Pacific Headwear ad Smash It Sports ad

Publisher Stafford Connor Managing Editor In This Issue Greg Huchingson Design/Printing 37 teams answer the bell REEDESIGN for the 14th Conference by Lebco Graphics Contributing Writers Dudley season Van Galeon Anthony Ramos 6 Julie Walton Dale Weiser Photographers / Credits Andy Drabic Play ball, raise a family, Pete Spatula play senior ball Julie Walton Dale Weiser 46 Logistics Manager Roy “Rap City” Dean

Big Time Softball is published quarterly. Publishing offices are located at 6028 Teams expand to six Rayburn Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76133. Reproduction or use of the contents with addition of in whole or in part without prior written permission of the publisher is Canadian Wild prohibited. 6028 Rayburn Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76133 52 817.944.7484 [email protected]

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 5 The USSSA Conference by Dudley is set to begin its 14th season By Dale Weiser he USSSA Conference presented by Dudley slow-pitch softball league begins its 14th season at the end of March starting with theT 9th Annual “Sin City” Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada! The nation’s top league will have 37 teams from 21 different States. The USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association), a leader in amateur adult and youth sports runs the league using a group of national directors and umpires and the schedule visits some of the top slow-pitch venues in the country. The Live streaming of Conference events has been a big contributor to 14 years of success and growth. Conference will feature 4 Major classed teams, up from 3 a year ago, at least 8 America Ballyard which has the best Major, Hall of Fame Classic, Smoky, ‘AA’ teams, and 25 ‘A’ and ‘B’ classed atmosphere in softball, and they close and Conference Championships. Last teams. Including the opening tourna- the month at the Rose City Classic in year they won the point standings as ment in Las Vegas, March 29-31, the Portland, Oregon. In August the regular well and then the Major World Series Conference will travel 20 out of next 21 season comes to an end with a huge after being taken to the “if necessary” weekends (except for Easter weekend) tournament in Columbus, Ohio at the game by runner up Smash It Sports/ and host 23 tournaments. The schedule 30 turf field Lou Berliner Park complex, Thunder. In the offseason Resmondo features stops in Houston for the 64 and finishes in North Carolina at the picked up Kyle Pearson who led the team Space City Classic, the Hall of Louisville Slugger/Demarini Classic. league in on base percentage and home Fame Dual tournament in Viera, Florida The post season will then get under runs in 2018 and add him to a lineup which will have 35 of the top teams in way in mid-August with the GSL that dominated the baseball sized the country playing on the turf base- and USSSA ‘A’ World tournaments, fields last year. Meanwhile Smash It ball fields at the new USSSA Space and continue in September with the Sports/Thunder broke up with some Coast Complex, and the 41st annual Conference Championships, the USSSA of their key players like pitcher Andy Cajun Classic in Carencro, Louisiana ‘AA’ World tournament, and the most Purcell and power hitter Ryan Harvey rounds out the April schedule. In May prestigious slow-pitch event in soft- going to the new Major team TDB/ they will go to two new tournaments, ball, the USSSA Major World Series! Racks/Athlon who will start the season the Frank Webb memorial in St. Louis, The Conference teams score points ranked #3. Moving up to the #2 spot in and Myrtle Beach at the all turf Grand based on their finishing positions the pre-season rankings is Dan Smith/ Park Athletic Complex with their 325 throughout the regular season and are Menosse/Steven Smith/Florida Atlantic foot fences. The month of May will also scored on their best 6 tournaments. Ironworks/Churchill’s Steakhouse/ have the 19th Annual Texas Legends The top 16 teams in the point stand- Shirts and Logos who finished 2nd Major in Euless, the Peach State Major ings at the end of the regular season in the Conference points standings in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Rocky are invited to play in the Major World in 2018 and 3rd at the Major World Mountain Shootout in Colorado. In Series in Viera, Florida at USSSA’s Series. They are led by league Offensive June the softball action heats up with Space Coast Stadium with the highest MVP Davis Bilardello and outfielder big tournaments in Chicago, Minnesota non-qualified Conference ‘A’ team at Andrew Collins. Rounding out the 2019 at The Dudley, and a dual tournament the ‘A’ World tournament receiving Major division is newcomer Smash It in Seattle featuring unlimited home the 17th seed and the USSSA Military Sports/Pure Sports a team coming off runs! June also has smaller tourna- Champion receiving the 18th seed. of the USSSA ‘AA’ Championship last ments in Maryland and Oklahoma. In fall and are led by ‘AA’ MVP and the July the Conference visits the 40th This off season the Conference Major most entertaining pitcher in the game Annual Busch Classic in Arkansas, division expanded to 4 teams. The Justin Mucciarelli, and outfielder Filip the granddaddy of them all the Smoky defending 2018 World Series Champion Washington. Mountain Classic in Tennessee, the Resmondo/Smash It/Thunder/RDD/H. 20th annual Cincy Major at the Mid Auto/Sprizzi/S&S/Easton will try to In the ‘AA’ division there will be repeat their victories at the Las Vegas at least 9 top teams with the old

T 6 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Precision team from Illinois being hall of famer Victor Cordova. Premier/ the year in ‘AA’ with Demarini slugger called Smash It Sports/3rd Street/ TG/Headlines/Easton moves up to the Chris Larsen leading the offense. Bulldawg this year and they picked up ‘AA’ division after winning the GSL 2018 was an incredible year full of pitcher Andrew Vitcak and infielder ‘A’ World last summer. Nightmare/ upsets and close games particularly Mike Umschied, both of whom are Miken and sponsor Nolan Fogle return at the Major World Series. This year moving down from the Major divi- with big hitters Mike Brambilla and looks to build on the parity between sion. Bay Area/Rapid Fire/Bad Draw/ Billy Maggard and new pitcher Dan divisions and it will be interesting Easton joins the ‘AA’ division as the Bean. Riot Sports/All Out/Hubs Pub/ to see how the new Major division sponsors from 3 ‘A’ teams combine and Klutch/Showtime/Treedem/Benson pans out. Resmondo is the heavy they have a west coast flavor to their comes back for a 2nd year with Keith favorite, but the pre-season #1 team roster led by Conference Defensive Martin and veteran pitcher Donald has failed to win the big tourna- MVP Ryan Mcclanahan. Xtreme/Miken/ “Buckshot” Plaisance. Rebel Sports/ ments each of the last two years! To ASP/Athlon from Minnesota the 2017 TN/Troupe/M24 joins the ‘AA’ division follow the Conference USSS, tune in to ‘AA’ champions return although they as they combine sponsors including USSSAlive.com for the livestreaming lost a couple of their top outfielders 2014 Line Drive ‘A’ champion sponsor action and SoftballCenter.com and but retooled by adding outfielders Tarz Lanzon to field a team with the ConferenceUSSSA.com for tournament Chris Anninos and Matt Schrage Formosa brothers from California reports, rankings, interviews, chat from All Out. Newbreed/Cutter LLC/ returning to Conference play after rooms, and league leader articles! Thunder returns with a new lineup a couple of years away. And Classic from the State of Washington led by Glass/Easton from California will start

Team articles by Van Galeon, Photos by Dale Weiser # 1 Resmondo / Smash It / Thunder / RDD /H Auto / Easton Resmondo/Smash It is heavy favorite to repeat as World Series champion

hen you add the best hitter for winning every tourney on baseball in the game to the team that fields, but we are setting the bar for won the USSSA Major World every tourney. But we have to win the Series the year before, there’s Major for it to be a successful season.” Wa pretty good chance that team will be Last year Resmondo got off to a an odds-on favorite to win it all again. blazing start, winning first place in It doesn’t hurt their chances when the their first three tournaments by going team is backed by the sponsorship 6-0 to win Las Vegas. 6-0 to win Leg I groups of the top two teams. of the Hall of Fame Dual and 6-1 to win Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto/All In/Sprizzi Leg II. Resmondo was runnerup at the won the Major World Series last year Hoosier Classic and only tied for 9th by beating Smash It/Thunder in the place in Chicago. At the Seattle Dual championship game. The year before, they finished 3rd in Leg I and won 1st Smash It/Scene/TDB won the Major 2018 MVP Travis Clark in Leg II in Leg II. Resmondo went 6-0 World Series by defeating Resmondo/ to win 1st place at the 50th Annual OA/A.Auto/Specialty Tank in the finals. Smoky Mountain Classic. They went Those two sponsorship group have “There’s always a target on the top 1-1 at the rain-shortened Cincinnati combined resources for the 2019 and team in the nation, but if we bring Major and then placed 4th at Columbus Resmondo/Smash It/Thunder/RDD/H. our A-game week-in and week-out, B.A.T.S. Auto/All In/Sprizzi/Easton based there is no pressure,” said slugger Kyle Pearson. “Our expectations this year On to the Conference Championships, in Winter Haven, Florida enters the Resmondo snuck past Racks/Worth season as the top-ranked team in the are to do whatever it takes to win each and every game. I would say I’d settle Astros (26-25) then beatTDB/FAI nation. (26-15) and Smash It/Thunder (23-22)

T 8 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball Worth Sports ad….Andy Purcell to advance to the championship game, on-base percentage at .766 with 69 where they beat Smash It/Thunder home runs and 157 RBIs. Lewis, who again (27-26) to take the title. is from Canada, batted .747 with At the Major World Series. Resmondo 74 homers and 181 RBIs, while the defeated LaFamiglia (27-17), Newbreed smooth-swinging Yates hit .744 with 83 (28-12) and TDB (28-12) to advance to home runs and 214 RBIs. the finals of the winner’s bracket where Clark is a steady performer at pitcher they snuck past Dan Smith/Menosse in and posted a .765 on-base percentage a wild finish (27-26). Smash It/Thunder with 68 home runs and 180 RBIs. He lost their third game of the tournament received the Most Valuable Player to Dan Smith (28-27) before winning award at the Conference USSSA Awards three straight including a re-match Banquet. Wolf batted.703 with 66 with Dan Smith (25-20) to make it all homers and 151 RBIs. the way to the championship. Smash Also returning are utility player Brad It/Thunder won the first game (19-11) Reckart and backup pitcher L.C. to set up a winner-take-all “If” game. Watson. Reckart is a versatile player But Resmondo took an early lead and on defense who can fill in at many never let up in cruising to a run-rule positions and posted a .738 on-base victory (24-9) for the championship. percentage with 21 homers and 84 It marked the 11th Major World Series RBIs. Watson began the 2018 season as 2018 MWS MVP Bubba Mack crown for sponsor Travis Resmondo – the starting pitcher for Dan Smith but 2003, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’13, ’14, was released in May. He picked up with ’15 and ’18 – to which is the most of Resmondo the very next day and served any sponsor in softball history. as Clark’s backup the rest of the year. Pearson’s huge stick will go into Watson combined to bat .645 on the the already potent batting order of year with 37 home runs and 103 RBIs. defending world champion Resmondo/ In addition to Pearson, Resmondo RDD which is a scary though for oppo- picked up Cory Briggs from Smash It/ nents. The 28-year-old from Shreveport, Thunder. Briggs is expected to play Louisiana is top hitter in the nation shortstop for Resmondo this year. He after coming close to winning the batted .701 for Smash It/Thunder in Triple Crown last year while playing 2018 with 71 home runs and 202 RBIs for Smash It/Thunder. Pearson led Rounding out the roster is newcomer Conference USSSA in home runs by a Patrick Ellwanger from Xtreme/Miken. wide margin with 118 and was also Ellwanger had the highest on-base tops in on-base percentage at .807. percentage among Xtreme regulars at Pearson had 276 RBIs which was .753 and he also blasted 52 home runs second only to Andrew Collins with 281. with 150 RBIs. Resmondo welcomes back nine starters Sponsors of the team include Travis from last year’s team – second- Resmondo of Resmondo Sod, Rick CF Steele Lewis baseman Greg Connell, third-baseman Schiffauer of Smash It Sports, Scott Bubba Mack, infielder Kevin Bazat, Delorge of RDD, Bob Hortenbach of H. outfielders Brian Wegman, Steele Lewis Auto, Tom Bradley and Mark Breault of and Jeremy Yates, pitcher Travis Clark, Sprizzi and Scott Sunderland of S&S. catcher Buddy Wolf and first-baseman Brett Helmer returns as the manager Neal Hagland. and his assistant coach is Pete Connell led the team in on-base Campbell. The statistician is USSSA percentage at .770 which was 11th-best Hall of Famer Saul Simpson and the in the nation. The former Triple Crown travel coordinator is Shirl Webb. winner also blasted 98 home runs (5th Resmondo/Smash It will open the in the nation) and drove in 225 RBIs season at the Sin City Classic in (7th in the nation). He will partner with Las Vegas and follow that up with Pearson to form a powerful right side the Hall Of Fame Dual in Florida of the infield for Resmondo. and the Frank Webb Memorial in Mack batted .704 with 77 home runs St. Louis. Other Conference USSSA and 184 RBIs, Haglund hit .667 with tournament stops will be at Myrtle 41 homers and 101 RBIs and Bazat hit Beach, Chicago, Seattle, Little Rock, .661 with 15 homers and 72 RBIs. Maryville, Cincinnati and Columbus. Resmondo has a solid outfield with The team will also be at the Conference Wegman, Lewis and Yates. The veteran Championships and will then try to Wegman was second on the team in return to top of the mountain at the Kyle Pearson returns to Resmondo in 2019. Major World Series.

T 10 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball Miken ad # 2 TDB / Racks / Athlon Purcell approaching 50, ignoring Father Time, starting a new era

s he creeps up on his 50th Minnesota and 3rd in Leg II of the Hall birthday later this year, Andy of Fame Dual in Florida. They placed Purcell is entering unchartered in the Top 10 of every tournament they territory. For the first time in played on the year. TDB finished 5th in Aalmost two decades he is entering a the Conference USSSA regular season new softball season on a team that is final standings with 1,243 points. not the consensus pick to be the best in At the Conference Championships TDB the nation. took 3rd place, then at the Men’s AA “I think that fuels the fire even more World Tournament they finished 2nd, when people think you aren’t going to losing the championship game to Pure do well,” said Purcell. “Any competitor Sports/Monsta (12-11). On to the Major wants to prove anyone wrong when World Series, TDB opened with wins they say they can’t do something, so in over All-Out/A&A (24-9) and then a my opinion that makes it even better revenge win over Pure Sports/Monsta when you succeed. When you have been (26-11) before losing to Resmondo on top for so long there is always pres- in the finals of the winner’s bracket sure to keep it up, I like that pressure (33-20). TDB dropped to the loser’s and I feel all the guys on the team will P Andy Purcell bracket and defeated Precision/3rd use it in a positive way.” Street (32-20) before falling to Purcell’s Purcell won his first of 12 USSSA and returned to the throne once again team, Smash It/Thunder (36-31) to Men’s Major World Series champion- with a different team in 2017. Now settle for 3rd place. ship rings in 2001 with LongHaul/ that team has broken up and groups Tim Franks of Tarheel Drilling and TaylorBros/ShenCorp/TPS. The next 10 of players are headed in different Blasting is the lead sponsor and he won playing with Resmondo – 2003, directions. Purcell and a handful of welcomes back five of his 2018 players ’05, ’06, ’07, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’13, ’14 and ’15 his teammates have landed with TDB/ to this year’s team – first-baseman before winning his 12th with Smash Racks for the 2019 season and they Jason Martel, infielder A.J.Montano, It/Scene/TDB/Miken/Worth in 2017. enter the year as a challenger looking center-fielder Brian Zirkle, versa- He is arguably the greatest slow-pitch to knock off the champion. tile Kyle Pearson and utility player player of all-time, which is why some “I think we have a lot more power than Thomas Bloom. Martel had an on-base refer to him as the G.O.A.T. Purcell has people realize,” said Purcell. “We can percentage of .684 with 49 home runs been named Most Valuable Player of definitely hit it down when needed, but and 157 RBIs and Mantano batted the Major World Series four times (’03, our power will be our strength. I think .731 with 48 homers and 146 RBIs. The ’09, ’12, ’14) while no other player has our will to win is also a huge strength. speedy Zirkle, who is one of the fastest ever won the award more than twice. We are the underdog this year and we center-fielders in the game, batted .636 He has also already been inducted into have guys that are never going to quit with 36 doubles and a team-high 12 the USSSA Hall of Fame. and are very hungry to show what we triples. The versatile Pearson can play Even at age 49, Purcell is still consid- have.” infield or outfield and had the best on-base percentage on the team among ered the most dominant player in TDB/Racks from Charlotte, North full-time players at .755 and also led the country. He is without question Carolina will enter the 2019 season at TDB with 61 home runs and 174 RBIs. still the best pitcher in the game. His the 2nd ranked team in the nation. assortment of pitches, command of Purcell brings four of his Smash It TDB/FAI/Klutch/Miken had a solid the strike zone and defensive fielding teammates to the merger – catcher team in their own right in 2018. The skills are unrivaled. In addition to Ryan Harvey, middle-infielder Luis team had a 50-25 record on the year, his pitching prowess, Purcell has also Reyna, utility player Josh Riley and including 18-3 against A teams and crafted himself into one of the top outfielder Jason Branch. At 6-foot-6, 16-11 against AA teams but only 1-11 hitters in the country. Last year, he 270 pounds with a long, flowing red versus Major teams. TDB played in 11 posted a .669 on-base percentage with beard, Harvey is perhaps the most Conference USSSA events and didn’t 52 home runs and 140 RBIs despite intimidating hitter in the game. He win any of them. But they finished 2nd missing a month of the season. had an on-base percentage of .752 last at the Louisville Slugger/DeMarini year with 102 home runs and 212 RBIs. Purcell survived the crumbling of one Classic in Charlotte, Texas Legends His Florida buddy Reyna batted .711 dynasty following the 2016 season in Dallas and Dudley Classic in

T 12 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball Worth Sports ad…Ryan Harvey- ball ad the USSSA Hall of Fame and he has have put together,” sad Purcell. “I want won 11 USSSA Men’s Major World to thank Sonny Pilcher and Tim Franks Series championship rings. Baker for making this team possible and won his first playing with Purcell on Miken/Worth and Jason Kendrick for Resmondo/Hague/Sunbelt in 2003 then what they do for myself and the guys won again in ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, as well.” ’11, ’12, ’16 and again last year playing When Purcell takes the field in Las for Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto. He batted Vegas, it will be the first time in well .711 from his usual leadoff position over a decade that his close friend along with 59 home runs and 154 RBIs. Don DeDonatis III will not be lined The versatile Baker has played literally up at shortstop behind him. “Junior” Bryson Baker every position on the field during his retired from competitive softball at the career and he is tentatively slated to conclusion of last year’s World Series play third-base this year for TDB. to concentrate on his new job as CEO Rounding out the TDB/Racks roster of USSSA. will be Everett Williams from “It’s definitely going to be weird. We Newbreed/DeMarini, Daniel Cayton have traveled together and played from Classic Glass and Jon Nelson together for so many years that the from Racks/Worth Astros. Williams is first weekend will probably be really a 28-year-old outfielder from Austin, different for me,” said Purcell. “It was Texas with minor league baseball difficult watching him walk off the experience and is a rising star in slow- field last year for the last time but he’s pitch. He led Newbree virtually all deserved every accolade he has gotten Ryan Harvey hitting categories last year with a .781 and will be known as the best short- on-base percentage, 70 home runs and stop to ever play the game and the best with 62 homers and 154 RBIs while 196 RBIs. The 29-year-old Cayton is a teammate you could ever have.” anchoring the defense up the middle. smooth-fielding shortstop who was one TDB/FAI/Klutch/Miken will open Riley was new to the Smash It team of five finalists for Conference USSSA their Conference USSSA schedule last year and batted .736 with 98 home Rookie of the Year last year. He also at the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas runs and 211 RBIs. Branch started batted .757 with 51 home runs and 115 before heading to the Hall of Fame 2018 with Smash It before changing RBIs. Nelson is a utility player who Dual in Florida. Other stops on the over to Pure Sports mid-year, who he batted .723 with 75 homers and 203 schedule will be Myrtle Beach, Dallas, led to the AA World Tournament cham- RBIs. Chicago, Brooklyn Center, Seattle, pionship. He combined to hit .788 with The primary sponsors are Tim Franks Maryville, Cincinnati and Columbus. 68 homers and 204 RBIs. of Tarheel Drilling and Blasting and TDB will also attend the Conference Purcell will also get to reunite with Sonny Pilcher of Rack’s. Jerseys are Championships. And with proven one of his old buddies from northern provided by Brandon Roberts of Athlon champions like Purcell and Baker California, 43-year-old Bryson Baker Athletics and equipment is supplied by among others, it would be hard to bet who is also one of the most accom- Jason Kendrick of Miken/Worth. against this team at the Major World plished players of his generation. Like “I’m really looking forward to this Series. Purcell, Baker is already a member of season and am excited for the team we

# 3 Smash It Sports / Pure Sports Smash It/Pure Sports beefs up for move to Major after winning AA ne of the surprise teams of the has beefed up his squad even more 2018 season was Pure Sports for 2019 in an attempt at winning who jumped from 21st place the big prize. Smash It/Pure Sports/ in the 2017 Conference USSSA Anarchy/OA based in Charleston, South Ofinal standings to a top four finish last Carolina enters the 2019 season as Big year, along with winning the AA World Time Softball’s 3rd-ranked team in the Tournament and making it to the Major nation. World Series. Manager Craig Shaw Pure Sports opened 2018 with a 5-2 was named the Conference USSSA showing in Las Vegas which tied them Manager of the Year for his efforts and

T 14 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Filip Washington Donnie Hammonds AA MVP Justin Mucciarelli for 5th place before heading to the Major World Series. They opened with Washington batted .755 with 55 home Space City Classic in Houston. Pure a win over Premier/Easton/HDLNS runs and 145 RBIs while Dillon hit .679 Sports opened the event with two (21-17) before losing a re-match with with 48 homers and 131 RBIs. wins before being upset by Infamous. TDB (26-11). Pure scored one more Another top hitter picked up by Shaw’s squad the rattled off six wins win over Xtreme/Miken in the loser’s Shaw is infielder Tommy Melton, who in a row before finally being eliminated bracket (32-15) before being eliminated finished 4th in the nation in on-base by All-Out (28-23) and settling for 3rd by Newbreed/DeMarini (50-39). percentage at .792. Melton also belted place in the 64-team event with an 8-2 Shaw welcomes back five key contribu- 50 home runs and had 133 RBIs. record. tors from the 2018 team, including Other players joining Pure Sports are After going 2-2 and 3-2 at the Hall of pitcher Justin Mucciarelli, catchers infielders Brett McCollum, Josh Brown Famer Dual in Florida, Pure Sports Donnie Hammonds and Brad Carlsen, and Nick Mitschke, outfielder Ryan went 5-1 to win 1st place at the shortstop Zach Messer and utility Parfitt, utility player Ryan Ramirez and Louisville Slugger/DeMarini Classic player Jared Hunt. backup pitcher Faron Miller. McCollum in Charlotte. It would be their first of Perhaps the key to Pure’s success played for Precision/3rd Street last four regular season championships. was the leadership of veteran pitcher year and batted .649 with 43 home The second came at the Pure Sports Mucciarelli from New Jersey. The runs and 119 RBIs. Mitschke played Major in Marietta, Georgia where the crafty 44-year-old is considered one of shortstop and batted lead-off for team went 7-1 to claim the crown. best juking USSSA pitchers of all-time. Racks/Worth Astros where he made the Following a 5th place finish in Chicago, “Mooch” pitched Down 2 Earth Sports to AA All-World Tournament team. Prior Pure Sports won the Bash on the a B World title in 2012 and Jean Shoppe to joining Racks, Mitschke played for Chesapeake in Glen Burnie, Maryland to an A World title in 2007 before Vivid where he led the team with an with a 7-1 record. After a 3-2 record at leading Pure to the AA crown last year, .800 on-base on-base percentage with the Smoky Mountain Classic, Pure won where he was named Most Valuable 39 home runs and 98 RBIs. Brown also the rain-shortened Cincinnati Major Player of the AA World Tournament. played for Vivid and batted .691 with before finishing out the regular season Not known for his hitting, Mucciarelli 24 homers and 87 RBIs. with a strong 2nd place showing at the batted only .574 last year with seven The 37-year-old Parfitt, who is one of Columbus B.A.T.S. Major. Pure Sports home runs in 176 plate appearances. finished 4th in the Conference USSSA the top outfielders in the game, sat out But his pitching keeps other teams from last year after playing for Newbreed final standings with 1,272 points which scoring many runs, which increases his was the highest of all non-Major teams. in 2017. Prior to that, he helped Smash value to a team’s success. It Sports/H.Auto win the 2016 Major At the AA World Tournament, Pure The hard-hitting Hammonds began the World Series and led Line Drive to the Sports opened with a win over year with TDB before switching over 2015 Class A World Tournament cham- All-Out/A&A from Texas (13-5) and to Pure Sports. He combined to post pionship where he was named Most followed that with a big win over a nifty .778 on-base percentage with Valuable Player. Primetime/Easton (31-6) to advance 52 home runs and 147 RBIs. Carlsen, Shaw and Rick Schiffauer of Smash It to the finals of the winner’s bracket. Messer and Hunt were three of the top In a showdown between two Carolina Sports are the primary a sponsors of hitters on Pure. Carlsen batted .779 the team. teams, Pure Sports beat TDB/FAI/ with 51 home runs and 172 RBIs, while Klutch (14-5) to advance to the cham- Messer hit .735 with 47 homers and Smash It/Pure Sports will open their pionship game. TDB dropped to 168 RBIs and Hunt batted .770 with 50 Conference USSSA season at Las Vegas the loser’s bracket and destroyed dingers. before heading back to the Space City defending champions Xtreme/Miken Classic in Houston. Then they will go to (25-4) to get another shot at Pure Shaw added three players from Major the Hall of Fame Dual in Florida. Other Sports. But with the wind blowing in World Series runnerup Smash It/ stops on the schedule are Indianapolis, from the outfield, it was a low-scoring Thunder/Backman in third-baseman Myrtle Beach, Chicago, Glen Burnie, affair with Pure Sports holding on for Big John Williams and outfielders Little Rock, Maryville, Cincinnati and a win (12-11) and the championship. Filip Washington and Brandon Dillon. Columbus. Pure will also play in the Williams finished 10th in the nation in Conference Championships and hopes Three days later, Pure Sports moved home runs with 74 to go along with 194 on to their first ever appearance at the to be a contender at the Major World RBIs and a .726 on-base percentage. Series.

T 16 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Dan Smith / Menosse / Steven Smith / Florida Atlantic Ironworks / # 4 Churchill’s Steakhouse / Shirts and Logos Dan Smith brings back nucleus looking to win elusive fifth ring an Smith/Menosse/Steven Smith came close to winning their elusive fifth USSSA Major World Series championship Dlast year – and first in over a decade – before falling short at the end. But management thinks they have the right formula now, so after making whole- sale changes prior to the 2018 season Dan Smith is bringing back the nucleus of that team to make another run at a title this year. Dan Smith/Menosse/Steven Smith/ Florida Atlantics Ironworks, Churchill’s Steakhouse/Shirts and Logos is a Major team based in San Jose, California and they enter the OF Andrew Collins 3B Dale Brungardt 2019 season as the 4th-ranked team in the nation. “I expect us to compete as we did last year, but finish teams this year,” said center-fielder Ben Dunn. “We gave up a lot of opportunities to finish teams early. We are mixed with young talent and veterans. We experienced a heart- breaker against Resmondo last year and that has not left our taste buds.” Dan Smith/Menosse won USSSA Major World Series championships in 2000, 2004 and 2008, along with co-spon- soring the 2005 World Champions along with Travis Resmondo. But Dan Smith left the game after finishing 2nd at the 2010 World Series and the sport CF Nic Santana Steve Lloyd was not the same without him. After For the year, Dan Smith won three At the first Men’s Major World a six-year absence, he came back in championships – Leg I of the Easton Series ever played at the new Space 2017 and had a successful return by Derby Dual in Seattle, the Cincinnati Coast Stadium in Viera, Florida Dan finishing 4th in the Conference USSSA Major and the Columbus B.A.T.S. Major. Smith/Menosse opened with a win standings and 3rd at the Major World They were runner-ups in Chicago over Nightmare/Miken (28-23) on Series. and finished third at Dallas, Leg II in Wednesday. They returned the next Dan Smith opened the 2018 season Seattle and at the Smoky Mountain day and won a slugfest over Rack’s/ by finishing 2nd at the Sin City Major Classic. They ended up in 2nd in the Worth Astros (38-36) to advance to the in Las Vegas. The following week at Conference USSSA finals standings semi-finals of the winner’s bracket. the Space City Classic in Houston, with 1,490 points. In another close finish, Dan Smith they suffered an early loss to SNI/ At the Conference Championships in got past Smash It/Thunder/Backman Easton and had to fight back through the upper bracket, Dan Smith/Menosse (28-27) to make it to the winner’s shortened games in the loser’s bracket beat Xtreme/Miken (30-14) before bracket finals. In a close game that before eventually finishing in a tie for suffering back-to-back losses to Smash could have gone either way, Dan Smith 9th place. The team got back on track It/Thunder (32-16) and Precision/3rd got a bad break on a late infield play at the Hall of Fame Dual in Florida by Street (27-20) to finish 1-2 and a disap- that allowed Resmondo/RDD to escape taking 2nd place in both tournaments. pointing tie for 5th place. with a one-run win (27-26). The demor-

T 18 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball alized team dropped to the loser’s the team, and are joined this year bracket and lost a re-match with by John Matusik of Florida Atlantic Smash It/Thunder (25-20) to settle for Ironworks and Bill Alles of Churchill’s 3rd place for the second year in a row. Steakhouse. Uniforms are provided by Sensing that the team has a winning Shirts and Logos. The team’s general formula, Dan Smith/Menosse/Steven manager is Pat Dalsanders. Steven Smith brings back the nucleus of last Smith remains the head coach, John year’s team in catcher Argen Dodds, Rector is assistant manager and second-baseman Steve Lloyd, short- Hector Pagan is the statistician. Dan Smith team stop Ryan Stovall, third-baseman Dale “The Dan Smith crew is great to us and Brungardt, outfielders Davis Bilardello, team up with Losson White to give great for the game,” said Dunn. “We Andrew Collins, Ben Dunn and Jordan Dan Smith the best one-two pitching need sponsors like them, Resmondo, Spaulding, plus pitchers Mike “Nino” combination in the league. TDB, FAI, Herb Price, Mike and Vicki Echeverria and Losson White. The only newcomers to Dan Smith McGowan, Sonny Pilcher, Nolan Fogle, Bilardello led the team in hitting last this year are speedy center-fielder Nic Jason Wilkins, Rick Schiffauer and year with a .768 on-base percentage Santana and big stick Jason Matusik. many others for softball to survive at to go along with 107 home runs and Santana’s superb play on defense this level. There’s so much that goes 275 RBIs. Collins matched Bilardello’s was a integral part of the success of into creating a tourney and funding 107 homers and led Conference USSSA Resmondo championship teams of the a team in a tourney and I wish more with 306 RBIs to go along with a .756 past decade. Last year he was with people would recognize and respect on-base percentage. Smash It/Thunder and batted .643 with that with our coaches, sponsors and 41 home runs and 145 RBIs. Matusik directors.” Dodds had 104 home runs and 278 was with TDB/FAI/Klutch last year and RBIs with a .753 on-base percentage. Dan Smith/Menosse will once again helped them to a 4th place finish at the Other top home runs hitters on the open their Conference USSSA season Major World Series. Matusik batted team were Stovall with 92, Brungardt at the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas, .687 with 49 homers and 151 RBIs. with 85, Dunn with 73, Lloyd with 58 before heading off to the Hall of and Spaulding with 57. Other top run- Rounding out the roster will be Joseph Fame Dual in Florida. Other stops on producers were Brungardt with 265 Bennett, who began 2018 with Riot their regular season schedule will be RBIs, Stovall with 254, Dunn with 202 Sports before coming over to Dan Myrtle Beach, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, and Spaulding with 188. Smith in late June. In his limited time Brooklyn Center, Maryville, Cincinnati with Dan Smith, Bennett batted .663 and Columbus. The team will also be Nino burst onto the scene last year and with 17 homers and 43 RBIs. back at the Conference Championships made a big impact with his pitching and will again try to win their skills and was named the Conference Dan Smith, Eddie Menosse and Steven legendary sponsor his fifth USSSA USSSA Rookie of the Year. He will Smith are the primary sponsors of Major World Series crown.

# 5 Smash It / Precision / 3rdStreet / Bulldawg / Broughton / S&S Precision/3rdStreet/Bulldawg adds a sponsor and two top veteran players Precision/3rdStreet/Bulldawg has been enters the season as the 5th-ranked one of the most consistent teams in team in the nation. Conference USSSA the past two years “I am excited for the opportunity that and this year they have added powerful Smash It/Precision has presented me Smash It Sports to their sponsorship for the 2019 season,” said assistant group in attempt to climb into the coach Brandon Miller, who was with upper echelon of Conference USSSA. the Stars from Colorado last year Two years ago, Precision finished in and All-Out/A&A from Texas the year the Top 10 of every tournament they before that. “I hope to bring my unique entered except two and last year they statistical and analytical approach to finished in the Top 10 of every tourna- the staff in pursuit of a AA and Major ment except one. world championship.” With Rick Schiffhauer and Smash Miller said he had other opportuni- It Sports now on board, Smash It/ ties to be a head coach in Conference Precision/3rdStreet/Bulldawg/ USSSA but said Precision was a better Broughton/S&S from Chicago, Illinois fit. “Heach coach Todd Ankney is one of Precision pitcher Dan Bean

T 20 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball the best in the game and is someone I have followed over the past couple of seasons,” said Miller. Precision got off to a slow start in 2018. They went 4-2 to finish in a tie for 7th place at the Space City in Houston, then went 2-2 to tie for 9th place in both Legs of the Hall Of Fame Dual. But that was followed by a championship at the Hoosier Classic in Indiana and a runnerup up at Pure Sports Major in Marietta. Then after finishing 5th in their hometown Windy City Invitational, Precision bounced back to win another championship at the Circle City Major. They tied for 7th at the Smoky Mountain Classic where they had finished 2nd the year before. Precision team David Kessler Precision/3rd Street finished 6th in the Conference USSSA final standings with 1,205 points. They entered the Conference Championships as one of the favorites but got upset in the first round by All-Out/A&A/Steel (21-14). They bounced back to score big wins over Pure Sports/Monsta (48-33), Racks/Worth/Astros (19-3) and Major team Dan Smith/Menosse/Steven Smith (27-20) before finally being eliminated by TBD/Klutch (40-25) to finish in 4th place. Precision had sights on winning the Men’s AA World Tournament, but could only go 1-2 after being upset by LaFamiglia in the first round (18-15) before crushing Nightmare/ P Andrew Vitcak OF David Kessler Miken (27-7) then being eliminated by Xtreme/Miken (39-38). At the Major World Series, Precision got revenge on the recent loss to Xtreme by pounding them in the first round (28-8). After a hard-fought loss to Smash It/Thunder/ Backman (17-10), Precision posted wins over Riot Sports (16-14) and Racks/ Worth/Astros (25-5) before being elimi- nated again by TDB/Klutch (32-20) to settle for 5th place. Heading into 2019, Smash It/Precision with 76, while Houseman blasted 65 Andy Purcell last year on Smash It/ welcomes back nine full-time players and Magnum added 55. Lunda was also Thunder/Backman/TDB/Miken. He from a year ago – pitcher Roger Drake, tops in RBIs with 165. started and played much of the year when Purcell was out and even though catchers Jason Magnum and Brad Flood anchored the infield up the he is not known for his hitting, posted Tabler, middle-infielder Jeff Flood, middle and also batted .687 with 45 the fourth highest average on the team shortstop Jeffrey Keske, third-baseman home runs. Rear batted .657 with at .746. Vitcak pitched Precision to the Matthew Rear and outfielders David 44 homers and Tabler kicked in 38 Men’s B World Championship back in Kessler, Travis Houseman and Brad dingers. Keske is a solid defensive 2014 when he was named Defensive Lunda. shortstop who contributed a .627 MVP of the tournament. Kessler led the team in hitting last year on-base percentage and 23 home runs. The 35-year-old Umscheid won a Major with a .776 on-base percentage along SmashIt/Precision picked up two huge World Series championship ring last with 52 home runs and 128 RBIs. He additions in pitcher Andrew Vitcak and year while playing for Resmondo/ was Precision’s lone representative on utility player Mike Umscheid. Vitcak, RDD/H. Auto/All In/Sprizzi. His versa- the Major World Series All-Tournament who is considered one of the top defen- tility allowed the team to use him team. Lunda led the team in home runs sive pitchers in the game, backed up

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 21 in both the infield and outfield and Schiffauer of Smash It Sports, William he posted a .654 on-base percentage Wax of Precision, Rob Mahaffrey of with 24 home runs and 75 RBIs. He 3rd Street Financial, Donald Munford was Co-MVP in Leg II of the Hall Of of Bulldawg Trucking, John Dutch of Fame Dual where he helped Resmondo Broughton Pharmaceuticals, Scott with both Legs. In fact, Resmondo Sunderland of S&S Landscaping and won seven out of 12 tournaments they Ben Cosgrove of Headlines Sportswear. entered on the year and compiled a Todd Ankney is the team manager and gaudy 55-12 record. Brandon Miller is the assistant coach. Precision got another big addition by Precision Team Smash It/Precision/3rdStreet/Bullawg signing infielder Heath Barnes from since 2013, although he did not play will open their 2019 season at the Hall Pure Sports/Monsta. Barnes batted last year. The 46-year-old Young was of Fame Dual in Florida. Other stops .602 with 13 home runs and 95 RBIs with Compund Athletics in 2015 when on their Conference schedule will be and led his team to the Men’s AA World they took 2nd at the Men’s B World then St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Brooklyn Tournament championship where he shocked the softball community by Center, Cincinnati and Columbus. The made the All-World Tournament team. finishing 5th at the Major World Series. team will also play in the Conference Drake will serve as a backup pitcher Rounding out the roster will be utility Championships and should be a top behind Vitcak, while Andrews is playing player Jason Young, Austin Andrews, contender at the AA World Tournament, his first year in Conference USSSA. Francis Fracek and Roger Drake. Fracek before likely heading back to the Major has been with Precision every year Sponsors of the team are Rick World Series in hopes of breaking into the final four.

# 6 Bay Area / Rapid Fire / Bad Draw / Easton Bay Area/Rapid Fire/Bad Draw join forces to make run for title

All Conference USSSA softball teams against other A teams and 6-9 against tinker with their roster from one AA teams. Their highest finishes of season to the next. Some only make the year were three ties for 5th place minor adjustments, while others make at both legs of the Seattle Dual and at wholesale changes. There will be no Cincinnati, although it could be argued more interesting experiment in the that their best weekend was going 3-2 2019 season than collaboration of Bay at the 50th Annual Smoky Mountain Area/Rapid Fire/Bad Draw/Easton. Classic which was good for a tie for Bay Area Legends sponsor Joel 9th place. Gonzalez has partnered up with But when Bay Area went 0-2 at the Brandon Cashwell of Bad Draw and last tournament in Columbus, they MarkKatz of Rapid Fire Athletics on got passed for the 16th and final auto- the new team with players coming matic spot in the Major World Series. from at least half a dozen Conference They finished 17th in the Conference USSSA teams – Bay Area Legends, USSSA final standings with 959 points IF Freddie Bynum Rapid Fire/Bad Draw, TDB/FAI/Klutch, which was 19 points behind the 16th Racks/Worth Astros, Pure Sports/ team Pauer Sports/JBL/Tailgaters. Monsta and Vivid. The end result is When they were unable to attend the an outstanding team on paper that is Conference Championships, they were highly-regarded heading into the new left on the outside looking in as far as year. the Major World Series. The deflated Bay Area/Rapid Fire/Bad Draw/ team went 1-2 at the Men’s A World Easton is officially based in Oakland, Tournament, scoring just 15 runs in California – even though over half the three games to finish their year. players live east of the Mississippi Rapid Fire Athletics/Bad Draw, on the River – and they enter 2019 as the other hand, did qualify for the Major 6th-ranked team in the nation. World Series. They scored 188 points Bay Area Legends went 25-25 as an A by going 4-2 to finish 4th at the Smoky team in 2018. They had a 9-5 record Mountain Classic. Coupled with a runnerup finish in Maryland and 3rd Conference Defensive MVP Ryan McClanahan

T 22 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Granados batted .616 for Pure with 31 homers and 108 RBIs. Racks/Worth Astros has three players coming to the new merger – pitcher Bill Pinkham, catcher Chad Mullins and second-baseman Steve Edwards. The veteran Edwards led the team in hitting with .758 average, which ranked in the Top 25 of Conference USSSA. He also hit 65 home runs and had 188 RBIs which ranked 18th in the nation. Mullins was second on the IF Rich Racobaldo IF Steve Edwards team in hitting with a .751 average place finish in Charlotte enabled Rapid the team last year with a .750 on-base along with 63 homers and 136 RBIs. Fire/Bad Draw to finish 14th in the percentage to go along with 25 home Pinkham is considered one of the top Conference USSSA final standings with runs and 70 RBIs. Gonzalez batted .700 defensive pitchers in the country. 985 points. with 24 homers and 84 RBIs. Perez TDB/FAI/Klutch also puts three players At the Men’s A World Tournament, played a limited role last year but has on the new merger – Tyler Wilson, Rapid Fire/Bad Draw opened with been with Bay Area since 2016. Tyler Marshburn and Brady Stewart. wins over Tradesman (16-14), TG Brand Rapid Fire/Bad Draw brings two Wilson batted .707 with 50 home runs (21-18) and Premier/HDLNS (10-7) players to the merger – Richard and 169 RBIs and Marshburn hit .696 before suffering a loss to Pauer Sports Racobaldo and Freddie Bynum. with 49 homers and 158 RBIs. Stewart (19-15) in the finals of the winner’s Racobaldo batted .716 last year with began the year with B team Old Bag/ bracket. But the Gainesville, Virginia- 33 home runs and 82 RBIs, while MojoUSA, but after getting the call-up based team dropped to the loser’s Bynum hit .699 with 23 homers and 77 to TDB he hit 19 home runs and drove bracket and beat LaFamiglia (11-8) to RBIs. Bynum was the Defensive MVP in 47 runs along with a .755 on-base earn a rematch with Pauer Sports in of the Men’s A World Tournament and percentage in just 17 games. the championship game. Then Rapid Racobaldo made the All-Tournament Rounding out the roster is 30-year- Fire/Bad Draw pulled off the double- team. old Conference newcomer Aaron dipping of Pauer (8-5 and 21-8) to Pure Sports/Monsta brings two of the Miller who led Crunchtime/Haterz win the A World Championship. At top players on the West Coast to the from North Carolina to the Men’s B the Major World Series, Rapid Fire/ merger – middle-infielder/pitcher Ryan World Championship and was named Bad draw went 0-2, losing to SmashIt/ McClanahan and second-baseman Defensive MVP of that tournament. Thunder/Backman (24-9) and Xtreme/ Chente Granados. McClanahan had The manager of Bay Area/Rapid Fire/ Miken (21-12). a .629 on-base percentage with 52 Bad Draw/Easton will be 46-year-old Bay Area brings just three players to home runs and a team-high 173 RBIs. Rob Humphrey from Iowa who has the new merger for 2019 – infielder Defensively, he received the prestigious previous Conference USSSA coaching Dave Johnson, catcher Joel Gonzalez honor of being named the Conference experience with Team Racks and and 37-year-old utility player Gary USSSA Defensive Player of the Year Newbreed. Perez. Johnson was the top hitter on and the Conference Awards Banquet.

# 7 Xtreme / Miken / ASP / Athlon Xtreme/Miken/ASP/Athlon looks to continue winning ways with nucleus “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is an old 38-22 last year. Southern phase but could just as easily This year, they return their team apply to a top softball team from almost intact in search of another Minnesota. championship ring. Xtreme/Miken/ Xtreme/Miken had a solid season in ASP/Athlon is a AA team based in 2017 which culminated in winning Medina, Minnesota and enters the 2018 USSSA Men’s AA World Tournament, season as the 7th-ranked team in the then followed that up with another nation. at the Sin City Classic. At the Hall of great year in 2018. Xtreme improved Xtreme/Miken opened their 2018 Fame Dual in Florida the Minnesota its season record from 35-35 in 2017 to season by going 4-2 to tie for 7th place team also went 1-2 in Leg I but did

T 24 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball better in Leg II by going 3-2 to tie for finished the year hitting .831 with 9th place. Included in Leg II was a big 44 home runs and 114 RBIs in just win over Newbreed/DeMarini (28-10). 27 games. Stewart was named Most Xtreme followed the Dual with three Valuable Player at the Dudley last year consecutive 3rd place finishes – and also made the All-Tournament Chattanooga, Dallas and Tulsa, before team at Men’s AA World. their only 1st place finish of the year at Smith had a .699 on-base percentage the 36th Dudley Classic in their home with 47 homers and 125 RBIs. Other state of Minnesota. The team went top home run hitters were Skyles with undefeated at 4-0 in Broolyn Center 45, McGowan with 37 and Newman and crushed TDB/FAI/Klutch Miken in with 25, while other top run-producers the championship game (28-3). were Skyles with 132, McGowan with After going 1-2 at the Smoky Mountain 109 and Newman with 83. Classic, Xtreme finished out the regular Xtreme is also bringing in four season with a 9th place showing at newcomers this year to help offset the Cincinnati and 13th place at Columbus. loss of big sticks Patrick Ellwanger, They finished 10th in the Conference Collin Baartman and Cory Large. USSSA final standings for the second Three of the newcomers played for year in a row with 1,121 points. At the All-Out/A&A last year – infielder Chris Conference Championships, they went Anninos, outfielder Matt Schrage and Xtreme Team 1-2 to tie for 7th place in the champi- utility player Lyf Nimmo. onship bracket. Anninos led All-Out with 56 home runs Then at the AA World Tournament, an 139 RBIs to go along with his .688 Xtreme got a 7-0 win over Premier on-base percentage. Ge was one of then lost their first game to TDB five finalists for the Conference USSSA (23-11). With their backs against the Rookie of the Year. Schrage batted .703 wall, Xtreme got to work and rattled with 48 home runs and 124 RBIs, while off consecutive wins over Newbreed Nimmo hit .684 with 30 homers and 70 (26-17), Precision/3rd Street (39-38), RBIs. The versatile Nimmo, who can Primetime/Easton (25-8) and Racks/ catch, play first-base, right-field and Worth/Astros (9-8) before finally being serve as a backup pitcher, was with eliminated by TDB (25-4) to settle for Xtreme during their AA championship 3rd place with a 5-2 record. season in 2017. Xtreme/Miken was clearly not at their The fourth possible newcomer could best when the Major World Series be infielder Steve Whaley who has been began just three days after the AA linked to multiple teams heading into World ended. They were throttled by this season. Whaley began 2018 with Precision/3rd Street in their first game Dan Smith/Menosse before being let go (28-8) then got past Rapid Fire/Bad and picked up with TDB for the rest of Draw (21-12) before being eliminated the year. OF Chris Anninos by Pure Sports/Monsta (32-15). The primary sponsors of the team are Coaches Dan Bergeron and Dave Mike and Vicki McGowan of Xtreme Bremer bring back almost their Cut & Design. Others sponsors include entire team for another run this year. Lyf Nimmo of ASP Nation, Brandon Returning players include pitcher Dirk Roberts of Athlon Athletics, and equip- Updike, catchers Todd Newton and ment from Jason Kendrick of Miken/ Curtis Stewart, first-baseman Alex Worth. Bremer, second-baseman Joe Skyles, Xtreme/Miken will open their middle-infielder Brandon Newman, Conference USSSA season at Las shortstop Toby Letak, third-baseman Vegas before heading to the Hall Of Shannon Smith, outfielders Matt Fame Dual in Florida. Other stops on McGowan and Dylan Smith and utility their schedule are Carencro, Myrtle player Austin Green. Beach, Chicago, Brooklyn Center, Smith is the most consistent returning Tulsa, Maryville, Cincinnati and hitter for the second year in a row. Last Columbus. The team will also play at he posted a .734 on-base percentage the Conference Championships and with 57 home runs and 153 RBIs. He will make another run at AA Worlds. was rewarded by Worth Sports with a Given the confidence of their recent namesake bat for 2019. successes, Xtreme/Miken should have Stewart began 2018 with TDB, but no trouble qualifying for a return trip changed over to Xtreme in May and to the Major World Series. Shannon Smith

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 25 # 8 Newbreed / Cutter LLC / Thunder Newbreed/Cutter/Thunder makes big moves seeking AA World title fter playing as Major team in 2017 but finishing 0-2 at the Major World Series, Newbreed/ DeMarini trimmed down for A2018 and had a much better season. They finished with a 45-25 record on Championships they went 2-2 to tie the year, including an impressive 13-6 for 5th place, then went just 1-2 at mark against other AA teams. But the Men’s AA World Tournament. Not more importantly they were back in wanting to have another 0-2 showing the running at the Major World Series. at the Major World Series, Newbreed The team has picked up a couple of key came out smoking and won their sponsors and a bunch of big-time new opener over Riot Sports (26-18). They OF Lee Payne players to make a run at the AA World ran into top-seed and eventual cham- Championship this year. pion Resmondo in the second game “I would expect this team to be and took a loss (28-12). But manager extremely competitive during Ryan Lekness rallied his troops in the Conference play this year,” said loser’s bracket and posted wins over DeMarini promotions manager Mike Nightmare (34-28) and Pure Sports Cornell. “I believe they are built to win in a shootout (50-39) before finally now and have a good shot at vying for being eliminated by SmashIt/Thunder/ a AA title as well as making the 2018 Backman (28-13) to settle for a tie for Men’s Major World Series.” 5th place with a 3-2 record. Newbreed/Cutter LLC/Thunder based Newbreed added a pair of top sponsors in Sonny Pilcher of Cutter LLC and in Seattle, Washington enters the 2018 Victor Cordova season as the 8th-ranked team in the Seth Green of Thunder to his already nation. solid nucleus of Don Lekness of DR Dan “Dirty” Sanchez, who played for Drywall, Aaron Poysky of Newbreed Riot Sports last year where he batted Last year, Newbreed got off to a great and Mike Cornell of DeMarini Sports. .674 with an impressive 33 home runs start to the season by going 4-2 to The team also has equipment deals and 74 RBIs. Sanchez is considered finish 4th at the Sin City Classic in with Easton, Miken, Pure, All-American one of the pest pitchers in Conference Las Vegas. They averaged 30.6 runs Athletics and Dirty Sportswear. Ryan USSSA. He won a Major World Series per game in the tournament. Then, Lekness is the manager and Jose ring playing with Resmondo/Worth in for the third year in a row they trav- Sanchez is the assistant coach. 2015 and has also pitched for multiple eled to Florida and made some noise A, AA and Major teams during his Top returning players from last year’s at the Hall of Fame Dual. With the top career. 35 teams in the nation in attendance, team are first-baseman Victor Cordova, Newbreed went 3-2 to tie for 5th place center-fielder D.J. Hollinsworth, utility Other splashy pickups were outfielder in Dual I and went 2-2 in Dual II. players Steven Lopez, Jon Gastineau Lee Payne, versatile utility player Adam and Brandon Traylor. Hollinsworth Ussery and big slugger Kevin Filby. Newbreed went on to have a successful had an on-base percentage of .757 last Payne started 2018 with SmashIt/ season the rest of the way. They tied year which was among the Top 30 in Thunder/Backman before changing for 5th at Texas Legends, went 1-2 Conference USSSA. Cordova batted .652 over to Pure Sports/Monsta who at Chicago and then won their only with 39 home runs and 94 RBIs and he help win the Men’s AA World championship of the year by going 6-0 Gastineau hit .736 with 21 homers and Tournament. In 33 games with Pure, at the Sooner Invitational in Tulsa. 82 RBIs. Lopez spent most of the year Payne batted .597 with 27 home runs Newbreed tied for 5th place in both with Pure Sports where he had a .558 and 84 RBIs. Ussery played the whole legs of the Seattle Dual and finished on-base percentage and Traylor spent year with Smash It/Thunder/Backman 3rd at the Rocky Mountain Shootout most of the year with Classic Glass and hit .645 with 24 homers and 79 in Denver, before tying for 7th place at where he batted .676 with 22 home RBIs. Filby is a previous winner of the the Columbus B.A.T.S. Major. runs. Long Haul Bombers Power Tour who sat out last year. He last played with Newbreed finished 8th in the Newbreed made several key acquisi- SIS/Thunder in 2017 and previously Conference USSSA final standings tions in the off-season. Pitching for the played on teams like Jean Shoppe, GTL with 1,152 points. At the Conference team will be crafty 43-year-old veteran

T 26 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball Gulf Shores & Orange Beach ad Cartel, Nordkap ad Laservision. while compiling a .645 on-base include Myrtle Beach, Chicago, Seattle, Newbreed also added Patrick Price percentage. Seattle, Cincinnati and Charlotte. and William Scott from Pure Sports/ NewBreed/Cutter/Thunder opens their Lekness plans on competing in the Monsta, Samuel Christensen from 2019 season at the Sin City Classic in Conference Championships and the Racks/Worth Astros and Brandon Las Vegas then will head to Florida Men’s AA World Tournament. He also Raines from Seminoles/TPS/Miken. for the Hall of Fame Dual. Other stops hopes to get back to the Major World Price belted 51 home runs for Pure on their Conference USSSA schedule Series and score another high finish.

# 9 Premier / TG / HDLNS / Easton Premier partners with TG Brand after finishing as top two at GSL A World pair of premier Midwest A teams are joining forces for 2019 as they move up the classification ladder to AA. Premier/Easton/ AHDLNS from Ohio had a solid season last year by going 25-21 and qualifying for the Major World Series. TG Brand from Flint, Michigan went 19-17 in Conference USSSA and barely missed out on making the Major World Series. The two sponsorship groups will partner up in 2019 and Premier/TG/ HDLNS/4With.com/Easton officially from Morrow, Ohio enters the season as the 9th-ranked team in the nation. OF Ryan Disbennett OF Ryan Morrow Premier played in eight Conference topped TG Brand (22-17) for the cham- Kincaid at .670. Franklin belted 33 USSSA events during the 2018 regular pionship. Premier finished with a home runs and drove in 83 runs. season. Their best showing was a perfect 5-0 record, while TG Brand was Rounding out the roster is Jackie 4th place finish at the Windy City runnerup at 4-2. The impressive show- Corn, who play with C team Terry’s/ Invitational in Chicago. They also ings came with a mandatory bump to Hollands out of North Carolina last had a couple of 5th place ties at the AA for 2019 so the two teams decided year. Previously he played with The Pure Sports Major in Marietta and to join forces for that journey. Scene, TG/HDLNS, Pure Romance and the Columbus B.A.T.S. Major. Premier Premier brings six players to the TaylorMade. finished 13th place in the Conference partnership – catcher Cory Boothe, Kevin Forwith from Premier and Justin USSSA final standings with 1,001 middle-infielder Rocky Staton, utility Green of TG Brand will serves as points which was enough to earn a trip player Kyle Center and outfielders Ryan managers of the team, while the assis- to the Major World Series. Disbennett, Ryan Uckotter and Clay tant coaches are Jonathon Golich and TG Brand also played eight Conference Norton. Boothe led the team with a James Sparrow from TG Brand. events. They finished 2nd behind Riot .693 on-base percentage and 37 home Premier/TG/HDLNS/4With.com/Easton Sports in Chattanooga and placed 3rd runs along with 85 RBIs. Disbennett will open their season at the Hall of at Chicago. TG also tied for 5th at both hit 32 home runs and a team-leading Fame Dual in Florida. Other Conference the Hoosier Classic and Columbus 100 RBIs, while Norton chipped in with USSSA events on their regular season B.A.T.S. They finished with 934 points, 35 homers and Uckotter added 32. schedule are St. Louis, Atlanta, which was only good enough for 18th TG Brand is also bringing six players Chicago, Brooklyn Center, Maryville, place in the final standings missing to the new team – infielder Adam Cincinnati and Columbus. The team the 16th and final position by just 44 Kaminski along with Ryan Morrow, hopes to be a contender at AA World points. Brady Hightchew, John Onstott, Tyler and is also looking to make it to the Both teams attended the USSSA Men’s Kincaid and John Franklin. Kaminski Major World Series. A World Tournament and Premier led their team with a finished in 3rd place while TG Brand .730 on-base percentage tied for 5th place. Both teams also and 43 home runs, while participated in the GSL A World adding 88 RBIs. Other Tournament and both made it to the top hitters were Morrow championship game, where Premier at .722, Hightchew at .692, Onstott at .672 and

T 28 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball # 10 Nightmare / Miken Nightmare/Miken bringing beef to try to slug way up the ladder

ightmare/Miken has made back- to-back appearances at the Man’s Major World Series. But both times the team has gone N1-2 and tied for 9th place at the Big Dance. So for 2019 sponsor Nolan Fogle has brought in accomplished manager Tim Barnes and added some heavy lumber to his lineup in hopes of slug- ging it out with other top teams in the Florida heat this September. Fogle started out in USSSA softball with a D team in 2006. His teams progressed on to C and became one of the top teams in the Midwest. Nightmare/Miken was formed in 2012 and the team joined Conference USSSA Player-Sponsor Nolan Fogle Billy Maggard for the first time in 2013. The team But the rust showed at the AA World team in Conference USSSA. He is a was stuck in the middle of the pack for Tournament, when Nightmare lost to solid second-baseman and hits in the its first three years, before breaking All-Out/A&A (12-7) then got blown out top part of the team’s batting order. through in 2016 including a first place by Precision/3rd Street (27-7). At the Among the heavy hitters being brought finish at the Bash on the Chesapeake Major World Series, Nightmare had to in to join Nightmare this year are first- in Maryland. But they barely missed play a play-in game against military baseman/right-fielder Erik Kanaby out on qualifying for the Major World champion Government Issue which from Houston, third-baseman Tim Series in 2016. They cracked through they won (23-18) to set up a meeting Bowser from Arkansas, utility player the barrier in 2017 parlaying a great with second-seeded Dan Smith/ Chris Terry from California and Phil start in Houston with a consistent Menosse/Steve Smith which they lost Matte from Pauer Sports. season to make it to the Major World in a close battle (28-23). Nightmare Series for the first time. rallied to score wins over Pauer Sports Kanaby had a tremendous year for Dan Smith/Menosse/Steven Smith by Last year started slower, as Nightmare (35-34) nd Baugh Ford (22-11) before posting a .669 on-base percentage added Las Vegas to the schedule but being eliminated by Newbreed (34-28) with 63 home runs and 189 RBIs. could only go 2-2 in the desert. The to finish with a 3-2 record and tied for Bowser batted .735 with 59 home next week in Houston they went 3-2 9th place. runs and 123 RBIs in only 36 games for a tie for 9th place. Then after going Nightmare returns only four players for Pauer. He was a mainstay on the 1-2 and 3-2 at the Hall of Fame Dual from last year’s team, including first- Fence Brokers teams for years and was in Florida and 1-2 at Chattanooga, baseman Mike Brambilla, catchers/ also on the Barnes’ BHR/Coppermine Nightmare was sitting at 10-10 on extra hitters Mike Brown and Billy Lodge/ASP team that won the A World the year. But a tie for 7th at the Texas Maggard and second-baseman Nolan Championship in 2016. Terry batted Legends was followed by their best Fogle. Brambilla started 2018 with .728 with 42 home runs and 117 RBIs, showing of the year in going 5-2 for Racks/Worth Astros but left and joined while Matte hit .643 with 30 homers 3rd place at Marietta. Fifth place Nightmare. Despite some down time in and 70 RBIs. finishes at Tulsa and Brooklyn Center, between, he still combined for a .716 then 1-2 at the Smoky and another 5th on-base percentage and hit 47 home Pitching for Nightmare will be 41-year- place tie in Cincinnati and a 3-2 tie for runs with 119 RBIs. Brown led the old veteran Dan Bean who has pitched 9th place in Columbus wrapped up the Nightmare in home runs with 66 which in Conference USSSA since the begin- regular season. was among the Top 30 in the nation. ning, including teams like Jean Shoppe, Suncoast, 4 The Fallen, Baugh Ford, After playing 12 tournaments during He also led the team in RBIs with 172 Donny’s, Team Racks and TM Sports. the year, Nightmare sat out the and had an on-base percentage of .765. The past two years Bean has been with Conference Championships as they Maggard batted .728 with 61 homers Precision/3rd Street. In addition to his sat 15th in the Conference USSSA and 164 RBIs. pitching, last year he batted .694 with final standings with 980 points and Fogle is one of the few sponsors who 27 home runs and 69 RBIs. were in for the Major World Series. actually plays and contributes on his

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 29 Patrolling the outfield for Nightmare 69 RBIs. Migues helped his Louisiana season schedule are Myrtle Beach, will be newcomers Zach Saint Pierre team Empire to a 4th place finish at the Denver, Tulsa, Seattle, Maryville, from Dallas, Mike Williams, Conner Men’s B World Tournament last year. Cincinnati and Columbus. Murray and Zane Migues. The speedy Nightmare/Miken will be busy at the Nightmare/Miken should be Saint Pierre is only 21-years-old but beginning of their Conference USSSA contenders at both the Conference got his break in Conference USSSA last season by playing five tournaments in Championships and AA World year with Wood Law. Williams batted five weeks – Las Vegas, Houston and Tournament. And Fogle hopes his .723 with 38 home runs and 111 RBIs the Hall of Fame Dual in Florida in troops can make it back to the Major with Bay Area Legends. Murray split the first three weeks, then after one World Series for the third year in a time between Seminoles and Nally’s week off back to the Cajun Classic in row. and batted .783 with 20 homers and Louisiana. Other stops on the regular

Riot Sports / All Out / Hubs Pub / Klutch / Showtime / Treedem / # 11 Benson Riot Sports/Hubs Pub/Klutch has nice mix of returning vets and newcomers

iot Sports/Hubs Pub/Klutch/ Showtime had a successful season in 2018 posting a 28-20 record as a AA team. But the teamR tell fell short of their post-season goal and has now promoted savvy softball veteran Keith “K-Mart” Martin to manager. Martin is no stranger to winning softball, having captured the Men’s A World Championship in 2004 with Creative Stucco/TPS. In 2006, his Specialty Tank/Stucco/K&G/Worth finished 3rd at the Major World Series. More recently in 2016, Martin helped Scene/Albicocco to a 3rd place finish at the Major World Series. Martin welcomes back four key starters from last year’s Riot Sports team (including himself) as well as a IF Nick Utley nice mix of newcomers that should make for another successful team in to win the championship at the Choo Championship, just 1-2 at Men’s AA 2019. Riot Sports/Hubs Pub/Klutch/ Choo in a field that included Major World and 1-2 at the Major World Showtime/Treedom based out of teams such as Smash It/Thunder and Series. At the Major in Viera, Riot lost Tampa, Florida will enter the 2019 Dan Smith/Menosse. Riot averaged 33.3 their opening game to Newbreed/ season as the 11th-ranked team in the runs per game in the high altitudes Steel/DeMarinit (26-18). They bounced nation. of eastern Tennessee. Riot took 4th in back to defeat LaFamiglia/Easton Marietta, went 3-2 to tie for 9th at the (14-10) before being eliminated by Riot Sports got off to a good start in Smoky Mountain Classic and also tied Precision/3rd Street (16-14). 2018 by going 4-2 to tie for 5th place for 9th at Cincinnati. at the 64-team Space City Classic in Martin’s best returning player would Houston. The next week at the Hall of Riot Sports finished 9th in the be himself, as the catcher led the Fame Dual in Florida, Riot also went Conference USSSA final regular season team in on-base percentage last year 4-2 to finish 4th in Leg I then went 2-2 standings with 1,148 points, making at .711 with 28 home runs, 95 RBIs to tie for 9th in Leg II. In their next them clearly one of the Top 10 teams and 104 runs scored. He made the outing in Chattanooga, Riot Sports in the nations. But the post-season All-Tournament team at the Choo Choo shocked the softball world by going 5-1 was a disappointment, going 0-2 at Classic in Chattanooga. Martin made Keith Martin the Conference the Men’s AA All-World Tournament

T 30 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball several successful A and AA teams over the years. Last year, he stayed home and pitched for a non-Confer- ence B team from Louisiana, Empire/ Acadiana Bat & Grill/Miken that ended up finishing 4th out of 76 teams at the Men’s B World Tournament which was higher than several Conference USSSA B teams. First-base will be manned by 40-year- old Trenzie Campbell who came over from Bay Area Legends. Campbell had an impressive .720 on-base percentage for Bay Area including 15 home runs and 65 RBIs. Joining Laski in the infield will be Nick Utley from Newbreed/DeMarini, Marcus Thornton from All-Out/A&A and Ian Sidebottom from Baugh Ford. Utley batted .630 with 26 home runs and 85 RBIs and Thornton batted .656 with 17 homers and 61 RBIs. Joining Ortiz in the outfield with be Dan Kirkwood from Racks/Worth/ Astros and Scott Hartling from Keith Martin. Smash It/Thunder/Dominoes/Easton. Kirkwood was one of the top hitters for Racks with a .696 on-base percentage to go along with 34 home runs and 135 RBIs. Rounding out the roster will be utility players Bruce Dady from Baugh Ford and Brandon Patzig from Racks. Riot made a huge signing late in the off-season by picking up USSSA Hall of Famer B.J. Fulk from North Carolina. Fulk had an injury-plagued 2018 season but still managed to hit .665 with 41 home runs and 120 RBIs for AA World Tournament runnerup TDB/ FAI/Klutch. Fulk had surgery in the off- season and the uncertainty is probably what kept him off a Major roster for 2019 but that will be Riot’s gain. Sponsors of the team are Jason Annino of Riot Sports, Brandon Hubbard of Hubs Pub, Brandon Patzig of Klutch Brand and Monte Harris of Showtime. Riot Sports/Hubs Pub/Klutch/ Showtime will again open their season at the Space City Classic in Houston, OF Mike Ortiz followed by the Hall of Fame Dual in Florida. Others stops on their schedule team back when he was playing with .688 and contributed 26 home runs are Carencro, Myrtle Beach, Chicago, Worth/Astros/K&G/Klutch. and 76 RBIs. Gallmeier spent the first Tulsa, Maryville, Cincinnati and Columbus. They will also attend the Also returning with Martin from last half of the year with Nightmare/Miken Conference Championships and the AA year’s Riot Sports team will be infielder before joining Riot Sports in July for World Tournament. And if past success Keith Laski, outfielder Mike Ortiz and the stretch run. of the manager and some of the players utility player Evan Galmeier. Laski Martin has recruited several quality is any indicator, Riot Sports could batted .704 last year with a team- newcomers to help Riot Sports in 2019. make some noise at the Major World leading 57 home runs and 155 RBIs Pitching will be 48-year-old veteran Series. which also led the team by far. Ortiz Donald “Buckshot” Plaisance from was fourth on the team in hitting at Louisiana. Buckshot has pitched for

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 31 Conference USSSA Spread 1 Conference USSSA Spread 2 # 12 Thunder / Chosen / Riot / Miken / Worth Thunder/Chosen/Riot/Miken/Worth could make some noise in new season he 2019 season will be a reunion of sorts for two teams who battled it out against each other three years ago. BHR/ CoppermineT Lodge/ASP/Worth from Gladewater, Texas came from the loser’s bracket to win the 2016 USSSA Men’s A World Championship game by double-dipping Thunder/Miken/ Blowoutpicks.com in the champi- onship game. It was the third epic game between the two teams on the weekend. Thunder won the winner’s bracket finals (17-14) sending BHR to the loser’s bracket. BHR then elimi- nated Bay Area Legends (23-16) to make it back to the championship where they squeaked past Thunder in the first game (24-23) to set up an “If” game, which BHR also won (34-24). Thunder manager Seth Green has cherry-picked players from both of those teams and sprinkled in a few more from other teams to form what he hopes will be a contender for the 2019 Men’s A World Championship. Thunder/Chose/Riot/Miken/Worth enters the season as the 13th-ranked team in the nation. “I expect this team to compete every weekend,” said Green. “These guys have Brian McBryde not played together as a unit so as the weeks go on we will get better. This Two other players who made the Green had a hand in sponsoring team has a bunch of guys that can get All-World Tournament team for BHR in several teams last year with one it done.” 2016 will join Green’s team this year – of them being Smash It/Thunder/ Five players who played in those epic catcher Chris Potts and third-baseman Backman/TDB/Miken who was the pre- battles back in 2016 make up the Ethan Stuckly, both from Texas. Potts season favorite to win it all, but settled nucleus of Green’s new team, starting played for All-Out/A&A/Steel/Miken for a 2nd place finish at the Men’s with pitcher Danny Evans who was last year and batted .658 with 41 home Major World Series. One of Green’s the Defensive Tournament MVP of runs and 117 RBIs. Stuckly has just players on that team was versatile the 2016 A World. Evans played for played locally in Texas the past two infielder/outfielder Brian McBryde who Xtreme/Miken out of Minnesota each years but is ready to get back into the will join him on the Thunder A team of the past two years and helped them Conference USSSA action in 2019. this year. McBryde batted .625 with 41 win the AA World Championship in Two guys from Thunder/Miken/ home runs and 114 RBIs for Smash It 2017, where he made the All-World Blowoutpicks.com who made the 2016 last year. Tournament team, and to a 3rd Class A All-World Tournament team In addition to the Major powerhouse, place finish at the 2018 AA World will join their former rivals on Green’s Green also sponsored an A Conference Tournament. team this year – left-fielder Kyle Olsen USSSA team in 2018, Smash It Sports/ “The key to winning is having a great and outfielder Artie Barcelo. Olsen was Thunder/Dominoes/Easton from pitcher,” Evans said. “And with Danny the Offensive Tournament MVP of the Rochester, New York. The team won Evans we should be alright.” 2016 A Worlds and Barcelo joined him 1st place at the Riot Winter Wake Up on the All-World Tournament team. but their best showing in Conference

T 34 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball leading 94 RBIs. Both Bacelo and Ryan Snyder also spent some time with the Stars last year. LaFamiglia out of Pittsburgh finish 3rd at the Men’s A World Tournament last year and when they decided to not have a team in 2019, Green swooped in and picked up two of their top players – shortstop Josh Fyffe and right-fielder Dave Durso. Fyffe batted .618 with 31 home runs and 100 RBIs, while Durso led the team in hitting at .707 with 28 homers and 91 RBIs. Durso was one of five finalists for the Conference USSSA Rookie of the Year Award in 2018. Rounding out the roster will be center- fielder Greg Downing and catcher Vinny Vlock from the Chosen/Thunder/ Worth Men’s B team and outfielder Joe Yankee III from the CTC/South Shore Men’s A team. In addition to Green, the primary spon- sors of the team are Joel DeGennaro of Chosen and Jason Annino of Riot, while equipment is supplied by Jason Kendrick of Miken/Worth. Green will serve as manager while the assistant coaches are DeGennaro and Mark McCorrison. Thunder/Chosen/Riot/Miken/Worth Kyle Olsen will open their Conference USSSA play was a tie for 5th place at the 39th and catcher/first-baseman Mike schedule at the Space City Classic in Annual Busch Classic in Little Rock. Snyder. Wood batted .680 with a team- Houston, before heading to the Hall SIS/Thunder went 19-9 against B and leading 16 home runs and 37 RBIs. Of Fame Dual in Florida. Other stops below opponents on the year, but was Ryan Snyder batted .704 in limited on the schedule will be Myrtle Beach, 0-10 against A and above for a 19-19 duty, while Mike Snyder hit .604 with Atlanta, Glen Burnie, Tulsa, Maryville, overall record. 10 dingers. and Charlotte. Thunder will also look to recapture old magic at the Men’s A Green welcomes five players back from Green picked up a big stick in first- World Tournament and also likely try his 2018 A team including outfielders baseman Brian Therkildsen from the their hand at AA World. With plenty of Olsen and Barcelo. Others back from Stars out of Colorado. Therkildsen experienced players on hand, Thunder that team are second-baseman Chris batted .699 on the year with 34 home should be a team to make some noise Wood, pitcher/infielder Ryan Snyder runs in just 32 games and a team- this year.

# 13 Rebel Sports / TN / Troupe / M24 Rebel Sports makes big jump from B to AA with new player additions ebel Sports had moderate enters the season as the 13th-ranked success as a Conference USSSA team in the nation. B team in 2018. But after the Rebel Sports had a 16-19 record last acquisition of several big time year. They were 6-3 against other B playersR in the off-season, they are teams and even held their own against making the jump all the way to AA for A teams by going 5-5 against them. But the 2019 season. Rebel Sports/TN/ Rebel was 0-11 against teams over A. Troupe/M24 from Dearborn, Michigan The highest finish for Rebel Sports in

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 35 a Conference USSSA event was a tie for 5th place at the Hoosier Classic in Columbus, Indiana. But the team had a decent post season by going 4-2 to tie for 7th place at the B World Tournament and went 3-2 to tie for 7th at the A World Tournament. Among the new players being added to the team are shortstop Brett Rettenmeier from Major world cham- pion Resmondo/RDD, outfielder Cory Large from Xtreme/Miken, outfielder Frankie Andriola from Pauer Sports, pitcher Jeff Graus from All-Out/A&A and bothers Joe and Sal Formosa. Rounding out the lineup will be catcher Keith Anderson, first-baseman Dave Miller, infielders Brandon Bellamy, Richard Lizcano and Josh Moore, outfielders Kevin Raisor and James Simpson, and utility players Justin Aldora, Matt Chromy, Mike Newsted, Jordan Nuss and Chris Yeo. Rebel Sports will open their season IF Ricardo Lizcano P Jeff Graus at the Hall of Fame Dual in Florida. Other stops on their schedule include The team plans to compete in both pickups work out as planned, Rebel St. Louis, Chicago, Brooklyn Center, the Conference Championships and Sports hopes t qualify for the Major Maryville, Cincinnati and Columbus. AA World Tournament. And if the new World Series.

# 14 Beckham Brothers / Pure / Exclusive Beckham Brothers/Pure/Exclusive hopes to be contender in A division n addition to his Major team, Craig Shaw of Pure Sports is teaming up with Todd Beckham of Beckham Brothers Construction to field an IA team that looks to be a possible contender in that division. Billy Register will coach the team which has assembled some top talent. Beckham Brothers/Pure/Exclusive from Goose Creek, South Carolina enters the season as the 14th-ranked team in the nation. Two of the top players on Beckham Brothers are Reno Malay and Matty Vasquez from Texas. Both players were 3B Matt Vasquez Orlando Castillo on the Steel Sports team that won the percentage with 30 home runs and 69 AA World Tournament and a 4th place 2017 A World Tournament. Vasquez RBIs, while Vasquez batted .662 with finish at the Major World Series. was named Most Valuable Player 25 homers and 72 RBIs. Castillo had an on-base percentage of of that event and Malay was on the .663 with 49 home runs and 171 RBIs. All-Tournament team. Last year both Another leader will be infielder played for Newbreed/DeMarini and Orlando Castillo who helped TDB/ Rounding out the roster will be Mike FAI to a 2nd place finish at the 2018 Cirillo, Devin Anderson, Justin Tripp, Malay posted a .676 on-base

T 36 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Patrick Donahue, Peter Seiden, Taylor Nichols, Travis Tucker and Zach Ross. Beckham Brothers/Pure/Exclusive will open their season at the Space City Classic in Houston before heading off to the Hall of Fame Dual in Florida. Other stops on their schedule include Carencro, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, Glen Burnie, Tulsa, Maryville, Cincinnati, Columbus and Charlotte. The team plans to compete in both the Conference Championships and A World Tournament with hopes of qual- ifying for the Major World Series. IF Justin Mackey SS Steven Malay

# 15 Baugh Ford / Kut 4 Sports Baugh Ford/Kut4Sports projected to again be a top team in the South

augh Ford was one of a handful teams in the nation to win 1st place at multiple Conference USSSA tournaments last year, afterB taking the Space City Classic in Houston and Cajun Classic in Carencro, Louisiana. Baugh Ford from Clanton, Alabama double-dipped their neigh- bors OI Livingston from Peachtree City, Georgia to win the Cajun Classic. But OI Livingston also got the best of Baugh Ford twice during the year, including sending them home from the A World Tournament. IF Phillip White P Chad Loudon Players from Baugh Ford and OI Livingston are joining forces this year (27-18), Precision/3rd Street (28-13), 7th place. They did not attend the to make what will surely be one of the Empire (22-21) and All-Out/A&A to Conference Championships and were top teams in the South. Baugh Ford/ reach the championship game, where rusty at the Major World Series where Kut4Sports/Worth/Miken officially they beat All-Out/A&A again (33-24) to they went 0-2 by losing to Racks/Worth from Peachtree City, Georgia enters the take the title. Baugh Ford went on to Astros (27-12) and Nightmare/Miken 2019 season as the 15th-ranked team finish 12th in the Conference USSSA (22-11). in the nation. final standings with 1,045 points Players from last year’s Baugh Ford Baugh Ford got off to a great start last which qualified the for the Major team coming to the Baugh Ford/ year by going 7-0 to win the Space City World Series. Kut4Sports team are outfielders John Classic. Baugh defeated Clutch City At the Men’s A World Tournament, Zorich, Brian Mays and Brandon (32-1), Entourage (40-31), Old School Baugh Ford went 2-2 to tie for Hooks, third-baseman Chad Folsom,

T 38 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball pitcher Tommie Baugh, plus Jason year are Adan Tennyson, Chad Loudon, Of Fame Dual in Florida. The rest of Gilfillan and Jonathan Sullivan. Zorich Curtis Cornett, Matt Bunn and Carlton their schedule will be a tour around and Mays let the team in on-base Griffin, Phillip White and Jonathan the South with stops in Carencro, percentage at .717 and .679, while Rasberry. Myrtle Beach, Atlanta and Charlotte Hooks led the team in home runs with Rounding out the roster is newcomer along with trips to Maryville, 48 and RBIs with 129. Gilfillan belted Brandon Jones, who helped his Briggs/ Cincinnati and Columbus. 33 homers with 110 RBIs. H&H/A&D/Dynamite team from South Entering the season, Baugh Ford/ OI Livingston was not in Conference Carolina to a 2nd place finish at the B Kut4Sports has a considered a top USSSA last year, but they did finish World Tournament last year. contender for the A World Tournament. tied for 5th place at the Men’s A World Baugh Ford will again open their And if they are as successful as they Tournament including the win that Conference USSSA schedule at the have been in recent years, Baugh Ford send Baugh Ford home (14-12). Players Space City Classic in Houston. The should end up right back at the Major from last year’s OI Livingston squad following week they will be at the Hall World Series. coming to Baugh Ford/Kut4Sports this

# 16 Classic Glass / Easton Classic Glass turns to veteran in hopes of making return trip to World Series lassic Glass/Easton is a peren- nial softball powerhouse on the West Coast. They have won many West Coast champion- Cships over the years and have placed at various World Tournaments. As a B team in 2014, Classic Glass qualified for the Major World Series and went to Disney and surprised everyone by going 3-2 to tie for 5th place. Players come and go over the years, but the Formosas just keep retooling and coming back. This year, Tom Formosa Chris Hansen Chris Larsen Sr. and Tom Formosa Jr. have brought in some key veterans in hopes of making a return to the Major World Series. Classic Glass/Easton based in San Jose, California enters the 2019 season as the 16th-ranked team in the nation. Classic Glass opened 2018 by going 3-2 to finish tied for 9th at the loaded Sin City Classic in Las Vegas. They earned a Conference USSSA championship by going 5-0 to win the Rocky Mountain Shootout in Denver. Classic Glass Cox, Ben Falcone, Nathan Newman P Nathan Newman would finish 19th in the Conference and Chris Schwinden. Cox posted a USSSA final standings with 929 points .684 on-base percentage with 40 home Apparel out of Arkansas. But in 2013 just barely missing out on a Top 16 runs and 93 RBIs. Falcone batted .650 he helped GTL Doerflinger to a 3rd finish which would have earned them and Schwinden .627, while Newman place finish at the Major and in 2009 a trip to the Major World Series. The blasted 25 homers. he also helped Long Haul Trucking to disappointment showed at the A World Classic Glass has brought in a trio of a 3rd place finish at the Major. In 2008 Tournament, where Classic Glass went Genter played for Major World Series 0-2. big names in J.D. Genter, Chris Larsen and Chris Hansen. The 45-year-old champion Dan Smith/Menosse. The Formosas return four key contrib- Genter is a power-hitting infielder. Last Larsen is a 39-year-old slugger who utors to last year’s team in Cameron year he played A ball with Team Fan has been a DeMarini factory hitter

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 39 on the Long Haul Bombers Stadium Rounding out the Classic Glass/ in Las Vegas followed by a trip to Hall Power Tour. Larsen played for Bay Area Easton roster will be Pilar Amaya, of Fame Dual in Florida. The team is Legends last year, where he hit .747 Kade Christensen, Brandy Easton, also confirmed to play in the Frank with 39 home runs and 120 RBIs. Trey Gilliland, Blake Lively and Chris Webb Memorial in St. Louis and the Hansen is a versatile player who Russell. Texas Legends in Dallas. helped Resmondo/OA/H.Auto to a 2nd Classic Glass started the 2019 season Classic Glass has a long tradition of place finish at the 2017 Major World by playing at the Southwest Invite in playing winning softball and should Series. Hansen previously won an A Arizona and went 5-3 to finish 2nd certainly be among the contenders at World Tournament title with Line behind MyAutoJack/DownTimeSports. the A World Tournament and don’t be Drive in 2014. Last year he played for Glass will open their Conference surprised if the Formosas find a way to Seminoles/TPS out of Oklahoma. USSSA schedule at the Sin City Classic make it back to the Major World Series.

Chanticlear Pizza / Eurotech / J&H Wall / First Source Financial / # 17 PHD Chanticlear Pizza looks to be team to carry flag of Minnesota softball innesota is one of the most percentage last year. He was followed softball rabid states in the by Eric O’Connell at .713, Hines at nation and has produced .704 and Gessell at .695. Hines was many top caliber teams over the top home run hitter with 21 while theM year. This year the top team from Thorbrogger belted 20. Minnesota looks to be Chanticlear Six players from the Eurotech/ Pizza, who scored a Top 10 finish at the First Source/Norm’s Tire B team 2018 A World Tournament. Chanticlear from Minneapolis will be joining Pizza/Eurotech/J&H Wall/First Source Chanticlear Pizza for 2019. Last year, Financial/PDH/Worth/Miken enters the Eurotech went 3-2 to tie for 17th place 2019 season as the 17th-ranked team at the B World Tournament. The players in the nation. coming to the merger are Michael Chanticlear got off to a slow start last Beardsley, Kyle Bixler, Ryan Hassler, Bob Noeth Sr. year by going 0-2 in their first three Scott Novak, Chris Olson and Judd tournaments. But they rebounded O’Connor. nicely and went 3-2 to tie for 9th Rounding out the roster is pitcher- place in the loaded Chicago event and Aaron Lewicki who played for TDB went 4-2 to tie for 5th place at the each of the past two years. Before that Dudley Classic in their home state of Lewicki was with Chanticlear for a Minnesota. Chanticlear finished the year so he is no stranger to the team. regular season in 28th place in the Conference USSSA final standings with Sponsors of the team are Dale Heille 774 points. of Chanticlear Pizza, Seth Thorson of Eurotech Auto Services, Jack O’Connor At the A World Tournament, of J&H Wall, Judd O’Connor of First Chanticlear opened with a win over Source Financial, and Scott Brown and CTC/SouthShore (9-2). They lost their Mike Meyer of PHD Sports. Jason Ferguson next game to Riot Sports (37-15) but rallied to defeat SmashItSports/ Chanticlear Pizza will open their Thunder/Dominoes (16-9) and Conference USSSA schedule at the Nally’s/D&D (16-2) before finally being Space City Classic in Houston. The eliminated by TG Brand (8-6) to finish following week they will be at the in a tie for 9th place. Hall Of Fame Dual in Florida. The rest of their schedule will be Myrtle Chanticlear brings back seven key Beach, Chicago, Brooklyn Center, contributors from that team, including Maryville and Columbus. The team Ryan O’Connell, Eric O’Connell, Cory hopes to be a top contender for the A Hines, Michale Thorbrogger, Travis World Tournament and if things go as Auld, Kyle Charboneau, Nate Gessell planned, Chanticlear could continue and Shawn Casey. Ryan O’Connell the long tradition of Minnesota teams led the team with a .762 on-base playing at the Major World Series. SS Jordan Rosenbalm

T 40 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

# 18 Vivid / Killbombers / Easton Vivid bolstered by young talent, back in Conference USSSA for another run

s he embarks on his age 50 season, Jon Kilburn is back for another run at Conference USSSA. Kilburn has been a Asteady Conference sponsor since 2013. His teams qualified for the Major World Series in 2015 and 2016. But each of the past two years, Vivid has folded shop before the end of the year. Kilburn has retooled his roster for this year with his sights set on an A World title and another trip to the Major World Series. Vivid/Easton from Frisco, Texas enters the 2019 season as the 18th-ranked team in the nation. Last year Vivid opened the season younger players a shot at playing strong by going 4-2 to capture 4th Conference ball. Outfielders Robbie place at the Space City Classic in Balthrop, Matt Herrick and Brandon Houston and 4-2 to tied for 7th in Leg Cox all played for Texas C teams last I of the Hall of Fame Dual in Florida. year – Balthrop for C&R Express, But there were only two other Top 10 Herrick for NTX Brewcrew and 1st Baseman Steve Zemanek finishes during the regular season – a Cox for All Day/ESP Family. tie for 7th place in Tulsa and a 2nd Shortstop Ty Herrick played for place showing in Little Rock. Vivid was East Texas C team Hittin’ Bottom. undefeated and in the championship game before getting double-dipped Two North Texas veterans are by Louisiana B team Empire in Little returning to Vivid in brothers Rock. After going 1-2 at the Cajun Jason and Zane Trammell. Zane Classic, they lost hope of qualifying Trammell played for Riot Sports for the Major World Series and folded last year, while Jason took the shop. year off in 2018. Both Trammell brothers played for Nightmare/ Vivid ended the year in 23rd place in Miken in 2017. Their father David the Conference USSSA final standings Trammell will be the manager of with 852 points. However, the team did Vivid/Easton this year. travel to the GSL A World Tournament in Columbus, Ohio and went 2-2 to tie Rounding out the roster will be for 5th place. Ryan Roppell from JBL/Tailgaters and first-baseman Steve Zemanek Kilburn brings back a handful of from Nightmare. Roppell was named players from last year’s team – pitchers Offensive MVP of the A World last year. Kenny Turlington and James Delagarza, catcher Thomas Crump, second- Kilburn’s new squad has already baseman Nick Santos and utility player played once this year and made a fine Justin Snider. Kilburn also contributes showing by going 5-2 to finish 2nd at IF Zane Trammell as a catcher and extra hitter. Crump the North Texas USSSA Winter World. was the top hitter on the team, with a Among Vivid’s five wins were games followed by the Hall of Fame Dual in .765 on-base percentage and 40 home against Conference USSSA teams Florida. Other stops on the schedule runs and 108 RBIs. Santos batted .670 Wood Law/Olmito Heat (31-30) and are Carencro, Dallas, Chicago, Brooklyn with 36 homers and 96 RBIs, while Nightmare/Miken (25-12). Center, Tulsa, Little Rock, Maryville Snider hit .661 in limited duty. Vivid/Easton will again open its and Columbus. Kilburn intends on playing in the A World Tournament and Kilburn is dipping into the fertile Texas Conference USSSA schedule at the would like to find a way back to the market to give some up-and-coming Space City Classic in Houston, to be Major World Series.

T 42 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball # 19 Primetime / Evolution / F.A.I. / Easton Primetime/Evolution/FAI/Easton still going strong after years in Conference ewer teams in Conference USSSA have been around longer that Primetime/Easton. The team has won multiple World champion- shipsF in the USSSA Black-American Program and on the Black Softball Circuit. They have been involved in Xtreme sent them home with a tie for Conference USSSA since almost the 5th place. Primetime finished 22nd in beginning and keep coming back year the Conference USSSA final standings after year to compete. Primetime/ last year with 862 points. They were Evolution/Florida Atlantic Ironworks/ 18-20 in Conference and World tour- Easton officially from Forsyth, nament play and 12-20 against B and Georgia enters the 2019 season as the above teams. Ira Brown 19th-ranked team in the nation. Primetime returns under manager Tony Primetime had three Top 10 finishes Goodson and player/sponsor Judson in Conference USSSA last year – a tie Austin bringing back a veteran core for 7th place at Marietta, Georgia and of players like infielder Chivas Clark, both a 4th place and tie for 9th at the pitcher Detorran Means, outfielder Seattle Dual. The team also went 2-2 at Nekeyma Wright, utility player Jarvis the Smoky Mountain Classic. At the AA Riggins, third-baseman Earl Bryant, World Tournament, Primetime opened infielder Donta Frazier and others. with wins over Newbreed (15-13) and Infielder Ira Brown returns from a leg Racks/Worth Astros (9-4) to advance to injury and their defense will be led by the winner’s bracket semi-finals unde- pitcher Roderick Armour and infielder feated. But losses to Pure Sports and P Roderick Armour

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 43 Jedon Matthews. They also return batted .689 with 21 homers and 55 Primetime will again open its infielder Jerblonski Jennings who has RBIs, while Frazier hit .625 with 20 Conference USSSA schedule at the played with them for many years in the home runs. Space City Classic in Houston to be past and outfielder Kenny Hare who Goodson is the team’s manager and followed by the Hall of Fame Dual in has found a home with Primetime the he is joined by assistant coaches Lee Florida. Other stops on the schedule past few years. Daniels, David Morrow, Dennis Davison include Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, Tulsa, Clark was one of the top base-hitters and Everette Daniels. Primetime is Seattle, Maryville and Cincinnati. in the nation last year, compiling an sponsored by Evolution and Florida Goodson intends on competing for an A on-base percentage of .793 to go along Atlantic Ironworks with equipment World title with hopes of qualifying for with 32 home runs and 75 RBIs. Hare provided by Easton. the Men’s Major World Series.

# 20 Sports Reach Sports Reach adding Blackburn to lineup in pursuit of A World crown ports Reach is a softball and sports ministry group from Kentucky that joined Conference USSSA and held their own with aS 14-15 record on the year. Manager Robby Speer has added a couple of big name sluggers to the lineup and the team is back for another run in the Conference. Sports Reach from Campbellsville, Kentucky enters the 2019 season as the 20th-ranked team in the nation. Last year Sports Reach opened the year by going 2-2 in Leg I of the Hall of Fame Dual in Florida with wins over TG Brand (25-7) and LaFamiglia (5-3). They went on to have four Top 10 finishes in Conference USSSA including a tie for 9th at the Hoosier Classic, tie Sports Reach Team for 5th at the Pure Major, 4th at the Circle City Major and tie for 9th at last year. Previously, Blackburn helped Cincinnati. They also went 2-2 at the Backman/Shoppe/Louisville Slugger Smoky Mountain Classic. to a 2nd place finish at the 2014 Major World Series and TaylorMade/Mizuno Sports Reach finished in 25th place in to a 2nd place finish at the 2011 Major the Conference USSSA final standings World Series. with 945 points. They won their first game at the A World Tournament over Rounding out the roster will be the Regulators (26-17) before losing second-baseman Josh Fryman, middle- to TG Brand (16-5) an OI Livingston infielder Jacob Clifton, shortstop (20-15) Kaden Watson, utility player Daniel Merck and outfielders Zach Watts and Speer brings back a few players from Tony Ford. last year’s team, including slugger Shaun Ballard, third-baseman Jason Sports Reach will again open its Hatley, outfielder Robby Fow and Conference USSSA schedule at the Hall pitcher Ben Gambill. Hatley led the of Fame Dual in Florida. Other stops on team with 30 home runs and 79 RBIs, the schedule are Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, while Fow batted .698 in just 19 games Glen Burnie, Maryville, Cincinnati, after being picked up. Columbus and Charlotte. The team will Robert Blackburn also attend the A World Tournament Sports Reach had added veteran and if all falls into place could qualify Robert “Robo” Blackburn to the squad. USSSA batting champion played C ball for the Major World Series. The 40-year-old former Conference in his home state of North Carolina

T 44 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Senior Softball SSUSA pg 1

Senior Softball USA (SSUSA) leads the way in rekindling the love of softball on a global stage By Jack Sirard

The number of seniors taking to the softball diamonds nationwide continues to rise exponentially each year as thousands rekindle their love of the sport they enjoyed in years gone by. But it’s not just those moving into their retirement years that are accounting for the surge in popularity of playing softball. In fact, Senior Softball USA Chief Executive Officer Terry Hennessy says his organization has found two key groups that are adding up to exploding growth in the sport: Those in their 40s who are years from retirement are taking to the ball fields in record numbers and co-ed teams that are just beginning to make their marks on senior softball. When Hennessy talks about trends in the softball industry, he is more than in a position to know. His organization has been in operation for 31 years and has been the largest senior softball company in the world since 1996. In fact, it is larger than all of its competi- tors combined. With more than 26,000 registered national players in every state and Canada, SSUSA hosts the largest slow- pitch softball tournament – of any age group – in America, with 624 teams playing in Las Vegas last year. In addi- tion, SSUSA runs national qualifiers and regional championships in more than 70 cities and sanctions leagues in 300 cities. The secret to its success stems from its founding principles of fairness, honesty and integrity. And by having the top team ratings system in the sport, SSUSA continues to build on its successes. “We believe that it’s imperative to have a high-standard ratings system which enables teams to compete on a level playing field,” Hennessy said. “Sure, everyone wants to win, but it’s just as Player from Color By Design (MD) rounds third looking to score during the 2017 World Masters Championships in Las Vegas. important to have fun, get some exer-

T 46 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Senior Softball SSUSA pg 2

cise and enjoy the comradery when both teams have a chance to win.” “We play for the comradeship,” said Alethea Bageant, manager of Lew’s Crew/Exceeding Expectations, a Women’s 40 team out of Maryland. “Over the years, we’ve been through many struggles. Our founder/coach was killed at a tournament in Arizona and our next coach died within one year of a heart attack. Now we kind of coach and manage ourselves. So, for us, it’s sticking together both on and off the field.” “It has been a pleasure playing 40 softball the past 10 years,” adds Billy Nelson, manager of Color By Design, a Men’s 40 team from Maryland. “This has been a nice change from ‘young guy ball’. What I enjoy the most about 40 ball is the comradery between teams. Rarely do you find a team that doesn’t display good sportsmanship. All teams want to win, but 40 ball teams get along. There is no win-at-all-cost mentality and the opponent is not the enemy, like you find in young guy ball.” Not only has SSUSA built a firm foundation in the United States, but it has become a growing force in the international arena as well. For the past 31 years, the organization has been holding goodwill tournaments in countries far and wide, from Australia and New Zealand to Italy and France and to more than 30 other Pitcher from S2S/.40 CAL (FL) throws in the 2019 Tournament of Champions in Florida. nations. SSUSA is one of the founding members of the Pacific Rim Slowpitch Softball Federation, along with Japan, China and Taiwan. Canada and Hong Kong have joined this year and more Pacific Rim countries are expected to join in the future as the sport’s popularity continues to blossom. The main Pacific Rim Federation event is the annual Pacific Rim Championships, which rotates to different member countries and is hosted by America in Hawaii this year Oct. 21-25. Anyone over age 40 is welcome to join the American team on both the Pacific Rim Championships and an ensuing cruise. For more information, call SSUSA at 916-326-5303. This tournament promises to be one of the most popular in recent memory. Player from Y’all Next (MD) fields a grounder at the 2019 Tournament of Champions in Florida. Bob Mitchell, a retired California Highway Patrol officer who founded Senior Softball-USA, in Sacramento, Calif., in the spring of 1988, did so with the firm belief that everyone is welcome. Mitchell set the guidelines: “This is a sport that doesn’t discriminate. Not by age, not by sex, not by race and not by religion. Our goal is to provide the opportunity for any senior to play softball.” That goal has not changed and today 1.5 million seniors play softball at some level. For more information, see www.SeniorSoftball.com. Jack Sirard is a retired nationally syndicated columnist and senior editor for SSUSA. Lew’s Crew (MD) First Basemen stretches for the out during the 2018 Tournament of Champions in Florida.

T 48 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball Senior Softball SSUSA pg 3

Team USA and Team Japan pose for a group photo during the 2013 Pacific Rim Championships in China.

Team USA and Team Taiwan pose for a group photo during the 2013 Pacific Rim Championships in China.

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 49 NPF 1

NPF College Draft Returns to Nashville and ACME for Third Year

National Pro Fastpitch will hold its annual NPF College Draft for the third consecutive year at the ACME Feed and Seed, located on 1st and Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The event will take place on Monday, April 15th at 7:00 pm CT. The draft, which has taken place since 2013 in Nashville, is a (photo by Bill Diehm, courtesy of National Pro Fastpitch) featured event for the This is the third consecutive year for Nashville’s historical ACME Feed and Seed building to host NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf league each year. the NPF College Draft. draftees with 106, followed by the PAC “We love the light the Draft shines ROUND 2 on the future of the NPF and profes- 12 (10), with a total of 92. The univer- sional softball in general,” commented sity program with the highest number 6 Cleveland Comets of total draftees is Oklahoma, with 19. NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “It 7 Beijing Eagles is a fun night to celebrate not only the There is a four-way tie for universi- outstanding accomplishments of the ties with the most picks in a single 8 Aussie Peppers of MN college seniors that will be drafted, draft. Arizona (2017), Florida (2016), 9 Chicago Bandits but the confidence of our teams in the Oklahoma (2013) and UCLA (2004), have future potential of these women as all had four total selections in one 10 USSSA Pride professional athletes.” draft. ROUND 3 The 2019 Draft will feature five rounds Downtown Nashville has been the of five selections each round, for a total home of the Draft for the past six 11 Cleveland Comets of 25 total picks. The Canadian Wild years. From 2013 through 2016, the 12 Beijing Eagles has elected to not participate in the event took place at the historic Country 2019 Draft due to the fact their team Music Hall of Fame, and since 2017, the 13 Aussie Peppers of MN also doubles as the national federation ACME. The ACME location is a popular team for Canada, of which, members event space featuring celebrity events 14 Chicago Bandits for Sheryl Crow, Alan Jackson, Kenny have already been selected through a Cleveland Comets (Trade with Chesney, Rolling Stone Magazine, and 15 tryout process held in January of 2019. USSSA Pride 5/24/2018) The remaining five teams will draft in many more. the order of their 2018 regular season The 2019 NPF College Draft will be a ROUND 4 finish with the exception of trades. free live streamed event with details of 16 Cleveland Comets The league has held a college draft the event, along with ancillary happen- every year since its inception in 2004, ings, to be forthcoming. 17 Beijing Eagles making the 2019 Draft the 16th for Order for 2019 Draft: 18 Aussie Peppers of MN the league overall, each with a diverse group of draftees. In terms of number ROUND 1 19 Chicago Bandits one picks, pitchers dominate the cate- Chicago Bandits (Trade with 20 USSSA Pride 1 gory, being the first name called a total Cleveland Comets 12/13/2018) of ten times. Infielders and outfielders ROUND 5 were selected number one, twice each, USSSA Pride (Trade with Beijing 2 21 Cleveland Comets and only one time in the history of Eagles 4/20/2018) the draft, was a catcher selected first. USSSA Pride (Trade with Aussie 22 Beijing Eagles 3 Arizona State leads all other univer- Spirit 4/24/2018) sities in the category of number one 23 Aussie Peppers of MN 4 Chicago Bandits selections, having had three total. 24 Chicago Bandits The Southeastern Conference leads all Cleveland Comets (Trade with 5 25 USSSA Pride other conferences in total number of USSSA Pride 3/8/2019)

T 50 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

NPF 2

2019 Championship Series Returns To Parkway Bank Sports Complex

The National Pro Fastpitch Included for fans will be the return of Championship Series will return to the Tailgate Fanfest, an event that takes Parkway Bank Sports Complex in place prior to each of the first three Rosemont, IL in 2019. Dates for the games and features a bandstand, food, Series are August 15-19. drinks, contests, games, and interactive The league’s hallmark event will enter experiences with league suppliers and its second season with the best of five sponsors. Series format that features the top two Also returning in 2019 is the teams from the regular season stand- Commissioner’s reception, an invi- ings. In 2018, the USSSA Pride raised tation only event that takes place the team’s fourth Cowles Cup sweeping on opening night of the Series and the series in shut-out fashion over the includes some of the season’s most Chicago Bandits. decorated players. “We truly enjoyed not only the The 2019 Series will be the fourth Championship Series itself in 2018, time Rosemont has hosted the NPF but the complete Championship fan Championship. The USSSA Pride have experience enabled by Rosemont,” won two of their four Cowles Cup commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Championships in Rosemont, taking Kempf. “The stadium, dome, and home the trophy in 2013 and 2018. surrounding entertainment district The NPF 2019 season will open on May allow us to put on a Championship 28, when the Beijing Shougang Eagles event worthy of the incredible athletes host the Canadian Wild of Southern who are competing, as well as our Illinois. The 138 game regular season passionate fans.” plenty of ancillary opportunities for will conclude on August 11, with a final “We are thrilled to be hosting the NPF fun and engagement alongside the match-up of USSSA and Chicago in Championship Series again in 2019,” competitive action. The event will lead Rosemont. said Chicago Bandits General Manager, off on Wednesday, August 14 with the Tickets for the 2019 Championship Toni Calmeyn. “The Parkway Bank annual NPF Awards Banquet. This year, Series are on sale now and Sports Complex is a beautiful venue the league will offer fans the opportu- can be purchased through that we are proud to have in Rosemont, nity to join the teams and VIPs through Ticketmaster at http://bit. and the opportunity to bring an event purchasing tickets either as part of ly/2019NPFChampionshipTickets. the caliber of the league’s champion- a Series package or as stand alone For Banquet tickets contact the league ship to our stadium is really special.” purchases. This is a limited space at [email protected]. The Series will once again feature opportunity.

National Pro Fastpitch Annual Meetings Wrap Up In Nashville 2019 Regular Season Schedule Announced The National Pro Fastpitch have concluded the league’s annual Winter Meetings in Nashville. The two day meeting is a once a year gathering to discuss league business and plan for the upcoming season. The event convened key individuals from each of the six affiliate teams from the NPF along with league office officials, to address league related tive in tweaking policies, scheduling, a pleasure and privilege to share the issues, policies and procedures, rule further planning, and especially, a room with such a positive group of changes and adjustments, and the general gathering of team owners and people that are committed to making a season schedule. administrators,” commented league difference in the game of softball from “The meetings were very produc- Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “It was the professional level to its youngest

T 52 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

NPF 3

participants.” Location (OPAL) program that were The Aussie Peppers will make their Notable policy adjustments include announced in late fall of 2018. Focus on 2019 debut when they open against language making it easier for teams additional and expanded activations the Beijing Shougang Eagles at their to maintain National Team players for the league’s loyal sponsor/partner home venue of Caswell Park in North on their rosters while those players group of suppliers and supporters Mankato, MN on June 9. The regular compete for Team USA and other inter- was featured on the agenda, as well season will conclude on August 11 national team programs. In addition as cooperation with, and assembling in Chicago with a classic matchup of to that, the group voted to increase teaching and training programs for, USSSA Pride and Chicago Bandits. the number of rooms provided by the the league’s new relationship with View the 2019 NPF Schedule at http:// visiting team. Diamond Umpire Academy. bit.ly/2019NPFSchedule In the area of game rules, the only The 2019 schedule totals 138 regular Other topics that were discussed in addition/change that will be new to the season games, 46 for each affiliate the meetings were the new initiatives league in 2019 is the implementation team. May 28 will be Opening Day of the Developmental Partnership of a Run Ahead Rule, that rule being 8 of the NPF and will feature a Beijing Program (DPP) and On-Player Ad runs after 5 innings. In game day oper- Shougang Eagles vs Canadian Wild Location (OPAL) programs.Focus on ations, the league will experiment for of Southern Illinois matchup, a home additional and expanded activations the first time in 2019 with an in-venue series for Beijing. On June 6, the 2018 for the league’s loyal sponsor/partner public address capability for the home regular season and Championship group of suppliers and supporters plate umpire. Series Champions, USSSA Pride, will was featured on the agenda, as well open at Rent One Park in Marion, Other topics that were discussed in as cooperation with, and assembling IL against the Canadian Wild. Also teaching and training programs for, the meetings were the new initiatives on June 6, the Chicago Bandits will of the Developmental Partnership the league’s new relationship with open against the Cleveland Comets Diamond Umpire Academy. Program (DPP) and On-Player Ad in a Cleveland home series match up.

National Pro Fastpitch Launches Official Developmental Partnership Program

Initiative Looks to Connect Grass Roots Participation With Professionals The National Pro Fastpitch launched the NPF Developmental Partnership Program (DPP), as announced by the Nashville based league office. The program is specifically designed to connect youth level participants, trainers, leagues, teams and communi- ties, with the professional level of the sport of softball, and specifically, the professional athletes themselves. Partners will join the program through any of three different categories: Park Partner, Performance Partner or Playing Partner, each of which provides an official status designation along with a broad list of membership perks that includes game passes, player VIP events, access to special discounts connection, this program will also information or to register as a devel- through NPF Official Partners and prioritize the relationship between opmental partner of NPF, go to www. Suppliers, and official league licensee our Developmental Partners and our profastpitch.com or email the league at status. committed and loyal sponsors and [email protected]. suppliers. That direct connection, for “At the league level, we are always National Pro Fastpitch enters its 16th our supporters on both sides of the looking for ways to connect tomorrow’s season of competition in 2019 and equation, is a league priority.” generation of professionals with our recently announced the addition of the players of today, and this program can The DPP membership is $250 annu- Canadian Wild of Southern Illinois as go a long way in accomplishing that ally and can be engaged by playing an affiliate team beginning with the on a number of levels,” commented or training facilities, academies, 2019 season. NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “In associations, individual or organi- addition to making the player/player zational teams, or leagues. For more

T 54 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

NPF 4

National Pro Fastpitch Launches On Player Ad Location Program

Initiative Will Provide Personal Ad Space on Each NPF Player for the 2019 Season The National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) has announced the launch of a new adver- tising program,, that is focused on unique ad locations provided on the individual players themselves. The On Player Ad Location (OPAL) program will begin immediately, with apparel items making their debut in the 2019 season. Ad apparel items where sponsorship logos can appear, include hats, visors and arm sleeves. All items containing sponsor/partner branding are designed to be worn by players during competi- season and can vary from player to n In venue “in-competition” visibility tion. player, with each athlete having the n Live streaming distribution of live ability to set pricing and exposure “We exist in the space of women’s content throughout the world professional sports, which in this quantity. n Digital video highlights avail- day and time translates always, to “This program can affect real change able through social media and players being underpaid,” said NPF in enabling our players to focus on throughout the world on various Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “This training and to remain professional platforms program allows sponsors to engage athletes for as long as their ability with players directly, and players allows,” continued Kempf. “This is a n Autograph sessions following each to tap into their personal network real game-changer in terms of helping game resources, to add financial support to support our athletes in a manner that n Optional inclusion of ancillary their endeavor of playing professional matters most for them right now. We special events and appearances softball.” look forward to the fulfilling success To find out more about the program or OPAL will allow a sponsor/partner this program is designed to yield.” to request an opportunity for branding logo to combine with team and league Exposure opportunities will include to be worn by a specific player, go to: logos on any of the selected items. the following: http://bit.ly/OPALPartner Partnerships begin at $2500 for the

Lowary Signs Historic First With Breakthrew Fastpitch

Paige Lowary has become the first Fastpitch,” said Chicago Bandits NPF player to agree to an On Player Ad pitcher, Paige Lowary. “I worked with Location (OPAL) partnership, signing Myndie as a kid, and it’s so cool to with BreakThrew Fastpitch for the see this come full circle. The OPAL 2019 National Pro Fastpitch season. program has already started giving The OPAL program was launched by players in the NPF opportunities to the league in December and designed partner with companies, and it mutu- specifically to subsidize player salaries ally benefits everyone involved! I with at least 90% of the revenue paid can’t wait to get back to Chicago this directly to the athletes themselves. summer and play with an extra special The OPAL program clears the way for representation on my arm.” individuals and companies to directly “The OPAL program has given me, as support the efforts of players to a small business owner & softball continue their professional careers. fan, a real way to support the NPF, “I am so excited to partner with the Chicago Bandits, and specifically Myndie Berka and BreakThrew Paige Lowary,” commented BreakThrew Fastpitch owner, Myndie Berka. From

T 56 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball NPF 5

a small-town Iowa girl, to an NCAA 2019 season. The complete regular and team partners, and now, the OPAL National Champion, to the #1 Draft season schedule of approximately 150 partners,” commented Commissioner, Pick in the NPF, Paige is such a big games, will feature autograph sessions Cheri Kempf. “These combined efforts role model for so many young soft- and skills camps in-venue, while are the formula for success in the ball players with big dreams. It will also being streamed live to millions continued growth of professional fast- be so much fun for the pitchers in my more viewers in over 100 countries. pitch.” training programs to get the opportu- Additionally, the league will launch a The 2019 season will lead off in May nity to access Paige, be inspired by her, new highlights and news package in and culminate with the Championship and learn from her.” 2019 that will be featured on popular Series in August. Players competing in National Pro Fastpitch, in its 16th year, social platforms and websites. the league will represent 6 different is comprised of 6 teams and antici- “From a team and league standpoint, countries, 3 continents, and likely, over pates exposure of brands on players we will continue to provide exposure half the Olympic field of 6 teams in the to reach millions of consumers in the opportunities for players, our league Tokyo 2020 Games.

Wiggins Partners With Swingrail In OPAL Deal

Megan Wiggins and SWINGRAIL have the experience of using correct swing reached an agreement to partner mechanics. The swing trainer is effec- through the National Pro Fastpitch On tive in both sports of softball and Player Ad Location (OPAL) program for baseball and in addition to Wiggins the 2019 season. and top college softball programs, is Wiggins, a highly decorated veteran of currently used by hitting coaches in 12 National Pro Fastpitch, was drafted out Major League Baseball organizations. of the University of Georgia in 2011, by “It’s truly a privilege for SWINGRAIL the Chicago Bandits. She is a two-time to partner with Megan Wiggins and Cowles Cup Champion, first as a rookie National Pro Fastpitch”, commented with the Chicago Bandits in 2011, and owner, Dan Mueller. “On top of being most recently with the USSSA Pride an exciting player and a great repre- Photo by Dina Kwit, courtesy of NPF in 2018. For the 2013 season, Wiggins sentative of our product, Megan is proved her commanding prowess as into the hands of more athletes. I committed to helping young athletes a professional player in being named think the product is essential for good become successful both on and off the both the overall Player of the Year and mechanics and I think every level of field -- We couldn’t be more excited!” the Offensive Player of the Year. She athlete can benefit from using it. I am also really humbled that SWINGRAIL The NPF season will feature its has been named to the All NPF team in Opening Day on May 28 when the seven of her eight active seasons, was will be investing in me as a profes- sional softball player and in our Beijing Eagles play host to the twice the Home Run Champion (2012, Canadian Wild of Southern Illinois. 2013), and is the current Career Home professional league. I can’t thank them enough for their investment.” Wiggins and her USSSA Pride team- Run leader with 83. mates will open on June 6 at Rent One “I am really looking forward to SWINGRAIL is a new, innovative swing Park in Marion, IL when they visit the continuing a great working relation- training aid that connects the bat to Canadian Wild and begin their quest ship with SWINGRAIL,” commented the hitter in such a way to guide the to defend both the regular season Wiggins. “I am excited for this partner- hitter’s hands through the most critical and Championship Series titles they ship and can’t wait to get this product phase of the swing. In doing so, the captured in 2018. device allows players to actually feel

Bandits’ Ocasio Inks OPAL Deal With HitTrax

Aleshia Ocasio and HitTrax have Lock it Up Player of the Game just agreed to an On Player Ad Location a week later on June 25. Ocasio is a (OPAL) activation that will pair the two familiar face to softball fans coming for the 2019 season. out of the nationally recognized Ocasio, the #10 overall draft selection University of Florida softball program by the Bandits in 2018, performed well as a decorated two-time All American, in her inaugural season as a rookie, where the versatile pitcher/utility racking up the Rawlings Rookie of the player helped the Gators capture the Week in week 5 of the 2018 schedule Women’s College World Series title in and following that with the Vaultz® 2015. In that same year, she helped

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 57 NPF 6

the Puerto Rican National Team win HitTrax is the world leader in player and as a coach. We are excited a bronze medal at the Pan American enhanced training & simulation in the about all the work we can accom- Games. softball and baseball industries. By plish with Aleshia on board, and we “I am excited about this partnership providing instantaneous feedback, key look forward to supporting her in the with HitTrax and their technology that performance metrics, and in-depth upcoming NPF season!” brings all facets of softball to a new analysis tools, HitTrax enables a one- The Chicago Bandits will open their level,” commented Ocasio. “The metrics of-a-kind experience that fosters player season on June 6 in Rosemont against and visuals that HitTrax provides will engagement and a meaningful connec- the Cleveland Comets. Their 46 game give me an edge in my training as I tion with instruction. regular season schedule will also prepare for upcoming seasons with “We are thrilled to welcome Aleshia culminate in Rosemont when the both the Chicago Bandits and the to our team as a HitTrax Athlete & Bandits wrap up on August 11 against Puerto Rican National Team. I also our partner in the OPAL program,” the USSSA Pride. Tickets are currently know HitTrax will be an asset to my said HitTrax Director of Softball on sale for all Chicago home games at coaching and training of youth and Operations, Elena Bowman. “Aleshia is www.chicagobandits.com. college players, regardless of what a terrific role model, ambassador, and position they play.” competitor who impacts the game as a

Burroughs Lands OPAL With BreakThrew Fastpitch

Jessica Burroughs has signed an NPF On Player Ad Location (OPAL) agree- ment with BreakThrew Fastpitch that will put the training school brand on Burrough’s forearm sleeve for the dura- tion of the 2019 season. Burroughs, the first overall pick of the 2017 NPF College Draft, by the USSSA Pride, graduated from Florida State, for the next generation, makes her a where she was a standout performer as sport!” perfect fit to connect with the pitchers a two-time All American, and the back The partnership marks the second in my training programs. This OPAL to back ACC Pitcher of the Year in 2016 OPAL for BreakThrew Fastpitch. The partnership creates an incredible and 2017. In just her second season Iowa and Tennessee based training opportunity for young girls to meet, as a pro, Burroughs posted a minus- school that focuses on teaching watch and learn from the best in the cule 0.35 ERA in 60 innings pitched, a pitchers of all ages, was first out of the game. The more they are mentored by performance that earned her a place on gates in the OPAL program, contracting successful, passionate, strong women, the All NPF Team in a season that saw Iowa native and Chicago Bandits the better their chances of following her USSSA Pride win both the regular pitcher, Paige Lowary. Lowary, like in their footsteps. I couldn’t be more season and the Championship Series. Burroughs, was a number one draft excited to have both Jessica and Paige pick in the NPF College Draft, gradu- “This partnership is huge for soft- represent all of us in the BreakThrew ating in 2018 from Oklahoma. ball and is giving opportunities to Fastpitch family on the field this the players as well as different levels “I’m so thrilled to add Jessica summer!” of businesses to be a part of our Burroughs to the BreakThrew Fastpitch Burroughs’ USSSA Pride team will take League,” commented Burroughs. “I am family through our OPAL partner- the field for opening day on June 6th so honored to represent BreakThrew ship,” said BreakThrew owner, Myndie at Rent One Park visiting the Canadian Fastpitch and excited to see where Berka. “Along with being an excep- Wild of Southern Illinois. this opportunity can lead in the 2019 tional pitcher and competitor, Jessica’s season as well as the future of our passion for the game and growing it

DJ Sanders and Kinship Entertainment Agree to OPAL

Infielder DJ Sanders of the Chicago Sanders, chosen 21st overall in the played her senior season at Oregon, Bandits and Kinship Entertainment 2018 NPF College Draft, by the Chicago where she batted .281 with 16 Home have agreed to an On Player Ad Bandits, began her collegiate career at Runs and 51 RBI. For that first year Location (OPAL) deal that will specifi- the University of Louisiana where she performance in the Pac12, Sanders cally involve the entertainment compa- was the Sunbelt Conference Player of was named to the All Pac 12 and All ny’s Out of Place Art of Facts branded the Year and a first team All-American Pacific Region Teams in a season series. in 2017. After transferring in 2018, she where the Ducks won their fifth Pac 12

T 58 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball NPF 7

Championship. “I am so excited and grateful to have the opportunity to partner with Kinship Entertainment,” commented Sanders. “This company focuses on promoting entertainment that will empower, inspire, and encourage the younger generation to fearlessly be who they truly are. Being confident in who I am and what I stand for is a top priority for me, and I’m so thankful that Kinship Entertainment is giving me a platform to promote that and source of hope and inspiration through and a positive attitude. DJ was a clear encourage others to do the same!” artistic expression and the celebra- and obvious choice for the player we Started by brothers Australia and tion of the rich histories that shape the wanted to associate our company Michael Hoover, Kinship Entertainment world in which we live. with and we’re thrilled that the OPAL is an entertainment company that program has given us the opportunity “I fell in love with the sport of fast- produces a wide range of multimedia to do just that.”” pitch softball many years ago when I content including music, comics, was asked to join the coaching staff Sanders and her Chicago Bandits animated films and children’s books. of my daughter’s 8U travel team,” said teammates will open the 2019 season Their Out of Place Art of Facts series co-founder of Kinship Entertainment, in their friendly home confines of strives to empower individuals of Australia Hoover. “DJ is a shining Parkway Bank Sports Complex against all walks of life to reach their fullest example of what’s possible when the Cleveland Comets on Thursday, potential and embrace their indi- talent meets hard work, discipline, June 6th 7:05 pm. viduality. The brand’s goal is to be a

Aussie’s Re-Locate To Mankato For 2019 NPF Season

Unique Youth Organization/Pro Partnership Launches in Minnesota Softball Australia will take on new geography and a new name for their 2019 season in the National Pro Fastpitch league. Under the title of Aussie Peppers of Minnesota, the team will play out of Caswell Park in North Mankato, Minnesota in their second season of professional softball in the United States. Known in the league throughout their the distinguished Mayo Clinic Health “We realize we have been offered a inaugural season of 2018 as the Aussie System, as the sports medicine partner. unique and incredible opportunity to Spirit, the team is comprised of players “Softball Australia is eager to play promote the game of softball to our who are also members of Softball our second season of professional community, as well as the entire state Australia, Australia’s national team. In softball from our new home loca- of Minnesota,” said Matt Mangulis, 2018, the team tallied a 16-32 record tion of North Mankato,” commented General Manager of the Aussie Peppers. in the league and a third place finish Softball Australia CEO, David Pryles. “With this venture, the Peppers organi- overall in the regular season. “The Peppers organization has been zation will focus on building a brand Aussie Peppers of Minnesota is a part- extremely welcoming to our team of world class professional softball nership between Softball Australia and committed to helping us compete that embraces our roots in youth and the youth nonprofit softball professionally while also best prepare softball, promotes diversity, equality, organization known as the Mankato for our qualifying tournament for and brings benefit to our community Peppers, with the latter acting as the Tokyo Olympics, following the overall. Our vision is to provide young home host throughout 2019. Other key 2019 NPF season. We look forward to girls with the ability to identify with partners in North Mankato include proudly representing Softball Australia professional athletes, an identity we Bethany Lutheran College, acting as and the Aussie Peppers of Minnesota know will build confidence and self- the training partner for the team, and as we take the field in the NPF in 2019.” esteem and inspire these girls to dream

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 59 NPF 8

and attain their own aspirations.” Peppers have had 76 former players go their team. The Mankato Peppers brought profes- on to play at the collegiate level, and Softball Australia is a team that has sional softball to North Mankato two go on to play professionally in had broad success throughout their for the first time in 2018 when they the NPF - Coley Ries, approaching her history, particularly in the Olympic hosted an NPF regular season series third pro season, second with Chicago; Games, perched on the medal stand between the Chicago Bandits and and Ann Steffan, selected 19th in the for every single Olympics of which Beijing Shougang Eagles. That series 2005 NPF Draft and named All NPF in softball has been included (1996-2008). packed Caswell Park with an enthu- 2006, also with the Chicago Bandits. The team seeks to win the Asia-Pacific siastic audience despite inclement The Mankato Peppers are also part- qualifier in the fall of 2019 to be among weather and allowed North Mankato nering with other Southern Minnesota the six team 2020 Olympic field in to welcome home one of their youth softball organizations such as Tokyo. own,ColieColeyRies, a former Mankato Cardinal Power (Fairmont, MN) and The NPF will lead off its 16th season in Pepper turned Chicago Bandit. James Gang (St. James, MN). Much of May. The complete 2019 regular season Founded by Jerry Maschka in 1982, the the initial hosting partnership will be schedule will be released following Mankato Peppers are celebrating 37 youth softball. Together the organiza- the annual league Winter Meetings years as a youth softball organization. tions anticipated to be engaged by the held this week in Nashville. Tickets The Mankato Peppers membership is Aussie Peppers total approximately for the Aussie Peppers will go on sale comprised of 400+ local girls from ages 1600 youth member/players, all who mid-February and can be purchased at 5 to 18. Over the 37 year history, the will be able to call the Aussie Peppers pepperspro.com.

National Pro Fastpitch Announces Partnership Initiative With Diamond Umpire Academy

First of its kind relationship marries umpire development with professional level softball National Pro Fastpitch has announced a partnership with Diamond Umpire Academy that will begin in 2019. The multi-faceted relationship will affect training for NPF umpires as well as interaction at all levels of umpire training by the league, its teams and players. The partnership is planned to broaden the reach and umpire base in new areas including internationally. The training program will be integrated tion,” commented NPF Supervisor to be partnering with the NPF,” said into approximately six camp oppor- of Officials, Mike Raynor. “This is a Cornwell. “This is such an exciting tunities throughout the year, and will perfect partnership for both orga- opportunity to provide umpire training provide unique development experi- nizations as it blends the teaching on a whole new level, working with an ences for both veteran and younger and training of umpires in NPF rules outstanding league, and some of the umpires. knowledge and mechanics, with the best athletes in the world.” The relationship was born from the competitive nature of the professional The current playing rules of NPF recognized growing interest and enthu- game in a win-win set of circum- blend NCAA rules and mechanics with siasm that exists at the professional stances for all.” playing rules of the World Baseball softball level, both domestically and Diamond Umpire Academy is owned and Softball Confederation (WBSC), internationally. Through exposure and operated by accomplished NCAA along with the inclusion of rules and to this diverse and intense level of and NPF umpires, Christie Cornwell regulations unique to the league. The competition, along with coach and and Tom Meyer. Cornwell and Meyer program will focus on the variances athlete contributions, led by the expe- have assembled the most recognized and nuances of the rules, along with rienced instructors of Diamond Umpire brand in umpire training in the United the accelerated demands of umpiring Academy, the umpire development States, with clinicians and trainers the pace and performance level of experience will be one of a kind. that have umpired throughout the professional softball. The plan is to “The league has determined that country in the competitive compounds provide umpires with unique perspec- umpire training and preparation for of the NCAA and NPF. tives and experiences from which to professional umpires demands atten- “Diamond Umpire Academy is thrilled learn.

T 60 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball NPF 9

National Pro Fastpitch Renews With Rawlings

National Pro Fastpitch has renewed Rawlings as an Official Equipment Supplier and exclusive helmet supplier of the league for the 2019 season. The partnership positions Rawlings helmets on all players for competition and practice. In addition, Rawlings is a supplier in the categories of bats, gloves, batting gloves, protective gear, equipment and travel bags for all player in 2016, with the first recipient tured by Rawlings, helps make this players. being the Akron Racers outfielder, AJ league the world’s premier profes- “The NPF is an outstanding partner Andrews. The 2017 winner was USSSA sional softball platform and we are and advocates for the expansion of Pride catcher and former Arizona grateful.” professional women’s sports,” said standout, Chelsea Goodacre, followed Rawlings began its partnership with Rawlings Chief Marketing Officer, Mike by the most recent recipient, Cleveland the NPF in 2005. The brand became Thompson. “Working with the NPF Comet’s first baseman, Jade Rhodes the exclusive supplier of helmets in allows us to work with and showcase formerly of Auburn prowess. 2016 and in that same season added our products to some of the best soft- “Our relationship with Rawlings is an the Gold Glove Award for softball. In ball players in the world.” important partnership for the league,” addition to league-wide support for In addition to the supplier categories, commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri all players, Rawlings also endorses the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for Kempf. “The inclusion of our players the individual personalities of Lauren softball is given annually to a player as annual Rawlings Gold Glove Award Chamberlain, Keilani Ricketts, Shelby in the league who is recognized for winners is something we are very Pendley, Chelsea Goodacre, Ally Carda, outstanding defense. Rawlings began proud of. In addition to that, being able Paige Lowary, and Jade Rhodes, as well awarding the Gold Glove to an NPF to offer our players options throughout as many others. the quality equipment line manufac-

National Pro Fastpitch Adds Big League Chew

National Pro Fastpitch and Big League Chew announced a partnership today that will couple the world’s premier professional softball league with the iconic bubble gum brand beginning with the 2019 season. Big League Chew recently made national headlines with the release of its new softball character, avail- able online now and in stores by late spring. Invented by former left-handed pitcher Rob Nelson, the iconic bubble gum pouches packed with shredded, flavorful bubble gum have become the this season.” season, as well as the upcoming NPF preferred gum for all ages having sold “This is a natural partnership and the College Draft. more than 800 million pouches to date. timing is perfect,” commented League The NPF season Opening Day takes “This year we’re celebrating the launch Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “We are place May 28 between the Beijing of our new softball character that’s enthusiastic about helping to grow the Shougang Eagles and the Canadian inspired by girls who play hard and Big League Chew brand, and to expose Wild of Southern Illinois. The dream big and what better way to do their respect and attention to the defending Champions, USSSA Pride so than by teaming up with National female athlete, to our global consumer will open up at the Canadian Wild on Pro Fastpitch whose athletes epito- base.” June 6, with the Cleveland Comets and mize just that.” said Big League Chew Fans can expect to see in-game and Chicago Bandits also opening up that inventor Rob Nelson. “Big League Chew collaborative promotions begin- same day. The Aussie Peppers will be is bubble gum fun for everyone and we ning immediately in individual team the last team to open the season as can’t wait to see the teams, players and markets and throughout the 2019 they welcome Beijing to North Mankato fans of NPF sharing in that fun with us on June 9.

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 61 Kyle Pearson Worth Lone Star Shoot Out draws 5 divisions of play

Men’s B/C 2019 KP23 Champions Men’s D 2019 KP23 Champions Mestizo/Tacabron (Odessa) Team Hood (Killeen)

Men’s E 2019 KP23 Champions Women’s 2019 KP23 Champions Mixed 2019 KP23 Champions Team Gatcho (Ft. Worth) Famous Freaks/PH Sports (Mansfield) 3xtreme/Back9 Detailing (Denton)

Lone Star’s Greg Huchingson welcomes Kyle Pearson to the Billy Sanders (right) bested a large field of contestants to win Kyle Pearson Shoot Out. Kyle comes every year and continues to the 2019 KP23 home run hitting contest. Kyle presented him with impress with his mighty bombs. his 2019 Miken KP23 bat.

T 62 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Huchingson congratulatory ad