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Transcription

WINTER
2011
Resmondo/Worth Wins USSSA Men’s Major
World Series for Third Consecutive Year
2011 USSSA MAJOR WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS
Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth
44th Annual National Meeting Will See
Ten Inducted at Hall of Fame Banquet
Dal Beggs- FL
Male Player Category
Craig Elliott- AL
Frank Webb- MO
Manager Category
Sherri Lynn France- FL
Female Player Category
Corky Carter- TN
Umpire Category
David Evaul- TX
Executive Category
Larry Quartucci- KY
Manager Category
Lou Blaha- VA
Special Category
Don Cooper- WA
Sponsor Category
Jimmy Powers- NC
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Resmondo/Worth wins USSSA
Men’s Major World Series for
third consecutive year
By Greg Huchingson
Managing Editor
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. – In yet another
dominating performance, Resmondo/
Specialty Tank/Worth steamrolled the
competition to win first place at the
2011 USSSA Men’s Major World Series,
held Sept. 21-25 at Champions Stadium
at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports on the
grounds of Disney World.
This marked the third consecutive year
for Resmondo/Worth to win the crown
jewel of softball, and the sixth title in
the past seven years.
“It is
always very
special when you win the
World Series here in this stadium.
This never gets old,” said John Rector,
coach of Resmondo/Worth. “With all
the injuries and adversity we have
fought through this year, it is especially
gratifying to come out on top when it
counts most.”
Resmondo/Worth, based in Winter
Haven, Florida, won all but one of their
five games by a run-rule margin. They
outscored their competition 131 to 53,
for an average of 26.2 to 10.6 per game.
As the number one seed coming into
the
tournament,
Resmondo/Worth
opened on Wednesday night with
a 22-5 shellacking of No. 16 seed
Taylormade/Mizuno, an A team from
Spotsylvania, Virginia. The following
night, Resmondo/Worth crushed R&M
Metals/Troupe/TCP/Easton, an A team
from Waterloo, Iowa, 30-12.
First Team All World: Resmondo’s Howie Krause- Infield
6 USSSA TODAY
In their toughest test of the tournament
in the semi-finals of the winner’s bracket
on Friday night, Resmondo/Worth snuck
past Team 454/Worth by a narrow 15-10
margin. Team 454/Worth, from Glen
Allen, Virginia, was playing on the heels
of winning the 2011 USSSA Men’s Class A
World Tournament just one month earlier.
CONTENTS
M A G A Z I N E
6028 Rayburn Dr. • Fort Worth,TX 76133
(817) 944-7484 • stafford.connor@usssa.com
Executive Director, CEO USSSA
Don DeDonatis
Publisher, USSSA Today
Stafford Connor
Managing Editor, USSSA Today
Greg Huchingson
Communications Director, USSSA
Tom O’Hara
Design / Printing
REEDESIGN
Lebco Graphics
Contributing Writers
Adam Baca
Robert Boudreaux
Bill Dowell
Adrian Ellis
Don Eminizer
Adam Farb
Stacy Fish
Van Galeon
Rachel Gossens
Frank Griffin
Brett Helmer
Jeremy Isenhower
Scott Kuhnen
Lauren Leland
Matt O’Hara
Rick Phillips
Victoria Rosenblum
Kaylen Shimoda
Kirk Tarabokia
Kim Titus
Dale Weiser
Brett Youngblood
Photographers
Brianne Cisneros
Roy Dean
Scott Duffy
Rachel Gossens
Larry Meraz
Daniel Odom
Pete Spatula
Kim Titus
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.
wins
6 Resmondo/Worth
USSSA Men’s Major
2011 Worth/USSSA
58 “Memorial”
Tournament
World Series for third
consecutive year
USSSA ‘B’ World
22 2011
Tournament
333/Suburban/Larry’s
24 P&P
Tire/CMT Wins C World
Four Divisions of
26 Women’s
Play Crowned
3rd Annual Columbus
59 Softball
Legends
Softball Insight with
62 Miken’s
Isenhower
Annual Breast Cancer
646th
Awareness Softball
World Champions
NorCal teams racks up
28 2011
USSSA Men’s E West
World Championship
Fastpitch
34 USSSA
Has Banner Year in 2011
2011 USSSA
College Scholarship
Announcement
Youth Slow Pitch
682011
World Tournament – East
Back to School Tour
74 NPF
Enjoys Continues Success
in its Second Year
76 Pretty In Pink
78 2011 Flower City Classic
Expands to 42 Teams
36
66Oklahoma Softball
67 Softball is My Game by
Brett Helmer
35
Tournament
USSSA Welcomes Ten
Inductees Into Hall Of
Fame
Super Softball
37 USSSA
Weekends!
Buzini . The unpro38 nounceable
name is
Leland Joins Texas
80Gary
USSSA Fastpitch
Jay Criscione Super NIT
85 Turns
into “Regional”
out...
Event
Whole Enchilada
42 The
Heats Up Las Cruces
teams have
52 Vegas
winning hand at Lone
Star Shootout Worlds
California
88Northern
Fall State Championships
90USSSA Golf
92 USSSA Karate
USSSA TODAY
7
Taylormade/TM Sports/Mizuno
Team Combat/Laser Vision/D2E/Supreme
GTL Cartel/DeMarini
8 USSSA TODAY
Second Place- Taylormade/TM Sports/Mizuno
Spotsylvania, VA
Third Place- Team Combat/Laser Vision/D2E/Supreme
Kent,WA
Fourth Place- GTL Cartel/DeMarini Seattle, WA
That set up a Saturday night
showdown in the finals of
the winner’s bracket against
LaserVision/Combat/D2E/
Supreme, a Major team from
Kent, Washington. While
Resmondo/Worth
dominated
LaserVision/Combat
most of the season, the
Derby Boys did post one win
over Resmondo/Worth at the
Conference Championships
so an upset was a possibility.
But it didn’t happen.
LaserVision scored two in the
top of the first inning, and
Resmondo answered with
four so the game was still
close. But when LaserVision
put up a goose egg in the
top of the second, Resmondo
bats erupted for 19 runs in
the bottom of the frame to
open a commanding 23-2
lead. LaserVision was able
to put up a five-spot in the
top of the third, but by
the bottom of the fourth
inning
Resmondo/Worth
left
LaserVision/Combat
standing on the field with a
27-7 run-rule victory. Bryson
Baker led the hit parade by
going 4-for-4 with three
home runs and 8 RBIs. B.J.
Fulk and Brian Rainwater
each hit a pair of home runs
in the romp.
LaserVision/Combat dropped
to the loser’s bracket on
Sunday morning, where they
faced a red-hot Taylormade/
Mizuno. Since losing to
Resmondo/Worth on the
opening night of the tournament, the scrappy bunch
from Virginia had rattled
off five consecutive impressive wins over WoodLaw/
Famous/Mizuno
(18-16),
Down2EarthSports/Worth
(25-10),
Suncoast/Reebok
(15-14), Team 454/Worth
(14-13), and the numbertwo seed of the tournament, GTL Cartel/Demarini,
a Major team from Seattle,
10 USSSA TODAY
First Team All World: Taylormade’s Brian Floyd- Utility
Outstanding Offensive Player: Kevin Kennington- Taylormade (.719 avg, 8 HRs, 19 RBIs, 21 runs scored)
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Washington, (21-19) to make
it all the way to Sunday.
LaserVision/Combat
came
out uninspired on Sunday
morning and Taylormade/
Mizuno took advantage
of that to open a 9-0 lead
after just two innings. The
Combat sticks never woke
up, producing a meager
one run in the fourth inning
and two in the fifth, before
Taylormade/Mizuno closed
them out by an 18-3 run-rule
margin after five innings.
That left the same two team
who played in the very first
game of the tournament on
Wednesday night playing
each other again Sunday
afternoon for the championship. It would not be as easy
for the Sod Boys the second
time around.
Resmondo/Worth lost the
coin toss, so they were visitors and put up five runs in
the top of the first inning.
Taylormade/Mizuno, perhaps
nervous on the biggest
of stages, did not score in
the bottom of the first.
Resmondo managed just
one run in the top of the
second, and the Mizuno crew
answered with seven to take
a 7-6 lead after two innings.
Could the biggest upset in
World Series history be in the
making?
Resmondo/Worth answered
that question quickly and
convincingly
by
scoring
15 runs in the top of the
third inning to re-claim a
commanding 21-7 lead. To
their credit, Taylormade
refused to give up, by
scratching out four runs in
the bottom of the third,
and another six runs in
the bottom of the fourth.
But Resmondo/Worth had
another huge eruption in
the top of the sixth, when
they scored 13 more runs.
And when Taylormade could
12 USSSA TODAY
All World Manager and 2011 Inductee into the USSSA Hall of
Fame: Frank Webb- Resmondo
Home Run Champion: Bryson Baker- Resmondo (9 hrs)
Worth Sports’ Slugfest station was one of the busiest of the weekend at the 2011 USSSA Major World Series. Never hurts to have
softball superstars, Greg Connell, Andy Purcell, Don DeDonatis III and BJ Fulk offering batting tips.
answer with just two runs
in the bottom of the frame,
the game ended with a
37-19 run-rule victory for
Resmondo/Worth.
Resmondo/Worth pounded
an amazing 13 home runs
out of the Major Leaguesized stadium, which is the
Spring Training home of the
Atlanta Braves. Baker had
three home runs to lead the
team, while Scott Streibel
and Andy Purcell each hit
two apiece. Other home
runs were hit by Fulk, Greg
Connell, Vince Bisbee, Howie
Krause, Jeremy Isenhower
and Jimmy Salas. Baker and
Connell each went 5-for-6,
while Purcell and Don
DeDonatis each had 4 hits.
Resmondo/Worth
finished
with a perfect 5-0 record
for the second Men’s Major
World Series in a row.
TaylorMade/Mizuno settled
for second place with a 6-2
record and the satisfaction
of being the only 16-seed in
World Series history to make
it all the way to the championship game. LaserVision/
Combat came in third place
with a 3-2 record, while GTL
Cartel/DeMarini finished a
very successful season by
placing fourth also at 3-2.
Combat Sports’ Bobby Nifong (right) visits with a team sponsor at the 2011 USSSA Men’s Major World Series
B.J. Fulk and Brian Rainwater,
both of Resmondo/Worth,
were
named
Co-Most
Valuable Players of the tournament. Both players went
15-for-18 at the plate for
identical .833 batting averages to lead their team. Fulk
scored 15 runs, had 17 RBIs
and belted 8 home runs,
while Rainwater scored 14
runs, had 8 RBIs, and hit 4
home runs.
“I want to thank all my
teammates for getting us
here,” said B.J. Fulk. “This is
definitely one of the highlights of my softball career
and something I will never
14 USSSA TODAY
Pat Ryan (left), Wilson Sporting Goods and Jerry Garnett (right), DeMarini Sports were at Slugfest touting the merits of the GTL
Cartel and Stadium bats. As a note, Wilson is the parent company of DeMarini.
2011 USSSA Men’s All World Team
First Team All World: Team Combat’s Brett Helmer- Catcher
First Team All World: Taylormade’s Brandon Jonas- Pitcher
Miken Sports’ Aaron Perdue proudly displays the new Miken bat lines.
USSSA TODAY 15
First Team All World: Taylormade’s Robert Blackburn- Outfield
Outstanding Defensive Player: Andy Purcell- Resmondo
First Team All World: Team Combat’s Rusty Bumgardner- Utility
Co-MVPs were Brian Rainwater and BJ Fuk. They were both identical 15 for 18 at
the plate for an .833 average. Presenting the awards were Co-Tournament Directors,
Elliot Clark,left (Arizona State Director) and Greg Huchingson,right (South Texas
State Director).
forget. I also want to thank Worth
Sports for providing us with the best
equipment in the game.”
Player Award. Kennignton batted .719
with 8 home runs, 19 RBIs and 21 runs
scored.
One of the biggest surprises of the tournament was the hitting of Taylormade/
Mizuno infielder Kevin Kennington,
who won the Outstanding Offensive
What was not a surprise was Resmondo/
Worth pitcher Andy Purcell winning the
Outstanding Defensive Player Award.
The pitching and defensive skills of
16 USSSA TODAY
Purcell continue to be the biggest difference seperatingResmondo/Worth and
other teams in the upper level of softball.
Bryson Baker won the Home Run
Champion Award by belting 9 roundtrippiners during the tournament. The
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TYJA’s Dennis Rulli (left) and Terence Dee fielded any questions regarding TYJA equipment and apparel.
First Team All World: GTL Cartel’s Donovan PokrakaOutfield
First Team All World: Resmondo’s Greg Connell- Infield
diminutive middle-infielder also led the
tournament in RBIs with 23.
Mizuno; Brett Helmer, Brian Wegman,
Seth Stephens and Rusty Bumgardner,
from LaserVision/Combat; Donovan
Pokraka, Chris Larson and Kevin Filby,
from GTL Cartel/DeMarini; Bubba
Mack, from Team 454/Worth; Aaron
Middendorf, from R&M Metals/Easton;
and Dustin Roberts, from Suncoast/
Reebok.
Players named to the All-World
Tournament Team were Connell, Krause,
Fulk, Rainwater, Purcell and Baker, from
Resmondo/Worth; Robert Blackburn,
Brian Floyd, Brandon Jonas, Brian Logan
and Kennington, from Taylormade/
18 USSSA TODAY
Team Combat’s Dennis Rulli making a stellar play at
third.
If a Courage Award had been handed
out at the tournament, it would surely
have gone to Resmondo shortstop Don
“Junior” DeDonatis III, who played
most of the tournament with a severely
injured left leg. After limping noticeably
during the Friday night win, DeDonatis
was scheduled to see a specialist on
Saturday afternoon. But he skipped out
t
igh
t
igh
we
we
ng
ng
wi
wi
dS
dS
oa
ce
dl
an
en
al
e–
–B
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on the appointment and showed up at
the ballpark anyway, refusing to come
out of the lineup. The team’s sparkplug
went 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored Saturday
nights and 4-for-6 with 4 runs scored on
Sunday, even though he limped around
the bases dragging his leg reminiscent
of Willis Reed in the 1970 NBA Finals.
The popular Men’s Major Home Run
Derby was moved from Friday night to
Saturday night due to multiple lightning delays early in the tournament.
But when the event finally happened,
it was Tim Cocco of Jean Shoppe/TPS
providing the thunder and lightning.
The top 16 home run hitters during the
regular season, plus at-large contestants from all 16 teams, were invited
to participate in the competition. After
several qualifying rounds, the final four
included Fulk, Rainwater, Wegman
and Cocco. Wegman and Cocco made
the finals and Wegman blasted 5 balls
out, before Cocco cranked out 7 to win
the contest for the third year in a row.
Cocco earned $1,000 for his efforts,
while Wegman took home $500.
2011 USSSA Major World Series’ umpiring crew.
We Welcome you to
Maingate Lakeside Resort
Maingate Lakeside Resort is a USSSA preferred hotel partner for
sport teams, athletes and fans alike. With an ideal location to
several sporting venues and only 2 miles from ESPN Wide World
of Sports Complex the property is a win with sporting teams!
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3 pools, basketball court, miniature golf and fitness facility
On-site Pizza Hut, Greenhouse Restaurant
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Coined laundry facility
Free Coaches room with 10 or more
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• 100% non-smoking rooms
• Visiting fan & family rates
• Free high-speed internet access
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For more information or to book your teams call Libby Coker at (407) 997-1111 or email: lcoker@maingatelakeside.com
20 USSSA TODAY
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DEMARINI SIGNATURE PLAYER
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CHRIS LARSEN 2009 USSSA MAJOR ALL-WORLD TEAM
2010 LONG HAUL POWER TOUR CHAMPION
2010 USSSA ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM CHAMPION
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2011 USSSA ‘B’ World Tournament
Kissimmee, Florida - September 16-18
by Dale Weiser
Blitz
Blitz celebrating
Doerflinger
1st Step
The 2011 USSSA ‘B’ World Championship featured 28 teams
that, for the most part, were very equal in their level of play.
Any of about 15 of the teams could have made a run at the
title, but the one that did was Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/MAB/
Easton out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Blitz was runner up at the ‘B’
World two years ago to Northwest Combat but got it done
this year on the power of some very consistent offense. Blitz
went 5-0 and outscored their opponents 108-47 en route to
the championship and faced an unlikely opponent in 1st Step
Softball from Pompano Beach, Florida in the finals. 1st Step
was a mid season bump from class ‘C’ to class ‘B’ and lost to
Blitz in the 3rd round of the winner’s bracket before winning 5
straight to get back to face Blitz.
and wind kept the ball in the park. The home run limit of 4 per
team was rarely reached by any of the team’s weekend.
In the championship game 1st Step jumped out to a 4-0 lead
in the first inning on a 3 run homer by veteran Chad Durick.
Then Blitz answered with 3 runs in the bottom half on doubles
from Jimmy Carter and Jason Roesch, and a single by MVP Mike
Rogers. Then the Blitz defense led by pitcher Frank Gruber,
the defensive MVP, shut down a tired 1st Step team 3 straight
innings. Meanwhile Blitz added 4 more runs in the 2nd inning
including a 2 run homer by David Kessler, and 2 more in the
3rd on a 2 run homer by Mike Rogers, before finishing them
off with a 13 run 4th. The 13 run 4th was more runs than most
teams were scoring in their entire games as the heat, humidity,
22 USSSA TODAY
The tournament began on Friday night with some upsets as a
local ‘C’ team Westshore Pizza knocked off Primetime 12-10,
A&K Tile impressively beat Columbus Pipe 20-12, and Dave’s
Place knocked off “top 4” seed Midwest Swing 9-8.
For the remainder of the tournament there were great
matchups all over the park and the low scoring games made
for some big moments and fun games.
When the sun went down on Saturday and the ball started to
fly again it was Blitz vs. Doerflinger in the winner’s final as Blitz
answered a big 3 run homer in the first inning by Doerflinger’s
Cal Ford with a grand slam by Mike Rogers in the bottom half.
The difference in the game was Doerflinger left too many
runners on base and Blitz did not and Blitz won 18-13.
Also late Saturday night Down2EarthSports.com held off a late
inning rally by ChecKing to win 23-22 and 1st Step Softball
“flip flopped” and “run ruled” Dave’s Place to make it to
Sunday. On Sunday morning, 1st Step played 2 great games in
wins over D2E and Doerflinger to make it to the finals.
Congratulations to the Blitz management and sponsors that
includes Dave Watanabe. Dave also won the 1993 ASA ‘A’
National tournament with his Watanabe Optical team.
P&P 333/Suburban/Larry’s
Tire/CMT Wins C World
P&P 333/Suburban/Larry’s Tire/CMT won 8 games in a row,
cruised through the winners bracket en route to their first
world championship as a team. P&P 333, a team out of Lansing,
MI, had an overall record for the year of 27-14. By winning
the C World Series they will be bumped up to B for the 2012
season. In 2011 they went 0-2 vs. Major, 0-2 vs. A Teams, 3-3 vs.
B Teams, and 21-6 against C Teams.
Abra Wins “D” World Series
Team Abra out of Salt Lake City, UT won the D World Series at
ESPN’s Wide World of Sports. Abra went 11-1 for the week en
route to their first World Championship. They scored 139 runs
in the tournament while allowing only 59. The highest point
of their week was scoring 30 runs in a game in the Florida heat
while the lowest point was getting dropped into the losers
bracket.
24 USSSA TODAY
Clint Haveron won the tournament MVP while Matt Newbold
won the Offensive Tournament MVP. Abra had 8 players on the
All-Tournament Team. Abra had an overall record of 34-7 for
the year heading into the World Series but kept their eye on
the prize and won their first World Tournament. As a fan you
can look for them to be bumped up to C and be a force to be
reckoned with in the C World Series in 2012.
Four Divisions of Women’s Play
Crowned World Champions
Enough Said/Easton were victorious in
the Womans “A” Division this year at the
World Series. They went 4-1 en route to
their World Series title. They won 4 in a
row to get to the championship but lost
to the runner-up Supersonic/Tyja Sports.
Enough Said /Easton took it to an IF game
and won in a thrilling 15-7 victory. They
scored 45 runs for the tournament while
giving up 37 to opponents. Look for
Enough Said/Easton to be in the running
for another consecutive championship
in 2012. Stacie Symonds took hope both
the Tournament MVP and Offensive
Tournament MVP awards while 6 other
teammates were All-Tournament selections.
Incognito out of Detroit, MI were the
World Series winner in the competitive
“B” Division in 2011, claiming their first
world championship in a 14-4 victory
over Minnesota Ice in a forced IF game
by Incognito out of the losers bracket.
Incognito beat Minnesota Ice in the
championship 18-9 to force the infamous IF game. They went 6-1 for the
World Series and outscored their opponents 86-38 while averaging a solid 12
runs a game. Patrika Barlow was named
the A World Tournament MVP and 8
players from the team received all tournament selections.
Diamond Magic out of Pittsboro, NC
went 8-1 in route to the Womens “C”
World Series. Diamond Magic came out
of the losers’ bracket to beat Pitchers/
H&K Screenprinting in the championship 8-5 t o force an IF game where they
were victorious, winning 6-3 in regulation. Diamond Magic went 34-14 for
the year and played all around competitive softball year round and it paid
off with a World Championship ring.
Diamond Magic outscored their opponent 82-63 while averaging a little over
9 runs per game. Dedria Locklear from
Diamond Magic would take home the
Tournament MVP while her teammate
Christy Draper would take home the
Offensive Tournament MVP. Six other
players from Diamond Magic would
receive All-Tournament selections.
Compsouth/Slip n Slide out of Fort
Lauderdale, FL, went 8-1 in the “D”
World Series and won their first World
Championship. Compsouth was undefeated until a loss came in the championship game where they were beat
8-1 by the Long Island Hurricane out
of E. Northport, NY. In the if game
Compsouth managed to pull out a 10-6
win and send the Long Island Hurricanes
packing. In the D World Series
Compsouth managed to outscore their
opponents 91-45 and averaged a solid
10 runs per game average. Compsouths
own two Juanita Watkins won the tournament MVP while Christina Barone
took home the Offensive Tournament
MVP awards while 7 other teammates
won got All-Tournament selections.
WA STATE CHAMPS
Rockstar/CARTEL/DeMarini
26 USSSA TODAY
NorCal teams racks up 2011 USSSA
Men’s E West World Championship
by Greg Huchingson
USSSA Assistant Executive Director, Danny Brown,
from Concord, CA, fields questions at the manager’s
meeting.
The tournament was hosted by the City of College Station, TX at Veteran’s Park. With the tournament being
held 9/11/11, the U.S. flag is half-staffed in remembrance of the 9/11 tragedy ten years ago. Bryan, TX Regional
Athletic Complex was, also, used for tournament play.
2011 USSSA Men’s E West World umpiring crew.
COLLEGE STATION, TX – Team RACC
from Santa Clara, Calif. made the long
trip from the Bay Area of Northern
California to Central Texas and dominated the 87-team field by going 7-0 to
capture the 2011 USSSA Men’s E West
World Tournament.
“Only one word can describe how this
feels – amazing,” said player/coach Jeff
Aana. “We’ve battled all year with some
very talented teams, and for us to click
at the right time was so satisfying for all
of us. It has been a blast playing with
28 USSSA TODAY
a great bunch of guys that all had the
same goal.”
There were teams from 17 different
states entered in the tournament,
including
Washington,
Oregon,
Northern
California,
Southern
California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New
Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas,
Missouri, Kansas, Ohio and all over
Texas. Games were played at Veterans
Park in College Station and the Bryan
Regional Athletic Complex in Bryan.
Team RACC is sponsored by RJR Pumps
Inc. and A Crouse Construction. This
is the first year for the team to play
together, although many of the players
have competed against each other the
past five years. The team was assembled
from players across the Bay Area, from
Vacaville in the North Bay Area to San
Jose in the South Bay Area.
Heading into the World Tournament,
Team RACC had a 43-11 record in USSSA
play on the year. They had four first
place finishes in 10 USSSA tournaments,
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including the Dan Smith Classic Men’s E
N.I.T. and Northwest Nationals.
Team RACC opened the World
Tournament by defeating Sangre/
Southern Nights/Tejano Club of Ft.
Worth (21-6) on Friday night. That win
was followed by an emotional victory
over home turf rival 301 Deuce of Bay
Area, CA (25-19). Next, Team RACC
destroyed the Lone Star Shootout Series
State Champion, Wharton’s Worst
Nightmares from Wharton, TX (20-3).
In the quarter-finals of the winner’s
bracket, Team RACC knocked off the
Boosters from Wichita, KN (20-12), then
they defeated Head First from League
City, TX (14-8).
In the all-important winner’s bracket
finals on Sunday morning, Team RACC
came out smoking and run-ruled
Southwest Texas State Champion, Bad
Decisions of San Antonio (27-2). That
allowed Team RACC to rest in the
shade, while watching Bad Decisions
battle McKenna Racing in the finals of
the loser’s bracket. McKenna Racing
beat Bad decisions (17-13) for their 10th
win of the tournament to advance to
the championship game. But McKenna
Racing was out of gas and it was Team
RACC who raced to the winner’s circle
with an 11-7 victory.
2011 USSSA Men’s E West World Champions
TEAM RACC
Santa Clara, CA
“We want to give a big thanks to the
softball community, especially the
players and friends who supported us
on the way to this World title win,” said
Aana. “There is a lot of time and money
that goes into playing tournament softball. It’s not easy, especially on players
with families.”
Team RACC averaged 19.7 runs per
game in their seven wins, while allowing
an average of just 8.1 for an average
margin of victory of over 11 runs per
game. Zack McCormick led Team RACC
in on-base percentage for the weekend
at .821, which included a perfect 4-for-4
in the championship game. Other
leaders in the important category were
Kenny Querbin at .800, Rob Yamat at
.750 and Hung Nguyen at .741.
Team RACC third-baseman Cherokee
Scrivner was named Most Valuable
Player of the tournament while Aana,
the team’s crafty pitcher, was named
the Outstanding Defensive Player.
30 USSSA TODAY
2011 USSSA Men’s E West World- Second Place
McKenna Racing
Seattle,WA
Other Team RACC players named to
the All-World Tournament Team were
McCormick, Nguyen and Brandon Baily.
Hailing from the Seattle suburb of
Auburn, McKenna Racing traveled the
farthest distance of all teams at the tournament. They opened the tournament
with a pair of narrow one-run wins,
then won their third game by three runs
before losing to Bad Decisions (12-4).
McKenna Racing then dropped to the
loser’s bracket and reeled off six more
wins, before beating Bad Decisions
in the Sunday morning re-match that
was the finals of the loser’s bracket.
McKenna Racing finished the tournament with an impressive 10-2 record.
Seth Engleber of McKenna Racing
was name the Outstanding Offensive
Player of the Tournament, while
other McKenna Racing players named
All-Tournament were Josh Fleck, Brady
Wade and Cody Cox.
Bad Decisions was the highest finishing
team from Texas, taking third place with
a 5-2 record. The performance capped a
brilliant season for Bad Decisions that
featured a 66-18 record and seven tournament championships, including the
128-team Budweiser Softball Festival.
Bad Decisions players named to the
All-World Tournament Team were
Jacob Ryan, David Ramirez Jr. and K.C.
Johnston.
2011 USSSA Men’s E West World- Third Place
Bad Decisions
San Antonio, TX
Surefire from Las Vegas came finished
fourth with a 6-2 record, AZ Syndicate
from Surprise, AZ and Head First from
League City, TX tied for fifth place with
4-2 records. DC Outlaws from Houston
and Notorious from Bay Area, CA tied
for seventh place also with 4-2 records.
The remainder of the All-Tournament
selections were Ron Davis, Eric
Eigenrauch and Joe Ward, from Surefire;
Rod Grubb and Brian Whittington, from
AZ Syndicate; Shawn Schimming and
Ryan Jensen, from Head First; Eddie Lazo
and Adam Gonzales, from DC Outlaws;
and Mike Clarin and Rob Learned, from
Notorious.
The remainder of the Top 10 finishers
were Just Left Pub and Grill, from
Mountlake Terrace, WA; Ducks, from
Oklahoma City, OK; Wharton’s Worst
Nightmares, from Wharton, TX; and
Boosters, from Wichita, KN.
32 USSSA TODAY
2011 USSSA Men’s E West World- Fourth Place
Surefire
Las Vegas, NV
Francesca Enea
#10
Jessica Mendoza
#2
Ashley Charters
#11
USSSA Fastpitch
Has Banner Year in 2011
by Bill Dowell
The USSSA Fastpitch program continues
to reach new milestones each year,
while eclipsing old records and setting
loftier goals for the future.
field of college recruiting, administered
one of their only eight player recruiting
camps at our ESPN Rise World Series in
Orlando.
While the fastpitch programs of many
other associations have stagnated or
even declined in recent years, USSSA
Fastpitch continues to grow and in
some cases by substantial amounts. The
graphs depict this growth in six major
statistical categories.
Signature Events
However, our fastpitch program isn’t just
about registering teams and running
tournaments. Although at the end of
the day that is how all programs are
measured, USSSA Fastpitch goes beyond
the statistics and brings excitement to
many other facets of the sport. Below
are some of the highlights of our 2011
season.
College Exposure /
Showcase Tournaments
A college showcase event is designed to
attract competitive 16U and 18U teams
together with college coaches in a tournament environment that maximizes
the exposure element. Each year we
continue to offer more college showcases that are drawing some of the
nation’s best teams. 2011 saw 16 individual event s play host to 970 teams.
A few of our marquis tournaments
include the Elite Showcases of Texas
(262 teams), America’s Finest City (AFC)
Fall and Winter Showcases (209 teams)
and the MSP Fall Showcase (132 teams).
A large part of the success of a showcase tournament is how well it ties
in other aspects of the exposure
concept. For example, our Showcases
in the Desert offer a college recruiting
seminar hosted by Sue Enquist, former
NCAA National Champion from UCLA.
The MSP Fall Showcase partners with
Fastpitch Online Showcase, a third party
recruiting firm that assists players in
finding the right college. The National
Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA),
the most widely respected body in the
34 USSSA TODAY
A number of other premier tournaments have made their mark around
the country which perennially attracts
hundreds of teams. For instance our fastpitch program offers many events that
benefit specific causes such as cancer
awareness and research and there are
none bigger than the Pitch for the Cure
in Arkansas with over 200 teams or
Georgia’s Children’s Healthcare Classic.
Theme tournaments have become
a staple in several state programs.
Following the substantial growth of fall
programs, Halloween themed events
have become increasingly popular led
by the Monster Bash in Kansas which
spans two weekends with over 200
participating teams.
It’s no secret that a major draw for our
Orlando World Series is the various
Disney attractions. However Orlando is
not the only destination site throughout
the year as several tournaments are
positioned around unique aspects of our
country’s landscape, including the Blast
at the Beach in Ocean City, Maryland
that annually draws over 180 applicants
to its warm, sandy beaches in June.
New State Director
Appointments
Over the past 12 months a record 12
new state directors were appointed in
states where we did not have a substantial market presence. Every one of our
new appointees brings a unique dimension to our overall program, but two
attributes are common to each of them
– an inherent love for fastpitch and the
enthusiasm necessary to make USSSA
the premier program in their state. Our
newest state directors include:
Connecticut – David Rocha
Minnesota – Scott & Erin Brown
New York Downstate – Doug Duncan
North Carolina – Rod Skinner
Ontario – Frank Crudo
Rhode Island – Joey Wilson
South Carolina – Carrie Lyons
Texas North – Gary Leland
Texas South – Tony Elizondo
Utah – David Word
West Virginia – James Hightower
Wisconsin – John Roth
Expansion of “C” Program
The “C” program is one of the leading
areas of growth in USSSA Fastpitch. We
have been cautious not to build our “C”
program by merely reclassifying “A”
and “B” teams but rather by searching
out grass roots leagues that previously
did not participate in tournament play
because of the unavailability of those
events in their area. The number of “C”
tournaments increased 30% from 307 in
2010 to 400 in 2011 while the number
of teams participating in those events
rose 35% from 2,657 to 3,579, respectively. We offered three successful “C”
World Series in 2011 in the Midwest,
Southeast and Mid Atlantic areas and
will introduce a fourth event in 2012 in
Las Cruces, NM.
E. A. Ramsey Scholarship
Program
A record 18 fastpitch scholar-athletes
from eight states each received $500
awards. Both the number of scholarship applicants and those receiving
awards continue to increase every year.
More details about the E. A. Ramsey
Scholarship Program can be found on
the next page.
USSSA Fastpitch has quickly become a
dynamic, ever changing program with
an exciting future and 2012 is destined
to become our best year ever. Fastpitch
Vice-Presidents Jeremy McDowell, Bryan
Sage and Bill Dowell are currently
assembling a 5-year business plan that
will ensure the future security and prosperity of the program for years to come.
2011 USSSA College
Scholarship Announcement
“Each year we appear to exceed
the previous year!” says Scott Kuhnen,
chairperson for the USSSA A.E. Ramsey
College Scholarship Program.
“Our CEO, Don DeDonatis, has
committed additional funds to the 2011
college scholarship program,” explained
Kuhnen, “so we were able this year to
award a total of thirty-one scholarships
to student-athletes from seventeen
different states.”
The A.E. Ramsey USSSA College
Scholarship Program is named for one
of the founders of USSSA and former
National President, Al Ramsey
“This is one of the finest programs
USSSA has to offer,” says DeDonatis. “Not
only do we reward student-athletes for
participating in USSSA sports and excelling at athletics at the same time, but
we also honor one of the association’s
founding fathers and our former CEO, Al
Ramsey.”
This year’s scholarship money goes to
Baseball
1
Robert K. Pettet
2
Andrew W. Cleveland
3
Lincoln E. Evans, Jr.
4
Taylor M. Fish
5
Sheldon S. Banks
6
Alex S. Pieters
7
Thomas A. Kunst
8
Clint J. Cook
Fast Pitch
1
Isabella E. Olea
2
Syndey C. Gaffin
3
Brandi J. Gaffin
4
Morgan R. Yuhas
5
Elizabeth M. Bondarenko
6
Dush L. Morrison
7
Chelsea N. Blumenshine
8
Kristi M. Anson
9
Alexis M. Shaffer
10
Kelsey L. Ericksen
11
Jana L. Schwartz
12
Brooke N. Gilland
13
Katrina E. Kolbe
14
Christine I. Anderson
15
Courtney M. Day
16
Michelle L. Kahle
17
Ashley R. Runion
18
Stephanie E. Rose
19
Kelli E. Henry
20
Megan A. Turner
21
Nicol M. Chesley
Slow Pitch
1
Madeline R. Campbell
2
Paige L. Breaux
Golf
1
Connor J. Taylor
Multi-Sport
1
Mallory K. Boudreaux
2
Logan K. Parsons
3
Courtnie H. Spain
eighteen student-athletes in fast pitch,
eight in baseball, one in slow pitch, three
who excel in multiple sports, and, new
this year, our first-ever golf scholarship
winner.
The 2011 scholarships were all $500
and, unlike many scholarships which are
awarded to the schools solely to defray
tuition costs, the USSSA scholarship funds
are sent directly to the students and their
families and can be used for tuition,
books, housing, or just a living allowance.
Making good on a promise from
2010, Mr. DeDonatis has encouraged
all the sports under the USSSA banner
to participate. This year’s applicants
reflected an increase from 2010, which
the Association appreciates.
“Our goal is to reward as many
students as possible,” explains DeDonatis,
“and this year’s application in golf is
exciting for that reason. We’d like all
our sports and young student-athletes to
benefit.”
Interested student-athletes should
go to www.USSSA.com to download an
application form and begin the process
of applying today. The application form
can be found on the various home pages
for slow pitch, fast pitch, baseball, and
basketball.
The application must be endorsed
by a USSSA Sponsor (manager/coach,
State Director, National Board Member),
forwarded to the State Director in the
sport for which you are applying, must
be accompanied by a letter of acceptance
from the college you are attending, and
include a brief essay (200-300 words)
explaining how USSSA sports helped you
prepare for college and future endeavors.
USSSA College Scholarship applications
are due to the USSSA National Headquarters
by 15 August of each year. If there are any
questions, please direct them to your USSSA
State Director or Scott Kuhnen, So/Central
Ohio State Director, (937)429-0029 or
e-mail: dayton_softball@hotmail.com.
West Palm Beach
Moore
Troutville
Kearney
Topeka
Shelby Township
Novato
Ft. Lupton
FL
SC
VA
NE
KS
MI
CA
CO
Palm Beach Atlantic
Clemson Univ.
Lynchburg College
Univ. of Nebraska
Cent. Christian Coll.
Oakland Univ.
Calif. Lutheran Univ.
McCook Comm. Coll.
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
Yuma
Glendale
Glendale
Henderson
Nottingham
Wellington
Fort Collins
Fort Collins
Highlands Ranch
Plainfield
Topeka
Grant City
Washington
Palmer Lake
Wauseon
Berthoud
Marassas
Colorado Springs
Monument
Defiance
Huber Heights
AZ
AZ
AZ
NV
MD
CO
CO
CO
CO
IN
KS
MO
DC
CO
OH
CO
VA
CO
CO
OH
OH
not apparent
Regis University
Grand Canyon Univ.
U. of No. Colorado
U. of Maryland (CP)
Otero Junior College
Northeastern Jr. Coll.
Colorado State Univ.
Lamar Comm. College
Trine University
Univ. of Kansas
N.W. Missouri State
Trinity College
Washington College
Univ. of Detroit Mercy
Front Range C.C.
Bridgewater College
Luna Comm. College
Trinidad State J.C.
Notre Dame College
Malone Univ.
Champlin
Lake Charles
MN
LA
Concordia/Moorhead
Univ. of Louisiana, Lafayette
$500
Hammond
LA
Univ. of Louisiana, Lafayette
$500
Lafayette
Xenia
Fairborn
LA
OH
OH
Baton Rouge C.C.
Sinclair C.C.
Cedarville University
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
USSSA TODAY 35
USSSA Welcomes Ten
Inductees Into Hall Of Fame
Corky Carter- TN
Umpire Category
n Anthony “Corky” Carter
has been umpiring baseball
and softball for more than
forty years. He has umpired
all levels, from Little League
to High School to College.
Having a Master’s Degree in
Education, he has a passion
for educating officials.
n Currently writes for
Referee Magazine, with a
readership of more than
18,000 sports officials that
are members of the National
Association of Sports Officials.
n Co-authored a book, “Take
Charge Softball Umpiring”,
and written for several softball
periodicals.
n Inducted into the Texas
USSSA Hall of Fame inaugural
ceremony in 1997.
n Umpired major softball
tournaments all around
Nashville and Tennessee for
the past 18 years.
n 2006- USSSA Manager of
The Year.
n 2007 -Men’s USSSA Class
A World Series Champions.
n 2007- Men’s USSSA Class
A Manager of The Year.
n 2008 -Men’s USSSA Class
A World Series Runner Up.
David Evaul- TX
Executive Category
n Resolved bat standard
dispute between USSSA and
DeMarini Sports, Inc. in 1995
by the creation of the 1.20
BPF standard for softball
bats--the first performance
standard ever for bats.
n Became USSSA General
Counsel in 2003 and helped
finalize the Disney Facility
Agreement negotiated by
Mr. DeDonatis, removed a
bat that was in excess of our
1.20 BPF from USSSA play
while working with the bat
manufacturer, revised USSSA
bat and ball licensing royalty
agreements.
n Created the-- if you even
threatened to sue, you are
suspended--- rule in 2004
and the--if you actually sue,
you are suspended forever-constitutional provision in
2007.
Larry Quartucci- KY
n 2001 won the Grand Slam
with Long Haul all 4 nationals
n Teammates with the late
Dirk Androff, Charles Wright,
JC Phelps, Kenny Carver, Jaque
Millier.
Frank Webb- MO
Sherri Lynn France- FL
Manager Category
Female Player Category
n USSSA World Series
Championships:
1995 UPI/TPS (MVP)
1998 UPI/Kinder
2000 Kinder Sharks
(MVP)
2003 Armstrong’s Lady
Rebels
2006 Long Haul/Enough
Said
2009 Sharks (All World
Team)
Jimmy Powers- NC
n 1992 National Homerun
Champ
n 1994 Louisville Slugger
had 3 titles homerun, batting
average, homerun frequency
Won the batting title and
homerun title also won USSSA
Major World Series and was
the MVP
n 1996 won USSSA Major
World Series
n 2001 won USSSA Major
World Champs
Don Cooper- WA
Sponsor Category
n Started playing USSSA
1989 In Washington State
n Inducted Into 2009 USSSA
WA Hall Of Fame
n 2008 USSSA National
Award Of Merit Award
n Tournament Director Men’s
Major Seattle Since 2006
n Sponsored/Coached/Played
n 54 USSSA Worlds
n 39 USSSA Nationals –
Men’s, Women’s, Mixed and
Church
n 1St Place In 16 Usssa
Nationals
Highlights
n 2011 Mixed A Worlds
n 2009 Men’s B Worlds
n 2009 Women’s 35+ Worlds
n 2008 Major World Series
n 2007 Men’s B Worlds
Runner Up’s
n 2007 Major World Series
Manager Category
n Inducted into the
Michigan USSSA Hall of Fame
in 2000.
n 2005 3rd Place finish in
the USSSA Men’s Major World
Series as an A Team.
36 USSSA TODAY
Craig Elliott- AL
Dal Beggs- FL
Lou Blaha- VA
Special Category
n 1991 - 1994 - St Louis
Merchants coach/manager
n 1995 - 1996 - Ritchs
Superior coach
n 1997 - 1998 - N.A.S.T.Y
Boys Manager
n 1999 - Hague - Resmondo
Double “A” Champs coach/
manager
n 2000 - Hague - Resmondo
Double “A” Champs coach/
manager
n 2001 - 2002 - HagueResmondo 3rd Place Major
USSSA coach/manager
n 2003 - Resmondo - Hague
- Taylor Bros - Sunbelt USSSA
Major Champs coach/manager
n 2004 - Resmondo - Taylor
Bros. - 3rd Place Major USSSA
coach/manager
n 2005 - Resmondo - Smith
- Menosse - USSSA Major
Champs coach/manager
n 2006 - Resmondo - KME USSSA Major Champs USSSA
World Series Manager
n 2007 - Resmondo Softball
USSSA Major Champs World
USSSA Series Manager
n 2008 - Resmondo Specialty Tank - 2nd Place
Major USSSA Manager
n 2009 - Resmondo-Specialty
Tank - Major Champs USSSA
World Series Manager Record 62 wins 3 losses in
conference play.
Tank-PhoneMaster - Major
Champs USSSA World Series
Manager
Tank - Major Champs USSSA
World Series Manager
n 2 Double “A” USSSA World
Championships / 7 Major
USSSA World Championships
USSSA Super Softball
Weekends!
Robert W. Boudreaux
We’ve finished….the pressure is off….we were successful….so
who get’s the glory? I am writing today to say, not me….not the
Board of Directors….but you, the TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS
of the largest softball event in the history of USSSA. Each of
you…..Neal Swanner (LA), Kelly Burke (MD), Tammy Totland
(KS), Dale McGregor (WA), David Boswell (NM), Dwight Gehring
(KS), Gary Godden (NY), John DeMagristris (NY), Bill Harper
(CO), David Kasouf (NY), Chuck Kline (MO), Mike O’Donnell
(MO), Bob Reed (NY), Teresa Schrock (KS), Gabe St.Pierre (LA),
and Billy Vaughn (LA),
So how did we motivate you to do such an excellent job? To
pull off such a feat? We didn’t. You motivated yourselves. The
difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little
extra. And each of you has contributed that little extra to make
a big difference. They say that one of the greatest sources of
energy is pride in what you’re doing. You displayed that extra
– that energy, that pride, that commitment.
(l to r): John DeMagristris (NY), Dale McGregor (WA) and Gary Godden (NY).
You can’t pay somebody enough for that.
This group rescheduled their vacations, and time away from
their regular jobs to make OUR big softball event the event
players will talk about for years….you can’t pay someone for
that.
This group put in 20 hour days to insure the success of the
USSSA events….your can’t pay someone for that.
You dealt with weather and a scheduling nightmare….you
definitely can’t pay someone for that!
Our staff spent days listening to completely unjustified, unreasonable demands from our teams. They did it without losing
their poise and their perspective….you can’t pay someone
enough for that.
So many of you have made similar sacrifices. You just can’t pay
people enough for that. So what do you do? Well, first you
hope these individuals, and others like them, gain an inner
satisfaction from a job WELL DONE! We hope our fellow directors across the country recognize and value their sacrifices and
dedication. You hope their families reaffirm their commitment
to personal excellence. In short, you hope other directors and
umpires recognize the qualities that make this group unique.
Kelly Burke (MD)
Bill Harper (CO)
Billy Vaughn (LA)
Tammy Totland (KS)
Yes, as a management team, we hope that, in some small way,
each of you, who has shown such commitment to your job,
feels pride in our joint success and in your individual contributions. As British educator and social commentator John Ruskin
so aptly observed, “The highest reward for a man’s toil is not
what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it.”
But you can’t pay someone enough for that kind of attitude,
for that kind of hard work, for personal sacrifice of time and
emotional energy. We can only say a small “THANK YOU” and
hope each of you understands the gratitude we feel. You have
our respect. You have MY utmost respect.
USSSA TODAY 37
The unpronounceable name is out...
by Kaylen Shimoda
Men’s Slowpitch Softball is a sport of
precision, skill and technique; it requires
a strong piece of mind and, like many
sports, the desire to win. TJayBusin
recalls a time when he hadn’t really
understood the game. It was a time
when he had thought of it as a ‘beerleague’ sport, where men wore cutoff
shirts and shorts. Little did he know, it
would become his passion and a major
part of his life.
Busin says, “Right away, softball kept
me up at night... I read all of the boards,
all of the gossip. I couldn’t believe
that it was as competitive and serious
as it was.” This was the first competitive sport he had played in 8 years
after he could not extend his career in
the MLS, and it grabbed him from the
start. “I loved the fact that I took the
field with guys who were former MLB,
AAA, AA or All-American athletes,
guys who had such high-levels of experience and talent. Their energy was
contagious,”Busin said.
While his intrigue with the game of
softball continued to grow, it correlated directly with the start-up of Buzini
Sports, which he started in December
of 2007. Busin admits that the primary
reason for starting his own business
38 USSSA TODAY
was so he could be completely engulfed
with the game.
Originally, BuziniSports, was created
to write about softball, review tournaments in the area and write player
spotlights. “We had a great year out
of the gate,” he said, “and that grew
into a new concept.” Within the year,
website traffic broke the 100,000 ‘clicks’
mark, and a new concept was born. “We
were receiving requests for uniform and
equipment referrals everyday,” said
Busin.
Instead of passing the uniform business
off, he decided to take on the challenge. “I had two choices; buy a bunch
of equipment I didn’tknow how to use,
or find a reputable printing company to
work with,” said Busin, and he chose the
latter.
From a small town in Mississippi, Chris
Collins, now one of the three partners
that make up BuziniSports.Com, had
founded Custom Printing of MS. With
several large corporate clients, Custom
Printing was also on the rise. Collins
had been involved with some sporting
goods, but not in this spectrum; this was
their opportunity. They started slow, but
now, they already provide services and
goods for almost 200 teams.
Buzini
Sports
provides uniforms,
websites, logos, gloves, shoes, bats, balls
and the list continues to grow. “We
are a one-stop shop, with everything
for Fastpitch, Slowpitch and Baseball
at every level. Our golf, basketball and
football selections will be released in
stages throughout 2012 and 2013, along
with the release of our new website this
November 14th.”
The company is an authorized dealer for
Adidas, Baden, Combat, Easton, Under
Armour and Worth. “These companies represent the best the game has
to offer. We add a new vendor every
month or so, but the vast majority of
our customers want these.”
Buzini Sports is also excited to announce
their new affiliation with Baden Sports.
The family-owned, Seattle, WA sporting
goods company known worldwide for
it’s inflatables and now, it’s equipment.
As the new territory representative for
Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas,
Busin adds, “I am very excited to be
part of something this innovative, this
special.” That ‘special’ something is
a patented concept, which Busin says
Baden Sports has perfected to a tee. It’s
the new “Axe” handle, and according
to Busin is the “definition of innovation
when it comes to the ‘bat’ and it’s evolution.”
Busin foresees this game changer as
something that will become standard
over the next 10 to 20 years. “It just
makes complete and totalsense when
you take away how it has always been
done and look strictly at the science,”
says Busin. “The handle promotes a
palm up, palm down swing; forces
your wrists to break at the proper time
instead of early, and most importantly,
if you don’t swing the bat correctly, you
feel it, which is unlike any training aid,
video, coach, gimmick or otherwise can
do... I have coaches from Little League
to major college institutions intrigued
and placing orders.” The Axe is made
for competition, and there was lots of
time, money and technology put into
it to perfect its form. There were some
hurdles, but the Axe is here and here to
stay.
Danielle Lawrie, pitcher and spokesperson for the Florida Pride fast pitch
team and 2-time NCAA player of the
year, chose Baden over all other sports
manufacturing companies. “Danielle is
one of the best players in the World,”
he raved, “I am a huge fan.” As far as
their inflatables and fastpitch/baseballs
go, one would have to look a very long
time to find a better company. He adds,
“They make the highest quality baseball, basketball, soccer and footballs in
the country. They are just fantastic in
the ball business.” Taking a look into
the future, it seems like the sports world
should get ready, because their bats will
be just as prevalent.
Yet, our guys are excellent spokesmen
for Buffalo Wild Wings, BuziniSports.
Com and Baden. They play the game,
not because they are paid... but because
they are compelled.” It was very obvious
the pride and passion that co-founders,
Steven Gentry, Jeff Lohrmann and Busin
have been able to build.
Giving a hint into 2012, when Baden
Sport’s ‘Avenge’ 1.20 bat will start to
hit the fields, he says, “They got it right
with this one... pop, durability, backed
by a one year warranty and it is priced
perfectly.”
The USSSA Conference is the center
stage for the best. Busin exclaims, “They
are the crème de la crème of softball, so many teams are satisfied being
the ‘proverbial’ big fish in their little
pond, but the Conference is the ocean
of oceans.” BWW/Buzini Sports.com/
Baden was successful in it’s inaugural
USSSA Conference season, finishing
4th in the USSSA C World, 1st in the C
Power Rankings and 26th in the country
according to the rankings on Softball
Center. “Our coaching staff is looking
ahead as we transition to B Class,” Busin
said. He concluded with how they are
adding a few veterans to their young
line-up and twice as many Conference
events. “The Conference is our sole
focus next year. We are seeking new
sponsors to accommodate our growth,
but we will make it work regardless. We
can’t wait to step on the field with the
best as we strive to one day, take our
place among them.” Good luck guys!
Baden Sports’promotional ‘guru’, Greg
Barton, has been a spearhead for the
company that is gaining noticeable
market share in Fast Pitch and in Baseball
bat sales. “The new BBCOR standard was
the perfect time to introduce a revolution when all barrels became the same,”
Barton went on to say, “...it became
about all the little things combining to
make the great difference. TJay get’s it,”
but back to softball.
When asked what he thinks of the
game, Busin can only see good things
in the future. The amount of players
that value theircommitment and treat
sponsors well is on the rise. “We have
a humble team and a modest budget.
What Teams Are Saying
About Conference USSSA
Comment from Andrew Dubberly
This past year was our first year in the conference. Paid the $5K. Got 6 tournaments
paid for at $350 each. ($2100). Then we went to the A world where we paid no entry
fee ($350). We also attended the conference championships with free entry fee and
14 condo nights at no charge (at least $100 a night rooms and another $350 entry
free so $1750 total). We are a B team and attended the B worlds as well. Another
$350 entry fee paid and stayed in Florida all week to play in the Mens Major which
we also qualified for. Another paid entry fee $350 and a total of 56 more free condo
rooms to use any way we wanted between the B world and major ($6400 between
the two). We were given back two checks from USSSA totaling $4500 at the worlds.
So bottom line I spent $500 to play in the conference and got a total value of over
$10k in tournaments and rooms. Total team payroll was zero. You don’t have to pay
players to compete. No one in the country knew one guy on our roster this year and
we finished 10th. The great luxury I have is we live in Ga so we don’t have to buy
plane tickets, rental cars, etc. (this is not typical and we are lucky) That is a huge plus
for us and makes it an easy decision to return to Conference USSSA play in 2012.
USSSA TODAY 39
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The Whole Enchilada
Heats Up Las Cruces
By Adam R. Baca
Photos by Larry Meraz
The 2011 Whole Enchilada Softball
Tournament in Las Cruces, N.M. came to
a close the evening of Oct. 9 after three
days of intense slow-pitch softball.
This year’s tournament included over
200 teams, with five different brackets.
The tournament included Men and
Women’s C and D divisions, as well as
the Men’s E division.The tournament
was a non-qualifying tournament.
42 USSSA TODAY
“It’s one of the largest tournaments,”
USSSA director for New Mexico Bert
Frederick said.
The weather was warm and the
Southern N.M. desert skies were as clear
as they could be. Las Cruces couldn’t
have been more prepared to host this
year’s tournament.
The tournament is not only popular with
N.M. teams as it draws in different teams
from around the region. Frederick said
this year’s tournament included teams
that came from Ariz., Calif., Colo., Nev.,
N.M., TX, and Wyo.
It is not only one of the biggest USSSA
slow-pitch softball tournaments around,
but a place for all the softball teams to
get together and socilize.
“It’s probably the largest tailgate party
around,” Frederick said.
The sound of beer bottles hitting the
bottoms of trashcans was almost as
common as the sound of softball’s
hitting aluminum bats.
“It’s the Woodstock of softball,” said
Danelle Fresquez as she was hanging
out in the parking lot outside of Harty
Field.
The tournament started on Oct. 7 and
ran until Oct. 9. The tournament never
saw a break as games were played 24
hours a day until all five champions
were named.
Not only does the giant tailgate party
like atmosphere draw teams in from
around the region, the great competition and sportsmanship is a big reason
for teams to come visit beautiful
southern N.M.
“You can bring 200 teams in and
nobody has any problems,” said Richard
Palomino, who plays for You’re It
Softball.
“It’s welcoming. Everybody is very
friendly,” said Jennifer Stalter who
played with Peaches out of Casa Grande,
AZ.
Palomino, who has also played in tournaments in TX and NV loves the great
competition the tournament draws.
“If you can win here, you played your
ass off,” he said. “It’s my fourth year
and we’ll be here every year.”
The results
In the Men’s C class, F.T.P. out of
Andrews, TX took home the first place
trophy. F.T.P. went through the tournament undefeated winning five games
to become champions of the Men’s C
bracket, beating West Texas Mafia/WTX
Tees who hailed from Odessa, TX, in the
championship game.
“We came out as a team, and we stuck
together as a team,” F.T.P. player Joe
Bitolas said, while celebrating with
teammates in the parking lot outside of
Harty Field. “It’s just making our reputation.”
Gil’s AZ Heat out of Chandler, Ariz. took
third place in the Men’s C division.
In the Men’s D division, Ya Estuvo out of
Denver, Colo. took the first place prize
going undefeated winning eight games
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in the tournament. Ya Estuvo took out
Have a Clue SBC in the championship
game. Have a Clue SBC also hailed from
Denver, Colo.Smoke, out of Henderson,
Colo. Took the third place prize in the
Men’s D division.
In the Men’s E division, the Chicano
Bulls out of Arlington, TX came out on
top winning the championship game.
The Chicano Bulls went undefeated
throughout the tournament winning
seven games. The Chicano Bulls defeated
Team Boooom out of Corpus Christi,
TX in the championship game. Mares
Metals out of Greeley, Colo. Took third
place in the Men’s E division.
The Golddiggers from Sunland Park, N.M
took home the first place trophy in the
Women’s C Division. The Golddiggers
went undefeated in the tournament
winning five games and defeating Las
Cruces’ own Too Legit in the championship game. ABQ Affliction from
Albuquerque, N.M. came in third place.
The Peaches out of Casa Grande, Ariz.
won the final championship of the entire
tournament, defeating Bad Apples from
Corpus Christi, TX in the Women’s D division championship game. The Peaches
went 6-1 throughout the tournament
and had to beat Bad Apples twice to
take home the top prize.
“We were kind of an underdog,” said
Stalter, who was in the tournament for
the second time.
Alyssa’s Angels, out of Albuquerque,
N.M came in third place in the Women’s
D bracket.
What started The Whole
Enchilada tournament?
The Whole Enchilada Tournament did
not start off as being one of the biggest
USSA slow-pitch tournaments around.
The tournament began in Las Cruces
around 34 years ago.
“It started out as a memorial,” Frederick
explained at Harty Field in Las Cruces
with sounds of players and fans cheering
in the background.
When the tournament started 34 years
ago it was not nearly as big. For the first
two years it was a memorial tournament, before the USSA decided to ask
the tournament to join them.
46 USSSA TODAY
The tournament was started off as a
memorial for Jerry Gomez, who was
a friend to Frederick that used to play
softball with him. Gomez was killed
after he was in a dune buggy accident.
After the accident, the tournament was
started by Frederick to help raise funds
for Gomez’ wife who was pregnant at
the time of her husband’s accident.
The first year of the Jerry Gomez
Memorial Tournament only included 14
total teams.
“It built up to what we have today,”
Frederick said.
Is The Whole Enchilada
relocating?
For the past couple of years there have
been rumors circulating about the
Whole Enchilada Tournament leaving
Las Cruces. Many have wondered how
true this is and would not like to see the
tournament leave it’s home of 34 years.
Frederick said that the City of Las Cruces
started charging the tournament fees
for almost everything involved with the
tournament. The city previously let the
tournament run for free. The city started
charging fees for field rentals, lights,
trash and portable toilets, totaling to
about $10,000.
According to Frederick, cities like
Phoenix,
Denver,
Midland,
or
Albuquerque would love to host the
event. Even with other cities interested
in hosting the tournament, Las Cruces
seems to be the home for now and
people would hate to see it go, especially the local teams from Las Cruces
that play in the tournament.
“They don’t want to see it leave their
state,” Frederick said. “The tournament
is very solvent here.”
For now the tournament seems to be
staying put in Las Cruces, but Frederick
said that the offers are still on the table.
No matter where the tournament is
played, it will surely be around and will
continue to create an exciting atmosphere for any team that wants to play
ball.
“It’s just a great event with everyone
involved. That’s why it’s called The
Whole Enchilada,” Frederick said.
TWO USSSA WINTER
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Vegas teams have winning hand at
Lone Star Shootout Worlds
by Van Galeon
LAS VEGAS – The old saying goes, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” And for
the Lone Star Shootout World Softball Tournament, that saying certainly applied to
the championship trophies.
continued on page 54
52 USSSA TODAY
Even though teams were entered from multiple states, it was a pair of Las
Vegas teams that won first place in the Men’s Divisions.
The 2nd Annual Lone Star Shootout World Tournament was played Oct. 29 at
Big League Dreams in Las Vegas. The magnificent six-field complex features
Field Turf infields, and each of the fields is a replica of a current or former
Major League ballpark, including Dodger Stadium, Angel Stadium, Fenway
Park, Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium and Crosley Field. The complex is conveniently located about a mile north of the popular Las Vegas Strip in the former
Freedom Park.
In the Men’s D Division, Anytime Garage from Las Vegas went undefeated
through four games to capture the championship. Anytime Garage defeated
the Sin City Stars from Henderson, NV (11-10), Team Diesel/Shook & Stone from
North Las Vegas (16-4) and the Freaks from Austin, TX (20-8) to advance to
the championship game, where they beat cross-town rival Resistance from Las
Vegas (18-10). Resistance had lost their first game of the tournament, before
winning six straight in the loser’s bracket to reach the championship game and
settling for second place with a 6-2 record.
A pair of Texas teams finished third and fourth respectively in the division,
as the Freaks came in third place with a 2-2 record, while Tribe Del Rio from
Del Rio, TX finished fourth with a 4-2 mark. The Brewskies/Worth from Katy,
TX and Team Diesel/Shook & Stone tied for fifth place, and JV Trucking from
Brownsville, TX and the Sin City Stars tied for seventh.
Members of the All-World Tournament team included Billy Osgood, Nate
Newman, Owen Ondrisko and Chris Trzaska, from Anytime Garage; Rich
Lawton, Tom Stetter and Shane Cole, from Resistance; George Alba, David
Vidaure and Kyle Staff, from Freaks; and Gerardo Garcia and Jesse Morales,
Judge Sergio Gonzales (right) discusses line up changes after a
first game loss.
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54 USSSA TODAY
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from Tribe Del Rio.
In the Men’s E Bracket, Surefire from Las
Vegas also went undefeated through
four games to win the championship.
Surefire defeated the Woodchuckers
from Las Vegas (29-6), Fired Up/RSK
from Las Vegas (15-3) and the Dirty Sox
from Conroe, TX (20-8) to advance to
the championship game. After losing to
Surefire, the Dirty Sox dropped to the
loser’s bracket and knocked off No Bat
Control from Ventura, CA (24-10) to earn
another shot at Surefire in the finals.
The title bout was close, before Surefire
pulled away at the end to claim the crown
with a 12-9 victory. The Dirty Sox settled
for second place with a 3-2 record.
After losing their first two games of the
three-game guarantee tournament, No
Bat Control rallied to win four games in
the loser’s bracket to earn an impressive
third place finish with a 4-3 record. Fired
Up/RSK came in fourth with a 2-2 mark.
The Guzzlers from Victorville, CA and
Where’s My Pitches At from Las Vegas
tied for fifth place, while All State Fence
from Portland, OR and Cyber Draft from
Las Vegas tied for seventh.
Members of the All-World Tournament
team included Joe Ward, Justin Long,
Willie Taveras and Eric Eigenrauch,
from Surefire; Brandon Maggard, Josh
The Las Vegas Shoot Out was hosted by Lone Star Softball and played at Big League Dreams- Las Vegas. (left to
right) Lone Star Tournament Director, Scott Duffy, BLD’s Sports Director, Chris Devlin, Assistant Food & Beverage
Director, Thomas Lombardi, BLD-GM, Ed Farmer and Lone Star Softball owner, Greg Huchingson.
Barrett, Jerry Erhardt, from Dirty Sox;
Vince McMahon, Joey Navarro and
Gabriel Vargas, from No Bat Control; and
Matt Mailhot and Justin Vandermeer,
from Fired Up.
There was also a small Co-ed Division,
where teams played a round-robin
schedule followed by a playoff. Team
C-No-Evil from San Marcos, TX won first
place, followed by No Bat Control from
Ventura, CA in second, and 90 Proof
from Las Vegas in third.
The tournament was a success with the
support of General Manager Ed Farmer
and his staff at Big League Dreams, as
well as assistance provided by Nevada
Tribe del Rio made it to the Las Vegas Shoot Out from
del Rio, TX.
USSSA State Director Tom Pfundstein
and Nevada USSSA Umpire-In-Chief
Ernie Gum. Lone Star Softball was
represented by Tournament Director
Scott Duffy and Umpire-In-Chief Ben
Templeton.
Texas Softball Players
‘Support Troops’
at Benefit Tournaments
The generosity of Texas softball players helped make the lives of
United State military personnel serving in the Middle East a little
more enjoyable by providing them with equipment to be able to
play slow-pitch softball in their spare time.
Lone Star Softball hosted a pair of “Support Our Troops” Shootouts,
as a part of its WORTH Lone Star Shootout State Championship Series.
The first was held Aug. 27-28 at Big League Dreams in Mansfield, TX
and the other on Sept. 10-11 at Big League Dreams in League City, TX.
Players in both events donated bats, balls, gloves, shoes, bat bags,
pants, jerseys, caps, batting gloves and other equipment. Lone
Star Softball boxed up the equipment and delivered it to the U.S.
Army base in Fort Hood, TX where it accompanied the next platoon
heading over to serve in the Middle East.
The Lone Star Softball crew preparing for the trip to Ft. Hood, TX, where the
softball equipment was transported to the Middle East.
This marked the third year for Lone Star Softball to establish leagues
at military bases overseas. In 2009, a league was started in Baghdad,
Iraq and in 2010 a league was established in Khandahar, Afghanistan.
USSSA TODAY 55
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2011 Worth/USSSA
“Memorial” Tournament
by Scott Kuhnen
It’s a Southwest Ohio tradition…running beyond 30 years now.
The 31st Annual Worth/USSSA “Memorial” Tournament
remembered and honored four more softball notables who
passed on in recent years.
This event, held each year on Memorial Day weekend at
multiple softball complexes in S.W. Ohio, offer a minimum of
seven games for all entrants and ceremonies at multiple locations for the families of the honorees.
This year’s honorees included Don Fields, Port William, OH; Dave
Bergstrom, Dayton, OH; Mike Rohrer, Springfield, OH; Marion
“Butch” Stephens, Middletown, OH; and Floyd Bedwell of
Dayton, OH. Families of each honoree were on hand for short
remarks and condolences from the larger softball community.
Don Fields may be best st remembered for his days as one of
the most prolific basketball scorers in Ohio High School history.
However, his first love was softball, where he played briefly
at the professional level with the Cincinnati Suds and on
numerous upper levels championship teams.
Don Fields, Port William, Ohio
Dave Bergstrom, Dayton, Ohio
Mike Rohrer, Springfield, Ohio
Marion “Butch” Stephens, Middletown,
Ohio
Dave Bergstrom started playing during his military days in the
Air Force, both inside and outside of the country, stayed out
of softball for many years but came back to enjoy playing with
the Dayton Legends “Senior” teams.
Mike Rohrer played on numerous competitive teams in the
Springfield, Ohio area and was fierce competitor on the field.
He always thought of tournament play as “camping” with a
part of the family.
“Butch” Stephens was a Legend of the Game in the Middletown,
Ohio area, and was the head of a softball family that includes
sons who played the game with great passion and enthusiasm.
Floyd Bedwell was among the most beloved of softball
players and team managers in the Greater Dayton area for
two decades. His players were devoted to him for his genuine
warmth and passion for the game where he also served as a
league director for a time.
This years’ event drew 48 teams in three categories of play and
games were played at Armco Park in Lebanon, Kettering Field
in Dayton, Davey Moore Park in Springfield, Flanagan Park in
Sidney, and Fairfield Park in Fairborn.
Top finishers included Springfield’s Atrium/Shirtworks in the
Men’s Elite (Gold) Division, Dayton Shamrocks in the Men’s
Competitive (Silver) Division and Dayton’s Slugging Vets in the
Men’s Recreational (Bronze) division.
58 USSSA TODAY
Family & Friends remember
Floyd Bedwell, Dayton, Ohio
Floyd Bedwell, Dayton, Ohio
3rd Annual
Columbus Softball Legends
by Scott Kuhnen
The following remarks are from the 3rd Annual Greater Columbus Softball “Legends of the Game” softball weekend held at Berliner Park in Columbus, Ohio on 9-10 July 2011. Like previous “Legends” events,
this is one of the ways that Ohio USSSA says “Thank You” to softball people who have contributed to
the game. Whether player, director, umpire, sponsor, or just Friend of the Game, the Softball Legends
concept provides a forum and a great feel-good moment which comes far too seldom in our game. The
following are the induction remarks and accompany a presentation of a plaque and Softball Legends’
shirt by Tournament Director, Toby Marvin, and Ohio State Director, Scott Kuhnen, to this year’s class of
Columbus “Softball Legends.”
Our first Legend of the Game
is a man who started playing in
1961. Back in the day, as we like
to say, the game really was fast
pitch. However, after several
years of fast pitch this “Softball
Legend” discovered that slowpitch was fast becoming the
game of choice and he started
his own slow-pitch team, Schiff
Shoes, for the Sunday afternoon leagues at what was then
called Greenlawn/Southview/
Jim Wharton
Berliner. In the years after that
he managed such teams as Charles & Co, Tiger Club, but then
transitioned to one of the best known names on Ohio slowpitch history, Central Ohio Welding, where he completed his
playing days in 1978. His umpiring career started in 1967 and
he’s still at it today for slow-pitch and high school and college
fast pitch. He was inducted into the Columbus Slow-Pitch Hall
of Fame in 1996 and he is still very active in helping organize
and orchestrate the Columbus Softball Hall of Fame.
For all that he has contributed to Columbus softball…
Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome a true
gentleman and the newest inductee to the Columbus Softball
Legends: Mr. Jim Wharton.
D. J. Fly
Our next Legend of the
Game is well known in City
of Columbus softball circles…
as much for his extensive
contributions to youth play
as anything else. This Legend
has been involved in the game
for 45 years and has passed on
his love of the game to wellknown family members, as
well. He considers the game
to be a great combination
of competitiveness, sportsmanship, character building,
and respect for others. His creation of a youth league in the
Flytown area around 3rd & Michigan streets back in 1963 has
taken many young people off the streets and into the game.
In fact, this league still exists. This Legend has contributed by
playing, umpiring, managing, directing, and sponsoring, and
considers the game to be a lifelong pursuit. For that, we are
truly grateful.
Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome the newest
inductee to the Columbus Softball Legends: D. J. Fly
Our next Softball Legend is
one of the most recognized
names in softball. However,
when people might assert that
the name is associated with
another, male person with the
same name, Dick Traphagan,
believe me, there’s no confusion, as her accomplishments
truly speak for themselves.
As a 26-year member of the
famed McGlothlin Oil softball team, this Legend won
Terry Traphagan.
numerous City, Metro, State,
and Regional Championships. She is most prominently remembered for her power hitting, where she batted clean-up for
most of her career and is the all-time homerun leader on that
team but was also athletic enough to play left field and center
field. She is a 1996 inductee into the Columbus Softball Hall
of Fame and we are delighted to recognize her as one of our
USSSA Columbus “Legends of the Game.”
inductee to the Columbus Softball Legends: Terry Traphagan.
Our next Softball Legend is recognized for a lifetime of involvement in Columbus softball in the player and umpire categories. This Legend played with such notable teams as Frebis
Church of God, John Yoder’s Safeway Electric, the Columbus
Bucks, BW3, Dirt Dawgs, and Geno’s. He’s helped his teams
achieve state, national, and NIT titles. I first came to know
this Legend as one of the best, most personable and professional umpires in the Columbus area. He has worked all levels
USSSA TODAY 59
of the game, from local
rec ball to the most prestigious events not just here
but in venues all over the
country. This includes World
Tournaments,
National
Tournaments, and the best
exhibitions of teams’ like
Steele’s at Cooper Stadium
and Softball City. This is
a Legend who also works
baseball and basketball
in addition to softball…
always at just as high a
level. However, he may be
best known for a big smile
Joe Toone.
and great attitude. This is a
gentleman who obviously loves the competition of sports.
inductee to the Columbus Softball Legends: Mr. Joe Toone.
Our final Softball Legend for 2011 hails from Fairfield County
where he has been involved in so many aspects of the softball program in the Lancaster area it’s hard to list them all.
He started playing in 1970 at Diamond Power Company, but
soon moved over into more serious matters. As a manager,
he coached such well-known teams as the Lancaster Eagles,
Gates Sports Shoppe, Fairfield Amanda, M.J. Lowe, and, most
recently, after a brief time away from coaching, is now teamed
up with Bill Nisbett coaching the Stiffler softball team. His
teams have won numerous
NITs and consistently finish
near the top in various levels
of championship play in all
associations.
This
Legend
began umpiring in 1982, and
had gained so much confidence on the part of the
District Director that he was
name umpire-in-Chief for ASA
District VII the very same year.
He went on to hold that ASA
District Director title for that
same territory in 1987, a position he held until 2006, when
he decided a change might
Rick Torrence
recharge his batteries and he
became our USSSA Area Director. He’s not a one-tune contributor, either, as this Legend is also highly involved in the local
Lancaster BiddyBall basketball program.
inductee to the Columbus, Ohio Softball Legends: Lancaster’s
Rick Torrence
Thank you to all our Legends for all they have contributed to
the game. We want them to know how much we appreciate
all their years of sacrifice and commitment to this game we all
love.
Thank You and…Let’s Play Ball!
Scott Kuhnen, Ohio State Director; D.J. Fly, Columbus, Ohio; Rick Torrence, Lancaster, Ohio; Jim Wharton, Columbus, Ohio; Terry Traphagan, Columbus, Ohio; Toby
Marvin, Columbus Legends Tournament Director.
60 USSSA TODAY
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Softball Insight
with Miken’s Isenhower
Another year down another great
year by Conference USSSA... Every year
the conference proves that if you put
the right group of guys together, even
B teams can upset Major teams.. We
saw Sonny’s over the 4th of July upset
Combat not once but twice in Kent, then
in Atlanta watched as B team in Wiley’s
and an A team in Taylormade upset the
great GTL for an 0-2 finish.
This great year was followed up by
the 16th seed at the USSSA Major World
Series, after starting the tournament off
with a loss, to come all the way back to
defeat Combat in the losers bracket final.
They finally met their match when the
dominant Resmondo beat them for the
World Series Title...
I think the one thing all teams can
take from this season is that if you put the
62 USSSA TODAY
right group of guys together anything
can happen.. And anyone can make a run
at the title...
I’m very excited about next season and
the new bat standards coming out. This
is one of the best things thats happened
since I’ve started playing. I have been
lucky enough to swing the new MV1
Miken that is now being released and let
me tell everyone just becuase there is a
new standard they did not dumb these
bats down in the slightest. Straight out of
the wrapper, the bat was absolute dynamite. I love the fact that we don’t have to
worry about these bats breaking down
and the break in time does not exist
anymore. I also love the DST technology.
The fact that if you alter the bat it will
truly be shown. In my opinion, it will save
some of the integrity left in this game.
It will be nice for
guys to be able to
tip their cap after a long
home run is hit.
I look forward to 2012
and another great year in
Conference USSSA. I’ve seen
some of the teams getting
put together and the question all winter is going
to be, can anyone beat
Resmondo? Can’t wait
for the challengers
to bring it on...
Jeremy
6th Annual
Breast Cancer Awareness
Softball Tournament
by Kirk Tarabokia
The 6th Annual breast Cancer Awareness
Softball Tournament at Mercer County
Park in West Windsor, NJ was another
huge success this year. 63 teams
competed to be the best of the breast
in 7 divisions of play over the course of
2 days. The event raised $23,000 for 2
wonderful organizations, Wrap Around
Sports and Breast Friends Forever. Both
of these organizations can be found
on the web at www.wraparoundsports.
org and www.breastfriendsforever.org.
these organizations help individuals
and their families with immediate relief
from everyday expenses , such as utility
bills, clothing, food, cable television
service, medical transportation, medical
bills, and that is just a small bit of what
they do. If you would like to help either
of these organizations, please visit their
websites and donate.
The competition this year was fierce as
the top women’s teams threw down for
a great cause, Team Crush from Limerick,
PA took the championship in the Elite
Division, while The Slammers from
Lake Hiawatha, NJ placed second. In
the Women’s Recreation Division, Save
2nd Base from Hamilton, NJ, proved to
64 USSSA TODAY
be the best against Team Hope from
Audobon, PA. In the center of all that
action were the women’s Silver Division
where Team Chaos from Linden, NJ beat
The Good Guys from Corbin City, NJ in a
very tight championship game.
The men were there as well, playing
for their shot at feeling good about
playing for a cure. In the Mens E we
had a thrilling end to a close game with
Post 313 from Levittown, PA edging past
Kelly’s Korner Bar & Grill from Somerset,
NJ for the championship in their division. Ninuzzo Trattoria Softball who
overtook AL Construction to become
best of the breast in this division won
the men’s D.
This year we introduced a Coed Division
with a very positive response for the first
year as 12 teams came out to see who
would walk away with the trophy. In the
Competitive Division AL Company/Kings
over Queens from Dover, NJ dominated
all of the teams and ultimately beat
Team Hope from Audobon, PA for the
win and title!! The Recreation Division
of the coed event brought forth some
great competition with Scozzari Builders
from Ewing, NJ taking the lead to win
this division over Help Me Ride from
Manalapan.
“As state director of USSSA NJ I am
proud to be part of this event year after
year. It is a lot of work but one of the
more rewarding weekends for us here
in NJ. It has grown to be one of the
marquee events for the state. One of my
favorite parts of the tournament from
year to year is the fun and catchy names
the teams come up with”, said Kirk
Tarabokia
Once again, it is our pleasure to thank
USSSA State Director Kirk Tarabokia for
all of the time he and his family sacrifice each year to see that the event is
successful. Special thank you to all of the
umpires that come out and volunteer.
Erika Rech and Mike Ruane from Breast
Friends Forever for all of the wonderful
work that you do.
Moving forward, the event needs sponsors and vendors, if you or a company
you know of might be interested in
participating, please contact us through
our website, www.wraparoundsports.
org or email janeen@wraparoundsports.
org
OKLAHOMA SOFTBALL
Mixed State Championships
by Kim Titus
The Oklahoma USSSA Mixed State Championships were held
at Carl Smith Sports Complex in Tulsa, OK on October 1st. The
“Mixed Mixer” held the night before kicked off the tournament
with a HomeRun contest won by Mike Brown from SAN-BOW
INCORPORATED/DREAMCATCHER after a battle with team mate
Justin Beal.
In the Mixed C bracket, BEAT DOWN from Tulsa, OK, doubledipped undefeated SAN-BOW INCORPORATED/DREAMCATCHER
from Inola, OK to win the title with LEGENDZ SPORTS from
Broken Arrow taking 3rd place, followed by WHOOSH and
CSC, both from Oklahoma City. Tournament MVPs were Shelby
McCarty and Carl “Train” Powell from Beat Down
In the Mixed D bracket, YOUNG GUNS from Oklahoma City
went undefeated in the field of 15 teams to win the tournament. They defeated TEAM DG from Ada, OK 11 – 9 in the
Championship game. DOWN UNDER SOFTBALL from Tulsa, OK
was 3rd and DOMINO CO-EFFECT from Sapulpa, OK placed 4th.
Tournament MVPs were Angello Hankins and Marina BeltranHodge from YOUNG GUNS.
In the Mixed E bracket, P-N-H from Tulsa, OK went undefeated in the field of 11 teams to win the tournament. They
defeated MALADJUSTED from Broken Arrow, OK 14 – 6 in the
Championship game. ABOUT 2 SCORE from Tulsa, OK was 3rd
and HOODRATZ from Owasso, OK placed 4th. Tournament
MVPs were Larry Reed and Stacy Buckley from P-N-H.
Mixed C State Champion - BeatDown
Mixed D State Champion - Young Guns
Mixed D MVPs Angello Hankins and Marina Beltran-Hodge
Mixed E State Champion - P-N-H
Mixed E MVPs
Larry Reed and Stacy Buckley
66 USSSA TODAY
Mixed C MVPs
Shelby McCarty and Carl Powell
HR Contest Participants Mike Brown and Justin Beal
OKLAHOMA SOFTBALL
250 StateTournament
by Kim Titus
Lower Division Champions - MULISHA
Lower Division Runner-Up - DUCKS
NEWCASTLE, OK - Twenty-eight
teams from across Oklahoma came out
for the annual Oklahoma USSSA 250
State Tournament held October 15th at
Newcastle Softball Complex. This year’s
tournament featured a Men’s upper
bracket and a Men’s lower bracket. The
upper bracket was allowed unlimited
homeruns while the lower bracket was
limited to 16 homeruns per game.
In the lower division, MULISHA, from
Oklahoma City, went undefeated to win
the tournament, scoring a total of 139
runs in 5 games. They were followed by
DUCKS from Oklahoma City, scoring 215
runs in 8 games and LONGKNOCKERS
from Kingfisher, OK, scoring 172 runs in
6 games.
Upper Division Champions - TWP
In the upper division, TWP doubledipped E.N.D., both from Oklahoma
City, to win the championship. TWP
scored a total of 176 runs in 5 games
and E.N.D scored 99 runs in 4 games. 3rd
place went to BAD BOYS followed by
P-TOWN BOYZ, PUNISHMENT AGAIN and
OVERWEIGHTED.
SOFTBALL IS MY GAME
Now that the 2011 USSSA Conference season and post season has come to and end, lets take
a second to congratulate all the teams that claimed conference and National titles this year! I
especially want to recognize my Easton Sponsored Teams that stood out down the stretch. R&M
Metals won the Conference Open title and was runner up in the A worlds. Watanabe won
the USSSA B world’s going undefeated and playing great on both sides of the ball all
weekend! Enough Said claimed the Women’s A World Series again this season and
continue to be the dominate team in the women’s game! Great job to those teams
and all of our other fine Easton teams as well!
If you are like me, you use the first few weeks of the offseason to heal up a little
from the long season and then get right back to it! The best way to make sure you
are ready to roll in the Spring is to keep the bat in your hands all Winter! Stay outside
as long as possible or get in the cages if you can’t stand the cold. Either way, just keep
Another First Team All
hitting, throwing, taking ground balls, etc. also, it’s time to get back in the gym as
World selection at the
much as possible regardless if it’s to strength train, or cardio (that’s what I will be
recently completed 2011
doing a bunch of) or a combination of things to get you ready for the 2012 season
Major World Series, Brett
receives his award.
that you know will be here sooner than we think.
Sometimes a new bat is just what you need to improve your game during the
months away from the field and if you are lucky enough, you might be able to get someone to buy you
one as a gift. Of course Easton has some new options for your Christmas list that will definitely give you
more power. The Stealth Tri-Zone SCN19 is built for power with a 13.5’ slightly end loaded extended barrel
providing a bigger sweet spot. Also, perfect for the baseball players in your life, Easton’s new line of Power
Brigade bats are making some serious noise. Remember, all you high School baseball players have to swing
the BBCOR bats starting January 2012!
Look for a ton of player movement this off season! I think we may end up with 5 Major teams for 2012
which would be the most at that level in many years! the A teams are really loading up as well to make
a run at the always ultra competitive A World Series. We also have a couple new hosts lined up for NIT’s
and that is always exciting when we have a chance to play someplace new! Well, I hope you all have a
wonderful holiday season and are ready to roll when the 2012 softball season is here. Thank you to all
of my Easton Sponsored teams for your loyalty and hard work again this season!
See ya at the yard!
USSSA TODAY
67
2011 Youth Slow Pitch
World Tournament – East
“What a host! Tupelo, Mississippi, that is.
Site of the 2011 USSSA Youth Slow Pitch World Tournament – East,
held on July 22-25, Tupelo, MS really rolled out the red carpet.
From the team manager’s meeting to opening ceremonies to first
pitch to last out, Tupelo knows how to be a host site.
Scott Kuhnen, Youth Slow Pitch
National Program Coordinator, who
drove in from Dayton, Ohio to help
with the event, called it one of the best
demonstrations of cooperation between
community leaders, local CVB, local softball officials, and our USSSA tournament
director, Larry Green and his staff, that he
has seen.
“I was so impressed,” explained,
Kuhnen, “at the level of commitment
from everyone in the Tupelo area for this
event to be successful and the participants and their families to enjoy themselves.”
The combination of support from
Don Lewis and his staff with the Tupelo
Parks & Recreation Department and Neal
McCoy, Tupelo Convention & Visitor’s
Bureau and their Marketing Director,
Seth Gaines, made this a great a destination for this important USSSA World
Tournament.
The event drew participants from four
different states in five age categories, for
a total of thirty teams.
Festivities started at a local Mall,
where the parade of teams drew an
excited crowd of not just parents but also
local dignitaries and curious on-lookers.
“The atmosphere was electric,” said
Kuhnen, “and the kids enjoyed every
moment of it. It certainly didn’t hurt to
have local radio and TV personality, Will
Kollmeyer, at the microphone. He had
the place buzzing.”
Tupelo is no stranger to championship softball. Host to multiple softball
and baseball championships throughout
every summer season, the facilities are
wonderful for not just the teams and
spectators, but the entire tournament
staff and umpires.
Set in Tupelo’s scenic Veteran’s
Memorial Park, which is home to a
large fishing and boating lake and acres
of green and family-friendly space,
games were played on six diamonds at
both Veteran’s Complex and Eastwood
68 USSSA TODAY
Complex, just up the street. This is a great
setting for families and teams.
A special treat was a barbeque for
the umpires and tournament staff
provided by local softball enthusiasts,
David and Elizabeth Gable, who are
also key members of the Tupelo Softball
Association.
Special kudos go out to Orlando
Patterson, tournament UIC, and Corey
Davis, Tupelo Softball Association UIC,
for their coordination of outstanding
umpiring for this event.
“At our pre-tournament umpire
meeting,” explained Kuhnen, “both
Larry Green and I explained that our
work as tournament directors was largely
done and we were turning the success of
the event over to them. They really took
this to heart and provided great service
to the event. They were dressed right;
set excellent expectations; and were a
large part of the tournament’s successful
reviews.”
“Events like this one, and our USSSA
Slow Pitch World Tournament – West,
hosted this year by Roger Jackson in
Clovis, New Mexico,” explains Kuhnen,
“are the cornerstones of our girls slow
pitch program. We also held a Girls
National in the Great Lakes Division,
which hosted another 30 teams in
exciting showcase fashion.”
Communities looking to get in on the
action are encouraged to contact Kuhnen
about 2012 opportunities in both girls
and boys slow pitch.
USSSA Tournament Director, Larry
Green, “Welcomed” to Tupelo’s Veteran’s
Softball Complex.
Larry Green (far right) with Tupelo,
MS P&R, CVB, and Dignitaries.
Alex Wilcox, Tupelo Parks & Recreation
Softball Sports Director, welcomes teams
to pre-tournament manager’s meeting.
19& under team from Anoka,
Minnesota, “Chaos”
2011 USSSA Youth Slow Pitch Umpires
& Tournament Directors
Tournament Director, Larry Green (far right) with
Tupelo, MS dignitaries.
Alex Wilcox, Tupelo Parks & Recreation Softball
Sports Director.
be a good SPORT
The Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission provides the ultimate
sporting experience for participants as well as spectators. Whether it’s
hitting a home run, breaking the speed record, or scoring the winning goal,
the perfect venue awaits you here.
Alabama’s Gulf Coast has been home to many events, such as numerous
Alabama High School Athletic games, National Association of Intercollegiate
Athletic softball tournaments, and the SEC Women’s Soccer Championship.
Several events receive national attention, going out over airwaves across the
country. So whether you’re a player, coach, or fan, everyone loves to play or
watch with the sun on their shoulders and the breeze in their hair, making
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach the ideal place for sports.
Visit gulfshoresorangebeachsports.com for information.
THANKS TO OUR 2011 SPONSORS
© 2011 Hillerich & Bradsby Co., Louisville, KY. All rights reserved.
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Southern California Showcase
by Stacy Fish
College Attendance List
Boise State
Boston University
University of Laverne
UC San Diego
Monmouth University
Howard College
University of Delaware
University of Connecticut
University of Maryland
Utah State
DePaul University
Cal State San Marcos
University of Antelope Valley
Mt. San Jacinto College
National Scouting Report
Concordia
University of San Diego
University of Las Vegas
Utah State
Nebraska
University of Wisconsin
Cal State San Bernardino
Marshall University
La Sierra
Christian Brothers
Cal State San Marcos
UCLA
San Diego City College
Tennessee
Palomar College
Ohio State
Mississippi
Team Registration List
3rd Degree
18
Absolute Blast
18
American Athletics
18
American Pastime
18
American Pastime (Garcia) 18
Arsenal Softball
18
Artesia Punishers 18
Artesia Punishers Gold
18
CA Rage Gold
18
Cal Lite
18
Cal Thunder
18
Cal Thunder
18
Cal Waves
18
California Cruisers
18
California Cruisers
18
Corona Angels
18
Corona Angels
18
Corona Xpress
18
Diamonds Softball
18
Firecrackers (Snyder)
18
Firecrackers SB
18
Insanity Fastpitch 18
Kryptonite18
Las vegas Rage Gold
18
72 USSSA TODAY
Long Island Bandits
Minor’s Gold Mizuno Pride
Nemesis Elite
Nevada Lightning
Newport Riptide Sharks
Nor Cal Patriots
OC Banzai
OC Nighthawks
Pacific Coast Predators
Pure Fastpitch Blue
Pure Fastpitch White
Quakes Gold
Rookies Gold
Rowdies Gold RR Gold
San Diego Breakers
San Diego Elite
San Diego Legacy
San Diego Mystic
San Diego Power Surge
San Diego Rebels
SB Firecrackers
Team Easton
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
SD Power Surge
18
SD Renegades
18
SD Renegades
18
SD Renegades
18
SGV Velocity
18
So Cal 3D
18
So Cal Bownet Diamonds 18
So Cal Commotion
18
So Cal Dynasty
18
So Cal Filly’s
18
So Cal Jags
18
So Cal Jaguars
18
So Cal Magic
18
So Cal Magic Gold
18
So Cal Rebels Gold
18
So Cal Strikkers
18
So Cal Vipers
18
So Cal Wicked
18
Stealth Fastpitch
18
Strike Force Softball
18
Sudden Impact
18
Team Force
18
Teamsmith18
TeamSmith Gold
18
TNL (Delameter)
TNL (Downs)
Tucson Scramblers
USA Athletics
USA Athletics Blue
USA Elite Gold-Mac
Vegas Batbusters
Victory USA Gold
American Athletics
AZ Ice
Cal Lite
Cal Thunder
Cal Thunder
California Cruisers
Clovis rockets
Corona Angels
Corona Angels (Perez)
Corona Xpress
Diamonds Elsinore Legends
Lil Rebels
Minor’s Gold Alvarez
Mizuno Pride
OC Nighthawks
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
San Diego Breakers
16
San Diego Power Surge 16
San Diego Renegades
16
San Diego Titans
16
SC Wicked
16
SD Elite
16
SD Power Surge
16
SD Renegades
16
SD Rowdies
16
So Cal Breakers
16
So Cal Breakers
16
So Cal Choppers
16
So Cal Heaters
16
TeamSmith16
TNL (Amador)
16
TNL (Balzer)
16
TNL (Delameter)
16
Tucson Scramblers
16
USA Athletics 16
Venom16
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NPF Back to School Tour
Enjoys Continued Success in its Second Year
by Matt O’Hara
National Pro Fastpitch announced
completed plans in September for the
2011 NPF Back to School Tour. The NPF
Back To School Tour has once again
be sponsored in part by USSSA with
additional support from Major League
Baseball. This year’s Tour has included
19 games over 17 stops. The Tour kicked
off again in Memphis, TN on Friday
September 30th against the University
of Memphis Tigers in which the NPF
All-Stars were victorious in a close 3-0
contest.
The NPF Back to School Tour was
launched in 2010 as a way to introduce
the League and its premier athletes to
enthusiastic fans of the game all across
the United States. In 2010, the Tour
made 20 stops and played in front of
over 20,000 unique fans. The NPF team
of All-Stars is a combination of players
from all four of the NPF’s League participants – Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits,
NPF Diamonds, and USSSA Florida Pride.
The team plays exhibition games against
college teams from San Diego, CA to
Daytona Beach, FL.
Players participating on the 2011
NPF Back to School Tour include
Olympic medalists Andrea Duran, Kelly
74 USSSA TODAY
Kretschman, Caitlin Lowe; former
Canadian Olympic Team member
Caitlin Lever; former Canadian Olympic
Team members and NCAA Champions
Danielle Lawrie and JennSalling; 2010
NPF Pitcher of the Year, Lisa Norris; 2011
All NPF Team Members Ashley Charters,
Bianca Mejia, Megan Wiggins, Brittany
McKinney, and Sam Marder; and NPF
Rookie of the Year, Alisa Goler.
The NPF Tour Team has been coached
in 2011 by Christie Bingham. Bingham
has been coaching softball for 16 years
with much success. Her career in interscholastic coaching saw her earn seven
Coach of the Year awards in Memphis,
TN, enjoy over 600 career victories,
post a winning percentage of .780 and
develop teams that were ranked in the
top 25 eight times.
The 2011 Tour Team has been making
many stops for clinics and appearances
along their way, with dates that were
set up in Memphis, TN; Oxford, MS;
Conway, AR; Daytona, FL; Hattiesburg,
MS; Atlanta, GA; Raleigh, NC; Corvallis,
OR; and Walnut, CA.
So far in 2011 the tour has been nothing
but a success, from fans showing to show
support, to college players and teams
not being able to wait to take the field.
Here is an update on the tour so far:
• On September 29 the NPF All-Stars
kicked off the tour with a 3-0 victory
over the University of Memphis
softball team in an exhibition at
Gameday’s First Tennessee Fields.
• The Ole Misssoftball team fell to the
NPF All-Stars 23-1 in the second stop
on the Back to School Tour at the Ole
Miss Softball Complex in fall softball
action.
• The University of Central Arkansas
softball team likely faced their
toughest task of the 2011-12 season
today as they squared off with the
best that fastpitch softball has to
offer, falling to the NPF All-Stars
13-1.
• The Missouri State softball team
dropped a 9-0 decision to the
National Pro Fastpitch All-Stars in an
exhibition game at Killian Softball
Stadium on the 4th stop on the “Back
to School Tour.”
• All-Stars next stop would be on
the very east coast as they visited
Daytona State College, winning in a
lopsided victory 15-0.Smiles on the
faces of the pro softball players, most
of whom played for major Division
I colleges in recent years, and the
junior college players said something
else: There were no losers.
• The Florida Gators and Team NPF,
met for the second consecutive year
in fall ball play, this time in Daytona,
Fla., at Daytona State’s softball
complex. In a back and forth battle
between the two squads, the NPF
All-Stars came out on top with a 6-4
victory, but not without a fight and
rally from Florida.
• TheSouth Carolina Gamecocks drop
a 5-1 game to the National Pro
Fastpitch All-Stars on Friday night,
October 7th, in front of 617 fans at
Beckham Field.
• On October 9th the Alabama
Crimson Tide would give the NPF
arguably the toughest match up that
they have faced so far on the tour,
the All-Stars edged out the victory
against the Alabama softball team in
a 2-1 victory.
• Competing against a squad of
former Olympians and collegiate
All-Americans, the Southern Miss
softball team fell 5-0 in their exhibition against the National Pro
Fastpitch All-Stars.
• The LSU softball team carried a
one-run lead into the seventh inning
and had Team NPF down to its final
strike before the Tigers dropped a
4-1 decision to the professional team
Tuesday, October 11 in-front of 1,234
fans at Tiger Park.
• The National Pro Fastpitch brought
its 2011 Back-To-School Tour to the
University of Georgia on Thursday,
October 13 and the All-Stars
defeated the Bulldogs, 6-1, at Jack
Turner Softball Stadium.
• NC State softball played host to Team
NPF, a group of all-stars from the
National Pro Fastpitch league, today
at Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball
Stadium. Team NPF disposed of North
Carolina 5-0 in the opening game of
the doubleheader, then defeated the
Pack 6-0 in the second game.
National Pro Fastpitch is preparing for
the second half of the 2011 NPF Back to
School Tour by looking ahead at some
exciting venues and first-time visits. The
second half of the Tour will kick off in
a big way with Team NPF matched up
against the 2009 NCAA Champion,
Washington Huskies on Saturday
October 22 at 3:00 pm. The game will
take place at the home of the Seattle
Mariners, Safeco Field, and will be
followed by a softball skills clinic at 5:00
pm for players of all ages.
“We are grateful to the Seattle Mariners
for welcoming us to one of the most
beautiful and unique venues in professional baseball, and for allowing us to
feature these two teams of outstanding
athletes on Safeco Field,” commented
NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “To
get to compete against a great program
like the Washington Huskies in a Major
League venue is something our players
are certainly looking forward to.”
Following the Seattle stop, Team NPF
will then play Oregon State (Oct. 23,
1:00 pm), Portland State (October 26,
6:00 pm), and Oregon (October 27, 6:00
pm). Oregon State is hosting a skills clinic
from 9:00-11:00 am prior to the OSU/
Team NPF game. The final leg of the Tour
will start with a November 3 stop against
Oklahoma in Norman (7:00 pm) followed
by November 4 match-up against San
Diego State University (6:00 pm) before
the final stop at Mt. San Antonio College
on November 5 (2:00 pm).
Team NPF currently is 11-0 on the Tour
having already made stops in 9 cities
and competed against Memphis, Ole
Miss, Central Arkansas, Missouri State,
Daytona State, Florida, South Carolina,
Alabama, Southern Miss, LSU, and
Georgia.
Along the way, Team NPF made a visit
to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in
Memphis, hosted several skills clinics,
and enjoyed the opportunities to play at
various college campus’s and visit with a
variety of softball fans.
“This Tour is such a great experience for
the League all the way around,” stated
Kempf. “It is a wonderful experience
for our players, the college players, and
of course, the fans of the game. We
love the exposure and we are looking
forward to an exciting second half of
the 2011 Tour.”
USSSA TODAY 75
Pretty In Pink
By Rick Phillips
It’s Fall and the fast pitch season is in high gear. As the calendar
welcomes in the month of October local softball retailers and
suppliers bring in the new inventory. Not necessarily this year’s
new glove or new line of bats, just some newer and more
updated items that all have a special theme and in some cases
a special memory and, most of these new must have items are
pink!
As the young lady’s ranging from 8 yrs and up get to the fields
the Parents can’t wait to snap that first team photo. You can
tell that these teams are proud to being wearing this special
color during this special month.
October as we know is Breast Cancer Awareness month and
the display of pink wrist bands, socks and uniforms are everywhere to be seen as tournaments and events unfold around
the world.
It’s become a tradition for the girls softball teams in all community’s to do their part “for the cause“ by wearing pink. Over
time as the awareness has spread we now see boy’s and men’s
teams in all sports display with pride the color pink as they
participate in all sports while giving tribute to this month.
As this global disease continues I hope and expect all to play it
safe, make the call, and do the tests. Think Pink!
Three Things I Think I Think
1
2
3
By Rick Phillips
I think I think that after spending more than 13 years in the fast pitch world that I find it harder and harder to watch
a Major League Baseball game. Don’t get me wrong, the post season has been very exciting to watch the game
with-in the game as I did as a kid but, I guess I now like the fast pace of fast pitch, no pick off moves I suppose.
I think I think that as the “Pink” month of October has again arrived and passed that I once again start my thoughts
of how these Mothers do it. I know how they prepare for tournaments; this is almost like a second job! I am amazed
at the way they cheer, console, provide and in the end pack up, direct and will their families off for a late supper,
homework, and another week!
I think I think that the only play more exciting than any triple play is only in softball. It’s not really a single play but
a series of plays. You see, when you are in bracket play and the time has expired with the game tied and then the
Umpires call for the ITB (International Tie Breaker) your mind goes to warp speed something. The intensity of that
inning far outweighs all previous games!
76 USSSA TODAY
SWING WITH
PRIDE
for full product details
visit WWW.MIKENSPORTS.COM
MADE IN USA
2011 Flower City Classic
Expands to 42 Teams
by Gary Godden
The Flower City Classic expanded for one division and 8 teams
to three divisions and 42 teams in just its second year. The 2010
event took a lot of time and energy to get off the ground and
was very disappointing that only one division actually played. To
add injury to an already small turnout, the elimination bracket
was rained and the final standings were based on the pool play.
Teams were very understanding, but with the event being in its
first year there were major concerns of the future of the event.
Tournament Coordinators Brian and Karly Haley spent the entire
winter reaching out to teams and found that even though we
were not able to finish the 2010 tournament, teams were very
happy with how the tournament was run and that the umpiring
was excellent. At a meeting in January it was determined that
there were going to be 3 divisions in the 2011 tournament as we
already had at least 4 teams in 12U, 14U and 16U. As the spring
approached the team continued to register growing to 30 teams
by the end of April.
As the team numbers increased other facilities were needed to
handle all the games. The host site in the Town of Henrietta
only had 4 fields, so Monroe Community College and the Rush
Henrietta youth baseball were contacted and both agreed to
allow the tournament to use their fields. By May, the number
of teams had grown to 42 meaning that additional fields were
required and the Town of Webster stepped up at the last minute
to provide 4 more fields.
The teams came from all over New York, with one team from
Pennsylvania, to compete for the tournament championship.
The competition was excellent with many one run games being
played throughout the bracket play. The weather cooperated
and there was not a cloud in the sky. Sunday saw some unbelievable games with the winner of the 16U scoring in the bottom of
the seventh. The game ran long and into the adult league play.
It was amazing to see the adult men’s teams watching the game
and cheering for both team as Tri-City Thunder from Erie, PA
came back to beat Rochester Lady Lions 7 to 6 in the 16U division.
The 14U division was very competitive with two Buffalo NY area
teams meeting in the semifinals, with New Era Diamond Girls
beat Amherst Lighting 6 to 2. The finals in the 14U had New Era
Diamond Girls beating Syracuse Sting 12 to 1.
The 12U division played their games at the Rush Henrietta
Athletic Association fields. With all the additional teams that
were added it was hard on the 12U as they were not able to see
the other divisions play and some teams had multiple teams in
different divisions. The final came down to Rochester Lady Lions
beating Central Sprit 8 to 5.
Everyone is looking forward to the 2012 tournament as fields
have already been secured so they the tournament can increase
to 80 or more teams if needed.
78 USSSA TODAY
&
at
Gary Leland Joins Texas
USSSA Fastpitch
by Lauren Leland
When Gary Leland was approached
by USSSA to become the state director
for all of North Texas he was pleasantly surprised. After interviewing Gary
for this article I now see the two are a
perfect fit. USSSA definitely hit a home
run in choosing Gary for the position.
joined forces.
Although Texas may be a hot bed for
fastpitch, USSSA fastpitch is incredibly
under represented in North Texas. To say
Gary is taking on an up hill battle would
be more than an understatement.
Although many people are involved in
a variety of aspects of fastpitch, virtually
no one covers the complete scope as Gary
does. Gary is passionately involved with
fastpitch fulltime and full throttle, 24/7.
Gary’s involvement with Fastpitch
began by coaching his daughter’s recreational team. After two seasons of rec
ball Gary and his daughter moved to
Travel/Select ball, creating Da’ Bomb
Fastpitch. Dabomb quickly succeeded
by winning the USSSA 14 & Under Texas
State Championship in their third year.
The following year they repeated the
feat winning the USSSA 15 & Under
Texas State Championship. Back to back
wins are always impressive.
social media exploded onto the scene.
Once again, Gary dove in head first
and seized the opportunity. He created,
developed, produced and edited the
very first podcast about fastpitch.
It began as a weekly podcast titled
“the Fastpitch Radio Show” and soon
morphed into a weekly video show
“The Fastpitch TV Show”. Soon after
The Fastpitch News Blog was developed.
Who knows what is next in the world of
fastpitch social media.
His passion for softball followed him
into his business career. In 2002, the
innovative and technology savy Gary,
created the first online store/website
dedicated strictly to selling Fastpitch
softball equipment. The website was an
overnight sensation and quickly www.
SoftballJunk.com was a must known
e-business.
Gary now has 12 different media properties and is considered not only an
expert in the field but also somewhat
of a celebrity. The Fastpitch videos are
even being picked up by independent
TV channels all across the country. Now
you can see all of Gary’s video shows,
RadioShows, and Blogs on one easy to
navigate website. Yes, Gary has actually created his own network just for
Fastpitch. You must check out the extensive content of media dedicated solely
to fastpitch softball at www.Fastpitch.
TV. Improvements and evolvements
continue to be made daily.
SoftballJunk continued to be such a hit
that a 3500 square foot store dedicated
to fastpitch softball equipment soon
followed. Shortly after, a uniform and
embroidery shop evolved. Today, Gary
has a large network of sporting good
websites. The impressive list can be seen
at www.SportJunk.com.
In 2005, podcasting and the world of
80 USSSA TODAY
After such a extensive history and dedication to fastpitch softball, it is only
now that Gary and USSSA Fastpitch have
Gary’s numerous friends and contacts
in the world of Fastpitch will greatly
contribute to his success in the growth of
USSSA in Texas. “The phones are starting
to ring”, says Gary. Not only is Gary making
calls to spread the word, but he is also
beginning to receive calls inquiring about
his new venture. USSSA divides Texas
into three separate regions, but Gary
envisions uniting all three regions for a
true Texas State Fastpitch Championship.
He has numerous ideas including a Red
River Shoot Out with Oklahoma during
the Texas/OU Weekend, a regional
championship for recreational. teams,
and a Southwestern USSSA Regional
Championship to name a few.
A priority in customer service is the most
important similarity of USSSA Fastpitch
to Gary’s other businesses . Gary will
engage his entire staff in this project.
All customers desire to be satisfied and
happy with a product or service, and
Fastpitch is no different. If questions
or issues arise, someone will be present
with an answer or a solution. Listening
to an answering machine or automated
voice can be more than frustrating. Gary
believes in always putting the customer
first, and you can hold him to it .
Gary has created a new website for
North Texas fastpitch located at www.
USSSAntx.com.
Bringing USSSA Fastpitch to Texas is no
doubt a huge job, but Gary is just the
guy ready for the challenge.
12” & 11” Softballs
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14Major 60/90
1st Place
Dallas Diabloz
Dallas,TX
2Nd Place
HVA Storm Red
Corinth, TX
13 Major
1st Place
Upperdeck Cougars
Romeoville, IL
2nd Place
North Texas Longhorns-Gillispie
McKinney, TX
12 Major
1st Place
Buzz Baseball B.L.S.A.
Rockwall, TX
2nd Place
Next Level Tornadoes
Plainfield, IL
10 Major
1st Place
Heroes Team Reebok
Dallas, TX
2nd Place
Louisiana Storm
Bossier City, LA
9 & Under
1st Place
Yalobusha Giants 9U
Water Valley, MS
2nd Place
Heroes
Dallas, TX
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• Across the street from Old Town & Fun Spot USA
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• We offer 444 deluxe accommodations with 2 queen size
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84 USSSA TODAY
Jay Criscione Super NIT
Turns into “Regional” Event
by Jason Gross
Teams from 9 state converged over
the state of South Carolina last weekend
for the 3rd Annual Jay Criscione Super
NIT. The event has grown from approximately 100 teams to 220 teams in the
last three years. To go along with the
growth has been the addition of states
participating in this Super NIT. This year
teams as far as Maryland all the way
to the tip of Florida competed against
some of the top competition in all age
groups in USSSA Baseball. In the Major
divisions teams were vying not only for
NEW!! Customized Super NIT Rings, but
they were also competing for a berth to
the Elite 32 tournament held @ Disney
in Florida. With pool play beginning
on Friday Night it was very apparent it
would be a toss up in the “Majors” divisions.
In the 9U Major it came down to a
“battle between the states” in that the
Alabama Elite and The Atlanta Angels,
both of who have had much success this
year squared off in the Championship
Game. The Atlanta Angels earned their
hard fought victory and came out 5-1.
The 10U Major was an all out “brawl”
to say the least in that both the Mayhem
Bad Boys out of Georgia and the X1 Twins
out of North/South Carolina had to play
4 games to get to the Championship. It
would all come down to who has more
pitching. The X1 Twins took the berth
with a 14-3 win over the Bad Boys.
The 11U Major featured some of the
premier teams in the Southeast if not
the Nation. Canes Baseball one of many
teams in their successful organization
took the Championship and the berth by
defeating the Union County Vipers out
of North Carolina 8-1. This game had a
lot riding on it due to both teams being
from North Carolina.
The 12U Major division featured
some of the elite teams in the Southeast
represaenting some great organizations.
The Canes out of North Carolina, the East
Cobb Longhorns from the East Cobb, GA
organization, and South Carolina Teams
Carolina Magic and the Simpsonville
Stars. Gallagher Select made the 13 hour
trip down to take on the Canes Baseball
team for the Championship…Gallagher
took the Championship and the berth
with a 15-3 win and headed back to New
Jersey in style.
The 13U Division was also spread out
across the Southeast. The Arena Starz
out of Maryland squared off against the
Canes Baseball organization on a cold
Sunday late night. The “Canes” took the
Championship and a berth winning 11-7.
Next Year looks to be a great year
again for this event with the addition
of Tyger River Park in Spartanburg, SC…
This was a great event for all age groups
8U-18U
Visit your local team dealer store!
USSSA TODAY 85
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USSSA BASEBALL
Northern California
Fall State Championships
Twin Creeks Sports Complex, Sunnyvale, CA
by Adam Farb
Pacifica Chaos 10-AAA Champion
One hundred twenty one teams from
all over Northern California descended
upon Twin Creeks Sports Complex in
hopes of winning the coveted USSSA
Fall State Championship for Northern
California. Held every year around the
same time, the Fall State Championships
have been the most highly competitive
event on the Northern California USSSA
circuit since it’s addition to the baseball
program 6 years ago.
This year’s tournament did not disappoint, with dramatic games and wild
finishes galore!
Perhaps the best game of all was the
13-Major Championship Game held
between the Central Coast Whitecaps
and River City Bandits. The two teams
have developed an intense rivalry,
and the Whitecaps had gotten the
best of the Bandits of late. To make
matters worse for the Bandits, their top
pitcher Cameron Michael played for
his local club that weekend, the MaxEl
GameChangers in the 14-Major. And
they used one of the top pitchers in the
region, Noah Daubin to get to the ‘ship!
The Whitecaps sent one of their aces
to the mound, Gregory Neiger and he
delivered a terrific performance, leaving
the game with a 2-run lead after 5.
But the River City bats were not to be
88 USSSA TODAY
Bulldogs Baseball Club 12-Major
denied. When the Whitecaps went
to their closer, lefty Haydn King, they
rallied in the 6th, loading the bases with
just one out. But King made a couple of
huge pitches, and escaped with a 1 run
lead (4-3). The Whitecaps were unable
to add to the lead in the top of the 7th,
and that set the stage for a dramatic
walk-off victory as River City scored 2 in
the bottom of the 7th to take the title!
An emotional Gabe Rios, coach of the
Bandits, called it “their best win as a
club”.
The 14-Major also provided some
incredible highlights as Brushback
Baseball announced their entrance to
the scene with a crazy 16-15, 9 inning
victory over Club All-Star that lasted
over 4 hours and closed down the park
Saturday night. Brushback had to come
back early Sunday, and won 2 games
en route to the Championship Game,
including an upset win over MaxEl. But
the Brushback team ran out of gas in the
6th inning of the Championship Game,
and a 3-2 game turned into an 11-2
blowout for the Champion Lamorinda
Monarchs. The Monarchs were impressive on Sunday despite a lackluster
effort in pool play. Guest player Austin
Garcia provided serious firepower for
the Monarchs and tournament MVP
and new Monarch Myles Coston was a
River City Bandits 13-Major Championships
force to be reckoned with both at the
plate and on the mound, where he
was clocked at 78 mph closing out the
Championship Game!
The biggest upset win of the weekend
probably came in the 12-Major, where
Bulldog Baseball Club outlasted a
very strong field to win the title.
Tournament favorite Team Combat was
stunned in the semis by the San Jose
Blaze in a 6-3 shocker, and that set up
the Championship Game between the
Bulldog team and the Blaze. Bulldog
pitcher Shea Kramer threw a complete
game and notched the victory.
Here is a complete list of Fall State
Championship Winners:
9-Under: 10-AA: 10-Major: 11-AA: 11-AAA: 12-AA: 12-AAA: 12-Major: 13-AA: 13-AAA: 13-Major: 14-AAA: 14-Major: 16-Under: 18-Under: Club All-Star 9u
Morgan Hill Assault
Pacifica Chaos
Fremont Bulldogs
Generals 11u
Sonoma County Rebels 12u
Lafayette Aces
Bulldog Baseball Club
California Bulldogs
Junior Cardinal
River City Bandits
San Jose Storm
Lamorinda Monarchs
Bel Mateo Giants
California Smoke
First Junior Golf Scholarship Awarded
Connor J. Taylor, Hammond, Louisiana, becomes the FIRST USSSA Junior Golfer to
be awarded a USSSA – Al Ramsey Scholarship. Taylor, a May graduate of St. Thomas
Aquinas High School, Hammond, LA, has chosen to attend the University of Louisiana,
located in Lafayette, and enrolled this past August and plans to pursue a degree in
business and marketing.
In the inaugural year of USSSA Golf, Connor participated in three (3) USSSA Junior
Golf events, placing fourth in his first event, Hub City Classic, Lafayette, LA; then
capturing Championships in the Presidents Cup, Laplace, LA; and the Firecracker Classic,
Springfield, LA. Taylor’s three appearances in USSSA events garnered 3900 USSSA
points and placed him in the 13th position, in the final 2010-2011 Boys 15-18 Rankings.
Connor six rounds of golf produced 57 pars, 6 birdies and 33 bogeys. His 80.83 average
provided him with competitive scores in all of his three events.
USSSA Golf and Louisiana USSSA offer best wishes to Connor in his collegiate experience.
USSSA Pontchartrain Classic
Junior Golf Championship
Oak Harbor GC, Slidell, Louisiana served as the host for the USSSA Golf Junior Tour
event on the weekend of October 1-2. The Slidell location provided a great venue for
this championship, however the far eastern location limited the participation with only
10 golfers. However those golfers were treated to great golf experience, as the Oak
Harbor track proved to be a great test for our junior golfers.
Louisiana USSSA and Lafayette Coca Cola served as the official sponsors for this championship event.
In Boys 15-18 competition, Stephen Wall, Madisonville, LA, distanced the field as the
fifteen year old competitor posted scores of 85 and 85 (170 total), to claim a one
stroke win over second place finisher, Skye Mejia (2010-2011 USSSA Point Champion),
Lafayette (84-87-171). Claiming third place hardware was Michael Case, Lafayette,
who posted 84, 85 and a 169 total. Wall’s Championship effort included 18 pars and
0 birdies over the two day event. Wall’s Championship is his first championship in
USSSA, and marked his first USSSA competition.
In Boys 12-14 action, Slidell, Louisiana golfer, Jacob Bergeron, completed the 36 hole
event with a 151 total (80-71). Claiming second place was Donnie LaCombe, Gonzales,
with a 185 (89-96) two day total, while Chase Denny, Kenner captured third place with
a 187 total (97-90). Bergeron’s effort included 22 pars and four birdies, and his Sunday
71, was the only sub-par round of the championship, in all classes.
USSSA is a multi-sports organization and offers competition in Youth and Adult
Baseball, Basketball, Fast Pitch Softball, Flag Football, Karate, Lacrosse, Slow Pitch
Softball, Soccer, Tae Kwan Do, Volleyball, Wrestling and now Junior Golf.
For additional information on USSSA Golf, please go to www.usssa.com or email rboudreaux@lausssa.com . We hope to see you at a future USSSA sports event.
90 USSSA TODAY
USSSA Junior Mike’ Golf Championship
The Farm d’Allie GC, Carencro, Louisiana served as
the host for the USSSA Golf Junior Tour event on
the weekend of September 17-18. Some 26 golfers
from throughout the State of Louisiana braved
the beautiful, but tough South Louisiana layout,
while Mother Nature shortened play on Sunday,
with multiple rain and lightning delays forcing
play to nine holes on the final day of competition.
District Attorney Mike Harson was the official
sponsor for this junior golf outing, and with the
help of Farm Golf Course staff, Louisiana USSSA
experienced another quality junior golf event.
In Boys 15-18 competition, Michael Case, Lafayette,
LA, captured his first USSSA Championship while
posting scores of 78 and 38 (116 total), to claim a
two stroke win over second place finisher, Jordan
Cole, Gibsland, LA, (79-39-118). Claiming third
place hardware was Dakota Simon, Lafayette, who
posted 78, 44 and a 122 total. Case’s Championship
effort included 17 pars and 1 birdie over the 27
hole event. What made Michael’s victory special,
has been his marked improvement during the first
year of the USSSA Junior Tour.
Michael Case
Jordan Cole
Dakota Simon
Drew Gonzales
Austin Campbell
Casey Miller
Matthew Weber
Emily Pellerin
Shrayon Thibodeaux
In Boys 12-14 action, Lafayette, Louisiana golfer,
Drew Gonzales, completed the 27 hole event
with a 116 total (77-39). Claiming second place
was Austin Campbell, Lake Charles, with a 117
80-37) two day total, while Casey Miller, Carencro
captured third place with a 118 total (79-39).
Gonzales’ effort included 13 pars, and 3 birdies.
Boys 9-11 action saw only one participant, and a
quality entry he was. Claiming the Championship
was Matthew Weber, Carencro, who posted 41, 40
and a two day total of 81. Weber’s effort included
nine pars, over the 18 holes he played.
Emily Pellerin and Shrayon Thibodeaux provided
the tournament with the only two girl participants.
Pellerin in the Girls 15-18, recorded her personal
best score of 79 on Saturday, and followed that
with an 89 on Sunday to complete her play with
a 168 total. Thibodeaux, Girls 9 & Under, posted
nine hole scores of 47 & 49 for a 96 two day total.
USSSA is a multi-sports organization and offers
competition in Youth and Adult Baseball,
Basketball, Fast Pitch Softball, Flag Football,
Karate, Lacrosse, Slow Pitch Softball, Soccer, Tae
Kwan Do, Volleyball, Wrestling and now Junior
Golf.
For additional information on USSSA Golf, please
go to www.usssa.com or email rboudreaux@
lausssa.com . We hope to see you at a future
USSSA sports event.
USSSA TODAY 91
Is On The Move....
By Don Eminizer
Adrian Ellis has been a part of the
extremely exciting, ever rewarding
martial arts world for more than 40
years now, but he hasn’t exactly been
a very unnoticeable or very quiet part
of that world. He’s been a force to be
reckoned with. Adrian was once a World
Champion. Oh, and he was a National
Champion seven consecutive times, as if
that weren’t enough. But that’s not all
he’s accomplished over the years. Adrian
wasn’t simply a Goodwill Games Gold
medalist, he coached the United States
Team, represented athletes to the
United States Olympic Committee,
and was even a recipient of the AAU
Man of the Year Award. All of these
accomplishments were enough to
make Adrian a martial arts Hall of
Fame inductee. He certainly boasts
a resume to be proud of in any
field, but especially in a field as
competitive and tough as the illustrious, combative arena of martial arts.
To climb to the top of the heap in such a
difficult sport, you have to be possessed,
driven, and skilled, determined, and
have a belief in your purpose second to
none.
Adrian possesses all of these qualities to
this day, these aren’t qualities you can
just cultivate and get rid of at the drop
of a hat. Now Adrian is driven by helping
to grow his beloved USSSA Karate, a
martial arts sports organization that
embodies the spirit and will power that
Adrian has embodied throughout his
competitive career.
The USSSA National Organization is
a compelling, growing, yet already
successful martial arts affiliation. USSSA
Karate has already won the support
of many large martial arts organizations both National and international.
“Adrian states, when martial artists
look at the list of corporate sponsor
92 USSSA TODAY
and partnerships within the national
organization of USSSA, they are excited
and eager to be a part of the number
one multi-sports organization in the
world and they are looking forward to
competition of such a great organization that embodies the true essence
of sport Karate over the years, and for
good reason”. “USSSA Karate exhibits
the best that a grass root sports organization has to offer, whether it’s for
youth or adult, our program provides
a safe fun environment for the entire
family and provides a great opportunity
for the elite athlete to keep their skills
sharp. We are grooming future champions in USSSA’s program.”
Today, Adrian has lent his passion and
determination to develop USSSA Karate
into the best martial arts program in
the world. In the past, Adrian lead
the growth and development of AAU
Martial Arts program to record numbers
as its Executive Director, under the direction of National Chairman Joe Mirza.” I
fully expect the USSSA Karate Program
to be the best and largest martial arts
organization in the world and with the
great support I have received from our
Chairman of the Board and CEO, Don
DeDonatis the great staff at the USSSA
National Headquarters, there is no
reason why we won’t succeed.”
Over the years, many noted political
officials have honored Adrian. He has
motivated and taught youth groups,
individuals and organizations alike,
helping mold people and organizations so that they could learn how to
succeed in life and in business. He has
served as Vice President of the Central
Florida Police Athletic League, Sergeant
at Arms for Orlando Breakfast Rotary,
and special advisor to the governing
body for the Wushu-Kung Fu Federation
for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
Adrian has been active in and supportive
of a number of important non-profit
programs such as Adriana’s Angels and
the Police Athletic league.
The USSSA Karate’s mission is to foster
the growth and development of martial
arts in the United States and around
the world at the same time. Unlike
most martial arts and many other sports
organizations, USSSA intends to be
inclusive instead of exclusive. The organization is dedicated to providing an
atmosphere where instructors can come
and enjoy themselves while they teach,
where they can share the true spirit and
wonder of martial arts with the entire
family. The great thing about martial
arts, when properly taught, is that the
entire family can participate. You don’t
even have to compete to gain the many
benefits that martial arts offers. Simply
studying martial arts can teach you
discipline, self-reliance and can give you
confidence that can help you succeed in
everyday life. But at USSSA, there is an
opportunity for youth and adults alike
to participate at different rank levels as
well as at different age levels as they
learn to master martial arts from experts
that cannot be found in any other organization. Make no mistake though, this
is NOT mixed martial arts in any way.
This is martial arts in its truest form. At
USSSA, martial arts are both safe and
fun for the entire family.
Thanks to an inclusive philosophy
known as “Karate For All”, USSSA
Karate is esteemed nationally as one of
the best karate organizations available
to individuals and families in the United
States, and soon, they’ll have that same
reputation worldwide.
USSSA, while stressing enjoyable,
fulfilling teaching practices, is still one
of the best organizations available for
serious competitors. They have devel-
oped strong alliances with various
International federations so that their
athletes are routinely able to compete
on the National Team. They’re even
actively working on hosting goodwill
events and nationally sanctioned events
around the United States so that their
excellent, talented members can exhibit
their skills for all to see.
Since 1968, USSSA has exhibited a propensity for teaching and sharing the joys of
sportsmanship, beginning as the United
States Slo-Pitch Softball Association,
they now boast over 5 million members
throughout the United States.
Now the only question is how big the
USSSA Karate program will grow as it
becomes the biggest, best martial arts
program in the world. With Adrian at
the helm, along with all of the talent
and determination in the organization,
it’s not a question of if, just a question
of when.
USSSA TODAY 93
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