NSA Classic City Major/AA NIT

Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS makes it 4 out of 5 in 2001, as they swept through going 7-0 on route to the Championship. Long Haul was led by the whole ball team, as everybody contributed in their run through this event. Andy Purcell, who just may be the best pitcher in the game today with his ability to catch the ball at his position and contribute offensively both on base and power, makes him the complete player. This boy has all the tools. I can tell you that this team and the former Team TPS, who have dominated on 300′ fields for 3 consecutive years just seems to get better and better. every time out. The surprising team of the weekend, Reesce’s/Roosters/Easton, whom I had said in my earlier Softball Reports would be a strong AA team led by Cobbie Harrison, finally put it together and defeated the #2 ranked team in the country, DanSmith/Backman/Menosse/Easton, and then preceded to beat the #5 ranked team in the country Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS. Like a lot of teams, sometimes it takes a while to get it going.

Reece’s/Rooster/Easton, who have struggled in their first few outings of the season, came here this weekend and just flat out hit it and caught it to gain their NSA berth in the World Series. Hopefully they will stay on track as they head to Columbus, Ohio this coming weekend for another NSA Nit. Third place went to Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS, who continues to struggle after 5 tournaments, but managed to beat Dan Smith in one of the semi games this weekend. This ball club has some great talent, but just can’t get it together so far, but who knows there’s still a lot of ball left to be played for them. Finishing in fourth spot was also a struggling team Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton. This is another team that is full of talent, but just isn’t getting the job done, as some of the boys continue not to hit up to their ability, especially power-wise.

Once again let me say that Jim Kimmel and the NSA continue to climb to the top of the softball world by running a “First Class” Tournament. Their umpiring staff are not only the best dressed crew in the country, but also have some of the “Top-notch” umpires.. I also want to commend Tim Fishburn and his staff at the Midwest Sports Complex for an unbelievable job getting the fields ready Saturday morning after the all night rainfall. That was a tremendous job done, as Tim and Jim got the games underway to complete this tournament on schedule. My hat goes off to their whole crew.

All Tournament Team:

Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton: Dewayne Nevitt

Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS: Dennis Mendoza, Albert Davis

Reece’s/Roosters/Easton: Jeff Edington, Chris Lashley, David Crawley

Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS: Rusty Bumgardner, Mike McColman, Randell
Boone, Todd “Will” Martin

Defensive Player: Robb Schleede from Reece’s/Roosters/Easton

Offensive Player: Hank Garris

Homerun Champion: Hank Garris (23)

MVP: Andy Purcell

Order of Finish

1. Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS
2. Reece’s/Roosters/Easton
3. Hague/Resmondo/Specialty Tank/TPS
4. Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton