1989 – Lady Panthers, Atlanta, GA
Category: ASA
ASA Girls’ 18-Under A Fast Pitch National Tournament Champions
1974 – Houston Blue Angels, Houston, TX
1975 – Loves Park Cougars, Loves Park, IL
1976 – Raiders, Sepulveda, CA
1977 – Citizens State Bank, Maryville, MO
1977 – Raiders, Sepulveda, CA
1978 – Ock Island County Rookies, Rhode Island, NY
1979 – Oklahoma City Jets, Oklahoma City, OK
1980 – Nor Cal Tremors, Fairfield, CA
1981 – Orcutt Express, Santa Maria, CA
1982 – Raiders, Sepulveda, CA
1983 – Santa Monica Raiders, Santa Monica, CA
1984 – Santa Monica Raiders, Santa Monica, CA
1985 – Santa Monica Raiders, Santa Monica, CA
1986 – Inland Cities Raiders, Bellflower, CA
1987 – Raiders, Santa Monica, CA
1988 – California Raiders, Santa Monica, CA
1990 – Gordon’s Panthers, La Palma, CA
1991 – California Raiders, Santa Monica, CA
1992 – Orange County Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA
1993 – Gordon’s Panthers, Cypress, CA
1994 – OC Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA
1995 – California Waves, Santa Barbara, CA
1996 – Orland Park Sparks Red, Orland Park, IL (held at Eden Prairie, MN)
1997 –
1998 – Santa Fe Springs Rebels, Santa Fe Springs, CA (held at Sacramento, CA)
1999 – California Breeze, Sacramento, CA (held at Sioux Falls, SD)
2000 – Blazing Angels, Bristol, PA (held at Normal, IL)
2001 – Arizona Alleycats, Green Valley, AZ (held at Salem, VA)
2002 – Sorcerer Softball, San Ramon, CA (held at Rockford, IL)
2003 – Sorcerer Softball, San Ramon, CA (held at Garland, TX)
2004 – Orange County Bat Busters, Santa Ana, CA (held at Clovis, CA)
2005 – Louisville Lady Sluggers, Louisville, KY (held at Columbus, GA)
2006 – Carolina Cardinals, Tobaccoville, NC (held at Owensboro, KY)
2007 – Artesia Punishers, Artesia, CA (held at College Station, TX)
2008 – Lemont Rockers DD, Lemont, IL (held at Owensboro, KY)
2009 – Tampa Mustangs, Tampa, FL (held at Las Vegas, NV)
2010 – Stone City Sharks, New Lenox, IL (held at Hemet, CA)
2011 – Indy Crush Walker, Indianapolis, IN (held at Normal, IL)
2012 – Central Florida Sting Black, Orlando, FL (held at Johnson City, TN)
2013 – Carolina Cardinals, King, NC (held at Salem, VA)
2014 – Tampa Mustangs, Tampa, FL (held at Montgomery, AL)
2015 – Windermere Wildfire Stutsman, Windermere, FL (held at Spartanburg, SC)
2016 – Carolina Cardinals Chandler, King, NC (held at Bloomington, IN)
2017 – Carolina Cardinals Chandler, Rural Hall, NC (held at Salem, OR)
2018 – Carolina Cardinals Chandler, King, NC (held at Salem, VA)
2019 – Alabama Sparks Elite Stewart, Harvest, AL (held at Montgomery, AL)
ASA Girls’ 16-Under A Fast Pitch National Champions
1989 – Batbusters, Fountain Valley, CA
1990 – Southern Cal Raiders, Valencia, CA
1991 – California Thunder, Covina, CA
1992 – Nighthawks, Anaheim, CA
1993 – Fresno Force, Fresno, CA
1994 – Gordon’s Panthers, Sylmar, CA
1995 – Batbusters, Anaheim, CA
1996 – Lady Sharks, San Jose, CA (held at Chattanooga, TN)
1997 – Fresno Force, Visalia, CA (held at Fresno, CA)
1998 – USA Athletics, Santa Ana, CA (held at Novi, MI)
1999 – California Cruisers, Buena Park, CA (held at Marietta, GA)
2000 – Tuff E Nuff, Los Angeles, CA (held at Garland, TX)
2001 – Case Batbusters, San Clemente, CA (held at Normal, IL)
2002 – Oregon Sun Supply, Beaverton, OR (held at Sioux Falls, SD)
2003 – OC Batbusters, Yorba Linda, CA (held at Midland, TX)
2004 – Explosion, Cypress, CA (held at Bloomington, IN)
2005 – OC Batbusters, Orange County, CA (held at Sioux Falls, SD)
2006 – OC Batbusters, Dove Canyon, CA (held at Seattle, WA)
2007 – Nashville Cruisers, Brentwood, TN (held at Sioux Falls, SD)
2008 – Lady Magic, Elk Grove, CA (held at Owensboro, KY)
2009 – Northwest Blaze, Beaverton, OR (held at Sioux Falls, SD)
2010 – OC Batbusters, Claremont, CA (held at College Station, TX)
2011 – The Next Level Delamater, Temecula, CA (held at Chattanooga, TN)
2012 – Tulsa Elite 95, Owasso, OK (held at Montgomery, AL)
2013 – Atlanta Vipers Berry, Sugar Hill, GA (held at Sunnyvale, CA)
2014 – Ohio Lasers Blue, Miamisburg, OH (held at Salem, VA)
2015 – Florida Fire 98, Brandon, FL (held at Chattanooga, TN)
2016 – Ohio Lasers Purple, Columbus, OH (held at College Station, TX)
2017 – Firecrackers Alabama Ingram, Moundville, AL (held at Normal, IL)
2018 – Washington Ladyhawks Breer, Puyallup, WA (held at Kent, WA)
2019 – Hotshots Platinum Knoop, Oviedo, FL (held at Salem, VA)
ASA Girls’ 15-Under A Fast Pitch National Champions
1973 – Sunflower Girls, Bluff City, KS
1974 – Oklahoma City Racers, Oklahoma City, OK
1975 – Bay City VIP’s, Bay City, TX
1976 – 7-Up Ladybugs, Topeka, KS
1978 – Roadrunners, St Louis, MO
1979 – Tulsa Archrivals, Tulsa, OK
1980 – Royal Aces, Eugene, OR
1981 – Lil’ Sports, Irving, TX
1982 – Shilos, Sylmer, CA
1983 – Inland Cities Panthers, Cypress, CA
1984 – Inland Cities Panthers, La Palma, CA
1985 – Gordon Panthers, La Palma, CA
1986 – Gordon Panthers, Buena Vista, CA
1987 – Batbusters, Fountain Valley, CA
1988 – Batbusters, Fountain Valley, CA
ASA Girls’ 14-Under A Fast Pitch National Champions
1989 – Crackerjacks, Santa Ana, CA
1990 – Crackerjacks, Santa Ana, CA
1991 – So Cal Outlaws, Huntington Beach, CA
1992 – Orange County Batbusters, Garden Grove, CA
1993 – So Cal Crunch, Chino, CA
1994 – So Cal Firecrackers, Irvine, CA
1995 – California Cruisers, Irvine, CA
1996 – So Cal Stealth Harris, Woodland Hills, CA (held at Midland, TX)
1997 –
1998 – Panther Gold, Sylmar, CA (held at Broken Arrow, OK)
1999 – Tuff-E-Nuff, Chino Hills, CA (held at Garland, TX)
2000 – California Cruisers, Tustin, CA (held at Panama Beach, FL)
2001 – San Diego Thunder, San Diego, CA (held at Broken Arrow, OK)
2002 – California Desperadoes, San Juan Capistrano, CA (held at Columbus, GA)
2003 – Corona Angels Red, Corona, CA (held at Normal, IL)
2004 – California Raiders, Corona, CA (held at Midland, TX)
2005 – USA Athletics, Cypress, CA (held at Owensboro, KY)
2006 – Smashers, Valencia, CA (held at Johnson City, TN)
2007 – American Athletics Naudin, South Orange, CA (held at Normal, IL)
2008 – Lakewood Ladies Black, Downey, CA (held at Midland, TX)
2009 – Victory USA Campbell, Cypress, CA (held at Marietta, GA)
2010 – San Jose Sting, San Jose, CA (held at Moline, IL)
2011 – Lasers Gold, Canton, OH (held at Midland, TX)
2012 – Tennessee Fury, Chattanooga, TN (held at Sioux Falls, SD)
2013 – Texas Impact Gold Elder, League City, TX (held at Normal, IL)
2014 – So Cal Athletics Quarles, Cerritos, CA (held at San Diego, CA)
2015 – Southern Force Carroll, Paducah, KY (held at Salem, VA)
2016 – Lady Lasers Green, Columbus, OH (held at Sioux Falls, SD)
2017 – Tennessee Mojo 2021, Cookeville, TN (held at Dallas, TX)
2018 – Germantown Red Devils, Germantown, TN (held at Bowling Green, KY)
2019 – West Bay Warriors Gold, Foster City, CA (held at Roseville, CA)
ASA Girls’ 12-Under A Fast Pitch National Champions
1982 – Gordon’s, Buena Park, CA
1983 – Tri-City Gamblers, Buena Park, CA
1984 – Tri-City Gamblers, Buena Park, CA
1985 – Orange County Bat Busters, Los Angeles, CA
1986 – The Gamblers, Cypress, CA
1987 – Orcutt Mini Exp, Santa Maria, CA
1988 – Gamblers, Cypress, CA
1989 – So Cal Outlaws, Huntington Beach, CA
1990 – Bat Busters, Orange County, CA
1991 – Bat Busters, Garden Grove, CA
1992 – Arizona Storm, Phoenix, AZ
1993 – Cruisers, Irvine, CA
1994 – California Dynasty, Riverside, CA
1995 – So Cal Firecrackers, Santa Ana, CA
1996 – Southern California Stealth, Van Nuys, CA (held at Altamonte Springs, FL)
1997 –
1998 – Invasion, Anaheim, CA (held at St. Louis, MO)
1999 – San Diego Thunder Mateo, San Diego, CA (held at Fresno, CA)
2000 – Corona Angels, Corona, CA (held at Bloomington, IN)
2001 – American Pastime, Upland, CA (held at Garland, TX)
2002 – Minor’s Gold, Sun City, CA (held at Sterling, VA)
2003 – USA Athletics, Cypress, CA (held at Marietta, GA)
2004 – Minor’s Gold, Chino, CA (held at Moline, IL)
2005 – Lakewood Freeman, Lakewood, CA (held at Aurora, CO)
2006 – Synergy 93, Saugus, CA (held at Bloomington, IN)
2007 – Victory USA, Cypress, CA (held at Roseville, CA)
2008 – Corona Angels Smith, Corona, CA (held at Montgomery, AL)
2009 – Power Surge 96, San Diego, CA (held at Normal, IL)
2010 – Orange County Bat Busters Ray, Anaheim, CA (held at Bloomington, IN)
2011 – Firecrackers Brashear, Chino, CA (held at Montgomery, AL)
2012 – San Diego Power Surge 99, San Diego, CA (held at Moline, IL)
2013 – Texas Kaos, Missouri City, TX (held at Chattanooga, TN)
2014 – Arkansas Team Worth, Sherwood, AR (held at Bloomington, IN)
2015 – Texas Sudden Impact, The Woodlands, TX (held at Sacramento/Roseville, CA)
2016 – East Cobb Bullets 03 Heath, Newnan, GA (held at Salem, VA)
2017 – Illinois Force, Johnston City, IL (held at Dallas, TX)
2018 – Georgia Impact 2023 Lunsford, Lawrenceville, GA (held at Spartanburg, SC)
2019 – Tennessee Heat 06, Knoxville, TN (held at Normal, IL)
1996 Coors Light Presents USA Softball World Series
Q. I’ve heard Coors is sponsoring a national softball tournament. Can you give me more specifics
A. Coors has teamed up with the Amateur Softball Association (known as ASA and USA Softball) to create the Coors Light Presents USA Softball World Series, the first comprehensive, nationwide, slow-pitch, amateur softball tournament.
Q. How do teams enter?
A. There are two ways for teams to enter the Coors Light Presents USA Softball World Series: 1) Most teams will take a shot at scoring a direct berth in one of the 32 local championship tournaments held across the country by completing and mailing in entry forms to ASA between April 1 and April 26. Entry forms will be available nationwide on special Coors Light softball displays at participating retailers in March and April; 2) Teams also can enter by playing in a Coors distributor-sponsored qualifying tournament to be played in more than 300 towns across the United States beginning in late April. Winners of the qualifying tournaments advance to the local championship round.
Q. When will games take place?
A. Games will be played beginning in late April and will continue through the finals in October. There are four tiers of competition. From April to June, many Coors distributors will be sponsoring local qualifying tournaments. Winners of those tournaments will advance to 32 local championship tournaments played in June and July in major cities. Those 32 winners advance to eight regional playoffs which will be played in August and September. The eight finalists will battle for the Coors Light Presents USA Softball World Series title in early October.
Q. Is it true there is prize money?
A. Yes. Winning teams of each local championship will receive $7,500. Regional playoff winning teams receive $20,000. The Coors Light Presents USA Softball World Series final winning team receives $100,000. Only winning teams receive prize money or, as they say, winner takes all. There is no prize money at the local qualifying level.
Q. What exactly is the ASA?
A. Based in Oklahoma City, Okla., ASA – Amateur Softball Association (also known as USA Softball) — is the nation’s leading, and largest, amateur softball association and the national governing body of the sport. Its staff and more than 100 local commissioners sanction, organize and manage softball tournaments in all 50 states. ASA has more than 250,000 member teams and more than 50,000 member umpires.
Q. Do you need to be an ASA member team to participate in the tournament?
A. Any team can take a shot at entering. But if your team is chosen, there is a $175 team registration fee, which includes membership in the ASA.
Q. As a team progresses through the World Series, who pays for its travel expenses?
A. Each team is responsible for all its expenses, including travel.
Q. Even to the finals?
A. Yes, teams must pay for their own expenses to get to the finals.
Q. Is this a Coors Light brand promotion?
A. Yes. The Coors Light Presents USA Softball World Series is Coors Brewing Company’s main or, as we say in the beer industry, “mega-promotion” for the spring season.
Q. It seems like quite a logistical undertaking.
A. Yes, it is. Most likely there will be close to 400,000 players taking the field in the Coors Light Presents USA Softball World Series in more than 300 cities.
Q. Why did Coors choose softball?
A. Softball is the number one amateur participatory sport in the United States, with more than 40 million players. It is also a sport that demographically matches well with the marketing goals of Coors Brewing Company. Many softball players are beer drinkers.
Q. How much is Coors spending on this promotion?
A. Sorry, but for competitive reasons we don’t release promotional or advertising costs.
Q. This is a slow-pitch tournament?
A. Yes, men’s amateur Class C and D slow-pitch teams only.
Q. Are there any other player or team restrictions?
A. Yes. All team members must be legal U.S. residents and at least 21 years old by March 1, 1996. Each team is allowed a maximum of 18 members on its roster, including players, manager and coaches. All team members must be residents of the same state. Players cannot previously have participated on a class A or B team or played on teams that participated in A or B tournaments. As you can see, we want this to be a fair tournament and are trying to avoid entry or play by professionals, ringers or over-qualified teams.
Q. Last spring Coors had a round-the-world Concorde promotion. This year you’ve got a nationwide softball tournament. It seems you are developing some large and unusual promotions lately.
A. That’s true. We’re glad you noticed. Quite simply, Coors is dedicated to bringing consumers the most innovative and exciting promotions in the beer industry. Coors believes the Coors Light Presents USA Softball World Series will truly captivate and excite beer drinkers and sports fans. It will be exciting, and it will be fun.
Q. Why did you hook up with the ASA?
A. It’s simple. They are the sanctioning body of the sport.
Q. Then ASA manages the tournaments and games for you?
A. Yes. Through their staff, local commissioners and umpires, ASA manages the games and World Series. They run the events, Coors is the sponsor.
Q. What was the cost of your sponsorship with ASA?
A. Sorry, but Coors does not reveal its sponsorship or promotional costs.
Q. What marketing support will you be providing this promotion?
A. Coors will support the promotion with a complete line of exciting point-of-sale material, as well as radio advertising.
Q. I’ve also heard there is a special bottle to support the promotion?
A. Yes. To celebrate softball and its millions of players, as well as baseball in general, Coors is introducing the beer industry’s first bat-shaped bottle. The bat bottle is sure to hit a home-run with consumers and softball/baseball enthusiasts. The 18-ounce bottles, available in Coors Light and Original Coors, will hit retailers’ shelves nationwide in mid-March (not available in Texas, Tennessee, Florida and Alabama).
Q. Will there be TV advertising for the promotion or the bottle?
A. No, advertising will consist of radio only.
Q. Are there any cross-promotional offers or consumer tie-ins?
A. We will offer consumers, through our softball POS, the opportunity to purchase name brand softball equipment at very attractive prices. Items available include: Wilson softball glove; H&B; Louisville Slugger softball bat; H&B; batting gloves; Dudley softball; and Killer Loop sunglasses.
Q. Besides ASA, are there other companies working with you on this promotion?
A. Yes. Advantage International, a Connecticut-based marketing firm, is helping us manage the promotion. The Integer Group of Golden, Colo., designed the POS materials.
Q. If consumers want more information, especially on how to enter, what should they do?
A. For information on how to enter, consumers can call our toll-free softball hotline: 1-800-TO-COORS. But basically, consumers will need to obtain an entry form at a Coors Light softball display at participating retailers in late March or April, and mail their entry form to ASA between April 1 and April 26. Teams that don’t want to take a chance at entering the tournament through the mail, must enter via a Coors distributor-sponsored local qualifying tournament. Not all distributors are sponsoring tournaments.
Q. How will teams know if they have been selected for a spot in the local championship round?
A. The ASA will notify selected teams by mail on or about May 1. Others will be notified and placed on a waiting list.
Q. Will teams who mailed in entry forms be picked on a random basis in a drawing by ASA?
A. No. As clearly stated on the entry form, teams will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the order in which ASA receives their entry and request for registration form. Only entries post marked April 1 – April 26 will be considered.
Q. If your team is chosen, what then?
A. Your team manager will be notified and you will receive an official registration form which must be promptly returned with a registration fee of $175.
1996 Coors Light USA Softball World Series
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Regional Playoff Schedule
August 10, 1996; Peoria, Arizona; Peoria Sports Complex
| Game Time | Teams |
|---|---|
| 9:00am | Air Force Academy Flyers (USAF , CO) vs. Omaha Frame (Omaha, NE) |
| 10:30am | J.T. Zook’s (Phoenix, AZ) vs. N.U.T.S. (Ogden, UT) |
| 12:00pm | Championship Game |
August 17, 1996; Portland, Oregon; Portland Civic Center
| Game Time | Teams |
|---|---|
| 11:00am | Stratford Homes (Couer d’Alene, ID) vs. Chateau Realty (McMinnville, OR) |
| 12:30pm | Smog Stop (Sacramento, CA) vs. Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, CA) |
| 2:00pm | Championship Game |
August 24, 1996; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Three Rivers Stadium
| Game Time | Teams |
|---|---|
| 11:00am | B&L Painting (Mt. Airy, MD) vs. E-Jay’s/Bulls (Charleston, SC) |
| 1:00pm | ZoZo’s Softball (Pittsburgh, PA) vs. Fuddrucker’s (Richmond, VA) |
| 3:00pm | Championship Game |
September 14, 1996; Trenton, New Jersey; Mercer County Waterfront Park
| Game Time | Teams |
|---|---|
| 11:00am | Astoria (Woburn, MA) vs. Frenchy’s Bar & Grill (Roselle Park, NJ) |
| 1:00pm | Jerry’s Softball (Wilkes-Barre, PA) vs. Investor’s Assoc. (Long Island, NY) |
| 3:00pm | Championship Game |
September 14, 1996; La Jolla, California, Triton Stadium
| Game Time | Teams |
|---|---|
| 11:00am | A-1 National Fence (Fresno, CA) vs. Sansone/TCS (Las Vegas, NV) |
| 12:30pm | Ruffnecks (Los Angeles, CA) vs. Balls Out (San Diego, CA) |
| 2:00pm | Championship Game |
September 21, 1996; Knoxville, Tennessee; Bill Meyer Stadium
| Game Time | Teams |
|---|---|
| 11:00am | Kastaway’s (Marietta, GA) vs. Gremmels (Birmingham, AL) |
| 12:30pm | Paradise Christian (Miami, FL) vs. Extra Innings (Baton Rouge, LA) |
| 2:00pm | Championship Game |
September 21, 1996; Louisville, Kentucky; Cardinal Stadium
| Game Time | Teams |
|---|---|
| 11:00am | Iron Horse Liquor (Owensboro, KY) vs. Mullinax Ford (Canton, OH) |
| 1:00pm | Oak Ridge Lndscpng (Ft Wayne, IN) vs. Granger’s (Milwaukee, WI) |
| 3:00pm | Championship Game |
September 21, 1996; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Driller Stadium
| Game Time | Teams |
|---|---|
| 11:00am | Braves (Ft Worth, TX) vs. Pending |
| 12:30pm | Oilfield Pipe (Bartlesville, OK) vs. Hustlers (Austin, TX) |
| 2:00pm | Championship Game |
It’s paradise on earth for the winner of the 1996 Coors Light.
After seven long months of competition, the first-ever Coors Light USA Softball World Series Champion has been crowned.
Paradise Christian School of Hialeah, FL emerged from a field of over 2,000 men’s C & D slow pitch teams from around the country that began the qualifying process for the event last April.
Teams qualified at local championships and then advanced through regional play picking up combined cash prizes totaling $400,000 along the way.
Eight teams ultimately advanced to Melbourne, FL with a shot at playing in the first ever Coors Light USA Softball World Series October 12. Along with the title, a grand prize of $100,000 was also awarded to the winner.
The eight quarterfinalists for the title included J.T. Zooks of Phoenix, AZ; Chateau Realty of McMinnville, OR; ZoZo’s Softball of Pittsburgh, PA; Astoria of Woburn, MA; Ruffnecks of Los Angeles, CA; Mullinax Ford of Canton, OH; Hustlers of Austin, TX; and Paradise Christian School of Hialeah, FL.
Quarterfinals
In the first day of competition, the field of eight was cut in half as Chateau Realty beat J.T. Zooks 24-7, Astoria beat ZoZo’s Softball 16-6, Paradise Christian beat the Ruffnecks 15-10 and Mullinax Ford blanked the Hustlers 13-0.
Semifinals
In the semifinals, Chateau Realty met Astoria to decide who would be the first team to reach the finals. Chateau Realty jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the second inning before Astoria responded with eight runs in the bottom half of the inning, highlighted by a 375ft. blast over the right center field fence by Jim Duran.
Astoria posted four more runs in the bottom of the third with a two-run triple by Dick Queen and a two-run inside-the-park home run by Scott Queen. After erupting for five runs in the second inning, Astoria held Chateau Realty scoreless and advanced to the finals with 15-5 win.
In the night cap semifinal, Paradise Christian faced Mullinax Ford for the remaining spot in the finals. Paradise took the early lead in the top of the first, scoring five runs and holding Mullinax scoreless in the bottom of the inning.
In the third, Paradise erupted for 11 runs after stringing together seven straight run scoring singles. Mullinax responded in the bottom of the third posting six runs, including a three-run home run by Rick Mast but still trailed 17-9. Paradise shut the door on Mullinax in the sixth by scoring 10 runs to take a 30-17 win. Joseph Someillan led the Paradise attack in the sixth with two triples.
Championship Finals
In the finals, in front of an estimated crowd of over 2,000, Paradise looked solid from the beginning posting two runs in the top of the first and four in the second to take a 6-0 lead going into the bottom of the second.
Astoria responded with three runs in the bottom of the second to cut the lead in half. Both teams were scoreless in the third but Paradise struck for four more runs in the fourth to stretch their lead to 10-3.
Astoria managed only one run in the bottom of the fourth and was shutout in the final two innings. Paradise scored seven more runs to ensure their 17-4 victory.
“You could say somebody above was responsible for this,” acting coach Juan Stefano said. “Astoria comes in averaging more than 20 runs a game and they only get four runs. How can you explain that?”
Most teams would celebrate because they had just put $100,000 in their pockets but the Paradise team donated the money they had won during the tournament (a total of $127,000) to the Paradise Christian School. The school, which is located in Hialeah, FL, is for under privileged kids.
William Springer, who is the head master of the school and also team manager, was unable to attend the series because of an illness. The team mutually decided that the gift would be the best way to thank him for his support.
“This is very satisfying,” Paradise pitcher Charlie Graham said. “We play softball because we love it and have fun. But we wouldn’t be here without Springer, and this was a way of paying him back.”
Paradise didn’t leave empty handed as each team member received a trophy and a Coors Light USA Softball World Series leather jacket.
Ray Glisson of Paradise Christian was named the MVP of the World Series and was awarded a color TV and VCR, which he also donated to Paradise Christian School. During the series, Glisson went 8-11 with two home runs and eight RBIs.
Runner-up Astoria also took home individual trophies and jackets as a consolation award.
After the success of the Coors Light USA Softball World Series in 1996, the program is expected to explode in an expanded version throughout the United States in 1997.
The finals of the World Series will be aired on ESPN on a tape-delay basis on Friday November 8 and on Friday, November 15 on ESPN2.
“From the concept stage forward we have been very excited about the potential of this great event. Now, after a full year of competition, we are especially excited to see how it has been received by the players. This program has the potential to become one of the biggest, most dynamic events to ever be a part of slow pitch softball. It’s something the players wanted and USA Softball is proud to be a partner with Coors Brewing Company in making it happen,” said Don E. Porter, ASA executive director.
| GAME 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chateau Realty (McMinnville, OR) | 0 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 24 | 20 | 0 |
| J.T. Zooks (Phoenix, AZ) | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 8 |
| GAME 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZoZo’s Softball (Pittsburgh, PA) | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 6 | 11 | 2 |
| Astoria (Woburn, MA) | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 1 | – | 16 | 23 | 2 |
| GAME 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruffnecks (Los Angeles, CA) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 0 |
| Paradise Christian (Hialeah, FL) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 3 | x | 15 | 17 | 1 |
| GAME 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mullinax Ford (Canton, OH) | 0 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| Hustlers (Austin, TX) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| GAME 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chateau Realty (McMinnville, OR) | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 10 | 0 |
| Astoria (Woburn, MA) | 0 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | – | – | 15 | 17 | 1 |
| GAME 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paradise Christian (Hialeah, FL) | 5 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 10 | – | 30 | 31 | 3 |
| Mullinax Ford (Canton, OH) | 0 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | – | 17 | 18 | 4 |
Championship Game
| GAME 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paradise Christian (Hialeah, FL) | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | – | 17 | 18 | 1 |
| Astoria (Woburn, MA) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 4 | 10 | 3 |
- MVP – Ray Glisson, Left-Center/Catcher, Miami, Florida, (.727, 8-11, 8 RBI, 7 runs, 2 HR, 3 3B)
Championship Video – https://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/video/2014/05/23/1996-coors-light-world-seriesvob?pg=12
Softball started in Minnesota — or did it?
While baseball has storied Cooperstown, N.Y., as its birthplace, softball’s creation began at Minneapolis Fire Station No. 19 — now a Buffalo Wild Wings on University Avenue SE. near Williams Arena.
A lieutenant with the Minneapolis Fire Department, Lewis Rober was pushing 40 and perhaps getting a little flabby. So in 1895, he devised a sporting alternative to keep himself and his fellow firefighters fit between runs.
Rober is widely considered the founding father of softball — at least the outdoor version of the game now enjoyed by 40 million people. He took the basics of baseball, shrank the field and used a cushy ball pitched underhand. With no gloves needed and less time required, the recreational version of baseball took off.
“Using a vacant lot adjacent to the firehouse, Rober laid out bases with a pitching distance of 35 feet,” according to the website of USA Softball, the sport’s national governing body in Oklahoma (tinyurl.com/Mpls-softball). “His ball was a small sized medicine ball with the bat two inches in diameter. The game became popular overnight and other fire companies began to play.”
Rober named his first team the Kittens, so his game became known as Kitten Ball until the Minneapolis Park Board re-christened it Diamond Ball in the early 1920s. Also called “pumpkin ball” and “mush ball,” the sport wasn’t known as softball until 1926.
While baseball has storied Cooperstown, N.Y., as its birthplace, softball’s creation began at Minneapolis Fire Station No. 19 — now a Buffalo Wild Wings on University Avenue SE. near Williams Arena.
“Fire Station No. 19 is historically significant as the birthplace of a major variant of American softball known as ‘kittenball,’ ” according to the 1982 nomination that landed the firehouse on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rober was at Fire Station No. 11 (2nd Street SE.) when he devised his game before being transferred to brick firehouse No. 19 from 1896-1906 — when he printed a rule book.
“The first of its kind ever published,” a 1906 story in the Minneapolis Tribune reported, the Kitten League Guide “will prove of great value to those playing this game.” The article said Rober “has been one of the strongest supporters of the game and through his efforts the sport has gained a strong foothold in Minneapolis.”
Census records show Rober was the second son of French Canadians, born in November 1855 in Baldwinsville, N.Y. — about 100 miles northwest of Cooperstown. By 1885, he had moved to Minneapolis, and the 1900 census listed him as a widowed firefighter and father of two.
Rober remarried and died in Hennepin County on Sept. 2, 1930, at 74 — eight years before his lofty status as softball’s Minnesota creator was called into question. A math teacher at Cretin High School, then in downtown St. Paul, rather sheepishly debunked Rober’s pioneering role in the game’s early years in Minnesota.
As if the Minneapolis-St. Paul rivalry didn’t have enough dickering, check out this March 20, 1938, headline in the Sunday Minneapolis Tribune:
“Kittenball’s Origin in Minneapolis? No! Says Teacher at Cretin Who Brought Game to Twin Cities From Chicago.”
Writer Louis Greene led his story thusly: “Prepare for a rude shock, all you thousands upon thousands of diamond ball players and devotees. For that story claiming a Minneapolis fireman originated the game — which the entire nation has believed — is now shaken to its foundations.”
The story explained how teacher Lawrence Sixtus “hurled the bombshell” and stated “unequivocally” that he played an indoor version of kitten ball in Chicago schools from 1892-1894. By 1898, the math teacher said he coached a uniformed team at Cretin which played indoor games against the St. Paul Athletic Club, National Guard teams and various all-stars.
Most softball historians agree the game started indoors at a Chicago boat club in November 1887. When alumni of Yale and Harvard learned the former had won their annual football game, a Yale graduate heaved an old boxing glove at a Harvard guy — who tried to hit it back with a stick. An indoor version of softball played in a gym sprung from that moment.
Softball historians widely credit Rober with moving the game outdoors. There’s scant mention of the contributions of Cretin’s Sixtus, who was well aware of Rober’s standing as softball’s inventor in 1895.
Being a good Catholic, “Brother Lawrence has refrained from pushing himself to the fore in undignified denial,” the 1938 story said. “Even when pressed he refused to cast any aspersions on the claims to authorship on Rober’s behalf.” He “merely insisted” playing indoor softball in Chicago before 1895 and coaching a team at Cretin.
By the time Rober came out with his rule book in 1906, Brother Lawrence said 17-inch-circumference softballs were readily for sale in Chicago along with softball bats. Rober’s version of the rules called for balls 12 inches in circumference. That’s closer to the size commonly used today, although 16-inch softball remains popular in Chicago.
Whoever deserves the credit — the fireman or the math teacher — by 1936, in the midst of the Depression, nearly a half-million people were watching 10,000 players compete on 151 diamonds in Minneapolis alone.
“Diamond ball is not baseball,” Minneapolis Park Board recreation director Karl Raymond said in 1936. “It finds its basis in baseball, but it does not require the high degree of organization, nor the complete equipment that baseball requires. It is essentially a game of recreation.”
And for that, we can thank a Minneapolis fireman trying to stay fit — or a math teacher in St. Paul. Take your pick.
Softball born here
Minneapolis firefighter Lewis Rober, a pipeman on a chemical rig, is considered the father of outdoor softball — a game he devised to keep firemen fit in 1895.
Here’s a quote from Minneapolis assistant fire marshal George Wilson, looking back in 1936:
“Things were different in those days. There was a lot of vacant space around fire stations and it was no trick at all to lay out a diamond. The game itself did not require a great deal of space so the men could get plenty of exercise and enjoyment. ”
Minneapolis Park Board recreation director Karl Raymond said, in 1936, a smaller field paved the way for the sport’s popularity among women: “The longer baseline [in traditional baseball] makes the game too difficult, especially for girls, and also requires a larger area for play,” Raymond said. “Using the shorter distances, the game is much more adaptable for athletic recreation.”
2019 ASA Women’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals
2019 held at Waxahachie, Texas.
Champion: Lady SNI, Altamonte Springs, Florida
Runner Up: Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos, Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Lady SNI claimed the Women’s Open Slow Pitch National Championship trophy with a 5-1 overall record, scoring a total of 73 runs in their six games of the tournament.
In the Championship contest, scoring came early and often for Low Bobs, with four runs being plated in the top of the first inning. Lady SNI was quick to respond, scoring three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning and cutting the Low Bobs lead to one. Four more runs were added to the board for Low Bobs, extending their lead now 8-4 in the bottom of the fourth inning. After four quiet innings from Lady SNI, a three-run seventh inning threatened the Low Bobs lead but it was not enough to earn the victory as Low Bobs took the 8-7 win, forcing the if-necessary game for a winner-take-all contest.
The Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos offense struck first in the final game of the tournament, taking an early 2-0 lead at the end of the first inning. They plated another three runs in the top of the second after a lead off double by Alysia Hively and a triple from Holly Luciano to extend their lead, 5-0.
Lady SNI answered back in the bottom of the second, stringing together four singles and cutting the Low Bobs lead down to 5-3. Always quick to respond, however, a leadoff triple by Christina Ciolek and a sacrifice fly from Sarah Carlson scored another Low Bobs run, extending their lead to 6-3 after the top of third frame.
The Lady SNI offense exploded in the bottom of the third inning, plating four runs off of five singles. A 1-2-3 inning from Low Bobs in the top of the fourth sent Lady SNI back to the plate to score four more runs, extending their lead, 11-6, after four innings of play.
After another quiet inning from Low Bobs in the top of the fifth, Lady SNI gapped four singles in the bottom of the frame, adding one run to their lead. Luciano broke the offensive silence for Low Bobs in the top of the sixth with a sacrifice fly, scoring Erin Bradley who singled earlier in the inning, making the score 12-7.
A scoreless bottom of the sixth from Lady SNI brought Low Bobs to the plate for their final chance at the trophy, but a superior defensive inning from Lady SNI secured their 12-7 victory.
Megan Miller led the Lady SNI offense, going a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate and scoring three RBI.
- MVP – Steph Hartness, Lady SNI (15-21, .714, 12 RBI, 11 Runs)
- Batting Leader – Katie Burdeaux, SIS/OA/Red (15-19, 8 RBI, 8 Runs) – .789
- HR Leaders – Terri Ross, Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos (12-22, .545, 10 RBI, 11 Runs) – 2
- HR Leaders – Christan Dowling, Smash it Sports/Derby Girls (9-13, .692, 8 RBI, 5 Runs, 1 BB) – 2
- HR Leaders – Valisha Fincher, Backman/Team 24/Miken/Worth (10-22, .455, 8 RBI, 6 Runs) – 2
2019 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS
P – Robin Stebbins, Lady SNI (6-15, .400, 2 RBI, 5-1 Pitching)
P – Annie Rardin, Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos (13-23, .565, 9 RBI, 7 Runs)
IF – Sarah Carlson, Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos (13-23, .565, 7 RBI, 2 Runs)
IF – Kelly Park, SIS/OA/Red (15-20, .750, 7 RBI, 11 Runs)
IF – Dani Wayt, Lady SNI (15-25, .600, 4 RBI, 8 Runs)
IF – Katie Mandigo, Lady SNI (9-17, .529, 2 RBI, 10 Runs)
IF – Terri Ross, Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos (12-22, 2 HR, 545, 10 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – Steph Hartness, Lady SNI (15-21, .714, 12 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – Kara Hatmaker, Lady SNI (15-25, .600, 7 RBI, 12 Runs)
OF – Tyquilla Abdoo, Backman/Team 24/Miken/Worth (10-19, .526, 7 RBI, 2 Runs)
UTIL – Alysia Hively, Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos (15-24, .625, 5 RBI, 3 Runs)
UTIL – Katie Burdeaux, SIS/OA/Red (15-19, .789, 8 RBI, 8 Runs)
UTIL – Paige Shields, SIS/OA/Red (14-18, .778, 16 RBI, 9 Runs)
UTIL – Ashley Mack, Backman/Team 24/Miken/Worth (11-21, .524, 5 RBI, 10 Runs)
UTIL – Laurel Pillifant, Backman/Team 24/Miken/Worth (8-11, .727, 3 RBI, 3 Runs)
OTHERS
Jessica Moudy, Traders Reloaded (10-13, .769, 4 RBI, 2 Runs)
Brittany Martin, On Point (10-14, .714, 7 RBI, 4 Runs)
Danielle Nadeau, SIS/FAI/Miken (11-16, .688, 4 RBI, 6 Runs)
Lauren Grun, SIS/OA/Red (10-15, .667, 3 RBI, 6 Runs)
Megan Higginbotham, Xtreme/Athlon (11-17, .647, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 12 Runs)
Stefanie Call, SIS/OA/Red (12-19, .632, 18 RBI, 10 Runs)
Kristina Sheriff, SIS/OA/Red (11-18, .611, 8 RBI, 12 Runs)
Tara Salcedo, SIS/Derby Girls/Easton (7-13, .538, 3 RBI, 4 Runs)
FINAL STANDINGS
1. Lady SNI, Altmonte Springs, FL (5-1)
2. Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos, Harrodsburg, KY (5-2)
3. Backmanteam 24/Miken/Worth, Apollo Beach, FL (4-2)
4. SIS/OA/Red, Converse, TX (3-2)
5t. Traders Reloaded, Collierville, TN (2-2)
5t. Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/Easton, Kent, WA (2-2)
7t. Twisted Sistahs, Leominster, MA (2-2)
7t. On Point, Grimes, IA (2-2)
9t. SIS/FAI/Miken, Harmony, FL (1-2)
9t. Us Womens Armed Forces, Washington DC, MD (1-2)
9t. SIS/OA/Yellow, Manassas, VA (1-2)
9t. Xtreme/Athion, Lino Lakes, MN (1-2)
13t. Lady Mojo/F.A.I./Snc Sports, Louisa, VA (0-2)
13t. SIS/OA/Purple, Kent, WA (0-2)
13t. SIS/OA/Blue, Cicero, NY (0-2)
2019 ASA Women’s Open Slow Pitch Champion – Lady SNI
2019 ASA Women’s Open Slow Pitch Runner Up – Low Bobs/Shirts & Logos
2019 ASA Women’s Open Slow Pitch Third Place – Backman/Team 24/Miken/Worth
2019 ASA Men’s (10) Modified Pitch Nationals
2019 held at North Branford, Connecticut on August 30-September 2.
Champion – Warriors, New York, New York
Runner Up – MJS, Saugus, Massachusetts
- MVP – N/A
- Batting Champion – N/A
- HR Champion – N/A
2019 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS
N/A
FINAL STANDINGS
1. Warriors, New York, NY (8-1)
2. MJS, Saugus, MA (6-2)
3. Boston Sharks, Boston, MA (5-2)
4. Men Of Iron, Elizabethtown, PA (5-2)
5t. Superflash Softball, Revere, MA (3-2)
5t. Hatomayor, Brooklyn, NY (3-2)
7t. Brewers, Staten Island, NY (3-2)
7t. Franchise, Brooklyn, NY (3-2)
9t. Mud Dogs, Erie, PA (1-2)
9t. Swashbucklers, Staten Island, NY (2-2)
9t. Hammar’s Hurricanes, Kimball, MI (2-2)
9t. Sinni’s Pub, Dudley, MA (1-2)
13t. Steven Wilder Automotive, Keene, NH (1-2)
13t. Major League Maintenance, Monticello, NY (1-2)
13t. 603 Pride, Groveton, NH (1-2)
13t. Team Connecticut, Bridgeport, CT (1-2)
17t. Rebels Softball Club, Clyde, MI (0-2)
17t. Secory Flyers, Marysville, MI (0-2)
17t. War Water Stallions, St. Clair, MI (0-2)
17t. We Stay Dirty, Woodhaven, NY (0-2)
17t. 6-4-3, Oxford, MA (0-2)
17t. Loco Pirates, Dorchester, MA (0-2)
17t. Elegidos, Brooklyn, NY (0-2)