2002 Cincinnati Major NIT

The winner was Florida Heat/Nave Plumbing/Joe Black’s/Worth a team I ranked up in the top of the heap early this season and have kept them there because I felt they had one of the better A teams in the world, and they have definitely proven it right. This ball club has been playing extremely well all season. Roger Tabor has put together a bunch of veteran players who can play and do what it takes to win at this level. When Roger added veteran pitcher Pat Wayne I knew it would pay dividends and make them a very strong team, and that’s exactly what happened. Florida Heat was led by MVP Joe Povenski who went 19-20 and led the tournament with 7 homeruns. They also got great outfield play from Jeff Young and a great effort from veteran Bob Woldyk, Brian Arnold, Butch Smith and the rest of the Florida Heat ball club. Great job guys, you deserve a lot of credit. Keep up the good work. Finishing in second place was Creative Stucco/Easton, another one of those very good A teams who will be a tough team down the stretch. I can say don’t take this team too lightly, they will jump up and bite you in a hurry. They are better than their record shows. Chase/Reece/Roosters/Easton gets the third place finish in this one as they battled along with all the other teams in the 90+ temps. all weekend long. The fourth place spot went to Perkins/Watanabe/TPS who always seems to play very well in these Super NIT’s.

I would like to say once again as usual another great job by Jim Wessel and his staff at Eggelston Park running this USSSA event. This is a great place to hold a tournament with the great shade trees and very good hospitality and is certainly the best place to watch softball in the country. Great job to Jim and his wife.