1 in the second inning with a handful of base hits and a home run from Gregg Connell. Monsta Black Sheep answered back with a sac fly and two more long balls from Filip Washington and Matusik to close the gap to 8-5, though they would not be able to stop the Thunder offense who plated seven more runs in the bottom of the frame.

With the score 15-5 going into the fourth inning, Monsta Black Sheep refused to go down without a fight. The team was able to scratch a couple of runs and hold the Thunder to only two runs over the next two innings. Home runs from Brian McBryde and Matusik in the sixth cut the Thunder’s lead to 17-12. With bats still on fire, the Thunder took back control in the bottom of the sixth to close out the game. Back-to-back home runs from Bradley Jones and Yates sparked the rally that led to a 10-run sixth inning capped with a walk-off home run from Yates to seal the win. The Thunder walked away with a 27-12 run-rule victory (six innings) over Monsta Black Sheep, winning their fourth straight USA Softball Men’s Super Slow Pitch National Championship title.

Riley put together an impressive tournament performance which earned him the MVP title, while Jones led with a .867 batting average and Matusik tallied the most home runs with nine on the day.

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Travis Clark – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
IF – Kevin Bazat – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
IF – Orlando Castillo – Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals
IF – Greg Connell – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
IF – Bradley Jones – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
IF – Jason Matusik – Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics
OF – Tyler Marshburn – Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals
OF – Josh Riley – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
OF – Nic Santana – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
OF – Jeremy Yates – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
UT – Travis Houseman – Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics
UT – Ryan Honeycutt – Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics
UT – Brian McBryde – Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics
UT – Phil Matte – Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals
UT – Brian Wegman – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S, Cicero, NY (3-0)
2. Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics, Spring, TX (2-2)
3. Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals, Toms River, NY (2-2)
4. Comatose/S2N/Monsta, Beloit, WI (1-2)
5. Apex, Ankeny, IA (0-2)

2021 ASA Men’s C Slow Pitch Nationals

2021 held at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on August 27-29.

Champion –  Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors, Shakopee, Minnesota
Runner Up – Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation, Branford, Connecticut

  • MVP – John David – Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors
  • HR Champion – Ryan Balis – Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation (7)
  • HR Champion – Dustin Duncan – Russell’s Paint & Body (7)
  • HR Champion – Scott Patterson – Newbreed/Gorillaz/Royce Geo (7)
  • Batting Champion – Casey Tyler – Demars Softball (1.000)

STAGECOACH/CREST EXTERIORS EARNS THE 2021 MEN’S CLASS C SLOW PITCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

The 2021 USA Softball Men’s Class C Slow Pitch National Championship came to a close today with Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors claiming the Championship title after forcing an “if-necessary” game to defeat Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation 18-10 in the final contest. Stagecoach finished the tournament with an 8-1 record, their only loss coming from a winner’s bracket matchup against Northwoods Elite. Sent to the loser’s bracket on Day Two, Stagecoach clinched five-straight crucial victories to earn them the trophy and the Championship title.

In the first game of the day, the loser’s bracket semi-final saw a rematch as Stagecoach took down Northwoods Elite in a close-fought 11-8 battle. Stagecoach came out of the gate strong with a four-run first inning and three home runs from Daniel Sargent, Micah Loegering, and Zach Prins. Plating five more runs in the top of the third, Stagecoach extended their lead to 9-0 before Northwoods scratched two in the bottom of the frame to make it 9-2. Stagecoach pushed two more runs across in the fourth thanks to a pair of singles and a double, making it an 11-2 ballgame. Northwoods began to chip away at the Stagecoach lead in the bottom of the frame with a sacrifice fly from Dru Mickelson to add one more run to the board before scoring five more in the fifth inning to close the gap, 11-8. Despite the rally, Northwoods was unable to string things together in the final two innings, ending their tournament run and allowing Stagecoach to walk away with the 11-8 win to send them to the title game.

The offense continued to dominate for Stagecoach as they rolled into the Championship Game against Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation. Six hits in the first inning pushed five runs across the plate for Stagecoach, but Trinity answered back with three home runs in the bottom of the frame to score four, making it 5-4 Stagecoach after one inning of play. A big inning in the second put up eight more runs for Trinity allowing them to pull ahead 12-5 going into the third inning. Losing the lead lit the spark for Stagecoach as their offense exploded for 26 runs in the next four innings including a 12-run fourth. Trinity put up four runs in the fifth inning but couldn’t make a comeback as Stagecoach took the 31-16 (six innings) victory to force an “if-necessary” game. Out of their 33 total hits, Stagecoach racked up 10 doubles in the contest with James Kauffmann leading the way with three.

In the winner-take-all matchup with the Championship title on the line, the competition was fierce as neither team gave up the fight. Stagecoach struck first with a five-run first inning after two RBI singles from Sargent and Loegering and a three-run shot from Prins put them on the board. Both offenses were quiet throughout the next two innings as the defense controlled the game. Trinity broke the silence in top of the fourth after Robert Aquilino put a two-run home run over the left field fence. The team used that momentum to extend the rally, scoring seven more runs in the top of the frame to take the lead, 9-5. Not going down without a fight was Stagecoach, finding ways to get on base and manufacturing three runs to bring them within one of Trinity. Aquilino tacked on another run for Trinity in the top of the fifth for his second home run of the game to put his team up 10-8, but it wouldn’t last long as Stagecoach responded with a three-run home run from Kauffmann to steal back the lead, 11-10. Stagecoach finished out the game strong, scoring 10 runs in the last two innings and sealing the 18-10 victory with a slick double-play on the infield to clinch the 2021 Men’s Class C Slow Pitch National Championship title.

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Joseph Apostoli – Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation
IF – Matt Allen – Russell’s Paint & Body
IF – Ryan Balis – Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation
IF – Craig Kolb – Northwoods Elite
IF – Daniel Rothbauer – Northwoods Elite
IF – Casey Tyler – Demars Softball
OF – Kyle Creamer – Shameless/Budweiser
OF – Sean Grosonic – Newbreed/Gorillaz/Royce Geo
OF – Nathan King – Fishers Softball
OF – Micah Loegering – Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors
UT – Robert Aquilino – Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation
UT – John David – Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors
UT – Nicholas Follo – Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation
UT – James Kaufmann – Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors
UT – Zach Prins – Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors, Shakopee, MN (8-1)
2. Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation, Branford, CT (5-2)
3. Northwoods Elite, Bloomer, WI (4-2)
4. Newbreed/Gorillaz/Royce Geo, Alton, IL (6-2)
5t. Shameless/Budweiser, Sheffield, IA (3-2)
5t. Russell’s Paint & Body, Oveido, FL (5-2)
7t. Demars Softball, East Haven, CT (3-2)
7t. Fishers Softball, Lancaster, PA (4-2)
9t. The Mill/A3, Sidney, MT (3-2)
9t. MN Maniax/Easton/H Auto, St. Paul, MN (2-2)
9t. VHI/Greater Than, Rochester, MN (2-2)
9t. Thunder/Chosen/Competitive Edge/SOG, Gladewater, TX (3-2)
13t. CIDW/Left Lane Athletics, Ankeny, IA (2-2)
13t. Square One/Spiderz, Waukesha, WI (2-2)
13t. The 10th Inning, Hudson, IA (2-2)
13t. Omaha’s Finest, Omaha, NE (2-2)
17t. Kass & Co., Peosta, IA (2-2)
17t. MVP/Old School, Houston, TX (1-2)
17t. Grassland, Greenwood, WI (1-2)
17t. All Star Plumbing, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
17t. Oak Ridge Dental, Lakeville, MN (2-2)
17t. MMB/The Box/Monsta Athletics, West Fargo, ND (1-2)
17t. Twisted Lazers/First Watch/Big House Gym, Kearney, NE (1-2)
17t. C&M Transport/Nager Law/Lakes Heating & AC, Kirtland, OH (1-2)
25t. Silverbacks, Inver Grove Heights, MN (1-2)
25t. Granite Services, Foley, MN (1-2)
25t. Dick Raimann Farms/Garage Force/Excel Homes, Eyota, MN (1-2)
25t. Buzzs/Valpo Family Dentistry, Valparaiso, IN (0-2)
25t. SWOK Outlaws, Altus, OK (0-2)
25t. Pioneer Auto, Sioux City, NE (0-2)
25t. 605, Sioux Falls, SD (0-2)
25t. T&C Lawn Care/HH, Cedar Falls, IA (0-2)
33t. Shenanigans/WTP/MII/Dunn Sports, Pleasant Prairie, WI (0-2)
33t. Dirty Vegas/Steel, Grives, TX (0-2)
33t. GetNutz Hawaii, Hayward, CA (0-2)

2021 ASA Men’s B Slow Pitch Nationals

2021 held at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 3-4.

Champion –  Thunder/Chosen, Gladewater, Texas
Runner Up – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval, Topeka, Indiana

  • MVP – Justin Gregory – Chosen/Thunder
  • HR Champion – Erik Lehman – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
  • Batting Champion – Mike Wieland – Apex

CHOSEN/THUNDER CLAIM 2021 MEN’S CLASS B SLOW PITCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH BOUNCE-BACK WIN OVER SILVERBACKS/REVOLUTION ATH/KOVAL

The 2021 USA Softball Men’s Class B Slow Pitch National Championship came to an exciting close today as Chosen/Thunder claimed the Championship title with a bounce-back win over Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval in the Championship “if-necessary” game. After posting an undefeated 5-0 record through bracket play, the Thunder suffered their first loss of the weekend in the Championship contest as the Silverbacks pulled out the 19-17 win to force the “if-necessary” game. The Thunder offense proved superior though with a dominating performance to cap the tournament with a 25-5 (five-innings) Championship victory.

Silverbacks jumped out to an early lead in the Championship contest, driving in four runs in the top of the first before allowing Chosen to cut the lead in half with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. The back-and-forth scoring would continue through the remainder of the game, with Chosen evening the score at seven in the bottom of the third before Silverbacks responded with a six-run fourth inning to regain the lead. Chosen would plate five in the bottom of the sixth to give them their first lead of the game, but Silverbacks would once again answer back in the top of the seventh to put them on top, 19-17, with three outs remaining in the game. Kendall Welborn and Josh Kirsten would send base hits through the infield to put runners on for Chosen with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but an infield ground out would seal the win for Silverbacks to force the “if-necessary” game.

After suffering their first loss of the tournament, Thunder bounced back even stronger with the help of a 12-run second inning to propel them to the 25-5 run-rule win to secure the Championship trophy. Thunder wasted no time in getting on the board, scoring two in the top of the first with a two-run home run from Brian Renner. That lead did not hold long though as the Silverbacks answered back in the bottom of the frame with two runs of their own to even the score, 2-2. Refusing to stay down long, the Thunder offense lit a spark in the top of the second with 10 base hits, two home runs and a grand slam putting them on top, 14-2. The Thunder continued dominating through the third and fourth innings, tacking on eight more runs to their lead before rain at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium forced a weather delay in the bottom of the fourth. The delay showed no affect though as the Thunder returned to the field to limit the Silverback offense to just three runs through the fourth and fifth innings while adding three runs of their own to seal the 25-5 Championship victory.

How the teams made it to the finals:

Chosen/Thunder landed in the Championship Game after outscoring their opponents 107-62 in route to a 5-0 undefeated record through bracket play. With the help of a 11-run fourth inning in their first game of the day, the Thunder pushed past Tharaldson to advance to the winner’s bracket finale against Drip City/Midwest Monsta. Another explosive fourth inning, this time scoring eight runs, helped the squad to a narrow 20-16 victory over Drip City to place them in the Men’s Class B Slow Pitch National Championship trophy game.

Thunder offense combined for 134 hits and 30 home runs in their quest to the Championship contest with Kirsten leading the way with 17 hits and three home runs followed by Justin Gregory with 16 hits and four home runs.

Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval cruised through bracket play with three-straight victories before dropping the 19-15 decision to Drip City in their first game of the day to send them to the loser’s bracket. Wasting no time staying down, the Silverbacks quickly bounced back with a 34-17 win over the Dirt Dogs/FHC before posting a 21-1 (four-innings) run-rule victory over The Nation to advance to the semi-finals. With a trip to the Championship contest on the line and a rematch set against Drip City, the Silverbacks offense proved superior with a 30-10 (four-innings) run-rule win to send Drip City home with the third-place trophy.

Battling through seven games to land in the Championship game, Silverbacks totaled 172 hits and 38 home runs while outscoring their opponents 162-72. Galen Miller led the Silverbacks offense with 22 hits and nine home runs while Dennis Yoder and Jeremy Stabach tallied 21 hits. The Silverbacks were one of three teams to score a tournament-high of 30 or more runs in a game.

2021 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

Dennis Yoder – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
Faron Fry – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
Robbie Hinkle ­– Drip City/Midwest Monsta
Brian Renner – Chosen/Thunder
Gregg Downing – Chosen/Thunder
Josh Kirsten ­ – Chosen/Thunder
Tanner Unkle – Drip City/Midwest Monsta
Jeremy Stabach – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
Galen Miller – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
James Patterson – The Nation
Taylor Albrecht ­– The Nation
Alex Hovey – Drip City/Midwest Monsta
Justin Gregory – Chosen/Thunder
Aaron Yoder ­ – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
Erik Lehman – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
Matthew Brady – Chosen/Thunder

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Thunder/Chosen, Gladewater, TX (6-1)
2. Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval (7-2)
3. Drip City/Midwest Monsta, Urbandale, IA (3-2)
4. The Nation, Rhome, TX (4-2)
5t. Tharaldson, Fargo, TX (3-2)
5t. Dirt Dogs/FHC, Wallingford, CT (4-2)
7t. Ductech/Monsta Athletics/Budweiser, South St. Paul, MN (3-2)
7t. D&R Miller Concrete, Topeka, IN (3-2)
9t. JEC/P5 Sports/Kevitt, Brooklyn Park, MN (2-2)
9t. Lifetime Diamonds/Legendary Sports, Conroe, TX (1-2)
9t. Reno Cycles & Gear/Lithia Chrysler Jeep of Reno, Sparks, NV (1-2)
9t. L&S Glass, San Jose, CA (1-2)
13t. Apex, Ankeny, IA (1-2)
13t. Vivid/Kilbombers, Frisco, TX (1-2)
13t. Wahl Optical/NZone, Lincoln, NE (1-2)
13t. All American/Dugout 47, Rochester, MN (0-2)
17t. T’s 13, Omaha, NE (0-2)
17t. All Star Plumbing, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
17t. Kut4 Sports/OI Livingston/D2E Trailers, Clanton, AL (0-2)
17t. Blackies Softball, Defiance, OH (0-2)
17t. Competitive Edge/Olmito Heat/Adiktiv, League City, TX (0-2)

2021 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

2021 held at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 5-6.

Champion – Thunder/Chosen, Gladewater, Texas
Runner Up – Kut4 Sports/OI Livingston/D2E Trailers, Clanton, Alabama

  • MVP – Austyn Dawe – Thunder/Chosen
  • HR Champion – Damon Wegner – Comatose/S2N/Monsta
  • HR Champion – Sean Greer – Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E
  • Batting Champion – Austyn Dawe – Thunder/Chosen

Thunder/Chosen closed out Labor Day weekend at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex by earning the 2021 USA Softball Men’s Class A Slow Pitch National Championship title with a 41-33 victory over Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E. Thunder posted an undefeated 5-0 record en route to the Championship hardware while scoring 30 or more runs in each of their contests with a combined total of 49 home runs on the weekend.

The first game of the day saw a loser’s bracket matchup between Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta and Dirt Dogs/FHS with a trip to the loser’s bracket finale on the line. A dramatic start to Championship Monday, the offensive duel saw 20 balls leave the park with both teams scoring at least one run every inning en route to a 37-36 walk-off win for Chanticlear. Dirt Dogs jumped on top early, taking a four-run lead in the top of first while holding Chanticlear to one. An explosive third inning from both offenses would bust the game open with Chanticlear taking a 26-17 lead after plating 18 runs while allowing 12 runs to score for the Dirt Dogs. The score continued to bounce back-and-forth through the remainder of the game, but a walk-off single from Quinn Cannoy would plate the winning run to advance Chanticlear to the final loser’s bracket contest against Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E Trailers.

Dirt Dogs completed their run with a 5-2 record after dropping their first game of the tournament to Comatose/S2N/Monsta yesterday morning. Fighting their way through the loser’s bracket, the Dirt Dogs won five-straight games to advance to Championship Monday before falling to Chanticlear in the 37-36 contest.

Game two paired Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta and Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E Trailers together, with the winner advancing to the Championship game against the undefeated Thunder/Chosen. The semi-final matchup came down to the final three outs with Kut4 Sports pulling out the 28-25 win with the help of a 10-run second inning and seven-run seventh inning. Trailing Chanticlear 25-21 in the top of the seventh, the Kut4 offense would string together three base hits and two home runs off the bats of Brandon Hooks and Andrew Calhoun to take the final lead of the game before issuing a 1-2-3 inning the bottom of the frame to send Chanticlear home with the third-place trophy.

The Championship contest saw a rematch between Thunder/Chosen and Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E after going head-to-head in the winner’s bracket finale last night where Thunder took the 30-24 win. A similar outcome in the winner-take-all game, Thunder proved superior, this time with a 41-33 victory to earn the trophy. The two squads put on a show in the final matchup of the tournament, combining for a total of 74 runs and 20 long balls with Sean Geer (Kut4 Sports) sending three out of the park.

Thunder wasted no time in getting things started, plating seven runs on four homers in the top of the first. Quick to answer back, Kut4 Sports responded with seven runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to even the score, 7-7. The powerful offenses continued to shine for both teams through the second and third innings before Thunder took control in the top of the fourth, combined hits and three long balls to score 16 runs and put them on top, 34-21. Kut4 Sports cut the lead to six after responding with eight runs in the bottom of the inning, but Thunder tacked on four more in the top of the fifth to cushion their lead with two innings left to play. All the Kut4 Sports offense could muster through the remainder of the game was four runs in the bottom of the fifth after home runs from Josh Cardwell and Blake Green and base hits off the bats of Sean Greer, Kyle Olsen, and Justin Tripp cut the Thunder lead, 38-33. Thunder offense wasn’t finished, though, adding three more to the board in the sixth and seventh innings while holding the Kut4 Sports offense scoreless through the final six outs to secure the 41-33 Championship win.

Josh Fyffe and Gregg Downing sent two balls out of the park in the win while Justin Gregory, Joshua Riley, Brian Renner, Kyle Pearson, Amilson Marquez and Austyn Dawe hit one home run apiece.

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

Austyn Dawe, Thunder/Chosen (25-28, .893, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 17 Runs)
Jason Branch, Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta (22-31, .710, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 26 Runs)
Amilson Marquez, Thunder/Chosen (20-25, .800, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 21 Runs)
Ryker Cence, Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E (16-28, .571, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 20 Runs)
Joel Sanchez, Thunder/Chosen (14-21, .667, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 12 Runs)
Mason Farmer, Competitive Edge/Olmito Heat/Adiktiv (20-23, .870, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 17 Runs)
Michael Gonzalez, Dirt Dogs/FHS (19-26, .731, 3 HR, 10 RBIs 15 RUns)
Brandon Hooks, Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E (18-26, 692, 9 HR, 17 RBI, 18 Runs)
John Rasberry, Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E (13-19, .684, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 14 Runs)
Mike Jacobson, Comatose/S2N/Monsta (19-22, .864, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 14 Runs)
Chaun Demars, Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta (16-21, .762, 9 RBI, 7 Runs)
Alex Hovey, Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta (19-26, .731, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 18 Runs)
Kyle Pearson (LA), Thunder/Chosen (19-27, .704, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 20 Runs)
Conner Miller, Dirt Dogs/FHS (23-32, .719, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 20 Runs)
Justin Tripp, Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E (19-26, .731, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 5 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Thunder/Chosen, Gladewater, TX (5-0)
2. Kut4 Sports/OI Livingston/D2E Trailers, Clanton, AL (4-2)
3. Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta, Becker, MN (4-2)
4. Dirt Dogs/FHC, Wallingford, CT (5-2)
5t. APEX, Ankeny, IA (2-2)
5t. Competitive Edge/Olmito Heat/Adiktiv, League City, TX (3-2)
7t. Comatose/S2N/Monsta, Beloit, WI (3-2)
7t. T’s 13, Omaha, NE, (2-2)
9t. The Nation, Rhome, TX (1-2)
9t. Lifetime Diamonds/Legendary Sports, Conroe, TX (1-2)
9t. Ductech/Monsta Athletics/Budweiser, South St. Paul, MN (1-2)
9t. Blackies Softball, Defiance, OH (1-2)
13t. All American Restoration/Dugout 47, Rochester, MN (1-2)
13t. Drip City/Midwest Monsta, Urbandale, IA (1-2)
13t. Tharaldson, Fargo, ND (0-2)
13t. L&S Glass, San Jose, CA (0-2)
17t. Wahl Optical/NZone, Lincoln, NE (0-2)
17t. Reno Cycles & Gear/Lithia Chrysler Jeep of Reno, Sparks, NV (0-2)

OTHERS

Tyler Ervine, Competitive Edge (24-29, .828, 8 HR, 25 RBI, 18 Runs)
Joey Bulens, Apex (16-19, .842, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 11 Runs)
Damon Wegner, Comatose (16-20 .800, 10 HR, 23 RBI, 14 Runs)
Keith McCormick, Competitive Edge (15-20, .750, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 14 Runs)
Steve Whaley, Competitive Edge (20-28, .714, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 16 Runs)
Sean Greer, Kut4Sports (21-30, 700, 10 HR, 32 RBI, 13 Runs)
Zachary Sokolis, Dirt Dogs (22-33, .667, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 15 Runs)
Adam Ussery, Chanticlear Pizza (18-29, .621, 8 HR, 20 RBI, 18 Runs)
Justin Gregory, Thunder/Chosen (15-25, .600, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 15 Runs)

2021 ASA Gold Girls 18-Under Fast Pitch Nationals

2021 held in Salem, Virginia on July 18-25.

Champion – Windermere Wildfire Paulson, Windermere, Florida
Runner Up – Florida Storm National Shepherd, Oviedo, Florida

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Windermere Wildfire Paulson, Windermere, FL (9-1)
2. Florida Storm National Shepherd, Oviedo, FL (5-2)
3. Rock Gold Waye, Holland, PA (4-2)
4. Clearwater Lady Bombers Mason Gold, Tampa, FL (6-2)
5t. NJ Gators Biasi, Sewell, NJ (3-2)
5t. Lady Lightning Gold Elite Jones, Rocky Mount, NC (3-2)
7t. Virginia Unity Linder, King George, VA (3-2)
7t. Ohio Hawks National, Centerville, OH (3-2)
9t. Sarasota Heat, Sarasota, FL (2-2)
9t. Outlaws Premier, Allentown, PA (2-2)
9t. Louisiana Voodoo Gold, Kenner, LA (3-2)
9t. Turnin2 Robeson Long, Fenton, MI (4-2)
13t. Oregon Red Heat, Hillsboro, OR (2-2)
13t. Orion Hunter Elite Murphy Inman National, Chesapeake, VA (2-2)
13t. Gold Coast Hurricanes Sac National, Fort Meade, MD (3-2)
13t. NJ Fight Delgado, Bloomfield, NJ (2-2)
17t. Richmond Storm, Richmond, VA (1-2)
17t. Firecrackers NC Wright, Reidsville, NC (1-2)
17t. Delaware Cobras, Bear, DE (1-2)
17t. Team Virginia Mizuno Harrington, Warrenton, VA (2-2)
17t. Lady Gators Jackson, North Palm Beach, FL (2-2)
17t. Angels 02 Reynolds Gold, Rincon, GA (1-2)
17t. Southern Power Degroat, Juliette, GA (1-2)
17t. MS Thunderbolts Groves, Biloxi, MS (1-2)
25t. Wagner’s Gold 18U, Baltimore, MD (1-2)
25t. TNT Maryland National, Annapolis, MD (1-2)
25t. Indiana Gators Rupert, Jasper, IN (1-2)
25t. Newtown Rock Hutchins Cipolloni, Newtown, PA (1-2)
25t. 3N2 Gold Haynes, Ocala, FL (0-2)
25t. Heartbreakers Gold, Woodsboro, MD (0-2)
25t. Illinois Bash, Elk Grove Village, IL (0-2)
25t. KC Rebels Elite Ingle, Overland Park, KS (0-2)
33t. New Mexico Suncats, Rio Rancho, NM (0-2)
33t. Gold Coast Hurricanes Stoicheff, Lewistown, PA (0-2)
33t. Richmond Diamonds, Richmond, VA (0-2)
33t. Lady Lightning Gold Nova, Fairfax, VA (0-2)

Ivan “Ike” Wheeler

Ivan “Ike” Wheeler

Ivan “Ike” Wheeler (1935-2021)

“Ike’s career spanned 50 years. He retired from the United States Air Force with 21 years of service. He worked for 30 plus years for the City of Shreveport Parks and Recreation department serving as Athletic Director, as well as numerous community efforts in sports, charities and beyond.”

At the time of his induction into the National Softball Hall of Fame in 2012, Ike was a registered umpire for over 56 years and served as District Commissioner in the Shreveport, La. area, Player Representative, and Louisiana Umpire-in-Chief. In addition to these positions, Wheeler was a member of the National Indicator Fraternity (1988) and a member of the ASA/USA Softball of Louisiana Hall of Fame (2010). Some of his accomplishments he achieved since joining ASA/USA Softball include: recipient of the Region 6 Award of Excellence (2009) and umpire for four National Championships (1982, 1987, 1988, 1997) in addition to serving as either Tournament Director, Umpire Coordinator, or Housing Authority for 17 National Tournaments. Since 1978, Wheeler had successfully registered every team in the Shreveport Parks and Recreations Department for ASA/USA Softball, and has attended every Umpire-in-Chief clinic and ASA/USA Softball National Convention since 1982.

The family would like to commemorate his life by offering a visitation on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home (1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, Louisiana). A private service and internment for immediate family only will follow the visitation.

Angelo Frannicola

  • ASA
  • March 8, 2021

Angelo Frannicola

Angelo Frannicola (1942-2021)

Mr. Angelo R. Frannicola, 78, of Nutley, NJ, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2021, at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston. Visitation will be at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley 540 Franklin Avenue on Sunday, February 28th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. There will be a funeral mass celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge Street, Newark on Monday, March 1st at 10:30 a.m. The interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington with military honors.

Angelo was born in Newark, NJ and resided in Nutley for the past 42 years. He attended Sacred Heart School and had the honor of being a Page Boy when the Cathedral Basilica opened in 1954. Angelo was a graduate of St. Benedict’s Prep in 1960. He served his country proudly in the United States Army 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Montclair State University in 1974, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Seton Hall University, in 1981.

Angelo spent 27 years as a Physical Education teacher/Athletic Director in Newark, working at both the old Vailsburg and Weequahic High Schools. He was the Athletic Director of Nutley High School from 2001-2006 before his retirement. After that he served on the Nutley Board of Education from 2007-2010.

Angelo was an ASA/USA Softball Metro Newark Commissioner for 40 years. He was a football and basketball official as well as a baseball and softball umpire for over 50 years. Most recently, he was a mentor for student teachers under the direction of Montclair State University and Caldwell College.
Angelo’s hobbies included collecting Lionel Trains and enjoying a nice meal followed by a “good” cigar.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Toni (nee Ciccolini) Frannicola; his devoted children, Robert Frannicola and his wife Alicia, and Antoinette Giglio and her husband Joseph; his cherished grandson Michaelangelo; his dear brother-in-law Jack Kopidlowski, and his dear sister-in-law Loretta Kopidlowski. He is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews Anthony and Ruth Sgobbo, Anita and Jose Rodriguez, Joseph Kopidlowski and his fiancé Christina Hunter, and Peter and Jaclyn McKenna; his great-nieces and nephews Brooke Sgobbo, Jake Kopidlowski, Peter and Loretta McKenna; and also his loving furry companion Bella.
Angelo is predeceased by his parents Nicholas and Virginia (nee Fiaella) Frannicola, and his sister Annette D’Angelo.

There will be visitation at Biondi Funeral Home on Sunday, February 28 from 1 – 5 p.m., while the Funeral Mass will be held at Cathedral Basilica of The Sacred Heart on Monday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m. The Internment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleom at 12 p.m.

E. Scott Southworth

  • ASA
  • February 8, 2021

Longtime ASA Umpire and Central Virginia Player Rep has passed away. When more details become available we will post them. Below is an article about Scott from 2009 and his passion for our sport.

Scott Southworth is known throughout the county as “Mr. Softball.”

Whether he’s behind home plate as a softball umpire or organizing a softball tournament, Scott Southworth does it with one thing in mind.

“I know to the people who are playing, it’s like a national tournament to them, so I have to treat it accordingly,” said the 61-year-old county resident. “I have to do a good job so the people who are participating can have a good time. I want them to enjoy it as much as I do.”

The personable Southworth has been in the softball game for 44 years, first as a player, then as a coach and now as an umpire and an official with the Amateur Softball Association (ASA).

“In Chesterfield, he is considered our head umpire and ‘Mr. Softball.’ He lives, eats and breathes the game,” said Kelly Thompson, recreation coordinator with the Chesterfield Department of Parks and Recreation.

“It’s his life,” added Drew Walker, a coed player for the Free Choice Act team. “The players appreciate his good-natured approach to the game. He knows everyone by name and genuinely cares for all the players. As an umpire, his No. 1 concern is for the safety of the players. When it’s blazing hot on Sunday afternoons, he’s always checking to make sure people are drinking water and staying hydrated. I’ve seen him stop a game because someone didn’t look well; he made them go cool off.”

Southworth is a nominee for the ASA Hall of Fame this year and says he’s loved every minute of his softball sojourn. “I love the camaraderie with the people, I enjoy the exercise, and I love the game itself so much.”

Southworth started in baseball at John Marshall High School. He then played semi-pro baseball. “It died out, then I started playing softball,” he said.

He has had an illustrious career in softball. In 1965, he started playing in church leagues. He played first base on the Samuel’s Grocery team in 1973 that “was the only team from Richmond to ever win Class A nationals,” Southworth said. He organized the Disco Sports team that finished fourth in nationals. Southworth also coached the AJD team at the AA level from 1980 to 1989 that finished in the final 16 seven years.

Southworth is in his 39th year as an umpire. He won the Indicator Award for umpiring in three national tournaments, and was the representative for two teams that played in national tournaments in Florida.

He’s back in the umpiring saddle this summer after undergoing hip surgery last year.

Dawn Vaughan, a player with the coed Balch Alignment team, said of Southworth, “He is one of the most knowledgeable and fairest umpires I have ever had a chance to play with. If something comes across that he has never experienced before, he will do all he can to make sure that he finds out the answer and fully explains what it is. I absolutely love him as an umpire, and better yet as a person.”

Southworth, who is married with three grown children, umpires 14 games a week in the Chesterfield Coed Softball League on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Harry G. Daniel Park at Iron Bridge and on Sundays at L.C. Bird High School.

A 19-year ASA employee who also owns an insurance agency, Southworth organizes 15 to 20 tournaments a year in the Central Virginia area as senior deputy commissioner with the ASA. “I try to have one tournament every other weekend,” he said. He also organizes two senior tournaments a year.

Among his larger projects, he organizes the Midnight Madness tournament that had about 60 teams participating in July. He also organized the Turkey Shoot tournament the past two Novembers that attracted 102 teams.

During the week, he can be found umpiring coed games. “As long as the good Lord blesses me with my health, I hope to continue doing it,” he said.

That’s good news for the many players who have found enjoyment playing their games under the sharp, caring direction of Mr. Softball.