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"Welcome to Major League Softball" |
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Updated:
October 6, 2005 |
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The Old
Scout "2005" All World Team |
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First Base: Jeff Hall - Resmondo/Dan
Smith/Menosse
First Base: BJ Fulk - AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton
Second Base: Brett Helmer - BellCorp/Backman/Taylor/Easton
Second Base: Rusty Bumgardner -
Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse
Third Base: Denny Crine - AM LasVegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton
Third Base: JD Genter - Team Stucco/TPS
Shortstop: Don Dedonatis Jr. -
Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse
Shortstop: Dal Beggs - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton
Middle Infielder: Bryson Baker -
Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse
Middle Infielder: Dennis Rulli - AM Las
Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton
Left Field: Jason Kendrick - Resmondo/Dan
Smith/Menosse
Left Field: Brian Wegman - AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton
Center Field: Rick Baker - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton
Center Field: Scott Striebel -
Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse
Right Field: Brian Rainwater -
Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse
Right Field: Wayne
Habermehl
- AM Las
Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton
Pitcher: Andy Purcell - Resmondo/Dan
Smith/Menosse
Pitcher: Scott Nastally - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton
Catcher: Jeff Wallace - Resmondo/Dan
Smith/Menosse
Catcher: Scott Brown - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton
EH: JC Phelps - Team Stucco/TPS
EH: Tim Cocco - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton
Utility: Chris O'Hara - AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton
Utility: Tim Mattox - Team Stucco/TPS
Manager of the Year: Randy Cropper - AM
Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton
Coach: Gary Jost - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton
Coach: Frank Webb - Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse
Sponsor of the Year: All of AM Las
Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton -
(Tony, Benfield, Mike, Roger, Mel, Rooster,
Roger & Kevin)
Defensive Player of the Year: Don
Dedonatis Jr.
Co-Offensive Players of the Year: Brett
Helmer, OB .792; RBI's 180; 89 Homeruns
Jeff Wallace, OB .737; RBI's 254; Homeruns 104
Homerun Frequency: Tommy Thompson - 2.563
2005 Homerun Champion: Jeff Wallace 104
HRS. Jeff has won Homerun Champion three of the
last four years. Jeff Hall won in 2004. Wallace
2002-2003-2005.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
ANDY PURCELL
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Remember these are my picks from watching many
tournaments all year long. If you want to pick your own
"All World Team" feel free to do so.
The Old Scout |
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USSSA MAJOR WORLD SERIES - WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS - DISNEY
WORLD, FL |
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September 21-25, 2005 |
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The ice cream was being served, and Resmondo/Dan
Smith/Menosse got a double dip on route to
the most coveted crown in softball, the USSSA
World Series Championship. I have seen a lot of
USSSA Worlds played, and I can tell you this
was as good as it gets. Resmondo and Bell Corp
went at it like Mohammed Ali and Joe Frazier.
These two gladiators punched each other for 14
innings and left nothing on the field. They
battled to the very end, but Bell came up a
little short and had to settle for runner-up in
this prestigious tournament. "The Sod Boys",
who lost to the "Chimers" in their third game,
got up off the floor and played their best ball
of the season and got back to the first game of
the Championship. "The Sod Boys" were the
visitors in both games won the first one, and
then it was on to the "if" game to decide who
would be the #1 team in 2005. Resmondo/Dan
Smith/Menosse had something to prove not only to
the Bell team, but to the softball world that
they belong as the #1 team, and they did just
that. Make no mistake, the Bell/Backman/Taylor/Easton
team have no reason to hang their heads, as this
team is one hell of a softball team who ranks
right up there with the best of any. The way
the game is today, this is the hardest game to
ever play. The NIT's are all restricted homerun
tournaments except the Smoky. When these two
giants play the A teams, it's 12 homeruns.
These great players have to adjust and be able
to win. The players from the past played
unlimited homerun tournaments on 300' fields and
the scores were very high. I know the bats were
not as good as today's, but they were good
enough hitting .47 & .50 core balls. The
players today play restricted tournaments and
also play on baseball fields using 80' bases,
which makes it a total different game. The day
of the 275 lb. outfielders are over. I can tell
you , if you don't have players that are great
athletes and can play the game, you cannot win
at this level. These teams who participated in
this 2005 World Series, all have people who can
flat-out play the game. The "Sod and Bell"
teams have people who are great athletes and
great players who can play the game both
defensively and offensively, and that is the
only way you can win in "Bigtime Softball"
today. The outfielders for both of these teams
are just unbelievable. Resmondo's Kendrick,
Striebel and Rainwater and Bell's Helmer, Baker
and Hughes ran down balls all day long. These
guys just are simply the best in the world and
can flat-out go get the ball in the biggest
ballpark they played in all season long, 335',
385' & 415'.
These guys are good! The ball used this year
was a very explosive ball, the Dudley 3N .47
core. I believe if this ball was tested it
would of been about .600 compression. I can
tell you there were some long homeruns hit this
weekend. Wallace hit one over the dead center
field fence some 475' away. The scoreboard wall
is 35' high at center. Helmer hit some over the
back wall, which is 60' from the 335' outfield
fence. There were a lot of balls hit off the
centerfield scoreboard for homeruns. The
infielders just didn't have much of a chance to
make plays with that ball. There were about
four pitchers who got hit very hard from hitters
hitting it up the middle. I know this, if
they're going to use these balls, they'll have
to move the bases to 80' and let the pitcher
back off the rubber 3 ft. like some of the other
associations allow. I can tell you we are very
lucky that a pitcher didn't get seriously hurt,
or one of the infielders, that's for sure. I
guarantee you this is going to happen soon with
these bats and these type of balls, no doubt
about it.
This is one hell of a place to play, that's for
sure. I believe this is the greatest place for
the best teams in the world to play. I know
this, it would be a lot better using longer
bases to stop the automatic doubles and balls
being hit straight at the outfielders, giving no
chance to keep the runners at 1st. base and to
keep the double play in force. Something has to
be done. There were some great plays made by
infielders, who just got lucky at times. The
ball was coming so fast at them, that they had
to make the play or get the hell out of the way,
because they didn't have a chance to catch it.
I can tell you Don Dedonatis Jr. and Dal Beggs
made some plays, laying straight out that not
very many players could of made. These two are
the very best at shortstop, that's for sure. I
have to say, that the Resmondo win made their
season a whole lot better. This team started
out playing really good, and it sure looked like
they would win everything. "The Sod" boys
headed to the Dudley looking to win and then to
the Smoky, but they went off track at the
Dudley, and then lost at the Smoky. The next
move was on to the NSA Major Worlds. They only
managed to get the runner-up spot in that one.
The only thing left was the USSSA World Series.
I can tell you the pressure was on the players
and sponsors to win this prestigious
tournament. I know for sure if they didn't win
this one, it would of been the biggest let downs
by a team who was expected to dominate the
softball world in 2005. There's no doubt that
this team from the management to the players
went into this one with one thing on their
minds, and that was to win, and that's exactly
what they did. This is the 19th World Title for
Travis Resmondo at the ripe old age of 31. Dan
Smith and Ed Menosse have also racked up a whole
bunch of World Titles. These three great
sponsors have put together one hell of a
talented team, that's for sure. I can tell you
it took most of the season to get this team to
come together, but it did and it surely paid off
winning the World Championship. Congratulations
to Travis, Dan, Ed, Pat, John, Jerry, Sol, Frank
& Shirl and the players who got it done and
proved to the softball world that you were the
"best team in 2005". The Resmondo team got it
done with one of the games all time great
players, Rusty Bumgardner who just struggled
hitting the ball this weekend. The management
had to sit Rusty for the first time in his
historic career. I'm here to tell you Rusty
remained a total teammate cheering on his team,
and when asked to pinch hit or go in and play
defense, he was there. Rusty you still are a
great player and I hope you come back in 2006
and prove it was just a bad weekend, good luck.
I also want to say that Dennis Turner and
Ed Rosado are two players who were a big part of
the Resmondo team winning this USSSA World
Tournament, and doing a great job when called on
during the season. Second place went to Bell
Corp, who just gave everything they had in this
unbelievable World Tournament. This is one
great softball team, who battled all season long
and won the two biggest NIT's in softball, the
Dudley and the Smoky. I know that management
and the players must be very disappointed about
not winning the NSA or the USSSA, but you guys
have nothing to hang your head about. This team
has some of the best players in the world, and
they all have the heart of a lion, no doubt
about it. I know Woody, Jerry and Bill gave
this team anything they needed to make this team
go. John and Gary gave their all running this
great team. I know watching this team play all
season there wasn't anything missing that would
of made a difference from winning or losing this
weekend. This team played even all season long
against a team that had an all star player in
every position, and it came down to a one inning
game to settle the #1 & #2 teams for the 2005
season. I guarantee you it doesn't get any
closer than this. Congratulations to Woody,
Jerry, Bill, John, Gary, Scotty and to all the
players on a great season, and good luck to all
for next year.
Third place went to Northwest Pipe/3N2/Easton,
who just played very good this whole season. I
know that some people will say "hey they had it
made in this one". I'm here to tell you that
this team beat the teams they needed to beat,
and lost to the two best teams in the world.
They earned that 3rd place finish believe me. I
can tell you this team had a great season
winning the Last Chance and finishing in 3rd
place in the grand daddy of them all.
Congratulations to Larry and his son and to all
the players for a great season, and good luck
next year. Fourth place went to AM/Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton
who had to play Resmondo two times and lost to
the best team in 2005. I know it was too bad
the bracket had to come out like it did, but
that is the way the USSSA does it, bracketed by
the points and you guys just got caught up in
it. I know this, you guys have nothing to feel
bad about. You had a great season. I know
winning the three World Championships is nothing
to sneeze about, that's for sure. I will tell
you that this team had some of the best players
in the world on it, and it sure proved it all
season long. Congratulations to Tony, Benfield,
Mike, Roger, Mel, Rooster, Cropper, Mac, Roger &
Kevin on a great season. Congratulations to
all the other great teams who participated in
this years World Tournament.
I want to commend Don Dedonatis on the job he
and his USSSA staff has done making this the
best softball tournament in the world. The Wide
World of Sports Cracker Jack Stadium is the most
beautiful place to play the best teams in the
world. I honestly believe that if this
tournament was played with 80' bases on this
size field, the very good A teams would have a
chance to win. They have no chance on 70'
bases. These good A teams who have great
defense just cannot get out of an inning,
because they can't make many double plays and
you can't stop legit singles from being
doubles. When 260 lb. players can beat out
ground balls and take two on legit singles,
these A teams cannot stop the big innings
period. This is the only association that still
uses 70' bases in bigtime softball. They need
to play with 80' bases on baseball fields,
period. I also want to say the umpiring was
excellent. When you get the best teams, you've
got to have the best umpires and they did. The
USSSA absolutely did their homework getting over
240 D teams, 40 B teams and over 100 B, C & D
Women's teams to go along with the 16 Majors.
It doesn't get any better than this. The crowds
were great all week. Sunday was the biggest
crowd I've ever seen on a Sunday. All I can say
is this was truly a professional event ran by a
professional association. I am just very happy
to be a part of it every year and I hope my
health will let me see many more. I love this
game very much and I can't wait until next year
to see the best games and the best World Series
in the world. Congratulations to Kirby
Investment for winning the Class B USSSA
Worlds. This my friends is one hell of a B team
who can play with any B team in the world. Tim
you are a "Class Act" and I'm privileged to have
met you in Panama City, FL. I can tell all of
softball that the B program in softball is the
future of Bigtime Softball. The players playing
B ball today will be the future of the Major
World Series down the road. I believe that the
good B teams should play in the Major NIT's and
the A Worlds to get better, and get more
experience to get to the top level of Bigtime
Softball. Congratulations to all the B teams
who played in this one. Good luck next year.
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ASA HOOTERS CHAMPIONSHIP -
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK |
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September 23-24, 2005 |
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Long Haul/Miken won this great Class A
National by sweeping Berardi's/TPS in three
games. "The Truckers" have now won two World
Titles, the WSL in 2003 & the ASA Class A. This
team is made up of brothers, brother-in-laws and
cousins with a couple of outsiders. Believe me,
this bunch can play the game. This team started
off slow, but got it rolling in Little Rock and
just won from there on out. Congratulations on
a great season. Good luck next year. Berardi's/TPS
just didn't play well in this one. I can tell
you this team had a great season and have
nothing to hang their heads for.
Congratulations on a great season, and good luck
next year. Jean Shoppe/Worth won the Class B,
but had to go the distance winning the 5th game
to capture the B National. This is another very
good team who needs to step up and play A ball
next year. They can compete with any of the A
teams. Good luck next year.
I want to commend Ron, Kelly and the whole ASA
staff on a great Hooters Championship. I hope
you guys make the right moves and the right
changes to bring back the ASA where it belongs
next year. Do not wait, you need to get it done
now. Good luck. I would like to thank
Softball Central, Gene Smith and Scott for the
great job they did broadcasting the USSSA A. the
ASA Major and the two greatest games to ever
been played in the USSSA Majors. This was a
total professional job done by these two guys,
and I believe a great promotion for Big Time
Softball. Thanks The Old Scout
I will post the Old Scout's 2005 All World Team
and the Player of the Year this week. The Old Scout
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ASA MAJOR - SANFORD, FL |
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September 16 -17, 2005 |
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AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Shade/Belcher/Easton
wins the ASA Major in Sanford, Fla. “The Gamblers” have
just played unbelievable in all the Worlds they’ve
played in so far. This is one hell of a softball team.
This ball club is very talented with great defense, and
they can hit it as good as any team playing today. This
team has the best young players in the game today, no
doubt about it. Wegman, Justice, Habermehl,
Mathews, O’Hara, Crime, Webber, Adams, Fulk, Rulli and
others that can flat out play the game. This team is
very close to the big two, that’s for sure. I know this,
that it doesn’t matter what they do this week at Mickey
Mouse World, because they’ve already won three World
Championships this season. I believe they are very
capable of winning the USSSA Worlds, we will see.
Brett Helmer was picked up for this one and he was a
force, as he hit 8 homeruns to lead the tournament, and
only hit a mere .800. I can tell you that this win was a
total team effort that’s for sure. Congratulations on
winning this one and good luck at Disney. Second place
went to a very good Armed Forces Team, who played great
in this one. This team is an All Star team made up of
players from the Navy, Air Force, Marines and Army. This
team was put together two weeks ago, and they played for
the first time in this ASA Major. Congratulations on a
great weekend, and good luck to you all. Thank you for
guarding our great country, and God Bless you all. Third
place went to Aubrey’s/Resmondo/TPS, who just did not
play good enough in this one. They really did not hit it
like they can, that’s for sure. They got beat by the
very good Armed Forces Team. Good luck in Disney.
I want to commend Tony Galloway for running this ASA
Major. It would have been very easy to of cancelled this
tournament. I believe it was a nice tournament for only
three teams. There were some very good games in the pool
play and in the double elimination. I also want to
commend Bernie and his umpiring staff on a great job
done and also the great staff at Sanford Memorial
Stadium in keeping this beautiful park in great shape.
It’s one of the best in the country by far. This week is
the Hooters ASA Championship in Oklahoma and the “grand
daddy” of them all the USSSA Worlds at Wide World of
Sports at Disney. Good luck to all the teams.
The Old Scout |
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SPECIAL
REPORT |
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September 19, 2005 |
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I
don't know what is going to happen to the USSSA
program for the upper levels. I know rumors have
been flying around since the USSSA Class A
Worlds. I can tell you there was a proposal put
to the 19 teams who were at the manager's
meeting. The proposal was to put a softball
conference together. Some of the proposal was to
reach an agreement of the number of elite players
to be allowed on a team. I believe this is the
right direction to go if the upper level is to
survive. I believe that if this program is
instituted the game would survive and parity would
come into the game. I believe this is the only
way to go today. I will tell you for this to work
the right elite list must be made. When this list
is completed no player can come off until the next
season. I can tell you if the list is not made
right and some players are left off, the big money
sponsors will grab them up and we will be right
back where we are now. I know this, that if the
right list is made then the big money sponsors
would pick their five elite players and then they
would have to go out and find seven players that
are not on the list to fill their roster. I
believe that this would make these teams have to
get players from the A and B teams or any other
players that can play at this level. By doing
this, it would cut the costs down for all teams
who joined the conference considerably. I believe
by doing this we could have about 8-10 teams who
could afford to play about 6 NIT's in the USSSA,
the Smoky Mountain Classic, and three other
unlimited homerun tournaments on baseball fields.
The six USSSA tournaments could be on the 300'
fields with a limited homerun rule. I would have
two worlds, USSSA and the other association along
with the ASA Major. I hope the USSSA proposal
will become reality, but I doubt that it will ever
get off the ground. You might ask why, and my
answer is I don't think there are enough teams
interested in this program, we will see.
I know that the ASA is going to
propose to have a Major program for 2006, no A or
B, just Major, C & D. I totally agree that they
are right in going this way. I believe if the
USSSA doesn't make the changes, that upper level
softball could be totally dead in three years.
Look at the NIT's this year. Most of them had
about 12 teams in them. I can tell you if the B
& C or local teams did not enter these NIT's we
would have had 5 or 6 team tournaments. The Smoky
had 30 teams in their tournament, 12 A's, 2 Supers
and the rest were B or lower. The Dudley had 32
teams, 12 A's, 3 Supers and the rest B & C's. The
number of teams who traveled to NIT's and World
Tournaments this season were as follows; 12 USSSA
NIT's, 8 ASA NIT's, 4 NSA NIT's, 4 WSL NIT's at
the upper level, making 28 NIT's in all. This
year there will be 11 World Tournaments played. I
want someone to tell me how in hell 14 upper level
teams can play in 28 NIT's and 11 Worlds. This
is one of the big problems in upper level
softball. Too many NIT's, too many Worlds, not
enough teams period. Take a look at the World
Tournaments this year. ISA A-9 teams, NSA Class
A-8 teams, ASA East A-10 teams, ASA West A-11
teams, USSSA A Worlds-19 teams, NSA AA-6 teams,
ASA Major-3 teams, NSA Major-5 teams, USSSA
Super-16 teams. Most of these Worlds are filled
out with B, some C teams along with some locals,
and that's just to get the numbers that we got
this year. I can tell you, if those B & C teams
did not play in these Worlds, the biggest World
Tournament this year would have been 12 upper
level teams. I will say it again one more time,
and I give up on this if nothing is going to be
done. We need to cut down the NIT's in upper
level softball . This is just my opinion
remember, but to save this upper level game the
USSSA should hold no more than 8 NIT's and one
World. The new association should hold 3 NIT's
and the Smoky Mtn. Classic, and that should be all
the tournaments for the upper level teams in 2006,
just my opinion. Obviously, the teams cannot
afford to play anymore than that. I say most of
the A teams play about 8 NIT's, the 2 Super teams
play about 8 or 9, the A teams usually play about
3 Worlds Class A, the USSSA Super and some play
the NSA AA and NSA Major. This year there were
only 3 in the ASA Major. I say the upper level
should be one division, call it Major, Super or A,
but this is it, one division period. I believe
that if this is done, the number of teams in the
NIT's would then go up with the 12 tournaments
that I suggested. Most of the A teams and the two
Super teams would play in at least NIT's out of
the 12 and you could get them all to play in the
two Worlds, and the A teams in the ASA Major. If
we did that in the NIT's we could get at least 8
of the A's, 2 of the Supers, 4 B teams and a
couple of local teams and you would end up with a
16 team NIT, and that my friends is enough.
Remember this, it's only my opinion. I am sure
there are others who also have theirs. Feel free
to voice your positive opinions on the board. I'm
going to give you my elite list that I think would
be the right list, if by any chance the USSSA
would go to the 5 elite players on a team. By
using this list then any other players in the
country who are not on this list could play for
any of the teams in the conference if it goes.
.
Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse:
Wallace, Bumgardner, Hall, Krause, Striebel,
Rainwater, Turner, Glidewell, Bryson Baker,
Dedonatis, Purcell, Kendrick, Garris
Bell Corp/Taylor Bros/Backman:
Cocco, Helmer, Joerling, Beggs, Brown, Devine,
Martin, King, Rick Baker, Hughes, Nastally, Davis,
Robin Higginbotham
AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton:
Crine, Rulli, Lavarico, Wegman, O'Hara, Fulk,
Habermehl, Justice
Team Stucco: JC Phelps,
Mattox, JD Genter, Dykes, Golash
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Quick Roofing/Alabama
Brick/Doc's/Easton: Bisbee, Chilton, Goulet
Aubrey's/TPS:
Boone, Arnold
Berardi's/TPS: Ballard,
Mouchinelli
Team Combat: McCraw,
Howerton
Northwest Pipe: Hille
Barnes Logging/Worth:
Stafford
Jean Shoppe/Worth: Heath
Burns
These are players who did not play
on an upper level team in 2005.
Briggs
Kortokrax
Rose
Rickard
Frizzel
Woldyke
Dubose
Rob Hughes
Ray Cowart
Ronnie James
These are the players that I feel
belong on the Elite list, and this is just my
opinion. Anyone who feels like putting their own
list on the board, feel free to do so. If the
program goes then any of the teams in the
conference could choose any five players from this
list, and then fill their rosters with players
that are not on this list. By doing this I
believe parity will come to upper level softball
and there will be more teams to participate in the
NIT's. I am sure if this program is not put in
place by the USSSA they will find something else
to keep Bigtime Softball going, either way we need
to make changes to survive. Once again it's just
my opinion.
The Old Scout
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WSL/MIKEN SPORTS NORTH AMERICAN
CHAMPIONSHIPS |
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PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL.
SEPT 9-11, 2005 |
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I've got to tell you this was one
of the most competitive Worlds in all divisions
that I have seen in a long time. Starting out
with the A Division Quick Roofing/Alabama
Brick/Doc's/Easton, who were the Class of the
field in this one. The "Quick Boys" just hit it,
hit it with power and played great defense. "The
Brick Boys" have been a very strong team all
season long, and finally got over the hump and won
a World Championship. This was the first World
Championship for sponsor Jeff Quick and sponsor,
manager Doc Barr. Congratulations to Doc and Jeff
on the win and for being two great sponsors over
the years. This was a total team effort for
sure. Great job guys and good luck in the big
one. Second place went to Long Haul/Miken, who
played very good, but could not get it done this
weekend. "The Truckers" beat the "Brick Boys"
last week in the West ASA Class A Tournament. The
"Long Haul Boys" have had a good season and will
head to Oklahoma to play the Hooters ASA A
Championship against Berardi's/TPS. Good job boys
and good luck in Oklahoma. Third place went to
Blue Martini, who had about six Berardi players in
the line-up. "The Martini Boys" lost a very tough
game against the "Brick Boys" and then lost to
Long Haul. This bunch was in every game with
Mooch doing the pitching. When this guy is
pitching it doesn't matter what association he
pitches in, he is going to keep his team in it, I
guarantee you. This young man is as good as it
gets, believe me. Good job guys and good luck in
Oklahoma. Fourth place went to CAI, who played
very good in this one. Great job boys and good
luck down the road.
The B Division had a great field of
teams, and it proved it by the finish. Kirby
Investments won this unbelievable B Division
by outlasting Team Arkansas. The
boys from Destin Beach, FL, a home grown team, put it
all together in this one to capture the WSL B
World. This bunch just scrapped their butt off to
win this one. The "Kirby Boys" can hit it and
pick it, and that was the difference winning.
This bunch just did not quit when they were down,
they found their way to win. Congratulations on
this great victory and good luck in what you do in
2006. Second place went to Team Arkansas, who is
a very good B team who I had seen earlier at the
Busch Classic and they had played well there.
This bunch gave it their all before coming up a
little short in the first game of the
Championship. Great job guys, and good luck the
rest of the season. Third place went to
Tharaldson's Enterprises, who was
another good B team. This gang played very hard
and deserved their third place finish. Good job
guys. Fourth place went to Jean Shoppe/Worth, who
just didn't get it done in this one. Make no
mistake, this is one very talented team, but did
not play to their standards this weekend and it
cost them. Good job and good luck in Oklahoma.
The C Division was another great
tourney. The battle was fierce and Avalon
Softball got the WSL C World title. This is a
very good C team who plays great defense and can
also hit it. Good job guys and good luck. Second
place went to Players Sport Pub who gave it a
great battle, but came up a little short. Good
job boys. Third place went to Triangle Softball,
who is also another one of those very good C
teams. This bunch played very well in this one,
that's for sure. Good luck down the road. Fourth
place went to Bud/Miken/Hummers who had a very
good tournament and a good finish. Good luck
boys.
The D Division was another great
battle and CSC/ALP Services won this one.
This is a very good D team who can play the game.
Great job boys and congratulations in winning this
WSL World. Second place went to Gosnells/Boombah.
This is also a very good D team. Good job boys
and good luck. Third place went to LO2/Lights
Out, who played very good in this one. Good luck
down the road. Fourth place went to Zamora's/All
Out Sports. This bunch gave it their all and
played pretty well.
The Women's Upper Division was a
round robin and then double elimination. Long
Haul/Said Enough/Easton won this very
competitive Women's Upper WSL Championship. "The
Truckers" lost in the round robin to Minnesota
Ice, but came charging out of the double
elimination and beat Ice on route to the
Championship. I said in an earlier softball
report that this is one hell of a women's team,
and they have proven me right. This bunch had one
fall this season and that was the USSSA A Worlds
losing to the Ice, but turned the table in this
one. Congratulations on winning the WSL Open and
good luck. Second place went to
Okaki
Softball, who is a very good team,
who can pick it and hit it. This bunch gave it
all they had, but came up a little short. Good
tournament girls and good luck. Third place went
to Minnesota Ice, who really is a very good team.
"The Ice Girls" just came up a little short in
this one. This team is managed by Scott Brown,
one of the bigtime hitters in softball. Fourth
place went to Minnesota Storm, who's also a very
good team. Great job and good luck.
The Women's Lower Division was won
by Bryant Express, who's a very nice lower
division team. They played very well in getting
this WSL Miken Championship. Good job girls and
good luck. Second place went to
Tharaldson's Enterprises, who also
played very good. Great job girls and good luck.
Third place went to Hilton of PBC. This bunch
also played good. Good luck down the road.
Fourth place went to Warm Trucking. This team
also played well. Good luck girls.
I'm going to write about the WSL
Miken North American Championships. John Daniels
has led the WSL for four years and it has grown
every year since. John has gotten involved with
existing tournaments that have been very
successful events. Tournaments like the MaQuade
in North Dakota, 424 teams this year. College
Station, Texas, 200 teams; The Firemen's in
Bloomington, Minnesota, 164 teams; Corky's in
Minnesota, 100 teams; the Spud Fest, 80 teams and
tournaments in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi,
Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio and many other places
throughout the country. John has held four WSL
World Championships and each year it has gotten
better. John and Miken Sports had the biggest
cash payout and Miken prize package that any
association has ever given out. Every Division
got cash and a Miken package. When I go on my
board and see some idiot posting absolute garbage
about the WSL and the fields at Frank Brown Park
in Panama City I want to puke. Then the idiot
doesn't have the balls to sign his name. Like him
or not, John Daniels has given his all to promote
this great game of softball. His Softball
360° TV
show is a First Class show. The ratings are
unbelievable all over the country. That my friend
is how this game should be promoted. There's no
way that idiot is going to come on my board
anymore and bash John, the WSL or any other
association, sponsor, player, myself or anybody
else. I have given people who come on the board a
chance when they bash and don't sign their name.
I can tell you all now It is OVER!! I will ban
anybody from the board who bashes anyone, That is
It!!!
I want to thank the staff at Frank
Brown Park on a great job, and also the concession
people who worked their butts off. I want to
commend the umpires on a great job in all the
divisions. I want to thank the WSL staff on a
great job on running this great WSL/Miken North
American Championship. Great job!! I want to
tell you that the Class A & B was played on the
325' field using 80' bases, which was absolutely
the way this game should be played. I also
believe the USSSA Class A Worlds was perfect on
the 300' fields because of the ball used, and
that's the way it should be. The 330' fields used
in the NSA Worlds with 80' bases was also
perfect. We have two choices in my opinion to
play this game in 2006; 325' or bigger with 80'
bases or 300' fields with explosive balls and 70'
bases. I say play some on 300' and some on 325'
or bigger and this game will survive. Remember
this is only my opinion.
I also want to say that Don
Dedonatis has also done a great job as the head
man of the USSSA. Don has made this great game
go. Don has kept the upper level going in the
toughest times in the history of the game. Don
has instituted rules that have helped this game,
that's for sure. I know that the USSSA World
Series is no doubt the best of the game. When
teams can play at the Wide World of Sports Complex
and Cracker Jack Stadium, it doesn't get any
classier or better. I believe this tournament is
the best because the best teams play. The field
is the biggest and the best conditions than any
other place we play. The only thing that I
believe is the bases should be 80' in today's
game, just my opinion. The Class A World was the
best because of the ball used and the best teams
were there, period. Don has proposed a new
softball conference for next year and I hope this
happens. I will write a story next week on this
and give you my elite player's list that must be
put in place for this proposed conference to work.
I'm sure there will be others to have lists too.
This weekend the ASA Major is in Sanford, FL.
The Old Scout
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WSL LONG HAUL BOMBERS CHAMPIONSHIP - SEPTEMBER
4, 2005 |
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Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona was the site
for the finals of the 2005 Long Haul Bombers Homerun
Derby. RJ Howerton, the gentle giant from
Team Combat got in the groove early and hammered 11
out of 15 to capture the championship. RJ hit first
and hit some gigantic bombs to left and left center
in this huge ballpark, 335'-380' and 413'. The
Combat was the best for the bats in this one, that's
for sure. Congratulations to RJ and I am sure the
$5,000 prize money will come in handy. Scott Brown
from Bell Corp/Taylor Bros/Backman/Easton finished
as the runner-up. Scott was very consistent all
season long in this homerun derby tour.
Congratulations Scott, and I know you and your wife
will enjoy your all expense paid trip to Mexico.
Briggs, Bumgardner and Helmer were the other
contestants. I know for sure that this Long Haul
Bombers Homerun Tour throughout Major League
baseball stadiums this summer is the best promotion
that Bigtime Softball has ever done. The players
and the game have got the exposure to well over
750,000 baseball fans. Most of these fans have
never seen a softball hit. I can tell you that when
these players after hitting sat for two hours
signing autographs for kids and many adults. I can
also tell you that one of the most asked questions
is "where can we see you guys play"? Talking with
the players they say "everytime they go through the
airports or on the plane people are asking "are you
guys professional athletes"? I personally would
like to thank John Daniels for putting this deal
together and taking this game to the next level. I
also want to say this bigtime promotion could not be
done without these great sponsors, Combat, Easton
Sports, Mizuno, Miken Sports, Louisville Slugger,
Long Haul Trucking, Avis Rent A Car, Best Western
Hotels and others just to mention a few. I know
for sure that next year we will be in more Major
League stadiums across America and put on the
greatest show in bigtime softball. Great job guys
and looking forward to next year.
ASA CLASS "A" EAST - JACKSONVILLE, FL
- SEPTEMBER 3-4, 2005
Berardi's/TPS wins the ASA East and will be
heading to Oklahoma for the Hooters Championship.
Berardi's has now made it the 4th World Championship
for Louisville Slugger in 2005. Team Stucco/TPS has
two, Aubrey's/TPS has one and now Berardi's has
one. There are four World Tournaments left, the
Hooter's Championship, the WSL Championship, the ASA
Major and the "grand daddy" of them all the USSSA
Super Worlds. Berardi's has been very competitive
all season long. This is a very solid A team for
sure. I believe the Hooter's Championship against
Long Haul/Miken will be a very good final. These
two teams are very close tight teams. It should be
very interesting. Congratulations and good luck in
Oklahoma. Second place went to Birdies Old School.
I don't know much about this team, but they must of
played pretty good to get second. Good job boys!
Third place went to Check King/Hit n Run. This
bunch has been pretty competitive throughout the
season. Good job guys! Fourth place went to
Godfather/Worth, who I don't know much about either.
Good job guys! Team Stucco/TPS and Aubrey's/Resmondo/TPS
finished tied for 5th. These two had to play each
other in the first game. I can tell you that
neither one played very well in this one. Just a
bad weekend for both of these very good A teams.
ASA CLASS "A" WEST - McALLEN, TX - SEPTEMBER
3-4, 2005
Long Haul/Miken wins the West and will head
to Oklahoma to the Hooters Championship. Long Haul
and Berardi's will get it on in Oklahoma. I believe
this is a great match up, since these two teams are
pretty evenly matched. I know this, they both can
hit it and they both can catch it. It should be
interesting. Long Haul hasn't played the
competition that Berardi's has this season, but I
guarantee they will be a very tough opponent, we
will see. Second place went to Midwest/Easton, who
is a pretty good A team. This bunch has played
pretty competitive all season long. Good job guys!
Third place went to All Star Plumbing/Miken. I
don't know much about this team, but they played
very well in this one. Fourth place went to Quick
Roofing/Alabama Brick/Doc's/Easton who was the
favorite to win this one, but didn't get it done.
Next Up the WSL/Miken Championships in Panama City
Beach, FL this coming weekend. There are over 130
teams participating in this great event. Good luck
to all the teams.
The Old Scout
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NSA "MAJOR" WORLDS -
Michigan City, IN |
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August 26-28, 2005 |
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AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade
Rest./Easton wins the 20th NSA Major Worlds. This
is the last NSA Major that will be played. The NSA has
decided to not play the program next year. The
"Gamblers" went 4-0 on route to the Championship. This
is how the championship game went; Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse
jumped out to a 19 run lead going to the bottom of the
4th, needing one run to force the "if" game. The "Sod
Boys" had runners on 1st & 3rd with nobody out. Hall hit
a ground ball to the shortstop, getting them the force
out. Runners are on 1st & 3rd with one out Bumgardner
came to bat needing to hit a deep fly ball, a base hit
or hit it out. The results were a double play, inning
over. The "Gamblers" came to bat in the top of the 5th
and proceeded to erupt for 14 runs to pull within four,
24-20. Resmondo came to bat in the bottom of the 7th.
trailing by 3 with no homeruns left scoring 3 to tie the
game. Resmondo had a chance to win it again with the
bases loaded. Don Dedonatis came to bat, but failed to
push the winning run across and the game went to the top
of the 8th. The "Vegas Boys" got two runners on with 2
outs, game tied and MVP of the tournament Dennis Rulli
hit a homerun to put the "Gamblers" up by 3. The "Sod
Boys" came to bat the bottom of the 8th; Hall hit it out
of the park for the 1st out, and Bumgardner flew out to
right center for the 2nd out. Wallace then doubled,
Krause got a hit with runners on 1st & 3rd with 2 outs
and Baker flew out to end the game.
This was not the best game ever played, but it sure was
one of the most exciting ones right down to the end.
The "Vegas Boys" don't ever quit no matter how many runs
they're down. I have said that this is a very talented
team, who has competed with the two big teams all season
long beating Bell Corp a few times and finally getting
the best of Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse at the right
time. Dennis Rulli was the tournament's MVP and
rightfully so, but I can tell you this was a total team
effort. The "Gamblers" now have won the NSA AA, the NSA
Major which is the first time any team has won both in
the same season. The "Gamblers" also finished runner-up
at the USSSA Class A last weekend losing to Team Stucco
by one run. I know this for sure, the team sponsors,
coaches, players and Easton should be very proud of what
this team has accomplished. Great job
and congratulations on your successful run and good luck
at Mickey Mouse World in a few weeks. I can tell you
that you will be the #1 ranked team in the world going
into the USSSA Super Worlds and you deserve it.
Runner-up in this one was Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse who
just did not get it done. I said in the start of the
season that this maybe the best team ever, and I
believed this bunch could accomplish that. I am here to
tell you that I was way out of line even saying they may
be. I admit I was wrong, and to my critics I say people
do get it wrong, and I did. I still think that this is
a very strong softball team. I don't believe that this
team ever came together to be the very best for whatever
reasons. The ball club has not played good throughout
most of the season. They have played awful the last few
tournaments losing to Northwest Pipe, then this weekend
they lost to Team Combat and Las Vegas/Benfield. This
bunch also lost the two biggest NIT's of the season, the
Dudley and the Smoky. I can tell you some of the best
minds in softball thought that this team would dominate,
but they went the other direction for whatever reason.
This team has some of the best players who have ever
played the game. Remember this, "talent doesn't always
get it done, and if the chemistry isn't right and
everybody isn't on the same page then it becomes very
difficult to win. I honestly believe this team just did
not come together and they are paying the price. I
think when Travis and Dan got together and selected the
players, managers and coaches that they made the right
choices, but for some reason it just hasn't worked.
There is one more World left the grand daddy of them
all, the USSSA Super. I am not sure that if this team
wins this one it will justify the total season. I
guarantee you that this one will be very interesting.
Remember this one is an unlimited homerun tournament,
and we will see what happens. Third place went to
Team Combat/Kleuvers/Snap On, who has been struggling
most of the season. This bunch got it going against
Resmondo Friday night and run-ruled them. I would think
this is definitely the highlight of the season so far
for this team. I believe this is a much better team
than they have showed. Good luck at Disney! Fourth
place went to Bell Corp/Taylor Bros/Backman/Easton.
This team has also been struggling for a few
tournaments. This bunch has played pretty even against
Resmondo most of the season.. Remember they won the
Dudley and the Smoky, the two biggest tournaments of the
season. I believe if they win the USSSA Worlds they
would be the #1 team for 2005, we will see. This team
will have to play a whole lot better if they want to win
at Mickey Mouse World. This ball club has lost to some
much lesser teams this season for whatever reason. Good
luck in the big one.
I finally got to Michigan City and Patriot Park. I can
tell you it sure is one fine complex. I know this that
playing on 330' fields and 80' bases, using a .44 - 525
is absolutely perfect. This is how big time softball
should be played. I also believe using the 16 homerun
rule is perfect for these conditions. This was a small
field of teams, but a very exciting tournament.
I would like to write a little about the job that Jim
Kimmel has done for the NSA in "Bigtime Softball". Jim
has dedicated his time and efforts to keep the upper
division going. Jim came to Daytona Beach a few years
back to see an experimental tournament that I ran. I
used 90' bases and 80' bases on a big baseball field.
After Jim seeing and talking to the players he took the
idea and put it into the NSA Major that year. Jim has
kept it this way right up to the last Major NSA
tournament. There now will be no more. I believe that
80' bases is where the game belongs, giving the lesser
teams a chance to compete on the baseball fields. The
way the equipment is today we need to back up the
infielders and the pitchers, that's for sure. Jim I
give you a lot of credit trying to keep this type of
game going, and believe me I think you did the right
thing, playing on bigger fields and using 80' bases.
Thanks for all the memories from the NSA Majors and good
luck in whatever you do in the future.
I know this for sure, that with the equipment today and
the balls flying at over 100 miles per hour on 300'
fields some of the rules don't make any sense.
Infielders can only take one step one way and one step
the other and hopefully they can make a play, and then
when balls are hit off the chest of an infielder and he
picks it up, but can't make a play on 70' bases there is
something wrong. The restricted homerun tournaments on
300' fields are not the way the game should be played
today. The game is very lucky that a pitcher has not
been killed in restricted homerun tournaments on 300'
fields. I know that playing on the bigger fields, using
80' bases and letting the pitcher pitch 3' back there
has been a whole lot less injuries playing in these
conditions. Playing on 300' fields, 50' pitching mound
and 70' bases is not the answer in today's game. The
game is much better when infielders can turn double
plays, and runners can not get automatic doubles, balls
that are hit in the gaps are not always triples or
inside the park homeruns. I have wrote what I believe
and how this game should be played. I will tell my
critics who don't agree with me that is fine, but I will
not take any bashing from anyone on the board. I don't
mind anyone's opinions, but I promise I will ban anyone
who bashes me or anybody else. Opinions are one thing,
but bashing will not be tolerated anymore on this board.
The Old Scout |
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USSSA CLASS "A" WORLD SERIES |
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WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS - DISNEY WORLD, FL -
AUGUST 20-22
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Team Stucco/K&G/TPS wins the USSSA Class A Worlds.
I've said in the last few softball reports that this
team was the hottest team in the country. I can
tell you now that this team is as good as any team
playing right now. Team Stucco has got everything a
team needs to win. This team is solid at every
position, and has people who can come off the bench
and get it done. This ball club is much different
than last year's USSSA Class A Champion. The
"Stucco Boys" made a lot of changes from last year's
team. I said earlier that the addition of "Big" JC
Phelps would put this team above the rest of the A
teams, and it sure has. JC is hitting the ball just
like he did when he was with some of the best teams
ever to play this game. This team has one great
infield in all positions, Genter at 3B, Maddox at
SS, Blunt in the middle, Huff at 2B and Gulash at
1B. The key to this infield is the pitching of
Johnny Dykes, who can pick it with the best of
them. The Stucco outfield is as good as it gets. I
can also tell you everyone of their players can flat
out hit it. The "Stucco Boys" had to dig deep in
the winners bracket game scoring 6 runs to win over
Barnes Logging. They then had to overcome a 5 run
deficit to win the championship game over AM Las
Vegas. I can tell you if you're going to win a
championship you have to win games like this, and
the Stucco Boys did just that. Congratulations on
winning this great tournament.
This my friends is the first time that a Class A
team has repeated as a Class A World Champion in
USSSA history. I am checking to see if it has
happened in any other association. I will report it
when I find out. Second place went to AM Las
Vegas/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton, who believe me
played their butts off after losing their second
game. I have said this team was caught in a trap,
but the job they did in this one was unbelievable.
This team was built to try and compete with the two
big teams, and they've done pretty good at that. I
can tell you that when this team entered this USSSA
Class A World I knew it was going to be very
difficult to win in this 8 homerun limit
tournament. I'm here to tell you they did
everything possible to try and win this tournament.
They adjusted and hit it backside, hitting the gaps
and hitting their homeruns with runners on base. I
give them a lot of credit for adjusting to this
game. This ball club battled through the brutal
heat playing 8 games and came up just a little short
in the first game of the championship. This was
truly a great team effort for the boys from Las
Vegas. Third place went to Barnes Logging/Worth,
who just came up short of winning this one, I
guarantee you. This Barnes team is a top flight
Class A team, and are a class act from the sponsors
and the players. This Worth team is solid in all
phases of the game. They can hit it and they can
pick it. They have one of the games best pitchers
in Kurt Stafford, who has played on some of the
games best teams over the years. Kurt pitched a
terrific tournament for Barnes, and pitched every
game. This was a total team effort, no doubt about
it. Congratulations on a great tournament and good
luck the rest of the way. Fourth place went to
Berardi's/TPS, who may have been a surprise to some
people, but to me it wasn't a surprise. I believe
this is a very good A team who has a lot of talent
and have proven it over the years. This team has
the best young pitcher in the game. This young man
works harder than any USSSA pitcher that I have seen
in years. He is a lot like Greg Canaday, but does
more antics than Greg used to do. This is one
player that you'll want to see pitch. You won't
believe how hard he works. I won't tell you his
name at this time. Great job boys and good luck.
I have been around softball for 43 years as a
player, coach, manager, fan and reporter, and have
seen more softball games and tournaments than
probably anybody around the game today. I can tell
you that this USSSA Class A Worlds was the most
competitive, well run tournament I've ever seen.
Last years USSSA Class A World was a great
tournament, but not even close to this one, I
guarantee you. The ball used was a .47 core .525
Dudley. This ball was as explosive as any I've seen
in years. The ball flew in the heat of the day as
well as the heat of the night. Some people thought
it was a little too hot. I believe it was perfect
for this 8 homerun limit tournament. This ball made
these teams hit it backside, hit the gaps and hit
homeruns with two or three guys on. Their were a
lot of solos hit, but most of the solos were line
drives just getting over the fence by inches. Here
are some tidbits on the tournament; 1. There were
13 one run games played. 2. Four of the last six
games were decided by one run I'm, it doesn't get
any better than this. Maybe the ball was a little
too much, but I guarantee you anything less we
would of not of seen all the close games played in
this tournament. The ball kept the game close, as
the teams had to hit it down and use their homeruns
smart. I can say this, if they're going to play
this game on 300' fields with homerun limits then
use a hot ball so that these teams will have to hit
it down to save their homeruns for the right time.
This will make for a better game. I believe if you
use the hot ball with the two big teams playing in
300' field tournaments, it would not be good.
The only unlimited homerun tournament left is the
Smoky, and I can tell you the players love it. They
love to be able to swing the bats. I still believe
that this game needs to play some tournaments on
baseball fields using 80' bases and unlimited
homeruns. The manufacturers make the best equipment
ever produced, and the players today to be able to
use it at it's fullest. This year the bats are as
close as they have been in years. Louisville
Slugger, Worth, Easton, Combat, Miken and Mizuno are
the bats of choice. I can tell you they are very
close in competition. I believe this year that the
cheater bats have slowed down a whole lot, and
hopefully these players will not use those bats
anymore. I think of all the bats being just about
the same it makes for a better game and will be a
big part of stopping the cheater bats. I will end
this report by saying I really enjoyed watching this
incredible tournament. This is the way the game
should be, close games and anyone of 7 or 8 teams
having a chance to win. There is no reason that
this game can not have NIT's just like this World,
getting the Top 15-12 A teams playing about 5 NIT's
and a World and have these type of games.
I want to commend Don Dedonatis and Rick Robertson
for running this first Class A World Tournament. I
can tell you that playing in the stadium at Disney
is the way this game should be played. I'm here to
tell you there's no reason why we shouldn't play in
First Class stadiums in NIT's and in the World
Tournaments. I guarantee you this; the sponsors and
players would rather play at places like Wide World
of Sports every weekend. That my friends is the way
this game should be, totally professional with class
teams, class players and class fields and this game
at the upper level will survive believe me.
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NSA Class "AA" WORLDS -
Lexington, KY |
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August 13-14, 2005 |
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AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton
won this NSA AA World, and that's just
what they're supposed to do. I said
before this team is caught in a trap.
When this team plays the Class A teams
and there is a 12 homerun limit it is
difficult for them to win. When they
play the two Super teams they are very
competitive, but don't win too often.
This was a perfect tournament for this
club. This is, as I have said before a
very talented team who have some very
good players who know how to win when it
counts. I think it will be very
interesting next week at the USSSA Class
A Worlds for this bunch, we will see.
Congratulations on winning this one
boys, and good luck the rest of the
way. Finishing in second place was
Quick Roofing/Alabama
Brick/Doc's/Easton, who is a legit Class
A team. I believe this is another team
who will be tough to beat next week.
The "Brick Boys" lost early in this one,
but battled back through the losers
bracket and settled for second. Good
job boys! Third place went to Team
Stucco, who also is a very good Class A
team. This bunch will be a force next
week in the USSSA A Worlds, I guarantee
you. This team has played exceptionally
well the last four or five weeks. I see
no let down. Good job guys in this
one! Fourth place went to another very
good A team, Watanabe/Alpine/TPS, who
has played really well most of the
season. This team can cause a lot of
havoc if you don't play well against
them. They have some veteran players
who've been there before. Keep an eye
on this bunch.
I would like to commend Eddie Ray
Cantrell on running this one.
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ISA CLASS "A" WORLDS -
Auburn, AL |
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August 13-14, 2005 |
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Aubrey's/Resmondo/TPS wins this one, and
I believe they were the best
team entered. This is a very good A
team, who has played well every weekend
all season long. I look for this bunch
to be very tough in next weeks USSSA A
Worlds. The Catalyst bat has
been a great addition for this ball club
in 2005, that's for sure. Great job
guys and good luck the rest of the
season. Second place went to Northwest
Pipe/3N2/Easton, who has played very
well the last few weekends. This team
will be very competitive in the A Worlds
next weekend, I guarantee you. Another
great job this weekend from Larry and
his boys. Good luck next weekend.
Third place went to a B team called
Kirby's, whom I don't know much about,
but they must of played very good to get
third. Good job boys! Fourth place
went to Higgs Properties, a team out of
Florida. I know this bunch came
together a few weeks ago, but don't know
a whole lot about them. Good job boys!
Good job guys to the ISA staff who ran
this tournament.
I'm going to write a little about the
2005 World Tournaments. I will
start out by saying something has to be
done with running these Worlds on the
same dates. There's no reason for any
of these associations to run their
events on the same weekend. I'm here to
tell you it hurts both associations when
they try to run on the same dates, and I
don't care what association does it. I
believe that the world tournaments
should be for the top teams in the Super
and Class A only. I do not believe that
local, B, C or D teams who just can't
compete should be allowed to play. Those
teams who want to play against the
better teams should play some of the
NIT's, not the worlds. I know the
associations want to have as many teams
play as possible, but that should not be
that way in the worlds. I believe if
all the associations would try to get
the best teams into their world's and
not bring in teams that just can't
compete, then you would have a much
better event. I've said before, that
there are just way too many NIT's and
with all the Class A Worlds, the NSA AA,
the ASA Major and the two Supers, it is
impossible for these teams to
participate, not enough money and not
enough teams period. The Class A Worlds
should be no more than 12 teams in the
ISA, NSA, ASA and WSL. The USSSA Class
A & B should be no more than 20 teams.
There should be no ASA Major and no NSA
AA period. The AA and Major can't get
more than four and five teams, and if
the Class A teams don't play there is no
tournament, so why have it? There's no
problem in the lower divisions, C, D &
E
that's for sure. The NSA Class A had
only seven legit A teams, the NSA AA had
one so called AA team and four legit A
teams. The ISA Class A had three A
teams and three B teams. The USSSA
Class A & B next week should have 12-15
legit A teams and about 5 B teams. The
ASA Class A East should have about 10-12
A teams, the West should have about 4-5
A teams. The NSA Super should have the
two Super teams and about 5 A
teams. The USSSA Super should have the
two super teams, 10 A teams and 4 B
teams and maybe 2 more B teams. I think
we need to cut the NIT's way down, no
more NSA AA, and no more ASA Major.
"Big Time Softball" should be Class A &
Super. The only way the game changes is
if the two Super teams break up and they
allow 3 or 4 elite players to play on
the A teams period. Remember this is
just my opinion.
The Old Scout
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USSSA - NIT -
Sterling Heights, MI |
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August 6&7,
2005 |
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Northwest Pipe/3N2/Easton
showed why if you play in a NIT
Super Tournament you have a chance to win.
The "pipe boys" not only won this Last
Chance tourney, they beat the #1 team in the
country twice. I've been going over in my
mind and talked to Hank Bassett and a few
others to see when the last time a Class A
team won a Super NIT with two or more super
teams entered. Here's what I came up with;
the last time was in 1996 in Nashville,
Tenn. in the USSSA NIT Worth Tournament.
Jerry Backman's team called Backstop/Easton
won that tournament by beating Rich Superior
in the finals. Lighthouse/Worth and a
couple other super teams played in that
tournament. This Pipe team is a very
scrappy bunch, who played in a lot of big
time tournaments. I'm one who believes it
helps A teams to play much better when they
play against their own competition. I have
never been a big fan of the restricted
homerun tournaments, but I'm here to tell
you it is the only way that these lesser
teams have any chance of winning against the
big teams or winning a NIT with the super
teams in it, it's that simple on 300'
fields. The 'pipe boys' hit it good all
weekend and played great defense to get this
win. Larry and his boys deserved the
highest credit for this great win. Larry
has been sponsoring teams for many, many
years and he deserves this one. Great job
guys and good luck in the Class A Worlds.
Second place went to Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse,
who just didn't get it done in this one. To
all you critics who want to knock me about
saying this "MAYBE" the best team
ever, I say I'm still on the right line.
Remember this, none of the great past teams
had to play restricted homerun tournaments
all season long. The only restrictions in
the past were when they used the six and
four homerun hitters. Remember also that
those past teams didn't use 80' and 90'
bases. I still believe this is one of the
better teams ever and so is the Bell Corp
team. I also believe that 7 or 8 of the A
teams playing today are better than some of
the past A teams, that is just my opinion.
Third place went to Cal's, a B team who just
played great ball this weekend and upset
some of the better teams on route to the
third place finish. This is great for
softball. I'm glad to see teams like this
play well in these big Super NIT's. Good
luck fellas on the rest of the season.
Fourth place went to Team Stucco, who played
in this one short a couple of their best
players. Make no mistake this Stucco team,
who has already won one Class A World, the
NSA, will be setting their sites on the next
one, the USSSA Class A Worlds in two weeks.
Good job guys!!
The season of the NIT's is over, and now
it's time to see who the "best of the
best" are. The USSSA Class A Worlds is
next, the ISA, the NSA AA, ASA East & West,
the WSL/Miken Championships, the NSA Super
and the USSSA Super. We will see where all
the top teams stack up after all these are
played. It should be interesting. I would
like to commend Tony Dedonatis on running,
as usual the excellent NIT in Sterling
Heights. I also want to thank Jim McCarron
for his tremendous effort on posting scores
and highlights all season in all the USSSA
NIT's. Thanks again Jim, a great job and
well appreciated.
The Old Scout
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NSA
CLASS "A" WORLDS - Muncie, IN |
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July 30-31,
2005 |
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The first leg of the Class A Worlds, the NSA
is over, and Team Stucco/TPS was the
winner. I said in earlier reports that this
was the hottest team in the country, and
they sure proved me right. Believe me this
is one hell of a talented team. I know with
the edition of JC Phelps to this roster they
got just what they needed and that is a big
time hitter, who not only hits for power,
but can flat-out base hit it also. This
ballclub has talent in all places. Their
shortstop doesn't get the recognition he
should. This young man can flat-out play the
game. Tim Maddox can "pick it" with the
best, base hit and has stadium power,
believe me. He maybe the most underrated
player in the game. Ryan Robbins is the
real deal, as he is a total "spark plug"
whom is also a team leader. Johnny Dikes is
as good as anybody. He knows how to pitch
and can flat-out hit it. This is a very
solid defensive team and has a potent
offense. I said lookout for this bunch, and
I won't be surprised if they win a couple
more. I will say this right now, the two
big boys better come to play, if they have
to play Stucco, I guarantee you.
Congratulations to Doug, Troy, Cheese and
the whole gang for a great win. Good luck
the rest of the way. Second place went to
Quick Roofing/Alabama Brick/Doc's/Easton who
lost early in this one, but came charging
out of the loser's bracket to get second
place. This is another very talented A team
who forced the "if" game against Stucco and
may of ran out of gas. Like I've said, the
Class A Worlds in all associations will be a
"titanic battle", and the first one proved
to be just that. The Roofing bunch will be
knocking on the door in all the Class A
Worlds they play in, I guarantee you. This
team has people who know how to win. Great
job guys, good luck in the next one. Third
place went to Watanabe/Alpine/TPS. This is
a veteran talented team, who have a bunch of
players who have won many times before.
This team will be in the hunt in every Class
A Worlds they play in. This team has been
very competitive all season long and will be
the rest of the way. Great job Dave and the
gang in this one and good luck the rest of
the way. Fourth place went to Check
King/Hit n Run/Lotierzo's/Worth, who is a
lower division A team who have some very
good players. Good job boys and good luck
the rest of the season.
I want to commend Jim Kimmel on running this
excellent NSA Class A World Tournament. Jim
has been a huge part of "Big Time" softball
for a long time. Jim is a very hard worker
and is a very dedicated man in this great
game. I don't always agree with Jim, and
I'm sure he doesn't me either, but I respect
what Jim does for the game. I said in a
earlier report that I thought that this
world would of been the best Class A World
competition wise if Aubrey's, Team Combat
and AM Las Vegas would of played, and I
believe that. I respect the rules that the
NSA has and totally agree that Jim did the
right thing in this one, standing by the NSA
rules. I can tell you the three teams I
just mentioned are caught in a trap by
having these elite players on their
rosters. I also believe this is how it
should be. I said it before and I will say
it again, there should be three elite
players allowed on a team, and any other
players in the country can play on these
teams. No major list should be used, just
the elite, that's it. There should be one
division in big time softball, and you can
call it the Major Division, no A, no AA, or
no Supers. I believe that if this would
happen there would be about 12 very
competitive teams, and that is all we need,
period. There are about 36 elite players in
the country. Allowing three of these
players on a team and the rest of the
players in the country can fill out the
rosters. I believe this game would be back
where it belongs. I say "cut down the NIT's
to 8 events and that way we could get the 12
very competitive teams to play in them, and
then if some of the B's, C's or local teams
entered the tournaments we would get 16-20
teams in these 8 events. Remember these are
just my opinions. Once again a great job
done Jim, and good luck in your AA and Super
Worlds.
The Old Scout
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USSSA - NIT - Seattle, WA
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July 22-23, 2005 |
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Team Combat/Kleuver's/Snap On finally wins a
NIT Tournament, that being the USSSA in
Seattle. "The Bat Boys" struggled most of
the season, but have played much better the
last few weekends. This team has some very
good players, but just haven't put it all
together until this weekend. I know it
wasn't from not trying, they kept adding
players to the mix, and I think now they've
got a pretty good team. The Worlds are
right around the corner, and the timing
couldn't of been better. I believe they
have a very good chance of winning an A
World and could very well upset any of the
better teams in the upcoming tournaments, we
will see. Congratulations in winning this
one and good luck the rest of the way.
Second place went to Tacoma Dodge/Easton, a
very good Class A team, who doesn't play in
a whole lot of Super NIT's because of the
costs to come east. Make no mistake this
team will battle in the A Worlds, I
guarantee you. They have some very good
players who know how to get it done. Good
luck the rest of the season. Third place
went to Smith/Easton, who has competed all
season long in some very good Super NIT's.
This Dan Smith sponsored B team will be a
force in the Class B Worlds, that's for
sure. I believe because they've played
better competition it will help them a whole
lot in the upcoming B Worlds.
Congratulations on a fine job in this one
and good luck the rest of the way. Fourth
place went to another very good B team,
K&C/Easton/Graphics.
The B Worlds should be a very good
tournament with teams like Smith, K&C and
many other very good B teams competing.
Good job boys and good luck in the B
Worlds. I would like to say this was a very
nice NIT in Seattle and commend Roger Wilson
on doing a great job on running this event.
I believe we need to have an NIT or two out
in the west, that's for sure. Thanks again
to Jim McCarron for his great efforts on
posting the scores and highlights.
The Worlds begin this coming weekend with
the NSA Class A World being held in Muncie,
Indiana. This should be a terrific battle
with about eight very solid A teams
entered. There were a couple teams who
weren't allowed to enter because of players
on the elite list, that being Aubrey's, Team
Combat and AM Las Vegas who was not on the
schedule to play in this one. I believe
that if these three teams were entered this
would of been one of the best Class A Worlds
ever competition wise, but that's another
story. It's just my opinion remember. Good
luck to all the teams this weekend.
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USSSA - NIT - Cincinnati,
OH |
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July
16-17, 2005 |
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Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse didn't wait very
long to regain the #1 ranking, just six
days to be exact. Travis went to bed last
Sunday night and had a dream, and that dream
was he needed to get his team back playing
against the Bell Corp team as soon as he
could. The Resmondo team was not scheduled
to play in this one. Travis called all his
players and told them "we are going to
Cincinnati and your plane tickets will be at
your house on Wednesday. The rest of the
story is pretty simple. They went and they
won. Andy Purcell was the tournament's MVP,
as he hit it and pitched his usual way on
route to the Championship. The rest of the
team picked up their play after last
weekend's let down at the Smoky. Resmondo
and the Bell boys got it on again in the
winner's bracket finals, and Resmondo's
squeaked out a one run win. These two have
had some great games so far this season.
They are now 7-7 against each other. The
Sod boys have not lost to anybody except
Bell Corp this whole season. The Bell team
has lost ten times this year, seven to
Resmondo, once to Team Combat, one time to
Benfield and now one time to Quick
Roofing/Alabama Brick/Doc's/Easton, who took
second in this one. The Brick boys beat the
Bell boys in the loser's bracket final in
the upset. Make no mistake, this Quick
Roofing team is one very good A team. They
will be a force in the Class A Worlds, I
guarantee you. This team has people who
know how to win, and have won a lot over the
years. I also believe that if the two big
boys don't play well against this team,
they could get beat also. Great job guys in
this one. The Bell boys had to settle for
third place in this one, as they lost a
tough one run game against Resmondo and then
got bit by Quick Roofing/Alabama Brick boys
and sent to the house. This is the second
time that Bell has finished in third place
in a NIT this year. I heard that some of
the Resmondo players said they were very
happy for the Brick boys in their win over
Bell, but would of liked to of played the
Bell boys in the finals. I'm sure they
would have wanted to get some more revenge
in this heated rivalry between these two
giants. Fourth place went to
Watanabe/Alpine/TPS who just continues to be
very competitive every weekend. This is
another Class A team who will be reckoned
with in the Class A Worlds that they play in
this year. This is a veteran laden team who
also have some people who know how to get it
done. Great job guys! This was another bad
weekend for the AM/Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton
boys, who just don't get it done sometimes
against the lower class teams. I'm not
quite sure what the problem is, but this
team is much, much better and should never
lose to these lower teams or go 0-2 that's
for sure. Team Stucco, who has been the
hottest team the last two weeks, cooled off
in this one going 2-2, but make no mistake
they are going to be very tough in the Class
A Worlds.
I want to congratulate whoever ran this
USSSA NIT in Cincinnati. There sure was a
very good field of teams in this one. I
earlier wrote a story about cutting down the
NIT's next year and I named some cities they
should play in. I made a big mistake and
apologize for leaving out the City of
Cincinnati. Cincinnati is one of the hot
beds of softball now and has been
for years. Believe me they deserve to hold
an NIT every year. I want to thank Jim
McCarron again for the terrific work he does
for posting scores and highlights for every
USSSA NIT. Great job Jim, it is truly
appreciated, believe me.
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ASA/WSL - FIREMEN'S - Bloomington, MN |
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July
15-17, 2005 |
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Jean Shoppe/Worth travels to the great state
of Minnesota to play against some of the
best teams in Minnesota and the Midwest.
Play they did, as they won this very good
tournament. They sure silenced some of
their critics by winning this one. This is
a very talented team. I believe they are
caught in a tough scenario, playing in Class
B or playing in Class A. I think they can
beat the good B teams pretty consistently.
When they move up to the A division, they
definitely will have trouble beating the
better A teams. This team is a lot like
AM/Las Vegas, who beat the good A teams, but
struggle against the two supers. Jean
Shoppe can play and win against the lower
division of Class A teams. Like I've said,
they will struggle against the better A
teams, it's that simple. This weekend, they
played against some of the lower Class A
teams and they won. I believe if they pick
up a couple of more good A players then they
can compete against better A teams. I think
they should stay Class B ball for this
season and make the move up next season.
Great job this weekend boys! Long Haul/Miken,
who is a very nice lower A team, can
compete against the better A teams finished
in second place in this one. Remember two
weeks ago in Little Rock they won with 3 or
4 of the best A teams entered. Good job in
this one that's for sure. I want to commend
Jeff Barnes, who just does a terrific job
running this big tournament. Jeff had 154
teams playing in all divisions in this great
Firemen's tournament in Minnesota. Great
job Jeff! It's people like you who will
keep this great game of softball moving
forward.
The Old Scout
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SMOKY MOUNTAIN
CLASSIC - Maryville, TN |
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July 9-10,
2005 |
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Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor Bros/Easton wins
the Mighty "Smoky Mountain Classic" going
undefeated 5-0. Slick fielding Rick "Spike"
Baker hit a titanic walk off two run
homerun in the bottom of the seventh, after
Bell Corp was trailing by six to win this
prestigious tournament for Bell Corp. Baker
can flat out play this game, using the whole
field offensively hitting it down both
lines, in the middle, in the gaps and can
bust it out at anytime. He may be the best
overall outfielder in Big Time softball.
The "Bell Boys" have proven to be the best
team in the nation after a slow start. I
said in the start that Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menossee
"may" be the best team ever, but I'm sure
now that this is not the case. I really
think the Resmondo team has the best overall
talent, but talent does not always win. The
Bell team has a lot of talent. What they
really have is a team, when you define team
just look at this Bell Corp team. This
bunch is as close as any team I have seen
since the Long Haul team that won the Grand
Slam or the great Rich's teams of the 90's.
These Bell players pull for every teammate.
They pick it up when someone is down. This
bunch plays together and off the field they
eat and talk softball, and are one close nit
team. I believe they have been very
successful against Resmondo because their
players are very hungry and want to prove
they cannot only play against Resmondo, but
beat them. There is no doubt who the best
team is now after the Dudley and the Smoky
was won by Bell Corp. I would not doubt
that the Bell team will dominate the rest of
the season. This bunch just plain wants it
more. As for Resmondo, I believe that there
is no outright leader on this ball club. I
think for the Resmondo ship to turn it
around, one of the veteran players will have
to step up and become a leader. That
organization is going to have to light a
fire in a lot of their players, if they
expect to beat the Bell Boys, I guarantee
you. The Resmondo team is just not getting
the offense that they should. What's been
happening is 2 or 3 of the first six hit and
the others don't hit. The bottom of the
order just does not turn it back to the top,
especially against Bell Corp. They're
not putting a whole lot of big innings
together. They're going to have to hit as a
total team or pay the consequences, it's
that simple. We will see what happens down
the road. These two giants will meet again
in Detroit for sure, and I'm not sure about
the ISA World. I haven't heard what's going
to happen there.
The Bell Boys have earned the #1 ranking
this week that's for sure, as they now lead
the season series against Resmondo with 7
wins. Scott Brown led his team in hitting
in this one, but believe me this was a total
team effort. Everybody contributed both
offensively and defensively. If anybody
thinks that winning the Dudley and the Smoky
doesn't mean anything, you're absolutely
crazy. These are the two most prestigious
tournaments, other than the USSSA Worlds, I
guarantee you. Third place went to the #3
ranked team in the country AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton,
who just is caught in the middle. They are
very competitive against Bell and Resmondo,
but are better than the rest of the A
teams. I know it's got to be very hard on
the sponsors and the players, but this is
how the game is and has been for years.
There has always been a dominating team,
Howards, Rich's, Team TPS, Long Haul,
Resmondo, Dan Smith and others. The rest
were also rans. Today the competition in
Class A is as good as it gets, as I have
said there are about 10-12 who have a chance
to win on any given weekend. This year Bell
and Resmondo have been pretty even. Then
there is the Vegas Boys who are caught in a
trap. The gambling boys have a lot of
talent also, and they have the best young
player in the country in Brian Wegman, who
has all the tools. This young man can play
with the two big teams right now, he is that
good. I look for the Vegas Boys to be very
tough to beat at the ASA Major, but they may
have trouble in the Class A Worlds they play
in because of the homerun rules, we will
see. Good job boys at the Smoky. Fourth
place went to the hottest team in the
country the last few weeks, that being Team
Stucco. This bunch is playing very, very
good right now. They are beating teams
they're supposed to and only losing to the
teams they should. That my friends is how
it should be. Since the pick-up of Roberts
and Genter this bunch has been playing as
good as any team out there. Watch out for
this bunch in the A Worlds. I can tell you
there are a few great tournaments played in
this country, but the Mighty Smoky Mountain
Classic is the best of them all. The
competition is the best of any of the
tournaments. They use the right balls, a
.40 core .375 on the 300' fields and a .44
core .375 on the big field. The biggest
factor is that they use 80' bases and that
my friends is how the game should be played,
just ask the players.
I want to thank Joe Huff and Chris Clark for
another great weekend at this fabulous
tournament nestled in the great Smoky
Mountains. The umpiring doesn't get any
better here, because they use all veteran
umpires who have worked this tournament for
years. Great job guys! Softball 360ş filmed
this event and will be part of one of the
Softball 360ş TV shows. Don't miss it! I had some
great interviews with Woody Bell, a bunch of
the managers of the best teams in the world,
also with a man named Carl Greer, who has
seen 28 of the 37 Smoky Mountain Classic
tournaments. I'm sure you will enjoy it.
The crowds were big, the weather was great
and the teams, all 30 of them put on a great
show in this 2005 Smoky Mountain Classic.
Til next time the Old Scout.
P.S. Upcoming tournaments: USSSA this week
in Cincinnati, Ohio
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ASA/WSL BUSCH/PEPSI CLASSIC, Little Rock,
AR
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JULY 4th Weekend |
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The Long Haul Trucking sponsored teams hauled
away all the hardware in this great Busch
Classic. The Men's Upper Division was won
by Long Haul/Miken. The Women's Division
was won by Long Haul/Enough Said/Easton. I
ranked the Miken boys #10 in the start of
the season. This bunch just got off to a
very bad start. I'm here to tell you now
they've got it going the last few weekends,
and they will be reckoned with the rest of
the way. This is one very talented team
that can base hit it, hit for power and can
flat out pick it. This bunch will be a
force in the Class A Worlds, I guarantee.
It was a total team effort on route to the
Championship. The Miken boys beat a very,
very good Aubrey's/Resmondo/TPS team who
finished in second place in this one. This
is the best Aubrey's team ever, that have a
lot of talent. I will not make any excuses
for Aubrey's, but the team didn't get to
their hotel until 5:30 AM Saturday morning
because of travel complications. They then
played Sports Center/Worth early Sat.
morning who played a perfect game and won it
in the bottom of the seventh. The TPS boys
battled back through the blistering heat to
play the Championship game, but fell a
little short. Make no mistake, this is one
powerful A team. Third place went to
another very good A team, Berardi's/TPS.
This team will be a threat in the Class A
Worlds for sure. This is a very talented
team who has a lot of veteran players who
know how to win. Fourth place went to
another talented A team, Barnes
Logging/Worth. This bunch sometimes has a
bad outing and loses a tough game that they
should win. I look for this bunch to be
reckoned with at the A Worlds. I would like
to tell you about an A team from Locust
Grove, Oklahoma called Native American.
This team is made up of Cherokee Indians and
is the first native american team to play in
the Busch Classic. Their manager told me we
chose to play in the upper division to get
some experience. I can tell you they gave a
great effort, but were over classed in this
one. I like to see teams play up once
awhile, so they get a chance to see what it
takes to play with the big boys. This was a
very good upper division, as there were six
very good A teams, and any one of the six
could of won this one, I guarantee you.
Great job by all the teams.
The Middle Division was a very strong field
of 22 teams. This division was led by a
very good Jean Shoppe/Worth team, who just
didn't get it done. Team Arkansas, who by
the way is a very good B team and can be a
real force in the B Worlds, won this very
good B Division. This is a good defensive
team who can flat out catch it and base hit
the hell out of it. Nice job guys, you
earned it that's for sure. Good luck the
rest of the year. Second place went to a
team called .Bone Crushers, who just played
a great tournament. This is also a very
nice B team who will be tough in the B
Worlds. Good job boys and good luck down
the road. Third place went to the Cyclones
another good B team, who also played very
good this weekend. Good job fellas and good
luck the rest of the way. Fourth place goes
to LTB/Olivers, who played very well this
weekend battling all the way through. Good
job guys!
The Lower Division was a 60 team battle,
calling it the Monster Division, and it sure
was. There were a few teams who played 9
-10 games through the blistering heat coming
out of the loser's bracket. This division
was an all out war to the finish. First
place went to Hemphill Construction. Good
job boys and good luck the rest of the
season. Second place went to Minor Threat,
who played a lot of games to get
second. Good job guys. Third place went to
Hot Springs Cards. Good effort boys!
Fourth place goes to Meadows Construction.
Way to go guys!
The Women's Division was a 22 field of
teams, with the two best teams in the
country entered. This tournament was made
up of A,B & C teams. The competition was
very good, I guarantee you. One of the
lower class teams knocked out the #2 team in
the country, Kinder Sharks. Long
Haul/Enough Said/Easton were just too good
for all comers. This is one of the best
women teams ever assembled, I guarantee
you. Most of the girls are from the
panhandle area of Florida, and one is the
best player in the state of Iowa. This team
in one game hit 8 homeruns by 8 different
girls on a 300' field. Believe me, that is
unbelievable by ladies. The thing that
surprises me the most is how well these
girls play defense. These ladies can flatout pick it. I can also tell you they
sure as hell can hit it, that's for sure.
Saturday night Long Haul and the Kinder
Sharks got it on in the winner's bracket
final, and Long Haul was just too much for
the Sharks. There was a huge crowd around
the field watching this titanic battle
between the two best teams in the nation. I
want to tell you, if you get a chance get
out and see this Long Haul/Enough
Said/Easton team play, you will love it.
Great job by all the ladies teams in this
great tournament.
I want to write a little about the
Busch-Pepsi Tournament, which is one hell of
an event. Clint Albright and his lovely
wife Marla are two of the nicest people I
have ever met in this great game. This was
my first time of experiencing this
outstanding tournament. I just have not
been able to make it to this one because
I've attended the Pif for years and I have
played and managed in a lot of other fourth
of July tournaments. I can only say this
Busch-Pepsi Classic ranks right up there
with the mighty Smoky and the Great Dudley I
guarantee you. This is one hell of a
softball tournament. This tournament is run
by none like I've ever seen, with over 125
teams entered, and I can honestly say there
were no problems at all to speak of. The
umpiring was as good as I've seen at any
tournament over the years. This was a very
good umpired tournament. I stayed at the
host hotel, the beautiful Wyndham Hotel in
North Little Rock, Arkansas. I would
like to thank Donna Blecher for being a
great host. I would recommend that if you
are ever in Little Rock stay at the Wyndham
Hotel. The City of Sherwood Arkansas should
be very proud of Darren and his staff at
Sherwood Park. This is one of the most
beautiful softball complexes I have ever
seen. The setting is a lot like the Smoky
with the main field sitting down in the
valley, and the fans watching from the top
of the hill. The fields are kept in great
shape and the facilities are kept very
clean. The concessions were as good as it
gets. The chicken was the best I've ever
had. The tournament t-shirts were
excellent, and of course the great WSL
Trailer was there with all the softball
equipment and apparel you would want. I
can't say enough about Clint and Marla and
how they run this magnificent tournament.
This is how and why this tournament is very
successful year after year. Clint and Marla
promote this the same way that Joe Huff does
at the Smoky, Warren Bellm at the Dudley,
Dave LaMarre at the Twitty and Charlie and
the boys up at the Pif do. I will say if
more directors would promote as they do
their tournaments could be as good and
successful as these are, and the game could
get back on top. I will end this
Busch-Pepsi Classic report by saying I hope
I get invited back to this prestigious
tournament next year. I thoroughly enjoyed
myself this weekend and had one of the best
times I've ever had in my years of covering
Big Time softball. It was truly a great
July 4th with a whole lot of fireworks at
the Busch-Pepsi Classic. Once again thank
you Clint and Marla for a wonderful
time, keep in touch.
Your friend Gordie "The Old Scout"
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MILWAUKEE USSSA
NIT |
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JULY 4th Weekend |
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Quick Roofing/Alabama
Brick/Doc's/Easton won this NIT in
Milwaukee by going undefeated. This my
friends is another one of these very
good A teams who will be a big threat to
win a Class A World. They are one hell
of a talented team. They have a lot of
people who know how to win, I guarantee
you. Like I've said all season, "I
can't wait to see the A Worlds this
year". I believe that there are about
14 solid A teams who have a chance to
win one or two Class A Worlds. We will
see soon. The USSSA A should be a dandy
in Mickey Mouse World. I look for AM
Las Vegas, Aubrey's, Alabama Brick,
Quick Roofing, Barnes Logging, Watanabe,
Quick Roofing/Cash Pawn, Northwest Pipe,
Tacoma Dodge, Team Stucco, Team Combat,
New/McNair & Pace who have a shot at
winning a Class A World. The NSA, ASA &
ISA will be just as good, it's going to
be a battle in everyone. Second place
went to Quick Roofing/Cash Pawn. I have
not ranked this team in my Top 15
because I did not receive a roster from
them. I knew this was a good team after
they played a few weekends. I will put
them where they belong now. Third place
went to K&A Softball, a B team who
played very good in this one, good job
boys! Fourth place went to Northwest
Pipe, who just seems to play very well
in every tournament they enter. This is
a very competitive team. The USSSA
berth in this tourney will go Northwest
Pipe/3N2/Easton. K&A Softball will not
accept the berth because they want to
play in the B Worlds. Once again
another good job by Pudge and his staff
on running this Milwaukee NIT. Pudge
has ran this one for years, and it is a
good one. I know the main diamond is
getting old, but I believe Pudge should
try and get the city to fix up that
little stadium and keep this excellent
tournament going. I also want to t hank
Jim McCarran again for posting the
scores and highlights. This guy is one
heck of a softball man who really cares
about the game. We need more people
like Jim.
The Old Scout
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NSA MAJOR -
SEATTLE, WA |
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JULY 4th Weekend |
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I'm not going to
write much about this tournament, because nobody
bothered to post scores or any other information
on this tournament. It seems to me that when
the #1 team in the nation is playing anywhere
somebody would at least post scores and final
results. I know this much that Resmondo/Dan
Smith/Menosse won this one and I think Team
Combat finished second. |
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THE PIF in Quebec Canada
was played this past weekend, and I
heard it was a very good weekend up
there. I'm sorry I didn't get there for
the first time in a long time, but I had
other commitments to fulfill. When I
get more information on this great
tournament I will write more about it.
Another great job Charlie and the boys!
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Don't forget this weekend, coming up the
Mighty Smoky Mountain Classic!!!
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USSSA - NIT -
DUDLEY CLASSIC -
Brooklyn Center, MN |
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June 17-19, 2005 |
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The bells were ringing loud and clear this
past weekend, as the "Bell Boys" beat the
#1 team in the land. Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor
Bros/Easton did it the hard way by winning
the "if" game. I watched every inning
between these two great teams, but Bell
clearly outplayed Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse
in all phases of the game this weekend.
Bell was led by MVP Brett Helmer, who hit
the hell out of it, but it truly was a total
team effort. This is a very good softball
team that has a whole lot of talent. I said
earlier that Resmondo may be the best team
ever, but I'm not sure now. Resmondo has
been beat four times this season by Bell
Corp. Bell has lost five times to Resmondo.
The only other losses Bell has is to two A
teams. I said that Warren Motors had the
best overall record at 92-2. The next best
record was the Long Haul/TPS team, which
went 72-6. That Long Haul team holds
another record, as they went 17-0 in the
four World Tournaments that season.
Resmondo will have to play a whole lot
better, if they expect to break the Long
Haul record. This NIT was a 34 team event,
with 12 of the Top 15 teams entered in the
nation. The "Bell Boys" beat all comers
until the first game of the championship.
They lost a very good game, 40-37. The "if"
game was very close until the bottom of the
5th., when with two outs and Bell trailing
by ten and a ground ball hit to the infield
with the throw being low, the play was not
made, and from that point on the "Bell Boys"
took control and never looked back. The
Bell team, I guarantee you will give
Resmondo all they want the rest of the
year. I believe when they play in the
stadiums in the Worlds it's going to be a
battle in everyone they play, we will see.
Third place went to Team Stucco/TPS, who
just flat out played great all weekend
long. The Stucco team picked up JD Genter
and Ricky Robbins, who really gave this team
a big lift. The "Stucco Boys" needed one
more out in the bottom of the 7th. to beat
the #1 team in the land. This was one of
the best games that I have ever seen at the
Dudley, as the "Sod Boys" scored eleven runs
to beat Stucco. I know it was a let down
for the Stucco boys, but they have no
reason to hang their head as they played
terrific! This bunch played their butts
off, coming out on Sunday after losing that
tough game and won two before falling to
Resmondo. Once again congratulations on a
great tournament. I can tell you all now,
look for this team to be very tough in the A
Worlds. Fourth place went to Aubrey's/Resmondo/TPS,
who also played very well in this one.
Believe me, this is one solid A team, and
they will be a force in the Class A Worlds,
that's for sure.
I've said it before and I'll say it again,
"the A World's are going to be a battle
between 8-10 very, very good A teams, and I
guarantee you anyone of them can win one,
it's that close. I can't wait to see these
teams get it on." I will once again tell
you the Dudley is a First Class Event. I
call it an event because it's a lot more
than just a softball tournament. This
tournament has a carnival like atmosphere,
with lots of great food, beer and music. It
is one terrific weekend. If you haven't
ever been there, you should definitely make
plans to attend next year. Warren Bellm has
done this for 23 years, and it just keeps
getting better and better each year. I
would like to see more directors try to make
their tournaments like the Dudley and the
Smoky. I believe that if the directors
would try to make their events with more
things to do than just the softball. I
think it would be a benefit to them.
I've said in earlier reports that we need to
cut down the number of NIT's, there's just
too many. There are only a few events that
are getting good responses to their
tournaments. I would like to see the USSSA
have the Dudley, Euliss, Texas, Florida,
Detroit, Concorde, California, Seattle,
Washington, Milwaukee and the Cajun. The
NSA should have Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana,
Seattle and Canada. The ASA should have the
Twitty, the Smoky Mtn. Classic, College
Station, somewhere in California and Little
Rock, Arkansas. That's a total of 18 NIT's.
There should be five Class A Worlds and
three Super Worlds, the USSSA, NSA, ISA
remember there is no AA teams left, it's
only Super and A and that should be it,
making 23 tournaments in all. If that was
done, with the amount of teams playing today
at the upper level, I believe that these
NIT's would get much more participation
giving them bigger numbers in their events.
Remember this is only my opinion. We
definitely must cut down.
Once again thanks to Warren and Jerry for a
great weekend of "Big Time Softball". I
really enjoyed the weekend. It surely was
another Great Dudley, and I hope I'll be
around to make another one next year.
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NSA - SUPER MAJOR -
Columbus, OH |
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June 11-12, 2005 |
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Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor Bros/Easton won
this NSA Tournament beating a good field of
teams on route to the championship. The
"Bell Boys" had to beat a very good AM Las
Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Shade/Belcher/Easton
team. These two teams have a battle every
time they play each other. Both of these
teams have very good hitters and play very
good defense. I believe the difference in
these two is the Bell team has more
experience. Helmer, Joerling, Baker, Coco
and Beggs have won the big one a few times.
The "Vegas Boys" also have a few boys who
know how to win. I believe that the Vegas
team may be a player or two short at this
time. Am/Las Vegas finished second in this
one, good job guys! Third place went to
Watanabe/Alpine/TPS, who also has some very
good players. This team has had a little up
and down season so far. I believe they will
give a lot of very good A teams trouble down
the road. Fourth place went to Northwest
Pipe/3N2/Easton, who has been battling
against the good A teams all season long.
This crew has a very good bunch of players,
and if they play their best could give any
of those teams trouble.
I want to congratulate Jim Kimmel and his
NSA staff on running another great
tournament in Ohio. I also want to commend
Jeff Hague for getting this great field of
teams in this one. Jeff has done a great
job over the last few years on putting this
tournament together and making it very
successful. This tournament is one of the
very few other than the World Tournaments
that is played on baseball fields, using the
longer bases. I hope Jeff will continue to
run this tournament and keep it in those
conditions on baseball fields.
I also want to mention that it's that time
of the season when the big tournaments are
ready to go. The great Dudley gets started
this weekend and the big one in Little Rock,
Arkansas on the fourth of July and also that
weekend is the USSSA in Milwaukee, and don't
forget the "Pif" in Quebec Canada will have
their 30th year celebration, and that should
be a huge event. The week after the fourth
comes the Mighty Smoky Mountain Classic, and
that my friends is considered by all the
sponsors and players the "grand daddy" of
them all. They all say "win the Smoky and
you won the #1 tournament in the land".
Good Luck to all the teams in these upcoming
tournaments.
The Old Scout
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USSSA NIT - MIKE DAVIS
MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT |
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Concord, CA |
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June 4-5, 2005 |
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Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse is 4-4 in 2005
after winning this Mike Davis Memorial
Tournament. The "Sod and Plaster" boys are
headed in the right direction, to become the
team with the least amount of losses in a
season since Warren Motors 92-2 record. I
know it's early and there's a long way to
go, but this is one very potent team, and
with Jeff Hall out for three weeks and Hank
Garris out for the season this team managed
to roll through everybody this weekend. I
know this wasn't the best field of teams in
this one, but there were some good ones and
they run ruled every team they played. I
believe the true tests will come at the
Dudley and the real test will be the mighty
Smoky. The Smoky will have the best field
of teams entered of any NIT's or World
Tournaments of the season. We will see what
happens. This was another total team effort
in this win. From top to bottom this is a
potent offense. I believe the best part of
this team may be their defense. They may
have what may be the best three defensive
outfielders of all time. The Rich's Team
outfield of Hightower, Roberson and
Whitehead were awfully good. Kendrick,
Striebel and Rainwater are much faster than
the Rich's three. Hitting a ball past these
three Resmondo boys is almost impossible.
This club also has a solid infield. Led by
one of the best to play shortstops Don
DeDonatis Jr. He has great hands, excellent
range, good arm and can flat out hit it.
This kid is the best young player to come
into the game in a long time. Krause plays
good third base. Bryson Baker can flat out
pick it in the middle. Rusty gets the job
done at second, and Hall can play first base
as good as anyone ever. I am sure they will
get beat again this season, but don't look
for many more, I guarantee you. Second
place went to Tacoma Dodge/Easton who is a
pretty good A team. This bunch made it to
the big dance last year and are back at
Mickey Mouse World again. Congratulations to
the "Dodge boys" for
getting their berth. Third place goes to
MVP, a B team who played very good in this
one. Good job boys! Fourth place went to
another B team, EAS/Pollard's/Easton, who
also played good in this one.
I want to tell you all what a great job Dan
Smith has done hosting this Mike Davis
Memorial Tournament over the years. Dan has
put a lot of time, money and effort to make
this a successful venue. Dan has sure done
that, and I can also tell you that Dan has
given a lot to the game and deserves all of
the accolades over the years.
Congratulations Dan on another great
tournament and to John McKinley on running
this great
tournament.
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ASA Twitty Classic |
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Hendersonville,
TN |
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June 4-5, 2005 |
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Berardi's/TPS put it all together to win
this prestigious tournament. This was a
great job by a very good Berardi's team, who
have always been very competitive over the
years... Good job boy! Second place went
to Quick Roofing/Alabama/Brick/Doc's/TPS,
who just flat out played their butts off
after losing their first game. Make no
mistake, this is one hell of an A team.
This bunch will be a contender to win some A
worlds that's for sure. Good job guys!
Third place went to another very good A
team. Jean Shoppe/Worth, who has been
playing very well in the last few
tournaments. I look for this team to upset
some very good teams along the road this
season. Fourth place goes to a team I don't
know much about and that was B&C/Miken.
They must have played good to earn the
fourth spot in this very good tournament.
Once again, another great job by Dave on
running this prestigious tournament.
I have said for two years now that
the Class A division is the best it's ever
been and I believe it. Once again, another
A team wins a tournament. I have said there
are about ten to twelve very good A teams
who can win on any given weekend, and that
is what's happening in 2005. We are down to
two super teams now and about 25 A teams and
that is what makes up Big Time Softball
today. I can tell you it is impossible to
get 10 to 15 of these A teams at these NIT's
week after week because it's too expensive.
Today you have to get B teams and in some
cases C teams to make a Super tournament go.
You ask why? Simple. There are to many
NIT's and not enough sponsors who can't
afford to go every week period. I said it
before, and I will say it again. Cut down
the numbers of NIT's in all associations.
The USSSA seems to be getting decent numbers
in most of their events. The NSA has five
and they will do fine. The ASA is running
major tournaments about ten of them, and the
problem there is there's no major teams
left. Yes, there may be a couple of teams
that are a little bit better than some of
the A teams, but when they play in a
restricted homerun tournament against some
of the other A teams they have a problem
winning period. Now add eight A World's, one
Major World and Three Super World's to the
already heavy schedule of NIT's and there is
no way these teams can afford to go play in
most of these tournaments. I say it's time
to sit down again with all the associations
and talk about what should be done. We can
save Big Time Softball if the people who
run these associations think about the games
and not what is best for them. The game is
bigger than the associations. Remember
without the sponsors and players there is no
game. Let's get it done now and not wait
another year. We have some very good
softball people in the country who know how
to get this done. I say after the season is
over let's set up a meeting and get it done
once and for all. Don DeDonotis, Chet Tyl,
Eddie Ray Cantrell, Ron Rogonda and John
Daniels along with all the bat manufacturers
National Reps and the Class A sponsors, the
two Super sponsors and myself . I believe
we can make headway and get something done
to save this game. I say keep the two Super
teams, which I believe then the A teams
still have a chance to play against the best
players in the world. Believe me those A
players want to play that competition once
in a while. Don DeDonotis told me one time
Gordie, the A World is for the A teams the
Super World is for the Supers and I agree.
The best A team will win the Class A World,
the best Super Team will win the Super
World. Maybe a Class A team will win the
Super don't forget it's been done in the
past. Just my opinion.
The Old Scout
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USSSA NIT - CAJUN
CLASSIC |
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May 28-29,
2005 |
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Barnes Logging/Worth
showed why they belong in the top of the
rankings by winning this prestigious
tournament. This my friends is a very good A
team, who are getting better and better each
time out. Last year this team played very well,
and are right back at it again in 2005. The
"Worth Boys" played very good defense, and can
base hit the hell out of it. This team has
enough power to keep them in most games also.
Congratulations to Barnes for a great win. I
will bet you it may not be their last of the
year. Second place went to another good A team,
Aubrey's/Resmondo/TPS, who can also play with
anybody. Make no mistake, this is the best
Aubrey's team I've ever seen. This team has a
lot of talent, and will have a good chance of
winning some A Worlds in 2005. This is also a
very good hitting team and they can "pick it"
with the best. Third place in this one goes to
AM/Las Vegas/ Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade
Rest./Easton who just didn't get it done this
weekend. This team has the most talent of any
of the A teams. This team just seems to get in
trouble against teams that they are much better
than for some reason. I'm sure when it gets
down to crunch time they will get it done, they
are just too good a team to not. Fourth place
went to a B team out of Mississippi called
Sports Center/Worth. This team has some
talented players who have been there before. I
look for this team to be a real contender in
Class B Worlds this year. I want to
congratulate the Louisiana USSSA and it's entire
staff on another great Cajun Classic. I also
would like to thank Jim McCarron once again for
posting scores and highlights of this
tournament. I want you to know it's people like
Jim who cares about this great game, and I'm
truly grateful for what he does for the Old
Scout and the softball world. Thanks again Jim. |
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NSA THOROUGHBRED
CLASSIC - LEXINGTON, KY |
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May 28-29,
2005 |
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Quick Roofing/Alabama Brick/Doc's/Easton put
it all together in this one, and won this
very good A tournament. I have been rating
them in the top of the heap all season, and
they've proved they belong there this
weekend. This team has some veteran players
who know how to win, I guarantee you. This
bunch will also be a contender to win some A
Worlds. Good job boys, I hope to see you
down the road soon. Second place went to
another talented A team, Team Stucco/TPS.
This team will knock on the door every
weekend they play. They have a lot of
talent. I look for this club to be a
contender in all the A Worlds they play in
for 2005. Third place goes to Watanbe/Alpine/TPS,
who will also be in the hunt for a Class A
World title this year. This team has a lot
of players who know how to win. Good luck
the rest of the year. Fourth place went to
a team I really don't know that much about,
but they sure played very good this
weekend. They must have some good players
to take fourth in this very good field of A
teams at the Classic. Good job guys, hope
to catch you down the road. I would like to
say thank you to Raymond Moscow, Jim Kimmel
and Hank Bassett for posting scores and
highlights. I can tell you it is greatly
appreciated by me and the softball world for
the job you guys do. Once again thank you.
I also would like to say, as usual another
great job by Eddie Ray and his entire NSA
staff in running this prestigious
Thoroughbred Classic.
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NSA MAJOR - MUNCIE, IN |
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May 21-22, 2005 |
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Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse rolls through this
NSA Tournament, and makes it four straight
tournament wins. "The Sod and Plaster" boys
played the first tournament on the bigger fields
and proved that they will be very hard to beat
in these conditions. "Big Jeff Wallace"
continued his torrid hitting, as he won the MVP
for the third straight tournament. Make no
mistake this was a total team effort from this
very powerful team. This is definitely one very
talented team. They have an all-star at every
position who can base hit it, hit for power and
play great defense. They definitely have all
the tools. AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Belcher/Shade
Rest/Easton who finished second in this one, got
it going this weekend after stumbling in the
last two. This is also a very talented team who
will be around the top in most of the
tournaments they play in. The only problem with
this team is they sometimes lose to teams that
they shouldn't lose to. They will have to play
every game like they're playing Resmondo to stop
that issue. Third place went to Team Combat/Kleuver's/Snap
On, who has a lot of talent with picking up
veteran Jeff Ott this weekend, who will give
this bunch a big lift. John McCraw and RJ
Howerton had a big weekend also. Fourth place
went to Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor Bros/Easton,
who just didn't play all that well in this one.
Make no mistake, this is one very good softball
team who will play much better I
guarantee. This tournament was played where it
should be, on bigger fields and 80' bases.
I want to congratulate Jim Kimmel and his NSA
staff for running another great tournament. I
also want to thank Jim for posting the scores
and highlights from the weekend. I can tell
you, that it's people like Jim Kimmel that keeps
"Big Time Softball" the greatest game in the
world.
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Tournament MVP: Jeff Wallace -
Resmondo/Smith/Menosee |
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All
Tournament Team: |
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Rusty
Bumgardner - Resmondo/Smith/Menosee
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Andy Purcell
- Resmondo/Smith/Menosee |
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Bryson Baker
- Resmondo/Smith/Menosee |
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John
Glidewell - Resmondo/Smith/Menosee
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Don
Dedonatis, Jr. - Resmondo/Smith/Menosee
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Brian Wegman
- AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton |
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Denny Crine
- AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton |
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Chris Adams
- AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton |
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Johnny
McCraw (.862) -Team Combat/Kleuver's/Snap-On |
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R.J.
Howerton (.850) - Team Combat/Kleuver's/Snap-On |
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Todd Martin
- Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton |
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USSSA - NIT - COLUMBUS, IN
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May 21-22, 2005 |
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Team Stucco/TPS put it all together this week,
as they ran through this field of teams. "The
Stucco boys" are a very good A team, and will
be a threat to win the USSSA Worlds again.
They base hit it, have enough power and play
very good defense. Believe me they have some
very talented players. Second place went to
another good A team, Watanabe/Alpine/TPS.
This bunch has also got some very good
players. I look for this bunch to be very
competitive all season long. Third place in
this one goes to another one of those good A
teams, Northwest Pipe/Easton. This team is
always in the hunt in these type of
tournaments. Fourth place went to Pace/TPS
who plays a lot of USSSA tournaments, and who
will also be a contender to finish near the
top every weekend. I can tell you the TPS
teams this year are playing a whole lot
better, and that's because of the very good
TPS Catalyst bat. Louisville Slugger had
fallen a little behind for a few years in the
battle of the bats, but I can tell you it's
not true anymore, because their bat is as good
as any out there today, believe me.
I'm not sure who ran this USSSA NIT, but was
told they did a great job. I also want to
thank Jim McCarron once again for doing
another great job posting the scores and
highlights.
The Old Scout
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USSSA - NIT - EULESS, TX |
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May 14-15, 2005 |
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Euless, TX was the setting for the fourth
USSSA NIT of 2005. Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse
made it 3-3 by winning this tournament.
Resmondo, for the second time this season had
to earn it the hard way, having to win the
"If" game. Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor
Bros/Easton who finished second in this one,
made it hard on Resmondo again. The "Bell
boys" who lost the winner's bracket final
game, were able to defeat the #1 team in the
first game of the championship. The "sod &
plaster boys" played just good enough to get
this win. This was a total team effort, as
they base hit it and hit a few homeruns to
stay in the #1 spot. I stated earlier that I
thought that this team might have a chance to
break the record for the least amount of
losses since the Warren Motors team. I can
tell you they will have to stop losing the
first game of the championship if they want to
break that record. Make no mistake softball
fans, Bell Corp. is a very talented team who
will give the #1 team in the country a battle
every time they step on the field against each
other. I believe that every once in awhile
one of the A teams will give both of these
Super teams a great game, and might sneak one
out, but not too often.
Bell Corp. who got second in this one, will be
back in the hunt next weekend at the NSA Super
in Muncie, IN. To win this one the "Bell
boys" will have to battle Resmondo and a host
of very good A teams. This tournament will
have the best field of teams entered in a
tourney so far this season. They will play
this one on 325' fields, using 80' bases for
the first time this season. This is the way
it should be every week. They also will be
hitting a very good ball with a 16 HR and one
up. This should keep the pitcher pretty safe
in this one. Third place went to Barnes
Logging/Worth who are a very good A team.
This bunch played very well last year, and are
even better this year. I will be ranking this
bunch up this week, Good Job boys! Fourth
place went to Quick Roofing/Pro Med/Cash Plus
Pawn, a B team who played very competitive
this weekend . This is a talented team,
believe me, and they will get better each
week.
I want to congratulate Rick and his staff for
running another very good tournament in
Euless, and once again thanks to Jim McCarron
for posting scores and highlights. Until next
week.
The Old Scout
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Tournament MVP:
Jeff Wallace - Resmondo/Smith/Menosse
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Defensive MVP: Dal Beggs - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton
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All Tournament
Team: |
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Jeff Hall - Resmondo/Smith/Menosse
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Jason Kendrick -
Resmondo/Smith/Menosse |
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Don De Donatis Jr. -
Resmondo/Smith/Menosse |
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Bryson Baker -
Resmondo/Smith/Menosse |
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Scott Brown - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton
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Brett Helmer - Bell
Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton |
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Albert Davis - Bell
Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton |
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Kirk Stafford -
Barnes Logging/Worth |
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Greg Guess - Barnes
Logging/Worth |
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Mike Daniels - Barnes
Logging/Worth |
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Eric
Carey -
Quick Roofing/ProMed/Cash Plus Pawn |
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Perry Hensley
- Quick Roofing/ProMed/Cash Plus Pawn |
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USSSA - NIT - ORMOND BEACH, FL |
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April 30 - May 1, 2005 |
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Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse made it 2-2 by
winning this NIT in Florida. The "Sod &
Plaster boys" hit lots of homeruns and
plenty of base hits, playing their usual
great defense running through this
tournament. Aubrey's/Resmondo/TPS gave it's
partners a very good game in this one,
losing 28-25. That is as close as anybody
got to this well oiled machine, as they
drubbed everyone else. I believe this is
going to happen a lot this season with this
bunch. This is one very powerful team, and
any team who plays them will have to play
their very, very best to beat them. This
was a total team effort on route to the
championship. Aubrey's/Resmondo/TPS is a
very good A team got second in this one, and
their berth to Disney World. This ball club
will be near the top in most of the tourneys
they play in this year. This bunch has
solid defense and can base hit the hell out
of it. They also have enough power to stay
close with anybody. Northwest Pipe/3N2/Bud
Lite/Easton got third in this one and will
be very competitve in these NIT's. I also
believe this team will be very tough in the
A Worlds. Fourth place went to Team Combat/Kleuver/Snap
On playing their first tournament of the
season, but did not play very well. This
team will have to make changes if they want
to play with the better teams. I know they
have some very good players, but will need
much more help. I'm sure they will be
looking to get that help soon.
Congratulations to Nate and Jason Kendrick
and the USSSA staff in running this event.
I heard everything went well in Ormond. I
want to thank Jim MaCarron and Nate for
posting all the scores and highlights for
the weekend. Thank you very much.
THE ASA SPRING CLASSIC
The Spring Classic was played in beautiful
Maryville, TN this past weekend, but
mother nature played a big roll in this
one. I was told the rain started Friday and
continued throughout most of the weekend.
Chris Clark did everything in his power to
get this one in, and he did just that.
McNair Sports/New/TPS got the win, as they
proved worthy of being ranked in the Top 15. I will say this, when Roger New has
anything to do with a team, he will find a
way to win. Roger is a two time ASA Major
World Champion. He knows how to get it
done. Veteran Vern Hensley has been a big
part of Roger's teams forever, and was named
the tournament's MVP. Vern continues to hit
the hell out of it. I'm not sure how old
Vern is, but he's got to be pushing up
there. I believe that this team will be a
contender in ASA tournaments all season
long. Second place went to another good A
team, Alpine/Watanabe/TPS. This is another
Top 15 team in 2005. This bunch has some
very good A players, who have been playing
for a long time and know how to win. The
surprise of the weekend was that the
favorite to win this weekend was AM Las
Vegas/Benfield/Belcher/Shade/Easton, but
they did not get it done. I have to tell
you that this is one very talented team who
will definitely be there at the end.
Getting beat is going to happen on any given
weekend, period. The competition throughout
the Top 15 A teams is very close this year.
I expect that anyone of the ten could win a
tournament on any given weekend. The "Vegas
Boys" got third in this one. Fourth place
went to another one of those good A teams,
Team Stucco/TPS. I believe it will take a
couple of more tournaments for this bunch to
get it going, they will win one. Great job
Chris, we know it's not easy when the
weather's bad and you have to contend with
it all.
ASA/WSL Budweiser Tournament
I was in College Station, Texas this past
weekend at the ASA/WSL Budweiser
Tournament. This one had over 200 teams in
it in Class B, C, D, Women's and Co-ed.
Greg Hutchinson continues to run one of the
great tournaments in the country. Greg and
his staff just worked their butts off all
year putting this together. I can tell you
this tournament goes off with very few
problems and is very well run. ASA and WSL
berths were given out and some very nice
trophies also. I really enjoy seeing the
lower class teams play, as I get a chance to
look at some of the very good players at
this level. Look for some of the action
from this fabulous event on Softball 360 TV
show later this month. Once again a great
job Greg and thanks for the hospitality in
Texas.
LONG HAUL BOMBERS HOMERUN TOUR
The Long Haul Bombers hit Saturday night at
the Minor League park in Ft. Meyers, FL.
Scott Brown hit 11-15, Brett Helmer hit
8-15, Kenny Briggs hit 7-15 and Bob Woldyck
hit 4-15. The fans, especially the young
kids, loved seeing the display of some long
bombs hit in this one. See you next week.
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USSSA - NIT - MARYLAND |
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April 23-24, 2005 |
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The 2nd USSSA NIT of the 2005 season was
played in the great state of Maryland this
past weekend. Quick Roofing/Alabama Brick/Doc's/Easton
won the tournament and their USSSA Super
berth to "Mickey Mouse World". The "Brick
Boys" beat the second best team in this one,
that being Team Stucco/TPS for the win.
Brick and Stucco will be contenders in all
the A Worlds in 2005. This tournament had
two good A teams, 5 B teams and about 7 C
teams of the 14 teams entered. The Ormond
Beach USSSA NIT next week will feature 1
Super team, Resmondo/Smith/Menossee, 4 A
teams, 2 B teams and 3 C teams in the super
division. I believe this is how it's going
to be all season long in most of the NIT's.
Sunrise Pools, a B team finished in 3rd.
place this weekend, and Berardi's/Team LTP
took 4th. Chris Chilton was named the
tournament's MVP. Chris is one of the very
good players who doesn't play on one of the
two big teams. He can base hit it, hit for
power and can "pick it" with the best. I
would like to congratulate Bob Holland on
another great job running this Maryland
NIT. I also want to thank Jim McCarron for
posting the scores and highlights of this
tournament. Thanks Jim
I attended the Long Haul Bombers Homerun
Derby at Dolphin Stadium, home of the
Florida Marlins this weekend. The Mizuno
team of Rusty Bumgardner and Jeff Hall, and
the Easton team Scott Brown and Brett Helmer
were the hitters in this one. Louisville
Slugger's Andy Purcell did the pitching.
The conditions were pretty windy, as the
wind was swirling throughout the stadium.
Scott Brown hit it right through the wind
hitting 12-15. Helmer hit 8-15, Rusty hit
7-15 and Hall hit 5-15. The show was filmed
for TV and will be shown later this season.
Ken Griffey Jr. stopped by to say hello to
all the boys, and signed autographs and took
pictures with all the players. This sure
was a class move by the future Hall of Famer
Ken Griffey Jr. Josh Becket also took time
to meet the guys and take pictures, another
class act. The dugouts were full of Major
League players, along with 28,000 fans
watching the "big bombers" hit some long
bombs. Both the fans and the Major League
players loved seeing the ball leave the
park. It truly was a great show for all.
I'm here to tell you this is the best
promotion for the best homerun hitters in
the world, and also for the bat
manufacturers who sponsor these great
hitters and the best pitcher in the world.
Thanks to Louisville Slugger, Easton Sports,
Mizuno Sports, Miken Sports, Combat Sports,
Trump Softball, Avis along with Long Haul Trucking for making
this all possible.
The Top 15 rankings stay the same this week.
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USSSA - SUPER NIT - KISSIMMEE, FL
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April 16-17, 2005 |
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The 2005 NIT's got under way this weekend in
Kissimmee, FL. I can tell you this USSSA NIT
was as good as it gets. Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse
won this one by winning the "If" game, run
ruling Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor Bros/Easton. The
Bell boys lost the winner's bracket final game
40-37. The Bell boys then played a very good A
team, AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton
team that finished third in this one. The Vegas
boys beat another very good A team
Aubrey's/Resmondo/TPS who finished in
fourth place. The first USSSA NIT of the season
had twelve teams entered, two Supers, two A's,
two B's and six C teams. I can tell you that
most of the Super NIT's in 2005 will need these
B and C teams to play or these will end up
being four or five team tournaments. The problem
is from what I can see, there's too many NIT's
and not enough A teams who can afford to travel
this much. The only way that there will be a lot
of A teams entered in these Super NIT's is if
the tournament is within driving distance or in
their own area. I know this, I've got
approximately thirty A team rosters this year,
and only about ten of them will be able to
travel out of their area, that's it. The
directors who are running Super NIT's this
season better hustle and get some of their local
B & C teams to their events. There will be some
great tournaments when the two Super teams and
ten or twelve of the good A teams show up, but
few and far between. I think ten to twelve A
teams is about the best you can get on any given
weekend, except the Smoky and the Dudley. The
Thoroughbred and the Twitty will get about 25 A
teams, as usual. This one this weekend came out
just how it was expected too.
The Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse team is going to
be very hard to beat in a tournament this
season. I believe they have a chance to have the
best record in a single season, other than the
Warren Motors team from years back that went
92-2. Make no mistake about it, this is a very
talented bunch. This team has an All-Star at
every position, and two bench players who can
start on any good A team in the country. I will
tell you also, they have power 1-11 who can bust
it anywhere they play, they also can base hit it
in the homerun restricted tournaments and can
hit it when they play in the stadiums. This
team also has great defense in every
position. This bunch as they say, has "all the
tools". The Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor Bros/Easton
team are also very talented, but may lack one or
two players at key positions. They can base hit
it very well, play very good D, but may lack
some power, especially in the big stadiums where
they play the Worlds. They played very good this
weekend and can and will be very competitive
against Resmondo all year long. I believe they
will have to play their best to win a tournament
when Resmondo is entered, we will see. I know
one thing for sure there's no quitters on that
Bell team and they're going to get better. I
haven't seen Team Combat yet, but I can tell you
they will have to be very good to beat the two
"big boys" or AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Belcher/Shade/Easton. The
Vegas boys are very good believe me. They also
have "all the tools". They can base hit it, hit
for power and play solid D. This bunch will be
knocking on the door all season long, I
guarantee you.
I can say this, that playing on the 300' fields,
using hard rock balls with the homerun limit is
a great game for the A teams, but they will have
a very tough time beating the two big teams
that's for sure. There are maybe three or four A
teams that will be very competitive in these
conditions, but cannot win a tournament when the
two giants are entered period. I still believe
these good A teams have a better chance to win
with a homerun limit on baseball fields, using
80' bases, but remember this is just my
opinion. When they play the Worlds on baseball
fields using 70' bases these A teams don't have
a chance. Too many doubles, too many triples and
too many inside the park homeruns, with no
double plays made, not being able to get out of
a big inning are the problems with the 70'
bases. When using the 80' bases these good A
teams can turn the double play, stop the big
innings making them able to hold runners at
first base to keep the double play in order,
period.
Don Dedonatis and his USSSA staff once again did
another great job running this tournament. The
umpiring was great and for the most part the
games were on time. That's the way they should
all be run. The USSSA voted to let B teams who
participate in their program play in the USSSA A
Worlds in 2005. I for one totally think this is
a great move on by the Board of Directors of the
USSSA. I want to especially thank Jim McCarron
for his dedication and hard work on posting all
the scores and tid bits keeping all the fans
abreast of what's going on in these USSSA NIT's,
thanks again Jim. I also would like the softball
world to know that one of the great guys in the
history of our game, Woody & Pat Bell are
putting on a fundraiser in Woody's hometown
Aurora, Ohio for a man whom they have known
since Woody was a kid, who has Down Syndrome and
is now 55 yrs. old. This guy would always
attended the softball games at their local park
where some of Woody's sponsored teams played
back in those days. He very much loved going to
the softball games. Woody is having a street
named in his honor at the local ballpark. It's
people like Woody and Pat Bell who make this
great game the "softball family" that it
is. I'll keep you all informed on when this
event is taking place and how it turns
out. Maybe some of the softball fans in that
area could turn out for the fundraiser and help
Woody & Pat make this a great event. Woody, all
I can say is you and Pat are truly a "Class Act"
and have made all the people involved in
softball very, very proud to know you. Good Luck
in your endeavor.
The Old Scout
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ALL
TOURNAMENT TEAM
Bryson Baker - Smith/Resmondo/Menosse -
MVP
Rusty Bumgardner - Smith/Resmondo/Menosse
Tim Cocco - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor
Albert Davis - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor
Don DeDonatis Jr - Smith/ResmondoMenosse
Jim Devine - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor
Jeff Hall - Smith/Resmondo/Menossee
Brett Helmer - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor
Jason Kendrick - Smith/Resmondo/Menosse
Scott Nastally - Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor
Kris Ohara - AM Las Vegas/Benfield
Andy Purcell - Smith/Resmondo/Menosse
Scott Striebel - Smith/Resmondo/Menosse
Dennis Rulli - AM Las Vegas/Benfield
Brian Wegman - AM Las Vegas/Benfield
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2005 Season |
| January 8,
2005 |
The new year is here,
and right around the corner is the 2005 season. I'll
bet a lot of the sponsors, players, manufacturers and
associations are wondering what 2005 will bring.
Let's take a look back at a little of the 2004
season. It was a very good season for "Big Time"
softball. The three Super teams played very well down
the stretch. Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton proved
to be the best team in 2004. Resmondo/Taylor Bros.
was a close second, and US Vinyl came on like gang
busters at the end of 2004. The Class A division was
the best it's ever been. The Class A World's in all
associations were an all out war, and the Synergy By
Easton team proved to be the best in the A division.
There were about nine other A teams who were very
close to being as good. The B, C, D & E divisions
were also very competitive. I'm looking forward to
the 2005 season, and it should be even better.
The USSSA has moved the
number of Major players who can play on a Class A team
to five. I believe this will make more competitive
teams in 2005. The main thing that I hope will change
in 2005 is that all associations will do a better job
on controlling the illegal bats. I can tell you at
the last three Worlds in 2004 the ASA Major, the USSSA
Super & the WSL Major Class A Worlds there were
players using cheater bats, I guarantee you. I will
also tell you there were players who couldn't hit a
380' or 400' homerun with a legit bat ever. I also
can tell you there were Big Time homerun hitters who
were hitting 400' to 450' homeruns consistently in
these world's. I'm here to tell you that nobody today
or in the past could consistently hit 400'-450'
homeruns with a legit bat. The associations go out
and hire doctors, scientists, engineers to try and
keep the bats legal. I'm here to tell you it doesn't
take any of them to know if the bats are legal or
illegal. I can tell you when you see 170 lb. players
hitting 380-400' homeruns 6 or 7 times in stadium
play, you know there's something wrong with the bat
period. When you see the best homerun hitters hitting
400-450' homeruns consistently you definitely know
there's something wrong with the bat. Most homeruns
hit in the stadiums are hit down the lines where the
distance is usually 320-340'. When you see homeruns
that were hit at the biggest stadium used in Big Time
softball at Disney, where the gaps are 390' and the
ball is going out consistently, you can bet the bats
are illegal. I agree that there should be a few balls
hit out in them big gaps by the best homerun hitters
in the world, not by some 175 lb. player who you know
is not capable of doing that. All I can say is that
somebody better do something about the doctoring of
these bats before somebody gets killed and the
integrity of the game can be protected. I know for a
fact that there were players using bats in 2004. I
was told by some of the players teammates who were
using these illegal bats that no way they could of hit
these homeruns with a legit bat. I will end this by
saying that the manufacturers have the best equipment
the game has ever known and do a good job trying to
keep it legal. If the players want to alter the
equipment and the manufacturer finds out, then these
players should not be allowed to get anymore
equipment. Remember there are no secrets in
softball. We know who is doctoring the bats, and I
hope the associations and the manufacturers do
something about this big problem in 2005, it needs to
be addressed.
The number of teams in
2005 in Class A have dropped considerably, because of
more mergers. Remember every time two teams merge we
lose one. Over the last ten years there have been
many sponsors who just can't afford to have a team and
run it by himself today. To have a good A team and
play ten NIT's and four World Tournaments, the cost is
approximately $125,000-$150,000. I can tell you it
takes three or more sponsors to have a competitive
team today. When you all talk about the number of
teams left in the country today in upper level
softball, obviously it's because of the cost. There's
no way anybody can tell the sponsors how to spend
their money or how much they pay their players, that's
their business. To pay the travel expenses, the
players and the hotels you just have to have at least
three sponsors to be able to play, and that is why the
numbers of teams are down. There are about 20 very
good A teams, 3 Super teams left in the country
today. I say the associations should cater to these
teams left to keep Big Time softball the way it is
today. I say if the NIT's get 10-12 Class A teams &
the 3 Super teams today then that's great. Take a
look at the four biggest tournaments in the country
today, the Dudley, the Twitty, the Thoroughbred and
the Smoky Mountain Classic. This is how they stack
up; the Dudley, the Twitty and the Thoroughbred get
20 Class A team, and 15-20 B or C teams. The Smoky
Mtn. Classic gets the top 25 teams in the country and
5 B & C teams. That's the way it is folks for 2005,
and I think that's very good. I believe the other
NIT's played in the country, if they get 8-10 teams
that's a good tournament.
Here's a preview of what
to expect in 2005; Resmondo/Dan Smith/Menosse looks
like it will be the team to beat in 2005. This team
has a powerful lineup and has a chance to become the
best team ever, we will see. Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor
Bros/Easton looks like it will be very strong also. I
think they will give the Resmondo/Smith a battle all
season long. US Vinyl, who really came together in
2004 should be even better in 2005. I look for this
bunch to be very competitive against the two top
teams. Randy Noe and Mike Kleuver have put together a
solid team and should be a very good A team. That
ball club will be managed by Jackie Hayes. I hope to
start getting rosters from all the teams soon, and
will post them as soon as I get them. The USSSA will
play 12 Super NIT's and some Class A Nit's. The
ASA/WSL will have 10 Major Class A qualifiers to be
announced soon. The NSA will have 4 Super Nit's and
some AA Class A Nit's and will also be hosting "The
Pif" tournament in Quebec, Canada on July 4th
weekend. The ISA will have it's Winter National
Tournament Jan. 21-23 in Winter Haven, FL. It should
be a good one.
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