Category: ASA

1999 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1999 held at Decatur, Illinois on September 1-6.

Champion – Decatur Pride, Decatur, Illinois (50-13)
Runner Up – Midland Explorers, Midland, Michigan (39-15)

In a tournament where no foreigners were allowed to play according to ASA Rules, the Midland Explorers defeated the Broken Bow Smokers 7-2 in the losers bracket finals behing Todd Schultz’s two homers to advance to the championship game against the Decatur Pride. Decatur won the title 8-4 behind the strong pitching of Michael White, over Midland.

Doug Gillis was the losing pitcher for Midland. Gillis pitched all 7 games (43 Innings) for Midland.

Shawn Rychcik had a run scoring single in the first inning, then bombed a 2-run homer in the second inning to get the Pride offense in gear. The Pride batted .369 as a team in these nationals and scored 45 runs. Rychcik was incredible as he was 8 for 15 with 4 HR and 14 RBI. He was named MVP.

43 year old John Bargfeldt, Pride outfielder was 7 for 12 and batted .583, but didn’t have enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title (he had two walks for 14 total plate appearances) that went to Rychcik.

After Doug Gillis pitched the Midland Explorers to a (7-2) victory over the Broken Bow Smokers to get them to the championship. Gillis realized he was facing the hottest pitcher in the tournament in Michael White for the Decatur Pride. White hurled the Pride to an 8-4 over the Midland Explorers 8-4. Doug Gillis took the loss.

  • MVP – Shawn Rychcik, Decatur Pride
  • Batting Leader – Shawn Rychcik, Decatur Pride – .533
  • HR Leader – Clayton McGovern, Midland Explorers – 5
  • Herb Dudley Pitching Award – Michael White, Decatur Pride

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Doug Gillis, Midland Explorers (5-2)
P – Michael White, Decatur Pride (4-0, 21 IP, 30 K)
P – Doug Sleep, Broken Bow Smokers (3-1)
C – Curt Martin, Larry Miller Toyota
1B – Shawn Rychcik, Decatur Pride (8-15, .533, 4 HR, 14 RBI)
2B – Ehren Earleywine, Decatur Pride
3B – Ross Dey, Meierhoffer-Fleeman
SS – Todd Schultz, Midland Explorers
OF – Brad Johnson, Midwest GMC
OF – Clayton McGovern, Midland Explorers (12 RBI)
OF – Tim Wargo, Decatur Pride
OF – John Bargfeldt, Decatur Pride
DP – David Frank, Broken Bow Smokers
UTIL – Blake Miller, Larry Miller Toyota
UTIL – Cliff Wisdom, Broken Bow Smokers
UTIL – Vic Johns, Decatur Pride

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Doug Middleton, Meierhoffer-Fleeman
P – Peter Meredith, Larry Miller Toyota (3-2)
P – Bob Ginger, Dolan & Murphy Shamrocks
C – Dave Chadduck, Midwest GMC
1B – Greg Melchert, Midland Explorers
2B – Kyle Magnusson, Larry Miller Toyota
3B – Kyle Beane, Midland Explorers
SS – Todd Budke, Broken Bow Smokers
OF – Wally King, Midland Explorers
OF – Boomer Brush, Decatur Pride
OF – Rich Lira, Meierhoffer-Fleeman
OF – Ron McCue, Dolan & Murphy Shamrocks
DP – Joe Simoni, Midwest GMC
UTIL – Peter Turner, Larry Miller Toyota
UTIL – Jason Hanson, Broken Bow Smokers
UTIL – Chris Miljavac, Meierhoffer-Fleeman

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Decatur Pride, Decatur, IL (5-0)
2. Midland Explorers, Midland, MI (5-2)
3. Broken Bow Smokers, Tampa Bay, FL (3-2)
4. Larry Miller Toyota, Salt Lake City, UT (3-2)
5t. Meierhoffer-Fleeman, Savannah, MO (2-2)
5t. Dolan & Murphy Shamrocks, Aurora, IL (2-2)
7t. Midwest GMC, St. Louis, MO (2-2)
7t. Central Iowa Express, Marshalltown, IA (1-2)
9t. Page Brake, Salt Lake City, UT (1-2)
9t. River City Rage, Peoria, IL (1-2)
9t. Bonutti, Effingham, IL (0-2)
9t. Eagle Pack-Planggers, Mishawaka, IN (0-2)
13t. Herzog, St. Joseph, MO (0-2)
13t. The Farm, Madison, WI (0-2)

1999 ASA Women’s Major Modified Pitch Nationals

1999 held at Spokane, Washington on August 20-22.

Champion – Stadium Sportswear, Spokane, Washington
Runner Up – Julie’s, New York, New York

  • MVP – N/A
  • Batting Champion – N/A
  • HR Champion – N/A

1999 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Elisabeth Sanchez, Rogers Renegades
P – Diane Stanford, Vyper Sportswear
P – Nicole Adamson, Rogers Renegades
OF – Kathy O’Connor, Rogers Renegades
OF – Ronelle Wolfe, Vyper Sportswear
OF – Deb Muir, Rogers Renegades
OF – M.J. Williams, Vyper Sportswear
OF – Becky Regula, Rogers Renegades
IF – Shawna Foster, Vyper Sportswear
IF – Alana Klaus, Vyper Sportswear
IF – Terry Galley, Rogers Renegades
IF – Linda Bushinski, Vyper Sportswear
IF – Juline Parry, Vyper Sportswear

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Stadium Sports, Spokane, WA (4-0)
2. Julie’s, New York, NY (4-2)
3. Roger’s Renegades, Hookset, NH (2-2)
4. Polanski’s, Colville, WA (2-2)
5t. Hitchcock Construction, Spokane, WA (1-2)
5t. Team Spokane, Spokane, WA (1-2)
7t. JR’s Softball, Luxemburg, WI (0-2)
7t. Mister Ed’s, Wild Rose, WI (0-2)

1999 ASA Girls 18-Under Gold Fast Pitch Nationals

1999 held in Chattanooga, Tennessee on August 2-8.

Champion – SoCal Athletics Gold, Irvine, California
Runner Up – Gordon’s Panthers, Cypress, California

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Jennifer Stewart, So Cal Athletics Gold
P – Keira Goerl, O.C. Batbusters
P – Tia Bollinger, Gordon’s Panthers
C – Roxanne Staniorski, Gordon’s Panthers
1B – Oli Keohohou, Gordon’s Panthers
2B – Dara Webb, So Cal Athletics Gold
3B – Jennifer Mossadeghi, Lady Bombers Gold
SS – Natasha Watley, So Cal Athletics Gold
OF – Julie Watson, So Cal Athletics Gold
OF – Holly Groves, Lady Bombers Gold
OF – Kristin Farber, Gordon’s Panthers
OF – Kristi DeVries, Gordon’s Panthers
UTIL – Claire Sua, Lady Bombers Gold
UTIL – Phelan Wright, Gordon’s Panthers
UTIL – Jenny Gladding, Lady Bombers Gold

SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Kristen Schmidt, Texas Heat Gold
P – Lindsey Foster, St. Louis Heat
P – Jamie Southern, Force
C – Courtney Lewellen, Lady Bombers Gold
1B – Susan Churchwell, So Cal Rebels
2B – Mylin Prieto, Lady Bombers Gold
3B – Jaime Clark, O.C. Batbusters
SS – Marcel Torres, Gordon’s Panthers
OF – Boni Kading, O.C. Batbusters
OF – Courtney Betley, So Cal Athletics Gold
OF – Daisy Flores, So Cal Rebels
OF – Kellie Wilkerson, Nashville Eagles
UTIL – Leah Gulla, Batbusters
UTIL – Shannon McKeon, Lady Bombers Gold
UTIL – Wendy Allen, Gordon’s Panthers

THIRD TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Natalie King, Batbusters
P – Corianne Rogalsky, So Cal Lightning
P – Catherine Osterman, Katy Cruisers Gold
C – Jessica Allister, Katy Cruisers Gold
1B – Holly Ballard, Strikkers-Sorci
2B – Samantha Jennings, So Cal Rebels
3B – Renee Hasan, So Cal Lightning
SS – Dana Reed, Chattanooga Eagles
OF – Jerri Alexander, Nashville Eagles
OF – Amanda Woodall, Chattanooga Eagles
OF – Kristen Bell, Chattanooga Eagles
OF – Shelly Riker, Lady Bombers Gold
UTIL – Lacey Gardner, Chattanooga Eagles
UTIL – Nicole Deeter, Texas Heat Gold
UTIL – Brandy Stuart, Batbusters

FINAL STANDINGS

1. So Cal Athletics Gold, Irvine, CA (7-1)
2. Gordon’s Panthers, Cypress, CA (5-2)
3. Lady Bombers Gold, Clearwater, FL (7-2)
4. O.C. Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (7-2)
5t. So Cal Lightning, San Diego, CA (4-2)
5t. Force, Fresno, CA (4-2)
7t. Batbusters, Garden Grove, CA (5-2)
7t. Katy Cruisers Gold, Katy, TX (4-2)
9t. Texas Heat Gold, Kingwood, TX (3-2)
9t. Nashville Eagles, Brentwood, TN (3-2)
9t. Chattanooga Eagles, Chattanooga, TN (5-2)
9t. SoCal Rebels, Lake Forest, CA (5-2)
13t. SoCal Firecrackers Gold, San Diego, CA (3-2)
13t. Hot Stuff, Yorba Linda, CA (4-2)
13t. American Pastime Gold, Upland, CA (3-2)
13t. California Breeze, Sacramento, CA (4-2)
17t. SoCal Belles, San Clemente, CA (2-2)
17t. Missouri Maniacs, St. Charles, MO (2-2)
17t. Mustangs Gold, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
17t. Cy-Fair Intruders, Houston, TX (2-2)
17t. Colorado Comets, Broomfield, CO (2-2)
17t. Strikkers-Sorci, San Jose, CA (3-2)
17t. St. Louis Heat, St. Louis, MO (3-2)
17t. USA Athletics, Santa Ana, CA (3-2)
25t. California Tornadoes Gold, Fairfield, CA (2-2)
25t. Storm Gold, Glendale, AZ (2-2)
25t. Aphis Gold, Van Couver, WA (2-2)
25t. Santa Fe Springs Rebels, Santa Fe Springs, CA (2-2)
25t. California Lobos Gold, Irvine, CA (2-2)
25t. Polar Crush, Worchester, MA (2-2)
25t. Spring Klein Hawks, Houston, TX (2-2)
25t. Running Rebels Gold, Stockton, CA (2-2)
33t. Missouri City Magic, Missouri City, TX (1-2)
33t. New Edition Gold, Tomball, TX (1-2)
33t. Lady Gators, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (1-2)
33t. Tennessee Thunder, Signal Mountain, TN (1-2)
33t. The Dogs, Rootstown, OH (1-2)
33t. Grand Slam, Uniontown, OK (1-2)
33t. San Diego Breakers, Encinitas, CA (1-2)
33t. American Pastime, Upland, CA (1-2)
33t. Mad Dogs, Alliance, OH (1-2)
33t. Valencia Choppers, Valencia, CA (1-2)
33t. Boone & Darr, Ann Arbor, MI (1-2)
33t. Maryland Dynasty, Waldorf, MD (1-2)
33t. L’il Saints Gold, Phoenix, AZ (1-2)
33t. American Athletics Gold, Santa Ana, CA (1-2)
33t. Esko Ice, Esko, MN (1-2)
33t. Shamrocks, Vienna, VA (1-2)
49t. Tucson Roadrunners Gold, Tucson, AZ (0-2)
49t. Northwest Outlaws Gold, Kelso, WA (0-2)
49t. NY/NJ Beach Girls, Brooklyn, NY (0-2)
49t. Minors Gold, Corona, CA (0-2)
49t. Illusions, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
49t. West Virginia Dusters, Huntington, WV (0-2)
49t. Tulsa Eagles, Muskogee, OK (0-2)
49t. Dynasty Gold, Riverside, CA (0-2)
49t. NW 45 Thunder, Spring, TX (0-2)
49t. Sudden Impact, Chino, CA (0-2)
49t. Destiny 18 Gold, Glendale, AZ (0-2)
49t. Hot Shots, Tempe, AZ (0-2)
49t. SoCal Stealth 18 Gold, Woodland Hills, CA (0-2)
49t. Catonsville 18 Under, Catonsville, MD (0-2)
49t. Indiana Heat, Arcadia, IN (0-2)
49t. Michigan Invasion, Grand Rapids, MI (0-2)

1999 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1999 held at Dothan, Alabama.

Champion: Lakerettes, Conneaut Lake, PA
Runner Up: Armed Forces, Williamsburg, VA

  • MVP – No MVP awarded
  • Batting Leader – ?
  • Home Run Leader – ?

ASA MAJOR WOMEN’S SLOW PITCH ALL AMERICANS FIRST TEAM

  • P – Jennifer Sis Woods, Lakerettes
  • C – Sue Warner, Lakerettes
  • 1B – Sheri Nidiffer, Lakerettes
  • 2B – Sue Bupp Ilyes, Lakerettes
  • 3B – Pamela Smith, Armed Forces
  • SS – Carol Perroz, Lakerettes
  • OF – Jody Trimmer, Lakerettes
  • OF – Vivian Colbert, Armed Forces
  • OF – Bonnie Rodgers, Lakerettes
  • OF – Stephanie Minix, Armed Forces
  • DH – Carmela Williams, Armed Forces
  • UT – Barb Balestrino, Lakerettes
  • UT – Marie Schafer, Lakerettes
  • UT – Marcie May, Armed Forces
  • UT – Teri Andrew, Armed Forces

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Lakerettes, Conneaut Lake, PA 3-0
2. Armed Forces, Williamsburg, VA 0-3

1998 ASA A National Report

Thomas Bait & Tackle of North Carolina completed an undefeated run through the ASA Class A Nationals over Labor Day weekend at Lawton, Okla., by overcoming a 16-run fourth inning by Dalton Chiropractic of New Jersey to win 28-25. Thomas, with six players from the Jerry’s team that won the Class B crown in 1997, breezed 20-1 over Dalton in the finals of the winners bracket en route to a 7-0 record.

Defending Class A champion Coffee Cup of Minnesota was a third-place finisher this year.

The favorite, Smokes/Harrison’s/TPS of Maryland, finished fourth in the 62-team field. Jim Johnson of Gary’s Auto Body of Michigan was the home run champion with 17 in seven games. The home run limit was six. MVP honors went to Thomas outfielder Scott Grant. His on-base numbers were 34-of-37. He reached base in his last 19 trips to the plate. He had six homers.

The leading hitter was Brad Gidcumb of Jacksonville Grover of Florida with an .885 average. “Scott made some nice plays in the outfield,” pointed out Thomas manager, who serves as the team’s extra hitter. “Our middle was outstanding on defense — Grant Batts at shortstop and Cullen Clark at second base. They turned a lot of double plays. And our pitcher, Bob Carter, played good defense too.”

Thomas had three players on the first team all-tournament — Grant, John Dutch Jr. and Roy Jarman — and two more on the second team — John Adams and Hollis Brice.

Dalton had two on the first team — Tom Laska and Anthony Delarnesis.

Coffee Cup had only one selection — Mike Ritzer on the second team.

Smokes had Steve Gilbert and Dewey Fussell on the first team and Steve Helewicz and Bobby Bayne on the second team.

Thomas topped Smokes 26-21 and Dalton was a 33-18 winner over Coffee Cup in the semifinal round of the winners bracket.

Coffee Cup eliminated L&L Paint of Alabama 17-16, while Smokes ousted Mercer of Indiana 43-23. Coffee Cup then kayoed Smokes 24-22 before dropped by Dalton 12-11.

Mercer eliminated Gary’s 30-15, while L&L ousted SCB/Easton of New York 34-14. L&L had a 7-2 record, Dalton and Coffee Cup were 6-2 and Smokes, Mercer and Gary’s 5-2 and SCB 4-2.

Ashley’s of Delaware and Kentucky Tucker each went 5-2 en route to a tie for ninth with Maroadi of Pittsburgh and Scott of Iowa.

Jacksonville Grover, Galyan’s of Indiana, Universal Dome of Indiana and Allied Tool of Kentucky tied for 13th.

Some highly regarded team finished down the line, including K&G of Indiana, Riverside/Ram and Berardi’s of Kentucky, Paramount of Virginia, Deery Brothers of Iowa and Budweiser/DeMarini of Texas.

One of Paramount’s players was 52-year-old Don Clatterbaugh, a former Major player with such teams as Dave Carroll and Steele’s.

Berardi’s lost 25-16 to DeVault of Missouri and Budweiser/DeMarini lost 27-14 to Easton Sportstar of Kentucky in first-round games. Berard’s then lost 26-21 to Ohio Sealants.

Budweiser/DeMarini went 0-2 too, being ousted 20-18 by TCBY/DeMarini of Arkansas.

Deery was 0-2, losing to the Aragon Minnesota Merchants 32-23 and Barchella of New York (29-17).

Riverside lost 39-28 to SCB and K&G lost 27-26 to Jax Grover in the second round.

Paramount won two games before falling 29-28 to Mercer.

Thomas won 45-31 and 32-11, but had two tough games in the early rounds — 31-30 vs. Gateway Press of Kentucky and 28-25 vs. Allied Tool. Gateway built up a 27-7 lead going into the fifth inning. Thomas broke loose for 15 runs. “Then we were down nine going into the bottom of the seventh,” pointed out Marion. “We got 12 straight men on without an out.” Jay Lamm started things with a single and he ended it with a 2-run double.

Carter went 6-for-6, Grant 5-for-6 with a homer and Roy Jarman 5-for-5 with a homer. Lamm, John Dutch, Doug Flowers and Marion had homers.

Thomas won in the first round by 45-31 over Cooper Sports of Cincinnati. Grant was 7-for-7, while Adams was 6-for-7 with a homer and Dutch 6-for-7. Flowers and Brice Hollis each had two homers and Jarman one. The 28-25 win over Allied Tool saw Adams go 4-for-5 with two homers. Grant had two homers, Dutch and Hollis one each. A 32-11 romp over Scott’s of Iowa saw Grant and Adams each go 5-for-5 and Jarman, Dutch, Batts and Marion each go 4-for-4. Dutch, Flowers, Hollis and Marion homered. Thomas was a 26-21 winner over Smokes. Jarman had three homers, Grant, Lamm, Dutch and Flowers one each. Grant and Lamm each went 5-5, Jarman and Dutch 4-5. Carter, Adams and Hollis also went 4-5. The easy 20-1 win over Dalton in the finals of the winners bracket saw Jarman and Dutch hit homers and Grant and Hollis each go 4-for-4. Lamm and Flowers each had three hits. So did Jarman. Dalton’s only run was a solo home run in the fifth inning. It was a different story vs. Dalton in the finale. The New Jersey team scored 16 runs in the fourth inning for a 22-12 lead.

The North Carolinians came back with six in the fifth and nine in the sixth. Jarman and Dutch homered in the fifth and Grant’s grand slam tied the game in the sixth. The Thomas team went on to score five more after the slammer. Final score: 28-25. Grant was 5-for-5 with 2 homers, Jarman 4-for-5 with 2 homers. Hollis also had a homer. Carter, Dutch and Lamm each notched four hits. Marion made note that clean-up batter Jim Rogers had to miss the tournament. “All the guys pulled together, picking it up a little bit to take up the slack. We played really good team ball. It was real exciting. We had to come from behind in three games. We were not the best team there by far, but we showed a lot of heart.

Our boys never gave up. This was our first year in Class A.” Marion, whose team is based out of the central North Carolina town of Sanford, pointed out the inspiration of Jerry Sheffield, the team’s enthusiastic third base coach. “He was a motivator, slinging his towel around. He keeps everybody going.”

SCB dropped Gary’s into the losers bracket (23-14) before being bumped by Smokes 33-31. Smokes dropped L&L (37-8) and Jax Grover (30-7) into the losers bracket.

Coffee Cup won four — 27-20 over TCBY, 29-17 over Easton Sportstar, 26-13 over Las Vegas Funjet of Wisconsin and 30-17 over Maroadi — before losing to Dalton 33-18.

Dalton earlier won 34-21, 29-20, 31-26 (over B&A of Ohio) and 28-9 (over Mercer).

Ashley’s won four games in the losers bracket before being ousted 25-5 by SCB. Ashley’s was dropped into the losers bracket by Scott of Iowa (25-13).

Scott won 3 before losing to Thomas, then lost its first game in the losers bracket by 36-32 to L&L.

SCB won 4 games in the losers bracket before falling to Mercer (26-6).

Rounding out the first team all-tournament selections were Cliff Egan and Louis Brown of Universal, Mark Mastorovich of Maroadi, Rob Rash and Tom Shield of Grotto’s of Delaware, Gidcumb of Jax Grover and Johnson and Mark Moore of Gary’s. Rounding out the second team were Dean Bowrosen and Karl Komyat of SCB, Bill Gilbert and Ron Rash of Grotto’s, Mike Dill and Joe Spadifino of Ashley’s, Mark Hutchinson and Kevin Gillot of L&L, Greg Ackerbery of Gary’s and Mike Engler of Maroadi.

1998 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1998 held at Decatur, Illinois.

Champion – California Commotion, Woodland Hills, California
Runner Up – Redding Rebels, Redding, CA

Lisa Fernandez of California Commotion came in first inning of 2-1 championship, 8 Ks, and also had an RBI, she defeated Redding’s Michelle Smith to win the championship. Fernandez (4-0) in the tournament came in relief of Lori Harrigan.

Brakettes came to the National undefeated (49-0 record), went (1-2) and finished 50-2 on the year. Behind the strong arm of Danielle Henderson, who pitched a 7-0 perfect game with 16 strikeouts in the Brakettes first game, only to lose two straight right after that.

  • MVP – Lisa Fernandez, California Commotion
  • HR Leader – N/A
  • Batting Leader – Danielle Cox, Decatur Twister – .688
  • Bertha Tickey Pitching Award – Lisa Fernandez, California Commotion
  • Erv Lind Defensive Award – Sheila Douty, California Commotion

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Lisa Fernandez, California Commotion (4-0, 2 shutouts, 1 was a no hitter)
P – Michele Smith, Redding Rebels (2-2, 1 save, threw a perfect game)
P – Trinity Johnson, California Players (4-2 with 3 no-hitters)
C – Nicole Victoria, California Commotion
1B – Sheila Cornell Douty, California Commotion
2B – Julie Smith, Redding Rebels
3B – Kim Maher, Redding Rebels
SS – Dot Richardson, California Commotion
OF – Becky Witt, California Players
OF – Laura Berg, California Players
OF – Christie Ambrosi, Bloomington Lady Hearts
OF – Danielle Cox, Decatur Twister (11-16, .688, 5 runs scored) .688 broke 32 year old record of .632 set in 1975 by Diane Kalliam.
DP – Randi Berg, California Players
UTIL – Teri Klement, Redding Rebels
UTIL – Sara Pickering, California Commotion

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Lori Harrigan, California Commotion (2-0)
P – Amanda Freed, Redding Rebels (3-0)
P – Courtney Dale, Decatur Twister
C – Michelle Gromacki, Redding Rebels
1B – Ronnie Marmitt, Michigan Cruise
2B – Selina Finck, Decatur Twister
3B – Missy Nowak, Decatur Twister
SS – Amy Pera, Decatur Twister
OF – Leah O’Brien, California Players
OF – Khara Good, Decatur Twister
OF – Barbara Jordan, Redding Rebels
OF – Holly Aprile, Decatur Twister
DH – Michelle Venturella, California Players
UTIL – Monica Triner, Sarasota Sugar Canes
UTIL – Nancy Evans, California Players (2-0)

THIRD TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Susie Parra, Riverside Hurricanes (3-1)
P – Keira Goerl, Phoenix Firestorm (pitched every inning but 2 in the tournament and was 4-2 with 2 shutouts and a 1-hitter)
P – Gina Ugo, Michigan Cruise
C – Suzy Brazney, California Jazz
1B – Traci Conrad, Decatur Twister
2B – Chrissy Buck, California Jazz
3B – Nina Lindenberg, California Jazz
SS – Jennifer McFalls, Redding Rebels
OF – Amy Doyle, Memphis Saints
OF – Mindy Bond, California Jazz
OF – Jenny Condon, California Commotion
OF – Brooke Boyer, Phoenix Firestorm
DH – Leticia Pineda, California Commotion
UTIL – Sara Kahler, Phoenix Firestorm
UTIL – Jennifer Brundage, California Commotion

FINAL STANDINGS

1. California Commotion, Woodland Hills, CA (6-0)
2. Redding Rebels, Redding, CA (5-2)
3. California Players, Cypress, CA (5-2)
4. Decatur Twister, Decatur, IL (4-2)
5t. California Jazz, Bellflower, CA (3-2)
5t. Phoenix Firestorm, Phoenix, AZ (4-2)
7t. Sarasota Sugar Canes, Sarasota, FL (3-2)
7t. Riverside Hurricanes, Riverside, CA (3-2)
9t. Michigan Cruise, Ann Arbor, MI (2-2)
9t. Memphis Saints, Memphis, TN (2-2)
9t. Jammers, St. Paul, MN (1-2)
9t. Brakettes, Stratford, CT (1-2)
13t. Bloomington Lady Hearts, Bloomington, IL (2-2)
13t. Breakers, Minneapolis, MN (1-2)
13t. Elite Force, Palos Hills, IL (1-2)
13t. Pekinlettes, Pekin, IL (1-2)
17t. Decatur Scorpions, Decatur, IL (0-2)
17t. Celina Sun, Celina, OH (0-2)
17t. Landolls Flames, Ashland, OH (0-2)
17t. Topton VIP’s, Topton, PA (0-2)
17t. St. Louis Surge, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
17t. Starpath, Dyer, IN (0-2)
17t. Allentown Pates, Allentown, PA (0-2)
17t. Team Texas, Houston, TX (0-2)

L-R, top row- GM Bob Baird, Manager John Stratton, Jenn Huyett, Kristine MacLean, Donna McLean, Nicole Faessler, Danielle Henderson, Debra Larson, “Frankie” Spruce, Jen Goodwin, Jackie Catanese, Scorer Jeff Ellis, Coach Patti Fernandes. Bottom row- Jessica Yanosy, Michelle Gates, Jen Smith, Keri McCallum, Dana Bennett, Alicia Smith.

1998 ASA Men’s Super Slow Pitch Nationals

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

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

Ricky Huggins ASA Super National MVP at age 46.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Huggins was third on the list at .810.

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

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

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

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

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

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

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

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

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

OTHER PLAYERS

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

FINAL STANDINGS

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

SCORES

WINNERS BRACKET

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

LOSERS BRACKET

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

CHAMPIONSHIP

Lighthouse 37, Sunbelt 10, 5 innings

STATISTICS

BATTING AVERAGE

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

HOME RUNS

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

RUNS BATTED IN

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

1998 ASA Men’s B Slow Pitch Nationals

1998 held at Cargill Park in Shreveport, Louisiana on September 24-27.

Champion – Wine Trucking, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Runner Up – Austin Spurs, Austin, Texas

Wine Trucking of Virginia took the title in the ASA Men’s Slow-pitch Class B National Championship held at Cargill Park last weekend.

Wine Trucking went undefeated (8-0) taking a victory of 24-10 over the Austin Spurs from Texas in the final game on Sunday.

The area’s host team, the Ark-La-Tex Pallets finished thirteenth out of 78 participating teams. The team lost its first game and won the next four before being eliminated Saturday evening with a loss to the Miller Screwballs from Maine. 25-12.

“We made a lot of fielding mistakes and didn’t hit the ball as well as we have,” said Palletts coach Bill Bennett, who said several of the teams at the tournament were impressive. “Teams that could hit the ball inside the field after hitting the three home runs that were allowed, were the one that won.”

In ASA Class B three home runs are allowed per team per game, any home run made after that is counted as an out for that tourney.

The tournament marked the end of the softball season. but Bennett said they will be ready for next year. “I think our team will be intact for next year,” he said.

The other top five finishers were Select Specialty from Virginia. Willimantic Brewery/Anderson Builders, of Connecticut, Flyjuice, of Connecticut and Powertel/Team Victory), of Tennessee.

The Most Valuable Player award went to pitcher Bobby Fox from Wine Trucking. The Batting champion and Home-run champion was Dean Thomas of Acme Woodworking from Massachusetts, who hit .826 (19 of 23) and had 10 home runs during the tournament.

  • MVP – Bobby Fox, Wine Trucking
  • Batting Champion – Dean Thomas, Acme Woodworking (.826)
  • Home Run Champion – Dean Thomas, Acme Woodworking (10)

ASA B ALL AMERICANS FIRST TEAM

  • P – Bobby Fox, Wine Trucking
  • C – Greg Harlow, Wine Trucking
  • 1B – Wil Searcy, Select Specialty
  • 2B – Billy Lenzi, Wine Trucking
  • 3B – Dave Cushman, Willimantic Brewery/Anderson Builders
  • SS – Russ Desrocher, Willimantic Brewery/Anderson Builders
  • OF – Mike Fayard, Wine Trucking
  • OF – Ernest Kee, Powertel/Team Victory
  • OF – Darrell Lambert, Select Specialty
  • OF – Phil Sheets, Select Specialty
  • EP – Terrell Townsend, Austin Spurs
  • UTIL – Ronald Acker, Austin Spurs
  • UTIL – William Thomas, Wine Trucking
  • UTIL – Scott Schaefer, Austin Spurs
  • UTIL – Ernest Teague, Austin Spurs

ASA B ALL AMERICANS SECOND TEAM

  • P – Richie Corder, Southern Spray
  • C – Dennis Quarlis, Southern Spray
  • 1B – Richard Phillippi, Wine Trucking
  • 2B – Mike Fayard, Wine Trucking
  • 3B – Mark Bowles, Wine Trucking
  • SS – Mark Pevey, Austin Spurs
  • OF – Kevin Dollins, Austin Spurs
  • OF – Chris Spates, Austin Spurs
  • OF – Keith Savoie, Willimantic Brewery/Anderson Builders
  • OF – John Gustafson, Willimantic Brewery/Anderson Builders
  • EP – David Kuchinsky, Willimantic Brewery/Anderson Builders
  • UTIL – George Coffey, Select Specialty
  • UTIL – Todd Byrd, Select Specialty
  • UTIL – Darrin Nicely, Select Specialty
  • UTIL – Dane Davidson, Southern Spray

ASA B ALL AMERICANS THIRD TEAM

  • P – Eric Killinger, Wine Trucking
  • C – David Richardson, Wine Trucking
  • 1B – Steve Laxton, Deluxe Bakery
  • 2B – Mike Taylor, Deluxe Bakery
  • 3B – Steve Piniero, Deluxe Bakery
  • SS – Gary Lynch, Team Talikka
  • OF – Rennis Rouse, Team Talikka
  • OF – Jack Penrod, Powertel/Team Victory
  • OF – Joey Kite, Powertel/Team Victory
  • OF – Joe Cennamo, Flyjuice
  • EP – Barry Shular, Flyjuice
  • UTIL – Chris Jones, Flyjuice
  • UTIL – Jimmy Guy, Southern Spray
  • UTIL – Mike Reed, Southern Spray
  • UTIL – Andy Harris, Wine Trucking

FINAL RESULTS

1. Wine Trucking, Fredericksburg., VA (8-0)
2. Austin Spurs, Austin., TX (7-2)
3. Select Specialty, Palmyra., VA (5-2)
4. Willimantic Brewery/ Anderson Builders, Willimantic., CT (5-2)
5t. Flyjuice, Stamford., CT (5-2)
5t. Powertel/Team Victory, Millington., TN (5-2)
7t. Minnesota Merchants/Mizuno, Eden Prairie., MN (6-2)
7t. Southern Spray, Memphis., TN (5-2)
9t. Deluxe Bakery, Bellmawr., NJ (5-2)
9t. Twohig Iii, Lakewood., OH (4-2)
9t. Miller Screwballs, Berwyn., IL (5-2)
9t. Accu Truss/The Sun Deck/Vessels, Elizabeth Town., KY (3-2)
13t. Team Talikka, Mentor., OH (5-2)
13t. Tulsa Heat, Tulsa., OK (5-2)
13t. Acme Woodworking/Doc Holidays, Wakefield., MA (5-2)
13t. Ark-La-Tex Palletts, Haughton., LA (4-2)
17t. Sun Valley, Maryland Heights., MO (3-2)
17t. Driftwood Lounge, Whapeton., ND (3-2)
17t. S&S Landscaping/Xtreme Softball, Ashaway., RI (3-2)
17t. T&B, Glen Ellyn., IL (3-2)
17t. Mizuno On-A-Mission, Roberts., WI (2-2)
17t. Franchise, Crete., IL (2-2)
17t. Ichabod’S, Effington., IL (2-2)
17t. Logomax, Coalvalley., IL (2-2)
25t. Boomers, San Antonio., TX (3-2)
25t. Hot Rod Café, Post Falls., ID (3-2)
25t. Moose’s Saloon, Kalispell., MT (3-2)
25t. Millinax Ford/Steele, Parma., OH (3-2)
25t. Turner Motor Company, Dardanelle., AR (3-2)
25t. A&B Contracting, West Columbia., WV (2-2)
25t. Team Yager, Kalispell., MT (2-2)
33t. Hooters-Memphis, Memphis., TN (3-2)
33t. Frame-All, Hinds Dale., MA (2-2)
33t. LA Express, Bossier City., LA (2-2)
33t. K.R. Plaza, Iowa City., IA (2-2)
33t. Baker Insurance, Bismark., ND (2-2)
33t. Bartok Kennels, Enterprise., AL (1-2)
33t. A1 T’s, Utica., NY (1-2)
33t. Telequip Storm, Hickory Creek., TX (1-2)
33t. Team Dudley, Houston., TX (1-2)
33t. Hooters-Dropped Out, Thibodeaux., LA (1-2)
33t. Spirit Softball Club, Sacramento., CA (1-2)
33t. Spirit Graphics, Mechanicsville., VA (1-2)
33t. Odd Fellows Lodge, Bloomington., IN (1-2)
33t. Ultimate, Franklin., WI (1-2)
33t. Potomac Valley Brick, Wheaton., MD (1-2)
33t. Brent’S Carpet, Belmont., MS (1-2)
49t. OEI/S.S. Softball, Livonia., MI (2-2)
49t. T-Shirt Express, Edinburgh., IN (2-2)
49t. Cleary’s Home Plate, Greenfield., WI (1-2)
49t. Pudgy’s Cycle, Auburn., ME (1-2)
49t. Team Thirsty’s, Kearney., NE (1-2)
49t. Regulators, Cedar Rapids., IA (0-2)
49t. Warren Construction, Smyrna., TN (0-2)
49t. Allsport Mfg/Equalizer, Mercer Island., WA (0-2)
49t. Bigelow Enterprises, Bryon., MN (0-2)
49t. National Roofing, Grand Blane., MI (0-2)
49t. All American Athletics, Lumberton., TX (0-2)
49t. Free Agents, Port Lavaca., TX (0-2)
49t. Jimmy’s Fish & Seafood, Brownsdale., MN (0-2)
49t. Bat Source, Manchester., TN (0-2)
49t. Mayslack’s/Déjà Vu, Minneapolis., MN (0-2)
49t. Hooters Softball Club, Plano., TX (0-2)
65t. Brew/Kidd Jones, Tyler., TX (0-2)
65t. Stingers, Waco., TX (1-2)
65t. Jackson Softball Club, Jackson., WY (0-2)
65t. Colby Telephone, Harrisville., RI (0-2)
65t. Gem City, Frankfort., IN (0-2)
65t. GPAC/Reda Sports, Easton., PA (0-2)
65t. Advantage Softball, Papillion., NE (0-2)
65t. Memphis Reds, Olive Branch., MS (0-2)
65t. Sports Fanatic/Acorns, Amesbury., MD (0-2)
65t. Three Star Construction, Browersville., MN (0-2)
65t. P.A.C., Booneville., MS (0-2)
65t. Shelter Insurance, Lockesburg., AR (0-2)

1998 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1998 held at St. Joseph, Missouri on September 5-12.

Champion – Meierhoffer-Fleeman, Savannah, Missouri (56-12)
Runner Up – Midland Explorers, Midland, Michigan (39-16)

  • MVP – Grover Musser, Meierhoffer-Fleeman
  • Batting Leader – Ross Dey, Meierhoffer-Fleeman – .500
  • HR Leader – David Boys, Tampa Bay Smokers – 4
  • Herb Dudley Pitching Award – Doug Middleton, Meierhoffer-Fleeman

Meierhoffer defeated Midland Exporers 7-0 in the winner’s bracket finals as Doug Middleton best Doug Gillis of Midland. Grover Musser led the Meierhoffer-Fleeman squad with 2 hits, including a big HR. The Explorers then had to play the defending champ Tampa Bay Smokers. The Smokers fell to the Explorers 4-3 to gain another crack at the Meierhoffer squad, only to lose the championship game 4-0. Meierhoffer pitcher Chris Bigelow hurled a two hitter to win the championship game. The Smokers finished the season with a 73-12 record. Meierhoffer outscored its opponents 31-0 during its five game undefeated run.

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Doug Middleton, Meierhoffer-Fleeman (4-0, 24 IP, 40 K, 4 Shutouts)
P – Doug Sleep, Tampa Bay Smokers
P – Doug Gillis, Midland Explorers
C – John Huebner, Tampa Bay Smokers
1B – Mike Schwieger, Meierhoffer-Fleeman
2B – Steve Horning, Midland Explorers
3B – Ross Dey, Meierhoffer-Fleeman (8-16)
SS – David Boys, Tampa Bay Smokers (13 RBI)
OF – Grover Musser, Meierhoffer-Fleeman (7-16, .438, 1 HR)
OF – Shawn Rychick, Tampa Bay Smokers
OF – Steve Bohn, Midland Explorers
OF – Steve King, The Farm
DH – Brent Eickholt, Sioux City Huskies
UTIL – Greg Melchert, Midland Explorers
UTIL – Kerry Shaw, Meierhoffer-Fleeman

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Michael White, Decatur Pride
P – Alan Rebling, Central Iowa Express
P – Rick Plangger, The Farm
C – Brian Neveau, The Farm
1B – Trent Rubley, Tampa Bay Smokers
2B – Jason Hanson, Tampa Bay Smokers
3B – Kyle Beane, Midland Explorers
SS – John Bargfeldt, Decatur Pride
OF – Steve Schott, Tampa Bay Smokers
OF – Ron Wiedmann, Central Iowa Express
OF – Pete Spoerl, Larry Miller Toyota
OF – Tim Wargo, Decatur Pride
DH – John Wodtke, Meierhoffer-Fleeman
UTIL – Bob Soricelli, Tampa Bay Smokers
UTIL – Ehren Earleywine, Decatur Pride

THIRD TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Pete Sandman, Sioux City Huskies
P – Joe Simoni, Sioux City Huskies
P – Peter Meredith, Larry Miller Toyota
C – J. D. Robertson, Decatur Pride
1B – Dan Smet, The Farm
2B – Kyle Magnusson, Larry Miller Toyota
3B – Brett Alvey, Larry Miller Toyota
SS – Byron Peyton, Central Iowa Express
OF – Todd Davis, River City Rage
OF – Clayton McGovern, Midland Explorers
OF – Rich Lira, Central Iowa Express
OF – Bob Blakley, Herzog
DH – David Frank, Page Break
UTIL – Jeff Neumann, Sioux City Huskies
UTIL – Todd Twachtman, Decatur Pride

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Meierhoffer-Fleeman, Savannah, MO (5-0)
2. Midland Explorers, Midland, MI (4-2)
3. Tampa Bay Smokers, Clearwater, FL (6-2)
4. The Farm, Madison, WI (5-2)
5t. Sioux City Huskies, Sioux City, IA (2-2)
5t. Decatur Pride, Decatur, IL (2-2)
7t. Central Iowa Express, Marshalltown, ID (2-2)
7t. Larry Miller Toyota, Salt Lake City, UT (3-2)
9t. Page Break, Salt Lake City, UT (1-2)
9t. St. Louis Dealers, St. Louis, MO (1-2)
9t. Herzog, St. Joseph, MO (1-2)
9t. River City Rage, Peoria, IL (1-2)
13t. Thunder, Cameron, MO (0-2)
13t. HLF Mountaineers, Springfield, MO (1-2)
13t. Abbott Labs, Ashland, OH (0-2)
13t. Tradewinds, Ames, IA (0-2)
17t. 51 Classics, Portage, WI (0-2)
17t. The Freight, Vandalia, IL (0-2)

1998 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

1998 held at Lawton, Oklahoma on September 4-8.

Champion – Thomas Bait & Tackle, Sanford, North Carolina
Runner Up – Dalton Chiropractic/Viggiani Plumbing, Ocean, New Jersey

  • MVP – Scott Grant, Thomas Bait & Tackle (23-26, .884; 11 BB, 34-37, .919 OBP, 6 HR)
  • Batting Champion – Brad Gidcumb, Jacksonville Grover/Franklin (23-26) – .885
  • HR Champion – Jim Johnson, Gary’s Auto Body – 17

ASA A ALL-AMERICANS FIRST TEAM

P – Jim Johnson, Gary’s Auto Body
C – Roy Jarman, Thomas Bait & Tackle
EP – Mark Mastorovich, Maroadi Transfer Mifflin
1B – Steve Gilbert, Smokes/ABS/TPS
2B – Tom Lasko, Dalton Chiropractic Softball
3B – Cliff Eger, Universal Dome Softball Club
SS – Anthony DeFrancesco, Dalton Chiropractic Softball
OF – John Dutch, Thomas Bait & Tackle
OF – Brad Gidcumb, Jacksonville Grover/Franklin (23-26, .785)
OF – Scott Grant, Thomas Bait & Tackle (23-26, .884, 34-37, .919 ob%, 6 HRs)
OF – Mark Moore, Gary’s Auto Body
UTIL – Tom Shields, Grotto’s Pizza
UTIL – Louie Bruno, Universal Dome Softball Club
UTIL – Dewey Fussell, Smokes/ABS/Harrisons/TPS
UTIL – Rob Rash, Grotto’s Pizza

ASA A ALL-AMERICANS SECOND TEAM

P – Mike Stibal, Coffee Cup/DeMarini
C – Greg Ackerbeal, Gary’s Auto Body
1B – John Adams, Thomas Bait & Tackle
2B – Mike Engler, Maroadi Transfer Mifflin
3B – Dean Bowrosen, SCB/Easton
SS – Mike Ritzer, Coffee Cup/DeMarini
OF – Brice Hollis, Thomas Bait & Tackle
OF – Billy Gilbert, Grotto’s Pizza
OF – Mike Dill, Ashley’s/Eagle Group/Al’s
DH – Bob Bayne, Smokes/ABS/Harrisons/TPS
UTIL – Mark Hutchinson, L&L Painting/TPS
UTIL – Karl Komyathy, SCB/Easton
UTIL – Joseph Spadafino, Ashley’s/Eagle Group/Al’s
UTIL – Kevin Gillott, L&L Painting/TPS

ASA A ALL AMERICANS THIRD TEAM

P – Shannon Arnold, Scott Decorating/Wise Guys
C –  Scott Johnson, Mercer Softball Club
1B – John Mutz, John Mercer Softball Club
2B – Russ Ortega, Gary’s Auto Body
3B – Dave Martinez, El Paso Kings
SS – Chad Riggs, Easton/Sportstar/KY Thunder
OF – Keith Carson Mercer Softball Club
OF – Edwin Clore, Smokes/ABS/Harrisons/TPS
OF – Shayne Havens, Coffee Cup/DeMarini
OF – Tim Dickmeyer, Coffee Cup/DeMarini
DH – Barry Shirley, L&L Painting/TPS
UTIL – Duane Sliter, Easton/Sportstar/KY Thunder
UTIL – Ron Probst, Ashley’s/Eagle Group/Al’s
UTIL – Lee Martin, Grotto’s Pizza
UTIL – Wayne Dutton, SCB/Easton

OTHERS

Mark Weaver, Chase (12-15, .800, 7 HR)
Bob Fisher, Chase (16-21, .762, 8 HR)
Kenny Ezzell, Chase (21-28, .750, 3 HR)
Paul Brannon, Chase (16-22, .727, 10 HR)
Larry White, Chase (16-23, .696, 2 HR)
Brian Justice, Reece (.688, 8 HR)
Ed Hicks, Chase (14-21, .667, 2 HR)
Randy Romanga, Chase (12-20, .600, 2 HR)
Ron Wilson, Reece (9 HR)
Jose Santiago, Chase (21-25, .840)
Tim Williamson, Chase (20-26, .769, 3 HR)
Chris Chilton, Chase (18-24, .750, 4 HR)
Derek Oliver, Reece (24-31, .774, 12 HR)
Larry Sauceman, Reece (.771)
Phil Castellano, Gasoline Heaven (23-27, .852)
Andy Ahkao, Gasoline Heaven (.786)
Moose White, Gasoline Heaven (.750, 9 HR)
Vern Hensley, Planet/New (14 HR)
Kenny Carver, Chase (20-25, .800, 6 HR)
Jason Fleming, Chase (20-28, .714, 3 HR)
Keith Brady, Reece (.724, 8 HR)
Mark Webber, Reece (.724)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Thomas Bait & Tackle, Sanford, NC (7-0)
2. Dalton Chiropractic/Viggiani Plumbing, Ocean, NJ (6-2)
3. Coffee Cup/Demarini, St. Paul, MN (6-2)
4. Smokes/ABS/TPS, Ellicott, MD (5-2)
5t. Mercer Softball Club, Indianapolis, IN (5-2)
5t. L&L Painting, Pratville, AL (7-2)
7t. Gary’s Auto Body, Muskegon, MI (5-2)
7t. SCB/Easton, Long Island, NY (4-2)
9t. Maroadi/Mifflin Club, Versailles, PA (3-2)
9t. Easton/Sportstar/Thunder, Louisville, KY (5-2)
9t. Ashley’s/Eagle Group/Al’s, Dover, DE (5-2)
9t. Scott/Wise Guys, Davenport, IA (3-2)
13t. Galyan’s Trading/Steeles, Greenfield, IN (3-2)
13t. Allied Tool/Grover, Louisville, KY (3-2)
13t. Universal Dome Softball, Mishawaka, IN (4-2)
13t. Grover/Franklin, Jacksonville, FL (3-2)
17t. B&A Sports/Tiny Town, Harrison, OH (1-2)
17t. Paramount Builders, Virginia Beach, VA (2-2)
17t. Grotto’s Pizza, Newark, DE (3-2)
17t. Las Vegas Funjet/TPS, Milwaukee, WI (2-2)
17t. Hogan/Citizens Mortgage, Rolla, MO (2-2)
17t. OCP/CCC/Bud/Worth, Owatonna, MN (3-2)
17t. El Paso Kings, El Paso, TX (3-2)
17t. Demarini Softball, Sioux City, IA (3-2)
25t. K&G/TPS/Bike/Webbs, North Vernon, IN (2-2)
25t. Creative Glass Inc., Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
25t. Ohio Sealants, Willoughby, OH (2-2)
25t. First Commercial Bank, Little Rock, AR (2-2)
25t. Barchella Fellas/Easton, Port Chester, NY (2-2)
25t. Gateway Press/TPS, Louisville, KY (2-2)
25t. Brothers & Sisters/TPS, Lawton, OK (2-2)
25t. CTM, Georgetown, KY (2-2)
33t. Streder Mechanical, Jacksonville, IL (1-2)
33t. Wichita Slam/State Farm, West Falls, TX (0-2)
33t. Texas Roadhouse/TPS, Huntington, WV (1-2)
33t. Sullivan/Demarini, Spokane, WA (1-2)
33t. Stonecold, El Reno, OK (1-2)
33t. Classic Ward, Farmington, NM (1-2)
33t. Express/Play It Again, North Mankato, MN (1-2)
33t. Pohlman/Cooper Sports, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
33t. Davault Softball, Marble Hills, MO (1-2)
33t. Skipworth Plumbing, Iowa Park, TX (1-2)
33t. TCBY/Demarini, Sherwood, AR (1-2)
33t. Aragon’s/Minnesota Merchants, Albert Lea, MN (1-2)
33t. Riverside/TPS, Louisville, KY (1-2)
33t. RPT Mariners, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
33t. Community 1st Bank/Coors, Caledonia, MN (1-2)
33t. Sledgehammers/Stars, Lawton, OK (0-2)
49t. Sport Spot, Ponca City, OK (0-2)
49t. USA Cash, Lapeer, MI (0-2)
49t. Quality Builders/Trugreen, Bozeman, MT (0-2)
49t. San Antonio Sting, San Antonio, TX (0-2)
49t. Deery Brothers/Easton, Waterloo, IA (0-2)
49t. Budweiser/Demarini, College Station, TX (0-2)
49t. O’Connell’s Dawgs, Norman, OK (0-2)
49t. Doc’s, Sioux City, IA (0-2)
49t. Martin Construction/Worth, Evansville, IN (0-2)
49t. Fairfield Rebels, Fairfield, IA (0-2)
49t. Webworks, Davison, MI (0-2)
49t. Berardi’s/TPS, Lexington, KY (0-2)
49t. Players, Cleveland, OH (0-2)