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$5
Summer 2014
RAWPOWER
THE NEXT GENERATION RAW POWER SLOW-PITCH BATS
AVAILABLE NOW
L1.0 BRETT HELMER PRO MODEL
USSSA END-LOADED 2-PIECE COMPOSITE DESIGN
WWW.EASTON.COM/SLOW-PITCH
6028 v Dr. • Fort Worth,TX 76133
(817) 944-7484 • stafford.connor@usssa.com
Chairman of the Board
and CEO of USSSA
CONTENTS
6 All American Games
Times’
62 ‘Good
returning
for Louisiana USSSA
Don DeDonatis
Publisher, USSSA Today
Stafford Connor
Managing Editor, USSSA Today
NYC- The Road
28 USSSA
to Memphis
Communications Director, USSSA
Tom O’Hara
Design / Printing
USSSA Heads
34 TEAM
to Prague, Czech
Republic
Contributing Writers
Close to it all,
miles away from the ordinary!
Nestled on the shores of Lake Davenport is the beautiful Bahama Bay Resort®.
Close to the theme parks and the local sports fields, you will feel right at home
at Bahama Bay. Take a morning run on one of the nature trails, go for a dip in
one of the four pools, soak in the hot tub or play a game of tennis, the resort
has everything whether you want to relax or be active. Your room has a fully
stocked kitchen and a washer and dryer, as well as plenty of living space and a
screened in patio to enjoy the Florida weather. In addition there is resort wide
Wi-Fi, no parking fees and free DVD rentals in the lobby.
Hungry? We have you covered with a full service restaurant and a private
function space for team meetings or dinners. With a friendly staff on-site to
help you with your every need, Bahama Bay Resort by Wyndham Vacation
Rentals® is where you want to be!
Call (863) 547-1679 or visit us online at StayForUSSSA.com
Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST-38182. Washington Seller of Travel Reg. No. 603118961.
Wyndham Vacation Rentals and related marks are registered trademarks and/or service marks in the United States and internationally. All rights reserved. Printed in the
U.S.A. 14 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054
©2014 Wyndham Vacation Rentals North America, LLC.
Louisville Slugger’s
Pitcher, L.C. Watson
REEDESIGN
Lebco Graphics
Ian Auzenne
Mike Cisneros
Elliot Clark
Mike Cornell
Van Galeon
Sam Goebel
Strojan Kennison
Jami Lobries
Keri Lounge Lombardo
Maggie Macdonald
David Pedersen
Rickey Robertson
William Saunders
Craig Scriven
Dennis Turner
Nathen Wanty
Dale weiser
Chelsea Wilson
Backman/
67 Meet
Shoppe/
Greg Huchingson
40Elite Fastpitch
Sports
68Midwest
Productions Continues
to Enrich Community
Related Opportunities
with the Josh Williams
Memorial Golf
Tournament
Sports’ Chelsea
42 Worth
Wilson column
46Here Comes the Pride!
Lawrie
50Danielle
Returns to Softball
Embodies the Phrase
Working Mom
Equipment Logistics
70Corny’s Corner
Budweiser
74 29th
Softball Festival
Attracts Top Adult
Teams in Texas
Roy “Heavy Peanut” Dean
Photographers
Brianne Marie Cisneros
Scott Duffy
Gary Leland
Brian Ragan (very part time)
Pete Spatula
Dale Weiser
Phillip Wheeler
USSSA Today is published quarterly. Publishing offices are
located at 6028 Rayburn Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76133. One
year subscription is $25; two year is $40. Reproduction or
use of the contents in whole or in part without prior written
permission of the publisher is prohibited. USSSA Today
welcomes unsolicited articles or photographs, but must be
accompanied with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for
return of unsolicited material.
Potter Created
52 ‘Harry
a Lasting Bond
between two USSSA
Pride Players
Softball Teams
56 Top
Have Slugfest at 32nd
Dudley Budweiser
Easton Classic
Park Sports
81 Delta
Complex, Portland, OR
Hosts USSSA Border
Battle
83 Bat Reviews
USSSA TODAY
5
2014 LIVE STREAMING EVENTS SCHEDULE
18-JUL
18-JUL
19-JUL
19-JUL
19-JUL
19-JUL
19-JUL
19-JUL
1:15 p.m. ET
3:00 p.m. ET
8:00 a.m. ET
9:00 a.m. ET
10:00 a.m. ET
11:00 a.m. ET
12:00 p.m. ET
1:00 p.m. ET
Fastpitch
Fastpitch
Fastpitch
Fastpitch
Fastpitch
Fastpitch
Fastpitch
Fastpitch
3:00 p.m. ET
19-JUL
20-JUL
24-JUL
25-JUL
26-JUL
26-JUL
26-JUL
26-JUL
26-JUL
26-JUL
26-JUL
2-AUG
2-AUG
2-AUG
3-AUG
3-AUG
3-AUG
4-AUG
4-AUG
4-AUG
7-AUG
7-AUG
7-AUG
10-AUG
10-AUG
10-AUG
10-AUG
10-AUG
10-AUG
14-AUG
15-AUG
16-AUG
17-AUG
17-AUG
17-AUG
24-AUG
24-AUG
24-AUG
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
ESPN3
USSSA Live
ESPN3
USSSA Live
ESPN 3
ESPN3, Cox, BH, CSN
Chicago, Atitude
ESPN3, Cox, BH, CSN
Chicago, Atitude
ESPN3, Cox, BH, CSN
Chicago, Atitude
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
ESPN3
USSSA live
ESPN3
ESPN 3
ESPN3
ESPN 3
ESPN3
ESPN3
ESPN3
ESPN3
ESPN3
ESPN3
ESPN3
ESPN3, Cox, BH
ESPN3, Cox, BH
ESPN3, Cox, BH
ESPN 3
ESPN3
ESPN3
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
USSSA Live
CBS
CBS
ESPN3, COX, BH
CBS
CBS
ESPN3, COX, BH
31-AUG
ESPN3, BH
9:30 a.m. ET
31-AUG
ESPN3, BH
11:00 a.m. ET
31-AUG
ESPN3, BH
12:30 p.m. ET
13-SEP
13-SEP
13-SEP
19-SEP
19-SEP
20-SEP
20-SEP
ESPN 3
ESPN3
ESPN3
ESPN3
ESPN3
ESPN3
ESPN3
TBD
TBD
TBD
7:00 p.m. ET
9:00 p.m. ET
7:00 p.m. ET
8:30 p.m. ET
19-JUL
USSSA All American Showcases & Games
USSSA has launched the USSSA All American Evaluation Showcases during the 2014 season. This is specifically targeted for ages 9-14 and will support the current AAG program USSSA
has in place for the high school age participants (15-18) which concludes in the Gold Medal
Games and International competition. The Showcases will also allow us to enhance the current USSSA player profiles available
on our website by not only providing information about what team a participant is playing on
and tournament awards received, but also by ranking individual players against other players
participating in these events nationwide. Players will be evaluated on hitting, running, throwing,
fielding and pitching. All grading information from the evaluations will be added to the player
profile pages. This will give a database of a player’s progression year by year, allowing college
coaches and pro scouts to see how a player has progressed through the years. USSSA has partnered with Jay Franklin of All American Athletics, to assist in this process. Jay has 25 years of
experience playing and working in MLB. He has also been running showcases for the past 8 years
as well as coaching, scouting and evaluating players for the past 16 years.
At the conclusion of the Evaluation Showcases in each region, an independent committee
will choose 15 participants to represent that region in the USSSA All American Games scheduled
to take place at ESPN Wide World of Sports, Kissimmee, Florida. With a total of 8 teams in each
age group (9-14), USSSA will have 48 teams participating in this event. The US has been divided into 8 regions. Each region will host a minimum of 2 events
during the 2014 season. This is to insure that these events are run consistently at all locations in
order to insure that the evaluation criteria are adhered to.
Event Specifics: These Evaluation Showcases will be four hour events so that the age
groups can be split if needed, depending on the facilities, in to a morning and afternoon session. Each participant will receive an “All American Games” shirt which they will wear during the
evaluation process. 6 USSSA TODAY
19-JUL
19-JUL
USSSA Fastpitch World Series 10 C
USSSA Fastpitch World Series 10A
USSSA Fastpitch World Series 11 U
USSSA Fastpitch World Series 13 U
USSSA Fastpitch World Series 10 B
USSSA Fastpitch World Series 12 A
USSSA fastpitch World Series 14 B
ESPN Wide World of Sports
USSSA Baseball
Louisville Slugger Major Baseball Championships 9
Chino Hills/West Covina, CA
6:30 p.m. ET
USSSA Baseball
10:00 p.m. ET
USSSA Baseball
7:05 p.m. ET
7:05 p.m. ET
7:05 p.m. ET
7:05 p.m. ET
5:30 p.m. ET
8:00 p.m. ET
9:00 a.m. ET
9:00 a.m. ET
11:00 a.m. ET
11:00 a.m. ET
1:00 p.m. ET
8:00 a.m. ET
10:30 a.m. ET
1:00 p.m. ET
8:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
1:00 p.m. ET
8:00 a.m. ET
10:30 a.m. ET
1:00 p.m. ET
TBD
TBD
TBD
8:00 a.m. ET
10:30 a.m. ET
1:00 p.m. ET
8:00 a.m. ET
10:30 a.m. ET
1:00 p.m. ET
7:05 p.m. ET
7:05 p.m. ET
5:30 p.m. ET
11:00 a.m.
1:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m. ET
1:00 p.m. ET
4:00 p.m. ET
8:00 p.m. ET
National Pro Fastpitch
Fastpitch
Fastpitch
Fastpitch
Fastpitch
Fastpitch
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
USSSA Baseball
Baseball
Baseball
Baseball
Baseball
Baseball
Baseball
Nationwide Conference
USSSA
USSSA
USSSA
Slowpitch WS
Slowpitch WS
Slowpitch WS
Slowpitch WS
Slowpitch WS
Slowpitch WS
Slowpitch WS
USSSA Pride vs Chicago
USSSA Pride vs Chicago
USSSA Pride vs Akron Racers
DeMarini Elite World Series 10 yr Championship
USSSA All-American Games 9
USSSA All-Americal Games 14
USSSA Gold Medal Games
USSSA Pride vs Rebellion
USSSA Pride vs Rebellion
USSSA Pride vs Rebellion (DH)
Autozone USSSA National Youth Championships 12yr
Nationwide Conference USSSA Championship
(Losers Final)
(Championship)
(If Necessary)
USSSA Men’s B World Series
USSSA Men’s Major World Series (Home Run Derby)
USSSA Men’s Major World Series (Winners Bracket)
USSSA Men’s Major World Series (Winners final)
USSSA Men’s Major World Series (Losers Final)
Osceola County Stadium
Osecola County Stadium
Game Day - Memphis, TN
BH- Brighthouse Sports Network, Cox - Cox Sports TV, CSN - Comcast Sports Network, CBS - CBS Sports Network, Atitude - check local listings.
Fortune Rd Softball Complex
USSSA TODAY
7
8 USSSA TODAY
2014 TRYOUT SCHEDULE
10
SHOWCASE DATE
LOCATION
REGION
November 16, 2013
December 7, 2013
December 7, 2013
January 4, 2014
February 1, 2014
February 21, 2014
March 26, 2014
April 19, 2014
April 26, 2014 May 10, 2014
May 16, 2014
May 17, 2014
May 23, 2014
May 24, 2014
June 3, 2014
June 9, 2014
June 11, 2014
June 11, 2014
June 12, 2014
June 12, 2014
June 16, 2014
June 18, 2014
June 20, 2014
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
Houston, TX
Kissimmee, FL
Las Vegas, NV
Baton Rouge, LA
Kissimmee, FL
West Covina, CA
Salisbury, MD
Manteca, CA
Tacoma, WA
Cincinnati, OK
Sterling Heights, MI
Westhampton, NJ
Kansas City, MO
Spartanburg, SC
Omaha, NE
Atlanta, GA
Des Moines, IA
Birmingham, AL
Tulsa, OK
Southaven, MS
Dallas, TX
Midwest
Southeast
Southeast
Atlantic
Far West
Southeast
Atlantic
Far West
Northeast
Northwest
Northwest
Great Lakes
Great Lakes
Northeast
Midwest
Atlantic
Central
Atlantic
Central
Southeast
Midwest
Southeast
Midwest
WWW.USSSAALLAMERICAN.COM ALLAMERICAN@USSSA.COM
Comfort Inn Maingate
A Good Neighbor® Hotel with Disney and a USSSA preferred hotel partner.
Conveniently located less than two miles from Walt Disney World®
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
✦ A Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel,
just 1 mile to Disney Theme Parks
✦ AAA Approved Lodging
7675 W Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy.
Kissimmee Florida 34747
www.comfortinnkissimmee.com
✦ 197 all non smoking rooms include microwave,
refrigerator, hair dryer, coffee maker, tub/shower,
flat screen TV, iron/board, electronic in-room safes
✦ Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
✦ Rates include breakfast buffet daily
✦ Discounted group room rates
✦ All interior hallways, no balconies
✦ Family rooms with 2 Queen Beds and bunk
bed are available
✦ Coin Laundry Facility
✦ Gift Shop, Fitness Center, Business Center
✦ Outdoor heated pool, hot tub and kiddie pool
✦ Lighthouse Lobster Feast Restaurant
For more information or to book your team call Maria Rolon (407) 396-4000 or email: mrolon@cithemeparks.com
2014
NORTHWEST
9U All American Team
Gregory Palamountain
INF
East Bay Outlaws 10U
Lafayette, CA
Josh Morano
P
Bay Area United
Livermore, CA
Landen Hatchett
C
Ferndale Cal Ripken
Ferndale, WA
Team Kado
Hideki Prather
INF
Daniel Hirose
INF
Daniel Burke
P
Spartans Baseball Club
Sammamish, WA
Mission City
Menlo Park, CA
Elk Grove, CA
Hilario Mata
INF
Sacramento Klutch
Baseball
Oakland, CA
Jack Sisson
INF
Lake Co. Blazin Bulls 12U
Hidden Valley Lake, CA
Watsonville Aggies
Watsonville, CA
Jacob Yoon
C
Zeiger
Puyallup, WA
Jaret Perez
INF
Central Coast Bombers
Los Banos, CA
Geirean Hatchett
P
Cascade Crush
Ferndale, WA
Jamal Cherry
OF
Newark Baseball Club
Newark, CA
Jordan Greenly
Sacramento Klutch
Sacramento, CA
Woodland, CA
Kai Pagan
P
CCB 13U
Campbell, CA
Watsonville, CA
Kyren Paris
INF
Perks Acedemy Titans
Oakley, CA
Oak Harbor, WA
Shawn Britton
C
Crimson Cannons 12U
Spanaway, WA
Livermore, CA
Telly Hill
All Out Blaze
Pittsburg, CA
C
Bitterroot Rockies
Hamilton, MT
Dominic Hernandez
Koen Carston
P
INF
Ricky Madrigal
P
Colton Byars
IF
Koa Won
INF
Sacramento Blue Devils
Watsonville Agies
Islanders Select
Bay Area United
INF
INF
C
Admirals Baseball Club
Vacaville, CA
Carson Rostad
Dylan Richardson
OF
Vancouver Knights 10U
Vancouver, WA
Charlie Giesler
INF
Mission City Baseball
Menlo Park, CA
Daniel Behrmann
INF
All Out 10U
Tracy, CA
Chris Salas-Stark-Jones
INF
Fresno Blue Devils
Madera, CA
Bulldogs Blue
Kent, WA
Elyjah Olney
David Pardey Jr.
IF
Keith Manby
P
Cascade Crush
White Rock, BC
Winchester, CA
Marco Castillo
P
Raptors
Corte Madera, CA
Puyallup, WA
Max Jung-Goldberg
INF
Palo Alto Panthers
Palo Alto, CA
Morgan Hill, CA
Aaron Zavala
INF
Jaha Baseball
Keizer, OR
Belmont Blasters-DT
Nationals
Belmont, CA
Nisqually Braves
Yelm, WA
Dublin, CA
2014 Northwest 10U All American Team
Christopher Lopez
Connor Hamry
INF
C
Dante Bellistri
INF
JR Ritchie
Co. Cal Thunder
Bulldogs 10U
Dub Dynasty
P
Bainbridge Mavericks
Bainbridge Island, WA
INF
Visalia Diamond Dogs
Visalia, CA
P
Bainbridge Mavericks
Malcolm Hsu
INF
Moreland Black Hawks
Cupertino, CA
Michael Ramirez
INF
Julius Martinez
Kai Francis
Sean Lee
P
Ryan Sheedy
INF
Ryan Hong
P
Fallon Middle-Dublin
Dawgs
Nick Warren
P
Norcal Valley
Stockton, CA
Brian Dole
P
Premier Prospects
Shingle Springs, CA
INF
Bulldog Baseball Club
Vacaville, CA
P
Valley Select Baseball
Club
Auburn, WA
Visalia Diamond Dogs
Visalia, CA
Ryan Dority
P
Monterey Nationals
Monterey, CA
Ryan Kang
P
Twin Cities Flames
Millbrae, CA
Toran Oharran
P
Nor Cal Bulldogs 11U
Rocklin, CA
Tyson Rostad
C
Bitteroot Rockies
Hamilton, MT
Cole Trotignon
Blake Rogers
C
Moreland Blackhawks
Sunnyvale, CA
Gavin Vallez
C
Kado Baseball
Morgan Hill, CA
Carson Crawford
P
Northbay Redbirds
Rohnert Park, CA
Joey Loveless
OF
Petaluma Grizzlies 14U
Petaluma, CA
INF
North Bay Redbirds
Windsor, CA
P
Walnut Creek Bulldawgs
Baseball Club
Concord, CA
P
Outlaws Baseball 13U
Elk Grove, CA
Carson Ramocinski
Casey McGuire
Jordan Aguallo
Joseph Sheehan
Nate Deschryver
P
TPX Renegades
Poulsbo, WA
Mason Persons
IF
Rock Creek Select
Buckley, WA
Jamir Gibson
OF
Bay Area Bombers
San Leandro, CA
Chase Compolongo
Kevin Shea
INF
San Carlos Wolves
San Carlos, CA
Antonio Costa
Jabin Trosky
INF
Carmel River-Cypress
Gators
Carmel, CA
Tellier Lundquist
Albert Hsiao
Devon Walczykowski
INF
Lakeview-H90
El Dorado Hills, CA
Shane Wallace
INF
Hesedh Seti Manase
IF
12U Rebels
Puyallup, WA
Sean Rooney
Trevor Thurman
C
WBC 13U Koufax
Kenmore, WA
Brett Zimmerman
C
Fighting Ducks
Ripon, CA
Trenton Miller
C
Cascade Crush
INF
TJ Meagher
Sky Jones
Jason Jones
Clovis North
Clovis, CA
INF
Norcal Grizzlies
Ro Valley, CA
OF
Team Northwest
Medina, WA
C
Bret Harte Middle-Saints
San Jose, CA
Team First
Redwood City, CA
C
Norcal Naturals
San Jose, CA
Oliver Hicks
P
Soldiers 14U
San Luis Obispo, CA
Laurence Palmer
OF
CCB
Los Altos, CA
Bellingham, WA
Jackson Hall
OF
California Club Baseball
Palo Alto, CA
Mitch Silvas
INF
Central Cal Elite
Visalia, CA
INF
Field of Champions 14U
Blue
Sammamish, WA
Dublin, CA
Club All Star
Burlingame, CA
INF
Blazin Bulls
Middletown, CA
Team Kado Elite
Foster City, CA
Kellen French
Vipers
San Carlos Wolves 11U
San Carlos, CA
Evan Rocha
INF
CV Marlins AAA
Fresno, CA
Eric Shinjo
P
Tyee Middle-FOC
Bellevue, WA
Blue Sox
Visalia, CA
C
INF
Cole Tremain
12 USSSA TODAY
P
Dublin Dawgs
Paul McMahon
OF
Vista Eagles
Folsom, CA
the perfect
serve
P
Jonovan Osorio
experience
Kenneth Hirose
Elijah Munoz
P
INF
Sports in Lubbock is about excitement, athleticism, competition
...and service. We believe that every game is an opportunity
to show good, old-fashioned West Texas friendliness. We’d be
happy to help you ace your next sporting event.
Scott Harrison, Sports Director
lubbocksports.org 800.692.4035
2014
FARWEST
Alec Moore
OF
San Diego Stars 9U Elite
San Diego, CA
Noah Martinez
P
California Bruins
Duarte, CA
Austin Castillo
INF
Team California
Riverside, CA
Parker Haskell
P
Five Tool Warriors
Yorba Linda, CA
Cutter Coffey
P
Bakersfield Bombers 10U
Bakersfield, CA
Carlos Vargas
C
California Bruins
Montebello, CA
Easton Canes
Camarillo, CA
Alec Gomez
P
Team Mizuno San Dimas
Tustin, CA
Downey Dirt Devils
Downey, CA
Ross Goldschlag
P
San Diego Show
Encinitas, CA
Players Choice Academy
Scottsdale, AZ
Jake Guistafson
OF
Aces
Northridge, CA
C
So Cal Cargents
Whittier, CA
Chase Rodriguez
OF
On Deck Baseball Academy
Las Vegas, NV
Jason Avila
INF
Team California
Moreno Valley, CA
Dominic Meza
OF
So Cal Cobras
Chino Hills, CA
Jonathan Rodriguez
INF
Team California
Fullerton, CA
Evan Rowe
INF
IHN Warriors
Upland, CA
Daniel Aguilera
Ethan Kang
Jackson Babione
Jake Lont
INF
P
INF
Karson Bowen
C
YL Colts
Anaheim Hills, CA
Jordan Andrade
INF
Kennedy Baseball
Redlands, CA
Luke Rodriguez
P
Bombers
Shafter, CA
Jakob Marquez
INF
SGV Hustle
Santa Clarita, CA
Julius Butler
INF
Gorilla Baseball Club
Oceanside, CA
INF
San Diego Show Baseball
Club
La Mesa, CA
Kyle Turner
P
Southern Nevada Baseball
Las Vegas, NV
Michael Choi
P
LA Lions
Los Angeles, CA
Marcos A. Rosales
INF
Pico Pride 9U
West Covina, CA
Marcus Galvan
INF
Team California
Chino, CA
Nicholas Allred
OF
Easton Elite
Whittier, CA
Preston Jacobson
P
Yard Dawgs
Riverton, UT
Justin Cervantes
Darren Davis
P
Victory Sun Devils
Santa Clarita, CA
Easton Rulli
INF
Victory Sun Devils
Moore Park, CA
Michael Carpentier Jr.
INF
Diamond MVP
Highland, CA
Guadalupe, AZ
Michael McGreevy
INF
SC Tritons
San Clemente, CA
Moises Guzman
OF
Diamond MVP
Lakewood, CA
Isiah Huerta
C
Sandlot Baseball 10U
Jack Holman
C
CA Academy of Baseball
Sand Dawgs
Wrightwood, CA
Wesley Scott
P
Adrenaline
Riverside, CA
Jake Romero
INF
SD Select Diamond MVP
San Diego, CA
Carter Kessinger
P
LA Bombsquad
Burbank, CA
Jakob Wright
P
SLO Tigers
Paso Robles, CA
Carlos Rodriguez
C
BPA Demirini
Whittier, CA
Nate Cadena
INF
Nomads
Placentia, CA
Austin Pfeifer
P
Diamond MVP
Las Vegas, NV
Tanner Kim
INF
Victory Sun Devils
Valencia, CA
William Katafias
INF
ASD Bulldogs
Lader Ranch, CA
Richard Rodenberg
INF
SD Show
Temecula, CA
Cole Coombes-Mickels
P
Laurel Hall School
Los Angeles, CA
Ryker Sullivan
P
Premiere 10U
Corona, CA
Colton McIntosh
INF
AZ Cats – AZ Stars
Phoenix, AZ
Carson McKinney
P
Cal Select 10U
Temecula, CA
Jacob Shave
INF
Utah Horns
Riverton, UT
Bryant Yang
P
Socal Elites 10U Travel
Tarzana, CA
James Duant
C
Irvine Dolphins
Irvine, CA
Andrew Hiestand
P
BCBAProspects
Los Angeles, CA
Will Potter
P
So Cal Thunder
Temecula, CA
Chino Hills, CA
Swarm
Torrance, CA
Conrad Vaimoso
INF
INF
Kade Leveen
INF
Gauchos 13U – Falcons 14U
Cave Creek, AZ
Clutch Performance
Salem, UT
Kaden Hancock
Anthony Aleman
Justin Long
Irvine Dolphins – Chino Hills
Thunders
P
2014 Farwest 14U All American Team
P
Raptors
San Clemente, CA
Sam Biller
INF
LA Clash
Los Angeles, CA
David Park
INF
Irvine Dolphins
Fullerton, CA
Sammy Schwartz
INF
BP Roadrunners
San Clemente, CA
Tyler Kelly
INF
Mean Machine 14U
Cottonwood, AZ
Riverside, CA
Vincent Martin
INF
Louis Sluggers
Chandler, AZ
Winchester, CA
Tyler Cranston
P
Scottsdale Dirtbags
Scottsdale, AZ
Henderson, NV
Nicholas Thompson
OF
Coronado-Pumas
Henderson, NV
Twentynine Palms,
CA
Ruben Acuna
Makana Olaso
Julian Molto-Herrera
C
INF
INF
LA Clash
Cal Select 11U
So. NV Crew
George Cooper
INF
LA Clash
Los Angeles, CA
Steven Sanchez
INF
Joseph Rhodes
INF
Silver Spur Sluggers
Rancho Palos
Verdes, CA
Twentynine Palms HS-Magic
Baseball
Matthew Piotrowski
INF
So Cal Terror
Laner, CA
Matthew Miao
INF
Arcadia High School
Arcadia, CA
Kyle Hall
INF
Pumas
Henderson, NV
Dustyn Burleson
C
Diego Baqueiro
INF
Daniel Parra
P
Ty Corcoran
INF
Peter Marshall/So. Cal
Shockers
Anaheim, CA
LA Clash
Mission Hills, CA
Dawson Dimon
C
So Cal Terror
- SCV Mules
Golden Oak Elementary
Newhall, CA
Kallen Mueller
C
Murrieta Wolverines
Murrieta, CA
Vegas Xpress
Las Vegas, NV
Duke Pahukoa
INF
Durango – Raptors
Las Vegas, NV
Emilio Rosas
INF
Socal Birds
Anaheim, CA
Cottonwood, AZ
Buckeye, AZ
Vincent Tinajero
C
Team Phenom Elite
Santa Ana, CA
Tyler Ganus
P
LA Clash
Valley Village, CA
INF
Sandlot
Gilbert, AZ
Andrew Mason
14 USSSA TODAY
Gus Henley
C
Mean Machine Baseball
Club
Hayden Brown
P
West Valley Cardinals
2014
SOUTHEAST
9 & Under
Tracer Lopez
Citius USA Martinez
Trey Garza
12 & Under
Rosebud, TX
Jaxon Clark
Team Punishment
Converse, LA
The Unit
Needville, TX
Harlingen, TX
Thomas Schreck
Vinny Cano
Broncos 8U KP
Pharr, TX
Kaito Hara
Alex Guajardo
TEJANOS
Penitas, TX
Kade Garmany
Team Punishment
Sarepta, LA
Steven Spalitta Jr.
Northshore Dirtbags
Mandeville, LA
Luke Hindman
Playball Arkansas Heaters
North Little Rock, AR
Joshua Achord
Louisiana Falcons 9u
Walker, LA
Marcus Brown
Springdale Yard Birds
Springdale, AR
Wesley Alig
Head First Athletics
Oak Ridge, TN
Edward Berry
Mountain Brook Mudcats
Mountain Brook, AL
Bogan Jones
Tennessee Braves
Jonesborough, TN
John Cole Giordano
Rankin County Royals
Mendenhall, MS
John Emendorfer
Game Seven Baseball Cleveland, TN
Brody Moss
Hoover Bucs
Hoover, AL
Luke Davis
Hurricanes
Athens AL
Brody Perdue
Tuscaloosa Tide
Coker, AL
PEYTON WOODS
LA FALCONS
Albany, LA
Maurice Hampton
Dodger Baseball
Arlington, TN
Robert Mason Umfleet
Arkansas Easton Elite
Sherwood, AR
Kyle Booker
Dodgers Baseball
Southaven, MS
Kade Anderson
MudCats
Madisonville, LA
Richard Lilljedahl
Tejanos Baseball Black
Buda, TX
Ty Davis
Itawamba
Fulton, MS
Brayden Arendale
Dodgers Baseball
Bartlett
Cannon Price
Rage Baseball
Denmark, TN
Landon Manson
Ascension Sundevils
Prairieville, LA
Magnus Miller
Slam Baseball
Corpus Christi, TX
Derrick Cherry
Team Mizuno Santos
Baytown, TX
Connor Doan
Bambinos Baseball
Pearland, TX
Caleb Ragland
Team Alabama
Alabaster, AL
Hunter Caldwell
Dynasty Blue
Liberty, TX
Robert Trevino
Team Mizuno Houston
Katy, TX
Jordan Medellin
Hustle Baseball
League City, TX
Elijiah Lavan
Dirty South Mafia
Kinder, LA
Mason Langdon
Burn Baseball
Shreveport, LA
Cade Doughty
Chaos
Denham Springs, LA
Carson Conner
Northshorhe Prospects
Carriere, MS
Isaac Duplechain
Dirty South Mafia
Mittie, LA
Patrick Wesley Miller
Pandemic Baseball
Anniston, AL
Noah Webb
Sevier county bears
Kodak, TN
David Cole Ketchum
Arkansas Storm
West Point, MS
Brody Dickson
Team Alabama
Northport, AL
Austin King
Pandemic
Trussville, AL
Kam’ron Hunt
White Hall
Redfield, AR
Kyler Murks
Bama Ballers
Killen, AL
Elijah Wilkerson
Dulins Dodgers
Bruceton, TN
Peyton Colvard
Cullman Baseball
Cullman, AL
Houston, TX
10 & Under
13 & Under
Hunter Barnes
Larson Ingram
Delta Bombers
Boyle, MS
Jackson Kimbrell
Team Alabama
Birmingham, AL
Harland Ruddell
LA Cyclones Black
Monroe, LA
Mason Arvallo
Austin Angels
Austin, TX
Carson Plunk
Jackson Coyote
Adamsville, TN
Colton Sagely
Gerald Cross Jumper
Arkansas Storm
Jonesboro, AR
Blake Adams
AR Mighty Ducks
Springdale, AR
Justin Rodriguez
Power Alley Pride
Dickinson, TX
Hunter Landry
Team Mizuno
Lafayette, LA
Austin Stracener
Longhorns White
Lake Jackson, TX
Reid DuBois
Louisiana Crush
Shreveport, LA
Preston Martinez
Mizuno 11u Navy
San Antonio, TX
Joe Serna
Centex Ambush
Bryan, TX
Blaze Jordan
Dulins Dodgers
Southaven, MS
Riggs Threadgill
Kerrville Indians
Fredericksburg, TX
Mason Zambo
Marucci Tigers Baton Rouge, LA
Michael Gillaspia
Chargers
League City, TX
Drake Varnado
Banditos
Port Neches, TX
Zachary Melugin
Rawlings Prospects-Lister
Bismarck, AR
Keegan Allen
Arkansas Titans
Rogers, AR
Mitch Rogers
Clarksville Rangers
Clarksville, TN
Payton Allen
Arkansas Titans
Rogers, AR
Bennett Shoptaw
Rawkings Prospects Lister
Little Rock, AR
Briggs Rutter
Columbia Rookies
Columbia, TN
Dylan Davis
Section Lions
Dutton, AL
Revy Higgins III
Top Gun
Anniston, AL
Morgan Causey
Hunter Elliott
Dulins Dodgers
Belden, MS
Demarvin Perry
Dirtbags
Montgomery, AL
Caleb Goddard
Batters Box DeMarini Black
Tupelo, MS
Brock Myers
Mid TN Bruins
Goodlettsville, TN
Lane Forsythe
Dulins Dodgers
Humboldt, TN
Brandon Birdsell
Montgomery Titans
Willis, TX
Ryan Sosa
Prospects
Groves, TX
Kelton Hall
Ingomar High School
New Albany, MS
Blake Baker
Angleton Longhorns
Splendora, TX
Gage Gregory
Goodpasture Christian
Gallatin, TN
Trayce Quisinberry
Texas Longhorns
Lake Jackson, TX
11 & Under
16 USSSA TODAY
destinations,
When it comes to sports
there is no competition.
14 & Under
Brandon, MS
With “The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches,” and plenty of fun-filled family attractions,
Panama City Beach is the perfect year-round destination for every sports enthusiast.
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Softball · Baseball · Triathlons · Cheerleading · Dance · Gymnastics · Football · Fishing · Basketball · Martial Arts · Soccer
Power Paragliding · Running · Volleyball · Wrestling · Bodybuilding · Watercross · Skimboard · Rugby · Sailing · Golf
Paddleboarding · Cycling · Wakeboarding · Band
2014
NORTHEAST
9 & Under
Jonathon Wetherholt
Beaver Valley Red
Gibsonia, PA
Seth Keller
Virginia Aces
Rockville, VA
Andrew Harris
Glen Allen Generals
Glen Allen, VA
Nathan Cmeyla
NV Bandits
Ashburn, VA
Gunther Braendel
Pinnacle
Fredericksburg, VA
Daniel Elliott
Lake Shore 12U Gray Sox
Clarksville, MD
Chase Manion
Olney Pirates
Damascus, MD
Zay Gonzalez
Camo Crushers
West Point, VA
Ethan Shelton
Pinnacle
Fredericksburg, VA
Nicholas Marley
Olney Travel Baseball
Damascus, MD
Michael Dawson
Pinnacle
Fredericksburg, VA
Elias Meredith
12U Team
Philadelphia, PA
Austin Boggs
Pinnacle
Spotsylvania, VA
Johnny Piacentino
Delaware Vipers
cherry hill, NJ
Cameron Johnson
PG Select Bluesox
Upper Marlboro, MD
Noel Szemore
Outlaws Baseball
Shady Spring, WV
Kyle Grimsley
Sykesville Cyclones
Sykesville, MD
Jarrett Weglarz
Delaware Vipers
Bear, DE
Annapolis, MD
Garrett Lowe
York Young Revolution
Stewartstown, PA
Patrick Smith
12 & Under
Jadon Morales
Phenom Baseball
Middletown, NY
Kevin Reilly
Delaware Vipers
Plymouth Meeting, PA
Zahid Cole
Catonsville
Windsor Mill, MD
Charlie Sanzio
Delaware Vipers
Haddonfield, NJ
Cameron Nelson
PG Select Bluesox
Upper Marlboro, MD
Joe Vogatsky
Virginia Stars
warrenton, VA
Justin Acevedo
W Ward PS 232
Howard Beach, NY
Devan Barnett
Beaver Valley Red
Pittsburgh, PA
Anthony Miller
Beaver Valley Black
New Castle, PA
Greg Johnson
Beaver Valley Red
Pittsburgh, PA
Thomas Keehn
Olney Pirates
Highland, MD
Mason Balsis
Virginia Generals
Bristow, VA
Dyllon Barrett
Bel Air Travel
Aberdeen, MD
Dayln Brickner
Beaver Valley Black
Beaver Falls, PA
Connor Fuhrman
Team Virginia
Troutville, VA
Layton Cummings
Grow2Pro Travel Team
Pittsford, NY
Blaise Grove
Summit Point Pride
Summit Point, WV
Trent Gast-Woodard
Blue Chips
Whiteford, MD
Max Jensen
South County Stallions
Burke, VA
Dylan Hetrick
Beaver Valley Black
Mercer, PA
Jerry Mitchell III TREY
RBA 360
Emporia, VA
Cameron Weston
Beaver Valley Red
Canonsburg, PA
Nikolas Rubendall
Limerick Panthers
East Norriton, PA
Ben Skimmons
Olney Pirates MD
Gaithersburg, MD
Brayden Stottlemyer
Summit Point Pride
Charles town, wv
Stephen Strout
White Caps
Newport News, VA
Nolan Williams
South County Stallions
Alexandria, VA
Reiley Tate
Churchville Blue Chips
Aberdeen, MD
John Biggs
Middletown
Middletown, NY
Luke Gutos
New Jersey Arsenal
Cherry Hill, NJ
Owen DeShazo
RBA West Elite
Montpelier, VA
Anthony Molinari
Storm
Merrick, NY
Devin Georgetti
Rochester Renegades
Rochester, NY
Shawn Rapp
Team MVP Elite
Mendham, NJ
Jeffrey Dengler
Beaver Valley Red
Pittsburgh, PA
Noah Robbins
Diamond Jaxx
Hardy, VA
Gavin Miller
Beaver Valley 10 red
McDonald, PA
Brandon Fleeger
Beaver Valley Red
Butler, PA
Dylan Grass
Beaver Valley Red
Bridgeville, PA
Vincenzo Rauso
Beaver Valley
Gibsonia, PA
Dylan O’Rae
Bluewater Attack
Sarnia, ON
Joshua Hoffman
Beaver Valley Red
Fayette City, PA
10 & Under
13 & Under
11 & Under
14 & Under
Brett Allen
Hanover Sports Virginia
Mechanicsville, VA
Greg Albert
Shawnee-Gallagher
Medford, NJ
Quinn Allen
Olney Pirates
Germantown, MD
Connor Coursey
Olney Pirates DC Dynasty
Silver Spring, MD
Colin Fitzgerald
Nook Sports - Laner PA
Lititz, PA
Anthony Galason
Colts Neck High School
Colts Neck, NJ
Jaden Guthrie
Prince William Legends
Montclair, VA
Darisu Gilliam
Dig IN
Bowie, MD
Nick Kurtz
nook sports baseball academy
Laner, PA
Payton Harrigal
RBA West American
Louisa, VA
Jacob Orr
Frederick Rangers-Hustlers
Frederick, MD
Frank Spano
NJ Eagles
Bloomingdale, NJ
Justin Reese
PG-Select 11u
Potomac, MD
Carlos Hernandez
K.O. Knudson middle school
Las Vegas, NV
Jared Wasserman
Sewell Raildogs
Cherry Hill, NJ
Jonathan Walton
PGHS JV & Rich.Ruckus
N Prince George, VA
Jason Wasserman
Sewell Raildogs
Cherry Hill, NJ
Kyle Nason
Hornsby-Virginia Venom
Williamsburg, VA
Christopher Bookhultz
Greenwood- Olney Pirates
Brookeville, MD
Carter Garlitz
pasco spartans
new port richey, FL
Shane Nason
Hornsby-Virginia Venom
Williamsburg, VA
Brenden Frese
Team Monster
Davenport, FL
Matt Caldwell
WV Sting
Mullens, WV
Troy Webster
Anchor Bay Angels
Richmond, MI
Tyler Casciato
Beaver Valley
Pittsburgh, PA
Tristan Casas
MVP Elite Squad
Pembroke Pines, FL
Luke Jackson
Beaver Valley Red
Fairview, PA
Carson Euverard
Lakeland Renegades
Winter Haven, FL
Jordan Major
Beaver Valley Red
Pittsburgh, PA
Brandon Frangione
West FLorida elite
Springhill, FL
18 USSSA TODAY
2014
GREAT LAKES
9 & Under
12 & Under
Mason Onate
Olentangy Bombers
Powell, OH
Antonio Brown
Lake County Lightning
Vernon Hills, IL
Wesley Alig
Head First Athletics
Oak Ridge, TN
Keaton Hopwood
Victory Baseball
Wilmington, IL
Wade Hensley
Pikeville Phillies
Pikeville, KY
Seth Adams
McNabb Indians-Ky Tribe
Mount Sterling, KY
Brennan Hamilton
Eagles Elite
Lexington, OH
Kaleb Corbett
Lyndon Lightning
Louisville, KY
Tom Lind
Northern Kentucky Storm
Independence, KY
Matthew Reaves
Vipers Baseball Club
Crestwood, KY
Blake Grimmer
MCBC
Spring Lake, MI
Kevin Smith
Providence Middle School
New Albany, IN
Jackson Sobel
Columbus Cobras
Westerville, OH
Ryan Lynch
Granger Cubs
Granger, IN
Hudson davenport
blue water attack
Richmond, MI
Joseph Jaruzel
Saginaw Bay Riverdawgs
Frankenmuth, MI
Benjamin Kinna
Sterling Heights Nationals
Christian CJ Fiaschetti
Oakland Iron Pigs
Rochester Hills, MI
Jacob Walther
Southwest Oakland Warriors
Wixon, MI
Tyler Petersen
Michigan Longhorns
Essexville, MI
Leighton Costello
Lake Villa Storm
Antioch, IL
Brandon Banker
Lake Villa Lightning
Antioch, IL
Zach Wager
Indiana Vipers Red
Columbus, IN
Gray Sobel
Columbus Cobras
Westerville
Griffin Pardi
Dragons Baseball Club
Rochester Hills, MI
William Bryan
Central Ohio Clippers
Nashport, OH
Brandon Butler
Beaver Valley
Spring Church, PA
Andrew Van Heck
MVP Mustangs
Lake Orion, MI
Micah Naranjo
Paducah Storm
clinton, KY
Brice Graham
Jackson County Black Sox
Jackson, OH
Grant Van Winkle
Granville, Oh
Ohio Elite
Austin Henschen
Cincy Flames 10u
Erlanger, KY
Cameron Bryant
Dayton Dodgers
Miamisburg, OH
Blane Besse-Morris
St. Louis Pirates
Wildwood, MO
Mitchell Roether
Dayton Sting Baseball
Beavercreek, OH
Michael Long
St. Louis Pirates Baseball Club
Ellisville, MO
Luke Krouse
Diamond Kings
Antwerp, OH
Travis Wiser
Danville KY Mustangs
Lebanon, KY
Ben Kennedy
Southern Indiana Legends
Evansville, IN
Matthew Grubb
Lake Villa Venom
Lindenhurst, IL
Jayden Smith
Detroit Bees
Canton, MI
Jordan Wright
Beaver Valley
Beaver Falls, PA
Jayden Lobliner
CDBL Rocket
Elgin, IL
Hunter Cottrell
Beaver Valley Red
Morgantown, WV
Marco Johnson
Michigan Blue Jays
Canton, MI
Jordyn Naranjo
Paducah Storm
Clinton, KY
Alex DiVito
Michigan Red Sox-MCBC
Birmingham, MI
Ryan Neely
Beaver Valley Red
Wintersville, OH
Lorenzo Rios
Yorkville Fury
Yorkville, IL
Carlos Tumpkin
Grosse Pointe RedHawks
Grosse Pointe Park, MI
Cooper Vance
Beaver Valley Baseball
New Waterford, OH
Alexander Pup
Elite Baseball Training
Chicago, IL
Owen DeGroot
Petoskey 10U
Petoskey, MI
Hayden Harrigan
South Lyon Thunder
South Lyon, MI
Mason Schwalbach
Wauconda Bulldogs
Wauconda, IL
Clayton Black
Danville Mustangs
Morehead, KY
Parker Rhew
AR Knights
Bragg City, MO
Samuele Gallimore
Paducah Storm
Fulton, KY
Riley Weber
Michigan Red Sox
Troy, MI
Jarett Wright
Beaver Valley
Beaver falls, PA
Trent Stuewe
Lansing Hit Club
Mason, MI
Scott McGlade
Pinckney Pirates
Pinckney, MI 10 & Under
Stephen Montgomery
11 & Under
13 & Under
14 & Under
Ethan Wood
Danville Mustangs
Lebanon, KY
Rylee Denney
Knights
Brodhead, KY
Trevor Abney
Rawlings Tigers
Ballwin, MO
Joshua Sewak
Ohio Heat Baseball
West Chester, OH
Jeffrey Cox
Midwest outlaws
Saint Peters, MO
Dominic Hann
Detroit Black Sox
Shelby Twp, MI
Aaron Harshaw
Wolves
Elizabethtown, KY
Jake Keaser
Oakland IronPigs
Rochester, MI
Nathan Doolittel
Michigan Elite Wave
Grand Rapids, MI
Nolan Rose
Mid-State Heat
East Liberty, OH
Dominic Rybicki
Michigan Tornadoes - MABF
Jonathan Wetherholt
Beaver Valley
Gibsonia, PA
Noah Hecht
Michigan Elite Wave
Portage, MI
Kenny Germain
Michigan Bulls
Farmington, MI
John Malcom
Motor city baseball club
Detroit, MI
Brandon Tucker
Sem Pirates
Bowling Green, OH
Jack Moran
Motor City Baseball Club
Bloomfield, MI
Mitch Jebb
Saginaw Bay Riverdawgs
Saginaw, MI
Cass Phillips
Motor City Hitdogs
Highland, MI
Eric Lucarelli
S.E.M. Pirates
Temperance, MI
Daniel Sewak
CBC-National
West Chester, OH
Cade Hamilton
Ohio Vipers
Lexington, KY
Cyrus Thomley
Ohio Thunder
Toledo, OH
Luke Lambert
Beaver Valley Baseball
McDonald, PA
Mikael Rodriguez
Michigan Elite Wave
Ada, MI
Dante Doute
Canton Cardinals
Canton, MI
Gaetano Vallone
Michigan Elite Wave
Sparta, MI
Bryce Hunt
Beaver Valley Red
Penn Hills, PA
Brock Nartker
Michigan Elite Wave
Sparta, MI
Matthew Wolff
Indiana Travelers
Fishers, IN
20 USSSA TODAY
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2014
CENTRAL
9 & Under
12 & Under
Stirlen Roberson
North Liberty Tigers
North Liberty, IA
Calvin Harris
Dubuque Bobcats
Peosta, IA
Caden Postma
Cedar Rapids Reds
Robins, IA
Jack Young
Barnstormer Hawks
LeClaire, IA
Tyler Welch
QC Heat
Walcott, IA
Seth Adrian
Seth Adrian
Blue Grass, IA
Noah Scott
Semper Elementary
Westminster, co
Tyson Gordon
Nebraska Naturals
Omaha, NE
Ben Kueter
Little Hawks White
South Amana, IA
Alec Patino
Siouxland Stars
Sioux City, IA
Nathan Offerman
Dubuque Tigers
Dyersville, IA
Carter Baumler
Grand Slam Longhorns
Grimes, IA
Owen Cook
3D Waukee Wildcats
Montezuma, IA
Eric Zander Broadhead
Central IA Crush USSSA
Des Moines, IA
Cole Eaton
Tagge Rutherford 9U Navy
Blair, NE
Aaron Downs
Pella Twins
Pella, IA
Jase Carpenter
Lexington Sluggers
Lexington, NE
Joseph Tyler Palmer
Columbus Mariners
Shelby, NE
Gavin Clauss
Lincoln dodgers blue
Lincoln, NE
Logan McCoy
Alta-Aurelia
Aurelia, IA
Drew Charney
Meadowbrook
Minneapolis, MN
Grady Haynes
Indianola Storm Black
Indianola, IA
Michael Mors
Hwy 81 Jr Bombers
Yankton, SD
Joel Benes
Lincoln Synergy
Lincoln, NE
Adam Greiner
Iowa Sticks
Ottumwa, IA
Aidan Freshly
Titans Baseball
Indianola, IA
Tyler Bartels
9u Jr. Cougar Gold
Cedar Rapids, IA
Kaleb Carpenter
Lexington
Lexington, NE
Cole Baumgart
A’s
Clarinda, IA
Drew Beer
Lincoln Cyclones
Lincoln, NE
10 & Under
13 & Under
Michael Mulhollon
GRB Rays
Lake Geneva, WI
Jake Leger
Lexington Dirt Devils
Lexington, NE
Kyle Schupmann
Batavia Bandits 10u Blue
Geneva, IL
Samuel Kennedy
Dsm 13u riders
Des Moines, IA
Matthew Rivers
Iowa Timber Rattlers
Altoona, IA
Thatcher Kozal
Lincoln Heat
Waverly, NE
Elliott Peterson
Pacesetters 10 s
Omaha, NE
Hunter Whinery
Metro Majors
Ely, IA
Dominick Olhava
Marion Indians 10u Red
Marion, IA
Jonah Reiser
Lincoln Synergy
Waverly, NE
Britton Bond
Clarinda Junior A’’s
Clarinda, IA
Brady Ellison
Dewitt Sabers
DeWitt, IA
Shawn Kehrli
Cougars Gold
Ryan, IA
Nathan Hostetler
Lincoln Heat
Milford, NE
Brady Christiansen
Lincoln Sox
Lincoln, NE
Easton Barrus
Forest City Fire
Belmond, IA
Jason Mihaakis
Minnetonka
Minnetonka, MN
Cade Argo
Lincoln Dominators Purple
Firth, NE
Matthew Ossenfort
Sioux Falls Cyclones
West Fargo, nd
Max Bruff
Starting Nine Baseball Academy
Pleasant Prairie, WI
Trevor Ruth
Lincoln Sox
Malcolm, NE
Jacob Legleiter
Kingswood Stealth
Omaha, NE
Manny Dooley
CIBA
Madison, WI
Samuel Wibbels
Hastings Brickyard Bombers
Hastings, NE
Carson Toebe
Mason City Redhawks
Mason City, IA
Christopher Spear
Ankeny Cubs
Ankeny, IA
Justin Hackett
Husky Dogs
Winterset, IA
Max Hesman
Millard Blue Legends
Omaha, NE
Robert Bobby Cobine
Mid West Pride Black
Des Moines, IA
Andrew Fox
Shockers
Urbandale, IA
11 & Under
14 & Under
Michael Boeve
Hastings Redbirds
Hastings, NE
Shay Schanaman
Hastings Brickyard Bombers
Hansen, NE
Brayden Bock
Elkhorn Red Storm
Elkhorn, NE
Austin Schultz
NBA Titans
Adams, NE
Matthew Mors
81 Bombers
Yankton, sd
Brenton Davis
Malcolm
Raymond, NE
Cade Timmerman
Full Count Select
Van Horne, Ia
Ross Hingst
Waukee - Iowa Aces
West Des Moines, IA
Sawyer Nauman
Dubuque County Nationals
Peosta, IA
Jaxon Walls
Bellevue Bruins
Bellevue, NE
Isaac Ihnen
Harris-Lake Park
Round Lake, MN
Jared Wegner
Kearney Titans Orange
Kearney, NE
Keian Secrist
I C Trojans Gold
North Liberty, IA
Zach Argo
NBA Titans Majors
Firth, NE
Evan Appelwick
Sioux Falls Cyclones
Madison, sd
Brandon Waechter
Iowa sticks elite
West Des Moines, IA
Tyler Olson
Webster City Wolves
Webster City, IA
Collin Rogiers
Quad City A’s
Buffalo, IA
Brady Christensen
Omaha Pacesetters
elkhorn, NE
Conner Lardenoit
Lincoln Dodgers
Lincoln, NE
Cael Luzum
Decorah
Decorah, IA
Tyler Lewis
Valley
West Des Moines, IA
Landon Gilliland
Iowa Yankees
Lamoni, IA
Luke Golla
Hitmen-Marion
Marion, IA
Joshua Brewington
Fairfield Cougars
Batavia, IA
Maxwell Reinert
Nebraska Diamond Dawgs
Lincoln, NE
Nicholas Aehlert
Bloomindale Bulldogs
Itasca, IL
Alexander Hrnicek
Nebraska Diamond Dawgs
Lincoln, NE
Adam Denniston
Ottumwa Heat
Ottumwa, IA
Reid Summers
North Polk-Ankeny Jaguars
Ankeny, IA
22 USSSA TODAY
alwharf.com
2014
MIDWEST
9 & Under
12 & Under
Dondreone Kennedy
Fort Worth Fire
Fort Worth, TX
Colby Jost
Buzz Lightning Baseball Academy
Copperas Cove, TX
Bennett Fryman
Texas Desperados
Frisco, TX
John Ceccoli
USSSA All American
Tyler, TX
Caleb Oligschlaeger
Mid Missouri Futures
St Elizabeth, MO
Declan Wiesner
Team Colorado
Castle Rock, CO
Ty Wisdom
Dirtbags
Kansas City, MO
Marcus Brown
Springdale Yard Birds
Springdale, ar
Easton Wasinger
Building Champions
Overland Park, MO
Braden Berry
St. Joe Blast
Hume, MO
Andrew Hedgecorth
Prodigy
Smithville, MO
Nathan Chester
Monarchs Baseball Club
Kansas City, MO
Jackson Buck
Bixby-Black Sox
Bixby, OK
Chase Jones
Mac N Seitz Indians
Liberty, MO
Maverick William
Isaiah Keller
B.A. Bullets
Broken Arrow, OK
Logan Towe
Brandon Warnick
Broken Arrow
Broken Arrow, OK
Madden Dillard
Cade Horton
Oklahoma Prospects
Norman, OK
Casen Davenport
Alexander Gonzales
C3 Futures
Argyle, OK
James Long
Athletics
Texarkana, TX
Braden Wallace
Cen-Tex Bobcats
Buda, TX
Austin Phillips
Dallas Patriots
Fort Worth, TX
Lance Barnett
Texas Show
Fort Worth, TX
Rush Potts
Texas X-Treme - Potts
Rockwall, TX
Garrison Rice
Dallas Tigers
Plano, TX
Logan Myers
Texas Dingers
arlington, TX
Jacob Guerrero
Texas Stix
North Richland Hills,
TX
Jett Williams
DBAT Elite East-Bonesio
Bedford, TX
Dustin Fulbright
Clubs Baseball
Quinlan, TX
Overland Park, KS
Wade Elliott
S3 Hustlers
Midland, TX
Natural Baseball
Overland Park, KS
10 & Under
Logan Mallard
Cal Kilgore
D-Bat Elite West
BC KC Rawlings Prospects
13 & Under
Heath, TX
William Vasseur
Fort Collins Lookouts
Fort Collins, CO
Larsen
Caden Marcum
KC Giants
Paola, KS
Jake Lufft
Blue Springs Elks
Independence, MO
Tyler Renn
Mid-Missouri Futures
Jefferson City, MO
Mateo Martinez
Kansas Jaguars
Wichita, KS
Zay Brink
KC Orioles
Lenexa, KS
austin gerety
kansas crush
Seneca, KS
Brock Lucas
Mid Missouri Futures
Meta, MO
Gavin Potter
Braden Keith
Oklahoma Bats
Sperry, OK
Connor Beichler
Gavin Moore
Dirty sox
Davis, OK
Trevion Harris
Eastlake-Lawton Sting
Cache, OK
Claremore, OK
Nick Duran
Texas Heat
Cleburne, TX
Solomon Skalnik
Oklahoma Blue Rocks
Jett Carroll
Frisco Riders Cruz
Pottsboro, TX
Miguel Vega
Rodric Black
DFW Express
Bedford, TX
Justin Butz
TCA Twins
McKinney, TX
Kevin Duran
D-bat Elite West
Cleburne, TX
Jacob Richardson
Lubbock Spartans
Lubbock, TX
Lenny Forth
Texas Rattlers
Flower Mound , TX
Caylor Dannevik
Lubbock Spartans
Lubbock, TX
Cade Currington
Clubs Baseball
Terrell, TX
11 & Under
Jonathan Huff
Nyle Banks
Team Citius USA
New Braunfels, TX
Academy Select Sundevils
Plano, TX
Kansas Falcons
Matthew Grubb
14 & Under
Shawnee, KS
Ty Bowring
Clubs Baseball
Forney, TX
dallas tigers watten
lubbock, TX
Tyler Gerety
Kansas Crush
Seneca, KS
Jaden fowler
Ben Haug
Marshall Mud Hounds
Marshall, MO
Logan Layer
Dallas Tigers
Rowlett, TX
Jeremy Rader
Southwest Missouri Bears
Springfield, MO
Asa Lacy
Kerrvile Indians
Kerrville, TX
Ivan Brethowr
Mac n Seitz
Olathe, KS
Lance Ford
Kerrvile Indians
Kerrville, TX
Jackson Beaman
Sedalia Bombers
Lincoln, MO
Logan Thomazin
All American Prospects OK
Walnut Grove, MO
Oklahoma city, OK
Caleb Marquez
Blue Springs-Elks
Blue Springs, MO
Tulsa, OK
Branden Harder
Mac-N-Seitz
Nevada, MO
Flower Mound, TX
Javier Ramos
Oklahoma All American Prospects
Vian, OK
Arlington, TX
Jake Robbins
Fort Gibson High School
Fort Gibson, OK
Sluggers
McAlester, OK
Dondi King Jr.
Bobby Byers
William Warren
Jase Box
Oklahoma Heat
Oklahoma T-Bones
NTX Beast
express
Hunter Teplansky
Waco Storm
Temple, TX
Brandon Rutledge
Ben Harris
EOC Rivals
Midwest City, OK
Ryan Kelley
Sluggers
McAlester, OK
Jackson Duke
Team Citius
Alvarado, TX
Nickolas Nelson
Cooperstown Cobras
Keller, TX
Joseph Trevino
Dallas Stars
Waxahachie, TX
Drew Pollum
NTXBC Dirtbags
Keller, TX
24 USSSA TODAY
2014
ATLANTIC COAST
9 & Under
12 & Under
Aidan Miller
Florida Battalion
Trinity, Fl
Yohandy Morales
MVP Elite Squad
Miami, FL
Anthony AJ Hunerberg
Palm Beach Garden
West Palm Beach, FL
Jonathon Romallo
WR Thomas Middle S
Maimi, FL
Zay Staples
Team Easton Adiktiv
Port St Lucie, FL
Jake Little
Florida Battalion
Tampa, FL
Hayden Gustavson
Columbia Timber Rattlers
Lake City, FL
Jakob Runnels
USSSA
Winter Haven, Fl
Braden Pierce
643 Cougars
Woodstock, GA
Tyler Keeting
Florida Battalion
Lutz, FL
Jamie Howze
Foundation A's
Ellenwood, GA
Jackson Miller
Florida Battalion
Trinity, FL
Joshua Young
Knucklehead Baseball
Lenoir, NC
Andrew Fernandez
MVP Elite Squad
Kissimmee, FL
Cooper Allen
NC Rivercats
Wake Forest, NC
Sebastian Moore
Team MVP
Jacksonville, FL
Ethan Garner
Carolina Titans
Pinwhurst, NC
Victor Mederos
MVP Elite Squad
Miami, FL
Brooks Brannon
Georgia Octane
Cumming, GA
Joshua Schaad
Dallas Bombers
Venice, FL
jesse duong
GA Octane
Cumming, GA
John Mascia
Sun Devuls of Naples
Naples, FL
Brandon Trichell
6-4-3 DP
Woodstock, GA
Kyle Smith
Rock Solid Baseball
Hampstead, NC
Kenton Collier
Team Demarini
Conyers, GA
Michael Sagaro
Ryan lowe
Florida Battalion
St Petersburg, FL
Carson Cook
Bluesox Baseball
Bremen, GA
Gavin Hunter
Riverview Rockets Red
Riverview, FL
Brantley Ivey
BlueSox Baseball
Bremen, GA
Mason Hicks
East Cobb Braves
Canton, GA
jackson penton
Pensacola Storm
Cantonment, FL
Dominick D'Antonio
Nelson Baseball Naturals
Kennesaw, GA
JORGE BELLO
Team MVP
Orlando, FL
Noah McKinney
Duniden Panthers
Spring Hill, FL
Giovanny Cueto
MVP Legends
Miami, FL
Nathan Palmer
Molina Impact Baseball
Deland, FL
Gilberto Torres-Madriz
Miami Phenoms
Miami, FL
Yardani Carmoni
MVP Elite Squad
Hialeah, FL
Salvador Alvarez
Miami Phenoms
Miami, FL
Jake Holland
MVP Elite Squad
Miramar, FL
Edrian Paul Romero
Team MVP Legends
Orlando, FL
Colton Olasin
MVP Elite Squad
Spring Hill, FL
Zack Doorlag
Riverview Rockets red
Sebring, FL
Kobe Slate
NC Young Guns
Mount Airy, NC
Gus Shelton
Carolina Titans
West End, NC
ZacK Michael
GBC Orange
Summerfield, NC
Bryce Meachem
Huntersville Hornets
Lotte, NC
Antonio Jareno
WPB Chargers
Marietta, GA
William Price
Carolina Seminoles
Winston Salem, NC
Stan King
Gamon Bulls
Lafayette, GA
Hayden Murphy
Blacksox
Chula, GA
Ira Clifton
Foundation A
Fayetteville, GA
Sal Stewart
MVP Legends
Maimi, FL
Bryant Rowell
Game on Baseball
Warner Robins, GA
Robert Mascia
USSSA
Naples, FL
Dalton Hoenig
Around the Horn
Statesboro, GA
Grant Bournigal
Central Florida Crushers
Mulberry, FL
Chase Townsend
Carolina Combat
Columbia, SC
Collin Fowler
10 & Under
11 & Under
13 & Under
Palmer Bringgold
Trinity
Tampa, FL
Irving Carter
Stealth National
Miami, FL
Owen Flynn
Redhawks Elite
Windermere, FL
Carson Weekley
Tampa Thunder
Tampa, FL
Pierce Chambers
Team Florida
Treasure Island, FL
Joseph Cosgrove
Team Florida
Orlando, FL
Ray Sobrino
Seige
Maimi Lakes, FL
Joe Smith
Scoutz
Brunswick, GA
Jake Cunnningham
SBA Canes
Lotte, NC
Derek Wylie
Kal Daniel's Titans
Warner Robins, GA
Ian Brooks
WNC Sluggers
Bryson City, NC
Taylor Pridgen
Bushnell Bandits
Grand Island, FL
Darryl Buggs, II
Demarini Fanatics
Stockbridge, GA
Christopher Williams
Boca Ciega- Hardball
St Petesburg, FL
Jackson Baumeister
CBC Bears
Jacksonville FL
Ian Luke Smith
Savannah Dawgs
Pooler, GA
Quayde Hawkins
Force Baseball
Bainbridge, GA
Riley Dahlberg
Diamond Mine
Burnsville, NC
Heath Mann
Rivercats
Raleigh, NC
Ahmad Ali
Chain Baseball
Fayetteville GA
John Clarke
Team Siege
Miami, FL
Anthony Angelety
Druid Hill Hawks
Atlanta, GA
Sebastian Burgos
USSSA
Kissimmee, FL
Cade Gabriel
Team Rawlings
Dalton, GA
Ryan Skelly
Fishhawk Wolves
Lithia, FL
Austin Hunter
Dunwoody Diablos Gold
Roswell, GA
Aaron Skinner
GA Havoc
Augusta, GA
Stephen Karis
East Cobb Braves
Kennesaw, GA
Bobby Christy
Majesic Vipers
Odessa, Fl
Jackson Doyle
Druid Hill Hawks
Atlanta, GA
Ryan Glass
East Cobb Astros
Mableton, GA
26 USSSA TODAY
14 & Under
DEMARINI ELITE WORLD SERIES (8U KP – 14U)
Does your team have what it takes to participate in the 1st Annual USSSA
National Youth Championship? Twelve (12) total berths and $390,000 in
Travel Money will be awarded through Super NIT, Dual Super NIT, DeMarini
Elite World Series and Louisville Slugger Championship play!
SUPER NIT EVENTS
•One or two berths awarded to top placing team(s) to DeMarini Elite World Series
o Berth(s) pass down if top placing team(s) previously earned berth to DeMarini Elite World Series
o Berth(s) pass down if top placing team(s) declined berth to DeMarini Elite World Series
•First Place: 300 USSSA Points / Second Place: 225 USSSA Points / Etc.
•No travel money awarded
•Ages: 8U KP – 14U
DUAL SUPER NIT EVENTS
•One or two berths awarded to top placing team(s) to DeMarini Elite World Series and / or Louisville
Slugger Championship
o Berth(s) pass down if top placing team(s) previously earned berth to DeMarini Elite World Series
and / or Louisville Slugger Championship
o Berth(s) pass down if top placing team(s) declined berth to DeMarini Elite World Series and / or
Louisville Slugger Championship
•First Place: 600 USSSA Points / Second Place: 450 USSSA Points / Etc.
•Travel Money Awarded:
o First Place: $1000 DeMarini Elite World Series & $1000 Louisville Slugger Championship
o Second Place: $500 DeMarini Elite World Series & $500 Louisville Slugger Championship
o Travel Money pass down if top placing team(s) decline berth(s)
o Travel Money pass down no further than Fourth Place in final standings at event
o Travel Money will be available at check-in of DeMarini Elite World Series and / or Louisville
Slugger Championship for participating teams only
•Ages: 8U KP – 14U (8U KP - DeMarini Elite World Series only, no Travel Money)
SUPER NIT POINT RANKINGS
•Earn USSSA Points in Super NIT and Dual Super NIT events throughout the 2014 season
•Ages: 9U – 14U
•First – Eighth Place teams in Super NIT Point Rankings earn berth to USSSA National Youth
Championships (berths pass down if necessary to fill event)
o Teams must play in DeMarini Elite World Series and / or Louisville Slugger Championship to
validate berth
o First – Eighth Places in Super NIT Point Rankings: $1000
o Travel Money will be available at check-in of USSSA National Youth Championships for
participating teams only
•Points must be earned in Major class events and will be accumulated through June 16, 2014
28 USSSA TODAY
•ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney / Kissimmee, FL
o10U, 12U, 14U
July 25 – August 2, 2014
o8U
July 30 – August 4, 2014
o9U, 11U, 13U
August 2 – August 10, 2014
•Two (2) berths awarded to top placing teams to the USSSA National Youth Championships
o Berths pass down if top placing team(s) previously earned berth to
USSSA National Youth Championships
o Berths pass down if top placing team(s) declined berth to USSSA National Youth Championships
o First Place: $1000 / Second Place: $500
o Travel Money does not pass down
o Travel Money will be available at check-in of USSSA National Youth Championships for
participating teams only
•Special Roster Addition:
o Teams may add one (1) additional player to DeMarini Elite World Series Official Online
Roster (see USSSA National Bylaws for guidelines)
LOUISVILLE SLUGGER CHAMPIONSHIP (9U – 14U)
•Big League Dreams in Chino Hills / West Covina, CA
o 10U, 12U, 14U July 9 – July 13, 2014
o 9U, 11U, 13U July 16 – July 19, 2014
•Two (2) berths awarded to top placing teams to the USSSA National Youth Championships
o Berths will pass down if top placing team(s) previously earned berth to USSSA National Youth
Championships
o Berths pass down if top placing team(s) declined berth to USSSA National Youth Championships
o First Place: $1000 / Second Place: $500
o Travel Money does not pass down
o Travel Money will be available at check-in of USSSA National Youth Championships for participating
teams only
•Special Roster Addition
o Teams may add one (1) additional player to Louisville Slugger Championship Official Online Roster
(see USSSA National Bylaws for guidelines) USSSA
USSSA NATIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS (9U – 14U)
•Gameday Baseball in Memphis, TN
o 10U, 12U, 14U August 14 – August 17, 2014
o 9U, 11U, 13U August 21 – August 24, 2014
•Twelve (12) teams per age division
•Special Roster Addition
o Teams may add one (1) additional player to USSSA
National Youth Championships Official Online Roster
(see USSSA National Bylaws for guidelines)
29
USSSA
Gold Medal Games
cONFIRMED
tEAMS aTTENDING
combatbaseball.com
proud partner of the
national youth championship, MEMPHIS, Tn / jULY 25-AUG 24
YOUR ADVANTAGE IS IN OUR DNA.
32 USSSA TODAY
2013-14 USSSA 18U ALL-AMERICAN TEAM
USSSA NATIONAL TEAM TRAVELS TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC TO
COMPETE IN MLB SANCTIONED CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
Kissimmee, FL - Last summer roughly 800 of the
nations best 16 & 17 year old baseball players participated in regional combines for the opportunity to
advance to the final stop in the selection process,
Osceola Heritage Park, Home of both USSSA National
Headquarters and Spring Training facility of the Houston Astro’s.
THE GOAL - to be selected as a member of the 2013-14
USSSA All-American Team. In addition to gaining national exposure and the opportunity to showcase their
abilities in front dozens of college coaches and professional baseball scouts, the young All-Americans would
be traveling internationally and competing against the
best European baseball players in the world.
COACHES George
Andrea
Jesus
Mike
DJ
FIRST
General
Jeffrey
Easton
Richard
Dylan
Jeff
Austin
Braden
Santino
Adan
Ozzie
Cole
Scotty
Gabriel
Alex
Alex
Juan
Michael
TEAM ROSTER
Gonzalez
D’Auria
Perez
Sindone
Wabick
LAST
POSITION ST.
STATS
McArthur
– OF
(IL) 6 for 16 3 RBI
Korte
– C
(FL) 3 for 9 1 HR, 3 RBI
Fortuna
– 2B
(KS) 9 for 17 1 SB, 4 RBI
O’Hara
– 3B/SS
(TX) 5 for 6 2 RBI
Burns
– 3B/RHP (FL) 4 for 9 1 RBI
Passantino – RHP/1B (FL) 3 for 11 1 RBI
Ferguson
– 1B
(TX) 11for 21 1 HR, 6 RBI
Rollins
– OF/RHP (FL) 9 for 19 1 HR, 1 SB, 6 RBI
Miozzi
– C
(FL) 5 for 12 5 RBI
Ordonez
– MIF
(FL) 6 for 10
Perez
– SS
(FL) 7 for 16 1 RBI, 1 SB
Mears
– OF
(CA) 9 for 20 4 RBI, 3 SB
Stout
– RHP
(FL)
Rodriguez – RHP/SS (FL)
House
– RHP
(FL)
D’Orso
– LHP
(FL)
Echevaria – RHP/INF (FL)
Zimmerman – LHP
(FL)
PITCHING HIGHLIGHTS
Rollins
– Pitching - 1 IP/2 H/2BB/1K/2ER
Burns
- Pitching - 5 IP/2H/3BB/3K/1ER
Passantino - Pitching - 4.2 IP/2 H/3BB/11K/0 ER
Echevaria
– Pitching - 5IP/3H/2ER
Stout –
- Pitching - 2.1 IP/1H/1BB/4K/0ER
Rodriguez
- Pitching - 5 IP/4H/3BB/6K/1ER
D’Orso
– Pitching - 6 IP/2H/0BB/4K/0ER
House
– Pitching - 4 IP/8H/2BB/2K/6ER
Zimmerman – Pitching - 4IP/4H/2BB/5K/2ER
34 USSSA TODAY
In all 18 players, 5 coaches and many parents boarded
the flight to Prague for an opportunity of a lifetime. Suffice to say, everyone was excited about the trip. This
was not only a chance to visit another country and
explore new cultures but an chance to test their skills
against some of the finest athletes Europe has to offer.
Often, as in this case, these competitions are open to
adult players. Differences in langue , currencies and
various social issues all present a challenge. These
obstacles are easily overcome by the one thing that everyone has in common: BASEBALL. The USSSA AllAmerican Team was ready and excited about what lay
ahead. The 2014 Prague Baseball Week tournament
is sanctioned by MLB and several pro scouts would be
attending. All the hard work paid off and the time was
at hand.
USSSA started off the 2014 Prague Baseball Week
with an overpowering victory over the Polish Senior
National Team. Though many years younger than their
competition, Poland found to be no match for the highly
talented USSSA group.
Ozzie Perez (FL) started off the game with a line drive
double to left center field and was followed quickly by
a Cole Mears (CA) bunt single. Consecutive RBI hits
by Jeff Korte (FL), Jeff Pasatino (FL), Austin Ferguson
(TX), Beau O’Hara (TX), and Braden Rollins (FL) gave
USSSA a seven run first inning.
Seven runs proved to be more then enough for starting
pitcher Johnathan Echevarria (FL) as he overpowered
the Poland hitters throughout the game. Echevarria
threw the full five inning shortened game to earn the
first victory for USSSA on their quest for the championships.
USSSA’s offense clicked on all fronts with every player
in the starting lineup having at least one hit. Four hit
games from Austin Ferguson and Braden Rollins and
three hit games from Easton Fortuna and Jeff Pasatino
led the way for the powerful USSSA offensive attack
that produced 25 runs in five innings.
Final Score: USSSA 25 - Poland 2
Summaries For Remaining Games:
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Game 2: USSSA vs. Slovakia
Final Score: USSSA 11 - Slovakia 0
Starting Pitcher: Jeff Passantino
Winning Pitcher: Jeff Passantino
USSSA’s Offensive Production:
1st inning: Austin Ferguson two out single to right field
followed by a two run homerun from Jeff Korte
2nd inning: Beau O’Hara double to left followed by an
RBI single from Dylan Burn (3-0). General McArthur
bunt base hit and advances to third on a throwing error.
Easton Fortuna picks up the RBI with a groundball to
the infield (4-0)
3rd inning: Infield single by Ozzie Perez followed by a
two run homerun from Branden Rollins (6-0)
4th inning: Infield single by Easton Fortuna followed
by an RBI double by Cole Mears (7-0). A single by
Ozzie Perez makes the game (8-0). Austin Ferguson
follows with a two run homerun to right (10-0)
6th inning: Back to back singles by Cole Mears and
Ozzie Perez puts runners at first and second. Austin
Ferguson’s deep fly ball to right allows Mears to advance to third. Back to back walks to Jeff Korte and
Beau O’Hara make the score 11 – 0.
Top Performers: Jeff Passantino (11k over 4.2 innings pitched). Cole Mears, Ozzie Perez, Austin Ferguson, Beau O’Hara, and General McArthur had multihit games with homeruns from Austin Ferguson, Jeff
Korte, and Branden Rollins.
Game 3: Belarus vs. USSSA
Final Score: USSSA 25 - Belarus 0
Starting Pitcher: Alex D’Orso
Winning Pitcher: Alex D’Orso (6 innings pitched, let
up 2 hits, 0 Walks, 4 Strikeouts, 0 Earned Runs)
Relief Pitcher: Gabriel Rodriguez (2 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 1
K, 0 ER)
USSSA’s Offensive Production:
1st inning: Cole Mears HBP. Cole Mears steals second base. Austin Ferguson drives in Cole Mears with
a double to make the score 1 – 0
2nd inning: Dylan Burns single, advances to second
on an Adan Ordonez sacrifice bunt. Three consecutive
walks to Santino Miozzi, Ozzie Perez, and Cole Mears
makes the score 2 – 0.
3rd inning: Branden Rollins hits a mammoth homerun
to make the score 3 – 0
6th inning: Easton Fortuna base hit and steals second. Cole Mears RBI triple makes the game 4 – 0.
Austin Ferguson sacrifice fly scores Mears to make the
score 5 – 0.
7th inning: Adan Ordonez double and scores on an
error by the shortstop on a Santino Miozzi groundball
8th inning: Cole Mears single and scores on an Austin
Ferguson double. Beau O’Hara infield single puts two
on for Branden Rollins who follows through with an RBI
base hit. Branden Rollins scores the knock out run on
a Santino Miozzi single to make the score 10 – 0.
Top Performers: Multi-hit games from Cole Mears,
Austin Ferguson, Branden Rollins, and Dylan Burns.
Alex D’Orso starred on the mound by consistently
pounding the zone with strikes.
GAME RECAPS FOR GAMES 4 & 5 WERE
UNAVAILABLE AT PRESS TIME.
Game 4: Czech Republic Men’s National Team vs. USSSA
Semi Final Score:
Czech Republic Men’s National Team 10 - USSSA 3
Game 5: Czech Republic 21U National Team vs. USSSA
Final Score:
USSSA 8 - Czech Republic 21U National Team 6
The USSSA 18U All-American Team Placed
3rd in the Competition
International Stars - Tournament Champions
36 USSSA TODAY
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email Sports@ExperienceKissimmee.com
Discover Kissimmee and experience more fun!
40 USSSA TODAY
USSSA TODAY 41
#liveLEGIT
by Chelsea Wilson
Brand Marketing Manager Worth Sports
Have you heard the buzz yet? We’ve
released our ²Legit fastpitch bat that is revolutionizing hitting. Check out the ad for the
technical information, but I want to explain
how this bat came about, what it really can
do for a hitter. Bottom line: you’ll hit better
with this bat.
The idea started out fairly simple: make
the most reactive bat for slower swing speeds
(originally intended for the 12-16U market)
knowing that young hitters might not have
the strength to flex the standard barrel.
Our engineers started developing a reactive
outer barrel, and inserted an inner barrel to
work as a governor: that’s when the double
barrel came to life. Then they tirelessly tested
contact points, ball flight and vibration to get
the perfect handle flex for consistent contact
and reduced string. What they realized is they
needed to develop a “hinge” that allowed the
handle to flex just enough to keep the ball on
a good flight path, and add a collar around
the hinge to reduce vibration from causing
sting in the hitter’s hands. The double barrels,
plus the hinge, plus the handle resulted in
the patent pending 2x4 Logic that maximizes
performance for slower swing speeds!
Having targeted younger hitters, what we
did not expect were the rave reviews from our
college Advisory Staff teams. We sent out a
few test bats just to see what they thought,
and I immediately started getting phone
calls: “all of our kids will switch to this bat,”
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Juggle, Dribble, Shoot
Evolving from USSSA Soccer
by Maggie MacDonald
Punt, Pass and Kick. Drive Chip and Putt.
We’ve all heard of the popular skill competitions. But what about Juggle, Dribble, Shoot.
Has anyone heard of that? Perhaps not,
because Juggle, Dribble, Shoot (JDS) is a new
program USSSA took on, with the help of
program creator Erin Mahan.
Mahan was working with Clinton Parks and
Recreation in Clinton, Miss., when the Director
at the time, Ray Holloway, asked everyone to
think of some fun, new and creative ideas for
the city. Because Mahan has been involved in
soccer her whole life, her mind immediately
jumped to a program involving soccer. That’s
where JDS was born.
“I had participated in the NFL Punt, Pass
and Kick competition when I was younger,
and the idea just started growing from there,”
Mahan Said, “I did some research to see if
anyone had attempted a program like this
42 USSSA TODAY
that was actually launched on a large scale,
and finding no record, I started playing around
with some catchy names. Juggle Dribble Shoot
or JDS seemed to roll off the tongue.” She
then began seeking national support. Mahan
contacted Craig Scriven, USSSA’s National
Director, and knowing a good idea when he
saw one, Scriven was on board.
The competition, unique to the world of
soccer, will challenge the skill of participants
across a range of sport-related trials. Juggle,
Dribble, Shoot, true to its name, includes
maximum count juggling, timed dribbling
through a series of cones and shooting with
precision through targeted area. Each individual competition has a point scale, and a
player’s final JDS score is a culmination of
points earned across all three trials. JDS also
includes Goalie Wars, a competition tailored
to measure skills specific to the goalkeeper
position. Qualifying JDS events will be held
around the country, and the top five finalists
from each gender’s age group will advance to
the final.
Recently, USSSA Soccer affiliated with
The Sporting Club Network, in an effort to
expand the game - starting on a local scale.
SC Network, based in Kansas City, allows for
a partnership between major-league soccer
clubs and local organizations and teams. The
aim is to create a unique, reciprocal relationship between big-time clubs and local initiatives. It’s all about developing the game of
soccer.
Specifically, this new partnership has
opened a door for the JDS program, as the
two groups will host the finals of the JDS
competition at Swope Soccer Village, Sporting
KC’s official training facility in Kansas City, Mo.
With Mahan’s evident passion and enthusiasm, the future of JDS looks bright. “I cannot
describe how thrilled I am to see how far this
program has gone already. I am so excited
to be a part of it, and working with such an
awesome team to make this program a success
across the country.”
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Here Comes the Pride!
by Keri Lounge Lombardo
On a clear, crisp night at Arthur Perdue
Stadium, the smell of popcorn was in
the air, the National Anthem sung, the
crowd cheered as the umpire declared,
“Play ball!” That’s right, the USSSA
Pride’s season opened in full force on
May 30 in Salisbury, Maryland verses
the Pennsylvania Rebellion. Teams
from Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey,
Virginia, and West Virginia not only
traveled to Wicomico County to support
the USSSA Pride as they took on the
Rebellion, they also came with determination of becoming champion of
the inaugural “Here Comes the Pride”
fastpitch tournament. There’s no better
way to spend a weekend than playing
softball while being in the presence of
some of the world’s best athletes still
competing in the game today.
The weekend started off with a bang.
Before one pitch was thrown Wicomico
County Recreation, Parks, and Tourism
held an event that most young athletes
would consider a once in a lifetime
opportunity. It’s every young athletes
dream to one day meet their respective sports idol and some of the teams
were fortunate enough to do just
that while attending a star studded
banquet strewn with USSSA Pride and
PA Rebellion players. The event offered
door prizes, silent auction items, and a
key note speech by Cat Osterman and
Don DeDonatis, CEO of USSSA. The
young athletes were able to mingle and
dine at the same table as the women of
the NPF which included Caitlin Lowe,
Andrea Duran, and Kelly Kretschman
just to name a few. The excitement of
the young players was overwhelming
as they posed for pictures and handed
items over to their favorite players for
autographs to commemorate the special
evening. One coach commented, “Wow!
This was the most amazing night, and
far exceeded all expectations. USSSA
and Wicomico County did a great job
with this event.” As the night drew to
an end all the players went home to rest
up for their big games coming up in the
days ahead.
46 USSSA TODAY
After leading the Pride to a 2-1 win in
game one of the four game series over
the PA Rebellion, Cat Osterman, who
had 15 strikeouts during the game, took
the time to visit the young teams playing
at Henry S. Parker Softball Complex
and Fruitland Recreation Complex in
the “Here Comes the Pride” tournament. Cat was accompanied by fellow
Pride players Kristyn Sandberg, Madison
Shipman, Cassie Tysarczyk, Olivia Galati,
and Amanda Kamekona. Fans were
shocked to see such renowned players,
the players they watched play from a
distance just the night before, passing
through the same ball park in which
they were competing. Players were able
to get autographs and pictures with the
girls and the Pride players had some
fun of their own. While visiting and
watching the junior Delaware USSSA
Pride Elite team play they had a chance
to meet the junior Pride team’s mascots,
baby goats Roscoe and Bentley. Great
fun was had at the ball park for the
Pride players and their fans that day.
That night the teams filled the stadium
to support the Pride in the second
game of their four game series verses
the Rebellion. The Pride tried to rally
with the crowd rooting them on. The
Rebellion ended up pushing through
with a 3-2 victory over the Pride. Even
though the Pride did not come out
on top they showed the young girls
watching what it means to fight up until
the last pitch is thrown. Some fans had
never seen the game played with such
intensity. Intensity they hoped would
filter into the next day as their respective teams geared up to compete for the
championship title of the “Here Comes
the Pride” tournament.
As the “Here Comes the Pride” tournament drew to an end the champions
were crowned for each division. Those
accomplished teams were:
■ 10 & Under “Open”:
Bayside Breeze, MD
Midway Orange Crush, DE
■ 12 & Under “C”:
Southern Delaware Hurricanes, DE
Hampton Roads Vipers Black, VA
■ 14 & Under “C”:
Bayside Breeze Orange, MD
■ 16 & Under “C”:
Cecil Blue Claws, MD
Diamond State Swoop, DE
Not every young athlete that attended
the “Here Comes the Pride” tournament
left with a trophy that weekend but
every player did leave with a memory,
a memory that some say is better than
a trophy. Some left with the memory
of dining at the same table as a professional player at the banquet. Some left
with the memory of being surprised
by the Pride players at the park while
playing in the tournament. Others will
remember sitting in the stands watching
the professional players play the game
of softball at a level that could be
considered perfection. These memories
will help mold the young players into
focused, hardworking athletes. They
will forever have a goal and vision as
to where their softball career can take
them thanks to the ladies of the NPF.
48 USSSA TODAY
Danielle Lawrie Returns to Softball
Embodies the Phrase Working Mom
by Jami Lobpries
Remember when New York Mets
infielder Daniel Murphy was chastised
for missing two days of work to be at the
birth of his first child? Enter the world of
women’s professional sports where the
birth of a child from a female athlete can
mean missing an entire season. Where
returning from maternity leave takes a
little more than just finding a babysitter.
And where returning to compete against
the world’s best takes commitment from
the whole family and team.
On May 31st, Danielle Lawrie threw
her first pitch in almost two years. That
pitch symbolized more than a strike to
the Pennsylvania Rebellion leadoff hitter.
It symbolized the two year journey of
softball’s newest mom as that first pitch
came five and a half months after Lawrie
had given birth to her first child.
Lawrie and her husband Andrew
Locke gave birth to Madison Nicole
Locke on December 16, 2013. Five weeks
later, the two-time NCAA National Player
of the Year, did what many new moms
do—she went back to work. Returning
from maternity leave in the corporate
world is one thing. Returning from
maternity leave in professional sports is
another. Lawrie had five months to get
back in playing shape to compete against
the world’s best. This meant a full regime
of cardio, weights, and oh yeah---live pitching!
All while embracing the new world of motherhood.
Danielle Lawrie has never been a stranger
to hard work. She worked out throughout
her pregnancy, something she advises all new
moms to do. “I worked out as long as I could
until I was 38 weeks and that was the best
possible thing for delivery and for recovery. As
hard as it was, I really owe a lot to what I did
during my pregnancy.” Five weeks after giving
birth to “Maddie”, Lawrie was back to work.
“I started working out at that 5 week mark
where I could start doing cardio. Two and a
half months out, I really started to amp it up.”
Amping it up included traveling to nearby
Boston College to throw live. Infant Maddie
traveled with her.
The story of Danielle Lawrie’s pregnancy
has been a hard road from the beginning.
Lawrie learned of her pregnancy while playing
for Toyota Shokki in the Japan Softball League
(JSL). Sounds simple, except that the pregnancy test Lawrie took was in Japanese and
her entire family was back in North America
(Lawrie is originally from Canada and husband
Andrew is from Boston).
“I‘ve had emotions in the game before
and being nervous with your heart racing but
50 USSSA TODAY
nothing compared to reading that test. And it
was like is this a yes or no? And here I am all
alone in Japan.”
Fortunately Google helped Lawrie read
the test and confirm she was in fact pregnant.
Lawrie immediately called Locke then told
her Japanese translator as she was the one
who took Lawrie to the hospital. Lawrie had
full intentions of completing the first half of
the JSL season (which ends in late May), but a
bloot clot in her uterus and two weeks of bed
rest sent her home early.
It was during that time at home and a trip
to a USSSA Pride game when Lawrie realized
she hadn’t thrown her last pitch. “When I
came back to visit last summer, I really noticed
how much I missed the girls and felt like I
should be here. I couldn’t end on having that
feeling in my stomach of just not finishing on
my own terms.”
After missing the entire 2013 National Pro
Fastpitch (NPF) season Lawrie was determined
to pitch again. Her phone call to USSSA Pride
owner and general manager, Don DeDonatis,
was a welcomed one. “I watched Danielle
develop through her career as a pitcher from
college championships to a seasoned veteran
on the Pride. I honestly thought once she got
married and started to grow her family that
she would be moving on and putting her
softball career aside so you can imagine
my excitement in receiving the call from
Danielle just a few short months after
giving birth to Maddie,” said DeDonatis.
Beyond the training, there was
another key component to Lawrie’s full
return to work. The only way Danielle
could play was if her mom Cheryl could
travel with her for the summer to watch
Maddie and if DeDonatis could make
accommodations for Maddie and Cheryl
during the summer. “She had talked
about coming back this summer to play
and the only way she would be able to
come back was if I could travel with her
and look after Madison. I was willing
but had to talk it over with my husband
and also my boss” said Cheryl Lawrie,
Danielle’s mom.
The Lawrie family is no stranger to
professional sports. Danielle’s brother
Brett plays third base for the Toronto
Blue Jays. Lawrie’s husband Andrew, a
former minor league baseball player
himself, encouraged Lawrie to return as
well. So they all understood Danielle’s
desire to return to compete and end her
career on her own terms. It was a sacrifice
they were all willing to make as a family.
When Cheryl approached her boss about
taking three and a half months of leave
for the summer he told her “you’ll never
get an opportunity like that again.”
When it came time to head to Florida this
summer, Danielle, Maddie and Cheryl all made
the trip. Dad Andrew had to stay in Boston
to work through the summer but makes road
trips when he can. Including the upcoming trip
to Round Rock scheduled during the Locke’s
wedding anniversary on June 29th. DeDonatis
made sure both Maddie and Cheryl can travel
with the team and when they can’t, Cheryl
remains in Kissimmee with Maddie. When
Danielle is practicing or playing, Cheryl takes
on mom duties. “My mom is so good with her.
When we have practice or games, my mom
will get up and feed her so I can sleep. She
knows it’s a grind for me and has helped me
so much.”
The addition of Maddie to the Pride family
means there is always a smiling face welcoming
the team after games. Lawrie, who is known
as one of the most competitive players in
the NPF, said motherhood has changed her
outlook on softball. “I still want to compete
that’s always the goal when I get out there.
But after the game’s done it’s refreshing to see
Madison. It makes you see the game a little bit
differently.”
Veteran catcher Megan Willis said Maddie
continued on page 54
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Harry Potter Created a Lasting Bond
between two USSSA Pride Players
by Jami Lobpries
A pitcher teaching hitting camp. A
Texas Longhorn taking special interest in
a future Texas A&M Aggie. And a debate
about reading Harry Potter. What do these
three things have in common? All served as
the foundation for a bond between USSSA
Pride veteran Cat Osterman and Pride rookie
Cassie Tysarczyk.
When 12 year-old Tysarczyk signed up
for the University of Texas’s softball hitting
clinic, she never expected her camp hitting
coach would be the Longhorns’ All-American
pitcher Cat Osterman. Nor did she realize
the most lasting lesson she would learn at
Texas softball camp would have nothing
to do with her swing. As a wide eyed sixth
grader, Tysarczyk showed up to camp
looking to interact with Longhorn players
and learn drills to help her become a better
softball player. Rather than memories of
breaking down the swing or talking hitting
approaches, Tysarczyk’s greatest memory is a
conversation with Osterman that started off
as a debate about reading.
“I’m over there putting balls on the tee
and I start talking to my group about Harry
Potter. Cassie was just standing there with
this scowl on her face so I was like ‘what?’
And she said ‘reading’s stupid.’ So I went
on this whole rant about how I was reading
Harry Potter and kept talking about the
whole hitting clinic.”
The rant Osterman speaks of hit home
with Tysarczyk.
“Our conversation wasn’t softball related
at all but she took the time to pose her values
and passion for reading on me and it made
a difference.”
That conversation between 12-year-old
Tysarczyk and then-college junior Osterman
made a lasting impression embedded in
life lessons. On the drive home from camp,
Tysarczyk had her dad stop at a bookstore
so she could pick up not one but the first
two series of Harry Potter. According to
Tysarczyk’s parents, this new passion for
reading she developed at softball camp
made Cassie a better student.
“Cat helped Cassie realize that a
successful athlete must have much more than
athletic ability. An athlete must never stop
expanding or sharing her knowledge. Cassie
never had a passion for reading, and Cat got
her interested in the Harry Potter series,”
said Christi Tysarczyk, Cassie’s mom.
The Tysarczyk family made sure they let
52 USSSA TODAY
HAS THE
PERFECT ROOM
Osterman know the influence she had on
their daughter. “I got a letter from her mom
and dad a couple months later telling me
thank you for what I did at hitting camp.
They said Cassie’s now reading all the time
and her grades are improving.”
Tysarczyk grew up outside of San
Antonio (about 80 miles from Austin) and
followed the career of Osterman throughout
Texas, the Olympics and the NPF. Her family
would travel to Osterman’s games and stay
after so Cassie could talk with her role model
and former camp coach. Osterman was no
stranger to Tysarczyk’s career either. While
coaching at DePaul University, Osterman was
recruiting one of Cassie’s travel ball teammates so she got to watch Cassie play during
tournaments. Even when Tysarczyk decided
to go to Osterman’s rival college, Texas A&M,
she still kept up with her former camper via
Twitter. She also watched games whenever
she had a chance. The two continued to
share reading lists throughout their careers.
The passion for reading instilled by
Osterman helped propel Tysarczyk through
college. Tysarczyk graduated from Texas A&M
in three years with a degree in psychology
and has already completed a full year of her
Masters degree in sport management.
After completing an All-American senior
season on the field, Tysarczyk signed a twoyear contract with the USSSA Pride. The
signing of Tysarczyk to the Pride meant she
would now play behind the camp coach she
once idolized.
“My first thought [when we signed her]
was that of irony. I want to say I laughed,
not because I couldn’t believe she was on our
team, it was just comical to see the whole
story come full circle.”
continued on page 54
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Danielle Lawrie - continued from page 50
has been a blessing to the team. “She’s constantly smiling and happy
which automatically brings a smile to your face. No matter if we just
had a long practice, won or lost a game, or it’s 6 AM in an airport, she
brings such joy.”
While the journey hasn’t been easy and it’s taken a family effort,
the return of Danielle Lawrie to softball is a welcomed sight. “I couldn’t
be more excited to have her back as part of the Pride pitching staff and
watching Danielle in the circle as her daughter sits with her Grandma
Cheryl in the stands” said DeDonatis.
The presence of Maddie illustrates being a working mom is possible
in women’s professional sports. “It’s been incredible watching Danielle
handle Maddie, her personal life and ball. Inspiring actually. Maddie
brings a little slice of life outside of ball into our very inclusive professional softball world. And is a constant reminder that life is so much
more than softball” said Willis.
Work-family balance is something all women are challenged with
in society. Similar to the famous softball moms before her like Jennie
Finch and Jessica Mendoza, Danielle Lawrie balances the work-life
balance role of professional athlete and professional mom. Her decision
to return to softball not only helps the Pride in their quest for a 2014
NPF Championship, but it signifies the real world obstacles professional
female athletes are faced with and serves as an inspiration to moms and
female athletes everywhere. Maternity leave in women’s professional
sports may not be the easiest road and it may take a full family effort,
but it embodies the beauty of motherhood and the phrase -- working
mom.
Cassie & Cat - continued from page 52
Becoming a professional softball player allows Tysarczyk the
opportunity to live out another one of the life lessons she learned as a
12 year old camper: being a role model to young players.
“I’m basically the athlete she [Osterman] was to me. You can look
at being an athlete now and kind of take for granted all the little kids
to come to your game and want to take pictures with you. I can never
take that for granted.”
Today, the Aggie and the Longhorn, the camp coach and the
camper, put on the same Pride uniform and take the field together, as
teammates and as role models. The NPF provides a setting for stories
like Osterman, 31, and Tysarczyk, 21, to come full circle. It provides a
setting where young players can aspire to be like their college camp
coaches and role models. And it provides a setting where Tysarczyk
can serve as the same role model Osterman once was to her. Osterman
believes Tysarczyk is the type of player who will remain a role model
on and off the field for a long time.
“I think she has a great future if she wants it to be long. She’s been
eager to learn and she has what it takes to have a long career. She has
the passion and the want to be a difference maker both on and off
the field.”
Tysarczyk’s passion for being a difference maker off the field
developed through that initial conversation 10 years ago. Osterman
never realized her passion for reading Harry Potter and her impact as
a hitting camp counselor would mold a young softball player. A young
player who would one day become her professional teammate.
“Cat has been both a mentor and friend to Cassie and I will always
treasure the special bond they share” said Tysarczyk’s mom. That
special bond was created through the magic of Harry Potter.
What does Harry Potter have to do with softball ? In regards
to content, not much. But in regards to a conversation starter, an
impacting life lesson, and the launch of a friendship that transcends
the world of wizardry to the world of professional softball, Harry
Potter was magical.
54 USSSA TODAY
USSSA Slow Pitch Softball Invitational
Las Cruces, New Mexico October 3, 4, 5, 2014
Divisions of Play:
Men’s B/C, Men’s D, Men’s E, Women’s C & Women’s D/E
front logo
back logo
Entry Fee: $330
For information: Bert Frederick 575-647-3034 or email usssabert@aol.com
Top Softball Teams Have
Slugfest at 32nd Dudley
Budweiser Easton Classic
by Dave Pedersen
Before the top men’s softball teams
in the country at the top level were
having a slugfest, organizers of the 32nd
Dudley Budweiser Easton Classic National
Invitational tournament in Brooklyn Center
(June 20-22) were scrambling to change the
venue the day before.
A downpour on Thursday flooded the
Central Park fields, washed out the first
kickoff classic event and forced the moving
of the main tournament site to Evergreen
Park. Crews pumped water from the
Evergreen fields just in time for the 29-team
tourney to start Friday night. The kickoff
classic was to include all-star games and a
homerun derby.
The top four teams put on a show of
power and determination when going
at each other Saturday and Sunday. No. 2
Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth lost in the
winner’s bracket final to No. 1 Laservision /
H Auto / JJs /Easton 32-27 Saturday night.
Jeremy Yates of Resmondo beats the tag attempted by Kevin Filby of Laservision.
Resmondo was down but not out,
proceeding to defeat No. 4 Team Combat/
Softball.com 26-23 to get another shot at
Laservision.
In the first title game, Resmondo went
scoreless in the first inning, slowed by a few
starters hit by the flu bug, including pitcher
Andy Purcell, who was named most valuable player.
Injured players on the bench had to fill
holes in the lineup created by other sick or
injured players. That did not stop Resmondo
from scoring 34 runs in one inning and go
on to win 49-45.
The win forced a second title game, also
claimed by Resmondo, 42-33. The team had
won the last four tournaments at the time
this season and the last five Dudley events.
Team Combat nipped No. 3 Backman/
Shoppe/Louisville Slugger 50-48 in the loser’s
bracket to finish third. Syndicate/Guardian/
National and West Coast Newbreed/Worth
tied for fifth.
Resmondo manager Frank Webb said the
34-run inning against Laservision in the first
56 USSSA TODAY
Andy Purcell of Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth was named most valuable player at the Dudley Budweiser
Easton Classic in Brooklyn Center.
Unknown from Combat
Trademarks are owned by Russell Brands, LLC or its affliates. © 2014 Russell Brands, LLC.
title game was the best inning this season.
“We tried to hold on to our home runs in
our first meeting with Laservision Saturday
and lost by five,” said Webb. “We didn’t
hold on to them in the second game and
won by six.”
Jimmy Salas and Howard Krause were
sidelined by injuries or illness. Krause was
needed in the title games when Jeremy
Isenhower strained a calf muscle. Despite
playing nearly six straight hours Sunday
against top teams, Resmondo persevered
and came out on top.
“They won’t drop their heads and give up,”
adds Webb about the gutsy victory. “I didn’t
know if they would have enough gas. All
the players contributed. It is hard to pick
two of three.”
Nic Santana was named most valuable
defensive player. The other Resmondo
players on the all-tourney team are Dennis
Rulli, Jeremy Yates, Billy Fulk, George
Connell and Lee Powers.
Laservision player/coach Billy Messina said
his team is a mix of older and younger
players, who play well together as a group.
Another key this year is the ability to catch
the ball.
“We picked up three guys in their 20’s,
including Steven Lloyd, who is already
standing out,” says Messina. “We didn’t
expect to play this well with this many
younger guys.”
Team Combat dominated in winning its
first three games, and then battled tough
in some exciting high scoring close games.
The team almost knocked off Laservision,
losing 36-35. Combat bounced back to post
a 31-30 win over West Coast Newbreed/
Worth and then pulled out a 50-48 triumph
over Backman.
Billy Fulk of Resmondo prepares to launch
“We left both Laservision and Resmondo
off the hook,” notes Combat coach Jeff
Wallace. “What our team did accomplish is
we showed we are as good as any team in
the country. We only play for one thing and
that is Disney (home of USSSA Major World
Series).”
Wallace said he has no doubt his team has
what it takes to win the World Series. He
adds, “Our goal from the start was to get
better every weekend. We took our biggest
step this weekend.”
Talking about the 50-48 win over Backman,
58 USSSA TODAY
Crowd at the Dudley
Dennis Rulli - All Tournament
Wallace said collectively his team played
great, doing all the right things. Combat
trailed 40-26 in the fifth before scoring 13
runs in the seventh to go up 50-45. Backman
was out of homers and managed just three
runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Backman/Shoppe/Louisville Slugger coach
Larry Quartuccio said his team had a little
letdown at the end of the Resmondo game
when it did not answer offensively.
“Our strategy is to get up on the other
team first because most teams don’t play
the same when coming from behind,” said
Quartuccio about his team that was ranked
No. 3 at the time. “We have beaten both
Laservision and Resmondo this season, so
we know we can play with anybody in the
country.”
Quartuccio said his team went from one
extreme to another by hitting a lot of
home runs early in the tournament and
then started to leave them on the table.
Hitting leaders have been Sam Lopez, Kevin
Kennington, Robert Blackburn and Brett
McCollum.
West Coast won four games, losing to
league powers Resmondo 39-26 and Team
Combat 32-30. Syndicate/Guardian/National
lost its first game Friday night, then won
four straight before losing to Backman
21-10.
P L AY E R M O D E L
This season marks the return of two coaches,
Wallace for Team Combat and Jose Sanchez
for West Coast, who put together a team
featuring players from Washington state.
He had been out of the game since 2011
when he was with GTL.
Wallace, a former MVP of the Dudley, took
some time off to spend more time with his
family. He played starting in 1992 and this is
his first time coaching full time.
Greg Connell- All Tournament
Local C teams BBS and All Seasons DSTI each
finished 3-2 and tied for ninth. Local D team
Fully Loaded upset Hortenbach Auto, a local
B team.
The top local team was Xtreme/Miken from
the Brooklyn Center league, placing seventh.
The B team that plays in Conference USSSA.
won the first two games before losing to
Laservision 29-17. Xtreme won once more
before losing to Syndicate 14-12.
The top four teams had no trouble scoring
runs. Laservision averaged 37 runs per
game, while Resmondo averaged 36, Team
Combat 34 and Backman 29.
60 USSSA TODAY
Laservision’s Scott Kirby
Team Combat’s Joey Gordon
MIKENSPORTS.COM
‘Good Times’ returning
for Louisiana USSSA
By Greg Huchingson
Chris Larsen
Long HauL ampion
BomBer CH
The Nationwide Conference USSSA Major Cajun Classic returns to Pelican Park on July 25-27. All new turf infields have recently been installed returning the luster to an old
friend.
“Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!”
The Cajun French phrase for “Let The
Good Times Roll” is traditionally heard
when Mardi Gras is celebrated in New
Orleans.
But it could also apply to the state of
USSSA Softball in Louisiana, which is
blossoming in a renaissance of sorts
with a new State Director, a facelift at
the marquee facility, and a return of one
of the most famous tournaments in the
nation.
Louisiana was one of the major cornerstones on which the national USSSA
62 USSSA TODAY
organization was built. Louisiana softball
icon Robert Boudreaux was one of the
Founding Fathers of USSSA, and other
Louisianans such as Rick Robertson, Jim
Thibodeaux, Neal Swanner, Joey Odom
and Billy Vaughn, just to name a few,
also made significant contributions to
the growth and popularity of the association.
The Pelican State has produced many
great players over the years, players like
Larry Fredieu, Myles Schexnaydre, Goose
Chiasson, Denny “Uptown” Jones, Chip
Hebert, Bobby Cromier, Phillip “Blue”
Flugence, Mike Rose, Danny Robichaux
and 2014 USSSA Hall of Fame inductee
Mike McCarron.
The event that put Louisiana softball
on the national map was the Cajun
Classic. It was founded by Boudreaux
and played at Pelican Park in Carencro,
La. just outside of Lafayette. For many
years it was considered one of the top
tournaments on the entire USSSA Major
N.I.T. circuit.
“I used to book travel for all the top
teams in the country, and there was not
a tournament anywhere that was more
popular than the Cajun Classic,” said
travel expert Warren “Buck” Crowder.
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From the late 1980s through the beginning of the new millennium, all of the
top teams in America played in the Cajun
Classic – Ritch’s/Superior, Elite Coating,
Steele’s Silver Bullets, Smythe Sox, Bell
Corp, Team TPS, Williams-Worth, Shen
Valley, Lighthouse, Mountain Top and
Sunbelt Plastics among many others, all
made their way to the Acadiana country
in southwest Louisiana.
One of the highlights of the tournament
was the Friday night Home Run Derby.
Huge crowds would fill the complex to
watch the great power hitters of that
era blast pitch after pitch deep into the
night.
“Man, those were some big dudes and
they hit the softball a long way,” said
Richie Soley, who was a wide-eyed kid
when he first attended the Cajun Classic
along with his dad in the 1990s. Today,
31-year-old Soley is the new Slow-pitch
State Director for Louisiana USSSA.
Pelican Park was the place to be on
Memorial Day weekend. The facility
was built in the early 1980s and was
one of the first softball complexes in
the nation to feature Astroturf infields.
There were dirt cut-outs around the
bases and the batter’s box, which still
meant mud when it rained, but playing
on turf infields like the big leaguers was
popular with the teams.
Over the course of many years, however,
the turf got worn down. And just like the
tattered turf on the Pelican Park infields,
even the mighty Cajun Classic eventually lost some luster too. The last year
that the tournament had a Major division was 2004, when Resmondo/Taylor
Brothers defeated Benfield/Alesium in
the finals of a 12-team tournament. The
last year that were 20 or more teams
in the Major bracket was 2001, when
Budweiser from Texas defeated Hague/
Resmondo/Specialty Tank in the championship game.
For most of the past decade, the Cajun
Classic has been relegated to just D and
E teams. It remained a popular tournament for lower-classed teams, but
was spread out over a four-to-six week
period and included what were called
Red and Blue divisions. Many out-ofstate teams stopped coming and even
some locals were confused. Last year,
64 USSSA TODAY
Cajun Classic XXXV had just one division, Men’s E, with only 11 teams in it.
But during the past winter, the City of
Carencro – who bought Pelican Park
several years ago – made a major financial investment to upgrade the facility.
The most visible of which was the
removal of the old, worn-out turf and
installation of branch new, state-of-theart Field Turf on the infields, including
around the bases and batter’s boxes.
They also replaced the lighting, dugouts
and restrooms, making Pelican Park
almost brand new again.
“The Louisiana teams that had been
leaving on a regular basis to go play in
tournaments in other states are staying
home to play,” said Soley. “And now
we are the ones attracting teams from
other states, like it used to be when it
had the only turf in town.”
Richie Soley- USSSA Louisiana Slowpitch State
Director
Soley also hopes the new facility will
help pump life back into the big tournament he attended as a kid. Cajun
Classic XXXVI is scheduled for July 25-27
and will be a Conference USSSA tournament, a prestigious designation which
makes it one of the qualifying events
for the Conference Championships and
Men’s Major World Series.
“When I was a kid, everyone wanted
to go to Pelican Park and watch the big
boys play in the Cajun Classic,” he said.
“Now, getting to run that same tournament is pretty cool. It’s like a dream
come true. I just want to make Mr.
Boudreaux and everyone else proud.”
Multi-sport director, Billy Vaughn
Soley has solid commitments from at
least five Conference USSSA teams who
say they will attend, plus inquiries from
several others who could be in need of a
boost in points at that time of year.
Soley said local and regional C teams
are “coming out of the woodworks for
this one, because everyone wants to be
a part of it” and that he fully expects to
have 40 or more total teams. That would
make it one of the largest Conference
USSSA tournaments in the nation. Soley
expects to run a separate bracket for E
teams.
Soley still lives in his hometown of
Hammond, La. which is located almost
an hour north of New Orleans. Soley’s
father was a softball player and later an
EVP Robert Boudreaux- Louisiana softball icon
Meet Backman/Shoppe/
Louisville Slugger’s Pitcher,
umpire, so he was always around the
sport. The senior Soley was a regular
participant at legendary Hano’s Ballpark
in Albany, La.
“I spent every weekend from about
two-weeks-old until now at a ballpark
somewhere,” said Soley.
L.C. Watson
By Dennis Turner
Soley put together his own team at age
16 and continued playing until he was
27. He was the team’s pitcher, something he doesn’t miss today when he
sees some pitchers going to the mound
in full body armor.
“I remember seeing a guy go out to
pitch with a motorcycle helmet on, with
the shield and all,” said Soley. “That’s
when I knew this was starting to get
crazy.”
DT: LC, tell us a little history of
yourself; where did you grow
up and what were your hobbies
growing up.
Jim Thibodeaux, Pelican Park GM and Louisiana
Assistant State Director
Rick Robertson, National UIC
DT: Who were your sports heroes
when growing up?
LC: One of my players growing up,
as funny as this may sound, was Jim
Thome. For some reason I loved that he
wore his pants pulled up which is how I
played baseball.
After his playing days were over, Soley
became an umpire and also organized
benefit tournaments for his church.
That’s when he was approached by
Bill Skinner about becoming a regular
tournament director. Skinner was good
friends with Soley’s father, and was also
another legend in the Louisiana softball
community.
DT: How did you get involved with
slow-pitch softball?
“He’s the one who gave me a chance,”
said Soley. “He taught me to always
treat teams right the first time and they
will come back. He told me to never let
a team leave the park mad, at least for
something I did. He is a genius.”
EVP Joey Odom focuses his time with baseball
Neal Swanner- slowpitch area director
sifications is for the greater good of all.”
When USSSA was searching for a candidate to take over its slow-pitch program
in Louisiana, they didn’t pick Soley’s
name out of a phone book. They went
to players from that state and asked
them who was the guy they respected
most and enjoyed playing in his tournaments. The name that kept coming up
over and over as the answer was “Richie
Soley.” So they hired him.
Soley is already making an impact on
the tournament landscape in Louisiana.
He started with 22 teams at a Winter
Bash back in January, and followed that
up with 26 teams at a Snoball Classic in
February. Soley continued running two
very popular events, with 57 teams at
the Tripp Roth Memorial in Baton Rouge,
and 37 teams on a rainy weekend at the
Cypress Sawmill Festival in Patterson
but pitchers throw overhand like in
baseball.
Soley said it has been an exciting
experience transitioning from just a
Tournament Director to the added
responsibilities of being a State Director,
but he welcomes the challenge. He has
learned a lot in his first year on the job.
Through the first five months of 2014,
there have already been 33 tournaments
held in Louisiana; 22 of which were run
by Soley. In comparison, there were only
14 tournaments held in Louisiana in all
of 2013.
“I’d rather lead than follow,” Soley
said. “Most teams don’t get mad when
I move them up a class, because they
know I will always shoot straight with
them. They know I took my licks back
when I was player, and that proper clas-
In addition slow-pitch softball, there are
several other niche sports that have vast
popularity in Louisiana such as ragball,
kickball, dodgeball and even overhand
softball. That’s right, they use slow-pitch
bats and 12-inch slow-pitch softballs,
66 USSSA TODAY
LC: I grew up in Kaufman, Texas. A
majority of my time was spent playing
baseball or basketball.
“Overhand softball is the most popular
game in New Orleans,” said Soley.
“They play very little slow-pitch there,
just a few leagues. Everything is a little
different in New Orleans.”
In his day job, Soley is a logistics manager
for Wal-Mart. He oversees the distribution center at a facility that supplies
most of the Wal-Marts in the southeast
part of the United States.
Soley and his wife, Rebecca, have been
married 10 years and have two young
daughters, Elyana and Kay-Kay. His
family made the trip with him to Florida
last September for the USSSA World
Series and they had a fabulous time at
Disney World.
“And they are looking forward to going
back this year,” said Soley. “Who knows,
this may end up with my wife finally
liking softball after all.”
LC: I have honestly been around the
slow pitch game since I was born. My
dad played many years, therefore all
I have ever done is spend time at the
ball park. When I was 21 years an old
friend of my dad’s needed a player in
Midland, Texas for a Class B NIT. I spent
the rest of that year playing at the B
level then moved to a C team for a
couple of years until I got my first shot
in 2005 as utility player for Cash Plus
Pawn/Quick Roofing/Woodlaw.
DT: Who has had the greatest
influence on you in life and in
sports?
LC: My Father has always been my
biggest influence throughout life.
Whether it was helping me with school
work or us in the front yard learning
how to swing a bat, he has always been
there for me.
DT: What are your goals in life and
sport?
LC: In life I strive to be successful at my
job so I can provide for my family. As
for sports I try to focus on being a good
teammate, along with the best player
that I can be. So far I have been pretty
fortunate with both.
DT: What is your greatest
accomplishment? (Either on or off
the field)
DT: Do you consider yourself
to be someone who is a good
ambassador for the sport?
LC: One of the greatest accomplishments for myself is getting the chance
to represent Louisville Slugger on and
off the field. Anyone that strives to be
the best always in this game hopes for
an opportunity like Dennis Turner and
Louisville Slugger has given me. As for
on the field, winning the USSSA “A”
World Series with GTL and getting the
pitch the IF game against a very solid
Combat team was a moment that I will
never forget.
LC: I would consider myself a very good
ambassador. I love the game of softball and honestly spend a majority of
my time at the ballpark. I have always
taken pride in trying to help anyway I
could no matter who it was. Some of
my best times is talking to people at
the ball park when we are on the road.
DT: What is your greatest
challenge?
LC: I am very pleased with the product
that Louisville is manufacturing these
days. This new 3 piece technology in
the Z3000 along with our new Sonic+ 1
piece bat that is coming out soon will
be the top of the market. Louisville has
produced two technologies that will fit
anyone’s game no matter who you are.
LC: The greatest challenge to me is
staying on top of my game. For me I
tend to be my own worst enemy being
such a fierce competitor.
DT: How much time do you spend
training (daily, weekly)?
DT: What do you think of the
Louisville Slugger slow-pitch
product that is starting to leave its
mark on the game?
LC: During the year I hit 2-3 times a
week. As for the offseason a few of us
always workout together along with
continuing to take BP. That’s the good
thing about Dallas not many times
during the year can you not be outside.
USSSA TODAY 67
Midwest Sports Productions Continues to
Enrich Community-Related Opportunities with
the Josh Williams Memorial Golf Tournament
by Sam Goebel
As a company that produces quality
USSSA fastpitch, baseball, and slowpitch
events, Midwest Sports Productions of
Shawnee, Kansas bleeds the joy of good
quality competition.
Midwest Sports Productions has created
a platform to use sports to join together
community-related opportunities in
to the lives of their athletes, parents,
coaches, umpires, and even the fans of
the game.
Friends pose on the golf course before they continue their day at Dubs Dread Golf Course in Kansas for the
Memorial Golf Tournament.
“We are so proud of all the 2014 applicants and could not be happier to give
deserving kids an opportunity to further
their education, especially in the name
of our friend Josh Williams,” said an
MSP employee, Michelle Adams.
A banquet concluded the golf tournament to honor the scholarship winners.
The recipients and their families joined
MSP and the golf teams for a barbeque
dinner together followed by a silent
auction and recognition ceremony.
For the third year in a row, all teams
were prompt and ready for the memorial first hit, not for the excitement of
the game but in remembrance of a dear
friend.
Each recipient was honored in front of
the group and given an award plaque
by Williams’ parents, Sandy and Jerry. At
that time the recipients took a minute
to share what the scholarship meant to
them.
MSP lost a vibrant staff member in 2012
to a tragic accident. Josh Williams was a
large part of the success of MSP and was
a stranger to none.
The annual golf tournament and scholarship fund was put in the name of his
honor as a way for the entire MSP family
to honor Williams.
Gold team enjoys themselves at the Memorial Golf
Tournament.
Scholarship recipient Konner Patterson speaks at the
banquet on how much the scholarship means to her.
A selection of the silent auction items presented at the
Josh Williams Memorial Scholarship Banquet were
represented by KU and MU items for the local University
fans to purchase. Silent Auction proceeds went to the
Scholarship Fund to give 10 recipients scholarships.
Jeremy Williams swings the annual first hit of the Josh
Williams Memorial Golf Tournament.
Infinite positive things can come from
the sports community, and this is just
one part to highlight. MSP has focused
on providing more to the athletes than
a space to play a game, but a fair and
competitive platform where qualities
off the field are noticed and awarded.
At the 2014 tournament, Williams’
brother Jeremy Williams swung the first
hit, and the event began in Williams’
honor. Williams’ parents were in attendance as well.
The event raised enough money to
provide ten seniors a $1000 scholarship
for college.
68 USSSA TODAY
The application consists of general background information such as academic
records and financial need, but it is
mostly focused on finding the applicants
who display MSP Love and similar loving,
caring, joyful, and community-minded
qualities Josh Williams was blessed with.
The 2014 scholarship winners were Miki
Andrus, Konner Patterson, Jessica Rawie,
Kelsey Luebbert, Brady Skeens, Heidi
Prockish, Brecken Sigg, Kendall Blanco,
Conner Logsdon, and Bailey Rendzia.
The 4th annual golf tournament was
held May 7, 2014 at a local golf course
in Shawnee.
The Josh Williams Memorial Scholarship
was open to all 2014 graduating seniors
who had been previously involved with
The application processes was a vigorous
one; while many applications are online
and based upon general criteria, this
scholarship is different.
Many deserving applicants applied, but
only a few could selected to receive
the scholarships from the Josh Williams
Memorial Scholarship Committee.
MSP’s annual Golf Tournament is an
event where all proceeds go to scholarships for graduating seniors who have
played with MSP/USSSA in their youth.
Teams checked in as groups of four
and signed up for special tournamentrelated activities that would happen
throughout the day.
MSP athletics and planned on heading
to a college or university in the fall.
Friends pose on the golf course before they continue their day at Dubs Dread Golf Course in Kansas for the
Memorial Golf Tournament.
“We would like to thank all of our sponsors, supporters, and friends who made
this happen for the kids,” said Jeremy
McDowell. “Together, we can provide
some really neat opportunities for the
kids that they will carry with them for
many years to come.”
Scholarship recipients at the dinner banquet.
USSSA TODAY 69
The sun is shining and the temps are rising: it looks like
Summer is FINALLY upon us! The 2014 softball season is now
in full swing and teams are getting back on the diamonds all
over the country. This is always a very exciting time as players
and teams are starting the season fresh with anticipation,
and hopes of getting to the postseason in position to take
home some hardware! The same goes for us at Worth. We
have had a very successful spring with the launch of our new
Legit 2-piece bats and 454 Sick 1-piece bats. We also have
had some great opportunities to get these bats into player’s
hands through our grassroots efforts. The word on the street
is these bats live up to our slogan….. “HOT OUT OF THE
WRAPPER!”
70 USSSA TODAY
Well folks that’s it for now. Hope everybody is out on
the diamonds enjoying the warmer weather. It does not
matter if you’re playing a league game, or competing in
a weekend tournament. Just get out have fun and PLAY!
Until next time……SEE YOU AT THE BALL YARD!
CORNY
OI Livingston/Scott’s Lawn Care/MWA
Made to maximize the standards, HD52 technology is
specifically designed for ASA bats to maximize rebound
from the .52/300 Hot Dot balls.
West Coast/New Breed
On the team front Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth has been
off to a solid start. After capturing second place in the both
the Kissimmee Dual events and The Columbus Classic tournament the “Sod Boy’s” reeled off three straight championships
(Texas Legends, Windy City and Bash of the Chesapeake) as
the head to the prestigious Dudley/Budweiser. Resmondo has
been doing it on both offense and defense. As of June 1st
eleven players on Resmondo carry an OBP of .700 or more. I,
also, want to send a big “Shout Out” to a few of our ‘B’ Class
sponsored teams. OI Livingston/Scott’s Lawn Care/MWA (#6)
and West Coast/New Breed (#8) are currently ranked in the
top ten of the current Conference standings. Both of these
teams are hitting and catching it well. Thanks to them and
all of our Worth Sponsored teams. Good luck the rest of the
season!
©2014 Worth Sports, a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation (NYSE:JAH)
As always Worth continues to lead the way in Grassroots
events, and 2014 has been no exception. The Worth Power
Tour is off to a great start. So far Hallsy and I have visited
cities like Mansfield, TX, Kansas City, KS and even Canada
making a Tour stop in Calgary, Alberta. During these travels
we got a chance to meet a lot of awesome people. While
in KC we had a special guest celebrity join us during the
Power Tour Home Run Derby. Comedian Kent Murphy was
in the house and man did that guy put on a show! Kent has
a passion for baseball and softball and between him and
Jeremy “Izzy” Isenhower we had a great time and a ton of
laughs. In Calgary, Alberta we were met with a strong wind,
thirty degree temps and snow flurries! I have to admit that
through the years Jeff and I have hit in some pretty cold
weather before…..but, I don’t think we have ever hit while
it was SNOWING! Hats off to our northern neighbors as the
adverse conditions did not dampen the spirit of the crowd
or the contestant’s during the Derby. Almost all of the teams
and fans stayed to watch what turned out to be one of the
most entertaining events I to-date. This is a great testimony
to the passion and love of softball up in Canada!
One of our best grassroots campaigns is the Worth 454 Home
Run Derby’s. Led by a great group of slowpitch experts these
events have been held in towns like Macon, GA, League
City, TX, Perris, CA, Sherwood, AR, Nashville, TN, Altamonte
Springs, FL, Tupelo, MS, Salem, VA, and Richmond, VA. These
more localized Derby’s are very competitive and the contestants get the opportunity hit all the latest Worth bats. We
also award the winner of each event a new Worth bat of their
choice. These events take a lot of planning and organization.
Thanks to all of our 454 promo staff for doing another great
job throughout the Spring and Summer. They are truly pros
who know how to do it up right!
The .52/300 has met it’s match.
Mike Cornell
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Corny’s
Corner
Gator Classic Marked By
Come-From-Behind Victories
by Ian Auzenne
his footing on the second day, shooting
82 on the final 18 and moving down to
third place and a score of 156.
Another tour regular, Brandon Rogilio,
Jr., of Baton Rouge, shot 74 in the final
round to take home the division title
with a total score of 150.
Zachary, La.--No lead was safe this
weekend at Copper Mill Golf Club.
The three first-day leaders all found
themselves lower on the leaderboard at
the end of the second day of the Mizuno
Gator Classic. With those collapses
came remarkable performances, as the
winners all posted personal bests on the
tour.
The best example of this came in the
Boys 15-18 division. Josh Carnes, of
Monroe, finished the first round with a
three-stroke lead over Stewart Perilloux,
of Zachary, and Jamison Thomassee,
of Opelousas, after shooting +3 on
the par-72 course. His remarkable run
continued early Sunday, as he shot 34
on the front nine.
The back nine was Carnes’s undoing.
He posted three bogies and one doublebogey on the in holes, falling from the
top of the standings in the process.
Perilloux shot -3 on his home course
in the second round to take home the
championship with a total of 146. Both
Carnes, who shot +3 in the second
round, and Thomassee, who finished
with an even round, tied for second
place, finishing three strokes behind
Perilloux.
New Orleanian Trey Morse took secondplace honors in his first event in the Boys
12-14 division. The longer course and
18 extra holes did not phase him, as he
finished only two strokes off the lead.
Kale Fontenot was in position to take
home the Boys 9-11 group title back
home to Lafayette after the first day. He
shot 33 (-3) in the nine-hole first round,
giving him a four stroke lead going into
the second day.
Fontenot struggled on the second day,
shooting three bogies and one triplebogey in the final round to fall to third
place.
Boys 12-14: (L-R) Brandon Rogillio, Baton Rouge;
Trey Morse, New Orleans; Carson Caruso, Greenwell
Springs.
Baton Rouge resident Ryan Dupuis shot
even par on the tournament to take
home the division championship. He
held off Picayune, Mississippi, resident
Cameron Guidry by only one stroke.
Fontenot finished three strokes off the
lead.
The only girl competing in the Gator
Classic, Caroline Covington, of Denham
Springs, played in the 9-11 age group.
She shot 97 in the 18-hole event.
Carson Caruso experience the same
second-day slump in the Boys 12-14
group.
The Louisiana Tour golfers have only a
short rest before the next tournament.
The USSSA Junior Golf Tour returns
to action next weekend. The Mizuno
Crescent City Challenge will take over
the Stonebridge Golf Club of New
Orleans.
Caruso, of Greenwell Springs, shot 74 in
the first round, taking a two-stroke lead
into the final round. He never found
For more information about USSSA
Junior Golf, e-mail robert.boudreaux@
usssa.com or visit www.usssatoday.com
72 USSSA TODAY
Boys 15-18: (L-R) Stewart Perriloux, Zachary; Josh
Carnes, Monroe; Jamison Thomassee, Opelousas.
Boys 9-11: (L-R) Ryan Dupuy, Baton Rouge; Cameron
Guidry, Picayune, MS; Kale Fontenot, Lafayette.
Girls 9-11: Caroline Covington, Denham Springs.
29th Budweiser Softball Festival
Attracts Top Adult Teams in Texas
By Van Galeon
“Johnny Football” may have put College
Station, Texas on the national map the
past couple of years, but the Budweiser
Softball Festival has been a top attraction in Texas since eight years before the
Heisman Trophy winner was born.
The 29th Annual Budweiser Softball
Festival, which began in 1986 with just
24 teams, has grown to become the
largest regular season USSSA adult slowpitch tournament in the nation. Seventyfive percent of the Texas population
lives within a three-hour drive of BryanCollege Station and the “Undisputed
King of Softball Tournaments” once
again attracted the top 300 teams on
May 2-4 for the most popular weekend
of softball annually in the Lone Star
State.
The tournament even included one
team from Johnny Football’s hometown
of Kerrville – Texas Menace in the Men’s
E division – although there was nobody
on their roster named Manziel.
Games were played on 17 fields at five
different complexes – Veterans Park,
Central Park and Bee Creek Park in
College Station, and the Bryan Regional
Athletic Complex and Haswell/Lions
Park in Bryan. The tournament began
Friday night and ran non-stop aroundthe-clock for over 50 consecutive hours
before concluding Sunday night.
“I am both humbled and amazed by the
consistent support that the teams of
Texas show this tournament every year,”
said tournament founder and USSSA
Vice-President Greg Huchingson. “A lot
of hard work and support from many
people goes in to making this event
happen and when it all comes together
and runs as smoothly as it did this year,
it is very gratifying.”
Huchingson also credited Jack Hilliard
Distributing Company, the Central
Texas supplier of Anheuser-Busch products, and the Bryan-College Station
Convention & Visitor’s Bureau for
making the event a success.
74 USSSA TODAY
FALL SOFTBALL FESTIVAL
Lone Star Softball’s Roy Dean hands off the $1000 prize from the popular HR Contest to Champion (right) Blaine
Hashagen of Got Em from Spring, TX and runner-up (left) Larry Juarez of Goon’s/Double Dave’s from Houston,
TX.
Festivities began Friday night with the
popular $1,000 Home Run Derby. The
format is a 64-person head-to-head
bracket, with winners advancing from
round-to-round until there are just two
hitters remaining. Blaine Hashagen of
Got Em from Spring won the Big Bend
bracket, while Larry Juarez of Goons/
DoubleDave’s from Houston won the
Yellowstone bracket. Then, Hashagen
topped Juarez in the battle for the
grand prize. According to Hashagen, it
was the first Home Run Derby he has
ever entered and was surprised to have
won first place..
The highest division was Men’s C, played
at Veterans Park in College Station,
where Old School from Spring went
undefeated through five games to win
first place in the 18-team bracket. Old
School knocked off Dynasty from Bryan
(15-9), Playoffs/KD Logo from Seguin
(6-2), Goons/DoubleDave’s from Houston
(17-6) and Steel/Powerhousesportz.com
from Corpus Christi (11-5) to advance to
the championship game undefeated.
Steel/Powerhousesportz had defeated
Texas Hazmat from Conroe (20-8), Texas
Pride from Ft. Worth (14-3) and the
3rd Coast Stars from Humble (11-10)
before losing to Old School in the
winner’s bracket finals. Steel dropped
to the loser’s bracket and beat Goons/
DoubleDave’s (14-5) to make it back to
the championship game. But Old School
pitcher B.J. Lopez tossed a rarity in slowpitch softball – a shutout – in leading his
team to an 8-0 championship win.
Lopez and the Old School defense were
masterful for the entire tournament,
allowing an average of only 4.4 runs per
game to opponents in the highest division of softball offered in Texas.
Goons/DoubleDave’s
finished
third
behind Old School and Steel with a 4-2
record; Playoffs/KD Logo came in fourth
also at 4-2; Texas Pride and 3rd Coast
Stars tied for fifth; Olmito Heat/Diamond
Kingz from Olmito and Texas Threat/
TI Sports tied for seventh; and Austin
Speed, BTX/West Ltd. From Beaumont,
Call Your Shot from Round Rock and
defending champion Budweiser from
Bryan all tied for ninth.
TI Sports settled for second place with
a 7-2 record. The Naturals came in third
at 6-2; Braun Hall Bombers finished
fourth at 7-2; Latin Trouble and TVSA/
Combat Warriors tied for fifth; and JM
Insurance/Miller Lite from Converse and
Texas Strokers from Temple tied for
seventh. Rounding out the Top 10 was
The Select Few from Galveston; Cash
Money from Harlingen, Outbreak from
Katy, and Tapout from Baytown, all tied
for ninth.
Lopez was rightfully named Most
Valuable Player of the C division, while
Kenny Hare of Steel was named the
Gold Glove winner. Others named to
the All-Tournament team were Rene
Rosette, Phillip Melton, Charlie Dunn
and Joshua Luna, of Old School; Mark
Dennis, Perry Hensley and Josh Sylestine,
of Steel; Ethan Dillon, Logan Turner and
Larry Juarez, of Goons; and Jon Erik
Villegas and Patrick Rubio, of Playoffs.
The Men’s D bracket featured 58 teams
and was also played entirely at Veterans
Park. Coming into the tournament, the
notorious Cage Bombs from Austin were
the heavy favorites, as they had already
won first place in five tournaments
and finished second at North vs. South.
Meanwhile, OuttaControl/ParadiseLawn
from San Antonio had been feeling
their way through their first year in D
after getting bumped up from E after
the 2013 season.
OuttaControl/Paradise Lawn knocked
off Hittin’ Bottom from Longview (6-4),
Still Here from Giddings (9-5), Flatline
from Houston (18-5) and HR/DGK/TMT/
TI Sports from Conroe (13-5) to advance
to the King Seat game, where they
defeated Dirty Habits from Edinburg
(10-7) to move on to the championship
game.
Gary Greening’s youngsters on East
Texas Desperados from Lufkin weren’t
impressed by the press clippings of the
Cage Bombs, and dealt the favorites
an 11-6 loss in the opening round of
the tournament. Facing the huge challenge of coming back in the marathon
tournament, the Cage Bombs went to
work. They defeated Money Shot from
Georgetown (18-5), Team MTS from
McAllen (18-7), Famous/A3 Construction
from Lancaster (10-0), Estodo from
Waco (5-4), SA Hitmen from San Antonio
(20-4), Team Worth It from Orange
(17-15), HR/DGK/TMT/TI Sports from
Conroe (14-8), Houston Thunder (17-9)
and Dirty Habits from Edinburg (16-9)
76 USSSA TODAY
Champions - Men’s Class E - Crooks-Reloaded - Houston, Tx
Champions- Men’s Class C - Old School- Spring,TX
Other high finishers in the huge bracket
were the ShortBus Drivers, Rosenberg
Bulls, Hardfeathers from Houston and
Krank from Houston, all tied for 13th
place; and Chunk Deuce from San
Marcos, Texas Terror from Lake Jackson,
BCS Smash from College Station, Better
Beer Bureau from Tomball, Team Camo
from Waco, Middle’s Open from Ennis
and Bat City from Austin, all tied for
17th place.
The team from Johnny Maziel’s hometown of Kerrville, Texas Menace, went
1-2 to tied for 49th place in the Men’s
E division.
Champions- Men’s D - Outta Control/Paradise Lawn - San Antonio, Tx
for nine consecutive wins to make it all
the way to the championship game. But
Cage Bombs ran out of gas in the title
bout, and OuttaControl/ParadiseLawn
took the crown with an 8-7 win to cap a
perfect 6-0 tournament record.
Cage Bombs settled for the runnerup
trophy with a 9-2 record. Dirty Habits
and Houston Thunder surprised a lot of
observers by finishing third and fourth
respectively, both with 5-2 records.
New Era Softball from Houston and HR/
DGK/TMT/TI Sports tied for fifth place;
Team Worth It and True Elite from
Kingsville tied for seventh; and Carrier
from Ft. Worth, SA Hitmen, Flatline
from Houston, and Canes 51210 from
San Antonio rounded out the Top 10 by
tying for ninth place.
Juan Castro of OuttaControl / Paradise
Lawn was named Most Valuable Player
in D, and Jason Hickock of Cage Bombs
won the Gold Glove award. Others
named to the All-Tournament team were
Isaiah Cruz, Carlos Converse, Tres Qualls
and Nick Campbell, of OuttaControl/
ParadiseLawn;
Ryan
Finley,
Pete
Lindeman and Charlie Lenhard, of Cage
Bombs; Raymond Zuniga, Eric Gonzalez
and Juan Martinez, of Dirty Habits;
and Shea Lehman and John Jolley, of
Houston Thunder.
John Bellinger of Crooks-Reloaded
was the Most Valuable Player of the
E division, and Mario Morua was the
Gold Gloe winner. Others named to
the All-Tournament team were Darren
Contreras, Sam Coke, Matt Rodenber
and Tyson Uhlig, of Crooks-Reloaded;
Jared Walters, Palmer Perez and
Brandon Russell, of TI Sports; Dustin
Hanson, Josh Bates and Nick Hall, of the
Naturals; and Chase Feeler and Omar
Hernandez, of Braun Hall Bombers.
Champions - Mixed - Co-Ed Connection- San Antonio, Tx
The largest bracket of the tournament
is always Men’s E and this year it had
104 teams. Games were played at three
complexes throughout town, but culminated at the Bryan Regional Athletic
Complex.
Crooks-Reloaded
from
Houston went 7-0 to win first place in
the mammoth bracket. Crooks-Reloaded
defeated ShortBus Drivers from Cypress
(9-7), Smoking Guns from San Antonio
(12-5), Team Camo from Waco (19-2),
Tapout from Baytown (13-9), TVSA/
Combat Warriors from Houston (13-11)
and Naturals from Henderson (18-11) to
advance to the championship game.
TI Sports, also from Houston, opened
the tournament with a win over the Just
Good Ole Boys from Magnolia (13-1)
and followed that up with wins over the
Gorillas from Houston (15-8), Middle’s
Open from Ennis (9-5) and Outbreak
from Katy (21-11) before getting blown
out by the Naturals (16-1). The resilient
TI Sports team dropped to the loser’s
bracket and posted wins over Latin
Trouble from Houston (14-12) and the
Braun Hall Bombers from San Antonio
(18-3) to set up a re-match with the
Naturals, which TI Sports won (12-2) to
make it to the championship game. In
a back-and-forth battle between two
Houston teams, Crooks held on for an
18-16 championship win.
There were 40 Women’s teams
combined, with 16 in the B/C division
and 14 in the D/E bracket. Most games
were played at Bee Creek Park, a twofield complex in College Station, until
Sunday afternoon when the ladies
moved over to four-field Central Park,
also in College Station, for their stretch
run.
In the Women’s B/C bracket, Sumuzu
won the award for the team to travel
the furthest to get to Budfest, as they
came all the way from Tucson, Arizona.
Sumuzu was runnerup at the 2013
USSSA Women’s C World Tournament,
so they were an automatic bump to
B for this year. The ladies acclimated
USSSA TODAY 77
quickly by winning first place in four of
their first seven tournaments of 2014,
including an N.I.T. and the Far West
Winter Nationals.
At Budfest, Sumuzu defeated Goonie
Proof of Waco (15-2) and Quiet Storm of
Killeen (15-0) before being shocked by
a loss to Rub and Tug BBQ from Austin
(8-7). But Sumuzu rallied in the loser’s
bracket by beating ETS of Stafford (7-4)
and Straight Shot/Mizuno from Spring
(17-10) before knocking off Rub and Tug
BBQ in a re-match (11-6) to make it all
the way back to the championship game.
Texas Pride Women, the only other B
team in the bracket, defeated Don’t
Hate from Houston (13-2), ETS from
Stafford (6-4), Lady Oops from Houston
(14-2) and Rub and Tug BBq (15-12) to
advance to the championship game.
Needing to beat Texas Pride Women
twice to take the crown, that’s exactly
what Sumuzu did with wins of 8-7 and
13-2 to take the championship trophy
back to Arizona.
Champions - Women’s B/C - Sumuzu - Phoenix, AZ
Shannon Galanek of Sumuzu was
named the Most Valuable Player, and
Tracey Rodgers of Texas Pride was the
Gold Glove winner. Others named to
the All-Tournament team were Kelly
Nelson, Casey Williams, Ashley Ross and
Christina Alday, of Sumuzu; Dee Tatum,
Ashley Calles and Marsha Reed, of Texas
Pride; Shelby Savoy, Michelle Teller and
Daisy Metlach, of Rub and Tug BBQ;
and Mya McRae and Jennifer Pena, of
Straight Shot/Mizuno.
In the Women’s D/E division, B&T Express
went undefeated through five games
to win the title. B&T Express knocked
off C-Squad from Shreveport, La. (7-2),
4-Play of San Antonio (10-0), Diamond
Divas from Killeen (3-2) and FM
Reloaded (8-4) from Hutto to advance
to the championship game. After losing
to B&T Express, FM Reloaded dropped
to the loser’s bracket and defeated Fully
Loaded from Seagoville (11-9) to get
another shot at B&T Express. But the
Houston ladies held on for a low-scoring
5-2 win to claim the crown with a 5-0
record.
FM Reloaded came in second place;
Full Loaded finished third; and the San
Antonio Aces took fourth. Too Live Crew
from Houston and STX Ball Busters tied
78 USSSA TODAY
Champions - Women’s D/E - B&T Express - Houston, TX
for fifth; C-Squad and Bad Influence
from Gregory, tied for seventh; and
the Diamond Divas, 4-Play, KMB from
Magnolia and sweet Spot from Spring
tied for ninth.
Frteda Jackson of B&T Express was
named Most Valuable Player, and
Courtney McAllister of FM Reloaded was
the Gold Glove winner. Others named to
the All-Tournament team were Paige
McCowan, Mindy Leday, Kelly Treybig
and Angela Fiala, of B&T Express; Luann
Jones, Cheryl McLelland and Lisa Munoz,
of FM Relaoded; Kim Warren, Anna
Pyburn and Christina Morse, of Fully
Loaded; and Lisa Vasquez and Farrahg
Sells, of the San Antonio Aces.
There were 30 teams entered in the
Mixed division, where the games were
played at Haswell & Lions Park in Bryan.
The facility is a former adult softball
complex that was converted to Pony
League Baseball when BRAC opened
in 1986, but returned to its slow-pitch
roots for this tournament.
Co-ed Connection from San Antonio
came in as the most decorated team
in the tournament and did not disappoint. Manager Pam Peach’s squad won
the 2012 USSSA Mixed C West World
Tournament, then followed that up by
winning the 2013 Lone Star Shootout
tied for fifth; and I’d Hit That from Katy
and Sluggers from Friendswood, tied for
seventh.
Finally, a Men’s 35 & Over bracket was
played Friday night at Veterans Park,
while the Home Run Derby was going
on in Bryan. Games were played to
completion through the night, with the
division ending about 2 a.m. Saturday.
Lampasas brought an all-star team of
geezers and went undefeated to win
first place. Player/coach Rex Bumpus’
team run-ruled rival Frank’s County
Store from Bryan (15-5) in a flip-flop in
their opener, before beating Ballistic/
ASP of Dallas (24-7) and defending
champion Rockies of College Station
(7-2) to advance to the championship
game, where they beat Rockies again
(13-12). Rockies settled for second
place; Ballistic/ASP came in third; Frank’s
Country Store finished fourth; and the
Killeen Unknowns and Guess Who Old
Men from Magnolia, all tied for fifth.
Shae Wertz of Lampasas was named
Most Valuable Player, and David Overby
of Rockies was the Gold Glove winner.
Others named to the All-Tournament
team were Rick Luna, Adam Jatzlau,
Chris Goodman and Steve Ashmore, of
Lampasas; Greg Lopez, Jeff Garcia and
John Jolly, of Rockies; Williams Hubbard,
Rodney Fail and Lyf Nimmo, of Ballistic/
ASP; and Robby Clarkson and Troy
Henson, of Frank’s Country Store.
It has been debated for 29 years now as to whether the teams come for the competition or to meet the Bud Girls.
“Battle For The Rings.” Earlier this year,
Co-ed Connection combined forced with
Bad Life Decisions, one of the top mixed
teams from North Texas, and the result
was first place finishes at both North vs.
South and North Texas Budfest.
Dallas (20-8), LST/Suncoastsportz from
Corpus Christi (18-12) and Smash Sports/
TPS from Austin (14-7) to advance to the
championship game, where they beat
LST/Suncoastsportz again to take the
title.
Co-ed Connection added the Budweiser
Softball Festival to their trophy case by
going undefeated through five games.
They defeated Cocked & Loaded from
Temple (19-9), Don’t Tread On Me from
LST/Suncoastsportz came in second
place at 6-2; Smash Sports/TPS took third
3-2; Middle’s Open from Ennis finished
fourth at 4-2; A1 Softball from Waco
and Hit or Miss from College Station
80 USSSA TODAY
A lot of coordination goes into putting
on an event of this size. The Tournament
Director at Veterans Park was Roy Dean,
while the UIC was Ben Templeton.
The Tournament Director at the
Bryan Regional Athletic Complex was
Scott Duffy, while the UIC was Phillip
Wheeler. The Tournament Director and
UIC at Bee Creek Park was Bennie Scott;
the Tournament Director and UIC at
Central Park was Rene Hinojosa; and
the Tournament Director and UIC at
Haswell/Lions Park was Jeff Neill.
The Parks & Recreation Departments
from the Cities of Bryan and College
Station had the fields in excellent
playing condition and maintained them
for the duration of the tournament,
and the gigantic crew of quality USSSA
umpires from across Texas pitched in to
help make the event a huge success.
Delta Park Sports Complex, Portland, OR Hosts
USSSA Border Battle
by Strojan Kennison
The 2nd Annual 2014 USSSA Border Battle
located at Delta Park Sports Complex in
Portland, Oregon on Memorial Day Weekend.
55 Men’s and Women’s team athletes, sponsors, and sports enthusiasts traveled from all
over the region, including Utah, California,
Washington and Oregon. Delta Park will also
host the DeMarini Classic Major National
Invitational at the end of July that will also
provide a Men’s E & Women’s OPEN Bracket.
With 7 natural surface fields, Delta is strategically located on the I-5 freeway corridor
and remains surrounded by tall trees and an
intimate rural park setting, walking distance
to multiple hotels and the Columbia River.
As teams trickled in on an early Friday
evening, preparation for the first round of
Men’s E Bracket games and the infamous
Border Battle Homerun Derby began in the
balmy aftermath of a light rainstorm. Kori
Brede from All American Athletics/Honu
Shave Ice was the Derby Champion and used
the “cookies” that Zak Speigal threw to drop
some serious homerun bombs!
Saturday morning games started bright and
early with continuing rounds of the Men’s E
Bracket, along with a Women’s Open Round
Robin Bracket and Men’s Open Bracket. The
tournament format was a 4 Game Guarantee
for each division, with two round robin
games played into a seeded double elimination bracket for all divisions. The reason
for this format was to make sure all of the
teams received the maximum USSSA Slow
Pitch Softball experience over their holiday
weekend.
Untouchables Men’s D Champions
Local companies such as Pizza Mia, Hooters,
The Portlander Inn, and The Marriott
chains provided services to visiting athletes
throughout the weekend. Vendors on-site
inside the complex included Premier
Athletics form Southern California, Sniper
Sportswear from Florida, M2 Custom Gloves
out of Washington State, and locally owned
Honu Shave Ice and All-American Athletics
out of Portland, Oregon.
The Men’s E Bracket Winner was YNot from
Portland, Oregon who beat NW Napalm
YNot Men’s E Champions
USSSA TODAY 81
Check Out These Boombah,
Combat and Mizuno Models
from Bellingham, Washington who
for the second year in a row was the
bridesmaid. YNot is currently primed to
make a run for a World Championship
in Las Vegas. NW Napalm did play the
game of the tournament against Soniq
Transportation during the 3rd Place
game that was streamed live and therefore watched by hundreds of people on
www.usssalive.com. NW Napalm beat
Soniq in 10 innings!
The Men’s Open Bracket Winner went
to an IF Game, with Upper Deck double
dipping J&I Elite in two high-scoring,
offensively intensive games. These
teams play each other multiple times
during the season in Washington, but
Delta Park had to keep the lights on late
for this finale!
by Mike Cisneros
photos by Brianne Marie Cisneros
Boss XRT
Uncle Sam’s Women’s DE Champions
The Men’s D Tournament was arguably
the most competitive of all divisions.
The Untouchables from Salem, Oregon
were able to hold off Vortex/DeMarini
in a low scoring defensive battle in the
championship game. Both teams will
represent the Northwest in Florida this
September and will give any team they
face a true battle, as both teams play
sound defense and play small ball very
well, key aspects in the Florida heat.
The Women’s D/E Bracket Winner was
Uncle Sam’s from Tri-Cities, Washington.
Uncle Sam’s relied on their athletic
defense and timely at-bats to hold off
Hustle in the Championship Game.
Uncle Sam’s and Hustle both have a
strong core of ladies that will soon
contribute to the leadership and future
of Women’s Softball in the Northwest.
Derby Girls / Softball.com / Combat
(Washington) ran the table against
some tough competition in the Women’s
Open NIT. The Derby Girls are flat loaded
with young talent mixed with veteran
ballers after making some significant roster adjustments to their 2014
squad. Derby run ruled Northwest TKO
(Washington) in the championship game
and continued to get stronger with each
game they played. Northwest TKO is no
slouch of a squad being a mix of the old
Bully’s and Easton Boom squads that had
been the teams to beat the last few years
in the Northwest. OES/Sluggers took 3rd
place on their home turf and have very
good chemistry that should lead to more
than a few tournament wins this season.
82 USSSA TODAY
Getting your gear from Boombah in time
for tournament season used to mean
you could impress people with your
look – showing up in bold shirts, custom
uniforms, or the newest shoe design. But
this year it could also mean a chance to
impress people with your hitting.
That’s because new for 2014 Boombah is
introducing its first USSSA slow pitch bat,
the Boss XRT.
“There have been a couple of (Boombah)
bats previously, but the bat launch this year
is really our first true entry into the bat
market with our own development and
designs,” said Mark Robinson, Boombah’s
director of product development and
equipment. “It is 100% ours and no collaboration with other (manufacturers).”
Upper Deck Men’s OPEN Champions
The Boss is a two-piece composite bat that
uses a proprietary composite, a unique
barrel design, an unusual handle, a slight
end-load, and the most unique grip tape
in the game. But just because it is all new
doesn’t mean the Boss doesn’t have some
pedigree behind it.
Robinson, who was hired in 2013 to bring
Boombah into the bat and equipment
market, originally worked as a bat engineer at Worth’s Tullahoma, Tenn. plant,
moved to St. Louis as a product developer
when Rawlings/Worth/Miken opened its
Tech Center there, and eventually became
senior category manager with a focus on
bats. After a year of research, development, and player testing, the Boss was
introduced to the public in January. “I
came to Boombah specifically for this,”
said Robinson. “We are about 6 months
into (the release) now. Everything is going
and going.”
And players who have seen and hit the
Boss have been impressed.
Derby Girls/Softball.com Women’s OPEN Champions
“Player response has been phenomenal,”
said Robinson. “On the forums that are
out there, we see threads with guys who
have liked what they’ve seen. We see
people who are surprised that we even
have a bat because we are so well known
for shoes, but they are also surprised when
they see the bat.”
As far as first impressions go, the Boss has
plenty going for it. It is a two-piece design
which,
Robinson points out, gives Boombah the
ability to independently design the barrel
and handle completely separate from
one another. The shell is made with XRT
composite, which consists of multiple
layers of aerospace grade materials laid up
to maximize performance, durability, and
sweet spot, then turned into a multi-wall
barrel. The handle is also made of XRT,
though a completely different makeup,
and has a medium rather than traditional
stiff flex.
“We tested several different handle flexes
throughout the development process
and went with the handle flex that most
players preferred,” said Robinson. “The
Medium Handle Flex performs best with
the barrel construction on the Boss for the
majority of players. The key is finding the
optimum design in both the handle and
the barrel to maximize the performance
of both when the two are joined together.
We feel the Boss has this formula where
the handle design matches best with our
barrel technology optimizing the energy
transfer. It’s also important to note that a
large number of players that historically
prefer one-piece bats really like our twopiece Boss.
“We wanted the feel benefits achieved
with a two-piece design but didn’t want
to sacrifice performance with energy
lost at the bat/ball collision that is sometimes seen on other two-piece designs.
The XRT Handle Tech paired with our XRT
Barrel Tech maximizes performance, while
providing a great feel even on mishits with
a unique flex point that generates more
power.”
The end cap is unique and the graphics are
the kind you might expect from a company
like Boombah, but the Boss’ grip tape may
be the most memorable thing about the
bat the first time you see and feel it.
“We wanted to design all the details of the
Boss specifically for the slowpitch player.
Even the small things like the grip, knob
diameter and profile, etc.,” said Robinson.
“As you know, most players will immediately rip off the grip and replace it with
athletic tape. The idea was to have a grip
material that players would want to keep
on. We wanted a grip that was ultra-thin
– similar to athletic tape – but also have a
soft feel with a nice tack. We tested several
different materials throughout the development process and the Boss Tack Grip
Tape we are using was the most preferred
across the board. This was a development
project in itself, a truly unique grip that
has never been used on a bat prior to the
Boss.”
The Boss is a comfortable bat to hit. We
tried a 26-oz model so there was not much
of an end-load feel. We also commented
(before knowing the handle was not
stiff) that we could “feel” the flex while
swinging, which is usually a distraction for
us. But that concern went out the window
after the first few swings. It does feel like
a one-piece bat, mostly because it provides
plenty of feel on contact so you are not
left wondering if you made good contact.
It sounds a bit glassy out of the wrapper
(Robinson describes the initial sound as
“metallic”) but that sound morphs into a
sharp “crack” sound with continued use.
We were able to hit both Conference
USSSA balls and low compression seniors
balls with pretty comparable results.
“It’s tough to come up with a bat that
works for all types of players,” admitted
USSSA TODAY 83
Robinson. “But that is what we’ve tried
to do by maximizing the performance:
increasing durability, enlarging the sweet
spot, maximizing the performance right
out of the wrapper, and continuing that
max performance long after it is out of the
wrapper.”
With the Boss finished and ready for public
consumption, Robinson’s work isn’t over;
really it is just beginning. The first step was
designing the product. The second, he says,
is doing anything he can do to let players
know that they bat is out there including
talking with outlets such as USSSA Today.
And third, “is getting the players to use
them.”
“That is going to be our push,” said
Robinson. “We are moving the needle in
the right direction, going out to events.
We have 3 slowpitch bats (USSSA, ASA and
Senior), 3 fastpitch bats, and a full line of
baseball bats. It is a challenge, but that is
our focus.
and handle.
It’s an exciting time at Combat – BPS
Diamond Sports. When the company
entered the bat market 10 years ago, they
made bats for the power hitter with an
emphasis on distance. And they were good
at it.
But as the game has evolved, so has
Combat. In 2014-15 they have expanded
their offerings to include a new two-piece
line, improved their popular power-hitters
line, revived and updated a beloved design,
and even made a formerly exclusive design
available to the American public.
“One of the things we felt was important
for Combat going forward was to create
two distinct product ‘families’ based
around our one- and two-piece bat technologies,” said Dave McNally, Combat’s
category sales and marketing manager.
“This gives us a consistency across all categories and a more streamlined approach
on how we market our product.”
Many of Combat’s top models share technologies, but each line has traits that
make it very different from its brethren.
The technologies they do share are what,
in McNally’s words, make a Combat, a
Combat.
“Our Seamless Construction and Precision
Molding Technologies are what separate a
Combat bat from the competition. These
are technologies that are used across our
line,” he said.
Seamless Construction is exclusive to
Combat and is a one-piece carbon fiber
sleeve that runs the length of the bat
from end cap to knob. The design means
no seams (which is where the name comes
from), joints or overlaps. It eliminates dead
spots and provides uniform strength and
consistent performance in both the barrel
84 USSSA TODAY
Precision Molding Technology takes the
seamless carbon sleeve and slips it over a
mandrel then places it in a steel mold; the
resin is injected under extreme pressure
producing a precision hardened bat, tuned
for optimal performance over a wide span
of the hitting surface.
“When we talk about any Combat product
from a technology perspective, these technologies are what are most important to
discuss,” said McNally.
We recently hit four different Combats and
the results were as varied as the players
who hit them:
The Wanted
“If you look at our inline product models,
you will see that all Combat two-piece
models now carry the WANTED model
name,” said McNally. “We’ve never considered ourselves to be the corporate-suitand-tie brand, so when we were seeking
a model name that would carry across all
categories, we wanted it to have an edge
and give us the ability to carry a strong
theme. Wanted gave us that edge and also
allowed us to start the Western theme in
the slowpitch category that would eventually evolve into adding the faces of some of
the most notorious Team Combat players.
As we continue to evolve, new themes
around WANTED will be unveiled, so it is
versatile to go in different directions as
new product lines are released.”
The Wanted for USSSA is a two-piece
design
featuring
Combat’s
Handle
Isolation Technology – HIT – that uses polymeric visco-elastic dampeners to isolate
the stiff handle from the high-performance, multi-wall barrel. The visco-elastic
material stiffens under load so the barrel
responds quickly to the swing, but then
softens to absorb vibration feedback: high
“Boombah is well known for its apparel
and shoe options. However the equipment
category is the fastest growing category
in the Boombah lineup. Bats make a lot of
sense for us. We will continually work to
advance in the bat category. Our goal is to
continue to deliver great performing products, with a great look and at a great price.
The team we have in place along with our
consumer direct business will allow us to
achieve those goals.”
frequency vibrations are effectively eliminated before they reach the hands, giving
a soft, damped, feel without compromising performance.
The new PED – Performance Enhancing Disc
– allows Combat to use a lower compression frame which translates to the ability
to widen the core performance zone while
still passing the BPF test comfortably. In
short, this technology allows for a bat to
get to maximum performance after little
use over a wider span on the barrel.
The Wanted is pretty different. It gets to
peak performance immediately. It has
a stiff handle and what feels like a soft
barrel and the combination works. The
HIT connection piece is unique among
the two-piece bats, feeling soft and firm
at the same time; you feel the flex during
the swing but at the same time the bat
feels like a one-piece during contact. It
has an undeniably large sweet spot and
anything hit on the barrel has a chance to
get through the infield. It has a lot of pop
too, but some people hit it much farther
than others though we could not find a
consistent reason – it really seems to be
about feel and personal preference. This
is a must-try bat; you may find that it is
the one you didn’t even know you were
looking for.
Derby Boys Chris Greinert 275
“We continued the tradition of the Derby
Boys line in 2014 with the end-loaded,
one-piece design that this product family
has become synonymous with over the
years,” said McNally.
The Derby Boy’s line is a stiff-handled
one-piece bat with an extra half-ounce
load on the end. The Chris Greinert model
was designed and approved by the Team
Combat power hitter. It is approved for
USSSA as well as ASA play.
The DB Greinert edition features Seamless
Technology and Precision Molding along
with the PED technology for a lower
compression frame which translates to
the ability to widen the core performance zone while still passing the BPF test
comfortably.
“We’ve integrated our PED (Performance
Enhancing Disc) technology extending
the sweet spot compared to previous
Derby Boy’s models which makes this
year’s version the complete package,”
said McNally. “The disc is inserted into
the barrel which allows for a lower
compression frame yet prevents it from
compressing too far.
“Most players will not be strong enough to
compress the walls all the way to the disc,
but these are the hitters who will benefit
the most from this technology and get the
most performance from the bat.
The Derby Boys G3 is an end loaded bat
with a stiff handle designed for hitting the
ball great distances. It was the favorite of
some of our bigger hitters but you don’t
have to be a big, strong hitter to use it.
We were able to hit balls to all fields fairly
easily. Smaller hitters did not generate the
power they did with the two-piece bat but
some of them still preferred the one-piece
design. We were also impressed that the
DB Greinert 275 bat is good in all major
and minor organizations.
Derby Boys Hall of Fame
Legends Plague Edition
The Derby Boys Plague is available exclusively through www.softball.com (Team
Express).
“When Team Express approached us about
doing a special edition that would be part
of their resurgence in to the slowpitch
category, they wanted something that
would have an authentic feel and play
on successful Combat slowpitch models
of the past,” explained McNally. “The
idea evolved from there, of marrying the
Derby Boys and the Plague together under
a Hall of Fame theme featuring some of
Combat’s most notorious and well-recognized names since its inception in 2004. All
the Legends players featured on the barrel
had in-depth input in to the final design of
the bat, making it a true players’model.”
The Legends have their nicknames on the
bat – Brownie, Kendo, Coop, Shooter,
JMac, and Dilly – and they have come
up with a bat that has the best of both
US Aerial Assault
in the industry.
The US Aerial Assault is Limited Edition
one piece bat model. The original Assault
was a bat offered only in the Canadian
market.
The Aerial Assault is a beautiful bat with
stars and stripes on a deep blue field, a red
taper, and bright white grip. It is the least
extreme – and therefore most comfortable – bat we hit. The barrel offered great
feel and the weighting seemed true to
the labeled weight. It is easy to see why
this model is the most popular in Canada
as it is so easy to hit. While it is currently
planned as a limited edition it stands the
best chance of appealing to the widest
range of American hitters.
“As demand grew south of the border for
the Assault model, we decided to launch
a Signature series model that would play
on a US flag theme,” said McNally. “The
limited edition signature series Aerial
Assault is available through select dealers
across the US.”
The US Aerial Assault is a one-piece, mattefinish, slightly end-loaded bat that appeals
to most types of hitters.
It features most of Combat’s technologies including Seamless Technology and
Precision Molding Technology. The thin
handle has Lizard Skin grip, which is quickly
becoming recognized as the premium grip
You may have heard of other changes at
Combat; specifically the rumored purchase
of Easton Diamond Sports by the Canadian
company. Well that is both true and not
exactly true. Performance Sports Group
(formerly Bauer Performance Sports), who
acquired Combat in May 2013, recently
the Derby Boy’s and Virus Plague lines.
It features Seamless Technology and
Precision Molding Technology.. It features
the Derby’s Performance Enhancing Disc
for a hot-out-of-the-wrapper barrel and
half-ounce end load for a more powerhitter friendly swing. It also features the
Plague’s Variable Wall Thickness for a
combination of performance and durability no matter where the ball strikes the
barrel.
The Legends Plague is the stiffest of the
Combats we hit. It took a little longer to
get the feel but it is a fun bat to swing.
It makes you want to hit the ball far. It
sounds good and offers consistent performance. You do need to be strong to get all
the distance out of it but the soft barrel
and allows for a wide range of different
types of hitters.
“The one-piece seamless design allows the
player to ‘feel’ the ball exploding off the
bat,” said McNally. “The 275 Construction
is 1.20BPF approved for USSSA play as well
as selected other associations – including
ASA - for those players who require
multiple certifications in a bat.”
purchased Easton’s softball and baseball
divisions as well. Many other companies
also fall under the PSG banner including
Bauer Hockey, Mission Roller Hockey,
Maverik Lacrosse, Cascade Helmets, and
Inaria Apparel.
“We are all operating under the
Performance Sports Group umbrella, but
are all being run as separate entities,”
explained McNally. “There are certainly
some opportunities that may exist to work
together in the future in terms of sharing
resources, but Combat and Easton will
continue to be run as they were prior to
the acquisition as separate entities. I think
we are ready to co-exist and succeed under
the BPS umbrella with Combat doing what
we do best and Easton doing what they
do best, but both delivering high performance diamond products to the market.”
USSSA TODAY 85
Mizuno Blackout Shadow
Mizuno’s 2014 line of slow pitch bats
consists of just one USSSA model – the
Blackout Shadow – and while at first
glance this third-generation Blackout
might appear to be simply an updated
version of last year’s bat, the reality is the
Shadow – and Mizuno’s place in the US bat
market – are very different than what the
company was doing just one year ago.
The Shadow does carry over the technology of the original Blackout – it is made
of Black Array Carbon, a fiber Mizuno
manufactures in-house that allows the
composite to be made specific to the
company’s requirements for bat production; it is made with a Cylinder Seaming
Technique that precisely machine wraps
the layers and allows for consistent performance across the full 13-inch barrel; and it
has the coiled end cap that gives the bat’s
designers the ability to maneuver the MOI
(moment of inertia – or the mass property
of a rigid body that determines the torque
needed for a desired angular acceleration
about an axis of rotation, for the scientifically inclined) and control the swing
weight without making significant design
changes to the barrel.
“We have had tremendous response to
the Blackout series of bats,” said Chad
Robertson, Mizuno’s business manager for
bats. “We have tried to take that design
and make slight improvements with
each update while not changing the key
features the players have grown to love
with our bats.”
And while the Shadow looks like the other
Blackouts, the real difference in on the
inside where Mizuno has added an inner
wall, making it the company’s first multiwall barrel.
“We’ve added a second wall resulting in
lower barrel compression for higher ball
speeds, but still maintaining durability,”
said Robertson. “This new feature also gives
us higher peak performance out of the
wrapper and a larger effective sweet spot.”
The Shadow is end-loaded and comes in
half-ounce weights; if you normally swing
a balanced 28, you might want to try a
27.5, if you like an end-loaded bat then
go up the half-ounce. Depending on your
swing speed it may change the MOI just
enough to make a noticeable difference.
86 USSSA TODAY
The barrel seems equally responsive near
either end though performance is best just
a little north of the center. The sound is not
as sharp as in previous Blackouts, at least
at first; it starts off muffled but becomes
sweeter with more cuts. The Shadow
seems to hit Conference USSSA balls and
low compression balls equally well.
“We really have no complaints with our
line of bats even with the ball changes.
I think our bat adjusts quite nicely with
these changes,” said Robertson.
The original Blackout was really the first
low-priced, high performance bat on the
market. The Shadow continues that tradition. While most other companies now
offer bats at a similar price point, Mizuno
is the only one whose top-line bat is
MSRP under $200. The caveat is there is
no warranty, but that has hardly been a
concern with players.
“We pride ourselves in listening to what
the players tell us and we have gotten
great feedback from players on the price
point. We have players from all levels
loving the price point we are offering,”
said Robertson. “We have talked with
players playing on a more recreational
level and they want a high-performance
bat but really don’t want to drop $300$400 when they are only playing once or
twice a month.
“Our Blackout Shadow gives them the
opportunity to buy that high-performance
bat because we are selling it without the
warranty. With the durability of our bats
they likely will get more than a full season
out of it anyway and they are getting the
top-of-the-line performance.
“The more serious players also really like
the price. We have seen many cases where
those players are buying two bats up front
so they have their game bat and backup
bat already in their bag. They don’t like to
pay to ship back the broken bat, wait for
the replacement to arrive, and then have
to get the replacement bat ready for game
use. That’s a pretty lengthy process for sure.
And, as we all know, that usually happens
at the worst possible time and need to
have the warranty replacement shipped
out quickly before their next tournament.
Here they have the option of being ready
to go if and when their gamer goes down,
because it’s already in their bag.”
Mizuno has been the leading sporting
goods manufacturer in Japan for more
than 100 years. And they have been
involved in slow pitch since the beginning
of the composite bat era, coming out with
the original Techfire in 1998. But this year
marks the first time that Mizuno will be
developing bats for the American market
here in America.
“This is a very exciting time for Mizuno
USA in the bat market,” said Robertson.
“Mizuno really sees the entire bat market
as huge potential of growth for our brand.
Based on this strategic focus we have
made the decision to become much more
focused for the USA Market.
“We have historically been developing all
our bats with our Research & Development
team in Japan. About 18 months ago we
decided to make some significant investments in our testing equipment and
personnel. We have started our own R&D
center based in our corporate offices in
Norcross, GA (just north of Atlanta). We
have had an R&D center for golf here for
many years but we did not have our own
bats team based here until now.”
The bat development team is headed by
David Llewellyn who has been working for
nearly 20 years in Mizuno’s golf R&D department; product testing engineer Brendan
Keys who most recently worked in the lab
at Washington State University which is the
official test lab for all ASA and NCAA bats;
and bat design engineer Yohei Yamashita
who is Mizuno’s lead bat engineer, has been
involved with the Blackout line of bats, and
has been sent to the US to focus 100%
exclusively on the US bat market.
“We have also made significant investments
in testing equipment,” said Robertson.
“We have purchased a new Air Cannon
that will be the first of its kind used by any
bat manufacturer. We’ve also invested in a
new ABI machine so we can test how the
bat reacts as the bat ‘breaks in’.
“We also bought a new TrackMan 2 device
- we are the first bat manufacturer to buy
the second round of this amazing tool.
It measures just about anything you can
imagine that’s happening with the bat/
ball impact: exit speed, distance, spin rate,
launch angle, etc. It’s an amazing tool that
allows us to field-test the bats and collect
measurable data to coincide with the
player feedback. We have been using this
tool already for our 2015 softball bats.
“We are really excited about the Blackout
Shadow and our future bats as well.”

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