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Transcription

FALL
2010
2010 National Pro
Fastpitch Champions
Representing
Miken Sports,
Pride’s Charlotte
Morgan wins
Battle of the Bats
With the Cowles Cup, Pride’s Sarah Pauly, Desiree
Serrano and Cat Osterman
2010 NPF Championships’ MVP- Natasha Watley, USSSA
Florida Pride, with NPF VP, Gaye Lynn Wilson
CONGRATULATIONS
USSSA FLORIDA PRIDE
2010 NPF CHAMPIONS
We built it, and they came! Four teams and over 6,500 fans
packed McMurry Park in Sulphur, LA August 25–29, 2010.
Thank you to NPF for coming, to the fans for showing your support
and to the players, for the memories.
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UNITED STATES SPECIALTY
SPORTS ASSOCIATION
Message from Headquarters
As the 2010 season draws to a close and
we approach the upcoming Men’s Major
World Series Sept. 22-26, it has once again
reached a point where I can look back in
retrospect at the past year and take into
account all of the exciting events that
have led to this point.
The 2010 Conference USSSA Championship has just finished
and, in a strong showing, Dan Smith took this year’s title,
defeating reigning champions team Resmondo.
This year, the USSSA organized the inaugural USSSA Gold
Medal Games, hosting eight international youth baseball
teams who competed alongside two USSSA All-American
teams. In all, nine unique countries were represented over the
course of the games, including the Bahamas, Canada, France,
Italy, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, and the United
States. Two-hundred athletes from across the globe made
their way to the Osceola County Sports Complex to compete
for the first-ever USSSA International Championship.
The 2010 baseball season has also concluded with the 2010
Elite World Series, broken into six age brackets competed
across the months of July and August. The USSSA hosted 96
baseball teams for the first tournament, hosting 10U, 12U,
and 14U teams between July 12th and 14th. With nearly 2000
athletes competing over the three days at ESPN’s Wide World
of Sports and Osceola Heritage Park, the positive impact on
the local economy was certainly felt.
As part of the Elite World Series, the USSSA hosted an event
dubbed Slugfest at which teams involved in the World Series
and USSSA Gold Medal Games were able to come together to
test some of the newest bats and equipment from top participating manufacturers. Manufacturers involved in the 2010
Slugfest included Easton, Worth, Wilson, DeMarini, TPS, TPX,
Combat, Miken, Boombah, and Mizuno.
In keeping with pursuing
a commitment to the
furthering of fastpitch and
the fastpitch program,
the USSSA made leaps
6 USSSA TODAY
and bounds this year. The 2010 USSSA Girl’s Fastpitch World
Series saw 200 teams make their way to Central Florida to
compete in the tournament which was held in conjunction
with the ESPN Rise games. With games played at the ESPN
Wide World of Sports Complex, Osceola Softball Complex,
and Fortune Road Softball Complex, the tournament was
divided into two different weeks of competition, based on
age brackets and gave participants the opportunity to witness
first-hand the growing excitement that is building for the
sport.
We also brought back the USSSA Florida Pride for its second
season as a National Professional Fastpitch team, putting
together a group of arguably the most talented softball
players in the world. After moving past the no. 3 seed Akron
Racers in the first round of the championship series, winning
two of three contests, the no. 2 seeded Pride went head-tohead against the no. 1 seed Chicago Bandits for the 2010
championship title and the coveted Cowles Cup. The Pride
came away victorious on the weekend, securing themselves
the trophy and the title as well as seeing some of the team’s
key players recognized for their work. Natasha Watley, after
hitting.429 on the weekend, was named the championship
MVP and Charlotte Morgan, known for her power at the
plate, became the 2010 NPF “Battle of the Bats” Champion
after beating out six other competitors in the NPF’s version of
a home-run derby.
As we look into next year, we are excited as we anticipate
the 2010 USSSA National Meeting, undoubtedly one of the
highlights of each season. This year, the meeting will be held
from Nov. 14-20 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Walk
Village in Daytona Beach, Fla. To be a part of this exceptional
event, make your reservations by calling 1-866-536-8477 or
1-386-254-8200. Be sure to mention that you are with USSSA
to receive a special discounted rate.
As always, we are excited for all that has
happened this season and are already looking
forward to make next year even better for
all of our participants.
CONTENTS
M A G A Z I N E
6028 Rayburn Dr. • Fort Worth,TX 76133
(817) 944-7484 • stafford.connor@usssa.com
Pride take home
8 Florida
2010 NPF Championship
USSSA Southern
50 California
hosts six
Divisions of World
Series play
Executive Director, CEO USSSA
Don DeDonatis
Publisher, USSSA Today
Stafford Connor
Board of Directors
14 USSSA
meet the Florida Pride
Players on a Night Out
on the Town
Managing Editor, USSSA Today
Greg Huchingson
Cleats Finishes
56 Sneaky
Strong
Communications Director, USSSA
Tom O’Hara
Design / Printing
REEDESIGN
54 Global Sports Baseball
finds good
22 Mendoza
reason to play pro
fastpitch
Lebco Graphics
a Salvo Across
57 Firing
All Sanctions
Contributing Writers
Robert Boudreaux
Jon Brandt
Bre Byer
Mike Cisneros
Montoya: USSSA
25 Sonya
Florida Pride Athletic
Trainer
Bobby Drum
Bob Egr
Tommy Hawkins
Kelly Knight
Star Shootout
60Lone
‘Battle for the Rings’
Rick Fortuna
Van Galeon
with an
59 Interview
Umpire
Come True at
26 Dreams
Disney With The Help of
Glennie, USSSA and the
Pride Players
Scott Kuhnen
Dave Pedersen
62 USSSA Permian Basin
Rick Phillips
Kirk Tarabokia
Dale Weiser
Doug Wood
28 NPF Back to School Tour
Photographers
Scott Duffy
Michael McNutt
2010 Conference USSSA
30 Championships
Pete Spatula
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.
66 Great Lakes E
Roy Dean
Bill Diehm
64 Firecracker Classic
Edges Team
44GTL/Worth
Combat/Laservision in
the If Necessary Game
East East E
67 North
Nationals
Slow Pitch
68 Youth
World–West
USSSA TODAY
7
Cat Osterman, Florida Pride take
home 2010 NPF Championship
by Blair Stenzel
Cover photos and feature photos by Bill Diehm
Outfielder Kelly Kretschman stayed hot at the plate all weekend.
8 USSSA TODAY
Sulphur, La. -- Facing a decisive game
three in the 2010 National Pro Fastpitch
Championship Series, the Florida
Pride handed the ball to ace pitcher
Cat Osterman. Osterman was electric,
pitching her way to a complete game,
two hit, two run, seven strikeout performance.
Osterman and the Pride out pitched and
out hit the Bandits, putting seven runs
off 12 hits on the scoreboard. Osterman
held Chicago to just two runs on two
hits, both Samantha Findlay home runs,
for a 7-2 victory. The end of this game
not only marked the end of the playoffs, but also the end of two illustrious
careers for the Bandits -- Jennie Finch
and Stacy May.
Leading off the top of the second,
Bandits first baseman Samantha Findlay
stepped up to face off with Pride pitcher
Osterman. Findlay proceeded to blast
the first pitch deep over the left field
wall for the solo home run, giving the
Bandits a 1-0 lead.
With runners on first and second in
the bottom of the second, Pride third
baseman Andrea Duran dropped a bunt
back to Bandits pitcher Kristina Thorson.
Duran would be out on the play, but
both runners would advance to second
and third base.
Lauren Lappin, struggling in earlier
playoff games, redeemed herself by
blasting an 0-1 change up to the left
field fence, scoring two runs to give
Florida a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the
second. Bandits starting pitcher Thorson
was pulled following the double for
Nikki Nemitz. With Lappin on second,
Tonya Callahan blasted her own double,
scoring Lappin for a 3-1 Pride lead.
Third baseman Andrea Duran dropped down a bunt that moved two base runners into scoring position.
Nemitz stopped the bleeding shortly
after, getting the Bandits out of the
inning down by two runs. Thorson
finished the 1.1 innings of work with
three runs on three hits with one walk
and one strikeout.
It was rookie versus rookie as Charlotte
Morgan faced off with Chicago’s Nikki
Nemtiz. Morgan got the better of the
two in the bottom of the third, ripping
a solo home run over the left field wall
to give the Pride a 4-1 lead.
Lake Charles/ SW Louisana CVB, along with the Sulphur Parks and Recreation made the 2010 NPF
Championships special.
USSSA TODAY
9
With two on and no outs, Kelly
Kretschman continued her hot hitting,
blasting a two RBI single to right field,
giving the Pride a 6-1 lead. Immediately
following the single, Nemitz was
replaced by Jessica Sallinger in the
pitchers circle.
Nemitz finished the game with 1.2
innings pitched, seven hits for three
runs and one strikeout in 12 batters
faced. Bases were loaded with no outs
as Sallinger stepped into the circle to
face the potent Pride lineup. Sallinger
stopped the bleeding as she got three
straight Florida batters to ground out.
The bleeding continued just one inning
later as Natasha Watley blasted a solo
home run over the centerfield fence to
put the Pride up 7-1.
With three outs left till elimination,
Chicago’s Samantha Findlay blasted off
on Cat Osterman for the second time in
the game, bringing the score to 7-2. The
home run would be the final time the
Bandits touched the scoreboard, losing
in the 2010 NPF Championship Series
final to the Pride, 7-2.
Sulphur,Louisana’a McMurray Park provided the beautiful setting for Natasha Watley’s MVP performance.
Outfielder Jessica Mendoza had two critical homeruns during the weekend to keep the Pride on their six-game march.
10 USSSA TODAY
The championship victory is the second
consecutive National Pro Fastpitch
trophy for Cat Osterman and the first
ever in Florida Pride history.
Charlotte Morgan’s homerun gave the Pride a 4-1 lead and Cat Osterman’s (right)
2-hit complete game sealed the championship.
Head coach Tim Walton and catcher Lauren Lappin discuss strategy. Lauren blasted
a 2-run single that gave the Pride the lead that they would not surrender.
12 USSSA TODAY
Warming up in the bullpen, Danielle Lawrie carried a big load on the mound
(along with Sarah Pauly) for the long and hot weekend.
Chicago Bandits’ Jennie Finch pitched the Bandits into the decisive third game.
Rookie Mel Roth has been a sparkplug for the Pride all season.
USSSA TODAY 13
USSSA Board of Directors
meet the Florida Pride Players on a
Night Out on the Town
Perry’s Staekhouse, Austin, TX, provided the setting for the
USSSA Board of Directors to meet the 2010 Florida Pride players.
14 USSSA TODAY
cont. on page 16
SOFTBALL ENTHUSIASTS
S U N C AT C H E R S
T E A M P L AY E R S
Get into our sports culture.
Life is both fun and competitive on our coast.
Our professional staff and corps of local volunteers
can skillfully host your softball camp using our
experience, industry professional standards, and
best practices. It would be our privilege to become
your destination of choice.
Contact Joe Pickett at the Manatee County Sports Commission
941-224-7344 fgcsc@aol.com www.TimeForSports.net
Catcher (left) Megan Willis #5 (Texas) and catcher Melissa Roth #22 (Louisville)
Pitcher Desiree Serrano #99 (Arizona State)
2B Amber Flores #4 (Oklahoma)
UTL/OF Jessica Williams #1 (Marshall)
Board Member-Joey Odom,VP
Pitcher Cat Osterman #8 (Texas)
16 USSSA TODAY
Board Member-Robert Boudreaux,VP and OF Karli Hubbard (Louisana-Lafayette)
Pitcher Dannielle Lawrie (Washington)
Host Don DeDonatis, USSSA CEO
1B Tonya Callahan #35 (Tennessee) and OF Alissa Haber #6 (Stanford) and Karli Hubbard
1B Charlotte Morgan #34 (Alabama)
18 USSSA TODAY
Board Member- Rick Fortuna, VP
Pitcher Sarah Pauly #23 (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi)
Board Member- Don DeDonatis III, VP
3B/OF Andrea Duran #28 (UCLA)
Assistant Executive Director, dapper Jim Swint
(K-State hand), arrived in style.
Board Member- Tom Turley, VP
2B Kristin Schnake #9 (Georgia)
(left to right) Cat Osterman, Board Member- Mark Linnemann, VP and Megan Willis
OF Caitlin Lowe #26 (Arizona)
OF Kelly Kretschman #12 (Alabama)
OF Francesca Enea #10 (Florida)
Catcher Lauren Lappin #37 (Stanford)
USSSA TODAY 19
1B/OF Nicole Trimboli (left) #18 (Nebraska) and SS Natasha
Watley #29 (UCLA)
20 USSSA TODAY
OF Jessica Mendoza #2 (Stanford)
Assistant Executive Director,Danny Brown (top)
and Board Member- Kevin Naegele, VP.
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© 2010 Hillerich & Bradsby Co., Louisville, KY. All rights reserved.
Mendoza finds good reason
to play pro fastpitch
Another title added to long list of accomplishments
By Dave Pedersen
It may seem unreasonable for Jessica
Mendoza to live in California and play
National Pro Fastpitch way across the
country for the USSSA Florida Pride, but
she had good reason.
“When a guy like Don DeDonatis treats
players like professionals and girls are
able to see us like role models and make
positive decisions, it is important that I
offer my support,” said Mendoza about
why she decided to join the NPF league
for the first time.
DeDonatis took over the ownership of
the Washington Glory franchise last
season and developed a home base
near Orlando for the new USSSA Florida
Pride. He is the team general manager
and chairman, executive director and
CEO of the United States Specialty Sports
Association (USSSA). DeDonatis invited
Mendoza to play for the team despite
starting a family with the birth of Caleb
a few months earlier. He wanted to
build around a true role model.
(left to right) USSSA CEO, Don DeDonatis, with Jessica and Adam have formed a special bond.
Mendoza has been an icon on the
national fastpitch scene ever since
earning four first team All-American
honors when playing at Stanford
University. Her career records include
average (.416), hits, doubles, home runs,
runs batted in, runs scored and stolen
bases. She helped Stanford advance to
the College World Series.
After college Mendoza earned more
recognition as a member of the US
National team since 2001, helping the
team win a gold medal at the 2004
Athens Olympic Games and a silver medal
at the 2008 Olympic Games in China.
Adam with all his girls- THE PRIDE!
22 USSSA TODAY
Mendoza is a two-time Pan American
gold medalist (2003 and 2007), a threetime World Cup champion (2006, 2007
and 2010) and a three-time World
Champion (2002, 2006 and 2010). In
2006 Mendoza was named the USA
Softball Female Athlete of the Year and
was inducted into the International
Latin Sports Hall of Fame. In 2008 she
was recognized as the Women’s Sports
Foundation Sportswoman of the Year.
Playing pro softball was
possible
participation in sports and physical
activity, gender equity in intercollegiate
sports, the impact of media images of
women in sports and pay equity.
Life took a turn for Jessica when she
married Adam Burks and gave birth to
son Caleb a year ago. Her work in the
sport started to shift to being a college
softball analyst for ESPN. Still standing
out on the field, Mendoza was named
to the US National team last January
when she got the call from DeDonatis
to play for the Pride in Florida.
So, Mendoza is leading by example as
she continues to play a professional
sport at a high level. It is not an easy
thing to do in many ways. There was
the moving of the Mendoza family to
Florida for the summer and the challenge to support a professional league.
“To be honest, when dealing with a
professional female sport, the odds are
stacked against you,” said Mendoza.
“You have to be in it for the right
reasons. I decided to come after Don
told about his mission of providing role
models for young girls and he is in it for
the long run. This is about the future.”
“I didn’t think I would be able to play
professional softball before I met Don,”
adds Mendoza. “I never thought I had
the commitment level for moving somewhere else during the summer. But Don
was able to make it happen by taking
care of my family.”
Mendoza said she and her teammates
did not have to ride in the back of
the bus or stay at random hotels, now
knowing where they are going next.
Players were housed in nice hotels and
condos, plus the “little things” were
provided. However, there was a bigger
reason why Jessica jumped on board.
“Don came in wanting to create a place
for women to play because he is involved
in youth sports at all levels,” said
Mendoza. “He realizes how girls need
someone to look up to that is realistic. If
a sport is played by millions at the youth
level, how can it not have a professional
level like in baseball? Fastpitch softball
is something our country needs for our
youth so they don’t start losing their
way and can stay motivated to achieve
a goal.”
Mendoza and the Florida Pride pro
team reached the goal of winning the
Cowles Cup playoff championship for
the first time in franchise history last
month in Sulphur, Louisiana. Mendoza’s
2-run homer led the Pride to victory in
the first of the three-game championship series against No. 1 seed Chicago
Bandits. After losing the second game
7-2, the Pride stormed back to claim
the crown with a 7-2 victory, out-hitting
Chicago 12-2.
Playing for all the right
reasons
Following the championship win,
Mendoza went straight to Albany, New
York where she helped conduct a threeday clinic and realized the impact she
and others have on the younger generation. She adds how, “The girls knew so
much about me, were swinging my bat,
Mendoza said she grew up looking up
to major league baseball players. At a
certain age she realized how she is not a
boy and cannot become a major leaguer.
She adds, “It is like saying there is no
Santa Claus or Easter Bunny. However,
when young girls look up to players
like Jennie Finch and all of us they see
a really good possibility of being able
to play in college and shoot to be a pro
athlete.”
Jessica flashes her wheels earlier this summer on the
Texas Tech campus in Lubbock, TX.
said they have my poster on their wall
and wanted to give me a hug.”
The personalized Mendoza bat is
part of the sponsorship she has with
TPS-Louisville Slugger. You can find
more business connections on her
website of www.jmendoza.com. It is also
where you can find out that Mendoza is
the current president of the Women’s
Sports Foundation and a board member
for the National Education Association
Foundation.
The goal of the Women’s Sports
Foundation is to advance the lives of
girls and women through sport and
physical activity. Founded in 1974 by
Billie Jean King, who still sits on the
board, the sports foundation is the only
national organization promoting all
sports and physical activities for women
of all ages and skill levels.
The Women’s Sports Foundation has a
rich history of conducting important
research and has made a long-term
commitment to a series of signature
reports addressing such topics as girls’
She compared it to when a young boy
would put on a Jeter jersey. The drive to
achieve in a sport keeps boys and girls
from doing bad things.
“Girls need to have women who can
contradict the poor female role models
out there,” adds Mendoza. “I am so
glad we have a sport and players, who
girls can emulate, knowing what they
are doing is really cool. Girls playing
sports used to be seen as being a tom
boy. Now girls are happy to be able to
shoot a basketball or kick a soccer ball
and still be respected.”
DeDonatis said since fastpitch was cut
from the Olympics until at least 2024,
USSSA sees the pro league as the next
stop for players coming out of college to
continue in the sport.
“We decided to take over the team and
go after some of the top players in the
world in order to take the league to
the next level,” said DeDonatis. “Jessica
is one I look for to help us grow this
because of her personality and we were
on the same page. Fastpitch is getting
bigger and better and we believe this is
the way to expand it.”
Proclaiming the league is going to grow,
USSSA TODAY 23
DeDonatis said this has to be done right.
He adds, “We told the players from day
one that if you act like a professional you
will be treated like one. We are proud of
all of the women on the team.”
Every game was a great
challenge
What also was not easy this summer was
playing against the top softball players
in the world every game. Mendoza had
played for a pro softball tour in the past
but this is her first go at the National Pro
Fastpitch league. She also had played
against other countries on the US
National team. Only two or three countries are truly competitive and the rest
are still learning. Mendoza’s national
teams won 80 percent of the games by
the mercy rule, adding, “We could play
a horrible game and you would not
know the difference.”
On the other hand, teams in the NPF
were the cream of the crop and “the
best players I have ever seen,” notes
Mendoza. “There was never a game
we played where we felt it was in the
bag. Games were intense and played at
a high level. I never had this much fun
playing softball since I was in college 10
years ago. We train for these moments
when we are pushed in the off-season
to do things we don’t want to do.”
The USSSA Florida Pride finished the
regular season in second place in the
four-team league. The season ended
on “an amazing note” when the Pride
captured the playoff championship.
“We struggled throughout the year to
find our niche and learn how we can win
games,” said Mendoza. “The beauty of
the league is every day is a battle and
I love that challenge. Playing for USA
Softball, we would win 99 percent of
our games. In the pro league, even with
a great team we could struggle to win a
game or series.”
Mendoza said the players had to figure
out ways to work together and to hit
a peak at the most important time of
the year. She said it did not help when
players were in and out of the lineup
since many played for the US national
program. The World Championships
were in Venezuela early in the season.
“I don’t care how good you are, you
have to figure out how to be consistent,” says Mendoza about playing
against the best players all the time.
“We figured out how to learn from a
24 USSSA TODAY
loss and avoid a downward spiral. We
talked about how we would not look at
the score in a game but how to adjust to
the pitchers or communicate on defense
since the small things will make a difference. You also can’t have a weakness at
the plate or opposing pitchers will go
after it like no other until you adjust.”
League games were played on weekends in a four or five game series. Some
were played on a neutral site in order
to promote the NPF. Mendoza wants
to spread the word to help grow the
league to more cities. The other teams
were the Akron Racers and Tennessee
Diamond.
In her first season on the team, the
outfielder was third in batting at .292
with 33 hits in 37 games to go with five
home runs and drove in 22 runs during
the regular season.
Having incredible support
system
Another reason why Mendoza was able
to pull off being a pro player, mother
and social leader is having a great
support system.
“I have an incredibly supportive husband
and parents who have been through so
much,” says Jessica, who is married to
Adam Burks. “We met before the 2004
Olympics and then I hit the road for four
months and haven’t slowed down. Once
I had our son I wanted to see him every
day and not be away for weeks at a
time. I was ready to walk away from the
sport. Adam said no and said he would
temporarily leave his civil engineer job
to travel with me and Caleb.”
Adam had been used to working at
home while Jessica was often found on
the road traveling to somewhere. She
called it a role reversal where Adam is
home taking care of the house and child.
“It takes a confident and secure person
who is incredibly selfless to do it,” adds
Mendoza. “Adam is the one who pushes
me more than I push myself. He also
loves this game and sport. He was often
found up against the fence in our championship game rooting everyone on. He
gets it.”
Mendoza said Caleb is a great kid who
has grown up on the road living in
different places and is able to role with
the punches.
“With air travel you are not always
in control,” says Jessica. “Flights are
canceled or go to different places and
Parenting can be confusing.....but Adam and Caleb
are Jessica’s #1 fans.
you are stuck somewhere. There is more
stress when the baby is hungry. This
lifestyle is definitely a challenge but I
wouldn’t have it any other way. I was
spoiled this summer because for the first
time in my life I felt like a professional
athlete. We were treated first class all the
way from the smallest to biggest things.”
There is little rest for Mendoza following
the softball season. She moves to the
college football scene where she works
as a sideline reporter for ESPN. She does
get help from her father Gil, who is a
football coach. It is another wrinkle in
her support system.
Work ethic instilled early on
This polished professional athlete
started out being “clumsy, uncoordinated and lacked confidence in my
own ability. I was always thinking that
others were better and I could get cut
from a team. So I would have to work
hard. This was instilled by my father at
a young age. He would say I may have
batted 3 for 4 with three home runs in
a game, but what about that fourth at
bat. My mind set was that I could always
get better. If I was talented from the
beginning, the work ethic would have
been harder to find.”
Mendoza says she was not a top high
school recruit when she went to Stanford,
a school that best fit her academically.
Although, she was named as a first-team
high school All-American in 1998.
“Ironically, I never thought softball was
in my future,” she adds. “I loved the
challenge in the classroom and my work
ethic on the field had carried over.”
The work ethic brought Mendoza fame
on the field and a Master’s Degree
in social sciences and education from
Stanford in 2003.
Sonya Montoya: USSSA
Florida Pride Athletic Trainer
by Breanne E. Byer
Meet Sonya Montoya, Athletic Trainer
for the USSSA Florida Pride – The 2010
National Pro FastPitch Champions. In any
sports program, one condition of success
always exists: preventing injury. While
there is no single most important player
on an athletic team, one of the most
integral positions is the athletic trainer.
What exactly is an athletic trainer?
Different than personal fitness trainers
who help individuals improve physical
fitness levels, athletic trainers work with
athletes in team and individual sports to
prevent injuries, evaluate and provide
immediate treatment of injuries that
occur during games. Athletic trainers are
also closely involved with the rehabilitation and reconditioning of musculoskeletal injuries. They often are one of the
first heath care providers on the field
when injuries happen and they must be
able to identify and assess injuries and
provide immediate care when required.
Sonya grew up playing a great deal of
soccer and passed up an opportunity
to play in college in order to devote
her energy on school. Montoya says
she originally wanted to be a physical
therapist especially to help those who
were injured while playing sports – not
knowing that athletic training was a
career option. “My first two years in
college I started taking classes which
consisted mostly of biology and chemistry, which I wasn’t exactly excited about
because I felt so disconnected from my
original goal of working with athletes
and injuries.” After taking an introduction class to athletic training suggested
by an advisor, Montoya reflects “after
the first week of classes I was hooked. I
ended up changing my major.”
Recognized by the American Medical
Association as allied health professionals, athletic trainers are educated
in a specialized field with specific
requirements – a bachelor’s degree, a
program and a national certification
that is required to pass in most states
to be licensed for practice. Montoya is a
2007 graduate of Longwood University
with a Bachelor of Science Degree
in Kinesiology with a concentration
in Athletic Training and in May 2010
earned her Masters in Arts: Health and
Montoya bandages Cat Osterman’s non-throwing hand.
Wellness with Applied Exercise Science
from the University of Central Florida.
“My Masters Degree allowed me to
further focus on the more scientific end
of my profession such as how the body
reacts and copes with physical activity.
What physical attributes separate elite
athletes to perform at high levels and if
those physical attributes are a result of
training or genetic predisposition.”
Both in terms of team success and more
importantly long-term safety, the athletic
trainer plays a key role. Montoya says,
“I’m a huge advocate of injury prevention, aside from the injuries that occur
acutely, I try and encourage prevention
programs for the overuse injuries such
as tendonitis.” Montoya implemented
a shoulder care program for pitchers,
position players and outfielders due to
the demands of their positions based on
pre-existing injuries where they need
to keep the strength in their rotator
cuff and surrounding shoulder muscles
to make it through a 3 month season
of games. Athletic trainers are present
during work outs, practice and games to
treat, handle and evaluate injuries.
A typical game day preparation with the
USSSA Florida Pride varies depending
on the amount of injuries the team
has. Sonya describes a usual Pride home
game at UCF, “Generally I arrive about 4
Sonya, along with coach Renee Gillispie, see that all
players remain hydrated.
hours prior to game time to make sure
each dugout was set up with water,
PowerAde, and ice. I also would have
the people who had existing injuries
to come in for earlier treatments such
as heat, stretching, or modality use. In
addition I have time allotted for my
pitchers so that they could get stretched
and warmed up properly depending if
they were throwing that day or were
just doing a workout.” At the end
of a day, Sonya Montoya is gratified,
“personally, for me there is nothing
more rewarding in assisting athletes to
stay healthy so that they may pursue
their athletic goals.”
USSSA TODAY 25
Dreams Come True at Disney
With The Help of Glennie,
USSSA and the Pride Players
By Kelly Knight (Gordon Glennie’s daughter)
me, he was tough, diligent but always
made sure the girls were learning and
having fun while doing so. He was so
dedicated and compassionate to this
team of kindergartners-second grade
that when he became involved with the
USSSA Pride and was gone for a partial
part of the rec league season, he sent
money for all of the girls to go to the
Dairy Queen after their games, for this
is where he took and paid for every girlice cream after every win. He flew home
for the playoffs and coached them to
victory while in his final speech of the
season he presented each girl with an
autographed ball from the first year
USSSA Pride team. These girls were
in awe and all thanked “Coach Papa
Gordon” for his dedication to them as
well as teaching them so much during
the season. Equally impressed were the
parents. This team, with only a few girls
ever playing softball before, placed 1st
in their regular season and in the playoffs.
My dad and Kenzie at the Prides series in Akron
McKenzie Knight was only three the
very first time she stepped on a softball
field with her Papa (Gordon Glennie,
Assistant General Manager for the
USSSA Pride). In 2006, Gordon Glennie
was an icon who coached for over
15 years within the district and was
just named the inaugural Varsity Fast
Pitch Softball Coach for the new $81
million state of the art High School to
be equipped with an equally impressive sports complex. With McKenzie in
hand, he put a helmet on her to ensure
her safety and some could say that this
is where she developed her love for the
game. It was her favorite place to be;
with her papa on a softball field.
Many years, practices and games later,
McKenzie, age 9, Member of USSSA
26 USSSA TODAY
World Series 4th Place Finalist team the
Plymouth Canton Pride out of Michigan
fondly recalls going with her Papa to
high school games and practices where
she said “Papa would put a helmet on
me and off I went. I learned to bat,
throw the ball and run bases”
It was the Spring of his retirement as
a 23 year high school varsity fast pitch
coach that Gordon decided to assist his
daughter and son-in-law in coaching
his youngest granddaughter McKenzie
in the local recreation league where
he functioned as a Board Member for
USSSA Sanctioned events for the area.
This was not his high school team and
their practices and games, this was
him coaching her; and just he coached
The next Spring McKenzie wanted to
take her talent to the next level and
try-out for a travel fast pitch program.
At just 8 years old, she tried out for the
Michigan Outlaws 10 and under team.
She was chosen to represent the 10 and
Under Black. (which is the MO A level
Program) As USSSA has been a part of
her childhood, she was disappointed
that the team she had played her season
with could not get the majority of the
team that could make the World Series
trip this year.
She had traveled and spent her summer
vacations to watch her cousin play for
the Ann Arbor Gold at World Series
events held at Disney’s Wide World of
Sports and in Ocean City Maryland. She
has said for years, “All I want to do is
play for my Papa in Florida; to play on
those Disney Fields where the pitchers
mound is shaped like Mickey Mouse……
to get to play where dreams really do
come true.”
McKenzie had worked hard fundraising
for sponsors, going door to door to get
pledges based on community service
she volunteered for such as: a Saturday
Morning on her Christmas vacation
where she separated canned goods
and organized pantry packs for the
homeless and those in need, she stood
outside bundled up in her snow gear
at a Kroger grocery store on a winter
evening in Michigan ringing the bell
for the Salvation Army. She also helped
research and enter her team in Walt
Disney World’s Give a Day, Earn A Day
where our team, as well as other organizations in Southeast Michigan, made
over 3000 fleece baby blankets for the
NIC U for St. Joes Hospital in Ann Arbor,
Michigan. Her reward for doing so: a
one day ticket to any Walt Disney Park
of her choice.
With her commitment, drive and
talent, she was picked up to play for
the PC Pride of out Plymouth Canton,
Michigan; as they were seeking to add
a few additional players for their World
Series roster. McKenzie was thrilled with
their offering as she felt that going to
the World Series was “just what you did
after a regular season of battling teams
within your state” that this USSSA World
Series is what she felt she had worked
her whole life for.
We spent 13 days in Kissimmee, Florida;
just as thousands of other girls and
parents did. This was our summer vacation as it had been for years as we
followed my niece to all of her USSSA
World Series appreances. This is what
McKenzie had wished for. She practiced,
arriving one and a half hours before
games, participated in the USSSA Pride
Clinic offered to World Series participants, played in Championship Stadium,
battled teams from across the United
States to place 4th in the 10 and under
category. Her team was announced with
the USSSA Pride during one of their
games. They called each girl with their
positions; all of them beaming with joy
as this day they met their heroes. These
are the girls that they want to mirror.
As the players were asked what do you
want to be when you grow up they all
McKenzie weats her #26 Caitlin Lowe USSSA Pride Jersey at a game with her fellow Plymouth Canton Pride
teammates.
said a professional softball player….
and an architect, astronaut and teacher.
Many teams were represented in the
wonderful activities sponsored by the
USSSA Pride. Some were bat girls for
each series, some were asked to throw
out the opening pitch, others faced off
in dance contests and wheel barrel races
in the outfield. Girls raced to sections of
the Stadium to answer “Pride” trivia.
They all lined on the third base side of
the field to get a closer glimpse of the
players and snap pictures and get autographs.
McKenzie was fortunate to throw out
the opening pitch against the Tennessee
Diamonds. “Please welcome McKenzie
Knight of the Plymouth Canton Pride.”
The crowd cheered. In front of hundreds
of spectators, without hesitation, she
walked to the pitchers mound adorning
her blue USSSA Pride jersey. Snap went
the glove as the announcer said, “Way
to go McKenzie.” As she was jogging
off the field, she looked to her right and
their was her hero, Caitlin Lowe, coming
up to give her a high-five.
As her team was awarded the 4th
place finish of the series; they called
each player individually to the stage to
receive their medals. This was the same
stage her cousin won a medal for a top
place finish just a few years back. As the
McKenzie getting a pitching lesson from one of the
assitants for the Pride.
team filled the stage with the coaches,
the announcer called McKenzie last.
“For Gordon Glennie’s beautiful grand
daughter, congratulations on your 4th
place finish at the USSSA 10 and under
World Series.” Amidst the announcer
and coaches; there was my dad, placing
the medal around her neck; giving her a
hug and a kiss on the cheek.
McKenzie had more than one dream
come true that day. She did get to play
for her papa in Florida at age 9. She
went on that stage that her cousin got
to go on; while only a few years back
she was running around the dome as
every young child has done.
She was a World Series Champion in
more ways than one. Just ask her Papa.
USSSA TODAY 27
National Pro Fastpitch announced
today, in cooperation with USSSA,
a tour of NPF All Stars that will be
focused on competing with college
teams throughout the fall.
The
NPF “Back to School - College Tour”
presented by USSSA will kick off next
week on September 10th in Memphis,
TN against the University of Memphis
softball team.
This fall tour will follow up a very
successful 2010 season for National
Pro Fastpitch that culminated with
the League’s Championship Series in
Sulphur, LA last weekend. The USSSA
Florida Pride left Sulphur with the 2010
Championship Series trophy in hand
as the Chicago Bandits captured the
regular season championship for the
5th time in NPF’s short history.
The NPF Back To School – College Tour
presented by USSSA will make over 15
stops on college campuses across the
United States competing against some
of the nation’s best college programs
in their fall seasons. Team NPF will be
comprised of athletes from all four of
the NPF Teams (Akron Racers, Chicago
Bandits, Tennessee Diamonds, and
USSSA Florida Pride) and will include an
accomplished list of competitors.
The Tour will kick off on September 10th
in Memphis, Tennessee and will culminate on November 15 th in Daytona
Beach, Florida. In between Team NPF
will make stops at Ole Miss, UMKC,
Missouri Western, Nebraska, Arizona,
New Mexico State, UTEP, Oklahoma
State, Oklahoma, Tulsa, Georgia, South
Carolina, Florida State, Florida, San
Diego State, Texas, and Daytona Beach.
28 USSSA TODAY
September 30 – 7:00
UMKC
October 1st – 6:30
Missouri Western
October 2nd – 12:00 / 2:30
University of Nebraska
October 4th – 7:00
University of Arizona
New Mexico State University
University of Texas – El Paso
New Mexico (tentative)
Oklahoma University
Oklahoma State University
University of Tulsa
October 21st – 7:00
University of Georgia
October 22nd – 7:00
University of South Carolina
November 5th – 3:00
Chipola College
Florida State University
University of Florida
San Diego State
Daytona Beach CC
Team NPF will be decorated group of
professionals with well seasoned and
impressive resumes including Olympic
Gold Medalists and NPF Champions
and Award winners. Athletes playing
on the tour will include: Jennie Finch,
Cat Osterman, Andrea Duran, Fransesca
Enea, Vicky Galindo, Alissa Haber,
Kelly Kretschman, Caitlin Lever, Jessica
Mendoza, Stacy May, Charlotte Morgan,
Sarah Pauly, and many more.
USSSA and NPF will also be coordinating clinics at some of the Tour stops.
Information on clinic times, locations,
and costs will be forthcoming. All
admission to games will go through the
respective colleges and universities.
For more information, contact the NPF
office at info@profastpitch.com or
615-232-2900; or you can contact USSSA
at 800-741-3014.
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered
in Nashville, TN. The League, created
to give elite female fastpitch players
the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has
operated since 1997 under the names
of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and
Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL).
The USSSA Florida Pride joined the NPF
as a franchise team in November of 2009,
operated by Florida Pride LLC. USSSA
managed the Pride Team during 2009,
culminating their inaugural season with a
second place finish in the Championship
Series and most recently captured the
2010 Championship Series Title. USSSA
Florida Pride is sponsored by USSSA, the
world’s largest amateur sports association, and is headquartered in Kissimmee,
Florida.
©2010 Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Busch Light¨ Beer, St. Louis, MO
Dan Smith, EWS and Darkside/TYJA
all claim championships at the
2010 Conference USSSA Championships
The 2010 version of the Conference Championships was
played this past weekend in Kissimmee, Florida. The tournaments were played in extreme heat most of the weekend. The
Championships consisted of 3 separate tournaments:
The 1st tournament featured the ‘Major’ bracket and
2010 Conference USSSA Champions- Major Division – Dan Smith/Menosse
2010 Conference USSSA Class A Champions – EWS
30 USSSA TODAY
consisted of Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Phonemasters and Dan
Smith/Menosse in a best of 5 series. The games were played at
Osceola County Stadium, which is the home of the Houston
Astros (of major league baseball) spring training games. The
facility is also home to the USSSA offices and Hall of Fame.
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Game #1 (Friday night): BJ
Fulk hammered 4 homers
for Resmondo as they batted
around once and shut down
Dan Smith late to take the
first game 27-24.
Game #2 (Saturday
morning): Dan Smith
pounded Resmondo 30-12.
Game #3 (Saturday afternoon): Dan Smith knocks off
Resmondo 15-11.
Team Combat’s Rusty Bumgardner2010 All-Conference
2010 All-Conference OF, Smith’s Brian
Wegman
Sinister’s Todd Joerling defies time and
continues to perform at a high level.
Game #4 (Sunday morning):
Resmondo scored the first 7
runs of the game but failed
to score the rest of the
way as Dan Smith loaded
the bases in the bottom of
the 5th and scored with a
walk-off single by Jeremy
Isenhower, which gave
them a run rule victory
(22-7) and the Conference
Championship 3 games to 1.
Dan Smith wins their 2nd
tournament in a row and
powered their way to the
Conference Championship
by outscoring Resmondo
91-57. Their defense played
solid and their supreme
stadium power “shell
shocked” Resmondo and
kept them down most of the
weekend.
Sinister’s Kevin Filby- 2010 All-Conference
32 USSSA TODAY
Co-MVP and All-Conference Pitcher, Resmondo’s Andy Purcell
The second tournament,
the ‘A’ division, was for
the top 12 non-Major
Conference teams and
used a 3 game guarantee
bracket. Surprisingly the
‘A’ bracket finals actually came down to two ‘B’
classed teams, as EWS out
of Chicago, Illinois outlasted
AJS from Florida in 2 of their
3 meetings to win the ‘A’
Conference Championship.
The tournament was filled
with spectacular catches
from the likes of Brandon
Riese (EWS), Ryan Parfitt
(Wood Law), Gary Farrar
(FBI), Adam Rockoff (AJS),
Pat Hastings (EWS), David
Kessler (AJS), Blake Williams (AJS), Sal
Formosa (NW Combat), and those are
just the ones I witnessed in person! ‘B’
classed teams finished 1st, 2nd, 5th, and
7th out of 12 teams.
Louisville Slugger’s Hank Bassett with Smith’s JD Genter- 2010 All-Conference
The third and final tournament, the
‘B’ division, was for the next 6 highest
finishing Conference ‘B’ teams ordered
by points. This tournament was won
by Darkside/TYJA from New York as
they knocked off Elite Sports/USA/
Combat from California in the winner’s
bracket championship. Then Darkside
lost to Elite in the first game of the
championship but secured the title
when Elite was unable to play the “if”
game due to flight obligations. The
‘B’ division was played at the Fortune
Road complex which will host the
‘B’ Worlds in mid September. The ‘B’
bracket teams also voted for and used
the regular Conference softball instead
of the stadium ZN, so they could
prepare for the upcoming worlds. Blitz/
Watanabe/Weller/Minges/Easton from
Ohio was 3rd and Art Explosion/Drash
from was 4th.
2010 Conference MVP
Greg Connell – Resmondo
(.799, 95 HR, 302RBI)
2010 Conference Co-MVP
We have all seen this familiar pose, as the conference’s
outstandig offensive player of 2010, Brett Helmer
watches another go out.
Co-MVP, HR Champion (95) and #2 OBP (.799),
Resmondo’s Greg Connell
Andy Purcell – Resmondo
(.797, 69 HR, 216 RBI)
2010 Outstanding Offensive Player
Brett Helmer – Dan Smith
(.776, 64 HR, 149 RBI)
2010 Outstanding Defensive Player
Matt Pesso - GTL
2010 Batting Champion
Adam Rockoff – AJS
(.801)
2010 HR Champion
All-Conference Pitcher, Smith’s Geno Buck
34 USSSA TODAY
2010 All-Conference 1B, Smith’s Ryan Thiede
Greg Connell – Resmondo
(95)
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2010 All Conference Major Team
2010 2nd Team All- Conference
2010 Class B All- Conference Team
Andy Purcell
Resmondo
Geno Buck
Dan Smith
Brett Helmer
Dan Smith
Ryan Thiede
Dan Smith
Greg Connell
Resmondo
JD Genter
Dan Smith
Sam Lopez
Casey Rogowski
Don Dedonatis III
GTL
Sinister
Resmondo
Anthony Dress
Bryson Baker
GTL
Resmondo
Victor Cordova
USSSA CEO, Don DeDonatis, welcomes everyone to
the awards banquet at the Mystic Dunes.
Travis Resmondo accepting the Conference Cup from
USSSA Assistant Executive Director, Danny Brown
BJ Fulk
Resmondo
Rick Baker
Dan Smith
Howie Krause
Resmondo
Rusty Bumgardner
Dennis Rulli
GTL’s Anthony Dress receiving his All- Conference SS
award.
Team Combat
Resmondo
Donovan Pokraka
GTL
Adam Rockoff
AJS
Brian Rainwater
Resmondo
Brian Wegman
Dan Smith
Matt King
USSSA National UIC, Rick Robertson, 2nd team
All-Conference Mgr. of the Year, GTL’s Jose Sanchez
and USSSA Assist. Exec. Director, Danny Brown.
GTL
Jean Shoppe
Mike Bowlin
GTL
Jeff Wallace
Resmondo
Kevin Filby
Dal Beggs
Sinister
Dan Smith
John RectorResmondo Mgr of the Year
2010 All Conference ‘A’ Team
Stacy Bolton
Chad Munger
Resmondo’s Bryson Baker, All- Conference MI
38 USSSA TODAY
Dan Smith’s Rick Baker, All- Conference OF
Aubrey’s
GTL
Tim Cocco
Jean Shoppe
Eric Thompson
Jean Shoppe
Seth Stephens
Team Combat
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Dennis Shrum
Wood Law
Scott Zaciewski
AJS
Jimmy Salas
GTL
Jeff McGavin
Sinister
Matt Pesso
GTL
Chris Larsen
Wood Law
John Glidewell
Resmondo’s Howie Krause, All- Conference 1B
Resmondo’s Dennis Rulli, All- Conference 3B
FBI
Brian Justice
Aubreys
Chad McLamb
Aubreys
Johnny McCraw
Conference Batting Champion with a .801 average,
AJ’s Adam Rockoff
Conference’s Outstanding Defensive Player, GTL’s
Matt Pesso
Team Combat
Zach Keene
FBI
Brian Floyd
Aubreys
Sal Formosa
NW Combat
Jeff Gare
NW Combat
Brad Reckart
Jean Shoppe
Rick Sedlacek
Sinister
Jose Sanchez
GTL Mgr. of the Year
2010 All Conference ‘B’ Team
From the 2010 Conference USSSA Major Class
Champions, Dan Smith’s Denny Crine (left) and Scott
Brown.
Resmondo’s BJ Fulk- 2010 All-Conference
40 USSSA TODAY
Darkside/TYJA and Mark Webber take the Class B
Championships.
All-Conference performer- Smith’s Dal Beggs
Michael Stephany
Hubs Pub
Kenny Leach
Hubs Pub
Jarett Enright
Hubs Pub
Calvin Ford
Elite Sports
Julio Salazar
Elite Sports
Luis Sanchez
Elite Sports
Tim Pemberton
Desert Falls
Dan Sanchez
Desert Falls
Eliseo Aguilar
Desert Falls
Jason Roesch
Blitz
Jimmy Carter
Blitz
Jason Scott
Blitz
Jon Encarnacion
Darkside
Frank “Moose” White
Darkside
Charles Bumgartner
Darkside
Todd Ankney
EWS Mgr. of the Year
Resmondo’s Don DeDonatis III,All- Conference SS
Resmondo’s All-Conference OF, Brian Rainwater
Class B Manager of the Year- EWS’ Todd Ankney
2010 Conference USSSA Final Player Statistics
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Player
Adam Rockoff
Greg Connell
Charles Cunningham
Andrew Purcell
Tim Pemberton
Scott Zaciewski
Bobby Hughes
Brian Justice
Brett Helmer
Bryson Baker
Kevin Filby
Seth Stephens
Chad Mclamb
Matt King
Ryan Thiede
Terry Rosenbalm
Donovan Pokraka
John Glidewell
Howie Krause
Ron Fields
Nathan Staats
Brian Wegman
Don Dedonatis Iii
Stacy Bolton
Anthony Dress
42 USSSA TODAY
Team
AJS/Easton/Supreme/Mike Foulks/Mojo
ResmondoSport/Specialty/PhoneMaster
Desert Falls/Elite/Miken
Desert Falls/Elite/Miken
Aubrey’s/TaylorMade/Mizuno
Dan Smith/Menosse
Sinister/Line Drive/SSS/Worth/Mojo
Team Combat / Laser Vision
Jean Shoppe-Easton-Down2EarthSports
Dan Smith/Menosse
GTL Cartel/Worth
Fence Brokers/Gametime Supply/Worth
Pipac/TCP/Easton
Pipac/TCP/Easton
Dan Smith/Menosse
GTL Cartel/Worth
OB- PA
R
HR
RBI
BB
HRF
OBP
157-196
251-314
95-119
231-290
93-117
154-194
109-139
133-170
191-246
236-304
169-218
131-170
132-172
138-180
177-232
156-206
204-270
129-171
167-222
103-137
103-137
215-287
241-322
113-151
177-237
136
206
70
202
79
121
96
100
159
204
131
100
105
101
140
133
173
104
146
84
81
178
207
92
128
64
95
29
69
14
49
36
42
64
67
51
33
8
41
53
46
51
43
58
34
32
67
17
28
36
166
302
79
216
66
130
113
128
149
195
169
106
46
95
161
136
186
116
141
91
101
164
104
99
119
11
12
9
30
10
2
21
14
33
46
30
9
28
27
21
4
11
21
32
8
20
25
50
10
33
2.89
3.18
3.79
3.77
7.64
3.92
3.28
3.71
3.33
3.85
3.69
4.88
18.00
3.73
3.98
4.39
5.08
3.49
3.28
3.79
3.66
3.91
16.00
5.04
5.67
0.801
0.799
0.798
0.797
0.795
0.794
0.784
0.782
0.776
0.776
0.775
0.771
0.767
0.767
0.763
0.757
0.756
0.754
0.752
0.752
0.752
0.749
0.748
0.748
0.747
GTL/Worth Edges Team Combat/Laservision in the
Class A World
by Dale Weiser
The much anticipated 2010 USSSA class
‘A’ World Series at ESPN’s Wide World
of Sports came to a dramatic conclusion with the highly favored GTL Cartel/
Worth team from Seattle, Washington
using a Jim Salas walk off homer in
the bottom of the 7th to capture the
coveted Championship 13-12 over Team
Combat/Laser Vision also based out of
Seattle, Washington. The homer came
in the “if” game as Team Combat/Laser
Vision forced the second game with a
heart stopping bottom of the 7th comeback where they plated 11 runs, capped
by their own walk off homer by none
other than “ESPN highlite” man Rusty
Bumgardner to win 24-22!
The two teams used very different paths
to get to the finals. GTL cruised through
their first 4 opponents with lopsided
wins, including knocking off Wood Law,
Suncoast, and Aubreys. Team Combat
on the other hand fought hard from
the outset on Friday night when they
battled Bestway Softball to a 26-20
victory. Then after 2 more wins, Team
Combat lost an epic battle with Aubreys
in the semi-finals Saturday night 32-29
to drop to the loser’s bracket. In the
loser’s bracket they beat a hot Logo
Express team late Saturday night, and
Sunday morning starting at 8 am they
methodically scored big innings enroute
to victories over Suncoast 30-15 and
Aubreys 21-14 to set up their battles
with GTL in the finals.
As a fan of the game you had to admire
the heart shown by the entire Team
Combat/Laser Vision team as they battled
for over 6 and a half hours in extreme
heat and humidity. There were no loser’s
in this years ‘A’ Championship finals.
Aubreys/Taylormade/Mizuno
finishes
3rd after winning their first 3 games and
Suncoast/Reebok finishes 4th with solid
play throughout the tournament and
great defense from shortstop Luis Reyna.
GTL caps an incredible string of tournaments with one of the most sought after
trophies in softball. Since the first of
the dual tournaments in Seattle on July
44 USSSA TODAY
Team Combat’s Jason Kendrick is congratulated by coach Don Cooper and Billy Messina. Cooper later stated, “It
was a great tournament and we would like to thank everyone at USSSA for hosting a great event. Maybe someday
we will figure out the winners bracket is a better path.”
2010 USSSA Class A World Champions GTL/Worth. GTL’s sponsor, Charles Garcia said, “Good things come when
you play for the name on the front and not the one on the back.”
4th weekend, GTL has had a 2nd place
finish, and now 3 straight tournament
Championships (Cincinnati, Denver, ‘A’
World) and a 21-3 record over that span!
Congratulations to the entire GTL team,
the sponsors, and the managers for a
great season. All of the hard work and
“visionary” offseason roster moves paid
off big time.
GTL Lineup:
OF Mike Bowlin
OF Victor Cordova
2B Don Rogers or OF Donovan
Pokraka (before hamstring injury)
1B Sam Lopez
3B Jimmy Salas
P Chad Munger
P/C LC Watson
OF Tyler Beuerlein
CF Bubba Mack
SS Anthony Dress
MI Matt Pesso
Team Combat/Laser Vision is a team that
overcame some major mistakes. They
had runners thrown out at the plate,
dropped flyballs, mishandles around
the bases, and player ejections. Yet they
were able to keep it together and fight
through some hard fought wins over
some great competition.
Team Combat / Laser Vision Lineup:
RF LF C
3B MI 1B CF 2B UT SS P
Jason Kendrick
John McCraw
Vince Bisbee
Rusty Bumgardner
Joey Formosa
Seth Stephens
Mario Granados
Wade Casey
Robert Sena
Chente Granados
Billy Messina
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hitters. This pitching machine can throw everything.
everytHing in DeSign. The Junior Hack Attack is heavy enough
to absorb recoil, ensuring accuracy, yet portable and easily moved
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USSSA
TODAY
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USSSA Southern California hosts 6
Girls 18&u A Champions
Girls 18&u A Runner Up
3rd Degree
Nighthawks
50 USSSA TODAY
Sudden Impact
AZ Quicksilver
Artesia Punishers
Sudden Impact
Divisions of World Series play
Stacy Fish- Tournament Director
Girls 14&u B Champions
Girls 14&u B Runner Up
Girls 12&u A Runner UP
Lights Out
Mizuno Pride
Cal Thunder
Punishers
Girls 12&u B Champions
So Cal Diamonds
Girls 12&u B Runner Up
Central Coast Express
USSSA TODAY 51
What Does the
Doctor have to say?
Having worked as an emergency department physician for 15 years, I have seen
my fair share of trauma. I have seen
many softball injuries on the field over
the years also. The most serious type of
injury is head injuries. Blows to the head
and loss of consciousness are serious and
require prompt medical attention. Any
loss of consciousness on the softball field
requires immediate immobilization and
Dr. Doug Wood
prompt medical attention which includes
calling 911. Serious signs and symptoms following a head
injury include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, altered speech and
headache. Sometimes a person may appear fine following a
blow to the head but there might be a ruptured blood vessel
in the brain that is slowly expanding (subdural hematoma), so
neurological signs and symptoms may not appear until hours
later. There was a famous actress, Natasha Richardson, who
sustained a head injury following a fall skiing. She later died
hours later from an intra-cranial bleed. A CT scan of the head
is usually warranted to rule out an intra-cranial bleed. Even
after discharge from an emergency department it is important
to check on the person every couple of hours to make sure
they are alright. There has been a recent death of an umpire
in Texas following a blow to the head by a hit softball. Getting
hit in the face by a softball is also very serious. I have seen
numerous pitchers struck in the face by a hit softball. A strike
of a softball to the nose can cause bleeding, but it may drive
nasal bones to the brain. A strike of a softball to the face may
fracture orbital bones which are by nature thin and can cause
facial instability and brain injury.
More common softball injuries are sprains and strains of an
extremity. Following a sprain or strain it is important to use ice
to reduce swelling and immobilization. There is an acronym
“PRICE” protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation that
is recommended for the treatment of most sprains and strains.
For minor injuries, ice is usually recommended for the first 48
hours to reduce swelling and heat to increase mobility, thereafter. Major sprain and strain injuries usually take 4-6 weeks
to heal. Fractures usually require 8 weeks of immobilization
to heal. However, again prompt medical evaluation is recommended following an injury since a x-ray is important to rule
out a bone fracture. A MRI to rule out ligament or structural damage and may be needed subsequently if there is no
improvement of an injury.
Other types of injuries seen on the softball field are minor
wounds, cuts and abrasions. For nose bleeds, pressure and
putting the head forward so the blood drains down instead
of head up is recommended to avoid swallowing blood.
In general cuts less than 1 cm do not require sutures unless
the bleeding cannot be controlled with pressure. Larger cuts
usually require stitches. It is also important to know your
tetanus status. A tetanus immunization is recommended every
5 years. If it has been longer than 5 years and you have a cut,
you should seek medical attention. Following an abrasion or
“strawberry” don’t rub it with dirt. Tetanus lives in dirt and
is contaminated. Keep the wound clean with water or saline.
Hydrogen peroxide destroys tissue and is not recommended.
52 USSSA TODAY
USSSA Governor’s
Games Junior Golf
Championship
The Farm d’Allie Golf Course in Carencro, Louisiana served as
the host for the Inaugural USSSA Golf Junior Tour event on the
weekend of August 21-22. Some 19 golfers from throughout
the State of Louisiana braved 100+ temperatures, and provided
the USSSA multi-sports organization a banner junior golf event
for its first, ever championship tournament.
The Governor’s Office on Physical Fitness, Lafayette District
Attorney Mike Harson, Lafayette Coca Cola, Talk-N T’Shirts
and Louisiana USSSA served as the official sponsors for this
well attended junior golf outing, and by responses of players,
parents and spectators, the USSSA is off to a great start in their
latest sports endeavor.
In Boys 15-18 competition, Hayden Bigby, Bossier City, distanced
the field as the North Louisiana competitor posted scores of
79 and 68 (147 total), to claim a 19 stroke win over second
place finisher, Skye Mejia, Lafayette (83-83-166). Claiming the
“Bronze” medal was Dakota Simon, Lafayette, who posted
book end 86s and a 172 total. Of note, Bigby’s 68 was the
result of 14 pars, and four (4) birdies, and was the low round
of the tournament.
Three competitors competed in the Girls 15-18 division, and
Slidell resident, Jennifer Nguyen claimed the heralded “Gold”
medal by posting a two day total of 154 (78-76). Jennifer’s 78
on Saturday was the low round for the day. Placing second
with a score of 202 (98-104) was Emily Blount from Denham
Springs. Playing in her first competitive junior event, Lafayette
resident Maura Maher claimed the “Bronze” with a two day
total of 245. Ms. Maher’s second day of play resulted in a 23
stroke improvement over day one.
In Boys 12-14 action, Lafayette native, John H. Davis, completed
the 36 hole event with a 169 total (89-80), and defeated
“Silver” medalist Michael Sotile (84-89), Baton Rouge, by
four strokes. More impressive was Davis’ Sunday run, as he
started the day four strokes back, and eventually won by the
four stroke margin. Claiming the “Bronze” medal was Nick
Sabelhaus, Jennings with a 183 (91-92) two day total.
Boys 9-11 action only saw one competitor. However young
Zachary Burkhalter, Lake Charles, managed to post an
outstanding two day (18 holes) total of 119 (62-57) and
improved by five strokes from day one to two, and claimed the
prestigious “Gold” medal.
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.
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The Hottest Amateur Baseball
Program in the Country
by Bob Egr
In 2009, USSSA Baseball introduced Global
Sports Baseball. Global Sports Baseball was
designed to serve the growing needs of
regional, affordable World Series. Global
Sports Baseball host ages 7 through 14
with NIT type qualifiers held throughout
the country. Teams must place in the top
percentage of these qualifiers to participate in a Global Sports World Series.
In just two short years, Global Sports
Baseball grew from 10,000 registered
teams to over 12,000 registered teams.
The Global Sports World Series grew from
just over 500 teams to over 700 teams in
2010. With 700 teams participating, Global
Sports Baseball is the second largest brand
of baseball hosting teams in World Series
play (USSSA Baseball is #1).
This growth is contributed to:
• Quality qualifiers with NIT USSSA points
awarded.
• Regionalized World Series locations at
some of the country’s best ball parks.
• 4 day World Series format with teams
playing an average of 7 games.
• Opening ceremonies, team social, pin
trading and skills competition.
• Pool play followed by three tiers of
single elimination championship play.
• Three World Series Champions are
crowned per age division.
Global Sports Baseball will continue to
produce quality qualifiers and World
Series in 2011. Global Sports Baseball
plans of introducing more World Series
locations throughout the country where
teams can play in a quality, affordable
regional World Series that has all the
amenities. Thanks for playing Global
Sports Baseball!
54 USSSA TODAY
Contact your local
OC Sports Team Dealer
Proud sponsor of
Play Ball!
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amenities of a true full-service resort... just
2 miles to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
hotel amenities
• Refrigerator
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• Free wireless Internet
• Fitness center, three heated pools and two children’s pools
• Greenhouse Restaurant with breakfast buffet
(kids 12 and under eat free, 1 paying adult per child)
• General Store and Pizza Hut® Express
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Each Best Western hotel is independently owned and operated.
Sneaky Cleats Finishes Strong
Finish Strong---It is a statement uttered
by many athletic teams. It is the statement that defined the Sneaky Cleats
2010 season. Starting their senior
10-under year, they had one goal in
mind—to win the World Series. The
coaches knew they could do it. There
were some things the team still needed
to work on but the possibility of a win
was within reach.
The first tournament of the season
saw the Cleats with power in their bats
and running the bases effectively. They
won this tournament scoring a total
of 72 points and allowing only 2 runs.
Although this was a strong start, the
coaches and players knew they still had
a long, tough road ahead of them. As
the season wore on, the Sneaky Cleats
proved they were a force to be reckoned with. Playing against this team
was not easy and a win against them
is always hard fought. Most teams had
never heard of the Sneaky Cleats until
they played against them. They quickly
gained notoriety and were soon being
called one of the best teams in the state.
This earned them a nod to the Mizuno
Invitational where the competed with
the best teams in the state. Although
losing out at a chance to play in the
championship, the team showed they
could compete well and they learned
how to play at a championship level. In
some tournaments they dominated the
winners bracket and in others having to
come back strong in the losers bracket.
Sometimes they would win, other times
placing 2nd or 3rd but always coming
away with new knowledge of the game.
There were struggles along the way.
The team lost a few key players early
in the season and had to recruit some
new players. This meant moving girls
around into different positions. “The
girls adjusted and learned quickly, they
stepped up when we needed them to”,
said Coach Cody Cisco. The team lucked
out and found 3 new players who came
in and almost seamlessly blended into
the team. It was important in order to
win the World Series, for the girls to get
along.
56 USSSA TODAY
After the decision was made to go
to Branson, Mo. to participate in the
USSSA World Series, the team began a
rigorous practice schedule. We spent the
few weeks before the tournament practicing the basics of hitting and fielding.
“We knew we would have to be strong
offensively and defensively if we were
going to be competitive in the World
Series.” And he was right. The team
started the tournament with wins in
each of their pool games. Being as this
seeded them in the tournament, “I told
the girls we have to win the pool games,
if we don’t we might as well go home.”
This gave the team the drive to win. It
was an interesting experience playing
against teams they have never played
before and getting that one chance
to prove who they were and how well
they could play. Bracket play began on
Thursday and the Cleats would lose their
first game 4-3 to OKC Thunder. It was
a tough loss because they knew loser’s
bracket was not going to be easy. Rain
delays had forced most of the bracket
play to Saturday. The coaches told the
girls the same thing they had been
telling them all year, “Don’t worry about
the mistakes, learn from them and
adjust. Remember that the most important play is the next one.” The next
game against the Locos was a good win.
The girls had come together and played
well winning easily 6-0. Did these girls
have what it takes to be World Series
Champions? The next day was going to
be the deciding factor. They would have
to play 6 games in a row in order to
make it to the championship game. The
weather was hot and muggy; the girls
were already sunburned and scraped up
from the previous days. To win would
require every ounce of determination
they had left. They started the day with
a win against the Diamond Hawks (13-0).
The second game against the Oklahoma
Wildcats saw the team showing signs of
weakness. They were down the entire
game. The last inning of the game the
girls began to get runners on base. The
score was 5-4 and they only needed one
run to tie it up and go into ITB. The bases
were loaded and all they needed was a
good base hit. Sydney stepped up to bat
and hit a grounder straight to second
base. The game was virtually over until
the second baseman made an error with
an overthrow to first. The Cleats ran two
in and won the game! Everyone thought
that we were about to go home but by
some miracle we were given a second
chance. Coach Cisco said, “This is an
example of why we sometimes struggle.
When we take the field as individuals,
we struggle; we do not play well at
all. When we play together, as a team,
we are unstoppable.” He told the girls
this as they prepared to play their last 3
games for the day. It must have put a fire
under them because they got a second
wind and played strong the rest of the
day sending home KC Crunch99, OKC
Thunder, Omaha Sizzle Blue and Flash.
Sunday was the championship game.
The Sneaky Cleats would be playing
against the OKC Sox. They would have to
play them twice to win out, but the girls
were ready. They had come together as
a team and were ready to give it their
all for each other. They did not want
to let each other down and they were
determined to play their best. The OKC
Sox brought out their best team and
competed well but ultimately the Cleats
were just too much and they won it 6-2.
In the second game, the Sox switched
up the team and still were no match
for the Cleats. The final score of the
championship game—10-1. The parents
and coaches were very emotional.
They knew what it took to get this far
and they knew how hard the girls had
worked all year to get to this point. It
was a great way for the Sneaky Cleats
to end their 10-u season. Their record
for the year was 78-10-1 with a record in
USSSA of 20-1. The Sneaky Cleats definitely finished strong.
Firing a Salvo Across All Sanctions
By Michael Cisneros
Playing USSSA softball allows players to swing the hottest
bats to be found on a softball field. It’s one of the things that
makes USSSA so popular, knowing you can use gear that’s not
allowed in other places.
So when we asked Easton about the bat that’s making the
most noise for them this season, they showed us the Salvo.
Yes, the $199, 98-mph exit-speed, approved for all sanctions
Salvo.
“Easton has always made a bat at that price point. We always
try to have one really good 98-mph bat that meets all the
different standards of play, something for those players who
want a great bat but don’t want to spend $350,” said Brett
Helmer, Hall-of-Fame player and Easton’s manager for slow
pitch marketing. “But we found that once we put (the Salvo)
out there, people starting using it across the board.
“It’s unusual because you don’t see 98-mph bats too often in
USSSA.”
But the Salvo is bucking that trend, showing up in low leagues
as well as national tournaments, at festival round robins and
sanctioned qualifiers.
It also caught Easton a bit by surprise because other than
making the best $200 bat that they could, the company
hasn’t done anything unusual to promote it.
“The popularity is all based on performance,” said
Helmer. “We haven’t promoted the bat, it’s all by wordof-mouth.”
Actually, there is quite a mouthful of things that makes
the Salvo Easton’s most attractive 98-mph bat since the
original Synergy CNT Flex:
First there’s the look – a luxury car charcoal gray coat with
bright white grip and bold neon orange graphics. “The
graphics and colors stick out, they really catch the eye,”
said Helmer. “Our graphics guys are great. I think Easton
always has the best-looking bats.”
Second, there’s the bargain price which allows someone
who can’t spend top dollar on a bat to have a top-of-theline performer in their bag. “Every other company makes
$300 and $350 bats, but this one is just as good as any
of those,” said Helmer. “This really matches up well with
everything that is out there.”
Third, there’s the name. “Salvo…I looked it up,” said
Helmer. “Basically it is a military term that means
launching a barrage of bombs. I think that speaks for
itself.”
And fourth, it closely resembles the most popular bat of all
time – Easton’s own Synergy. “It’s based on the SRV3, with
a 12-inch barrel and one-piece construction,” said Helmer.
“It’s not going to feel too different. Anyone who has hit it
will tell you that the Salvo is right up there with the Synergy
… any 98-mph bat will swing a little lighter than a 100-plus
bat because the rules dictate there is a little more handle
weighting. But any fan of the Synergy will love this bat.”
The Salvo certainly swings like a Synergy – the thin handle
makes the 12-inch barrel feel longer than it is and the shape
tells your senses it is whippier than it is. Both deceptions actually help you by building confidence before even seeing the
pitch. The actual performance of the bat simply reinforces
what your mind tells you should happen: good contact is easy
to make and a swing fast enough to flex the handle will get
you wicked line drives and plenty of distance.
The weighting, though not technically end-weighted, feels
enough like it to appease those who demand an end-loaded
bat. But the weighting also causes the bat to feel lighter
than its labeled weight, which allows most hitters to go up
one ounce over their normal swing weight. Remember, the
formula for distance is (bat speed) x (mass) = (distance), so
adding to the mass without changing your swing speed should
pay dividends.
The sound is different, not the sharp crack of the Synergy, but
a softer clack that tells your ears just how good the contact
was. We found that sound to varying degrees along the length
of the barrel and also found that each impact registered feedback through the hands to the brain so we were able to tell
where on the barrel a particular ball was hit. Occasionally
checking the ball marks confirmed that what we thought
was happening was actually happening.
“That’s a good tool,” said Helmer, a member of the USA
National Team in 2009 and 2010. “A lot of times if the
bat is too stiff you don’t know where you are hitting
it. But when the bat gives good feedback, it is easier to
adjust and fix your mistakes.
“Plus the whole barrel is good, it is pretty forgiving.
What every bat company tries to do is give the user as
many usable inches as possible and make those inches
as hot as possible. I think we have done that. That’s the
reason for the feedback to your hands, our ‘Center of
Percussion’ is pretty solid.”
If the Salvo’s popularity and success caught the company
a bit off-guard, its quality didn’t. The Salvo will be
returning to the Easton line alongside the Synergy and
Stealth for 2011. And it will remain at its current price
point.
Plus, unlike the majority of top-of-the-line composite bats,
the Salvo has been and is going to remain available practically everywhere including online dealers, at big chain
sports specialty stores, at small “mom-and-pop” sporting
goods shops and even at “big box superstores” where
often only bottom-of-the-line bats are available. Everybody
will soon be able to find one for themselves, which is good
because everyone is who the Salvo is really for.
“It’ll suit any player from the elite level to the rec level,”
said Helmer. “But it will best suit the player who wants to
play across all associations and doesn’t want to break the
bank to do it. If you’ve got a Salvo, you can use it in league
and there is no need to feel that you are at a disadvantage
in USSSA.”
USSSA TODAY 57
Subj: USSSA made a difference!
From: David Bryant
To: USSSA Baseball
Starting at nine years of age, a group of wild haired young boys were gathered together to play in a “USSSA Travel
Ball” team. Cabot had never fielded a team like this, and it was looked upon unfavorably by the local baseball
organization. Simply put, they looked at it as pulling a lot of talent out of Dixie, Cal Ripken or whatever they would
have been playing. The Coaches for what became the Cabot Yankees looked at it as taking a group of local kids, and
exposing them to the best competition that there was out there. To be the best, you have to play the best was their
mentality.
Needles to say, the first year of this experiment was a “learning experience” in many ways. Their first lesson was given
to them by the Benton Dodgers, and over the years, they were the standard by which the Yankees measured themselves against. The boys learned a lot about how to play the game. Much of this learning came at the expense of losing
the games, but getting better every time out. Incidentally, this was not the “usual” Travel ball Team as those teams are
usually comprised of hand picked talent from several different communities. The Yankees were all from Cabot, and
while that took away some opportunity for better talent, it also afforded the team the ability to practice several times
a week. This extra practice time was a big reason why that they eventually had the success that they had.
From the 9 & under Season thru the 16 & under Season, there were many battles. There was the Benton/CA Dodgers,
Truman Baker Blazers, Paragould Pirates, Arkansas Wildcats, Clarksville Renegades, the CA Buzz, Sheridan Buzz,
Lakeside Rams many others that provided plenty of entertainment each weekend. And each of these teams had
players on their teams that you just hated playing, because they could/would and did beat you. But at the same time,
there were so many relationships being formed. These relationships were with players, Coaches and parents, and we
saw each other so much, one could not help but develop some long lasting friendships.
Through the years we traveled all over. From Texas (Flower Mound), Mississippi (Southaven), Kentucky (Owensborotwice), St. Louis, and almost anywhere there was a USSSA tournament in Arkansas. In pretty much every summer, we
went to Nationals and several World Series events. And although we never managed to win the “big” one, we sure
had a great time. In fact, the parents would actually vote on where we would go each summer, because that location
would end up being each family’s vacation that year. Additionally, we put on USSSA tournaments as fundraisers for
whatever summer event we had decided to attend. You can imagine sharing your vacation with 50 of your closest
friends, and getting to watch some great baseball at the same time. Simply put, it was a blast.
Through the years there were many local Tournament Championships, a State Runner up, and a State Championship.
The Yankees also did finally break the team rule and did add one player from outside of Cabot, but he was from
nearby Carlisle. All in all, there were a few players that were added, and a few that left because they either moved or
decided to not play anymore. But through it all, there were eight players that were the core of the team. These eight
players all made the Cabot Panther Baseball team. Coach Fitch got some of them in the mix as sophomores, most of
them in the mix as Juniors, and by the time they were Seniors, they were all pretty much in the starting line up. Each
of them have played American Legion every summer, and have been impacted greatly by Coach Runyan and Coach
Darr. Their High School team will go down as the team that won the most games in the three years that they played,
and they made the Semi-Finals of the States highest classification.
In 2009, the first Yankee to graduate went to Henderson State and little did we know he would pave the way for
others to come. This past year, all of the other seven graduated, and two more going to HSU, two going to Arkansas
Baptist, one going to Northeast Texas Junior College, and one going to College of the Ozarks. If you do the math, you
will see that that is one short. That player was offered to play baseball by two different Colleges, but he chose to go
to Arkansas State University on a Academic Scholarship. (Full Ride)
So what started as a experiment with a dozen wild haired boys and a goal of getting out of them, the very best
baseball they had in them, has resulted in achieving just that. Hats off to Coach Steve Turner and Coach Bill Tyler for
taking these boys and making a difference. And thanks to USSSA baseball for providing kids a brand of baseball that
can make a difference.
David Bryant
P.S. Congrats to Matt Evans (going to Northeast Texas Junior College) Ty Steele (going to Henderson State University)
Andrew Reynolds (going to Henderson State University)Tyler Erickson (going to College of the Ozarks) Powell Bryant
(going to Arkansas Baptist University) Joe Bryant (going to Arkansas Baptist University) Matthew Turner (currently
attending Henderson State University) and Justin Tyler (going to Arkansas State University on a Academic Scholarship).
58 USSSA TODAY
The Red
Eye
(Interview with an Umpire)
By Rick Phillips
After months of trying we finally caught up with the Bob Cheney,
the Western Regional UIC for Fast Pitch for an interesting Q & A
session on Umpiring as well as other topics.
USSSA TODAY: Bob, what got you into umpiring?
Bob: Funny story I had done football for 8 years for High School
and Youth. I was asking one of my fellow officials what he was
doing tomorrow (Sunday) and he stated he had 6 games. I said
football he said no softball. He stated you should try it not near
as many coaches get into your face on your calls. So the following
year I thought great I will give it a try. I started doing high school
and youth for our local leagues. At the time I started we did not
have many scrimmage games to do so my first game was a high
school game for Junior Varsity. Moorpark at Agoura and there
was two pitchers that ended up going on to division I colleges as
pitchers. Both coaches and the pitchers were not happy with me
as I would not give the outside corner as I could not see it. Now to
progress on the following year I had the same two teams at the
same location and the coach from the losing team came up to me
at stated you have got to be the best umpire we have ever seen. I
stated let’s wait until the end of the game and I will talk with you.
Well as the end of the game I walked over and asked her if she still
felt that way. She stated yes then I explained about the game from
last year. She said oh my God it is you. I said yea it is amazing what
350 games in a year will do.
USSSA TODAY: Why do you continue?
BC: It is not for the money but for the fun. I do enjoy doing the
younger players. A few years back I was doing an 8 and Under
game and a girl hit the ball of the tee. She went from home to 3rd
to 2nd to 1st and home. Meanwhile the ball was thrown around
the infield about 5 times trying to get her. The coach from the
opposing team stated she was out because she went the wrong
way. I told the coach you see the smile on her face you go tell her
because I am not she touched all 4 bases. Then I told her next time
she needs to run them in proper order. She asked if she should
do it now and I informed her no just for next time. I think this is
one reason I love the game. I also enjoy teaching the umpiring to
umpires that want to learn the game to become good or great.
USSSA TODAY: As an umpire, has a game ever tugged at
your emotions?
BC: My very 1st college game I had a scoreless ball game. There
was a ball hit to short and you knew she was going to out to create
the 3rd out with a runner at 3rd. Yes I anticipated the call and
called her out and she was in fact safe. The coach came out and
asked if I would go to my partner and I stated you bet. I went to
my partner a veteran official and he stated it was a judgment call
and we have to live with it because the opposing coach would
come out and question it. I took that winning run away from the
team they did end up winning but in 11 innings.
USSSA TODAY: Your best call ever made?
BC: This is a hard one because there have been so many calls over my
career. I had one game where I made a call at second base the fans
disapproved for one team and the winning run came in to score. I
made the right call because the newspaper photographer caught it
on film and showed it to me. But I got two threatening phone calls
that night because one team went on to the playoffs and the other
didn’t. I think anytime we can get the call right and we do not have
a deciding factor in a game it is a great call. I look at the umpiring in
the major leagues and they make mistakes like we do but we catch
more heat because the fans are so much closer to us.
USSSA TODAY: Do you prefer the plate or bases?
BC: I actually don’t mind either position. The plate is fun because
you are more involved in the game. The bases I enjoy because it
can be a quite game if there are not a lot of runners. On bases I
get to work on so many different things in positioning. This question also has a lot to do with the partner you are working with. If
you get someone inexperienced it could be a long game but great
for training.
USSSA TODAY: In your opinion, the biggest myth rule
misunderstood by many?
BC: I think there are two for this question. First I always hear
hands are part of the bat. That has not been true as long as I can
remember. When you by the bat in the store it does not come with
hands attached. Second is the Obstruction or Interference call.
There are so many including different umpires I have worked with
over the years that all have their perception of this rule. The rule
book states one thing and everyone has their own opinion.
USSSA TODAY: Where do you see Fast Pitch in the next 5 years?
BC: I think this sport is growing and developing now at a great
rate of speed. With the economy the way it is teams are not traveling as much as they used to. They are now picking and choosing
the tournaments they are going to play in. But I feel Fast Pitch will
be back in the Olympics soon as the Olympic committee relating
baseball to softball for the steroids and that was not the case and
they learned this after they made their decision. If you watch the
sport on TV you can see that parity for many teams are leveling
out and this is a great thing for softball.
USSSA TODAY: Your worst call ever made?
BC: I think on this one you can refer to question #3. The one thing
that always does bother me is when your partner comes to you
about a call they have made and ask if you saw anything different.
You tell them yes and then they end up keeping the same call they
started with. I and fellow officials don’t appreciate this as it makes
the game go so much longer.
USSSA TODAY: What is your goal for all Umpires who train
through you?
BC: The only thing that I ask of officials that would like me to evaluate them is if they want the evaluation to learn that is great but
use the things that are given to them to make the game better. I
see so many people ask for the advice and never change anything.
They are just asking because they feel it will help them advance in
the sport. This is not the case because they are not willing to learn.
I have had the opportunity to watch a lot of games over the years
and work with some excellent officials and have had fun doing it
at the same time. I feel umpires should always be approachable
and enjoy the game. I see so many officials that already have their
mind made up before a coach gets out there. If this is the case why
not decide the game at the coin toss and just save a lot of time.
There are so many different organizations out there that offer
softball and the teams actually get it confused as to where they
are playing. USSSA in California has come a long way since it
started out here 7 years ago. The State Director is second to none
(Stacy Fish) because she actually cares about the coaches, players,
umpires, and teams. That is a rarity in this field. Some associations
are in it for the wrong reason’s and could care less how you feel
about things. I am a regional UIC for region 6 and it is interesting
as you travel around to all the different states to see how they
train and what they do to make a difference.
USSSA TODAY: Bob, you have made a difference, it’s been a
pleasure and we appreciate your time!
BC: Anytime, see you on the field Rick!
USSSA TODAY 59
Five Texas state champions crowned at
Lone Star Shootout ‘Battle for the Rings’
BRYAN, TX – The WORTH Lone Star
Shootout State Championship Series
is the premier adult slow-pitch softball event in Texas. It begins in early
January and continues through midAugust, and includes dozens of tournaments throughout the state. Some
of the events in the series are: North
Texas Winter World, South Texas Winter
World, the 300-team Budweiser Softball
Festival, Space City Classic, three multidivision USSSA NIT’s and more.
Qualifiers were held as far east as
Texarkana on the Texas/Arkansas/
Louisiana border; as far west as Midland
in West Texas; as far south as Harlingen
near the Texas/Mexico border; and as far
north as the D-FW Metroplex; as well as
many other parks in-between. Qualifiers
were also held once a month at both Big
League Dreams complexes in Texas – one
in League City (near Houston) and the
other in Mansfield (near Fort Worth).
Teams could qualify for the Lone Star
Shootout State Championship Finals by
placing in the top four of their respective division in one of these qualifiers,
or by accruing enough points to earn at
at-large berth. At the end of the series,
two State Championship Finals were
held: the North Texas State Finals at Big
League Dreams in Mansfield and the
South Texas State Finals at Big League
Dreams in League City.
Men Class B Champions
AYS/Tanguma Sports - Houston, Texas
Then, the champions in each division of
the two State Finals were invited to come
to the Bryan Regional Athletic Complex
in September, where each division held
a best-of-three-game-series called the
“Battle for the Rings.” Member of the
winning teams in each division received
a customized Super Bowl-style Lone Star
State Championship ring.
In the Men’s B Division, South Texas
state champion AYS/Tanguma Sports
from Houston defeated North Texas
60 USSSA TODAY
Men Class C Champions
Steel Softball - Corpus Christi, Texas
representative Crush from Spring. Crush
won the first game in the best-of-three
series, but AYS/Tanguma Sports rallied
to win the second and third games. AYS
is sponsored by George Tanguma and
managed by Manuel Bijarro.
Men Class D Champions
Maui Built / Sagnasty / Breakaway Sports - Saginaw, Texas
In the Men’s C Division, Steel Softball
from Corpus Christi won the rings
without even having to battle on the
field. Steel won the South Texas State
Finals in League City, then traveled to
Mansfield for the North Texas State
Finals and finished runnerup to the
Texas Regulators. But after going 0-2
in each of the two previous weekends
– at USSSA Men’s C Nationals and ASA
men’s B Nationals – the Texas Regulators
decided to not even make the trip to
Bryan. That made Steel Softball the
undisputed winner of the rings. Steel
Softball is sponsored by Texas Steel and
managed by Mark Holsonback.
In the Men’s D Division, North Texas
state champion MauiBuilt/Sagnasty/
Breakaway Sports from Saginaw swept
South Texas champion Apaches Softball
from San Antonio in a pair of close
games, 8-7 and 10-8, to win the rings.
MauiBuilt is sponsored and managed by
John Heath.
Men Class E Champions
Tribe Del Rio - Del Rio, Texas
In the Men’s E Division, a pair of Rio
Grande Valley teams battled it out.
Tribe Del Rio from Del Rio earned their
berth by winning the North Texas State
Finals over a team from Louisiana.
T-Fame from Harlingen won the South
Texas State Finals. In the “Battle for the
Rings,” Tribe Del Rio swept T-Fame, 5-1
and 9-3. Tribe Del Rio is sponsored and
managed by Judge Sergio Gonzalez.
In the Women’s Division, South Texas
state champion Lookouts/Mizuno from
Deer Park won the rings when North
Texas state champion Jolt from Euless
did not have enough ladies available to make the trip to Bryan. The
Lookouts, who placed third at the 2009
USSSA Women’s C World Tournament,
are sponsored by Mizuno Sports and
managed by Kenny Scobee and player/
coach Mya McRae.
Women Champions
Lookouts / Mizumo - Deer Park, Texas
USSSA TODAY 61
Tommy Hawkins
Permian Basin USSSA Area Director
State - Men C – 1st Place
Tainted Sports
State - Men C – All Sate players
State- Women C – 1st Place
State- Women C – 2nd Place
Team Texas Blast
State- Women C – All State_players
Men E Nationals – All State players
62 USSSA TODAY
Massizo
Men E Nationals – 1st Place
Pitbull Sports
Men E Nationals – 2nd Place
Wolverine Softball
CALL FOR
SPECIAL SOFTBALL RATE
775 N. Hwy. 287 • Mansﬁeld, Texas
For Reservations:
817-539-0707
2010 Firecracker Classic
Sponsored by Easton Sports
Jon Brandt- Tournament Director
2010 marked the 10th Anniversary of
the Firecracker Classic sponsored by
Easton Sports. It was run the weekend
of July 31& August 1, 2010 based at
the Connecticut Sportsplex in North
Branford, Connecticut. Once again Brett
Helmer and Easton Sports were onboard
with sponsorship of this marquee event.
They have been apart of this event for
6 years now and the last 3 have been
providing the bats as well. Each field
used for the tournament had a 26, 27 &
28 oz. Synergy 2 Reissue for the teams
to use. Each bat also had special tournament markings so that players who
owned that model bat could not sneak
their own into play. Teams were also
issued the new Composite Classic M
Dudley softball thus putting all 60 teams
on the same level playing field – bats
and balls.
This year the tournament hit an all-time
high with 60 teams. 12 fields were used
to play a total of 205 games over just
a 2 day period. Over the past decade
413 teams from 10 different states and
Canada have played in this event and
here an annual breakdown:
2001
= 35 Teams
2002
= 30 Teams
2003
= 36 Teams
2004
= 40 Teams
2005
= 44 Teams
2006
= 30 Teams
2007
= 52 Teams
2008
= 40 Teams
2009
= 46 Teams
2010
= 60 Teams
____________________
TOAL = 413 Teams
The Tournament Director also happens
to be the State Director of Connecticut
– Jon Brandt. He has held the position
as State Director now for 11 years. After
his first full season back in 2000 he
was sitting around one night thinking
of how to make the upcoming 2001
season better. A big bracket tournament
seemed to be the way to go since there
really were none in the Northeast. As a
player he had played in many of the big
New Jersey tournaments over the years
and began using some components of
those as a model for his. It was closing
in on midnight but ideas kept popping
64 USSSA TODAY
into his head. He began to jotting ideas
down and next thing you know it was
close to 3am. Time didn’t matter - the
foundation for the Firecracker had now
been laid.
The inaugural event was to be played
at the now defunct New England
Sportsplex in Vernon, Connecticut. 35
teams bought into this new tournament
which featured brackets consisting of
4 teams with all teams advancing into
a playoff round. Each team would play
the other 3 teams in their division. Then
each bracket winner would advance to
the Gold Flight and play double elimination playoffs. Each 2nd place bracket
team would then advance to the double
elimination Silver Flight playoffs. Then
all of the 3rd and 4th place teams would
advance to single elimination playoffs.
So everybody advanced out of bracket
play but everything was scaled as to how
well your team did in their bracket. This
concept seemed to be a good selling
point to the teams.
In 2002 the tournament declined
some by having 30 teams but all
teams involved had a great time. This
was now the final season of the New
England Sportsplex so the tournament
would now be moving to a new home
at the Connecticut Sportsplex in North
Branford.
It was well received in North Branford in
2003 and stayed pretty steady until 2006.
2006 marked the first time the tournament had reached 50+ teams but sadly
a major storm hit that weekend and
the tournament had to be rescheduled.
It was however rescheduled but the
Connecticut Sportsplex was not available that weekend so the tournament
was played throughout Connecticut. 30
teams still played despite having to rearrange their season schedules.
In 2007 we finally hit the 50+ team
mark and the tournament came off
with no issues. We were really picking
up steam now but then came along the
Conference USSSA Northeast Shootout.
The Shootout needed a home but no
dates worked other than when the
Firecracker was run. Thus the Firecracker
had to be moved to the first weekend
in June in order to accommodate the
Northeast Shootout. Teams were a little
confused in 2008 still thinking is was
the end of June and thus the tournament took a little hit participation wise
that year landing only 40 participants.
However 2009 teams make the weekend
adjustment and got it back to 46.
Which brings us to this past years 10th
anniversary tournament. The first of the
205 games completed was on Field 2 of
the Connecticut Sportsplex on Saturday
morning in bracket play and ironically the last game which was the Gold
Division final was completed at 11:15pm
on Sunday night on that very same
field. 90 Bracket games commenced
at 8:00am Saturday and concluded
around 5:00pm. All 15 bracket winners
received a nice team trophy acknowledging their accomplishment and then
it was on to the second season. Playoffs
for all divisions commenced right away
and into the night Saturday. All teams
from all divisions came back on Sunday
but soon teams starting dropping like
flies. The Gold flight saw its 2 finalists
take 2 different paths to get to the
title game. The Banner met Denelex/
Coaches/Bingers in the opening game
on Saturday night with the Banner
prevailing.
Denelex/Coaches/Bingers
was immediately in the hole but on
Sunday rattled off impressive wins
over Team Synergy, PTC, Valley Motors,
Turano Construction and then 2 unbelieveable back to back 27-26 wins over
Checking/Worth and Manhattan Beer
respectively. This would put them in the
Gold Division title game against The
Banner who took the undefeated path
to get there. Denelex/Coaches/Bingers
continued on a roll in the title game
taking a 24-19 lead into the top of the
7th. However The Banner showed their
poise and put up 10 runs in the top of
the 7th, a blow that the downstate New
York team just could not overcome. Cory
King and Mike Allard were CO MVP’s in
the Gold Flight.
The Silver Division found a peculiar participant in Conference USSSA
member Darkside/TYJA who had been
upset in their bracket by a tough
Valley Motors team from Rhode Island.
Gold Division - The Banner - 1st Place
Gold Division - Denelex/Coaches/Bingers
2nd place
Silver Division - Darkside/TYJA - 1st place
Silver Division - Tinkers/Boombah
2nd place
Darkside would make it to the Silver Division championship
game but not before they were sent into the losers bracket by
another solid D club in Outback/Chuck & Eddies hailing from
Connecticut. Tinkers/Boombah took the undefeated route to
get to the title game with impressive wins over C&S Pawn, PBR/
Elite/Easton, Outback/Chuck
& Eddies and then 9th place finishers from the Mens C Worlds
in 2009 – Softball Supplements out of Rhode Island. Darkside
was building up a lot of momentum coming into the title
game and took it out on an injury depleted Tinkers/Boombah.
Tinkers/Boombah had fought valiantly throughout the playoffs
but the injuries were just too many and they had to relinquish
the title to Darkside. Matt Smith was named MVP for Darkside.
The Bronze Division maybe the toughest of the 3 divisions to
win simply because there are 30 teams in it and its played all
night Saturday and starts up first thing Sunday. Many World
tournament tested D and E teams were entered so the competition was intense. The 06111’ers from Newington, CT were relative unknowns before the Firecracker but got on a roll. They
rattled off 3 wins to get to the winners bracket final against a
solid Sweitzer team that had traveled out to Michigan in 2009
for the Mens D Worlds. The 06111’ers jumped on Switzer early
and held off a furious Sweitzer rally late for a well deserved
19-15 game which would put them in the drivers seat in the
championship game. Sweitzer quickly disposed of Double
Barrel in the losers bracket final and then had a crack at the
06111’ers again. Sweitzer did not disappoint. They laid waste
to the Cinderella team from Newington 16-1 in 4 innings. It
didn’t look good for the 06111’ers and Switzer immediately
jumped on them in the IF game. Sweitzer stayed in control for
the entire game and took a 15-10 lead with them out in the
field going into the bottom of the 7th. Most E teams would
fold playing a solid D team and being down 5 in the bottom
of the 7th but these guys didn’t know they were suppose to
feel that way and showed what they were made of and rallied
for 6 runs to defeat Swwitzer 16-15 and probably the greatest
ending of the 2005 games. Veteran pitcher and MVP Mark
Joseph just would not let his young guys crumble.
Bronze Division - The 06111’ers - 1st place
Bronze Division - Sweitzers - 2nd place
DIVISION WINNERS (BY STATES)
State
Total
Gold
15
4
Connecticut
New York
5
1
Rhode Island
3
1
4
1
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
2
2
Maryland
1
1
1
1
Quebec
Silver
4
2
1
3
0
0
0
Bronze
7
2
1
0
0
0
0
GOLD DIVISION WINNERS (2001 THRU 2010)
2001
National Gold/DeMarini
Rhode Island
2002
Superior Softball
New York – Down
2003
Monty’s World/Miller Lite
Connecticut
2004
Giant Glass
New Hampshire
2005
Lifescan/Air Transat
Quebec
2006
Giant Glass
New Hampshire
2007
ABS/Easton
Maryland
New
England
Oil/KLR
2008
Connecticut
Construction
2009
Checking/Worth
Connecticut
2010
The Banner
Massachusetts
SILVER DIVISION WINNERS (2001 THRU 2010)
2001
Shoe Leather Express
Connecticut
2002
Riles Rental
Connecticut
2003
Players
Rhode Island
2004
LaserVision/Easton
Massachusetts
2004
Yamin & Grant
Connecticut
2005
Blakes Trucking
Massachusetts
2006
Creative Sportswear
Massachusetts
2007
Katama
Connecticut
2008
Able Awning/Boombah
New York – Down
2009
Elite Beasts
New York – Down
2010
Darkside/TYJA Sports
Connecticut
BRONZE DIVISION WINNERS (2001 THRU 2010)
2001
MinuteMan Press
New York – Down
2002
Sportsrock
Connecticut
2003
Dodgeville Dogs
Rhode Island
2004
Steves Sports
Connecticut
2005
Orange Ale House/Freaks
Connecticut
2006
DiamondKings
Connecticut
2007
Beamers/Easton/Traitors
Connecticut
2008
Benny’s/Universe
Connecticut
2009
Dirty Laundry/Dutch Girl
New York – Down
2010
The 06111’ers
Connecticut
USSSA TODAY 65
2010 USSSA
Great Lakes Men E South
photos by Michael McNutt
2010 Champions- Creekers
2010 Runner Up- Apex Fire/Budget
Defensive Tournaments Co-MVPs
Tom Williams, Apex Fire/Budget and Andrew Zeller, Creekers.
Tournament Co-MVPs
Richard Buzzard, Apex Fire/Budget and Jordan Daniels, Creekers.
66 USSSA TODAY
2010 North East East E Nationals
photos by Kirk Tarabokia
Champions
CDC / Pipe / Elite
3rd
Feist Engineering
1stCDC/Pipe/Elite
2ndSubmission
3rd
Feist Engineering
4thPBR/Elite/Easton
Tournament MVP
Tommy Gungor, CDC/Pipe
Offensive Tournament MVP
Andrew Tortorella, CDC/Pipe
Defensive Tournament MVP
Eric Negron, Submission
Outstanding Pitcher
Tony Soto, Submission
Runner Up
Submission
USSSA TODAY 67
Youth Slow Pitch World–West
Bobby Drum, Lubbock,TX
Boys 8 & under
1. Texas Bad Boys
2. Lil G’s
3.Bulldogs
4. Lil Peligro
Tournament MVP
Moses Torres, Texas Bad Boys
Malik Phillips, Lil G’s
Josaya Nevarez, Texas Bad Boys
Boys 10 and under
1. Wrecking Crew 2
2. Clovis Reds
3.Pirates
Tournament MVP
Xavyer Nevins, Wreking Crew 2
Luis Esquibel, Clovis Reds
Jonathan Cantu, Wrecking Crew 2
Boys 12 & under
1. No Llores
2.Phillies
3.Knights
4. Wrecking Crew
Tournament MVP
Donte Milligan, No Llores
Eli Cordova
Christopher Galvan, No Llores
Boys 14 & under
1. Raw Skillz
2. Lock ‘N Load
3. King Kongs
4.KHAOS
Boys 16 & under
1. Out of It?
2. Haltom Xtreme
3. NTX Outlawz
4.Rage
Tournament MVP
Amado Guzman, Out of It?
Cory Hale, Haltom Xtreme
Joshua Fernandez, Out of It?
68 USSSA TODAY
USSSA “Behind the Lenz”
USSSA Behind the Lenz acceps pictures of interest from USSSA fast Pitch teams for
each edition. Please submit your high quality photo to RickPhillips1@cox.net. These
photos can be players in action as well as a feel good time caught on camera. Please
include a caption for the photo as well as the name of the photographer.
“!4u State Champions”
“Bunt”
featuring Nicole Himes
“The Friendliest Welcome
to a World Series know to man”
“The Catch”
featuring Anderson Patricia
at the USSSA World Series
USSSA TODAY 69
Fields of Gold....
Named both the ISA and ASA Complex of the Year, the Auburn Softball
Complex has hosted over 29 national and world championships in baseball
and softball for all ages. Located in the beautiful college community of
Auburn, Alabama, there’s no better choice than this winner for your next
tournament. Let the folks at the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau help
make your event the most successful one ever. With everything from bid
assistance to housing and registration, even marketing and promotion,
we’ll take care of the details so you don’t have to! Contact us to plan your
event today.
334.887.8747 | 866.880.8747 | aotourism.com | info@aotourism.com
presents
Fall Budweiser
Softball Festival
In Bryan/College Station
on November 13, 14
Brought to you by
Jack Hilliard Distributing,
Bryan/College Station,TX
To enter your team,
contact Greg Huchingson
at (979) 774-9408

to - USSSA - United States Specialty Sports Association

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