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fdT'#,{3-T.n ttrtrtr|F i*ft' {r*G{ffi ffi ttTl,tLF 3+16rT 724 ll rilB Magrzineof theMen'sSeniorandMen'sAdult 6 0n ourcover. .. Batter lllqx Utslerof the KonsosCili Cubsfaces pitcher JohnArnold of the lA Alhleticsin this year's 55+ National Divisionfinal atthe 2006 MSBLA4ABL World Series (LA won, 7-6). Catcheris SterlingRoux.The Seriesreturnedto the newly renovatedTempe Diablo complex this year. Photo by JackiePiro Insel pholos:Three of the many teams that emergedvictorious at their respectiveLabor Day regional tournaments (1-r): The Indionopolis Slqllionswon the 2006 Midwest Regional (p. l5); in Albany, New York, the Buffolo Indiqnswon the 38+ Division Championship at this year's Northeast Regional (p. 16), and the Socromenlo Rivercols won the 55+ Wood Bat Division at the Carl Flowers Memorial "Best in the West" tournament in California (p. 14). Pifching Fundomentols Pick-off Moves, Part Two by John Pinkman 10 2006Lobor DoyRegionols T e x a sC u p . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0. . . . . . . . 1 WoodlandDavis......................1 3 Indianapolis Midwest..............1 5 Albany Northeast....................1 6 Huntsville,Alabama...............1'7 ChicagoShootout....................1 8 18 2006LoleFollRegionols Delaware County38+........:....20 Chesapeake, Maryland............20 C o l u m b uO s ,h i o. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I. . . . . . 2 Leagues 2 letlers 24 Presiden/s Reporl MSBL Approaches 20thAnniversary...................24 President HitstheRoad...........24 PCFDonations ........................24 NewAgeGuidelines...... .........25 FallClassic News....................25 Benefitsof Membership..........30 26 Honor Roll PeteThorne.Phil Prax. Ted NunnandJonMaples 28 Around lheHorn New Hampshire"Hit for Kids" Baseball Marathon ................28 NorthTexashelpsReverchon P a r k . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9 0noage 4: 2006 Wolld Series andtallGlassic 23 Foces in theCrowd Score[oard Remembering KaleiMahoe....23 1 9 Online Now Long Island MSBL Members and Sons Travel to Dominican Republic Read the entire article at hardball.net 32 Morketploce (bockpoge) Photo Conlest Winner Ericlindquisl, Columbus MSBI HardBall (ISSN 1521-1010)is published five times per year by HardBall Publishing Venture. Issue#66. Periodicalspostagepaid at post office in Oceanside, CA and at additional mailing offices. @ 2006. A11 rights reserved. 33,000 paid National and International circulation. Member subscriptionprice of $12.50(for 5 issues)is included as part of annual MSBL or MABL dues. A l-year,5-issue, nonmember subscriptionis available for $25 per year and single, back issues are available for $5 per issue (plus S&H). HardBall, 4949 Lassen Drive. Oceanside.CA 92056 POSTMASTER: Send addresschangesto MSBL Inc., One Huntington Quadrangle, suite 3N07. Melville. M 11747. MSBL, Inc. headquartersis located at One Huntington Quadrangle, Suite 3N07. Melville. NY 11747. ABOVE' BobbyNewtonthrew ninestrong inningsto leod hisleomto 38+ Division rhompionship ot the2006 Texos Cuptournoment in SonAntonio overLobor Doy photos, weekend. Resuhs, more 10. onpoge Photo by Jerry EspositoNisual Touch Photography. Holidoy 2006 ATTENTI0N ALLMEMBERS: Coming upnexlyeoris the20lhMSBL/MABL World lf you've Series. ottended ollof theWorld Series sinre 1988, the MSBL Notionol offire would liketoknow. Pleose roll(6311 753-6725 or e-moil themst: info@msblnotionol.com HordBoll Mugozine I TO: Editors Hard3atl Magazine I MSBL,Inc. One Huntington Quadrangle, #3NO7 Melville, NY 11747 www.msblnational.com President and Founder SteveSigler Vice President Gary D'Ambrisi National Coordinator Brian Sigler HardBall Magazine 4949LassenDrive Oceanside, CA 92056 www.hardboll.net Publisher Dan Piro I 760-732-3477 p ubli sher @hardball.net Editor David Krival 805-985-6968 I Fax 805-985-7668 dkrival @earthlink.net Farewell lo Buchmeie/s "Field ol Dreams" WheneverHardBall \lagazine comesin the mail, my husband's tace lights up. I want to thank you for providing such a professional organization.Playin-etbr MSBL enriches the life of my husband.Kurr Buchmeier,who plays in the St.Louis for the Rockiesandthe Pert-ectos MSBL. Before I met Kurt. he ou'ned property about an hour south of St. Louis. on which he built a regulation-sizebaseballtjeld. After we married, I suggestedthat we build our home next to the baseballfield. We did. despitethe fact that Kurt now had to drive an hour eachway to his games. He didn't mind the drive. for he loved beingable to have a baseballfield in his backyard. Five years later. for several reasons,I have done what some women often do: changedmy mind. I want to move backto St.Louis whereour friendsand family reside.Sincewe built a house next to the baseballfleld. we must sell the field in order to sell our house. I am blessed;my husbandloves me enough to make this move (not to mention he will be closer to his MSBL games and to Busch stadium). But, as a true baseball enthusiast, he is distraught about leaving his field of dreams with its scoreboard entitled "Buchmeier Field: Home of Kurt and Lisa,"-the field on which he and his dad practicer the team party place. Only those who truly love baseball could appreciate such a loss, so I'm asking you, the MSBL-the organization that celebrates baseball-for help. When I asked my husband what would make it easier to leave his field of dreams,he saidhe'd love to seea pictureof it in HardBall Magazine. Please help my husband say "good bye." Many blessingsand thanks, Lisa Buchmeier labenglish4@aol.com Wants More Goverage lor Garibbean Glassic Baseball in February in Puerto Rico, and the tourney only rates a two-pager with a blurb of the 45 and over games?The coveragedoes not do this seriesiustice! Continued on page 4 ManagingEditor JackiePiro 1-760-732-3477I Fax 760-732-0709 info@hardball.net Contributing Editor Jeff McGaw 4026GreenSt. Harrisburg,PA 17l 10 (7r7) 608-0817 heylookma@yahoo.com Contributors Frank DeMaria GerryMecca JohnPinlcrnan Photographers Denevi & JonesSportsPhotography Jerry Esposito,VisualTouch TomPrendergast Advertising Jill Panin/Dan Piro 1-760-732-3477 Fax: l-760-732-0709 advenisi ng@hardba ll.net AB0VE: KurlondLissBuchmeier ot GM(Stodium. RIGHT ondB0TT0M, Buchmoier Field, ondu close-up ofthe scoreboord. Thecouple isreluctontly selling thefieldKurtbuiltnext t0hishome ondmoving north. 2 HordBoll Mogozine Holidoy 2006 (conl'd) LETTERS Gamesareheld on manicuredfields with picture postcard views of this island paradise,and the best you can do are two out-of-focus images and two same age bracketteam photos? Come on now! Many peopleput in a lot of sweatto get this thing going, not to mention the cost to the participants (player fees, travel and lodging). There'salsothe fact that although it's a vacation of sorts for the out-of-towners,the localssti1lhavetheir 9-5 to get to which makes it that much more difficult for them to field squads.My hat's off to them becausethey always come throughand arealwayscompetitive. L e t ' s p l e a s eg i v e t h i s t o u r n e y t h e coverageit deserves.Rich (Rosenblum) does a great job in getting the tourney togetheras do all the participantsin making this tourneythe competitivevenuethat it is. Kudos to whomever desiened this vear's logo...AWESOMEl RickyRuiz Fairfux, Virginia Thanks lrom Soulh Dakola [Excerpts from email to Steve Sigler]: Steve,I just wantedto sendyou a shortnote of thanks...Myguys had an outstandingtime was thinking at this year'sWorld Series....l aboutall the times I havebeento the MSBL World Seriesover the years,and what great times I have had....Thegift you have given thousandsof players nationwide over the your last l9 years is astounding...through great vision, hard work and love of this grand game you have touched so very many...themagic of being on a team in a game that lends itself to an atmosphere wherelifetime friendshipsareend results,is priceless.Thanksagain Steve. Jay Bentz, South Dakota Baseball Kalei Mahoe: My lriend I want the MSBL family to know that Kalei Mahoe passedaway on November 14. He is survivedby his three sons,Koamula, Kaleiohau, and Kakoa; hrs mother Rosalee, father Danny, and brother Paul. Even though his cancer was terminal, Kalei's will and faith in God allowed him to spend more time here with us. He exceededall doctors expectations by living an additional Kalei Mahoe year.He wasa man of GREAT character,he loved his children more than life itself, he was kind and compassionate,and he was a GREAT baseballplayer. Mogozine 4 HordBoll 2006 World Seriesond FollClossicResults (to be reoortedin deoth in next issue) 2 0 0 6 M S B L / M A BW L O R L DS E R I E-SA r i z o n o TournamentDirector: Tom Prendergast MSBLA4ABL Presidc'nt:Stc'r'eSisler Dlvtst0N 28+ Nntionol 28+ [ontinentol Rowlinos Notiono I8+ MABI B+ MABIAmericon lB+ MABL Federol l8+ MABI[entrol 28+ Wood 8o ?8+ Federol 28+ [entrol 38+ Wood Notionol ?R I WnndAmorirnn (HAMPIONSHIP GAME SCORES WINNING MANAGERS elsl l. Atlonto A$ros / islros 10.Tri-Vollev [ordinols 3 Roqer Clork Kellv Mortv liors4 Tinseltown lenor3 (l 0 inninos) Romsev 0choo I Block Sox /. So[ol Snoooen 0 ' r oPirotes Moines Vikinos 4 5.[)es 8"0,"Yorkees I 2.Denver Twins 2 [rev.I 7 Newnort Storm 6 B:,'[ubs 6.Tocomo Tuos 2 [rrdinoJs 7.Sonto Eorboro Red Sox I Fncons 3 Srottsdnlet Fined? ( li7t vi nRno. v) o l s I ] [ounlvPodresI2.KonsosC Rose Jimmv Mork Pricher Henrv Folev lrocvNolon Comobell Moriin Dominick Goudioso Pete Groves BillvFerron 48+ Wood Americon Fother/Son Notionol AAA Deoo Stors /. [olzono Tribe 2 DlceRedr I0.Arkonsos Diomonds 6 'Cesond (ordinols I I 0.Socromento [ordinols Gino Suter Gorv fire$one lonvLooreto Americon AA Fother/Son re Donrnnd Doos 6 Sorromento Stnrs I Cloir [rondoll Fnther/Son Ameriron A nnAriecs 4 So[alifornio Wnves 2 Ernie Eorten 48+ Wood Notionol :: nnrerrio 65t 8.South Dokoto Rushmores 3 ' , , Whrte Sox 3.Soulh Dokoto 40sI Lee Romlrez 38+ [ontinentol 38+ Mountoin lnr Anlonio Misions 5 Ornnoe Corrntu SoxI Rick Hernondez 38+ fentrol |r';r [ilvTwins I 2.Komox Moster I BudSonchez 45+ Notionol Bombers ,c A lorrio 8.Son Jose I Jerrv Soencet 48+ Federol 48+ Mountoin Berr/s Athletic Suoolv 5.Rhode lslond Soltv Doos 4 tresno Phillies 21.Chicooo Fire I8 John Enriuht Pot Morrhese 48+ Centrol (orlOuebe 55+ Notionnl Arslin txnress l? [hirooo North lookouts 7 l-AArhletits 7.(onsos [itv[ubs6 58+ Notionol Delroit 50s9.Son Antonio Ronoers / Mike Hendrie 58+ Americon [ordinols [oifornio 10.thicooo Skvliners 7 Beets Som 58* fentrnl Rerl fleer Profollision 5 Tene Hnrrte Volken 4 65+ Wood Notionol Volencio Jose BobSherwin Lvle Lorenz - Florido t CLASSIC TournamentDi rector:."-' 39^u-[* AssistantTD: Brian Sisler Atlrrnto A$ros 6.MedtekAssoult 4 MABLIS+ Notionol Mortv Kellv MABIl8 + Ameriron lorksonville lndions I 0 Miomi Nntionols 2 Lindsov lindsov 28+ Notionol ihrcooo Brooklvn Rovols B.[hicooo 0rioles 7 KolTote 28+ Americon 28+[entrol llorvlorrd Monorch: 5.Son Antonio Slorm 3 Fl.Wovne Ronoers I 3.Puerto Rico Gionts I Pouline Youno Rondv Mos 38+ Wood Bol Northeost Pntrinh 5 lokev At 3 Fronk DeMorio 38+ Notionol Pueno RiroPirores 9 New York Hunirones I telixRodriouez 38+ Americon 38+[entrol Rovols i 0evelond Puerro Rico Steve's Soorts 2 [o$rillo Jose Newlersev Reds 5 fhcsoneoke BovSoxI Andrew Vnsouez 45+ Wood Ahonv Brover 2 Shield AIMGuords I lohnReel 7+ Notionol tlorido Hioh Hoiten 6 Western PABua4 AlWillioms 47+ Americon Sonlurce Eooles 8 Norberth Mudcots 4 lvoelRivero Lookforfull coverage of all the championshipgantes in the next issueof HardBall Magazine. Holidoy 2006 i (cont'd) LETTERS I would personally like to thank somepeople for the support and help they have given Kalei. SteveSigler: For your compassion,empathy and contributions to Kalei's trust fund. Thank you for being a great friend and creating a baseballleagueu'here all of us are "family" and supportoneanother.especiallyin timesofneed. Dan and Jackie Piro at Hardball Magazrne: To the entire staff for allowing me to sharemy story on Kalei in the magazine.Kalei received hundredsof emails offering him support,help and scriptures.He emailed back almost e\er\()ne and this gave him more strength to \ur\i\e. knowing that the MSBL community s as behindhim. Jerrv Garnett, Wayne Anderson and John Herzog: "old school" DeMarini baseball plal'ers.Thank you for being loya1,trustworthy, and dependable.I am grateful for ALL ofyour contributionsfor Kalei and his family. You are the BEST of friends to him and me. All MSBL players:Specialthanksto all who contributed to the Kalei Mahoe Charitable Trust Fund and sent letters and email to Kalei. We talkeda lot aboutthe supportthat all ofyou have given Kalei, and he felt truly blessed. lrealize that I am leaving out a lot ofpeople; but this letter would turn into a novel if I mentionedeveryonewho helped.Words cannot describethe feelings that I have for each and every one of you who helpedwith Kalei and his struggle.You madea hugeimpact in his life and I am forever grateful to all of you. I will be changing the name of my annual Labor Day baseball tournament to the "Kalei Mahoe Cure For Cancer Toumament." I will also coordinate somerelay for Iife walk-a-thons to help raise money for the American Cancer Society and for Kalei's children. I have set up account numbers for savings accounts for Kalei's childrenwhich will be put in CD's, sohis childrencancollectwhen they turn 18.The bank is WashingtonMutual. Anyone who wishes to contribute can deposit money into these two accountsat any WashingtonMutual branch: speedyrecovery lit up Kalei's eyes and attitude. What affected me the most is when Jamestold me that he did not care ifhe sold a single bat at the trade show...thathearingKalei's story and getting Don Mattingly to call Kalei was worth the trip to Arizona. The baseball community lost an angel in Kalei. As presidentof my league,I speakfor all when I say his spirit, compassion,love for the game and teammates,will be missed dearly. He will forever be in all of our hearts. His legacy will still be in our league.We were truly blessed to know Kalei. He WILL NOT be forgotten! I Iove you Kalei, my Hawaiian Warrior. KoamaluP. Mahoeaccount#0092-0001272602-1 Kaleiohau K. Mahoeaccount # 0092-0001272603-9 Even thoughKalei lost over seventypounds, he still managed to hit over .500 this year! Unfbrtunately, he was not able to attend the 2006 MSBL World Seriesin Phoenix. At the trade show there, my wife and I saw the Mattingly baseball bats. Kalei wore #23 and Don Mattingly was his hero. I was sharingmy story with Don Mattingly's businesspartner, J a m e s W e l l s . H e p r o c e e d e dt o c a l l D o n Mattingly andtell him aboutKalei's cancer,and that he was Kalei's hero and so forth. The next day. Don Mattingly called Kalei at homel His hero calling him to wish him the besr and a Randy Clemo, President P ortland O regon MSBL- MAB L randyclemo@comcast.net 5 03 -25 6-6992 Read Gregg Sarra's piece on hisfriend Kalei Mahoe on page 23 of this issue.-Eds. 2007IllISBVIvlABL Coribbeon Winlel Boseboll Chompionship February 15.18,2007 Puerlo Rico r.800.645.3350 premiertrv@ool.com emoil: HtI.illltlfl''illha ]ilPa crasG" r . i . it : f. fi i',ll' "When young bollployus mehowI developed osk into0 prlfessilnllhitter, fhe practice. lns'lvet I give is:canstont Wrth theIUGS l'llachine ondcoge inmy pitch bockyord, lm oble to seegonelike strikes, ofterpitch, doyinonddoyout." Juson Giombi 2000 A.L. Ml/P 1. (urveboll Pitching MocJrine (oge'" 2. Bockyord Boiling Net#7, I l9-lb.-Breoking-sfrength (ll' x ll' x 65') High-Tenocify Nylon Filaments S. 0utdoor Frume for(oge Nel#/ {. NtWFIXED-FRAMEL-Shoped Screen 5. FREE Bo*drop &Pitcher! Troiner "f,emGmDet, thetoadt0tneBigLGasues stail$inyouthacluatd." Holidoy 2006 S. Bsrk-Sover' Boll Buskel l. (4)Doren Yellow Dimpled Sfing-Free@ Bosebolk HordBoll Mogozine5 :;i;5:.ii.-,-=:,::.::=: =i::-=iilr=€::=;j:r+-a"i:;.='::'=: ::: : ::::: '::: :::::r:i::::i:=:!i::+i::'{:i:.:r :rri:1::r++:+l f ilr fol Moues $ Panfwo:Piclr-0ff lefthanderc r; The[lOStleated tilgVein BASe[all: .i TheUIPpi0f l0 fil$t BASS theread: \rakea great 3.shorten suddc'n. uncrpected and move-1uick. Nothing can confoundan aggressive r,. ". running game,or devastatea carelessone, 1i. more than a good left-handed pick-off move-and you eitherhave a good one or ",i i.:i none at all. Here's anothernews flash: most pick-offs +l iit result from bad baserunning, not innately ;r; clever moves.Bad movesdo not fool good 1ir runners.Don't fret. A good pick-off move is a learnedskill, and with practiceand the right ,i ,ir approach,you can developone. We'll focus on two moves:the "no eyes" 1: 45 degreepickoff, and the "gunslinger." r:: The first stepin developingany good i: ,111move is to get rid of your so-called"set-up move." The set-upis a bad move designedto i. i:i trick the runnerinto thinking he's seenyour i'i best move. Invariably everybodyin the r1 ballpark knows that's not yovr good move. If ;t that is so-and it is-then why do it? If your ,,, move is good enough,you won't needa :, set-upmove. , Focus insteadon your priorities when a runnerreachesfirst base. accurate-to first blsr-. 4. Remove the runner from the base. pli'liti8$ a.a ::ii :::: l. Make a good pitch: If you can't throw a strike,or if you hit the lady in the concessionstand,you'll have more than a runnerat first to worry about. Z. Disturb the runner's lead: vary the time betweenthe set and the move home. fnis is especiallytrue for righrhanded pitchers. l: SetPosilion $tUdy T[g 0npOSiltOlt Knowing somethingabout the runneron first is vital to knos ing rr hen and how to pick him off. How do you knos l There are basicallr thrce typesof runners, First, the known base\terlers ("Big Lead") who will stealan1'timcbccausethey can. Cocky, aggressiverunnersare the easiest runnersto pick olT. Sccond.are the situational basestealers("Mediunr Lead") who have decentspeedbut take lcu er chances.Finally, thereare slow guys ("Short Lead") who never steal,are uncomfbrtableon the bases,and who take short,nervousleads. Big Lead: The runnerdefineshimself as a basestealer.He is aggressiveand looking for the "45 move." Early in the ,eamehe will take a one-wayleadjust to seeyour move, but ratherthan steal,he is just planning.Use the Gunslinger(step-off)move early in the at bat. "ll0[Y[$":Ihnlrlocnanics 0ta G00d 45llegree Picl-0ffttloue As anyonewho has ever fallen victim to it knows, the "no eyes45," as we call it, is the most feared move in the game. The ultimate goal of this pick-off move is to create a pick-off delivery that mimics the delivery of a pitch. If you achievethis-and you can-you will pick runners off. The timing of the secondarylead,and not the size of the initial lead,is the determining factor in when to attempt a pick-off. The most important ingredientfor a good 45 degreemove is consistencyof movement. If you are consistentwith the movementof your headand lift leg (right leg), and if it looks the samewhetherpitching or picking off, then you have a solid foundation for a lethal pick-off move. Start from the stretch position looking at the plate as you come set as in (picture L) Pay no attentionto the runneron first baseat this mavbethebestbettopickoff this time. Get your signalsand relax. Next, move H:J""t only your headand look directly into the Medium Lead: He's a smartbaserunner, runner's eyes.2.Lift your right leg as you but not necessarilythe fastest.Generallyhe would when you throw the pitch home doesn'tget picked off. The pitchercan't be (picture3). Do not move any part of your lift quick enoughto the use the Gunslinger leg past the rubber;that's a balk, and first step-offmove, and the runneris smartenough basecoachesalways screamaboutit. It has no not to take secondarytoo early. They won't bearingon a good move anyway.Before your get picked with "45 move" becausetheir first lift leg stopsmoving up, turn and look home move is most often back to the baseor late and pick up your target(picture4.) These after you releasethe ball. As long as the staggeredlooks further complicate the 2: lookto firsl 3: legup plone 5:Stepon45degree 4: look home t;. :.al :: ir $ ai t$ ii.,! ::t s * ii; 5i 5i1 + I:liili.F;:-!-aiilfr;,-?F,Fs.i#iF,F:ii :*,:i:il:::sii,3F,:-Eiiffiqif':Giiii+fi*tiil;Liil.i:!ilr.:,-.i:-if,!:#ii"ti:sbiiiFrsi::; 5 HordBoll Mogozine + byJohnondporrickpinkmon ,l: i r ,i, :, ,i:, .r i ii i;:,: runner doesn't get a goodjump to stealwe have done ourjob. Short Lead: Runners who lack confidence on the baseswill make up for a short lead by taking a big secondarylead. The "45 move" is usually the best bet to pick off this runner. Pay no attention to the runner during the at bat; when you, the catcher,or your coachfeel the runneris comfortable...pick. .--:,,: 1,:-ir::: .:.:: ii::.:-:- :: Holidoy 2005 $ ii H $ ;l i[ $i iir ;:i lil i:it: ri il $ ..1 Il it runner'sdecisions.Your goal is to make the runner commit to a secondarylead and look home while you are in a position to throw to first. At this moment your right foot begins to stride on a 45-degreeangle between first and home. Move your entire body, not just your leg, down the mound roughly in the direction ofthe on-deckcircle (pictures5 and 6). The secretto this techniqueis to move your entire body down the mound as if you were throwing home-not just your leg. As you can seefrom pictures, it is very difficult determinewhere the pitcher is going. In order to make this move work you must use the same sequenceof movements when you pick as when you throw a pitch to the plate. Try videotaping yourself. Compare each movement. The final part of the move is to continue your motion unintenupted towards the first basedugout. This is to prevent the opposing coachesfrom getting a fix on your direction and creating an argument. Unless it is flagrant, it is very difficult for a two-man umpire crew to assessthe angle of a left handedpitcher's movement. Once you have createdconsistencywith r our leg and head, it becomesnecessaryto do the same with your arms. However you separateyour hands during your normal delivery to the plate is exactly how it should be done in the delivery of a pick-off move. These movements,done correctly, will give the baserunner the impression a pitch is being thrown home. Think like a baserunner. Let's look at several views from the runner's perspective. Field geometry can play tricks on the runner if usedcreatively. The pictures below are from the runner's view with a conservativeten-foot lead. Picture 7 shows a good "No Eyes" (45 degree) movement. Picture 8 shows a direct move to home plate. From this angle it is very hard to tell the difference. Picture 9 shows the typical bad lefty move coming straight at you; here it is easy to figure out the pitcher's intention. A good "No Eyes" move has one hidden benefit; the hitter may not know which way you are going either.This causesan insecure or at leasta hesitantcommitmentto swing. Often this leads to a ground ball. With the runnerhugging the bag at first base,this is an easyrecipefor a doubleplay. chanceoftaking secondbase.Ifyou throw to first, the runner is hoping the first baseman will commit an error (i.e. drop the ball, not get a good grip, make a poor throw). This is known as stealine secondon the first GUll$llllGIR: Inet[Gcnanics ola quiclsl8[-offm0ue The duel betweenpitcherand runneris much like the duel betweentwo gunslingers in an old western movie where each says to the other,"let's seehow fast you are." That, in a nutshell, is the secretto a great gunslingermove. As with the No Eyes45 move, an averagegunslingermove will not lead to a pick-off in most cases.However, it is not absolutelynecessaryto pick someoneoff to stop the running game. You must have a step-offmove, even if it is a fake motion to prevent the runner from stealing on your first movement. In this instance,at the sight of any motion from the pitcher, the runner will break towards second regardlessof whether you throw home or to first. If you throw to home, he has a great jump and an almost one hundred percent About 0u GontriDutors A regulor contributor to Collegiote Eoseboll News, John Pinkmon isonotionolly recognized leoder inthefieldofpitchingin$ruction. According tolom Housg"lfs obvious thot John hos tought hisstudents fiepitching skills thotwerequire in profesionol boseboll. John isodedicoted $udent ofthegome os wellosonexcellent teocher." Co-outhor PolrickPinkmon. pikhed Johntsonondthemodel inthephotol forVirginio lech from]998to 2002.l|eholds thotschool's record formo$ (19)ondmost (48). pkkoffs pickoffi inoyeor inocoreer Johntin$ructionol focility islocoted intheWoshington, DC oreo. ployers, Designed forserious Bollery Pork"iso bright, sofe profesionol indoor environmenl foreliteteoms, instructors. 0r folher-ond*on workouts. Thefocilitv isovoiloble t0rentseven doys owee[from eorly morning tolote otnight. Conloct lnformotion: (/03)661-8586 Phone: (/03)4761484 Fox: E-moil: throw@pinkmonpitching.com pinkmonpitching.com Website: Holidoy 2006 HordBoll Mogozine 7 baseman.If a runner doer go on your first movement, and you step off, the resulting embarrassmentwill effectively kill the running on first movement game. To establish a great Gunslinger move, you must remember two simple things: speed and accuracy. The quicker you get the ball to first basethe better,even ifit's ugly. Ifyou can't put the ball within a foot of the first basemen'smitt, the chancesof you getting the runner out are slim. Slow or inaccurate throws may effectively shortenthe runner's lead, but will not eliminate the threat. The Gunslinger move dependson quick feet and quick hands. Start with looking back at picture l. But as you begin to come set in the stretch, as you bring your right foot to the set position, you quickly step back off the rubber with your left foot (picture 10), creating a shuffle move of sorts. The timing of this move with your hands is crucial; if you bring your hands set too soon and come to a pauseyou lose momentum. Next, rotateyour hips and shouldersto gain additional torque. generating speedto the throw as in picture I I . Then use a side-arm throw (picture 12). Now try to imagine this move as if you were pulling you gun out of its holster and firing; hence the term "gunslinger"move. As you get comfortablewith this move, it is fun to experiment with many different Every pitcheris unique looks and sequences. and can bring their own tactics to the mound; but I can't stressenoughhow vital it is to have a Gunslingertype o[ move in your arsenal. in their mediocre move than they should be. Whether you are a lefty or a righty, not mastering a dominant move is a tactical waste that hurts your team. In the caseof the lefty it is a tragedy. A southpaw will literally waste the greatestassetthe game has given him. Be confidentyou can do it all. We know you can! lohn Goming inalutuleissue: lo Pin[man on[icl-offmoue$ sGcond baselorB0Tlllefi-handGd andilgnt-nanded litcncl$. lnGonclusion Learning a great lefty move is intimidating to some lefties. Some are far more confident We'reOnYourfbam vVhether an ontheii..ic.0n:ouierc anevent of managing VOu're hands-on service event. 0lSisthereforylu. urovidin,t neisonalized, wlthacaring attentior t0detail. Fcrovcradccado. acomprehensive mirof CIShasprovidcd and insurance ccverage tosFcialty ma*ets such asamateuf prolessional Products and sports, special events andertertainment. Liability, Accident services include Liability. Direclors & Ofiicers Oeneru: services. MeCical Packages, andRisklVanagement Continqency Letusdemonstrate ourcommitment to excellence. needs. Callustodayandtellusaboutyourorganizationb r Fax:408-414-8199 Phone: 800-538-7061 wliw1i. insuranceforsports.com 8 HordBollMogozine Holidoy 2006 t' I I 1 ,t I 'l Auailaile1l0W0nline Ever wonder what the over 300team MSBU MABL World Series looks like from the tournament director's chair? Wonder no more. World Series toumament director Tom Pr€ndergast paints a clear picture of nineteenthrunning of the MSBL/MABL World Series in our Special Report now available at www.hardball.net. From his tribute to long-time assistantdirector Steve Rosenburg,who died in June, to the historic first live broadcast of a championship game, Prendergastshareshis thoughts and insights about this toumament-the largest amateur adult baseball toumament in the world. Prendergast explains the reasons for some of the tournament's major alterations, tells a cautionary tale about why it pays to read and follow the rules, and sharesthe amazing story ofhow one player cheateddeath on the diamond this year. Included in the report are photos he took throughout the three-week event. The full report is available now for downloading at: srEdiffi www.hqrdbqll.net '4 cti nuTr-yflrflIl[z00 l|AY$ffiZffi'srcamll OF PRO-1EUE1 tt'sDererqraff ue DfiGG ThisYeor's Bigleogue Cooches: RonJockson - MikeButcher Plus: Spedal Surprise Inslrudor! om R 3 2!.333.9t99 Holidoy 2006 HordbollMogozine 9 la[orllayBegionals 2006 MSBl/ltlABl 2006TexasCup $'$*llfu{'% -'s by Jeff McGaw Photographs by Jerry Esposito/Visual Touch -^^.:.^J, an Antonio, Texas, September2-4, 2006-Twenty-one teamsfrom all over Texas, and as far away as New York, competed in four age divisions at the 2006 Texas Cup in San Antonio. Visitors from Houston, Dallas and Austin took home the hardware while San Antonio teams finished second in the 18, 38 and 47 division age groups. The toumament, hosted alternately by San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston, is normally held over the July 4th holiday. However, because Independence Day fell midweek this year, the tournament was pushed back to Labor Day weekend, according to San Antonio MSBL president(andthis year'sTexas Cup tournament director) Skip Bradley. Bradley traditionally (13 years and counting) runs his Alamo Classic in San Antonio over Labor Day, but canceledit in lieu of the Texas Cup this year.Next yearboth the Alamo Classic in SanAntonio andtheTexasCup in Dallaswill be held on the sameweekend.Bradlev said. l8* Ifivision Houslon MelroAslrosI I, SonAnlonio Worhowls ? Ryan Martin tossed a complete game and tournament MVP Mike Arevalo had a three-run homer as the Houston Metro Astros defeatedthe San Antonio Warhawks 11-2 to capture the MABL Texas Cup crown. fl 18+ Division * , Son Antonio W0rh0wks............................... 0 NewYorkSeminoles. ...........3 I lTou$on Metro Astros ...........2 2 Houston Shocken.... ............1 3 Broves....... Hou$on ............1 3 Semifinols Houston Metro A$ros def.NYSeminoles, I 2-l0 Antonio Worhowk def.Hou$on 7-5 Son Shockers, l8+ Chompionship Gome Housion Metro Astros def.Son Antonio Worhowks I l-2 28+ Division (orle. (left)withAstros MVP Mike Arevolo Monoger Rick Aaron Jablonsky and Rick Carle added two hits apiecefor the Astros. The Astros 4-2 toumamentrecord included round robin lossesto the Warhawks and the New York Seminoles, whom they later defeatedin the semifinals. Arevalo, who relievedin threeof the team's six toumament games, was the hero in that 12-10 semifinal win over the Seminoles.He replacedChad Burke when Burke broke his throwing arm during a pitch. Play stopped for thirty minutes asparamedicsanendedto Burke. Ironically, Burke was pitching in relief of TheHou$onMetroAstroswonthe Chompionship ollhe2006 Texos Cup. wt Dollosl\tlets............. ............4 0 Au$inTexons.......... ............3 I SonAntonioStorm.. ............2 2 S0n4nt0ni080mben............................ 3 Bryon Rockies......... ............0 4 28+ Chompionship Gome Dollos Mefs def. Austin Texons 3-2 38+ Division * , Antonio Missions Son ...........3 I Dollos [oribenos...... ............3 I Houston Rongers..... ............2 2 Antonio A$ros.. Son ............1 3 S0nAnt0ni0RedS0x............................ 3 Semifinols Son Antonio Misions def.Son Antonio A$ros. 9-5 Dollos Coribenos def. Hou$on Rongers, l0-6 38+ Chompionship Gome Dollos Coribenos def.Son Antonio Misions. 7-5 48+ Division * Au$in Pir0tes........................................ Son Antonio Meis....................................... Antonio Rongers Son ....................................... Antonio Y0nkees.................................. Son Au$in fxpres.......................................... H0tj$0n Colt 45's........................................ Semifinols Son Antonio Rongers def.Son Antonio Mets, 9-6 Au$in Pirotes def.Son Antonio Yonkees, I B-4 48+ ftompionship Gome Austin Pirotes def.Son Antonio Rongers, 22-0 lO HordbollMogozine Holidoy 2006 .*rl I -rl r:-.:rEri-, TheDollos Meis, 2006Texos CupChomps inthe AB0VE, TheDollos won 28+ Division. BEL0W RIGHT, Coribenos the38+Division Chompionship Gome. -!!ffir -:ltrs:i: !t f, t rtnri starterMike Adams, who left with a sorearm in the first inning. Down 5-3 when he entered,Arevalo got out of the inning, then came up and smasheda two-run homer to tie the game and sway momentum."He pitcheda heck of a gameafter that," saidmanagerRick Carle, who calledthe Seminoles"the team to beat." Jablonsky had a monstroussix RBI performance in the semifinal. The Warhawks beat the Houston Shockers 7-5 to advanceto the finals. 28* Ilivision Dollos Mets3,Ausfin Texons 2 (lough 28+ MVP Eric Gonzolez ondMels monoger Rick pose oftertheir3-2viclory overfte Austin Texons. Holidoy 2005 Mets manager Rick Clough allowed three runs and had the game-winning RBI in the ninth-inning as his Dallas Mets defeatedthe defending champion Austin Texans 3-2 to claim the 2S-divisionTexasCup title. It was the fourth straight Texas Cup title for the Mets.They won the 28-divisiontitle in 2003 and 2004, and dropped down to the MABL division last year to dethrone the six-time defendingchampionHoustonMetro Astros. Clough's sacrifice fly to right field plated Don Buford (son of the former major leaguer) who had singledand movedto third on Braulio Castillo's double. Castillo, who played for the Philadelphia Philliesin 199I and l 992, savedthe gamein the bottom of the ninth inning when, with two out and runnerson first and third, he made a diving catch in the righrcenter alley. Second baseman Eric Gonzalez, batting second,was 16-for-20 during his team's 6-0 title run andhauledin tournamentMVP honors. Jorge Alvarez contributed two homers and a triple in the tournament. The Mets infield of Alvarez at third. Buford at shortstop,and Gonzalez at second base turnedfive doubleplays in thc tournanrent. 38* Ilivision (oribeios 7,SonAnfonio Missions 5 Dollos Bobby Newton lhres nine :trong innings and Dino Ciufi was named the tournament MVP as Harry Arroyo's Dallas Caribeffos defeated the San Antonio Missions 7-5 to claim a secondstraightTexasCup 38+ Division title. An RBI sacrifice fly by centerfielder J.J. Muffoz and an RBI single by third baseman John Pollard broke a 2-2 deadlock in the fifth inning and put the Caribeflos aheadto stay. The Missions' hopes ended when Newton, after allowing a run in the ninth, fanned the final two hittersof the game. The Caribefros knocked off the Houston Rangers 10-6 to advanceto the title game. Pitchers Brent Morton and Steve Pierce combined for the win. Catcher Frank Turk hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning. The Missions defeatedtheir cross-townrivals, the Astros, 9-5 to move on. Hordboll Mogozine | | Pirofes, ABOVE: TheAuslin 2006Texos Cupchomps inthe48+ Division. presidenls: Bottle Pirotes monoger Mike oftheleogue monoger 0l0ugh Lucos ondRongers SkipBrodley shore during48+ competition. Bothmenorepresidents of lheirleogues ondbothoreMSBL HollofFomers. Luros heods theAustin MSBL ondBrodley ispresidenl ofthe ho$Son Antonio MSBL. (obove), (right), VernRodewold ondKenny Bolthrop shored co-MVP honon inthe48+ Division finol. 48 * Ilivision Austin Piroles 22,SonAntonio Rongers 0 Bob Bryant threw an l1-hit shutoutwhile outfielders Mike Coy and Vernon Wells had four hits apiece as the Austin Pirates shellacked the San Antonio Rangers 22-0 to claim the 48+ Division TexasCup title. Co-MVP honors were shared by shortstop Kenny Balthrop and leftfielder Vern Radewald, for their outstandingand consistent performance on offense and defense throughout the toumament. Radewaldhad three hits, including a triple in the title game. Bill Rector led all Piratehitters with a .680 average. The Pirates scored 93 runs in six games while its pitchers allowed 19 runs. Five of six Austin starters threw complete games. Its l2 HordbollMooozine closestgame was a 12-6 round robin win over the Austin Express. Gary Hackelman earned the complete game win. The Rangers were 2-2 in round robin play and moved into the finals by virtue of a 9-6 win over the San Antonio Mets. Austin advanced to the finals with a perfect record. They defeated the San Antonio Yankees 18-4 to advanceto the championship round. Austin notched10runs on I I hits in the first inning of the title game against San Antonio starter and losing pitcher Skip Bradley. They finished the game with 29 hits, while the Rangers committed six errors on defense.I TOURNAMENI: 2006 Texos Cuo (normolly DATES: Sepiember 2-412006 held over July 4thweekend) (rototes HOST LEAGUE: Son Antonio MSBL between Son Antonio, Austin, Dollos ondHou$on) WEBSITE: www.s0msbl.c0m DIVISIONS' l B + / 2 8 +/ 3 8 + / 4 8 + gomes guoronteed. F0RMAT' Four Holidoy 2006 temofial LEFT: theREBL Reds were 25+ Chomps. AB0VE: Borry presents Morkmon 35+ trophy to Tri-Volley 40s monoger LeoCoslo. eptember 4, 2006, Woodland, CA-Thirty teams in four age groups, 25,35,45 and 55, competedat this year's Carl Flowers Memorial Best in the West BaseballTournamentin Woodland, California. The tournamentincluded a Saturday night barbecue that was attended by an estimatedfive hundredpeople,and a home run hitting contest.Paul Hensley of the Woodland Davis Blackhawks hit three homers to win the longball title and the $125 first placeprize. 25* Ilivision Redlond Empire Reds 13, Woodlond Dovis Blockhowla 4 Robert Chavez'sgrandslamkeyedal3-run onslaught as the Redwood Empire Baseball League Reds defeated the Woodland Davis Blackhawks 13-4 to claim the 25+ division. Bob Bowman, who tosseda complete game u in just a day earlier,threw five stronginnings to earn the win. He was relieved by A.C. Bronco and Dustin Enswiler. Chavez and Ensuiler. both of whom were I l-for-16 in the tournament.sharedMVP honors. The Reds finished 2-1 in round robin play including a loss to the 3-0 Blackhawks. The defeated the Tri-Valley Cardinals 6-4 to advanceto the finals. The Blackhawks dispatched the Fresno Dodgers l1-2 in the semifinalsto advanceto the finals. 35*Ilivision Iri-Volley 40's13,Socromenlo Pirotes 4 Vince Massaro hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the Tri-Valley 40's to a 13-4 win over the Sacramento Pirates in the 35+ division. Bill Hawkins pitched a complete game giving up just one earned run. The 40's Holidoy 2006 25+Division 35+Semifinols Brorkef I WL Woodlond/Dovis Pirotes def.Socromenlo River [ots8-6 TriVolley [ordinols.. ............1 2 TriVolley 40\def. Soquel Stun 2l-3 Fresno Dodgers....... ............1 2 (olBroves........ Nor .............l 2 35+ Chompionship Gome Iri Volley 40tdef.Woodlond/Dovis Pirotes I 3-4 Brorkel2 Wt Woodlond 810ckh0wks.............................3 0 /Dovis REBL Reds.............. ............2 1 45+Division StonislousAll St0rs...........................................1 2 25* Semifinols Woodlond/Dovis Blockhowks def.Fresno Dodgen 11-2 REBL Reds def. IriVolley Cords 6-4 25+ (hompionship Gome RtB[Reds def.Woodlond/Dovis Blockhowks l3-4 Erockel I 35+Division wI Brorket I WL Socromento 6ionts ............................................3 0 2 2 2 Greenwood Ridge Drogons......... Fresno Grizzlies ....... 0ld81ues.. .......... wL Erocket 2 Iri Volley Yonkees .3 0 Fog tity .2 I I 2 Socromento Reds Sorromento0ldGold................ ...............0 3 45+Semifincls Brocket 2 W1 Socromento Gionts def. Fog City 5-4(10inn.) Greenwood Ridge Drogons def.Iri Volley Yonkees 2-l 45+ Chompionship Gome Soaomento Gionts def.Greenwood Ridge Drogons 11-3 Brockef 3 wt 55* Division * , IriVolley 405......... ............3 0 Socromento River [0ts.......................................3 0 Soaomento Volley C01s......................................1 2 IriVolley Antiques... ............2 I So[olA2tea........... .............l 2 6teenwood Ridge 0r090ns..................................1 2 Mode$o Reds.......... ............1 2 TriVolley Gionts...... ............0 3 35+ Quorlerfinols Soquel Stondef.Gold Countrv Diomondbocks 9-3 Woodlond/Dovis Pirotes def.Socromento Vollev Cots I 9-9 55+ Chompionship Gome Socromento Rivercots def.TriVollev Antioues /-6 HordbollMogozine l3 40s,35+Chomps, Socromento Fromtop:TriVolley Rivercots, 55+ 45+ Chomps, ondSocromento Gionts, (homps. overcame three costly errors in the second innings. Pirate slugger Bobby Brown's solo home run in the top of the eighth inning put the Pirates ahead4-3, but that lead vanishedfor good with Massaro's homer. Rafael Rojo, appearing for the third time in two days, tossedsevenand a third strong innings, but took the loss. 45* Ilivision Socrqmenlo OionlsI l, Greenwood Ridge Drogons 3 Behind the pitching of former SanFrancisco Giant pitcher Jim Barr, the Sacramento Giants defeated the Greenwood Ridge Dragons ll-3 to claim the 45+ title. The Giants, a perfect 5-0 in the tournament,reached the finals with a thrilling 5-4, l0-inning victory over Fog City. The Dragons knocked off the Tri-Valley Yankees 2-l to reachthe finals. 55* WoodButllivision Rivercols 9, Socromenlo Iri Volley Anliques 8 George Anderson knocked in two runs during a decisive,five-run, eighth-inningrally as the Sacramento Rivercats defeated the Tri-Valley Antiques 9-8 to claim the55+ title. Lee Jackson, who entered the game in the third in relief of starter Don Franz and first reliever Irv Scott, allowed one run in nearly seveninnings of relief to eam the win. Lamy Grant had three hits and four RBI in the contest.Denny Brown hadtwo hits andtwo RBI for the Antiques.Phil Montes and Mike Rezzanicoaddedtwo hits apiece. Jacksonallowed one run and three hits in a 9-1 win over the Antiques in the tournament opener.I - 1/thyeor "Be$intheWest" IOURNAMINT:2006torlFlowers Memoriol Tournoment DATES: September 2-4,2006 HOSI LEAGUE: Woodlond DavisMSBLWtBSITE:www.woodlonddovismsbl.com L0CATI0N/tlELDS: Locol fields inWoodlond ondDovis, including Socromento ondClorkfield. Stote DlVlSl0NS, 25+/35+/ 45+ond 55+wood. per1B-ployer C0ST: teom 5900 - Three gomes guoronteed. F0RMAT: Round Robin EVENTS, Soturdoy SPECIAL Night Borbecue/Roffle, Home Run Derby IOURNAMENT DIRECIOR: [onny Ropke 530-662-7060 or530-848-3054 SKYE/7tHAD@A0L.C0M l4 HordbollMooozine Holidoy 2006 labotllau tlllBl]illiilwGst 2006Indianarulis Begional or the second year in a row, this tournament fielded thirteen teams. Newcomers to the toumament were the Chicago Brooklyn RoYals, the Indianapolis Titans and the Louisville Redbirds. Tcams were seededafter the first two games, $ ith all teams making the tournament.The top thrcc'teams all received a first round bye. U:ing a tie-breakerof runs allowed made for hu.rle free and accurate seeding as evidenced h1 the fact that the semi finals featuredthe 7,2, -i and 5 seeds. (homps. Regionol os2006Midwe$ their2005titletorepeot defended Stollions TheIndionopolis Portionsof the proceedsare donatedyearly to the ProstateCancerFoundation,the MSBL's official charity.This year $650 was raised. Ployoff Resuhs The secondround featured contrasts with the Indianapolis Expos and Terre Haute Cubs dominatingwith pitching. The Expos shut down the Louisville Sluggers RoundRobinFinolSlcndings 7-0, and the Cubs blanked the Louisville WI Redbirds 3-0. Meanwhile the Chicago 0 ............................................2 Expos Indionopolh Brooklyn Royals and the Indianapolis 0 ..................................2 Tene ||outeIubs......... Stallions broke out the sticks, with the Royals 0 St011i0ns........................................2 Indionopolis out-scoringthe Ft. Wayne Rangers 15-3,and 0 .. ...................................2 [olumbusPirotes..... the Stallions topping the Ft. Wayne Marlins R0y01s.....................................l Ihicogo Brooklyn ...................................11 5 - 1 . It.WoyneMorlins... In the semifinals, the Expos took a 9-8 lead . .. .............................1 LoulsvilleRedblrds ninth inning, only to see over . . ....................................l the Royals into the IndionopolisTitons it dwindle away when the Royals scored three li . . ............................1 s,i 5luggers... L:the . ..................................0runs in the top of the inning and then shut [- ::ic00ks.......... half. the bottom door in i' ::goGi0nts..................................................0 The Stallions got past the Cubs 6-1 on the 0ri01es.........................................0 [':#ordsville right arm of Tom Bumgardner on loan strong ....................................0 F'.Woyne Rongers.... from the Indianapolis MSBL Pirates. One Round 7-4 Morlins, Royols def.Ft.Woyne thicogo-Brooklyn ] I -/ Sluggers. Rongers def.louisville Ft.Woyne 5-0 Gionts, 0rioles def.Chicogo trowfordsville Pirotes, I -2 Titons def.Columbus Indionopolis I 0-6 Chicogo 0ols, Redbirds def. Louisville Two Round 7-0 Sluggerl def.Louisville Expos Indionopolis 3-0 Redbirds. Cubs defLouisville Tene Houte I 5-3 Rongers, Royols def.Ft.Woyne Brooklyn Chicogo l5-l Morlins, def.Ft.Woyne Stollions Indionopolis Semifinols I l-9 Expos Royols def.Indionopolis Brooklyn Chicogo Cubs 6-l Houte def.Tene lndionooolis Stollions Holidoy 2006 For the Stallions, tournament MVP Bryan Foster went 4-4 with two doubles,teammate John Smith (2005 Tournament MVP) was 4 for 5 with four HRs and 5 RBI and Tim Bragg hit a grand slam home run. The Royalsjumped out to an early lead in the final, picking up two runs in the first inning from one hit and threestolenbases.Aggressive on the basesduring the entire tournament, the Royals racked up sevenstolen basesduring the game, with lead-off man Chris Yates accountingfor three.In the bottom ofthe inning the Stallions set the tone with James Pruett' who led off with a solo home run. The only low point for the Stallionswas in the fourth inning, when stafface Bruce Stanley had to leave the game with a sore elbow. Reliever Jeff Johnson was then greetedon his first pitch with a two-run shotoff the bat of the RoyalsEl Mc Coy. Johnsonheld off the run and gun Royals offense for the next four innings to pick up the win. Chompionship Gome In the championship, the Indianapolis Stallions defended their 2005 title, defeating the Chicago Brooklyn Royals 1 9 - ll . Tournoment Lobor Doy Regionol IABL Midwest TOURNAMENT:2006 2-4,2006 September DAIES. LeogueWEBSITI:vvww.indionoboseboll.com LEAGUI: IndionopolisAdultBoseboll HOSI lN, Noblesville Trinitv Bollpork, LOCATION/FIEI-DS: (2with light$. three diomonds complex with boseboll oprivotely-s\/ned Acodemv. Indionopolis Preoorotorv Brebeuf willbe25+ only in2007,fietournoment Beginning forlock ofentries. DIVISIONS: I B+ wosconcelled per in2006 teom C0ST, S4B0 - Three quoronteed. Round Robin oomes F0RMAT, ploce; ploce, ond third forchompion, second owords Trophies ondmerchondise AWARDS: (items yeor toyeor) vory from merchondise receive boseboll Allieoms Concer Foundotion Prostote Proceeds b benefit OTHER: (31 0rrowsl2@ool.com /) 626I 2900remoil: DeCo$o, John iONTAO. l5 HordbollMogozine l3th Annual Northeast Regional Tournament eplember4, 2006,Albany, NY-Despite the rain, the Albany Tri-State Nationals (28+), Buffalo Indians (38+), and Albany Golden Marlins (45+) were crowned champions at the 13th Annual 2006 MSBL NortheastRegional tournamentin Albany, New York held over the Labor Day weekend. Nineteenteamsin the three divisions were signedup to play, but the remnantsof Hurricane Ernestosoakedtournamentflelds on Saturday and wreaked havoc on the schedule.Several teams withdrew from the tournament. according to tournamentdirector John Reel. Only the Marlinsrepeatedas champions. That championswerecrownedat all was the silver lining. "That's somethingwe're proud o f , " R e e l s a i d . " \ \ ' c ' r c u l w a y s c r o w n e da champion." monoged byJoe ABOVE, TheAlbony Notionols, Fitzgerold, wonihe28+ Chompionship ot the2006 Regionol in Albony. BELOW, StottKlemenl Northes$ (left) honors. ondDon Renoud shored co-MVP 28+Division: Albony Notionols 38+Division' Buffolo lndions * Division: Albony Golden Morlins gome TheBuffolo Indions wonthe38+ Division chompionship otthe2006Norlheost Regionol. (l 3thYeor) IOURNAMENT: 2006Northeost Regionol Lobor Doy lournoment DATES. September 2 4,2006 (Albony) WEBSITE: HOST LEAGUE. iopitolDislricl MSBL www.cdmsbl.com LOCATION/FIELDS Copitol Distriat finest fields per C0ST' teom in2006 5550 AWARDS. Chompionship ond MVP trophies oworded. 0TH ER' Ho$hoblondTournoment HQ: Howord Johnson's discounted rote(pool open) (5lB) i0NTAO, John Reel, 768-8069 oremoil: cdmsbl@iuno.com l5 HordbollMooozine (left)with Buffolo Indions m0n0ger Rolph Proulx (right) Monoger Scott Lourk, whowonthe38+ division's Tournoment MVPoword ot the2006 Norlheost Regionol. Holidoy 2006 ') \ AttheNortheost Lobor DoyRegionol, TedPoleto holds hisMVP trophy whilemonoger TomMoney looks on. TheAlbony Morlins were the45+ Chompions Golden olthe2006Nofheost Regionol inAlbony, New York. 2006tocletGity Glassic 1 l eptember 1, 2006,Huntsville,At-Behind the big bats of Kevin Ferringer, Dennis Meadows, Jim Karika and Jay Gray, the Macon Whoopie overcamea 9-l deficit to defeat the Decatur Braves. l9-13. and win the 38 Silver division title at the Rocket City Classrc. The title was the first for Karika and Scott Bayles,who co-managedthe team.Bayleswas part of a pitching staff that allowed less than three earned runs per game during the f o u r - g a m e r o u n d r o b i n t o u r n a m e n t .B o b Cleghorn, Dennis Meadows, Dave Stone, Charlie Edmonson, and Randy Meadows also threw well. Raynard Solomon hit two homers, including a grand slam,and went 5-for-5 in the tournament opener to set the pace fbr the offense.The Whoopie scored70 runs in five games.Charlie Anderson, Mickey Welch and Dennis Ussery anchoredthe defense. TheMocon Whoopie teomwonthe38+ SilverFlight Division otthe2006 Rocket Citv Clossic. Chompions 38+ Silver Flight Division l ) TOURNAMENT:2006 Rocket City ilosic DATES. August 3l - September 4,2006 HOST LEAGUE' Southern Senior Boseboll Leogue, Huntsville, Alobomo WEBSIIE, http://eteomz.oclive.c0m/southernseniorbosebol l/ TOCAIION/FI ELDS Huntsville High School. Modison Acodemy, Sporkmon High School. 0risom High School DIVISIONS: 38+ond 48+ C0SI' I 8-mon teom, ofter thot(upto22ployen) 5/00perminimum 550perployer - Four FORMAT: gomes guoronbed. Round Robin AWARDS: lndividuol medols &teom equipment fowinners ofeoch flighf. OTHER: discount if entire feereceived byAugu$ 1$. Flighted tournoment. S50teom Reduced hotel rotes otHolidoy InnSeled ond GuestHouse Suites Plus. Holidoy 2006 Mocon 13 Whoopie I 9,Decoiur Broves, 38+ GoldFlight Division - l$ Ploce Atlonto Bulls - 2ndPlo(e Huntsville Bondits 48+ Division - I stPloce St.Louis Bondits - 2ndPloce Ailonto Vipers -limiied infosubmitted Hordboll Moqozine I7 I (l-r)'St.Louis Bondits cooch Anlonio Jones with ABOVE Royldzior. teomMVP Glenlllillioms ondMonoger Chomps LEFT: TheSt.Louis Bondits were 48* Division Rocket City(losic. otthe2006 Photos byWolter Dicus. AttheChicogo Shootoul, theDuPoge theirhome-town rivols, theChicogo Cubs, towinfhechompionship. Angels beot ChicagoCentralMSBI LaborDayTournament hicago,Illinois, Oct.21, 2006- Chuck Douthit, Kevin Britt and Bob Latchford tossed three innings apiece as the DuPage Angels defeated their Chicago Central MSBL league rival Cubs 7-1 to claim the title in that league's inaugural labor day tournament, called the "Chicago Shootout." Douthit was credited with the win and Latchford earned a save. The Angels, managedby Tom LaForce, got a winning dose of offense in the first inning. Duryel Thomas's RBI single accountedfor the first run. Geno Tashjian the cranked a three-run homer to give the team a 4-0 lead. Jack Pohlmier added a solo homer run in the sixth innine. l8 HordbollMogozine The Cubs, managed by Dan Spoleti, got their run in the third inning on a single by Mark Guerrero and an RBIhit from Mike Niedzella. The toumament took seven weeks to fully complete. It began over the Labor Day holiday, but foul weather made the championship game impossible to play. More bad weather, and intervening scheduling conflicts between the two teams, filled the calendar until the final could be held October 21. FinolStondings DuPoge Angels........ Chicogo Cubs........... [hicogo [ire............ Sluggers.... St.Louis Wt ............3 0 ............2 I 2 ............1 ............0 3 Chompionship Gome Cubs I DuPoge Angels /, Chicogo Shootout" TOURNAMINT' "Chicooo pushed gome thisyeor to0ctober 2l DAIES: August 31- Sept. 4,2006; bodweother thechompionship MSBL HOST LEAGUE: Chicogo Centrol Suburbon WEBSIIE: www.chishootout.com Triton Benedictine [ollegq Howkinson Field, Midlothion Minos, Univenity ofChicogo, LOTATION/FIELDS: / Howe College - Auroro Tioer Field ployen perteom over I 5willbe525 COST: uptoI 5ployen. The feeperodditionol S750 gomes guoronteed. FORMAI: Ihree teom AWARDS: Allporticlponts receive ofreetournoment l*hirtondeoch member ofthewinning receive willolso ochompionship hot. OIHER, teom discount ifentire feereceived byJuly 7th. S50 (630) CONTAO: lock Pohlmeier 240-419/ JPMR2/@ool.com or Holidoy 2006 Republic andSonsTravelto Dominican LonglslandMSBIMembers l' l-ikc nranl MSBL players, when they're not pla)ing \l\lll- b.r.eball.Rich Majka, NickFanti and GreggSana of ::.: l-,,ns Lland MSBL coachtheir sonsin Little Leagueand :::r si ball. ln Fcbruary 2006, the three fathers took part in a unique -r(,..-cultural experience:they accompaniedtheir sons' rrar.'l ball club to the Dominican Republic for a week of baseballand goodwill. \!'hen the competition ended and before retuming home to the U.S, the Long Island boys gave away hats, gloves, baseballs,anything else they had to their new Dominrcan triends. The boys realized that their opponentsneededthese things more then they did. For more photos and the complete account of their adventure,go online at www.hardball.net and click on "Articles." [If you and your son are interestedin participating in this group's 2007 Dominican trip, or helping to create an MSBl-sponsored Dominican team, contact Rich Majka at 631-851-57071. youlooked RichMajka hasmanaged theBrookhaven Knights MSBL "Everywhere oftheLonglsland ontholfieldthereweresmiles kids'foces. Boseboll the ofioyonthose bridged for 19seasons. NickFantijoinedMajka's Knights in 1991 . GreggSana gops ofnotionolity, longuoge ondoge," Nicholos Moiko soidRich Moiko. Above, Greg Sono, Fonti ondRich cameonboard in 1993.TheKnights havewonseveral Longlsland MSBL pose withtheirsons Jeffrey 5orro,Nirholos FontiondGorrett Moiko ondteommotes withlheSonPedro years. titles overthe RichandNlckwere members World ofthe1998 Series gome photos posted teom ofter the first of the lournoment. More ore ot hordboll.net. played 30+Central Division champion Longlsland Yankees. Gregg Sarra a keyrolewiththeLonglslandStorm's 1999FallClassic MABLNational Division chamoionshio team. Holidoy 2006 HordbollMooozine l9 I 2006LateFall Regionals s p V Y! v division by allowing just six runs in three games. The two-day tournament opened on September 30, but foul weather pushed the finals back an entire week to October8. I Chesapeake Braves CaptureRain-soaked Columbus DayRegional Chesopeoke Broves 7, Chesopeoke Morlins 4 GlenBurnie,MD, Oct.7-9,2006-Dave Cross scatterednine hits and four runs in a complete game effort as the Chesapeake Braves defeatedthe Chesapeake Marlins 7-4 to claim the rain-soaked 28+ Division title at the ChesapeakeMSBL Columbus Day Regional Tournament.It was the Braves' second championship. Jeff Pate and Earl Williams paced the TheMontgomery(ountyYonkeesemergedoschompionsotthe2006Delowore(ounty38+ BosebollTournomenl. B r a v e ' s o f f e n s e w i t h t h r e e h i t s a p i e c e . Williams doubledin two runsin thefirst inning, DelawareCounty38+ Baseball Tournament (PA)Yankees beat the Del Val Chiefs 6-3 to claim the 38-division title at the 2006 38+ DelawareCounty Tournament. The win was Callagher's second of the tournament. He had allowedjust threehits in a (ountyYonkees Monlgomery 6, 2-0 round robin win over the Delco Angels a DelVolChiefs 3 week earlier. Ted Geigus had two hits and two RBI in the elaware County, PA, Sept. 30 and title game.His sixth-inningsinglescoredTom Oct. 8, 2006-Tom Gallagher Koelzer with what proved to be the winning allowedfive hits and struckout I I as run. Singlesby Bruce Levine, John Clark and the Montgomery County Koelzer contributedto the decisive.three-run sixth. Gabe Mastrangelo pitched well, but took the loss for Del Val. The Yankees opened the scoring in the bottom of the second when Gary Kleinschmidt singled,stolesecond,andscored on Frank O'Brien's RBI single. Steve Alemy scored the tying run for the Chiefs in the top of the fifth. Down 4- I in the seventh,Alemy led off with his third walk of the game. Neil Hourahan and Souft(onlerente w1 John Evans each singled to load the bases. Del Vol ihiefs....................................................2 Mastrangelo added an RBI single, and Angel Ihe$er County C0br0s........................................2 Rivera hit a sacrificefly to make the score4-3. Pitmon S0x.......................................................2 The Yankees advancedto the title game by R[F Pir01es.......................................................0 winning the tournament'sNorth Division with a 3-0 round-robin record. Chompionship Gume Del Val. meanwhile. advanced to the final Montgomery [ounty Yonkees 6,DelVolthiefs 3 by winning a three-way tiebreaker in their 28+ Division Division I W I PTS Roleigh 0ri01es ......................................1 0 2 Boltimore R0n9en..................................1 0 2 (NY) Rome Bomben-.............................1 0 2 Morylond M0n0rchs................................1 0 2 Division 2 W T T PIS Chesopeoke Morlins ...............................2 00 4 N.Yumo Yonkees......... .,1 l 0 2 Southern Morylond AllSt0n....................1 l0 2 Chesopeoke Pirotes ................................0 20 0 Division3 W t I PIs Ihes0pe0ke8r0ves............................... 0 I 3 [0n91s10ndSen0t0rs........................... 0 I 3 Menick(NY)St0rfish............................. I 0 2 Nework(Del.)Phi11ies.......................... 2 0 0 *Allowed fewe$ runs Semifinols Chesopeoke Morlins def.Long lslond Senoton I 2-4 (NY) Chesopeoke Broves def.Rome Bombers I l -3 TOURNAMENT:2006Delowore (PA) tounty MSBL Regionol Boseboll Tournoment www.scorebook.com DAIES: September 29-30, 2006 (A$on, HOST: Delco Angels Pennsylvonio) IOSI: teom 5475 oer LOCAIION County, Pennsylvonio ondNewscostle, / FIELDS,Delowore Delowore DIVISIONS, 28+38+ond 48+metol bot C0SI: 5750perteom FORMAT: 35+ond 45+,metol bot(-3differentiol), guorontee round robin, 3gome ADDITIONAI INFO: Allporticiponts must beregistered with MSBINotionol; roin dotes: Oct 6ond/ 2O HordbollMooozine 28+ Chompionship Gome Chesopeoke Broves def.Chesopeoke Morlins /-4 38+ Division Concelled duetoroin Holidoy 2006 MSBL Regionol Boseboll Tournoment TOURNAMENT:2006thesopeoke ivw chesopeokemsbl.com WEBSITE. 0ctober / 9,2006 DATES: Chesopeoke MSBL, HOSI: Metropoliton Areo LOIATION Morylond / FIELDS'Boltimore-Annopolis, yeor) outthis DIVISIONS: 2B+(38+roined Alex Brunet 4l0-923-0.l B0frozenropesmd@verizon.nef CONTACT: while teammateGary Gubbings stroked a two-run single in the secondto key a four-run Bravesrally. Todd Baker, the winning pitcher in the Marlins' 12-4 semifinalwin over the Long Island Senators, took the loss for the Marlins. Battery-mate Daryll Morehardt had threehits and knockedin half his team'sruns. (olumbus Broves the2006 MSBL DoyTournoment Chesopeoke were Chesopeoke The Braves advancedto the finals with a I l-3 win over the Rome (NY) Chompions. Bombers. Larry Mulloy earnedthe win. RoinForces 38+ Concellotion On Sunday,after nearly two full days of rain, tournamentdirector Alex Brunet and ChesapeakeMSBL presidentDuane Cordrey were reluctantly forcedto cancelthe smaller,seven-team38 + division becausetoo many fields were washedout. "Mother Naturedid not want to cooperate,"said Cordrey. Only a Herculeanfield maintenanceeffort by Brunet,Cordrey and Braves manager Wes Adams enabled the remaining 28-and-overdivision to be playedat all. The trio beganraking,shovelingand pushingwater off the field at Sawmill Park at 6 a.m. Sundaymorning.Over sevenhoursand 500 pounds of Turfacelater,the first pitch of the dramaticallyreformattedtournamentwas thrown. "For the Inost part, many of the teams and managersunderstoodthe obstaclesthat we had to face and overcomejustto get the 28+ division games played," Cordrey said.I 2006CapitalCityClassic by Jeff Walker (hesopeoke (right)presenh president MSBL Duone hophy Cordrey chompionship (o-monogers loBroves l{esAdoms ondGory Gubbings. BELOW, Chesopeoke Morlins monoger TodTrios(left)receives runner-up lrophy fromDuone Cordrey. Ocktbar6-8,2006,Coluntbus, Ohio-Perfect weather,immaculatefields and superbcompetitionmarkedthe 2006 runningof the CapitalCity Classic.Five new teamsjoined the fray this year,includingthe Cardinalsand Marinersfrom the Long IslandNY MSBL, the New GenerationCrawibrdsand PA American Water teamsfrom WesternPennsvlvania,and the GreatLakes Red Sox team fiom Michigan. 28+ Division (hicogoBrooklyn Royols 12,Clevelond Sfeve's Sporls 5 The Chicago Brooklyn Royals savedtheir bestof'fbnsiveperfbrmanceof the tournamentfor last as they defeatedCleveland Steve's Sports l2-5 to claim the 28 Division title at the 2006 Capital City Classic. Noah Valentino and Robert Hutchins earned a win and a save respectivelyas they held a formidableClevelandSteve'ssquadto eight hits. The Royals, meanwhile, amassed20 hits. Leadoff hitter Chris Yates singled twice and scored twice, while Edward Dytarious and Maurice Dorsey, the secondand third hitters, had three hits apiece.Dorsey had three RBI. Extra hitter Charlie King hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to ice the victory. Steve's scored five times in the fifth-inning-four of those runs coming on RIGHT,ChirogoBrooklyn Royols hitterChorlie Kingis g r e e t eodf t e rh i s2 - r u n , runinthe ninth-inning home 2B* Copitol CityClossic's gome. Division rhompionship Holiday 2006 HordbollMooozine 2l I tournament'sCl Young au ard.Valentino,who tosseda 7-inning.three-hitshutoutin pool play, then threw the tlrst fir'e innings of the final game,was a Cy Young candidateas well. This was the third straight year the ClevelandSteve'sSportsteam has finished in the runners-up position. In 2004 their defeat was also at the handsof the ChicagoBrooklyn Royals. D F",*,* - --I: *t gr0nd 5thinning MikeDoerbecker's sl0mwosn't enough forClevelond Steve's in the28+ finolotthe (opitol City Closic in0hio. shortstop Mike Doerbecker's grand slam to left-center field. Doerbecker finished with four hits, including a double, in four trips, and four RBI. The Royals finished pool play 2-1, and then squeezedout a 4-3 quarterfinal win over the Columbus Pirates. From there they advanced to play the Ohio Indians who, with their perfect 3-0 record, earned a first-round playoff pass. The Royals defeatedthe Indians 7-5. Cleveland Steve's were the top seed in the 12-teampool as they finishedwith a 3-0 record and the fewest runs allowed. They shut down the Long Island Mariners 9-0 to advance to the title game. Royals standout and tournament MVP Xavier Burns had nine hits in 22 at-bats-including a grand slam and six RBI-and scored five times. He received a wood bat with "2006 Capital City Classic MVP" engraved on barrel. Cleveland's Yon German, who was 2-0 with three eamedruns in 18.2 tournament innings, hauled in the 38+ Division Sporls 3,Detroil Gionts 0 Clevelqnd Sfeve's Rick Siebert allowed two hits while striking out 14 and walking one as Cleveland Steve's Sports defeated the Detroit Giants 3-0 to claim the 38 Division title. ClevelandSteve'sowner Steve Baraonats sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third inning scoredRoger Freiberg with the first run of the game. Second baseman Jay Topp and left fielder Brett Mitchell had two hits apiece to lead all Clevelandhitters. ClevelandSteve'sfinishedpool play with a 2-l record. The Washington PA. Diamondbacks topped all teams, going a perfect 3-0. The Giants knocked off the Diamondbacks 4-2 in the semifinals to proceed to the championship.Cleveland Steve's dispatched the Ann Arbor A's l3-3 to advance. Sieberthauled in tournamentMVP honors. In addition to tuming in a dominant pitching performancein the title game,Sieberthad5 hits in 17 trips to the plate including a homer, two doublesand five RBI. Giants pitcher Willie Boyd earned Cy Young honors.He had a victory and tossed12 innings. 28+ Division Wt 0 0hio 1ndi0ns........................................ I Long lslond M0rinen................................... Woter....... 2 Pennsylvonio Americon 3 Michigon All-St0n..................................... Wt Cenlrol 0 0evelond Stevet Sp0ris.................................... Indi0n0p01isExp0s............................. I 2 Greot10kesRedS0x............................ [olumbus Broves..... ............0 3 Americon wl. Nolionol Chicogo Brooklyn R0y01s.................... ................2 Pir0tes...................................... Columbus New Generotion [r0M0rds................ ..................2 [ong lslond [0rdin01s................................. 28+ Chompionship Gome I 2,Clevelond Chicogo Brooklyn Royols Stevet Sports 5 38+ Division wt Woshington PADiomondborks ...........................3 0 Clevelond Sp0rts................................. l Stevet Ann Arbor A's........................................... 2 2 Detroit Gionts.............. 2 NIMSBL Morinen........, 38+ Chompionship Gome Gionts Clevelond Steve's Soorts 3.Detroit 0 Very specialthanksgo to CMSBL president Jirn Durham and tournament director Rick Fryman from the Columbus Pirates. E LEFT: 28+ Chomps, theChicogo Brooklyn Royols. (levelond Rick in BEL0lV, Sfeve's Sports' Siebertturned performon(e in histeom's o dominoting, l4+trikeout gome victory otthe0hioregionol. 38+ rhompionship Hewos voted the38+tournomenl MVP. NAME/ HOSI CITY/YEAR wos1lthonnuol) SIARIED: Copihl City tlosic(2006 0hio/ I 996 / Columbus, TOURNAMENI WEBSITE: www.columbusmsbl.com/custom sertlice.htm NEXI YIAR SDATES: Columbus Doy Weekend guorontee AGES/ FORMAT 28ond38/ round robin, 3gome bot / IYPE: / metol guorontee FORMAT: Round robin, 3gome per COSI: teom 5550 SPECIAL ROOM RATE: otHolidoy InnWorthington 5/9pernight - food ployoffs SPECIAI EVENTS: Copitol titytlosicPorty onddrinks, MLB onbigscreen CONTAO PHONE / IMAI[: Rick Frymon orJeffWolker ot419-592 1000 rodish@tcmkt.com emoil 22 HordbollMooozine 2006 Holidoy Bemembering,.il lhleiMahoe ;'. (;r( (g Surru,Inng Island MSBL icture this: three men suspended approximately 1,200 feet above Florida's Intercoastal Waterway while parasailing in Clearwater Beach. The high winds that blow acrossthe state's west coast are howling and refuse to allow the boat's captain to reel the men to safety.Suddenly,in an instant,fear grips them and those below on the boat, as their towline snaps and the winds carry the trio towards a 21-story condominium and high-rise hotels. Only God knows their destiny. This was the scenethe night before we were to play in the MABL Fall Classic 1S-and-over togcther in the MABL Fall Classic and the championship in November of 1999. We MABL World Seriesfor the next five years, thought our teammates Kalei Mahoe, Darren winning a f'ewnationalchampionshipswith the Villa and Mike Knobloch were going to die. Long lsland Storm and the Long Island Black They flew away from our boat, over the Sox. We wrestledin hotel rooms, arguedover buildings and out of sight toward the Gulf of who had a higher average,who had bigger Mexico. fbrearms,hit longer home runs, just about With unyielding determinationand faith in everythingthat little boys do. It was always a God, the powerfully built 5-foor9, 205-pound short break from reality and all the Mahoe, positioned at the bottom of the responsibilitiesthat come with having a family three-man harness,pumped the lines of the and a job. We all know how much life tries to parasail repeatedly.At speedsestimated by get in the way of having fun. CoastGuardofficialsof up to 25 miles per hour, His death has been a devastatingblow. He the men made it over the top of the buildings, knew his time was short, as his once chiseled andinto theGulf. Oncethey clearedthe condos, frame deteriorated at an alarming pace. the wind abated,and they spiraleddown toward Stomachcancerdoesthat-it's evil. the earth, landing in about five feet of water. This summer, Kalei flew across the Mahoe's strengthin his legsfrom yearsas countryandvisitedmy family in New York. I a power lifter-and his will to live-saved the met his son Ko and we went to meet his lives of Villa and Knobloch.Villa was knocked favoriteteam-the New York Yankees.They unconsciousin the water and draggedto the sat in the dugout and hung out with Derek beachby Mahoe.All threemen survived. Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Joe Torre, Mariano "He savedmy life," saidVilla. "He was so Rivera, and his hero, Don Mattingly. It was strong up there and he kept telling us that we awesome.He was so happy. were going to live. We cheateddeath." Kalei left an indelible mark on so many peopleall over the country.My four kids got A Passion lorFriends andtamily Kalei Mahoe was a lot of things.To somehe to know him for a short while-and he made was a hero. To others, he was a wonderful suchan impact. The tearsstill flow, and they will for a long friend, a loving father, a great teammate,a true competitor and a real down-to-earth guy. He time. His memory will live forever. It is comforting to know that Kalei is in a better had such passion for friends and family. Mahoe was a symbol of what the Men's place. His suffering has ended and he's Senior Baseball League is all about. Whether looking over all ofus. And ifthere's a teamin he was your opponentor your teammate,he was heaven,he's batting leadoff and making a always a friend. He respectedand appreciated difference. Rest in peacemy brother. the game of baseball.He was the guy with the real Hawaiian punch who had a deep belief in God. And he loved to bust chopsand laugh. I first met Kalei when he was with the Seattle Studs at the Grand Forks International Tournamentin British Columbiain 1997.I was playing for the Long Island Storm. We met again as opponentsat the Nike World Masters Gamesin Eugene,Oregonin 1998.We played Holidoy 2006 RIGHT: ASl.Petersburg Times urtidererounted the p0r0s0iling trio's horrowing oaidenl in1999. FollClosir(l-r):outhor AB0VE, Atthe1999MSBL Villoonthefield Gregg Sono, Kolei Mohoe ondDorrin gome ofterwinning chompionship 0ndK0lei, ffossing homeploteofterhittingo homerun,isgreeted by teommotes Roy Kontorinis. Photos Grube ondAndy by Norm Hogood/Visuol Touch Photogrophy. 'l thought wewele goingto die' I Desoiteafttal mrasailinccrashin 1900 ina the tee flight oftlree menSrrndaY,lndusfY rulesarefew.ThatmaY change, BySE WffiAroT -,_-._!b!-g!tu CLEARWATER- Ddin ViL las thourhE sbout dle bautitul tu lj00 fet above Clewater dislkd in Emr when he heard the |@sail's tow line gmp Fluns mund bv wind Susts he and noJriends damledlrelPlestY in hamses athch€il lo ihe ru_ over lhe hbadshl amy ffisil wrtetrav. The s8on8 casterly wildIiled dte pMsil @d MPt it aw from th€ towb@t and bwd SaodKry. "1'm lelliru You. we Ere x]: ins." sid Wla.30. "We weft h@6 in;risht for a building l\'e seE o-id-io hit the side of il al about 6e igth fl@r.At dr h* mhute a brg Cu$ of whd frftd the P8nsil. The thffi rm Dulledthem*lve uPod lhdr hmiss. Theyclcardl the 6T of Lluo the z{}sry cGenl bM bv aboul 15 fst ild drcrd inlo die Gulf of Mqico nw the ltrclr' bot *lto MY* for the t@il wr killid. The me tliry 3Fently hamned with Vlla md hls friends h the nioe Ys she MYeB died, orjthing hss been dote io renlaE lhe FEsIlnS Ddusy b nr;ent sch dc'idents. Thft F or l@l regub ito fede.al, ffi lio6 goming paGsilng GafetY i$16 Bin M6i$ Chantle/s htbomadai toel wtlh Ddrcil opersftly atoB lart wk to diss dd Fsible city ESuhdon& lle lhe skl the busires rue6d meung. '"!lle disu$cd crettng our guideilnes," sid. MorrtF ovo 'Tfe'e&ll ln rcMtlhitffi 6iaq drorld E dore. Ttds st af Notfu the trrduetry lg untgdd, els, ing hs beenet up$yf,hft 9remuHEmgupMds piq Fogm." He has @n$lrd itd( McCu! loh, wlm w ltr dE p!8ffn8 ed hs e busin$ tor 28 re Ssfely tablished the Pmsiling cmcil in s etrort to ad&s Mcculloh testifedG stdviw witres h fhe hEd m q*rt fled ty Ilvem fimily, ntich e $tted h I S,4.4millionjudgseilt snpdF lor egrin* the bMce drcffiiliubusi@ Vdla ud his fiadr pid $S) Ctty it *re Ck@ eitr io PsEsil HordBoll Mooozine 23 - Repofi President's 2olh Anniversanr: Baseball insteadbl sollbatl? It seemedlike a good tdea 20 years ago. and it still seemslike a good idea. Steve Sigler The Men's Senior Baseball League is ondFounder, embarking on its 20th official year of President MSBL/MABL Notionol providing adults an opportunity to return to the game they love-hardball. Special plans to mark the occasion are on the drawing board, accordingto MSBL Presidentand founderSteveSigler. "Twenty yearsis much more thansymbolism,"saidSigler."It means that what we have createdas a national organizationhas persevered. The MSBL has gone from four teams at its genesis on Long Island to over 40,000 players nationwide. "We have six nationaltoumamentsand over 30 regional tournamentsheld across the country. These tournaments are regarded as the best amateur baseballtoumamentsanywhere." he said. "We have a premier masazine that chronicles all things MSBL, travel discounts, and promotional materials and e x p e r t i s e f o r n e w a n d e x i s t i n g l e a g u e s ,a s p o r t s s t o r e (www.msblsportstore.com) and insurance,"Sigler said. "It's beena real cumulativeeffort and it bodeswell for the future of the league,"he added. (Editor's note: Stay tunedfor the entire story of the How the MSBL formed in an upcoming issue of Hardball Magaz.ine.) The President Hils lhe Road Pennsylvania,Illinois, andNorthernCaliforniaareprobablestopsas PresidentandMSBL NationalFounderSteveSiglerhits the roadto talk with MSBL leaguesacrossthe country While the specific meeting calendarhas not yet beenfinalized, more information on those and other meetings will be forthcoming from nationalheadouarters in New York. (shown 2006 MSBL PresidentSteve obove otTempe Dioblo Stodium during Sigler t ? irrosfate Cani:er li*Lrndation Foundolions Prosfote Concer (lormeily CoPCURE) 2006os ol9l23l05 DONAIfONS NAMEOFLEAGUVPERSON YATI DAIIRECD AMOUNI LEAGUEPRESIDENT MikeJuliono Ml tl3/06 DEtrOit MSBL 5300 Mike Jennings iA tl3l06 [entrol [oo$MSBL 5150 Woyne Munney iA v13106 Antelope Volley MABL $650 Sleve Rosenburg MSBI,/MABL GA t/l4106 Atlonlo 5100 Fred Shelton MSBL GA l114106 Atlonto Greoter 5100 Erett Mondel PA 2/t/06 Greoter Philodelphio MABt 5l50 Steve Sigler Long lslond MSBYMABT NY 2lt5l06 513,400 Doniel J.totolini MABI cA 3/2106 Sonto Borboro 5100 Durhom Jomes 5250 iolumbus MSBL 0H 312/06 [hrisDunn Mocon MABL GA 3t2/06 sl25 JimBionco sr00 MSBL NY 3t2t06 We$che$erlPutnom Rich Gorcio NM 3/3/06 Albuquerque MABL 5150 Poul Juotez MSBL rA 3t6t06 Boy Areo 5200 Dovid Ruegge tosVegos MABVMSBL NV 345t06 5200 Gory Gomez Hikhcock MSBL Ar 3\st06 Billy srs0 Brodley Skip MABVMSBL TX 345106 5onAntonio s200 Rick [onlor MSBL iA 3/t5/06 Redwood Empire 5200 Kevin Fitzmourice Sovonnoh MABL GA 3/t5/06 Sl50 MottVorney \/vl 346106 Southern Wisconsin MSBL sl50 PotLown to$ern PA MSBL PA 346106 sr00 DeBenedictis TriStote MSBL DE 3122106 5200 John JimLorfz mento r\{SB l,/MABL tA 3128106 5t00 Socro Brion Schueller Midlowo MSBL/MABL tA 3128106 54s0 Diodoti Michoel MSBL PA 3/28/06 8ux-Mont 5200 Tony Ponosuk c0 4/4106 Denver MSBL s235 Jerry Grubbs St.Louis MSBL M0 4112106 sr50 Bobby Suggs Ni 4lt3l06 MSBI 0moho $ls0 Bill[urzie We$ Jeney MSBL NJ 4/22/06 5t50 IimHotf Long lslond MidweekMSBINY 5118106 5500 Ken Logowski Wilmington Delowore l\4SBL DE 5118106 st00 Mike Protheroe MSBt cA 5lt8/06 TriVolley 5l00 Dennis Fronk KY 5lt8/06 Louisville MSBL sr50 KipDelzell Port thorlotte MSBL FL s/3r/06 srs0 Boudreoux Arkonsos MSBVMABL AR 6/t/06 NW 5200 Stephen MikSpitek Dovis MSBt rA 6l1tl06 Woodlond s300 Jock Provo$ MSBL iA 6123/06 s580 Los Angeles Mike Wogner w 7lt5/06 Vermont North MSBL sl50 Brucken Donen Tene Houte MSBL tN 7127106 5l,ooo Curtis Bocco Volley MABi tD 812106 Sun sl00 BillAnenoult MSBL Mr 8/|106 ientrol Moine $l00 Duone [ordrey Chesopeoke MSBL MD 8/15106 5l50 Mike Steinhouser Southern Morylond MSBL MD 845106 5150 Donovon 0wen Syroruse MSBL NY 943/06 5150 Koyeo Som Dollos MSBVMABL TX t0/11106 56oo Doug Johnson Son Diego North cA 10120106 5l00 Wolly Hurd Notionol MSBL rT t0/26/06 Connedirut 5l25 Edwords Woyne Indio nopolisMS Bl,/MAB L tL 1l/27/06 56so fotofosof ll l2f 106 s23.9r 5 (PtF) concer. The Pro$ote Concer Foundotion isdediroted tofinding ocure forpro$ote poyoble checks to"Prostote Concer Individuols, teoms orleogues wishing lodonote conmoke NY Suite 3N0/,Melvillq Foundotion" ondmoilthem toMSBI" One Huntington Quodronglq You willreceive from P[F. I I 747. oletter ofocknowledoment WorldSeries) mokes o pointoftrovelingtomeetwithlocolleogues duringtheyeor 24 HordBollMooozine Holidoy 2006 ; i Thesebaseballtown meetingsare a greatopportunity for many leagueleadersto meetthe presidentand discuss important leagueissues."It's important to me that these peoplegetto know me asa personandnot asa figurehead," Sigler said. The meetings offer league leaders a chance to probe answers to questionsabout rules, eligibility, league administration, recruitment and retention of players and other suchimportantmatters,Sigler said."With nineteen years of experienceat this, I'm a pretty good sounding board," Sigler said, adding that those in attendancealso benefitfrom hearingeachother'sexperiences."Problems may seemuniqueuntil you sit in a room full of peoplewho havehad to deal with the sameproblems.Then you don't feel so alone,"he said. Finally, Sigler said, networking is a good thing. "Friendshipsand relationshipsdevelopat thesemeetings that wouldn't have other-wisedeveloped.People leave these meetings feeling invigorated and connected,and that's alwayshealthy.I encourageleagueleadersto attend thesemeetings." New Age Guidelines The MSBL is going to "the fives." Startingthis year,all MSBL nationaltournamentswill divide their tournamentsinto 25,35 and 45-and-upage groups.Only the MABL age-18-and-over-will remain unchanged. Leaguesare not requiredto follow suit, accordingto MSBL NationalCoordinatorBrian Sigler."We leaveit up to them. They can do whateverfits best," he added. The purposeof the age changeis to revitalizeleagues. "If you make that 25-year-oldguy wait too long, he might startto lose interest,"Brian Sigler said."But if we can get those 25-year-oldguys who are still into playing, then we'll be able to keep them playing," he added. Fall GlassicNews The MABL and the wood divisions at the annualFall Classic in Florida could move from a four-game to a five-game schedulein 2007, according to Fall Classic Tournament Director and MSBL Vice PresidentGarv D'Ambrisi. D'Ambrisi unofficially polled managers of those divisionsprior to the startof the 2006Fall Classic.Most in attendanceseemedin favor of the change. The 2006 Fall Classicwood bat divisions(over 38 and over 45 divisions)playedfrom November2-5.The MABL teams played November 3-6. Adding a game to each division would likely add a day to each division, D'Ambrisi said. Managers interested in playing in the wood bat and MABL divisions ar rhe 2007 Fall Classic are welcome to weigh in on the matter by emailing their preference to info @msblnational.com. Note: Pleaseinclude "Fall ClassicProposedSchedule Change" in the subject line of your email. 2007 Nqtionql Tournqmenl Cqlendqr Ioutnomenf Holidoy Clossic Disney Holidoy ol Closic Oiu*- Doles Jonuory 12-l5 AgeGroups l8+/25+metolbot 35+/45+wood bot 0rlondo, Florido in Oilmd( l3 - 15 Desert Clossic Jonuory i B + , 2 5 + ,3 5 + 45+,55+ plus Polm Springs, Colifornio Golf Tournoment onhidoy, Jonuory l2 I Kickoff Closic W e e k l - M o r c h l 0 - 1 2Week LosVegos, Nevodo Week2-MorchlT-19lB+/35+/55+ (wood bot) Week2 25+/45+ Doy Weekend lB+/25+/35+/45 Los Vegos 0pen Memoriol +/55+ Moy 26- 28 Los Vegos, Nevodo (35+45+55+ wood bo1 l B + , 2 5 +m e t o l o n d w o o d botdivisions) l4 - Nov.3 l 8 + , 2 5 + ,3 5 + , 200/World Series 0ctober Phoenix, Arizono 2007 I - l0 200/FollClosicNovember St.Petenburg, Florido 2007 4 5 + ,5 0 + ,5 5 + , 60+,65+,Fother/Son lB+,25+,35+, 45+,52+,Fother/Son (ontodInformqfion MSBL Nofionol 0ffice Phone: 631-753-6725 Emqil: info@msblnolionol.com wv'rw. msbInotionol.com Holidoy 2006 HordBoll Mogozine 25 I @p g(rn,vglrll * Petelhorne Alhens MSBL * PhilProx Foirbonks mABt * TedNunn louisville fnSB[ * JonMoples BoyAreoII|ISBI * 26 HordBollMoqozine rl'lhCI RoIl HonCI$ Acknowledging lheConftibulions ol locolleogue0fficiols PeteThorne, Athens AreoMen'sBosebqll Leugue When Pete Thome assumedleadershipof the Athens Area Men's BaseballLeague (AAMBL) halt\'ay through 1998, there were six teams and parity was an afterthought. "Teams were unbalancedand nobody was having a good time," he said. Things were okay, but Thorne felt they could be whole lot better.Tums out he was right. Under Thorne's administration,AAMBL has grown to 14 teams:eisht MABL and six 28-and-over.The wood bat leagueplaysgamesunderlightsnearly everyday of the week.Playershavetheir at-batsannouncedover a public addresssystem. Word of the league has spread via word-of-mouth and via coverageby the local and college newspapers.One local sports writer evenplaysin the league.The leaguehasa modestadvertising budget,and has beenfeaturedon local sportstalk radio. Occasionalcoverageby the college newspaperhelped attract morecollegiate-aged players-a groupthatexistedin slim numbers prior to 1998. This overall polishedappearancereplete with media coverage "legitimizesus. It's easierto get sponsorship,"Thorne said. UnderThorne,the leaguehasbeenproactive.When the City of Athensdecidedit could no longerafford to maintainLay Field asa baseballdiamond,andplannedinsteadto convertit to a full+ime socceruse, Thorne and the AAMBL steppedin and legally adoptedthe field through the city's "Keep Athens Beautiful" program. A sign at the field proclaims that relationshipmuch like "Adopt a highway" signsfrequentlyseenon roadways."It's a great working relationshipand we've garneredwonderful public relationsand respectfrom city officials," Thorne said. Still, Thorne and assistantGene Harris do about ninety percentof the field maintenance duties,Thorne said."lt getstiresomeas you can imagine," he said."Gene is my right-hand man," said an appreciativeThorne. Maintainingleaguestabilityand leagueparity arechief concernsfor Thorne."I don't want any teamsthat nevergot beat," he said. Next Memorial Day, the leaguewill host its first toumament,the ClassicCity Shootout Memorial Day Tournamentto be held May 27-29.The cost will be $650 per team. T h o r n e c o a c h e s t h e M A B L D e s p e r a d o s ,a n d p l a y s f o r t h e 2 8 + d i v i s i o n Diamondbacks-both the teamsto beatin their respectivedivisionsin 2006.He alsomanages the Athens Selecttournamentteam. Thorne owns and operatesModern Age and the Smoker's Den Cigar Shops in Athens. He has beenmarried to his wife Tonya for twelve years and has a seven-vear-olddaughternamed Emily Rose. PhilProx, Foirbqnls AdultAmoieur Bosebull leogue Phil Prax is doing his part to keep the MSBL alive and well in the 49th state. Prax,52, a mechanic on the Trans-Alaska pipeline, presidesover the four-team, Fairbanks Amateur Baseball League-an MABL leagueand the national MSBL's most northern outpost. His job descriptionis a well-worn pipeline mechanic'sclich6: "I'm just trying to keep things flowing." In a place where the nearestworthwhile baseballcompetition is 360 miles away in Anchorage,keeping things "flowing" is a reasonablytall order. "It takes a lot of time," said the former airline mechanic and Fairbanks resident. Baseball itself is big in Alaska, said Prax. The amateur Alaska Goldpannersare a legendaryteam through which 187major leaguers have so far passed.That group includes Barry Bonds, Tom Seaver, Dave Winfield, Graig Nettles, Bill Lee, Jason Giambi, and Harold Reynolds. Prax is a volunteer member of the Goldpanners' board of directors, and often hosts players rosteredwith the team. Holidoy 2006 If you're not a Bondsor Seaverty pe. but still lo\ e ba:c'ball.\'ou no\r' have a place to plal'thanks to Mr. Prax. Giren the recreational Finding lic'lds.par ing umpires.and keepingthe leagueclock wound alternativesin Alaska,includingfishin-e.hunting.and softball.Praxsays his greatestchallengeis simply "making surethat1ou alu ayshaveteams is all in a dar': sork tbr most commissioners,but Jon Maples, Commissioner of the Bal Area MSBL, had one more big job in and umpires." Prax is a positive force in Alaska's amateur baseball world. He 2006----coping'* ith the moods of Mother Nature. The San Francisco Bay Area experienced one of its rainiest years spearheadedthe league's efforts to donate $9,000 toward field renovationsat a local high school, and hopesto kick start an effort to add ever, Maples said. "lt really causedmassivehavoc to our schedule. Fields were closed and when they opened they were overused. It was a couple of new fields to the area. A regional baseballtournamentin Alaska? It could happen,saidPrax. really a challenging year," he said. "It was a lot more phone time, and a lot more worry time." But, he said, "it's a major undertaking to bring a team to Alaska." For thesereasonsand more, Maples, who turns 42 this January, has Prax grew up in Fairfax, Minn., and moved to Alaska with his parents in 1969.He playedLittle Leaguebaseballuntil the ageof 13,thendidn't earnedhis placeon the MSBL's honor roll. The Chicago native and eight-year league player took over as play againuntil joining the MSBL at age34. When he's not working on pipelines or playing baseball,Prax might commissionerin 2005 after serving on the league'sseven-memberboard be found piloting aircraft for CubCrafters of Yakima, Washington or for three prior years. "Our league is going through a drastic transition," he said. The Bay Area is one of the most expensiveplacesto live and it's flying around in Alaska. put recreationalsportsinto difficult situationswhere they arefighting for resourceslike umpires and fields. I felt like I could add some leadership to this. It was an opportunity to add structure." Some campaign for league president. Some earn the title out of "We've been priced out of a lot of places," Maples said. Municipal respect for their longevity and wisdom. Some create their own leagues fields can cost about $250 per day, and good college fields can creep up and are leadersby default. toward $ I,000 per day. Umps cost up to asmuch as$85 per game. "What Ted Nunn went on a beer run. we've had to do is pick our spots, and try to negotiate. Nunn said he was meeting with a group of team managersfrom the On Maples' watch, the Bay Area MSBL dropped its age limits from Louisville MSBL's 28+ division."I went out to set somebeer.andwhen 28 and 38 to 25 and 35 in 2006. As a result, the quality ofthe league, I cameback I was leaguepresident,"he said. especially the younger division, improved noticeably, Maples said. With the blessing of wife Stephanie,and Maples hopes to add a 45+ division soon. "I definitely think that the his children Kyle, 7, and Tedi, 5, he accepted interest is there," he said. the role and has been capably running the Maples grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, near Chicago. He joined the leaguefor nearly three years. MSBL in 1998and still plays with the SanFranciscoCubs-his original Louisville, home to the world's most team.His baseballidol is JackieRobinson."He was a greatplayer, but he famous baseball bat maker, is a baseball transcendedbaseball,"Maples said. town. Ironically,the Louisville MSBL 28 and 38 leagues are not wood bat leagues, according to Nunn. Managers there "thought it would cost too much money (to go to wood.)," he said. Each year the idea of switching to wood gains a little more support,Nunn said,adding, "l'd love it to so wood." Any MSBL-sanctioned Nunn, a logisticsanalystfor Ann Taylor for the past l0 years,keeps regional tournament (i.e., those his love for baseballin the properperspective."Just being able to still approved by MSBL National and llSll i.glonrl Tohamlrt plal baseballat the age of 44 and being able to coach my kids is the Dlractora listed in the Regional Calendar) is Press Kit thing aboutthe MSBL," Nunn said. ,createst entitled to get its report in HardBall udFdb9dpq|d oFh hdll lttd. Nunn. whose favorite all-time baseball players are Lou Gehrig and Magazine. pre-conviction Pete Rose, attended high school in Larue County, and S However, since we cannot send 8r@@U community college in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He hasn't forgotten his reportersto theseregionals,we rely rural roots and said he'll try to expandthe leagueinto rural Kentucky. He entirely on the local tournament -\l plans to start that process in Elizabethtown, where a friend owns a directors to submit their battingcage.He believesthe interestwill be there."Baseball....it'snot tournament results (scores, like playing softball. It's three or four hours away from everything. It's standings,etc.) to us, as well as relaxing. All your troubles go away. That's what baseball does. It let's send to us photos of at least the them be a kid again," he said. tournament champions. We contact all tournament directors in advance of their regionals to make sure they are aware of our deadlinesand requirements. To make this task a bit easier, we have created a link on our website (hardball.net)to downloadable regional tournament forms Boseboll Trivio and instructions to use as a guide. Theseforms are now available at 1.Who is theonly playerto win the StolenBaseTitle http://www.hardball. net/Reporters.html. in both leagues? Tournament directors areencouragedto download the forms and to call or email HardBall Magazine with any questions at info@hardball.net or 760-732-3477. Answer on page 32 Pleasehelp us help you promote your tournament. Jonffloples,BoyAreoMSBI (KY)MSBL Ied Nunn, louisville How to Gel Make Sure Your Regional Tournamenl Repor{ gels in HardBall Magazine 8sliffi Holidoy 2006 HordBollMooozine 27 '%) theHorn Around h{ ouDd l* + "Hittorlffds" Annual llolds$econd llewHam[shite Base[all tllarathon n September, the New Hampshire Baseball League (NIIBL40) held its second annual "Hit for Kids" Baseball Marathon charity event tobenefit the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Hampshire. This year's event included 80 NHBL memberswho helped to raise over $60,000 for the charity. The three-day event was played at Merchantsauto.comStadium in Manchester(home of the Toronto BIue JaysAA affiliate) and Holman Stadium in Nashua (home ofthe NashuaPride, an independentleague team). The weekend event included guest appearancesby Johnny Pesky, Bill "Spaceman" Lee, Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, Rick Miller, and Ken Ryan. These former Red Sox players conducted a free Kids Instructional Clinic which drew 88 participants aged 1-12. The NHBL4O also held their first event awards banquet following play at Merchantsauto.comStadium. Five NHBL players were winners of "A Night on the Town" with Bill Lee. In addition to spending a whole evening listening to "Spaceman's" stories,the winners received a one-night stay at the new Hilton Garden Inn Manchester which overlooks the ballpark, plus dinner and complimentary drinks at various watering holes. The winners of this incentive program included: Rick Amidon, Jim Cronin (78 years old), Marc Garand, Shaun Kelly and Jim Sacco. Other prizes were awarded during the NHBL banquet and one lucky winner, who has not been named as of the date of this writing, will receive two round-trip airline tickets. Sunday moming began with the final round of the Home Run Derby, with 16 entrants contributing $100 each to participate. Chris Rawnsley scoring 9 points to win the top prize of $400, a trophy and bragging rights, Angel Yazquez finished second and won $250 and "Doc Knight" and Frank De Maria tied for third place, collecting "Oil trosthemotrhup between BillLeeondDennis Ahighlight ofthechority event towotch. Con" Boyd infrontof250fons whodonoted 55eoch $50 each.The winners then all donatedtheir winnings back to the Boy & Girls Club. Following the Home Run Derby, the NHBL held the instructional clinic, immediately followed by the Pro Game, featuring "Oil Can" vs. "Spaceman" in front of 250 fans who donated $5 each. Dennis Boyd pitchedsevenscorelessinningsto gain a 3-2 victory. NHBL President Frank De Maria (who had already pitched the two previous days) struggled a bit but earned the save, stranding the tying run on second base.He alsostruckout Bill Lee during his two-inning relief stint.Bill Lee, who had already pitched eight innings during the event, pitched a complete game and yielded only one earned run. Chris Rawnsley showed that he could hit something other than a home run by nailing "Oil Can" for a right-center field double in the contest. The Pro Game was followed by the inaugural NHBL4O All-Star Game. The NHBL Board thanked all participating members for their generosity and community supportefforts. At the awardsbanquet,the Boys & Girls Clubs recognized the following individuals for serving on the event's Community Support Committee: Chris Rawnsley (Falcons), Alan Rogers (Royals), Keith Zimmermann (Granite), Marc Garand (BoSox), Duane Vossbrink (Mets), John Petrino (Mariners), Paul Felix (Indians), Chip Cirello (Tigers), Gary Tesch (Grays), Mike Hoyt (Diamond Aces), Joe Silviera (Waniors), Ray Lambert (Nationals) and Frank De Maria (Committee Chairman). Notoble Quoles "He's got a great body, very athletic, and he takes care of himself. He's like a greyhound. Who knows if he will be as productiveat 38 asat 30, but a lot ofguys in the gamenow are productive into their 40s." -Jim Hendry,GeneralManagerof ChicagoCubs,talkingabout AlfunsoSoriano ployer NHBL4O Leon morothon. Gront withBillLeeotchority boseboll 28 HordBollMogozine (Source' ESPN online, November 21,2006) Holidoy 2006 fot lnnual]undtaiset llonhlexasleague $Ronsots Beuerchon Pail i" I i October 21, 2006-Members of the North Texas Amateur Baseball League (MSBL) participated in this year's Reverchon Park Baseball Classic, a charity game between the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas Fire Department.The NTABL has numerouspolice and fire department connections.For example. league commissioner Sam Kayea is married to a Dallas Fire Department Lieutenant Tami Bloss Kayea. Fans were charged $5 each for admission,$10 for families. A free community fair was held before the game and pregame show. Proceeds from the game went to support the revitalization. maintenance and future development of Reverchon Park, the historic 46-acre park that opened in 1915 and was intended to become Dallas's own "Central Park." Reverchon'sballpark was the first lighted ballfield in Dallas and has enjoyed a rich history. Notable players who have competed there include Willie Mays, Bob Feller. Bob Lemon, Johnny Bench, Burt Hooton, Jimmy' Jonesand JasonJennings."It's one of the feu 2006Reverchon PorkBoseboll MSBL Closic: member KyleClorkot botforDollos FireDeportment teom. remaining fields in the country that has a real plote. Dollos Police is Ron Kromer, MSBL rotcher umpire Wes Spencer works home twentiesflavor," saidLinda White, chairmanof Friends of Reverchon Park." were Dan McDowell and DonovanLewis of Soortsradio1310. Goals for improvement include adding modern pro-style lights, restrooms,an updatedscoreboard,concessionstand and pushing for Formoreinformation Reverchon aboutefforts to renovate Park, see designation as an historic site. www.reverchonparkfriends.org. The ballgame'sfinal scorewas Dallas Police 8, Dallas Fire 7. The eventwas attendedby numeroussupportersand VIPs including City Council members Gary Griffith, Angela Hunt and Pauline Medrano and Park Board members Sheffield Kadane, Wa1,neSmith, and Gabe Soto. The North Texas MSBL donatedthe trophy, gameballs and the umpires. Other Sponsors: Alliance Communities,Dallas Amateur Baseball Association, Dallas Parks, Donna Harris Company, Dr. PepperBottling Company of Texas, El Rio Grande Supermercado,Law Offices of JosephE Ashmore, JrP.C.. OKONMetals. Police and Fireman's Insurance Association, Reverchon Park R e c C e n t e r ,S k y l i n e H i g h School JROTC Raiders, Southwest Auto Tow, Sports Fields of the Southwest,Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Dollss Polire Deportmenl teominduded threeNorth Texos MSBL members. TopRow(leftto right)Deputy Chief C h i l d r e n ,T h e D a l l a s B a n j o Thevictorious (MSBL), Brion Horvey, Doug Choney Andy Poris, Chris Aulbough, Arnold Brown, Rob Lonnerd, JerryGomez, AlphColemon, Ruben Band, The Sterling at Turtle (MSBL), (MSBL), MikeMullinox, lohnBurke Joey Worren, Richord Morlinez Wes Colvin. Bottom Row(leftto right)Steve Creek, and Woodrow Wiison Felon, RonKromer, DonLorkin, Councilmember Pouline Medrono, Kelly White, Arondo, Donny Torres, Fernondo Perez. George Senior High School. Emcees Winkler, (MSBL gome member Richord Mortinez threw ocomplete fortheDPD togetlhewin.) t' I I Holidoy 2006 HordBollMagozine 29 I IheBenelits olMemberchi[ Steve Sigler, Founder ondPresident ofMSBUMABL goodsandequipmentcan be purchasedover the internet. You can email us at info@msblnational.comor post comments or questionson our bulletin board. Nalional and Reqional Tournamenls I Holiday Classic: Mid-January tournament held over the Martin Luther King Holiday in Orlando, Florida at the Disney Baseball Complex tr I Desert Classic in Palm Springs, California, held in Mid-January. tr E Las Vegas Kickoff Classics (2 weeks in March) I Las Vegas Open: Memorial Day (all age divisions). Choice of Two Insurance Plans: Affiliated leaguescan chooseiiom two competitively priced insurance plans: one Medical,/Liabilitycombined plan and one Liability only. tr Promotional Videotape: A 5-minute p r o f e s s i o n a l ,p r o m o t i o n a l v i d e o t a p e narrated by Mel Allen. This combined informative/promotionalvideo can be used for sponsorshipproposals,organizational meetingsand/or media solicitations. E World Series, Phoenix, Arizona: The largest baseball toumament in the world, with 30 separatedivisions. E Fall Classic, Clearwater/St. Petersburg, Florida: 147 teamsparticipatedin 2006 E Over 30 Regional tournaments tr ttISBt Sporls Slore In conjunction with Anaconda Sports, we offer eachmembertheir own individual league membership card and product catalog. Members who sign up for email get notices whenever new MSBL discounts are offered. Each manager receives 80+ page Anaconda catalog,againwith specialMSBL discounts. HardBall Magazine All members receive HardBall, the MSBL magazine, five times a year, with stories on all our leagues, national tournaments, regional tournaments, etc. HardBall includes tips from the pros columns and articles written by sports doctors for baseball-related injuries and prevention. The Yearbook issue, published every spring,is dedicatedsolely to local league coverage. The magazine also has a website at www.hardball.net with links to the MSBL National website. E National Rules: The MSBL/MABL National office provides league rules that have been based on years of use and modification to make them suitable for our players. All rules (tournament and national) can be found on the MSBL website and in every score book. MSBL Website: Yisit us at our website at www.msblnational.com for information about the league, tournaments, and other news.We alsohave an online. secureMSBL Sports Store, where all types of sporting SponsorshipSupport: MSBL Nationalcan help support local leagues in their sponsorshipsolicitationsby providing, on request, a full media package, sample sponsor letter, and sponsorshipsummary kits. In addition."national" affiliation often helps bring credibility to sponsor presentation. tr MSBL/]\{ABL Score book: MSBL has developed its own 25-game score book, updatedin 2005, which is delivered to all teamsat no chargeannually. tr MSBLA.IABL Brochure and Poster: The brochures can be used as mailers and provide basic background and benefit information. They are excellent promotional tools for local leagues.MSBL Nationalhasan 11" x 17" colorposterwhich can be used to advertise your local league and includes a businesscard holder for local leaguecontactinformation. tr MSBL/MABL MasterCard: The official MSBLMABL MasterCard offers benefits such as no annual fee, complimentary additional cards, and low interest rate. To apply, please call 800-523-7666 and reference#JDBN. tr Discounted Auto and Home Insurance: MSBLA4ABL membersenjoy discountson home and auto insurance from Liberty Mutual. Existing customers of Liberty Mutual are eligible to receive this group discount and new members are entitled to a free quote. To find out more, call 1-800-524-9400and refer to code#9080. tr AVIS Rent-A-Car discounts:Every MSBL member is guaranteedthe lowest rate on full Supporl and Seruices E Website: Visit MSBL Travel MSBlTravel.com for preferred hotel pricing and other travel info, field maps etc. for MSBL National Toumaments. and mid-sized cars from AVIS throughout the year. To take advantage of this offer please call AVIS direct at l-800-331-1212 or visit the AVIS online order form on the at National website MSBL msblnational.com. Don't forset to mention AWD #8745000. E Scorebook.com: MSBL/IvIABL signed an agreement with Scorebook.com, to allow our leagues to keep league records on the web. Free league websites include Team Rosters, Game Schedules, Results, Player Profiles, Stats and Field Locations (with driving directions) and new features to be addedin the future. Special MSBL discount for memberswho upgradeto PRO version. "Day al lhe Shorlt' Discounls MSBL/MABL member leagues get a speciallow rate on holding their own "Day at the Show" at their local major league stadium. fl'APPY |/r/UtiA TO AUr/r/RIIIi p[acc; TXCUSES YANKEES IOPTENt{EWYORK 10.WantedColumbusDav off to set to all the sale: 9. ThoughtSerieswasbest6 out of I I 8. \\'e'r e alreadymissedthe first three episodesof "Grey's Anatomy"enoughis enough! 7. ThoughtJoeTorre told us to give l0 percent 6. Playersdistractedby erotic text messages from Mark Foley 5. Shouldn'thaveswitchedto the cheaoer genericsteroids eallywiththe Getreadyfor nextseason Personal PitchetPRO Portable Pitching Machine! powerandconfidenoe than Hitwithm01e you'ue everimagined... butdon'twait! . Portable . cAutofeed FastballsCuryeballs Bichard! Used byMLProChris Includes: VourPackage \ Personal PitcherProWautofeed, { 48balls,Tripod,4-hour Bechargeable Battery, ACAdapter/Charger! Orderby I Nov.30th & useBuyerSourceCodelescy "HDBLI-' for Discounted Price-Only$149 andgeta FREEpairofWebGloves! 4. ClubhousecatererreplacedE. coli-tainted spinachwith E. coli-taintedlettuce 3. Global warming 2.More focusedon how they'regoingto get by on a lousy $16 million a year 1. What's the point?North Korea'sgonna nuke us at any moment (October 9,2006DavidLetterman Show) YOUR ADHERE Csll760-732-3477lot odrofes gefo FREE All odvertisers linkfo lheirwebsileon Hordboll0nline! www.hordboll.net Visuol Touch Phofogrophy.... Holidoy 2006 Mogozine HordBoll 3l