Softball History USA

1999 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

1999 held at Floyd Complex in Sioux City, Iowa on September 3-6.

Champion – L&L Painting, Pratville, Alabama
Runner Up – Smokes/ABS/TPS, Ellicott, Maryland

When you’re the most valuable player of the whole show, losing in the championship game doesn’t hurt quite as much.

Still.

“The individual honors are nice, but I pretty much throw all that stuff in the closet and forget about it,” said Steve Helewicz of the Smokes/ABS/TPS team of Ellicott City, Md., that lost in the second championship game Monday to L&L Painting of Prattville, Ala., in the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Class A Men’s National Slow-Pitch Tournament at Floyd Complex.

Smokes lost their third tournament game, then had to wade through a tense losers bracket to face the Alabamans in the finals.

The Maryland team won three Monday games, including a 20-13 decision over L&L in the first final to set up the ultimate game. There, L&L prevailed, 21-12. Smokes finished fourth in the tournament at Floyd two years ago and took third in the Class A nationals last year.

“We’ve been second a lot of times in national tournaments (six),” said Smokes manager Art Violi. “We felt we could win this thing, but losing so early changed the whole approach.”

The muscular Helewicz, who has played in the Super division of national slow-pitch with Steele’s Sports of Ohio and Sun Belt Easton out of Georgia, walloped 21 home runs in 12 tourney games to win the most valuable player award.

He was also named to the Class A All-America team for the second time in his two seasons with Smokes.

“You really don’t think much about the individual stuff,” said Helewicz, who bats leadoff for the team with a lofty .850 batting average. “Our main home run guy is really Bob Bayne,” said the 35-year-old MVP.

Helewicz had 50 hits in 60 tourney at-bats and drove in 60 runs, while Bayne had 47 hits in 60 at-bats, walloped 18 homers and drove in 40 runs.

Both Bayne and Helewicz have connected for over 150 home runs this season, but Violi wasn’t certain of the exact number.

L&L Painting was led by All-American Craig Upton, who swatted 10 home runs and 21 runs.

Scott Sumerlin drove in 23 runs for the new champs and hit nine home runs.

  • MVP – Steve Helewicz, Smokes/ABS/TPS (50-60, .833, 21 HR, 60 RBI)
  • Batting Leader – Jerry Williams, Mercer Softball (21-23, .913)
  • HR Champion – Steve Helewicz, Smokes/ABS/TPS – 21

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Larry Huff, K&G/TPS/Bike/Webbs
C – Dennis Buis, Mercer Softball Club
1B – Mike Steffe, K&G/TPS/Bike/Webbs
2B – Russ Ortega, Gary’s Auto Body
3B – Richard White, L&L Painting
SS – Luis Ruiz, L&L Painting
OF – Barry Sutherland, Smokes/ABS/Harrisons/TPS
OF – Rob Smith, Smokes/ABS/Harrisons/TPS
OF – Jim Ostrander, Gary’s Auto Body
OF – Steve Helewicz, Smokes/ABS/Harrisons/TPS
DH – Jerry Williams, Mercer Softball Club
UT – Tommy Flood, Worth/Sports Star
UT – Craig Upton, L&L Painting (10 HR, 21 RBI)
UT – Bob Bayne, Smokes/ABS/Harrisons/TPS (47-60, .783, 18 HR, 40 RBI)
UT – Shane Frederick, L&L Painting

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Jeff Nolan, L&L Painting
C – Kevin Clark, K&G/TPS/Bike/Webbs
1B – Steve Gilbert, Smokes/ABS/Harrisons/TPS
2B – Bobby Freeland, Worth/Sports Star
3B – John Adams, Thomas Bait & Tackle
SS – Steve Graves, The Mob
OF – Jayson Sterling, K&G/TPS/Bike/Webbs
OF – Rick Meyers, K&G/TPS/Bike/Webbs
OF – Don Berry, L&L Painting
OF – Ben Kreischer, Mercer Softball Club
DH – Kenneth Pellien, Team Miken
UT – Kevin Keefer, Dalton Chiropractic/Viggiani Plumbing
UT – Pat Bass, Gateway Press/TPS
UT – Greg Ackerberg, Gary’s Auto Body
UT – Scotty Cardwell, Gateway Press/TPS

THIRD TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Rick Brown, Dalton Chiropractic/Viggiani Plumbing
C – Dewey Fussell, Smokes/ABS/Harrisons/TPS
1B – Steve Guillaume, Gateway Press/TPS
2B – Steve Matic, Las Vegas Funjet/TPS
3B – Jim Johnson, Gary’s Auto Body
SS – Troy Summerfield, Phone Master/Commercial Bank
OF – Ryan Robbins, Worth/Sports Star
OF – Rick Forton, The Mob
OF – Ricky Jackson, K&G/TPS/Bike/Webbs
OF – Chuck Norris, Thomas Bait & Tackle
DH – Steve Melton, Eagle Group/Al’s TPS
UT – Bud Weathers, All American Athletes
UT – Mark Ledinsky, Sid Grinker Co/TPS
UT – Bryan Welch, L&L Painting
UT – Steve Hall, All American Athletes

FINAL STANDINGS

1. L&L Painting, Prattville, AL (6-1)
2. Smokes/ABS/TPS, Ellicott, MD (10-2)
3. K&G/TPS/Bike/Webbs, North Vernon, IN (5-2)
4. Gary’s Auto Body, Muskegon, MI (6-2)
5t. Worth/Sports Star, Louisville, KY (4-2)
5t. Mercer Softball Club, Indianapolis, IN (3-2)
7t. Gateway Press/TPS, Louisville, KY (6-2)
7t. Thomas Bait & Tackle, Sanford, NC (4-2)
9t. All American Athletes, Lufkin, TX (2-2)
9t. Las Vegas Funjet/TPS, Milwaukee, WI (3-2)
9t. Dalton Chiropractic Softball, Ocean Twp, NJ (3-2)
9t. Team Miken, Caledonia, MN (3-2)
13t. The Mob, Angleton, TX (3-2)
13t. Eagle Group/Al’s TPS, Dover, DE (3-2)
13t. Sid Grinker Co/TPS, Milwaukee, WI (3-2)
13t. Phone Master/Commercial Bank, Wood River, IL (3-2)
17t. Mid State Thunder, Kansas City, MO (2-2)
17t. Doug’s Sports Pub/Barrell Inn, Stevens Point, WI (2-2)
17t. Doc’s, Sioux City, IA (1-2)
17t. Citizen’S Mortgage, St. Robert, MO (2-2)
17t. Thomas Oil, Benton, AR (1-2)
17t. Computer SOS, Sioux City, IA (3-2)
17t. J&A/RAM/TPS, Louisville, KY (3-2)
17t. Derry Bros., Waterloo, IA (2-2)
25t. BJ’s/Mickey, Waterloo, IA (2-2)
25t. Can Do Metals, St. Anne, IL (1-2)
25t. Mr. Label/Plant Detail, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
25t. Ultimate Central Paving, Indianapolis, IN (2-2)
25t. Berardi’s, Lexington, KY (2-2)
25t. Mark Twain, Waynesville, MO (1-2)
25t. Richard’s Construction, Independence, MO (1-2)
25t. Aragon/Merchants, Albert Lea, MN (1-2)
33t. OCP/Bud Light/Worth, Owatonna, MN (0-2)
33t. AFLAC/Prime, Inc., Springfield, MO (1-2)
33t. Fairfield Rebels, Fairfield, IA (0-2)
33t. Viessman Trucking, Willmar, MN (0-2)
33t. SCB/Denelex/Easton, Smithtown, NY (0-2)
33t. Wise Guys/Scotts Decorating, Davenport, IA (1-2)
33t. Express Personnel/Snapper/Cryo, Mankato, MN (0-2)
33t. Classic Floors/Nally’s, Carthage, MO (0-2)
33t. Keith & Co, Princeton, IA (0-2)
33t. Budweiser, Altoona, WI (1-2)
33t. Marty’s Pub, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
33t. Captain’s Table, Washington, IA (0-2)
33t. St. Louis Steel Stones, Bethalto, IL (0-2)
33t. B&A Sports/Tiny Town Pizza, Harrison, OH (0-2)
33t. T’s 13, Omaha, NE (0-2)
33t. Louie’s Floor Covering, Des Moines, IA (0-2)
33t. Silver Bullets, Columbia, MO (0-2)
33t. B&R Auto/No Mans Land Aces, Woodriver, IL (0-2)
33t. Sports Page, Fort Dodge, IA (0-2)

1999 ASA Men’s (9) A Modified Pitch Nationals

1999 held at Marietta, Georgia on September 3-6.

Champion –  Budweiser, Greensboro, Maryland
Runner Up – Ocean Glass, Billerica, Massachusetts

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

1999 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Vinny Redmond, Tool Shed
P – Jamie Clough, Budweiser
P – Billy Messix, Budweiser
C – Craig Miller, Ocean Glass
1B – Jim Fitzpatrick, Ocean Glass
2B – Jeff Gallison, Ocean Glass
3B – Rich Cordani, Tighe Club
SS – Kevin Gately, Ocean Glass
OF – Bob Short, Coors Lite
OF – Ed Poirier, Tighe Club
OF – Paul Thompson, Budweiser
OF – Jeff Durr, Ocean Glass
DH – Gary Gould, Budweiser
UTIL – Gary Starkey, Budweiser
UTIL – Randy Boyd, Budweiser

1999 SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Rich Stauffeneher, Ocean Glass
P – Rob Herzog, Coors Lite
P – Greg Sutton, Tighe Club
C – Joe Olivo, Tool Shed
1B – Tony Rotondi, Tool Shed
2B – Sean Peterson, Coors Lite
3B – Joe Clemente, Tool Shed
SS – Ralph Grilletti, Tool Shed
OF – Pat Fischer, Coors Lite
OF – Bryan Silva, Champions Pub
OF – Kirk Legatos, Ocean Glass
OF – Scott Hyland, Champions Pub
DH – Jack Mullin, Ocean Glass
UTIL – Scott Burkhardt, Grinders
UTIL – Chris Wright, Tighe Club

1999 THIRD TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Luc Gravel, Tighe Club
P – Mark Oles, Ocean Glass
P – Wade Liberty, Grinders
C – Al Gilmour, Grinders
1B – Tim Chase, Tighe Club
2B – Manuel Soto, Tighe Club
3B – Steve Vilar, Coors Lite
SS – Dan DeMora, Budweiser
OF – Ron Vargus, Ocean Glass
OF – Joel Atwater, Warriors
OF – Tom Lapham, Champions Pub
OF – Eric Teagle, Grand Slam
DH – Don Couture, Champions Pub
UTIL – Eddie Evans, Warriors
UTIL – Andy Andrews, Warriors

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Budweiser, Greensboro, MD (10-1)
2. Ocean Glass, Billerica, MA (6-2)
3. Grinders, Spokane, WA (6-2)
4. Tighe Club, Wilmington, MA (6-2)
5t. Champions Pub, Peabody, MA (3-2)
5t. Coors Lite, Medical Lake, WA (4-2)
7t. Warriors, Chapel Hill, NC (5-2)
7t. Tool Shed, Staten Island, NY (4-2)
9t. Dillingers, Fond du Lac, WI (3-2)
9t. J&S, Milford, DE (5-2)
9t. Rupperts, Pompton Lakes, NJ (4-2)
9t. Grand Slam, Seaford, DE (3-2)
13t. Shawn Systems Hurricanes, Marlboro, MA (3-2)
13t. Cheers II/Sparky’s Gun Shop, Quineburg, CT (3-2)
13t. Jim’s Gun Shop, Waterville, ME (4-2)
13t. Blue Water Oil, Macomb, MI (3-2)
17t. Tryon Landscaping, Westford, MA (3-2)
17t. Adco-Kaytees Ford, Staten Island, NY (1-2)
17t. Auto Fantasy, Seaford, NY (2-2)
17t. AGS/Trump Softballs, Stuyvesant, NY (2-2)
17t. Coppens Brigade, Hope, MI (3-2)
17t. Easton Steel, Trapper, MD (2-2)
17t. MSJ Softball, Miami, FL (3-2)
17t. Wallen Construction, Bean Station, TN (3-2)
25t. Remco Flooring, Lowell, MA (2-2)
25t. Stingers, Woodstock, GA (2-2)
25t. Legends, Bloomingdale, NJ (2-2)
25t. Rolling Rock, Centerville, MD (2-2)
25t. Zach’s All-Stars, Atlanta, GA (2-2)
25t. Legends, Bloomingdale, NJ (2-2)
25t. Cardinals, Framingham, MA (1-2)
25t. Hired Guns, New York, NY (2-2)
33t. Brewers, Morristown, TN (0-2)
33t. Metrocall, Monroe, LA (0-2)
33t. Speedboys, Durham, NC (1-2)
33t. Midway Baptist, Monroe, GA (0-2)
33t. T-Road Tavern, Young America, MN (0-2)
33t. O’ Brien’s Auto Body, Dracut, MA (1-2)
33t. Cooledge Corner Club, Farmingham, MA (0-2)
33t. Kelty’s Softball Club, Albany, NY (1-2)
33t. Stafford Tire/Guaranteed Landscaping, Port Monmouth, NJ (1-2)
33t. Prevost Pub, Mexico, ME (1-2)
33t. Four Seasons Dukes, Union Beach, NJ (1-2)
33t. Crushers, West Babylon, NY (1-2)
33t. Westminister Chiropractic, Ashburnham, MA (0-2)
33t. Metal Plex, Williamstown, NJ (1-2)
33t. Spartans Restaurant, Waterbury, CT (1-2)
33t. Jimmy Dean/Sterling, South Fulton, TN (1-2)
49t. Freebirds, Atlanta, GA (0-2)
49t. Hilgers, Phlox, WI (0-2)
49t. Apogean Marketing, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (0-2)
49t. Lindaman, Atlanta, GA (0-2)
49t. Rick’s Auto Body, Midland, MI (0-2)
49t. TST, Lithonia, GA (0-2)
49t. Task King, Livonia, MI (0-2)
49t. Creekers, Ft. Gratist, MI (0-2)
49t. Honey Brown, Georgetown, MA (0-2)
49t. Team CPR/Adidas, Vancouver, WA (0-2)

1999 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1999 held at Rotary Park in 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 foreigner players were allowed to play according to the ASA rulebook, the Midland Explorers defeated the Broken Bow Smokers 7-2 in the losers bracket finals behind 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
UT – Blake Miller, Larry Miller Toyota
UT – Cliff Wisdom, Broken Bow Smokers
UT – 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
UT – Peter Turner, Larry Miller Toyota
UT – Jason Hanson, Broken Bow Smokers
UT – 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 ISA Men’s Super Slow Pitch World Series

1998 held on August 7-9 at Gastonia, North Carolina.

Champion – Lighthouse/Worth, Stone Mountain, Georgia
Runner Up – Sierra/TPS, Reno, Nevada

  • MVP – Carl Rose, Lighthouse/Worth (Rose has now earned MVP honors in two national championships. He was named MVP in the USSSA World Series in 1997.
  • Offensive MVP – Albert Davis, Lighthouse/Worth
  • Defensive MVP – Larry Fredieu, Sierra /TPS

ISA SUPER ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

  • Carl Rose, Lighthouse/Worth
  • Al Davis, Lighthouse/Worth
  • Wendell Rickard, Lighthouse/Worth
  • Dennis Mendoza, Lighthouse/Worth
  • Robin Higginbotham, Lighthouse/Worth
  • Scott Striebel, Lighthouse/Worth
  • Hank Garris, Sierra/TPS
  • Larry Fredieu, Sierra/TPS
  • Darrell Beeler, Sierra/TPS
  • Paul Drilling, Sierra/TPS
  • Mark Creson, Sierra/TPS
  • Shane Dubose, Sunbelt/Dan Smith/Easton
  • Jeff Hall, Sunbelt/Dan Smith/Easton
  • Johnny McCraw, Sunbelt/Dan Smith/Easton
  • Jim Burbrink, Wessel/Hague/SoJern/TPS
  • Randy Vollmer, Wessel/Hague/SoJern/TPS

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Lighthouse/Worth, Stone Mountain, GA (5-1)
2. Sierra/TPS, Reno, NV (5-2)
3. Wessel/Hague/SoJern/TPS, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
4. Sunbelt/Dan Smith/Easton, Centerville, GA (2-2)
5t. Steele’s/R&D/Reda, Brook Park, OH (1-2)
5t. Backstop/Easton, Lawrenceburg, IN (1-2)
7t. Team TPS, Louisville, KY (0-2)
7t. O&S/TPS, South St. Paul, MN (0-2)

THE SCOREBOARD

WINNERS BRACKET

Wessel 15, Sunbelt 10
Sierra 28, O&S 12, 5 innings
Backstop 14, Team TPS 13, 8 innings
Lighthouse 26, Steele’s 24
Wessel 20, Sierra 19
Lighthouse 14, Backstop 2
Lighthouse 33, Wessel 13, 4 innings

LOSERS BRACKET

Sunbelt 16, O&S 5
Steele’s 30, Team TPS 10, 4 innings
Sunbelt 30, Backstop 14, 6 innings
Sierra 18, Steele’s 13
Sierra 18, Sunbelt 15
Sierra 15, Wessel 9

CHAMPIONSHIP

Sierra 20, Lighthouse 12
Lighthouse 26, Sierra 24

STATISTICS

BATTING AVERAGE

1. Bob Van Erem, Backstop/Easton 10-11 .909
2. Dal Beggs, Steele’s/R&D 9-11 .818
3. Keith Brockman, Steele’s/R&D 9-11 .818
4. Al Davis, Lighthouse/Worth 17-21 .810
5. Jim Devine, Steele’s/R&D 10-13 .769
6. Hank Garris, Sierra/TPS 26-34 .765
7. Jeff Hall, Sunbelt/Easton 13-17 .765
8. Shane Dubose, Sunbelt/Easton 12-16 .750
9. Lonnie Fox, Steele’s/R&D 8-11 .727
9. Jim Burbrink, Wessel/Hague/TPS 8-11 .727
11. Carl Rose, Lighthouse/Worth 17-24 .708

HOME RUNS

1. Hank Garris, Sierra/TPS 12
2. Darrell Beeler, Sierra/TPS 11
3. Wendell Rickard, Lighthouse/Worth 9
4. Carl Rose, Lighthouse/Worth 7
4. Albert Davis, Lighthouse/Worth 7
4. Larry Fredieu, Sierra/TPS 7
7. Dewayne Frizzell, Lighthouse/Worth 5
7. Randy Kortokrax, Steele’s/R&D 5

RUNS-BATTED-IN

1. Hank Garris, Sierra/TPS 22
2. Wendell Rickard, Lighthouse/Worth 19
2. Darrell Beeler, Sierra/TPS 19
4. Carl Rose, Lighthouse/Worth 15
5. Al Davis, Lighthouse/Worth 14
5. Larry Fredieu, Sierra/TPS 14

1998 ASA Men’s C Slow Pitch Nationals

1998 held at Lagoon Softball Complex in Montgomery, Alabama on September 24-27.

Champion – Mulligans Bulls, North Charleston, South Carolina
Runner Up – Global Bearing, Van Nuys, California

  • MVP – Jim Hall, Mulligans Bulls
  • HR Champion – Matt Gooding, N/A
  • Batting Champion – Jim Hall, Mulligans Bulls

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Jim Hall, Mulligans Bulls
C – Steve West, Mulligans Bulls
1B – Jimmy Heflin, Global Bearing
2B – Ricky Hoy, Global Bearing
3B – Steve Heller, Angle Inn Heat
SS – Bill White, Angle Inn Heat
OF – Howard Williams, Mulligans Bulls
OF – Hugo Hernandez, Global Bearing
OF – Bobby Ridlehoover, Mulligans Bulls
OF – Jason Stephenson, Global Bearing
DP – Romie Euthon, Mulligans Bulls
UT – Randy Holbrook, Global Bearing
UT – Randy Moseley, Mulligans Bulls
UT – Bobby Corrales, Global Bearing
UT – Dan Gibson, Surge

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Kevin Shumate, Greensboro Merchants
C – Doug Reed, Global Bearing
1B – Tommy Lark, Mulligans Bulls
2B – Troy Cole, Mulligans Bulls
3B – Art Salis, Global Bearing
SS – Richie Dabbs, Greensboro Merchants
OF – Rob Hall, AAA/Fireside
OF – Bobby Jones, Angle Inn Heat
OF – Rodney Dabbs, Greensboro Merchants
OF – Tony Osterman, Mulligans Bulls
DP – Ricky Salazar, Global Bearing
UT – Mike Wlodek, Surge
UT – Mike Mikey, Angle Inn Heat
UT – Bob Jones, Angle Inn Heat
UT – Pete Leonard, Angle Inn Heat

THIRD TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Anda Le Tourneau, Charisma Carpet Service
C – Tracy Johnson, Bandits
1B – Jose Ramos, AAA/Fireside
2B – Bob Brauer, Angle Inn Heat
3B – Billy Cole, Greensboro Merchants
SS – Roy Kolecki, Surge
OF – K.C. Stephens, Bandits
OF – Mark Gianonme, AAA/Fireside
OF – Ken Buksa, Surge
OF – Chris Lundy, Greensboro Merchants
DP – Mike Tyus, Bandits
UT – Mike Fielder, AAA/Fireside
UT – Jeff Gerskey, Charisma Carpet Service
UT – Todd Greeson, Greensboro Merchants
UT – Brian Jevyak, Bandits

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Mulligans Bulls, North Charleston, SC (7-0)
2. Global Bearing, Van Nuys, CA (12-2)
3. Angle Inn Heat, Baltimore, MD (6-2)
4. Greensboro Merchants, Greensboro, NC (6-2)
5t. Surge, South Holland, IL (4-2)
5t. AAA/Fireside, North Branford, CT (5-2)
7t. Bandits, Marianna, FL (5-2)
7t. Charisma Carpet Service, Milwaukee, WI (6-2)
9t. Screentech, Dothan, AL (4-2)
9t. Iowa Drainage, Sheffield, IA (7-2)
9t. CSS, Greenville, SC (4-2)
9t. Dr. Gremmel’s, Birmingham, AL (4-2)
13t. Beacon Auto Body, Pennsauden, NJ (6-2)
13t. Romeos Sports/TPS, Birmingham, AL (5-2)
13t. Supreme, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (4-2)
13t. Peterson Chapel/Sundown Saloon, Buffalo, MN (3-2)
17t. Ace Alarm, Antioch, TN (2-2)
17t. Hackers, Centerville, KY (3-2)
17t. Angle Inn Heat, Baltimore, MD (2-2)
17t. Salem American Legion, Salem, IN (3-2)
17t. Metros, Montgomery, AL (3-2)
17t. Central Avenue Saloon, Dover, NH (3-2)
17t. Playmaker, Luverne, AL (3-2)
17t. Knucklebusters, Prentiss, MS (3-2)
25t. Team Supply, Hazleton, PA (3-2)
25t. Mario’s/Easton, Seymour, CT (3-2)
25t. Miller Lite, Bryan College Station, TX (3-2)
25t. Billy’s Sport Bar, Manchester, NH (3-2)
25t. Everlast/RNW, Mt. Olive, NJ (3-2)
25t. Cascade Telecom Wranglers, Bend, OR (3-2)
25t. Team Dawg, Rokonkoma, NY (3-2)
25t. Stimline, Bloomington, IN (2-2)
33t. McCarty Builders, Springfield, IL (1-2)
33t. Red Wing Shoes, Monroe, MI (1-2)
33t. Minnehaha Liquor, St. Paul, MN (1-2)
33t. Warner & Sons Construction, Buchanan, MI (1-2)
33t. Continental Mortgage, Maryville, TN (1-2)
33t. Butcherhook, Globe, AZ (1-2)
33t. Hooters, Phoenix, AZ (2-2)
33t. B&L Painting, Mt. Airy, MD (1-2)
33t. Cusack’s/Pacific Green, Anchorage, AR (2-2)
33t. J.C. Penney, Dayton, OH (1-2)
33t. Caraway Steel, Eufaula, AL (3-2)
33t. Rip It Sports, Alexander City, AL (3-2)
33t. Mega Sports, Tupelo, MS (2-2)
33t. Feickert Construction, Cedar Rapids, IA (3-2)
33t. Michelob Golden Draft, Eau Claire, WI (2-2)
33t. El Valle Del Sol, McAllen, TX (0-2)
49t. Pond View Excavation, Barrington, RI (0-2)
49t. Big Cats, Naperville, IL (1-2)
49t. The Softball Club, Englewood, CO (1-2)
49t. Diamond Dogs, Hickory Hills, IL (1-2)
49t. VFW, Merceesburg, PA (1-2)
49t. Outsiders, Woodbridge, IL (1-2)
49t. The Rock, Maplewood, MN (1-2)
49t. Sandgnats, Montgomery, AL (1-2)
49t. Cornerstone Cubs, Huntsville, TX (1-2)
49t. North Mississippi Security, Memphis, TN (1-2)
49t. Sideline Café, Chester, VA (2-2)
49t. Sports Center, Pawtucket, RI (1-2)
49t. KC Ropes, Shawnee, KS (1-2)
49t. Jason’s Masons, Phoenix, AZ (1-2)
49t. Mighty Griswolds, Indianapolis, IN (1-2)
49t. Benfield Softball, Woodbridge, VA (1-2)
65t. Cowboys, Montgomery, AL (0-2)
65t. Hi-Liter, Burlington, WI (0-2)
65t. A&A Plumbing, Boiling Springs, SC (0-2)
65t. Pepco, Summerdale, NJ (0-2)
65t. Caledonia Haulers, Caledonia, MN (0-2)
65t. Wheaties, Park Forest, IL (0-2)
65t. Southern Ag, Sylvester, GA (0-2)
65t. McCurtain RBIS, Idabel, OK (0-2)
65t. Fighting Cocks, Frederickburg, TX (0-2)
65t. Suncoast Neon, Clearwater, FL (0-2)
65t. Gippers, Lewiston, ME (0-2)
65t. Budweiser, Greenville, MS (0-2)
65t. D&D Plumbing, San Antonio, TX (0-2)
65t. Worth/Extreme, Conway, AR (0-2)
65t. Russell’s Paint & Body, Longwood, FL (0-2)
65t. Video Castle, Centralia, MO (0-2)
65t. Wesco/Division Printing, North Massapequa, NY (0-2)
65t. F&R Truss, Dothan, AL (0-2)
65t. DJ Walters Gouverneur, NY (0-2)
65t. Elk City Merchants, Elk City, OK (0-2)
65t. Gabby’s, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
65t. Steele’s/Michelob Lite, Holland, MI (0-2)
65t. O’Meara’s/Charlie’s, Rock Island, IL (0-2)
65t. Al’s Smokehouse, Killeen, TX (0-2)
65t. Geo’s, Harrisburg, PA (0-2)
65t. MGM, Montgomery, AL (0-2)
65t. Simpsons/The Mortgage Company, Avoca, IN (0-2)
65t. Crossroad Beverage, Waterbury, VT (0-2)
65t. Ameron, Bridge City, LA (0-2)

1998 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1998 held at Kimberly, Wisconsin on August 14-23.

Champion – Smokers, Tampa, Florida
Runner Up – The Farm Tavern, Madison, Wisconsin

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – Steve Price, Heflin Gremlins
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – Todd Martin, Smokers
  • Kevin Herlihy Newcomer of the Year – N/A
  • Leading Hitter – Marty Becker, 51 Classics – .636
  • Most RBI – Steve Price, Heflin Gremlins – 15

1998 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – Todd Martin, Smokers (3-0, 0.71 ERA, 33K)
P – Mike Crawford, Thunder (5-1, 2.65 ERA, 48K)
P – Paul Algar, The Farm Tavern (3-1, 1.75 ERA, 44K)
C – Todd Garcia, Smokers .429
C – Paul Papulkas, Thunder .231
IF – Vic Johns IV, Decatur Pride .474
IF – Jody Edit, Selects .571
IF – Greg Melchert, Explorers .471
IF – Kyle Magnusson, Larry Miller Toyota .444
IF – Brian Martie, The Farm Tavern .300
OF – Brian Paton, Smokers .400
OF – Marty Becker, 51 Classics .636
OF – Chris Delarwelle, The Farm Tavern .429
OF – Shawn Rychcik, Smokers .333
DH – Steve Price, Heflin Gremlins .563

1998 ISC SECOND TEAM ALL WORLD

P – Doug Gillis, Explorers (5-2, 2.69 ERA, 42K)
P – Darren Zack, Smokers (3-0, 0.38 ERA, 32K)
P – Craig Gibson, DC Tire (3-0, 0.86 ERA, 44K)
C – Brian Neveau, The Farm Tavern .211
C – Glen Ford, Windmillers .273
IF – Billy McDonald, Heflin Gremlins .500
IF – Adam Smith, Decatur Pride .455
IF – Kyle Beane, Explorers .353
IF – Chris Jones, Decatur Pride .320
IF – Barry Kahler, Smokers .222
OF – Sig Voth, Slade Group .571
OF – Jeff Servinski, Explorers .400
OF – Steve Schott, Smokers .300
OF – Steve King, The Farm Tavern .292
DH – Boomer Brush, Smokers .500

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Smokers, Tampa Bay, FL
2. The Farm Tavern, Madison, WI
3. Decatur Pride, Decatur, IL
4. Explorers, Midland, MI
5t. Larry Miller Toyota, Salt Lake City, UT
5t. Slade Group, Seattle, WA
7t. Heflin Gremlins, Ballston Lake, NY
7t. Thunder, Scarborough, ON
9t. D.C. Tire, Philadelphia, PA
9t. Windmillers, Westford, NJ
9t. Selects, Owen Sound ON
9t. Meierhoffer/Fleeman, Savannah, MO
13t. Agroindustria Del Sol, Mexicali MX
13t. Travelers, Broken Bow, NE
13t. HLF Construction, Springfield, MO
13t. Central Iowa Express, Marshalltown, IA
17t. 51 Classics, Portage, WI
17t. Geneva Gamecocks, Geneva, MN
17t. Legacy Communication Bandits, Pueblo, CO
17t. Page Brake, Salt Lake City, UT
17t. Si Senor Amigos, Tumacacori, AZ
17t. Quad City Sox, Davenport, IA
17t. Hallman Twins, Waterloo ON
17t. Billy Bucks, Dubuque, IA
25t. Merchants, Kimberly, WI
25t. Colorado Ravens, Englewood, CO
25t. Dealers, St. Louis, MO
25t. DMS Knights, Fargo, ND
25t. Dukes, Denmark, WI
25t. River City Rage, Peoria, IL
25t. Coors Light, Ashland, OH
25t. Circle Tap, Denmark, WI
33t. SD Chiefs, Sioux Falls,
33t. Don’s Pioneer, DeKalb, IL
33t. Painters, Long Beach, CA
33t. Balmoral Tavern, Sarnia, ON
33t. Kegel Black Knights, Fargo, ND
33t. Thunder, Cameron, MO
33t. Parrots, Springfield, MO
33t. Esencias Castilla, Guatemala City, GU
33t. Sioux Valley Dakotas, Brandon MB
33t. Alliance, Landmark MB
33t. Merchants, Phoenix, AZ
33t. Goudy Brothers, Kokomo, IN
33t. Dolan & Murphy, Aurora, IL
33t. Karp’s Bowling Bar, Reese, MI
33t. Top Fundraisers, Fingal ON
33t. West Virginia Diamonds, New Martinsville, WV

1998 USSSA Men’s A Slow Pitch Worlds

1998 held at Sept. 4-6 at Shawnee, Kansas.

Champion – Wessel/Hague/SoJern/Ohio Transport/TPS, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – Long Haul/Grover/Mizuno, Albertville, Minnesota

  • MVP – Jim Burbrink, Wessel/Hague/SoJern/Ohio Transport/TPS
  • Offensive MVP – Brett Helmer, Wessel/Hague/SoJern/Ohio Transport/TPS
  • Defensive MVP – Richie Aliotti, Long Haul/Grover/Mizuno
  • HR Champion – Ken Bean, Xtreme/Hinson/Worth (9)
  • HR Champion – Alex Lavorico, Hendu’s 42/TPS (8)

USSSA A ALL WORLD TEAM

Andy Purcell – Sunnyvale Valve/TPS (34-43, .791, 4 HR)
Guido Bindi – Sunnyvale Valve/TPS (29-43, .674, 14 HR)
Gary Martin – Sunnyvale Valve/TPS (29-46, .630, 6 HR)
Mark Tremaine – Sunnyvale Valve/TPS (23-35, .657, 7 HR)
Rob Overholt – Sunnyvale Valve/TPS (27-43, .628, 7 HR)
Darren Wendlund – Sunnyvale Valve/TPS (25-46, .543, 12 HR)
Mark Gutierrez – Sunnyvale Valve/TPS (26-41, .634, 4 HR)
Matt Hughes – Pov’s/Line Drive/TPS (19-27. .704, 5 HR)
Steve Schultz – Pov’s/Line Drive/TPS (16-25, .640, 6 HR)
Colin Leitch – Pov’s/Line Drive/TPS (15-26, .577, 6 HR)
Todd Breyfogle – Pov’s/Line Drive/TPS (14-25, .560, 7 HR)
Doug Kett – Oakland Plumbing/Liberty Park/TPS (25-33, .686, 9 HR)
Paul McBride – Oakland Plumbing/Liberty Park/TPS (17-26, .654, 4 HR)
Pat McGann – Oakland Plumbing/Liberty Park/TPS (19-26, .731)
Mark Matchulat – Jimmie’s/Varsity/Easton (19-25, .760, 7 HR)
Johnny Simpson – Jimmie’s/Varsity/Easton (22-31, .710, 4 HR)
Manager – Jim Dorricott – Sunnyvale Valve/TPS

FINAL STANDINGS (57 Teams)

1. Sunnyvale Valve/TPS, Sunnyvale, CA (10-1)
2. Pov’s/Line Drive/TPS, Brooklyn Center, MN (6-2)
3. Oakland Plumbing/Liberty Park, Sterling Heights, MI (5-2)
4. Jimmies/Varsity/Ques/Easton, Westland, MI  (4-2)
5t. Calvert/Prestige, Taylor, MI (7-2)
5t. WET, Niceville, FL (4-2)
7t. Easton of Minnesota, Burnsville, MN (5-2)
7t. Hooters/TPS, Overland Park, KS (3-2)
9t. Worth/SEG, Fairfax, VA (4-2)
9t. Aftershock/Easton, Fairfield, CA (2-2)
9t. Guy’s Snacks/Easton, Leawood, KS (2-2)
9t. Creative Stucco/Roosters/Easton, Columbus, OH (2-2)
13t. Long Pest Control/Tacoma Dodge/Grover, Tacoma, WA (3-2)
13t. Louisiana Bag/DeMarini, Picayune, MS (3-2)
13t. Connecticut Sportsplex, North Branford, CT (3-2)
13t. Team Mizuno/DeMarini, Fort Pierce, FL (3-2)
17t. Suncoast/Dudley, Sarasota, FL (3-2)
17t. Supreme/Worth, St. Louis, MO (3-2)
17t. Sports Extra, Garland, TX (3-2)
17t. Hutchinson Softball/Dudley, Hutchinson, KS (3-2)
17t. Thomas Oil, Benton, AR (2-2)
17t. Pace/TPS, Rochester, NY (2-2)
17t. Gold’s Gym/Troutman, Shawnee, KS (2-2)
17t. T’s 13, Omaha, NE (2-2)
25t. Woodworkers, Alburquerque, NM (2-2)
25t. Mid-State Thunder, Kansas City, Mo (2-2)
25t. M&S Express, DeSoto, TX (2-2)
25t. WW Gay/TPS, Gainesville, FL (1-2)
25t. Karphone, Norwalk, CA (1-2)
25t. Artex Medical, Texarcana, AR (1-2)
25t. Buckeye Softball Club, Beaverdam, VA (1-2)
25t. Powerhouse/Easton, Hot Springs, AR (1-2)
33t. Herrin/TPS, Savannah, GA (1-2)
33t. Jett Door, Houston, TX (1-2)

WINNERS BRACKET

RPM 16, Brandon’s 12
Hendu’s 31, Resmondo 18
Long Haul 9, Joe Black’s 3
Tiger 23, Gil’s 6, 5 innings
Adams 12, Xtreme 10
Wessel 29, Hendu’s 5, 5 innings
O&S 16, Adams 6
Long Haul 26, Tiger 5, 4 innings
Wessel 9, RPM 8, 8 innings
Long Haul 29, O&S 13
Wessel 16, Long Haul 10

LOSERS BRACKET

Gil’s 15, Joe Black’s 9
Resmondo over Tiger, forfeit
Xtreme 25, JWM 23
Brandon’s 17, Adams 14
Hendu’s 14, Gil’s 12
Resmondo 43, Brandon’s 28, 6 innings
Xtreme 25, Hendu’s 11
RPM 20, Resmondo 16
Xtreme 25, O&S 16
Xtreme 28, RPM 27
Long Haul 16, Xtreme 10

CHAMPIONSHIP

Long Haul 13, Wessel 11
Wessel 10, Long Haul 4

BATTING

Rich Courtney, RPM .786
Alex Lavorico, Hendu’s .750
Scott Alley, Resmondo .727
Rob Darhower, Long Haul .692
Kenny Pruitt, Xtreme .682
Chaun Demars, Long Haul/Grover/Mizuno .667
Brett Helmer, Wessel .667
Howie Krause, Wessel .667
Bill Garber, Resmondo .643
Brian Arnold, Resmondo .643
Mike Stanley, Long Haul .625

HOME RUNS

Ken Bean, Xtreme 9
Alex Lavorico, Hendu’s 8
Greg Schulte, Xtreme 7
Lamar Echols, Xtreme 5

1998 USSSA Class A championship at Shawnee, Kan.

Sunnyvale Valve/TPS of Sunnyvale, Calif., won nine consecutive games, five on Sunday and four on Monday (Sept. 7) to capture the USSSA Class A championship over a 54-team field at the Mid-America Complex in Shawnee, Kan. The Sunnyvale team lost early last year at Garland, Texas, and battled back for a third-place finish behind Resmondo/TPS of Lake Wales, Fla., and Pace/TPS of Rochester, N.Y.

This year, Resmondo tied for fifth in the Class AA division, while Pace managed only a 2-2 record in the Class A division. Meanwhile, Jeff Dorricott’s Sunnyvale squad went all the way, posting a 10-1 record. “Our defense, straight-up defense” Dorricott was quick to answer when asked the key to the awesome run. “The defensive play of our pitcher (Andy Purcell) and our middle defense (shortstop Gary Martin and second baseman Chris Lasaca). Purcell and outfielder Guido Bindi were named co-MVPs. Bindi led the tournament with 13 home runs. Teammate Darren Wendland had 12. Big, veteran Tom Langenhorst had eight, and tears in his eyes as the celebration settled down. Dorricott had ice cold water running down his face . . . after the water bucket was dumped on him.

Langenhorst had a whopping 19 last year. Mark Tremaine and Rob Overholt each added seven HRs, while Martin and Heath Lane each had six. Purcell topped the batting average totem pole with a .773 mark (34-for-44). Tremaine batted .676, Bindi .674. Reggie Stocker turned in a .783 average for W.E.T. of Niceville, Fla., while Mark Matchulat of Jimmie’s/Varsity/Que’s/Easton of Westland, Mich., batted .760 and Doug Kett, Gary Henry and Pat McCann of third-place Oakland Plumbing/Liberty Park/TPS of Sterling Heights, Mich., batted .758, .750 and .731, respectively. Johnny Simpson and Scott Hillie of Jimmie’s each batted .714. Matt Hughes of runner-up Pov’s/Line Drive/TPS of Andover, Minn., batted .704 with five HRs and was awarded the Outstanding Offensive Player trophy.

The Outstanding Defensive Player award went to Martin, the Sunnyvale shortstop who made like a vacuum cleaner. Tim Lindquist and Matt Urban of Oakland/Liberty batted .686 and .680, while Bob Stewart and Bill Barrett of Calvert/Prestige of of Taylor, Mich., batted .684 and .679. Calvert/Prestige played seven games in the 98-degree heat on Sunday, winding up in a tie for fifth place with W.E.T. after being eliminated 23-13 by Jimmie’s, which came in as the top-ranked Class A team. Sunnyvale was No. 3 in the rankings. No. 2 was Hooters/Coors Light/TPS of Overland Park, Kan.

Pov’s was ranked 17th, and had finished way down the line with a 1-2 record in the ISA Class A two weeks before. Hooters was ousted 31-27 by Calvert, and finished in a tie for seventh with Easton-Minnesota. Bob Stewart had 10 home runs (in nine games) for Calvert/Prestige. Teammates Todd Wallace, Joe Gerdes and Terry Patesel had 9, 9 and 8. Doug Kett had nine for Oakland/Liberty, while Hille had eight for Jimmie’s. Todd Breyfogle and Jeff Thompson each had seven for Pov’s. Henry and John Hall matched that number for Oakland/Liberty. Chad Roberts of W.E.T. did too. Thompson had three of his homers in the finale, an 18-16 loss to Sunnyvale. He was walked intentionally with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh. The next batter was called out on strikes.

Sunnyvale forced an extra game with a 25-9 win over Pov’s. It was 20-3 going into the bottom of the second. Sunnyvale earlier on the final day eliminated Jimmie’s 26-17, jumping out 12-0 in the top of the first, and Oakland/Prestige 18-11. Sunnyvale opened with a 20-4 win over a good team, Coors Light/OPT of Midland, Texas, then stumbled 23-14 at the hands of Creative Stucco/Roosters/Easton of Columbus, Ohio. Sunnyvale won over other good teams along the way — 16-15 over Long Pest Control/Tacoma Dodge/Grover of Tacoma, Wash.; 27-17 over northern California rival Aftershock, the No. 5 ranked team based out of Fairfield; 32-22 over Easton-Minnesota, which won three games in the losers bracket and five all total; and 26-11 over W.E.T., the winner of the ISA Class A and the team that knocked Calvert/Prestige into the losers bracket in the first round here (28-25 in a 10-inning tussle).

W.E.T. won its first four games before being kayoed by Pov’s 23-14 when the Minnesota outfit scored 10 in the sixth and five in the top of the seventh.

Oakland/Liberty Park dropped Michigan rival Jimmie’s 31-16 in the other winners bracket semifinal. Jimmie’s just before tumbled Aftershock 21-10 after Aftershock rallied for eight runs in the bottom of the seventh to trip up Pace 28-27. Pov’s won over two tough opponents — 30-28 over Easton-Minnesota on a home run by Dan Yockum and 45-34 after an early 15-0 deficit against Hooters.

Wins by W.E.T. included 22-16 over Minnesota Jazz, 25-24 over Long Pest Control and 19-18 over Creative Stucco. W.E.T. and Calvert/Prestige wound up in a tie for fifth, while Hooters and Easton-Minnesota finished in a tie for seventh. Karphone of Norwalk, Calif., winner of the season-opening Far West Classic in Las Vegas (beating Class AA powerhouse JWM of Riverside, Calif., in the finals) managed only a 1-2 record and wound up in a tie for 25th. So did W.W. Gay of Gainesville, Fla., the ISA runner-up and two upsets over Class AA Adams/RSH/Worth of Mississippi. Herrin/TPS of Savannah, Ga., which had high hopes, lost 19-18 in the second round to Aftershock when Todd Langdon produced a 2-out, bases-loaded single in the bottom of the eighth. Herrin then lost its first game in the losers bracket — 38-37 to Powerhouse/Easton of Hot Springs, Ark. Pace was stunned in its first losers bracket game — 22-2 (in 4 innings) by Calvert/Prestige — and finished in a tie for 17th. Sixth-ranked Journeyman, a Westland, Mich., team with mostly Ohio players, suffered an 0-2 fate, losing 24-22 to Easton-Minnesota when Kurt Hornnes homered with a man on in the bottom of the seventh and 25-24 to Calvert/Prestige when Larry Stob hit a 2-runner in the bottom of the seventh. Journeyman was the winner of the prestigious Springfield NIT in Ohio, beating Wessel/Hague/SoJern/TPS, now the reigning Class AA kingpin in the finals.

Two former Hague players are now with the Journeyman club — Steve Dickinson and Kevin Birkofer. Remember Hague shocked the big-time slo-pitch world by winning the USSSA World Series in 1995. Long Pest Control is another team that played here (winding up in a tie for 13th) that pulled a big upset (over the second-ranked Major power Sierra/TPS of Reno, Nev.) in the preseason Toys for Tots tournament in Palm Springs, Calif.

Pitcher Andy Purcell and outfielder Guido Bindi were co-MVPs for Sunnyvale Valve/TPS in the USSSA A World.