Category: ASA

1979 ASA Men’s (9) Modified Pitch Nationals

1979 held at Binghamton, New York on August 23-26.

Champion – Clinica Association Cubana, Miami Beach, Florida
Runner Up – Granite AC, Staten Island, New York

The rain-plagued Amateur Softball Association National Men’s Modified Fast-Pitch tournament should have either a paper champion or a true champion tonight.

A third straight day of rain delays ended at 3:15 o’clock this morning. Eight hours later, an agreement was reached for the two survivors – Clinica Associacion of Miami and unbeaten Granite A.C. of Staten Island– to meet tonight at 8 at First Ward Field, with a helicopter on standby for drying duty if further rain falls. Should the Miamians win, another game must follow to determine the national champion.

Last night’s drawn-out proceedings didn’t end on the field at First Ward, where in steadily heavier rain the Miamians held off Silvestri’s, another Staten Island team, to win the losers’ bracket final, 16-13.

That game began at 7 p.m. at MacArthur, but with none out in the top of the first inning and two Clinica runs home, it was held up by rain. Continuing showers forced tourney officials to give up on MacArthur and try to complete the tournament at better-draining First Ward.

When Clinica finished defeating Silvestri’s at about 1:30 a.m., it was supposed to immediately play Granite A.C. in the finals. Granite is 6-0 and defeated Clinica 19-13 in yesterday’s winners bracket final at MacArthur, Staten Island brothers Vince and Mike D’Esposito each hitting 3-run homers. But with rain pouring down, tournament chairman Carl Gaffney ruled First Ward unplayable.

After more than an hour’s debate in the Ramada Inn lobby and two wakeup phone calls to ASA Executive Director Don Porter in Oklahoma City, Gaffney informed Clinica manager-sponsor Ben Leon and Granite A.C. manager Mike Barone to call him today to find out when and where they’d play today.

Barone said all along yesterday that job and other commitments would make it impossible for his team to stay to play today. However Gaffney said this noon the New Yorkers -have told us they’ll be there ”

Barone, an attorney, cited an ASA rule to back his contention that Granite A.C. is already champion. He said since his team has the best record (6-0) and the tournament could not be completed in the scheduled time, it is the winner.

The rule reads: ” . . . tournaments shall be played in accordance with the dates on the bid accepted by the Commissioner’s Council.” Some ASA nationals have been decided in this fashion.

However, both the 1976 and ’77 teenage girls’ nationals here were completed a day late because of rain. Gaffney and his committee based their decision to play it out on another ASA rule: “In the event the tournament cannot be completed as scheduled, the tournament committee will ascertain the procedure to determine the final standings.”

The committee, which also included ASA officials Fred Schneider of Binghamton and Vince Scamardella of New York City, decided it will determine the standings by playing. If Granite didn’t show up. Clinica would regain by forfeit the title it held in 1976-77.

“I don’t want to walk away without winning a championship on the field,” said Leon, who said he out $25,000 to pay the freight for his team’s entourage of 64 (players, coaches, families).

Gaffney offered to help defray Granite A.C. travel expenses if the team wanted to return to New York City and drive back up for a title game tonight. “What would that prove?” asked Barone. “A team that’s rested all day going out to play one that’s driven to New York City and back and worked Barone’s shortstop Ray Rudolph, 74-year-old former Brewers’ minor-league infielder, has an unusual reason why he can’t stay. Rudolph must fly to Colorado Springs tomorrow morning to rejoin the U.S. team handball squad. He came straight to the softball tournament from Budapest. Hungary, where the U.S. handballers was in a tournament. Team hand-ball is similar to water polo, but played on a court in a Um

Hours earlier than the rain and off-diamond hassling, host team Endicott Trust split two games at First Ward to finish seventh in the 40-team field. ET nipped West Islip, 7-6, but then was a 9-1 victim of a 4-hitter by Silvestri pitcher Ed Pitre. Three double-plays helped ET fend off West Islip.

Jim Bennett, Elk Lake carpenter who played second base for ET, led the team in tournament hitting at .450 (9-for•20). ET’s four wins are the most ever for an area team in a modified national.

This year’s national also easily broke the Binghamton record for “rocking around the clock. ‘ Howdy Jones Construction of Little Meadows. which won three games and knocked out defending champ Marianao of Miami Beach Saturday, was eliminated itself at 5:33 a.m. yesterday. Howdy’s played the final “Saturday” game, a 12-11 loss to Oil City, Pa., that began 3:50 a.m. yesterday at First Ward.

The old wee-hours record was 3:10. A First Ward game in the ’76 Junior girls’ tournament ended then. Oil City was back on the First Ward diamond at 9:30 a.m., not surprisingly losing 5-4 to Silvestri’s. “When do the umpires ask that you turn the lights off?” was Gaffney’s ball-joking query to a bleary-eyed spectator as Oil City and Howdy’s took the field.

As is the case this summer in American League baseball, Oriole-organization blood was much for the New Yorkers when the Amateur Softball Association’s national men’s Modified Fast-Pitch Tournament finally came down to the wire late last night at First Ward Field.

Miami’s Asociacion Cabana Clinics, led by slugging tourney MVP Bill Russell— a one-time Baltimore baseball farmhand, pulled the rug from under previously un-beaten Granite Athletic Club of Staten Island, 149 and 104 to win the rain-plagued double-elimination event that began Thurs-day.

The crowd, estimated at 2,500 by local ASA commissioner Carl Gaffney despite seating for only 200, was undoubtedly the largest in First Ward softball history. No tickets were sold, because the field has no crowd control, but many would have rain-checks, anyway, from the MacArthur Field washout of Sunday night.

Granite AC had beaten the Miamians 19- 13 in the winners-bracket final earlier Sunday, and was three outs from victory in last night’s winner, on two runs in the top of the seventh, fore an intentional walk to Russell backfired and right fielder Jerome Byrd punched the winning 2-run single to right. Granite AC’s lead had been its third, the first a 4.0 top-of-the-first getaway in which towering Miami pitcher Kurtis fell heavily while trying to make a tag play near third base and suffered rib injuries that kept him out thereafter.

Centerfielder Russell’s two homers in the nightcap rout, 10-0 at one stage, gave the 31-year-old seven for the tourney, while batting .516.

On the 14-man all-tourney team, Granite AC was awarded five berths to the champions’ three, perhaps reflecting Granite manager Mike Barone ‘s contention the outcome was no true test since he was without three of his players after rain prevented the scheduled Sunday-night conclusion and he felt four others were sub-par after commuting home and back to perform their jobs yesterday. One Granite selection was first-baseman Vin D’Esposito who was 5-for-5 in last night’s opener, adding two hits in the Coral-game frustration.

Endicott Trust pitcher Bob Plew was one of the three second team pitching choices. Though modified fast-pitch play has been minimal in this area until this summer, Gaffney feels that spectators were so “taken” with competition that there’ll be a lot of recruits moving from slow pitch to modified when be organizes his 1980 leagues.

“I think it’ll boom,” he said. “It makes so many of the game more important, like ting and stealing.” Gaffney said that the tourney marked the first time in the national event’s 5-year history that the umpires have been in control as far as illegal pitches— which he’s told made a farce out of last year’s tourney in Spokane, Wash.

“From the time Ed Crane (Binghamton Central teacher who is ASA’s New York State umpire-in-chief) called some illegal pitches against the Long Island team at the very start of the tourney on Thursday, and threw their manager out for objecting, the tournament was made,” he said.

Six other Triple Cities umpires officiated last night: Dick James, Dave Van Woert, Kevin McGoff, Wally Mead, Don Soliwoda and Tom Katcher.

The infield had been covered with plastic, a precaution which foiled a mid-afternoon rain.

  • MVP – Bill Russell, Clinica Associacion Cubana
  • Batting Champion – Bill Russell, Clinica Associacion Cubana – .610
  • HR Champion – Jim Bennett, Endicott Trust – 7

1979 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

1B – Vin D’Esposito, Granite A.C.
1B – Eddy Fernandez, Clinica Associacion Cubana
SS – Julio Hernandez, Clinica Associacion Cubana
3B – Julio Acosta, Clinica Associacion Cubana
OF – Robert McDaniel, Clinica Associacion Cubana
OF – Bill Russell, Clinica Associacion Cubana

1979 SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Bob Plew, Endicott Trust

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clinica Associacion Cubana, Miami Beach, FL (7-1)
2. Granite A.C., Staten Island., NY (N/A)
3. Silvestri’s, Staten Island., NY (N/A)
4. Frank’s TV, Lowell, MA (N/A)
5t. Long Islanders, Babylon, NY (N/A)
5t. Quachita Sports, West Monroe, LA (N/A)
7t. Endicott Trust, Binghamton, NH (4-2)
7t. Nystrom’s, Delano, MN (N/A)
9t. Rana’s Restaurant, West Islip, NH (N/A)
9t. Ray L. Wear Manswear, Oil City, PA (N/A)
9t. R.C. Cola Wild Bunch, Claremont, NH (N/A)
9t. North Cumberland Motors, Morristown, TN (N/A)
13t. Howdy Jones Construction, Little Meadows, PA (N/A)
13t. Park Lunch, Newburyport, MA (N/A)
13t. Broadway National Bank, Bayonne, NJ (N/A)
13t. Cadillacs, Atlanta, GA (N/A)
17t. Pomerleau’s, Augusta, ME (N/A)
17t. L. B. Franco, Spokane., WA (N/A)
17t. Marianao, Miami Beach, FL (N/A)
17t. Cork “N” Bottle, Sayre., PA (N/A)
17t. King Builders, Little Meadows, PA (N/A)
17t. Platzers, Marysville, MI (N/A)
17t. Town & Country Cleaners, Waterbury, CT (N/A)
17t. Morrell’s Builders, Plymouth, MI (N/A)
25t. Roe’s Snack Bar, Easton, MD (N/A)
25t. Dubois Tire, Keene, NH (N/A)
25t. Tri-Star, Green Bay., WI (N/A)
25t. SDM Club, East Boston, MA (N/A)
25t. Sherm’s Riverside Inn, Watertown, MN (N/A)
25t. Hannons Bar, Scranton., PA (N/A)
25t. Magoo’s Tavern, Portland, OR (N/A)
25t. Blazers, King William, VA (N/A)
33t. Service Engineering, San Francisco, CA (N/A)
33t. Harrison Construction, Lubbock, TX (N/A)
33t. Blue Flames, Washington, DC (N/A)
33t. Mt. Hope Inn, Boonton TWP., NJ (N/A)
33t. Water Tank Service, Lufkin, TX (N/A)
33t. Strick’s, Spokane, WA (N/A)
33t. Coventry Lodge, Warwick, RI (N/A)
33t. McDowell Towing, Bridgeville., DE (N/A)

1979 Women’s College World Series (AIAW)

1979 held at Dill Softball Center in Omaha, Nebraska on May 24-27.

Champion – Texas Woman’s Pioneers (71-5)
Runner Up – UCLA Bruins (24-9)

Texas Woman’s University, newly named the Pioneers in February after years as the Tessies, won its first national championship behind the pitching of Kathy Arendsen, emerging from the losers’ bracket to defeat defending champion UCLA with a pair of 1–0 wins in the final. On the final day, Arendsen pitched all 21 innings in three games.

Kathy Arendsen pitched three games yesterday, allowed a total of four hits and led Texas Woman’s University to the championship in the Women’s College World Series. Arendsen shut out UCLA twice by 1-0 scores in the afternoon after eliminating top-seeded Cal Poly of Pomona, 2-0, in the morning. Arendson did not allow an earned run in more than 400 innings at one point this season.

Arendsen also won the 1979 Broderick Award for the nation’s outstanding female college athlete.

Cal-Poly Pomona entered the tournament with a 40-2-2 record and was led by new coach and legendary player Carol Spanks. By the time Spanks was finished coaching she amassed a 577-309-8 record with 11 WCWS appearances and ranked as the 4th winningest coach in NCAA history.

Rutgers sported a perfect 24-0 record entering the WCWS.

The Pioneers won the championship game with an unearned run in the first inning. UCLA third baseman Marcia Pontoni overthrew first base after fielding Sue Redding’s grounder. The Texas Woman’s leadoff batter went to third on the play, kicked the return throw from first baseman Kathy Maurice out of P9ntoni’s glove and scored as the ball rolled away.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Leading Hitter – Sue Reinders, Nebraska-Omaha (6-11, .545)
  • HR Champion – N/A

OTHERS

Batting Leaders

Sue Reinders, Nebraska-Omaha (.545, 6-11, 1 RBI)
Susan Bachman, Western Illinois (.417, 5-12, 2 RBI)
Gail Coleman, Western Illinois (.417, 5-12, 3 RBI)
Jill Larson, Kansas (.400, 4-10)
Melinda Farm, Oregon State (.364, 4-11, 1 RBI)
Denise Smail, Oregon State (.364, 4-11)
Gail Edson, UCLA (.350, 7-20, 1 RBI)
Chris Abrahamson, Western Illinois (.333, 4-12)
Diane Stephenson, Indiana (.313, 5-16, 2 RBI)
Suzie Gaw, Arizona State (.308, 4-13)
Linda King, Cal Poly Pamona (.308, 4-13 1 RBI)
Barb Reinalda, Cal Poly Pamoa (.308, 4-13 2 RBI)
Meg Seng, Indiana (.308, 4-13)
Sue Sherman, UCLA (.308, 4-13)
Julie Woodman, Kansas (.300, 3-10)

Leaders

Most Hits – Gail Edson, UCLA; Willie Rucker, Texas Woman’s; Val List, Texas Woman’s (7)
Most Doubles – Liz Zemanek, Texas A&M (2)
Most Triples – Pam Brown, Texas Woman’s; Gail Coleman, Western Illinois; Diane Stephenson, Indiana (2)
Most Home Runs – Gail Coleman, Western Illinois; Jackie Crescio, Western Illinois; Bridget Ellis, Rutgers; Kim Metcalf, Northern Colorado; Diane Ninemire, Nebraska-Omaha; Lisa Slate, Texas Woman’s; Linda Spagnola, Indiana (1)
Most RBI: Linda Spagnolo, Indiana (4)
Most Stolen Bases: Julie Hudson, Indiana (3)

Pitching Leaders

Kathy Arendsen, Texas Woman’s (6-1, 5 shutouts, 77 K, 0.00 ERA)
Barb Reinalda, Cal Poly (3-2, 16 K, 0.00 ERA)
Karen Andrews, UCLA (2-1, 13K, 0.00 ERA)
Phylllis Schachterle, Northern Colorado (2-0, 4 K, 0.00 ERA)
Shelley Sinclair, Kansas (1-1, 10K, 0.00 ERA)
Lucy Casarez, Arizona State (1-1, 14 K, 0.32 ERA)
Jan Jeffers, UCLA (2-1, 6 K, 0.33 ERA)
Lou Piel, Northern Colorado (1-2, 21 K, 0.58 ERA)
Denise Smail, Oregon State (2-2, 13 K, 0.75 ERA)
Hallie Cohan, Rutgers (0-2, 13 K, 0.81 ERA)

SCORES

Cal St Poly-Pomona 6, Nebraska-Omaha 0
Western Illinois 4, Emporia State 0
Arizona State 2, Oregon State 0
Texas Woman’s 4, South Carolina 2
Kansas 2, Arizona 0
UCLA 5, Texas A&M 0
Indiana 8, Chapman 1
Northern Colorado 3, Rutgers 2
Nebraska-Omaha 4, Emporia State 3
Oregon State 1, South Carolina 0
Texas A&M 6, Arizona 2
Rutgers 1, Chapman 0
Cal St Poly-Pomona 1, Western Illinois 0
Texas Woman’s 1, Arizona State 0
UCLA 2, Kansas 0
Northern Colorado 4, Indiana 1
Texas A&M 2, Arizona State 0
Western Illinois 3, Rutgers 2
Indiana 4, Nebraska-Omaha 2
Oregon State 1, Kansas 0
Cal St Poly-Pomona 1, Texas Woman’s 0
UCLA 2, Northern Colorado 0
Texas A&M 4, Western Illinois 2
Indiana 2, Oregon State 1
Northern Colorado 2, Texas A&M 0
Texas Woman’s 2, Indiana 1
UCLA 1, Cal St Poly-Pomona 0
Texas Woman’s 1, Northern Colorado 0
Texas Woman’s 2, Cal St Poly-Pomona 0
Texas Woman’s 1, UCLA 0
Texas Woman’s 1, UCLA 0

FINAL STANDINGS

1 Texas Woman’s Pioneers (7-1)
2 UCLA Bruins (4-2)
3 Cal-State Poly Pomona Broncos (3-2)
4 Northern Colorado Bears (3-2)
5t.Texas A&M Aggies (3-2)
5t. Indiana Hoosiers (3-2)
7t. Oregon State Beavers (2-2)
7t. Western Illinois Leathernecks (2-2)
9t. Kansas Jayhawks (1-2)
9t. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-2)
9t. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-2)
9t. Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (1-2)
13t. Arizona Wildcats (0-2)
13t. South Carolina Gamecocks (0-2)
13t. Chapman Panthers (0-2)
13t. Emporia State Hornets (0-2)

1979 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1979 held at Nashville, Tennessee.

Champion: Bob Hoffman’s Dots, Miami, Florida
Runner Up: Tampa Gremlins, Tampa, Florida

The Dots closed out their final campaign with a 12-6 victory over the Tampa Gremlins in the finals. They have been a dominant force in Slow Pitch during the last eleven years in national play. Since 1969, the Dots have finished in the top-5 every single year, They have won 5 National Championships (1969, 1974, 1975, 1978 and this year 1979), twice been Runner-up, twice been third and throw in a fourth and a fifth. They have had an incredible run. After the season, they decided to disband. The Gremlins had to defeat last year’s runner-up, Atlanta Getz in the loser’s bracket to gain the finals over the powerful Dots.

  • MVP – Rita Lewis, Bob Hoffman’s Dots (12-25, .480, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 13 Runs)
  • Home Run Leader – Sue Bupp, York Barbellettes (10-17, .588, 10 RBI, 6 Runs) – 4
  • Batting Leader – Pam Nelson, McLaughlin Oil (11-15, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 Runs) – .733

1979 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Robin Murray, Dots
C – Glynda Hester, Getz
1B – Linda Tumlin, Getz
2B – Debbie Wohlers, Gremlin
3B – Rita Lewis, Dots
SS – Chris Padgett, Dots
OF – Ernestine Hamel, Dots
OF – Elaine Honig, Gremlins
OF – Cindy Brogdon, Getz
UT – Jennie Garrison, Getz
UT – Marilyn Booher, Sorrento’s
UT – Sandra VanLandingham, Gremlins
UT – Marlene Brice, Gremlins

1979 SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Shirley Patterson, Sorrento’s
C – Terry Combs, Sorrento’s
1B – Laura McEvoy, Hutley’s Chasers
2B – Linda Mueller, All Sports
3B – Cheryl Gardley, Port City
SS – Sue Bupp, Barbellettes
OF – Karen Harris, UPI
OF – Lisa Shermeyer, Barbellettes
UT – Charlene Stemm, Ferry Cap
UT – Charlene Koski, Rebels
UT – Jennifer Gorecki, Self-Serve

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Bob Hoffman Dots, Miami, FL (7-0)
2. Tampa Gremlins, Tampa, FL (7-2)
3. Atlanta Getz, Atlanta, GA (4-2)
4. Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, OH (5-2)
5t. Self-Serve, Solon, OH (4-2)
5t. Rebels, Jacksonville, FL (3-2)
7t. Hutley’s Chasers, Huntington, NY 6-2
7t. Port City Ford, Houston, TX (3-2)
9t. Mclaughlin Oil, Columbus, OH (2-2)
9t. Annie’s Guns, Dallas, TX (3-2)
9t. Ferry Cap, Parma, OH (3-2)
9t. Barbellettes, York, PA (3-2)
13t. All Sport Uniform, Roseville, MI (3-2)
13t. Universal Plastics, Cookville, TN (2-2)
13t. Detlefsen Insurance, Burnsville, MN (2-2)
13t. Forrest Datsun, Redwood City, CA (2-2)
17t. Carrao Construction, Las Vegas, NV (2-2)
17t. Getaway Inn, Topeka, KS (2-2)
17t. Spooks, Anoka, MN (1-2)
17t. Nelson Painting, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
17t. Hecker’s Girls, New Athens, IL (1-2)
17t. Bernard Hall, Fond-Du-Lac, WI (1-2)
17t. Jefferson Royals, Desoto, MO (1-2)
17t. Stompers, Mechanicsville, VA (3-2)
25t. St. Paul Steamers, St. Paul, MN (0-2)
25t. Cunningham-Kelly Fillies, Nashville, TN (2-2)
25t. Quicksilver, Tulsa, OK (0-2)
25t. George Flowers Playmates, Sacramento, CA (0-2)
25t. L&B Oil, Hutchinson, KS (0-2)
25t. Indian Head Pub Mice, Huntington Station, NY (0-2)
25t. Hartford Road Dairy Queen, Manchester, CT (1-2)
25t. Danielson Insurance, Missoula, MT (0-2)
33t. Redwood Saloon, New Bedford, MA (0-2)
33t. The Junction, Greeley, CO (0-2)
33t. E.M.A.C., El Monte, CA (0-2)
33t. Lufkin Curves, Lufkin, TX (0-2)
33t. Sharpe Electric, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
33t. Great Falls Sponsors, Great Falls, MT (0-2)
33t. Dapco, Dexter, MI (0-2)

1978 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1978 held at Elk Grove, California.

Champion – Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, California (93-15)
Runner Up – Howard’s Furniture, Denver, North Carolina (133-30)

Campbell’s Carpets realized their three year dream of an ASA National Championship by holding off the mighty Howard’s Furniture in the championship.  Campbell’s advanced to the finals with a convincing 41-12 win over American Realty. Denny Jones was 5-5 with two walks in the game. He also hit 3 HR as did Mike Cellura and Tom Sandau.

Howard’s, sent to the loser’s bracket by Ken Sander’s Ford behind 4 HR each from Craig Elliott and Roger Mayo. Howard’s then came back from the loser’s bracket, defeating Nelson’s Painting 25-21, despite 5 HR from Curtis Williams of Nelson’s. Don Arndt and Stan Harvey hit 3 each for Howard’s.

After Howard’s defeated American Realty in the loser’s bracket final, they out-homered Campbell’s 22-8 in the first final on their way to a 42-26 to force the “if” game. Arndt and Harvey led Howard’s once again as they each hit 4 HR in the game.  Campbell’s put that game behind them and defeated Howard’s 26-20 in the winner take all final game.

Mike Cellura hit 4 HR in the game and Denny Jones shipped in with three. Jones, Cellura and Tom Sandau combined for 12 hits and 8 HR. Campbell’s set a record by scoring 86 runs in a game in their victory over AAFCO.

The Carpetmen scored 17 runs in the first inning, 20 in the 4th and 25 in the 6th inning, before finally winning 86-21. Denny Jones, Charles Pierce and Ron Masterson each collected 8 hits in the game. Among Pierce’s 8 hits were 5 HR. He also had 11 RBI. Denny Jones, Russell Bradley and Randy Barlich all drove in 9 runs.

Right before the tournament started, Campbell’s leading Al White was hampered by double vision and could not play. John Sandau stepped in and batted .720, made some great defensive plays and was named to the All American team. In another scoring outburst, Ken Sanders Ford won its first game 63-9 on the strength of a Nation  home run record of 27 for one game. On another note, the legendary Bruce hit 5 home runs in one game.

  • MVP – Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets
  • HR Leader – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture – 23
  • Batting Leader – Greg Fuhrman, York Barbells  – .944

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture (27-44, .614, 20 HR, 42 RBI)
P – Craig Elliott, Ken Sanders Ford (25-39, .641, 14 HR)
C – Gene Fisher, Howard’s Furniture (28-48, .583, 14 HR, 40 RBI)
C – John Tercheria, Campbell’s Carpets (25-39, .647, 8 HR)
1B – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture (36-51, .706, 23 HR, 45 RBI) – set a new national tournament HR record with 23.
2B – H.T. Waller, Howard’s Furniture (24-44, .545, 11 HR)
3B – Tom Sandau, Campbell’s Carpets (25-36, .694, 12 HR, 31 RBI)
SS – Russell Bradley, Campbell’s Carpets (21-35, .600, 4 HR)
OF – Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets (34-41, .829, 18 HR, 40 RBI)
OF – Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets (30-42, .714, 21 HR, 36 RBI)
OF – Mike Jacobs, Howard’s Furniture (31-42, .736, 8 HR)
OF – Randy Barlich, Campbell’s Carpets (30-40, .750, 15 HR, 41 RBI)
UTIL – Greg Fuhrman, York Barbell (17-18, .944, 12 HR, 19 RBI) – set all time national tournament batting record at .944.
UTIL – Mark Koller, American Realty (21-32, .655, 7 HR)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Gordon Wheeler, Campbell’s Carpets (19-39, .487, 12 HR)
P – Charles Mitchell, Nelson’s Painting (11 HR)
C – Brad Krebs, York Barbell (12-17, .706)
C – Herman Rathman, Nelson’s Painting (14 HR)
1B – Eddie Corum, Campell’s Carpets (25-40, .625, 7 HR)
2B – James Abercrombie, Nelson Painting (11 HR)
3B – Rick Scherr, Howard’s Furniture (36-51, .706, 12 HR)
SS – Terry Perryman, Nelson’s Painting (18-28, .643)
OF – Curtis Williams, Howard’s Furniture (27-42, .642, 10 HR)
OF – Bruce Meade, Nelson’s Painting (23-32, .719, 12 HR)
OF – Dean Brunken, Nelson’s Painting (11 HR)
OF – Charlie Pierce, Campbell’s Carpets (28-40, .700, 9 HR)
UTIL – Rich Latimer, Dallas Merchants (18-23, .783)
UTIL – Willie Willis, American Realty (15-23, .652)

OTHERS

Roger Mayo, Ken Sanders Ford (27-39, .692, 10 HR)
Denny Hogan, Howards Furniture (12 HR)
Len Larabee, Mid State Oil Derby (14-19, .737, 5 HR)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA (7-1)
2. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (9-2)
3. American Realty, Sacramento, CA (4-2)
4. Nelson Painting Service, Oklahoma City, OK (5-2)
5t. Hillcrest Tavern, Cleveland, OH (5-2)
5t. Dallas Merchants, Dallas, TX (3-2)
7t. Steele’s, Lima, OH (5-2)
7t. York Barbell, York, PA (4-2)
9t. AAFCO, San Jose, CA (2-2)
9t. Ken Sanders Ford, Phoenix City, AL (3-2)
9t. Chromomalloy, Abilene, TX (3-2)
9t. Non-Ferrous Metal Fab, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
13t. Port City Ford, Houston, TX (3-2)
13t. Bunca & Frey Softball Club, Kalamazoo, MI (2-2)
13t. Dick Joseph Auto Body, Springfield, OH (3-2)
13t. Burnetts & Associates, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
17t. Midstate Oil-Derby, Springfield, MA 1-2
17t. Lou Ana Foods, Opelousas, LA (1-2)
17t. Era-American Realty, Concord, CA 0-2
17t. Decathlon, Jackson, MI (1-2)
17t. Dubose Insurance, Pensacola, FL (2-2)
17t. Manning’s, St. Paul, MN (2-2)
17t. Sunset Lounge, White Bear Lake, MN (1-2)
17t. Gartenhaus, Plainville, CT (1-2)
25t. Fliteline Motors, Fort Smith, AR (1-2)
25t. Rule Conststruction, Oliver Springs, TN (0-2)
25t. Associated Glass, Fairfax, VA (0-2)
25t. Newberry’s Sporting Goods, Portsmouth, VA (0-2)
25t. MCU Sports, Boise, ID (0-2)
25t. Trenton Caps, Trenton, NJ (0-2)
25t. Trainham Chevrolet, Richmond, VA (1-2)
25t. Buck’s Car, Billings, MT (0-2)
33t. Neiderhauser, Cedar Falls, IA (0-2)
33t. Farnsworth Construction, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)
33t. GB Wilcher, Seymour, IN (0-2)
33t. Central Delivery Service, Shawnee Mission, KS (0-2)
33t. Wayne and Phil’s, Bartonville, IL (0-2)

1978 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

1978 held in Houston, Texas.

Champion – Port City Ford Wreckers, Houston, Texas
Runner Up – Jerry’s Catering, Daytona Beach, Florida (80-18)

  • MVP – Prince Williams, Port City Ford Wreckers (.708, 6 HR, 15 RBI)
  • Batting Champion – Ronnie DuBose, Port City Ford Wreckers – .857
  • HR Champion – Prince Williams, Port City Ford – 6

Jerry’s Caterers of Daytona Beach was formerly the Sub-Tropic squad of Ormond Beach, FL. When Jerry’s did not sponsor a Major team this year, they picked up the sponsorship of the Sub-Tropic team. They went 80-18 on the season.

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bobby Brown, Port City Ford Wreckers
P – Jeff Brelsford, Jerry’s Catering
C – Prince Williams, Port City Ford Wreckers
C – John Schirmer, Midwest Petroleum
1B – Neil Braly, Jerry’s Catering
2B – Ronnie DuBose, Port City Ford Wreckers
3B – John Spikerman, Port City Ford Wreckers
SS – Gerald Keigley, Port City Ford Wreckers
OF – Gary Miller, Midwest Petroleum
OF – Grady Scarborough, Jerry’s Catering
OF – Charles Neal, Port City Ford Wreckers
OF – Roger Clay, Port City Ford Wreckers
UT – Sam Golden, Port City Ford Wreckers
UT – Phil Seifert, Midwest Petroleum

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Mike Oshinski, Steamex of Michigan
P – Willie Perdomo, Disco Sports
C – Max Reed, Jerry’s Catering
C – Gary Hambright, Shipshewana Auction
1B – Doug Stroud, Queen Anne
2B – Larry Hingle, Jerry’s Catering
3B – Kim Preiner, Gilbert Bar
SS – Bob Nelson, Steamex of Michigan
OF – Grover Stephens, Shipshewana Auction
OF – David Bailey, Disco Sports
OF – Chuck Brown, Cody’s/Justus Co.
OF – Dan Greco, Cody’s/Justus Co.
UT – Tommy Haddad, Greens Jewelers Rangers
UT – Bob Kangus, Gilbert Bar

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Port City Ford Wreckers, Houston, TX (7-0)
2. Jerry’s Catering, Daytona Beach, FL (5-2)
3. Midwest Petroleum, Kansas City, MO (6-2)
4. Disco Sports, Richmond, VA (5-2)
5t. Greens Jewelers Rangers, Corpus Christi, TX (3-2)
5t. Shipshewana Auction, Shipshewana, IN (4-2)
7t. Gilbert Bar, Hoyt Lakes, MN (4-2)
7t. Queen Anne, Bono, AR (5-2)
9t. Cody’s/Justus Co., Tacoma, WA (4-2)
9t, R&T Travelers, Ephrata, PA (3-2)
9t. Conti Brothers, Providence, RI (3-2)
9t. Steamex of Michigan, Wyoming, MI (4-2)
13t. Central Ohio Welding, Columbus, OH (3-2)
13t. Addies, Olney, MD (2-2)
13t. Cinema West, Houston, TX (3-2)
13t. Thompson’s Sporting Goods, Savannah, GA (3-2)
17t. Cannon Welding, Jacksonville, FL (1-2)
17t. Moeller’s Grill, Cincinnati. OH (1-2)
17t. Armed Forces All-Stars, Washington, D.C. (2-2)
17t. Washoe Merchants, Reno, NV (1-2)
17t. Bill Brown Realty, Orem, UT (1-2)
17t. Ridgemen, Paradise, CA (1-2)
17t. Schmos-Paps, Portland, OR (1-2)
17t. Houligans, Eau Claire, WI (1-2)
25t. Preferred Picks, Brooklyn, OH (0-2)
25t. Sports Spot Lounge. Euclid. OH (0-2)
25t. Blue Hills, Kansas City, MO (1-2)
25t. Mid West Steel, Brenham, TX (1-2)
25t. King Ford, Maryville, TN (0-2)
25t. Atwater Ford, Burlington, NC (0-2)
25t. Guvnor’s Pub, West Sayville. NY (0-2)
25t. Solon’s, Walnut Creek CA (1-2)
33t. Jerry’s Steak House, Rice Lake, WI (0-2)
33t. Golden Leaf, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
33t. Bradley Plumbing, Zenio, OH (1-2)
33t. Coulombe & King, Bangor, ME (0-2)
33t. Corners, Bronx, NY (0-2)
33t. UIS-Pascagoula, Pascagoula, MS (0-2)

1978 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1978 held at Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Champion – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (78-8)
Runner Up – Law Equipment, Greeley, Colorado

The Brakettes won their 8th Straight ASA National Championship, a record that will never be broken. Kathy Arendsen was 3-0 and had 40 K in just 21 innings pitched. She hurled a no hitter and only gave up 5 hits in the 3 games. Barbara Reinalda was also 3-0 for the Brakettes. Reinalda is now 16-2 in the last three nationals.

  • MVP – Diane Schumacher, Raybestos Brakettes
  • HR Leader – Dot Richarson, Orlando Rebels – 1
  • HR Leader – Linda Spagnolo, Bauer Brick – 1
  • HR Leader – Susue Gaw, Sun City Saints – 1
  • HR Leader – Venus Jennings, Law Equipment – 1
  • HR Leader – Jill Wiedman, Bankettes – 1
  • HR Leader – Gwen Berner, Shamrocks – 1
  • HR Leader – Deanne Clark, Sun City Saints – 1
  • HR Leader – Chris Mueller, Dave Lee Sports – 1
  • Batting Leader – Reatha Stucky, Wichita Arrows – .533
  • Batting Leader – Pam Rendell-Reinoehl, Santa Clara Golden Bobcats – .533
  • Bertha Tickey Award (Pitching MVP) – Kathy Arendsen, Raybestos Brakettes
  • Erv Lind Award (Defensive MVP) – Mary Faure, Greeley Lawn Equipment

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Lou Piel, Greeley Lawn Equipment (5-2, 2 Shutouts)
P – Barbara Reinalda, Raybestos Brakettes (3-0)
P – Kathy Arendsen, Raybestos Brakettes (3-0, 0 ERs, 5 hits, 40 K, 21 IP and no hitter. 4-0 final game 2-hitter, 11 K)
C – Marilyn Rau, Sun City Saints
C – Lana Svec, Ashland Don Coburn Inc.
1B – Diane Schumacher, Raybestos Brakettes (8-20, .400)
2B – Ellen Tomasiewicz, Raybestos Brakettes
3B – Joan Van Ness, Raybestos Brakettes
SS – Marlys Taber, West Allis Bankettes
OF – Venus Jennings, Greeley Lawn Equipment
OF – Sue Enquist, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Leslie Bade, West Allis Bankettes
OF – Jeri Findlay, West Allis Bankettes
UTIL – Suzie Gaw, Sun City Saints

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Carol Townsend, West Allis Bankettes
P – Pam Tarrh, Ashland Don Coburn Inc.
P – Paula Noel, Sun City Saints (3-2, 3 Shutouts)
C – Reatha Stucky, Wichita Kansas Arrows (8-15, .533)
C – Debbie Kaminske, West Allis Bankettes
1B – Linda Spagnolo, Bauer Buick Windmills
2B – Maria Miklos, Bauer Buick Windmills
3B – Cindy Renda, Tonawanda Shamrocks
SS – Gwen Berner, Tonawanda Shamrocks
OF – Jackie Tekotte, Frost’s Sporting Goods
OF – Maureen Ahern, Tonawanda Shamrocks
OF – Beth Quesnel, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Chris Abrahamson, Orlando Rebels
UTIL – Lisa Wall, Greeley Lawn Equipment

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (5-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Law Equipment, Greeley, CO (5-2) (Rocky Mountain Alpine)
3. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (4-2) (Southern At-Large)
4. Don Coburn Inc., Ashland, OH (4-2) (East Central)
5t. Bankettes, West Allis, WI (3-2) (Great Lakes)
5t. Sun City Saints, Sun City, AZ (3-2) (Rocky Mountain Cactus)
7t. Shamrocks, North Tonawanda, NY (3-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
7t. Arrows, Wichita, KS (3-2) (Northern At-Large)
9t. Shamrocks, Omaha, NE (1-2) (Mid-America At-Large)
9t. Frost Sporting Goods, Springfield, MO (2-2) (Mid-America)
9t. Bauer Buick Windmills, Harvey, IL (2-2) (Midwest)
9t. Golden Bobcats, Santa Clara, CA (1-2) (Pacific Coast)
13t. Orlando Suns, Orlando, FL (1-2) (Southern)
13t. Port City Comets, Port City, TX (0-2) (Texas)
13t. Dave Lee Sports, Portland OR (0-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Precision Plating, St. Paul, MN (1-2) (Northern)
17t. Ed Meier Ford, Memphis, TN (0-2) (Southwestern)
17t. Softball Association, Worcester, MA (0-2) (New England)
17t. Patriettes, Allentown, PA (0-2) (Host)
17t. VIP’s, Topton, PA (0-2) (Central Atlantic)
17t. East Lansing Laurels, Lansing, MI (0-2) (Great Lakes At-Large)

NOTES

South Atlantic Champ – Lorelei Ladies, Atlanta, GA did not attend.

1978 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1978 held at Springfield, Missouri.

Champion – Billard Barbell, Reading, Pennsylvania
Runner Up – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida

Billard Barbell won its second straight ASA Championship and Pitcher Ty Stofflett was named MVP for the 5th time in the last 8 years. An incredible feat. He went 4-0 and struck out an amazing 61 batters in only 29 innings. He had a no-hitter and two 1-hitters and only gave up 2 ER and 6 hits in 4 games.

  • Co-MVP – Ty Stofflet, Billard Barbell
  • Co-MVP – Ted Hicks, CMI
  • Batting Leader – Ted Hicks, CMI – .632
  • Home Run Leader – N/A
  • Most Outstanding Pitcher Award – Ty Stofflet, Billard Barbell

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Ty Stofflet, Billard Barbell (4-0, 29 IP, 61 K, 2 Shutouts, No Hitter and 2 one-hitters, 2 ER, 6 Hits. He was 46-1 on the season.)
P – Roy Burlison, CMI (4-2)
P – Joe Lynch, Clearwater Bombers (3-0, also hit 2 HR)
C – Carl Solarek, Billard Barbell
C – Albert “Buck” Delatorre, Clearwater Bombers
1B – Jeff Seip, Billard Barbell
2B – Kent Ingles, Neal’s Truck Parts
3B – Bob Yoder, Billard Barbell
SS – Leon Wood, Clearwater Bombers (12-27, .444)
OF – Ted Hicks, CMI (12-19)
OF – Dallas Rountree, Guanella Brothers
OF – Richard Zeke Delong, Billard Barbell
OF – Ray Truluck, Clearwater Bombers
UT – Calvin Connor, Steve’s Exporters

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Larry Bergh, Billard Barbell (2-0)
P – Mitch Harter, Clearwater Bombers (3 Wins)
P – Jeff Kepner, Steve’s Exporters
C – Jim Nichols, CMI
C – George Papagelis, Raybestos Cardinals
1B – Jim Gosger, Neal’s Truck Parts
2B – Calvin Connor, Steve’s Exporters
3B – Mike Parnow, Guanella Brothers
SS – Evans Telegades, McArdle Pontiac-Cadillac
OF – David Grimes, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Beau Robinson, CMI
OF – Mickey Herbert, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Jim Marsh, Guanella Brothers
UT – John White, Southern Truck Raiders

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Billard Barbell, Reading, PA (6-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (6-2) (Southern)
3. CMI, Springfield, MO (4-2) (Host)
4. Guanella Brothers, Santa Rosa, CA (5-2) (Pacific Coast)
5t. Steve’s Exporters, San Antonio, TX (3-2) (Texas)
5t. Peterbilt, Seattle, WA (2-2) (Northwestern)
7t. Neal’s Truck Parts, Grand Rapids, MI (2-2) (Great Lakes)
7t. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (2-2) (New England)
9t. Southern Truck Raiders, Phoenix, AZ (2-2) (Rocky Mountain-Cactus-new)
9t. Butt’r Topp, Clear Lake, IA (2-2) (Mid America)
9t. York Barbell, York, PA (2-2) (Central Atlantic At-Large)
9t. McArdle Pontiac, Midland, MI (2-2) (Great Lakes At-Large)
13t. Bruce Hanson Printers, Littleton, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain-Alpine-new)
13t. Home Savings & Loan, Aurora, IL (0-2) (Midwest)
13t. Walnut Products, St. Joseph, MO (1-2) (Mid America At-Large)
13t. Poughkeepsie Brewers, Poughkeepsie, NY (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
17t. Sonny’s Exxon, Greenville, NC (0-2) (South Atlantic)
17t. Byerly’s, Minneapolis, MN (0-2) (Northern)
17t. Ohio Caverns, West Liberty, OH (0-2) (East Central)
17t. Wilson Powell Monarchs, Clinton, MD (0-2) (Central Atlantic)
17t. American Bank & Trust, Shreveport, LA (0-2) (Southwestern)

NOTES

Rocky Mountain was renamed Rocky Mountain-Alpine and Cactus was renamed Rocky Mountain-Cactus. Western (eliminated) and reformatted into Mid-America.

1978 Women’s College World Series (AIAW)

1978 held at Dill Softball Center in Omaha, Nebraska on May 25-28.

Champion – UCLA Bruins (31-3)
Runner Up – Northern Colorado (24-6)

UCLA swept through the Women’s College World Series of Softball undefeated and added the title to the national basketball championship it won earlier this spring.

The Bruins stopped Northern Colorado 3-0 Monday in the title game of the 16-team Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women double-elimination tournament that was plagued by weather throughout its five-day run.

Jan Jeffers stopped the Bears in the trophy game for her third victory in the tourney. UCLA, 5-0 in the meet, got three-hit pitching from Jeffers, who struck out three and walked none. Bruin batters collected six safeties off Brooks Swanson and Lou Piel, who relieved in the third inning.

The champions got all the runs they needed when Gail Edson singled home Jeffers and Sue Enquist in the first inning. UCLA added a run in the fifth when Kathy Maurice singled and Swanson, then playing left field, erred on the pickup attempt to allow Enquist to score from second base.

Piel pitched a three-hitter earlier Monday as Northern Colorado eliminated Minnesota, 3-1. Northern Colorado finished at 5-2 and Minnesota 3-2 in the tournament.

Linda Witt contributed 3-for-3 batting as Piel won her fifth game of the tournament without a loss with the support of Northern Colorado hits.

Witt’s triple drove in two rims in a three run fourth inning and the Bears scored in the fifth when Jan Breckenridge singled home Mary Jackson.

Minnesota loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh inning and a fielder’s choice scored the Gophers’ only run before two fly balls to the infield ended the game. Vicki Swanson was the losing pitcher. The Sunday program ended after one game. Northern Colorado eliminated Texas Woman’s University 7-3 before tourney officials called a halt because of rain and a tornado threat. The funnel cloud did not touch down.

Tournament officials estimated that the total attendance for the event cleared the 10,000 spectator barrier for the first time.

  • Most Outstanding Player – Sue Enquist, UCLA
  • Batting Leader – Sue Enquist, UCLA (8-19) – .421
  • HR Champion – N/A

1978 ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

N/A

SCORES

  1. SW Missouri State 11 Massachusetts 2
  2. UCLA 4 Texas Woman’s 0
  3. Arizona State 10 Portland State 0
  4. Utah State 11 South Carolina 0
  5. Southern Illinois 2 Stephen F. Austin 1
  6. Minnesota 2 Cal St Poly-Pomona 1
  7. Nebraska-Omaha 2 Illinois State 1
  8. Northern Colorado 3 Oregon State 0
  9. Texas Woman’s 1 Massachusetts 0
  10. Portland State 10 South Carolina 7
  11. Cal St Poly-Pomona 2 Stephen F. Austin 1
  12. Oregon State 4 Illinois State 2
  13. UCLA 1 SW Missouri State 0
  14. Utah State 2 Arizona State 0
  15. Minnesota 6 Southern Illinois 2
  16. Northern Colorado 3 Nebraska-Omaha 2
  17. Texas Woman’s 4 Nebraska-Omaha 0
  18. Southern Illinois 4 Portland State 1
  19. Cal St Poly-Pomona 1 Arizona State 0
  20. SW Missouri State 1 Oregon State 0
  21. UCLA 7 Utah State 0
  22. Minnesota 4 Northern Colorado 1
  23. Texas Woman’s 3 Southern Illinois 1
  24. Cal St Poly-Pomona 2 SW Missouri State 1
  25. Texas Woman’s 3 Utah State 0
  26. Northern Colorado 4 Cal St Poly-Pomona 3
  27. Northern Colorado 7 Texas Woman’s 3
  28. UCLA 3 Minnesota 0
  29. Northern Colorado 3 Minnesota 1
  30. UCLA 3 Northern Colorado 0

FINAL STANDINGS

1. UCLA Bruins (5-0)
2. Northern Colorado Bears (5-2)
3. Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-2)
4. Texas Woman’s Tessies (4-2)
5t. Cal-State Poly-Pomona Broncos (3-2)
5t. Southern Illinois Salukis (2-2)
7t. Utah State Aggies (2-2)
7t. SW Missouri State Bears (2-2)
9t. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-2)
9t. Oregon State Beavers (1-2)
9t. Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (1-2)
9t. Portland State Vikings (1-2)
13t. South Carolina Gamecocks (0-2)
13t. Illinois State Redbirds (0-2)
13t. Massachusetts Minutemen (0-2)
13t. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (0-2)

1978 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1978 held at Jacksonville, Florida.

Champion: Bob Hoffman’s Dots, Miami, Florida
Runner Up: Getz, Atlanta, Georgia

Behind the dominant defense and pitching of Judy Hedgecock, the Dots went undefeated winning all five games, two of them by shutout. The score in the final game was 7-2. Kristy Boston has a monster tournament for the Dots and was named MVP.

  • MVP – Kristy Boston, Bob Hoffman’s Dots (15-23, .652)
  • Batting Leader – Kristy Boston, Bob Hoffman’s Dots – .652
  • Home Run Leader – N/A

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Cathy Herrington, Getz
P – Judy Hedgecock, Bob Hoffman’s Dots
C – Chris Keller, Wray Roofing
C – Jeanne Ghostley, Spooks
1B – Mary Kay Sharp, Spooks
2B – Kristy Boston, Bob Hoffman’s Dots
3B – Terry Allen, Getz
SS – Chris Padgett, Bob Hoffman’s Dots
OF – Ernestine Hamel, Bob Hoffman’s Dots
OF – Mary Ann Holmes, Tamps Gremlins
OF – Dru Wise, Nelson’s Painting Saints
OF – Lori Brenner, Wray Roofing
UT – Sharon Gallagher, M&M Debs
UT – Branda Marshall, CC Brick & Lumber

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Curnie Webster, Stompers
P – Sandra VanLandingham, Tampa Gremlins
C – Linda Ares, Bob Hoffman’s Dots
C – Cheryl Hall, Stompers
1B – Val Nicholson, M&M Debs
2B – Sherri Pickard, Rubi-Otts
3B – Sue Stead, M&M Debs
SS – Dot Stansal, Denny Morgan’s Rebels
OF – Holly Perzel, Broglio’s Rockettes
OF – Elaine Roberson, Gets
OF – Evelyn Hayes, Bob Hoffman’s Dots
OF – Carol Stromberg, Spooks
UT – Darlene Werhnyak, Getz
UT – Jennie Garrison, Getz

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete)

1. Hoffman Dots, Miami, FL (6-0)
2. Getz, Atlanta, GA (9-2)
3. Spooks, Anoka, MN (5-2)
4. Raintree Steak & Pizza House, Seattle, WA (4-2)
5t. Richmond Stompers, Richmond, VA (5-2)
5t. Tampa Gremlins, Tampa, FL (4-2)
7t. M&M Debs, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
7t. Rubi-Otts, Graham, NC (3-2)
9t. Forrest Datsun, Redwood City, CA (2-2)
9t. Corpus Christi Brick & Lumber, Corpus Christi, TX (4-2)
9t. Nelson Painting Service, Oklahoma City, OK (3-2)
9t. Wray Roofing, Hutchinson, KS (3-2)
13t. McGlaughlin Oil, Columbus, OH (2-2)
13t. Denny Moran’s Rebels, Jacksonville, FL (3-2)
13t. Broglio’s & Freeway Rockettes, Parma, OH (3-2)
13t. Fox Valley Lassies. St. Charles, IL (3-2)
17t. Patrick’s Steamers, St. Paul, MN (1-2)
17t. Spirit of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV (2-2)
17t. Port City Ford Truck Sales, Houston, TX (2-2)
17t. Roy Wheeler Realty, Charlottsville, VA (1-2)
17t. Ami-Co-Travel Chasers, Huntington, NY (1-2)
17t. Summertime Blues, Thousand Oaks, CA (1-2)
17t. Hi-Landers, Louisville, KY (1-2)
17t. Universal Plastics, Nashville, TN (2-2)
25t. Armed Forces All-Stars, Wichita Falls, TX (1-2)
25t. DAPCO, Ann Arbor, MI (0-2)
25t. Fairway, Blair, NE (1-2)
25t. Sport Haus, Fond du Lac, WI (1-2)
25t. OC Spirits, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
25t. Huntington YMCA Mice, Huntington, NY (0-2)
25t. Lee Turzillo Contracting Co., Parma, OH (0-2)
25t. Bellingham Belles, Bellingham, WA (1-2)
33t. B&I Sports, Tacoma, WA (0-2)
33t. Ozark Athletics, Joplin, MO (0-2)
33t. Danny’s Angels, New Bradford, MA (1-2)
33t. Bernward Hall, Fond du Lac, WI (0-2)
33t. Dennis’ Mennaces, Greeley, CO (0-2)
33t. Dallas HIC, Dallas, TX (0-2)
33t. New Hampshire Lakers, Manchester, NH (0-2)
33t. Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, OH (0-2)
33t. Lamps Construction, Lubbock, TX (0-2)

1977 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1977 held at Parma, Ohio.

Champion – Nelson Painting, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (111-18)
Runner Up – Ken Sanders Ford, Birmingham, Alabama (97-17)

ASA revamped the regional structure this season. Instead of having 30-31 regional championships as had been the practice since 1967, the national ASA formed 15 Regions. These were said to be more evenly set up as the old system sometimes had no team represent a particular region, or a four team tournament and then other regions had 25 teams playing for the one berth. The Regional Champion and in many cases, the runner-up team earned berths to the National Championships. Some Regions were awarded an extra “at-large” berth if they had a larger number of ASA teams registered.

Nelson Painting came from losers bracket to defeat KSF twice; 24-23 and 26-25. Ironically, Nelson was put in the losers bracket by KSF 21-20. On the way to the finals, Nelsons eliminated Jerry’s Catering 30-14 and Howard’s Furniture 27-10, then had to defeat KSF twice. Nelson, trailing 23-20 in the 7th inning of the first championship game, scored 4 runs to win 24-23. Henry Koper led off the inning with his 5th home run of the game. Bruce Meade and Herman Rathman both flied out, then Al White singled and Mighty Joe Young hit a 2-run homer to tie the game. it was his second of the game. Dean Brunken came up and drilled a homer to give Nelsons the lead and they got KSF out in the bottom of the 7th to force the “if” game. Nelsons was leading 26-19 in the bottom of 7th, needing just 3 outs to win, but it wasn’t easy. Sidney Cooper, Charles Wright and Greg Smith all hit 2-run homers to get KSF within one run 26-25, but it wasn’t meant to be. Nelson held on for a 26-25 win. Herman Rathman hit 3 homers and had 8 RBI in the final game.

Bruce Meade, Henry Koper and Joe Young all had 2 HR for Nelsons. James Abercrombie and Charles Wright each hit 3 HR for KSF in the final game.

The powerful Nelson team had 6 players hit more then 10 HR, Meade (22) and Rathman (22) tie for the lead, Koper (15), Young (12), White (11), Bill Howes (11). KSF had Elliott (18), James Abercrombie (15) and Wright (12). 3rd place Howard’s had Don Arndt (13), Stan Harvey (12) and HT Waller (11). Greg Fuhrman hit 16 for 4th place Jerry’s Caterers.

For some reason, Mighty Joe Young was not selected to the All America team despite going 32-38 (.667) with 12 HR and 29 RBI.

  • Co-MVP – Craig Elliott, Ken Sanders Ford
  • Co-MVP – Bruce Meade, Nelson Painting
  • HR Leader – Herman Rathman, Nelson Painting – 22
  • HR Leader – Bruce Meade, Nelson’s Painting – 22
  • Batting Leader – Larry Franklin, Mid-State Oil – .762

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Craig Elliott, Ken Sanders Ford (26-36, .722, 18 HR, 32 RBI, 24 Runs)
P – Henry Koper, Nelson Painting (34-52, .635, 14 HR, 29 RBI, 33 Runs)
C – James Abercrombie, Ken Sanders Ford (19-28, .679, 15 HR, 29 RBI, 24 Runs)
C – John Tercheria, Campbell’s BAM (15-20, .750, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 12 Runs)
1B – Herman Rathman, Nelson Painting (32-50, .640, 22 HR, 39 RBI, 29 Runs) – set the national tournament home run record with 22.
2B – Jorge Milian, Jerry’s Catering (32-44, .727, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 33 Runs)
3B – Al White, Nelson Painting (36-49, .735, 11 HR, 19 RBI, 28 Runs)
SS – Charles Wright, Ken Sanders Ford (18-34, .529, 12 HR, 24 RBI, 17 Runs)
OF – Bruce Meade, Nelson Painting (32-50, .640, 22 HR, 40 RBI, 33 Runs) – set the national tournament home run record with 22.
OF – Scott McManis, Port City Ford (14-19, .737, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 12 Runs)
OF – Curtis Williams, Jerry’s Catering (25-43, .581, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 21 Runs)
OF – Richard Willborn, Ray Carpenter (21-29, .724, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 16 Runs)
UTIL – Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Catering (26-43, .605, 16 HR, 33 RBI, 29 Runs)
UTIL – Rick Scherr, Howard’s Furniture (18-28, .643, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 15 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Donald Svenson, Ohio Sealants (9-18, .500, 8 RBI, 4 Runs)
P – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture (19-34, .559, 13 HR, 16 RBI, 19 Runs)
C – Matthew ‘Chic’ Downing, Fliteline (12-20, .600, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 11 Runs)
C – Ray Fleetwood, Warren Motors (12-21, .571, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 17 Runs)
1B – James Washington, Jerry’s Caterers (27-44, .614, 10 HR, 22 RBI, 20 Runs)
2B – Mike Macenko, Hillcrest Tavern (15-21, .750, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 11 Runs)
3B – Frank Sorrells, Jerry’s Catering (26-43, .605, 12 HR, 27 RBI, 26 Runs)
SS – Terry Perryman, Nelson Painting (27-51, .529, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 23 Runs)
OF – Bob Birdsey, Gartenhaus (10-19, .526, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 8 Runs)
OF – Sidney Cooper, Ken Sanders Ford (24-35, .686, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 23 Runs)
OF – Jim Underhill, Jerry’s Catering (26-44, .591, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 22 Runs)
OF – Bill Howes, Nelson Painting (22-38, .579, 11 HR, 26 RBI, 19 Runs)
UTIL – Larry Franklin, Midstate Oil (16-21, .762, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 9 Runs)
UTIL – Mike Parrott, Port City Ford (13-21, .619, 8 HR, 15 RBI, 12 Runs)

OTHERS

“Mighty” Joe Young, Nelson’s (32-48, .667, 12 HR, 29 RBI, 25 Runs)
Ted Larsen, Manning’s (8-8, 1.000, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
Lou Russo, Pepsico (6-8, .750, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5 Runs)
Joe Kilby, Haven Tavern (11-15, .733, 3 RBI, 4 Runs)
Anthony Guiliano, St. Margarets (8-11, .727, 1 RBI, 4 Runs)
Ted Hocevar, Ohio Sealants (13-18, .722, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 Runs)
Arnold Hawkins, Rule Construction (10-14, .714, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 9 Runs)
Jerry King, Dubois Chemical (5-7, .714, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 Runs)
Mike Leadbetter, Trainham (14-20, .700, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
Richard Mummaw, Warren Motors (15-22, .682, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 9 Runs)
Mike Jacobs, Warren Motors (18-27, .667, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 15 Runs)
Garland Dewitt, Mid-State Oil (13-20, .650, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 12 Runs)
David Beaird, Ken Sanders (20-35, .571, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 19 Runs)
Greg Smith, Ken Sanders (20-35, .571, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 18 Runs)
Tony Cloniger, Howards (16-28, .571, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 14 Runs)
Shane Hammell, Ken Sanders (19-34, .559, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 15 Runs)
Ed Green, Campbell’s/Bam (10-18, .556, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
Dean Brunken, Nelson’s (25-45, .556, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 19 Runs)
Buddy Salda, Nelson’s (19-36, .528, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 16 Runs)
Gene Fisher, Howards (15-29, .517, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 18 Runs)
Denny Hogan, Howards (17-33, .515, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 17 Runs)
Stan Harvey, Howards (16-32, .500, 12 HR, 26 RBI, 14 Runs)
Joe Konicki, Marone Travel (4-9, .444, 1 RBI, 3 Runs)
Roger Mayo, Ken Sanders (15-34, .441, 6 HR, 9 RBI, 15 Runs)
Ed Roth, Warren Motors (11-25, .440, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 9 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nelson Painting, Oklahoma City, OK (9-1)
2. Ken Sanders Ford, Phoenix City, AL (5-2)
3. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (5-2)
4. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (7-2)
5t. Campbell’s Bay Area Merchants, Richmond, CA (3-2)
5t. Gartensenhaus, Plainville, CT (3-2)
7t. Trainham Chevrolet, Rickmond, VA (4-2)
7t. Warren Motors, Jacksonville, FL (4-2)
9t. Ohio Sealants, Parma, OH (4-2)
9t. Ray Carpenter, San Antonio, TX (4-2)
9t. Fliteline, Fort Smith, AR (3-2)
9t. Hillcrest Tavern, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
13t. Port City Ford, Truck Sales, Houston, TX (3-2)
13t. Central State Painting, Kansas City, MO (2-2)
13t. Black Aces, St. Louis, MO (2-2)
13t. The Haven Tavern, Tacoma, WA (2-2)
17t. York Barbell, York, PA (1-2)
17t. Armed Forces, Dayton, OH (1-2)
17t. Midstate Oil, Jefferson City, MO (3-2)
17t. Bunca & Frey, Lamamazoo, MI (1-2)
17t. Rule Construction, Oakridge, TN (2-2)
17t. Holy Name Society, Lakewood, OH (2-2)
17t. Surplus City Diablos, Alburquerque, NM (1-2)
17t. Richfield VFW, Richfield, MN (1-2)
25t. Ron Farnsworth Construction, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)
25t. St. Margaret’s Club, New Castle, PA (1-2)
25t. Marrone Travel, Westbury, NY (1-2)
25t. Pepsico Incorporated, Levittown, NY (1-2)
25t. Sunset Lounge, White Bear Lake, MN (0-2)
25t. Chico’s, Spokane, WA (1-2)
25t. Mitchell Brothers, Antioch, CA (0-2)
25t. Fraser’s Pub, Ann Arbor, MI (1-2)
33t. Goodrich Service Center, Midland, TX (0-2)
33t. Super Auto, Napa, CA (0-2)
33t. Decathlon, Jackson, MS (0-2)
33t. Taylor Brothers Construction, Providence, RI (0-2)
33t. Dubois Chemical, Columbus, OH (0-2)
33t. Ohio Players, Dayton, OH (0-2)
33t. Miracle’s, Richmond, IN (0-2)
33t. Manning’s, St. Paul, MN (0-2)
33t. Kentucky Fried Chicken, Indianapolis, IN (0-2)