NPF Draft - 1

Kelly Barnhill Selected First in 2019 NPF College Draft presented by Park Planet

ASHVILLE, TN.-Kelly Barnhill, from the University of Florida, was the first selec- tion by the Bandits Nin the 2019 Draft presented by Park Planet. She followed pitcher as the No. 1 overall pick for the Bandits, who took the pitcher from the with the top pick last year. Amanda Lorenz, outfielder and first baseman from the University of Florida, was selected second overall by the USSSA Pride, with , infielder from the University USSSA Pride GM, Don DeDonatis and Bandits’ coach, Lauren The Mayor of Rosemont Village, IL., Brad Stephens proudly of Oklahoma, Alyssa DiCarlo, shortstop Lappin. Lauren was a former Pride player. announces the 2019 NPF College Draft’s #1 pick, Kelly Barnhill of the University of Florida. from the University of Georgia and Amanda Sanchez, third baseman from Louisiana State University, rounding out the first round. “We really had to think about who we just couldn’t stand missing out on, and Kelly Barnhill is a special pitcher. She’s the best pitcher coming out of college,” Bandits head coach said. “She’s going to be able to do things in the pro league to really elevate her game. We’re excited about adding her. She’s performed on the The draft broadcast was hosted by Chuckie Kempf and Barb Cheri Kempf and Barb Jordan reflect after the successful highest level of the college game, so Jordan. event. when it came down to it, she was a league. nity to pursue a professional career in no-brainer for us to grab at No.1.” “It’s a new road. The are going fastpitch beyond their colle- “The draft is such a special event for to have to learn to pitch against a very giate and amateur success. The NPF us. It’s our group together in a non- dense line-up and experienced line- affiliate teams consist of the Aussie competitive environment in terms of up,” said Kempf, who said maturity is Peppers, Beijing Shougang Eagles, play. I’m also a fan of college softball, a strength in the league. “They have to , Comets so I love knowing these players are get used to that and settle in. It’s inter- and USSSA Pride for the 2018 season. thrilled to hear their names called. For esting and fun to watch.” National Pro Fastpitch players hail all of softball, it’s very special,” NPF from the , Australia, About National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Commissioner Cheri Kempf said. and ; among them are National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an the most accomplished and talented Kempf said she expects some amazing Official Development Partner of Major athletes in the sport of women’s soft- performances from this year’s draft League since 2004, provides ball. class once they settle into the pro elite female athletes with an opportu-

T 6 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

NPF Draft - 2

Behind the scenes at the well-organized draft.

Cleveland Comets (l to r): Craig Stout, Stephen Dunn and Beijing Eagles’ contingency Ryan Keur and Chicago Bandits’ Toni Calmeyn Rolando Guerro, Head Coach. President Yang Liu, GM Beijing Eagles.

First Round 13. pitcher

University of University of 1. Chicago Bandits Kelly Barnhill pitcher 14. Chicago Bandits Abbey Cheek utility Florida Kentucky

outfielder/first University of State 2. USSSA Pride Amanda Lorenz 15. Lilli Piper shortstop baseman Florida University

University of Fourth Round 3. USSSA Pride Sydney Romero infielder Oklahoma Ohio State 16. Cleveland Comets Emily Clark catcher/utility University of University 4. Chicago Bandits Alyssa DiCarlo shortstop Georgia Beijing Shougang University of 17. Morgan Podany outfielder Louisiana State Eagles Auburn 5. Cleveland Comets Amanda Sanchez third baseman University Texas A&M 18. Aussie Peppers Riley Sartain infielder Second Round University

University of University of 6. Cleveland Comets Taylor McQuillin pitcher 19. Chicago Bandits Katie Reed shortstop Arizona Kentucky

Beijing Shougang infielder/ University of University of 7. Kendall Veach 20. USSSA Pride Shay Knighten infielder Eagles catcher Auburn Oklahoma

University of Fifth Round 8. Aussie Peppers pitcher Washington University of 21. Aussie Peppers Tara Trainer pitcher University of Indiana 9. Chicago Bandits Caleigh Clifton infielder Oklahoma Beijing Shougang University of 22. Bree Fornis outfielder pitcher/ James Madison Eagles Auburn 10. USSSA Pride infielder University University of 23. Cleveland Comets Makayla Martin pitcher Third Round Auburn

Florida State pitcher/first University of 11. Cleveland Comets Meghan King pitcher 24. Chicago Bandits Savannah Heebner University baseman

Beijing Shougang University of University of 12. Casey McCrackin infielder 25. USSSA Pride Keeli Milligan outfielder Eagles Auburn Louisiana

T 8 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

NPF Draft - 3

#2 #3 DRAFT PICK DRAFT PICK

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

#4 #5 DRAFT PICK DRAFT PICK

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

#6 #7 DRAFT PICK DRAFT PICK

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

T 10 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

NPF Draft - 4

#8 #9 DRAFT PICK DRAFT PICK

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

#10 #11 DRAFT PICK DRAFT PICK

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

#12 #13 DRAFT PICK DRAFT PICK

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

T 12 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

NPF Draft - 5

#14 #15 DRAFT PICK DRAFT PICK

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

#16 #17 DRAFT PICK DRAFT PICK

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

#18 #19 DRAFT PICK DRAFT PICK

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

T 14 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball NPF Draft - 6

#20 #21 DRAFT PICK DRAFT PICK

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

#22 #23 DRAFT PICK DRAFT PICK

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

#24 #25 DRAFT PICK DRAFT PICK

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 15 NPF Announces Worldwide Content Distribution For 2019 Season ASHVILLE, TN.– National Pro Fastpitch will unleash an unprecedented level of world- wide coverage for the 2019 Nregular season live and on demand content. Three primary partners are slated to distribute and high- light content to over 200 international territories. NPFTV will lead the way with increased quantity of distribution locations, as well as improved levels of transmission, which will yield an improved viewing experience regard- less of location. Two other partners will distribute specific content and dates, releases of which are forth- coming, individually. The League, entering its 16th season in 2019, is the most ethnically diverse NPFTV will lead the way with increased quantity of distribution locations, as well as improved levels of transmission. professional sports league in the world, with three complete interna- . tional teams participating in the 138 In total, the league will distribute game regular season. Those teams, ”We have consciously built a 138 games plus the Championship Australia, Canada, and China, along league of global participants Series, with each team playing a 46 with the partial roster of , will in the great sport of softball,” commented NPF Commissioner, game regular season schedule. Regular look to the NPF season to prepare them Cheri Kempf. season League action concludes on for upcoming Olympic Qualifiers for August 11 with the Championship the Olympic Games of 2020, hosted in Series slated to take place in Tokyo, Japan. Rosemont, IL August 15-19. “We have consciously built a league a one-click option through the league For more information or to access of global participants in the great website at www.profastpitch.com. the season schedule which will lead sport of softball,” commented NPF However, additional access points will to streaming platforms, visit www. Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “We are be offered through team and associa- profastpitch.com. proud to usher two to three complete tion websites. teams into the Olympics of 2020 and About National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Opening Day for the 2019 season takes we look forward to continuing to grow place when the Beijing Shougang National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an the interest of the sport around the Eagles host the of Official Development Partner of Major world following 2020. In the absence Southern at Jackie Robinson League Baseball since 2004, provides of softball’s Olympic inclusion in Park in Daytona Beach, Florida. The elite female athletes with an opportu- 2024, it will be professional softball defending Cowles Cup and regular nity to pursue a professional career that will carry the torch of continued season Champions, USSSA Pride, will in fastpitch softball beyond their growth and popularity for softball at open at Rent One Park in Marion, collegiate and amateur success. The all levels.” Illinois, against the Canadian Wild. NPF affiliate teams consist of the All 138 regular season games will That same day of June 6 will see four- Aussie Peppers of Minnesota, Beijing be carried live in most regions, with time Cowles Cup Champions, Chicago Shougang Eagles, Canadian Wild of additional highlights edited for social Bandits, hosting the Cleveland Comets Southern Illinois, Chicago Bandits, media platforms, news, and sports at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Cleveland Comets, and USSSA Pride. news platforms. Additionally, the best- Rosemont, Illinois. The Aussie Peppers National Pro Fastpitch players hail of-five Championship Series, between are the last team to open the 2019 from the United States, Australia, the league’s top two finishers following regular season and do so against the Canada, China, and Mexico, and the regular season, will also be avail- Beijing Shougang Eagles at their home represent the most accomplished able. Most content will be available on field of Caswell Park in North Mankato, and talented athletes in the sport of women’s softball.

T 16 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Space City - 1

Pure Sports opens 2019 season by capturing 13th Space City Classic by Van Galeon Photos by Pete Spatula

2019 Space City Classic Champions Pure Sports - Goose Creek, S.C. ure Sports got off to a fast start in the 2019 season by going undefeated at 6-0 to win first place at the 13th Annual Space CityP Classic in Houston, Texas. The win earned Pure Sports 206 Conference points and propelled them to the top of the Conference USSSA standings. “Playing without three of their top outfielders, Pure Sports just played solid, winning softball in all of the different conditions thrown at them – wind, sun, day, night, Sunday – to win their first tournament of the year,” said veteran softball reporter Dale Weiser of The Old Scout and Softball Center 2019 Space City Classic - Second Place Bay Area/ Rapid Fire/ Bad Draw/ Easton - Oakland, CA. websites. “It was a true team effort and professional softball play out of a team USSSA season following the Sin City USSSA teams and included a Major that is starting to come together. Pure Classic one week earlier in Las Vegas. team, three AA teams and nine Class was clearly the best team on offense The Space City Classic has drawn the A teams. There were 28 Class B and and defense in this tournament.” largest number of total teams among above teams entered, including teams The Nationwide Conference USSSA all Conference USSSA tournaments from 15 different states. tournament was played April 12-14 each of the past 10 years, and with The 10 A and above Conference USSSA at Big League Dreams in League City 56 teams this year it will likely be the teams entered were Pure Sports from which is located just minutes from largest of 2019. Many of the teams at Goose Creek, South Carolina (Major); NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Some Space City are C and D teams from the Bay Area/Rapid Fire/Bad Draw/Easton games were also played at Houston fertile Texas softball community. But from Oakland, Calif. (AA); Nightmare/ Sportsplex. Space City was the second this year the tournament was one of Miken from Branson, Mo. (AA); SIS/ tournament of the 2019 Conference the strongest ever, with 14 Conference Thunder/Miken/Worth/OA from

T 18 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Space City - 2

Wading River, N.Y. (AA); Riot Sports/Hub’s Pub/ Klutch/Showtime from Tampa, Fla. (AA); Baugh Ford/Kut4/OI/Miken/Worth from Peachtree City, Georgia (Conf TBD); Beckham Brothers/Pure/ Exclusive from Goose Creek, South Carolina (Conf TBD); Vivid from Frisco, Texas (A); Primetime/Evolution/FAI/Easton from Forsyth, Ga. (A); Competitive Edge/C&R Equipment from Milton, Florida (A) and Chanticlear/ Eurotech/J&H/Miken/Worth from Coon Rapids, Minnesota (A). The -elimination tournament began Friday night at Big League Dreams with their replica fields. The 14 Conference teams were battling for points and trying to avoid the upset by those pesky Texas B and C teams. For the most part they did survive, although Infamous lost in the second round to MVP Bulls/Miken/Knighten (27-19). Beckham Brothers had a scare beating Old School in extra innings (35-34). Wood Law got a timely double- 2019 Space City Classic - Third Place Riot Sports/ Hubs Pub/ Klutch/ Showtime - Tampa, FL. play to win with the tying at the plate against Dirty Vegas (28-25). And a scrappy and pumped up Houston D team Scared Hitless beat Competitive Edge (36-28) after jumping out to a 12-0 lead in the first inning. In the final 16 of the winner’s bracket, there were 11 Conference teams remaining and eight of them won those eight third round games as Primetime run-ruled MVP Bulls/Miken (29-6), Baugh Ford scored 15 runs in the second inning to beat Beckham Brothers (36-19), Wood Law beat Vivid (23-21), Riot Sports beat upstart BrewCrew (32-26), Bay Area outslugged Mestizo/ Tacabron (43-28), Nightmare crushed Big Apple (24-6), Pure Sports took practice against Steel Sports (44-1) and SIS/Thunder won their third game of the morning over Chanticlear Pizza (32-15). The quarter-final games started late around 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Primetime went up 23-13 by scoring 17 runs on just two homers 2019 Space City Classic - Fourth Place SIS/Thunder/ Miken/ Worth/ OA - Wading River, N.Y. against Baugh Ford after three innings. Then in the top of the fourth, Detorren Means a two-run pinch hit homer to put them up 29-13. Primetime went on to win (37-25). Riot Sports hung on to beat Wood Law (35-29) over on Ebbets field. Bay Area run-ruled fellow AA team Nightmare on Yankee field and Pure Sports outscored SIS/Thunder (32-24) on Crosley where the wind was blowing straight in. The semi-finals of the winner’s bracket also started past its scheduled time on Saturday evening. Riot Sports got off to an early lead on Primetime over on Fenway, while Bay Area Legends got off to an early lead against the tournament favorite Pure Sports on Yankee. The weather was perfect for these games and really for the entire weekend. Riot pulled away on Primetime (33-19) and Pure overmatched Bay Area offensively and Bay Area quit hitting and Pure won (34-21). For Pure Sports, John Williams Pure Sports’ John Williams* Pure Sports’ pitcher, Justin Mucciarelli 2019 Space City Classic MVP with a .833 OBP. Defensive MVP

T 20 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Space City - 3

was 5-for-5 in the game with a walk and their outfield pickup Robbie Fow was also 5-for-5. The winner’s bracket finals were played on Fenway where the livestream worked better for the viewers at home. Pure had big innings in the second, third and fourth frames, scoring 9, 10 and 12 respectively. Riot answered with 11 of their own in the third but couldn’t keep up and lost (47-28) as Pure kept up the offensive pressure. Riot leadoff hitter Trenzie Campbell was 5-for-6 in the loss. For Pure Sports Filip Washington and Brett McCollum were on base six out of seven plate appearances and seven Pure starters reached safely in all but one plate appearance. In the loser’s bracket, Texas A team Playoff Performance made a short run before Chanticlear beat them and Dirty Vegas won two games before Steel Sports beat them. Then Chanticlear won the upper half of the loser’s Pure Sports’ Filip Washington* Riot Sports’ Marcus Thornton - All Tournament bracket by beating Steel Sports, Baugh Ford and Wood Law to finish tied for fifth place. In the lower half CBS won three straight before losing to Vivid and then Nightmare sent Vivid home and SIS/Thunder dropped down and beat Beckham Brothers and Nightmare. So the late night loser’s bracket games to determine the last two teams to make the final four on Sunday was SIS/Thunder beating Primetime (29-2) and Bay Area Legends knocking off Chanticlear (52-29). On Sunday with thunderstorms threatening, the tournament somehow was completed when many thought it would be washed out. Bay Area beat SIS/Thunder (21-14) when their pitcher was ejected and they claimed they didn’t have any pitchers left. Then Bay Area beat a depleted and legitimately-injured Riot Sports team to advance to the championship. In the championship game, Pure Sports once again had superior offense with the wind blowing in and held a steady but small lead Nightmare’s Billy Maggard and Tim Barnes discuss strategy. most of the game until winning the crown (24-18). Pure played without outfielders Brandon Dillon, Ryan Parfitt, and Bradley Carlsen because of their work and Robbie Fow, Dan Kirkwood and Nick Mitschke did fine in their absence. For the tournament, Pure Sports out-scored their six opponents 214 to 106, which is an average of an amazing 35.7 runs per game to 17.7 runs per game. Even playing without three of their top outfielders did not slow them down. Bay Area/Rapid Fire/Bad Draw settled for second place with a 6-2 record. Bay Area won all of their games against AA and lower teams. Their only losses were to the one Major team entered and both of those losses went the full seven innings. “The top of the Bay Area lineup was brutally good, and Granados and McClanahan continue to play great defense,” said Weiser. “Pinkham was diving all over the place from the pitcher’s Bay Area’s Chad Mullins - All Tournament Riot Sports’ pitcher, Donald “Buckshot” Plaissance - All Tournament

T 22 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Space City - 4

mound whose painted rubber seemed like it was five-feet wide. Joel Gonzalez is one of the best, if not the best hitting sponsor in the game. The future is bright for this team which may be the smallest size-wise in the Conference. Riot Sports came in third place with a 4-2 record. Riot was playing without Keith Laski (injury), Evan Gallmeier (sickness) and B.J. Fulk (recovery from injury). Then during the Houston Major, about five players got injured including Keith Martin one of their best hitters. “Riot played with a next-man-up attitude and kept their nose to the grindstone and won their first four games, including beating conference teams Wood Law and Primetime to make it to the winner’s bracket final,” said Weiser. “In that game they went six innings with Pure and never gave up but were just overmatched. Buckshot (Plaissance) is a difference maker on the mound. Campbell and Ortiz set the table nicely for Nick Bay Area’s pitcher, Bill Pinkham - All Tournament Pure Sports’ Brett McCollum - All Tournament Utley and others.” SIS/Thunder was the fourth place team with a 6-2 record including four big wins over Conference USSSA teams. Dave Durso gives them serious speed in the outfield. Ethan Stuckly came in at third-base and lead off this weekend. Brian McBryde and Josh Fyffe fired up the defense for veteran pitcher Danny Evans. Chanticlear/Eurotech and Primetime/Evolution tied for fifth place, while Nightmare and Wood Law tied for seventh. The rest of the Top 10 included Beckham Brothers, Baugh Ford, Vivid and Old School all tied for ninth place. Johnathon Williams of Pure Sports was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Williams had an on-base percentage of .833 with five home runs and played solid defense at third base. Tyler Marshburn of Bay Area was the Offensive MVP. Marshburn batted .824 with six home runs and 21 RBIs. Pure Sports pitcher Premier Athletics’ (left to right): TJ Foose, Adrian Magallon and Leonard Magallon. TJ is headquartered in San Justin Mucciarelli was the Defensive MVP. The Antonio and will be traveling the Lone Star Softball circuit. crafty, 44-year-old veteran is one of the best USSSA-style juke pitchers in the country and constantly keeps batters off balance. Others named to the All-Tournament team were Brett McCollum, Robbie Fow, Zach Messer, Donnie Hammonds and Chris Greinert, of Pure Sports; Brady Stewart, Chad Mullins, Tyler Wilson, David Johnson and Bill Pinkham, of Bay Area; Trenzie Campbell, Michael Ortiz, Marcus Thornton and Danald Plaissance of Riot Sports; Brian Therkildsen, Kyle Olsen, Daniel Evans and Josh Fyffe, of SIS/Thunder; Aaron Lewicki, Ryan O’Connell and Michael Thorbrogger, of Chanticlear; and Roderick Armour and Aaron Jackson of Primetime. “The Houston Major is known for its huge field of teams, late nights and March Madness-type upsets,” said Weiser. “This year’s tournament did not disappoint as there were lots of great games. And the Hy-cor ball is absolutely perfect Riot Sports’ Mike Ortiz - All Tournament Pure Sports’ MI, Tommy Melton

T 24 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Space City - 5

for the conditions at Big League Dreams.” Weiser added. “On a final note, I want to commend Texas softball for all of their B and C teams that are stepping up and playing higher. If the rest of the country followed their lead, the B and C programs would be flourishing.” In Conference tournaments with this many teams, USSSA awards berths to the respective World Tournaments for the highest finishing non-Conference teams in C and D. The C winner was Mestizo/Tacabron from Odessa, Texas who tied for 13th place with a 3-2 record, while Scared Hitless from Houston was the highest finishing D team tied for 17th place also with a 3-2 record. The tournament used the Dudley Classic M+ balls, which are a higher core but lower compression than the Dudley ZN balls. The Classics help reduce home runs, which is needed for the smaller fence distances at Big Pure Sports’ manager, Craig Shaw League Dreams. Ken Hawk served as the Umpire-In-Chief for the tournament and handled all the bat testing and he did an outstanding job. There were also four full crews of Nationwide Conference USSSA umpires including Chance West, Brian McLain, Phillip Taylor, Chase Cope, Greg Jones, Elliott Henson, Craig Anthony, Mike Parson, Steve Milani, Don Springer, Bill Farrell and D.J. DeJesus. The rest of the tournament was handled by the top USSSA umpires from throughout Texas who also did an outstanding job. Some teams had their beef with a few close calls, but video showed that most of these were actually very close plays and almost impossible to get right in slow motion, let alone real game-speed in the heat of the moment in close games. Teams needed to adjust to various strike zones, but they did seem consistent once learned. Assistant UICs Rene Hinojosa and Ben Templeton and the Pure Sports’ Chris Greinert* - All Tournament entire crew of Texas umpires deserve a lot of credit for handling their share of the games, and assistant Tournament Directors Roy Dean and Scott Duffy from the Lone Star Softball staff kept things running smoothly. In the Consolation brackets played on Sunday, Washouts/Paul Ryan Windows/VSP from Spring defated LA Lightning from Luling, Louisiana in the Men’s C division, while Primetime/MVP from Liberty defeated High Life from Kemah in the D division. A separate Space City Classic E N.I.T. was played across town at Houston Sportsplex and Swingman 24 Sports from Stafford won first place with a perfect 5-0 record. STX Flatline came in second, Peloteros was third and Los Sox took fourth. **EDITOR’S NOTE: John Williams, Chris Greinert, Filip Washington and Zach Messer all play for SIS/Thunder at the time of printing. Riot Sports’ Nick Utley Pure Sports’ Zach Messer* - All Tournament

T 26 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Cajun Classic

Xtreme outlasts Nightmare to win 41st Annual Cajun Classic By Greg Huchingson - Managing Editor Photos by Pete Spatula

ARENCRO, LA – A pair of Midwest AA teams trav- eled down to the swamps of southern Louisiana and expe- Crienced a couple of scares along the way at the 41st Annual Cajun Classic, but still managed to navigate their way to the championship game. Then Xtreme/Miken/ASP/Athlon outslugged Nightmare/Miken in the title bout to claim the crown. “Xtreme reached down deep to come back in their opener against Moneyman, then they just methodi- cally dismantled all of the rest of their opponents after trailing early in most games,” said veteran softball reporter Dale Weiser of The Old Scout and Softball Center. “The team does a 2019 Cajun Classic Champions Xtreme/Miken/ASP/Athlon - Medina, MN. good job of going with the hot sticks while still giving the guys sitting out a role with a pinch hit or a defensive sub. Great weekend and great win for Xtreme.” The win gave Xtreme 186 Conference USSSA points and vaulted them into the top six of the league standings. The team from Medina, Minnesota is now on a solid path to earn a spot in the USSSA Men’s Major World Series for the third year in a row. There were 25 teams entered in the Cajun Classic from nine different states, with six of them being Conference USSSA teams. It was a high-quality event as the list included two AA teams, five A teams, 10 B teams and eight C/D teams. Two contributing 2019 Cajun Classic - Second Place Nightmare/Miken - Branson, MO. factors in the tournament’s renewed success are the quality facilities at Soley is rapidly becoming one of the taking the lead before Moneyman tied Pelican Park and the relentless efforts top young State Directors in all of the game at (17-17) in the top of the of Louisiana USSSA State Director USSSA and has a bright future ahead fourth inning. Moneyman even went Richie Soley. of him. up (30-20) at one point before Xtreme came back with a 13-run inning and “Softball is going great in Louisiana Xtreme got a scare in their opening game of the tournament against grabbed the lead on a Toby Letak and this park is a big reason why,” said inside-the-park three-run run homer Soley. “Instead of our teams traveling Moneyman, a C team from Brandon, Mississippi. Earlier Friday night, to go up (33-30). In the top of the out-of-state to play every weekend, seventh, Moneyman scored four to they’re staying home and even teams Moneyman put a mauling on Natural State from Arkansas (50-27) to earn the take a one-run lead (34-33) and would from other states are now coming here have scored more had it not been for a to play.” right to play the number one seed. Both teams started off hot, with Xtreme great play by Xtreme middle-infielder Brandon Newman. In the bottom of the

T 28 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Cajun Classic

seventh with two outs, Steve Whaley hit a double into the left-field corner scoring Todd Newton from first base to win the game (35-34). The next morning Xtreme put a mercy- rule beating Old School/MVP Sports from Houston (29-4) to advance to the semi-finals of the winner’s bracket. Next up was defending Cajun Classic champion Baugh Ford/Kut4/OI/Miken/ Worth from Peachtree City, Georgia. Xtreme used some incredible defense to keep Baugh Ford from running off with an early lead. Right-fielder Chris Anninos made an incredible running catch leaping against the fence near the foul pole. Third-baseman Toby Letak started a round-the-horn double play and got another double play on a tag out and throw to second base. And then the Xtreme offense finally 2019 Cajun Classic - Third Place Baugh Ford / Kut 4/ OI / Miken/Worth - Peachtree City, GA. woke up and Brandon Newman hit a three-run homer to give them the lead in a big sixth inning that led to a win (21-10) to advance to the king seat game. On the other side of the bracket, Nightmare/Miken from Branson, Missouri opened with Play The Game from Bryant, Arkansas who had defeated LA Lightning from Luling, Louisiana (36-19) earlier Friday night. The A team comprised of veteran players put up an early fight and even led heading into the bottom of the fourth (26-15) before Nightmare’s offense woke up and put up 18 runs in the fifth inning to take the lead (33-26). Nightmare held on to win (41-26). The next morning, Nightmare got their scare of the weekend from Steel Sports, a non-Conference A team from Corpus 2019 Cajun Classic - Fourth Place Wood Law/ Olmito Heat / Miken/ Worth - Dallas, TX. Christi. Steel Sports kept the pressure on Nightmare the entire game after Nightmare got off to a slow start. But Nightmare took a lead into the seventh inning and Steel Sports had the bases loaded with just one out at one point, when their second-baseman who had been ejected earlier had his spot in the lineup come up. The only person left on the bench was the manager Mark Holsonback who tried to take a walk, but struck out looking so as not to ground into a double-play. The next batter flew out and Nightmare escaped with the win (32-31). In the semi-finals of the winner’s bracket, Nightmare defeated Wood Law/Olmito Heat/Club Chill from Dallas (30-11) to advance to face Xtreme. In the winner’s bracket finals, Xtreme’s Toby Letak, Cajun Classic MVP Nightmare’s Mike Brambilla, Cajun Classic Offensive MVP

T 30 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 2019 ConferenceUSSSA Standings at the half way mark….. 11 of 22 Conference events completed

Total Team Name Cls NV TX FL FL LA MO SC TX GA CO IL Pts 1 TDB/Racks/Athlon 1290 SPMensMajor 226 246 286 116 198 218 2 Resmondo/SIS/Thunder/RDD/H.Auto 1186 SPMensMajor 186 206 206 204 226 158 3 Dan Smith/Menosse/Steven Smith/FAI 1186 SPMensMajor 156 286 226 176 204 138 4 BayArea/Rapid Fire/Bad Draw/Easton 1088 Mens-AA 146 166 196 246 136 186 148 5 Xtreme/Miken/ASP/Athlon 1018 Mens-AA 116 216 206 186 156 138 6 Pure Sports 1004 SPMensMajor 166 206 136 186 164 146 98 7 SIS/Thunder/Miken/Worth/Anarchy/OA 940 Mens-AA 136 166 176 176 158 128 8 NIGHTMARE/MIKEN 916 Mens-AA 126 116 186 216 146 126 106 9 Riot Sports/Hubs Pub/Klutch/showtim 859 Mens-AA 146 166 166 129 144 108 10 Beckham brothers/Pure/Exclusive 844 SPMensConfTBD 106 166 176 106 126 164 11 Baugh Ford/Kut4/OI/Miken/Worth 824 SPMensConfTBD 106 186 186 126 126 94 12 SmashIt/Precision/3rdStreet/Bulldaw 823 Mens-AA 206 196 109 134 178 13 MPT Rentals / EVO9X 728 Mens-A 116 226 136 136 114 14 TPJS/SEMINOLES/NACSF.INC/MIKEN/SIS 718 Mens-A 136 166 166 144 106 15 Newbreed/Cutter LLC/Thunder 712 Mens-AA 136 186 186 106 98 16 Chanticlear/Eurotech/J&H/MikenWorth 704 Mens-A 126 176 176 118 108 17 Headlines/Titan/CSB/Easton 700 Mens-A 176 166 124 106 128 18 Primetime/Evolution/FAI/Easton 698 Mens-A 126 176 186 106 104 19 SNI/Worsham/AllOut/ATWL/Easton 668 Mens-A 106 196 136 106 124 20 Premier/TG/HDLNS/4With.com/Easton 638 Mens-AA 166 136 134 104 98 21 T&W/Cornerstone/Pauer/Miken 630 SPMensConfTBD 136 166 126 84 118 22 Classic Glass / Easton 625 Mens-AA 106 136 176 109 98 23 VIVID 625 Mens-A 106 136 166 109 108 24 Wood Law / Olmito Heat / Club Chill 622 Mens-B 116 136 136 116 118 25 RebelSports/TN/Troupe/M24/GameBrand 609 Mens-AA 176 196 119 118 26 Competitive Edge/C&R Equipment 606 Mens-A 56 136 136 106 88 84 27 Regulators 573 Mens-A 106 136 136 109 86 28 MyAutoJack/DownTime Sports/Sonny’s 554 Mens-A 126 166 136 126 29 SportsReach 542 Mens-A 166 136 116 124 30 TRADESMEN/LS/SPIDERZ/HANG RITE 526 Mens-A 76 186 166 98 31 Cheap Suits/Republic Realty/CDZ App 516 Mens-B 116 166 136 98 32 B&B/Cookies/Terry’s/Demarini 512 Mens-A 136 166 106 104 33 SVC/Miken/Worth/Grizzy Athletics 509 Mens-B 136 166 109 98 34 INFAMOUS/saltriot 469 Mens-B 86 109 128 146 35 TRU/Selling Virginia/Easton/CA Gear 378 Mens-B 136 136 106 36 L & S Glass 376 Mens-B 106 86 98 86 37 Smith Softball/CDZ Apparel 184 Mens-B 106 78 38 Source1 / ALPHA SOURCE / Easton 76 Mens-A 76

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 31 Cajun Classic

Xtreme came from behind in the fourth inning and scored 10 runs and they used a five-hit performance from Curtis Stewart and a three-HR, nine- RBI performance from Letak to beat Nightmare (41-29). Both teams hit all 12 of their allotted home runs. Nightmare dropped to the loser’s bracket to face Baugh Ford to see which team would advance to the championship game against Xtreme. Baugh Ford scored 10 runs in the top of the first inning, but it was all Nightmare the rest of the way as they grabbed a lead in the bottom of the first (14-10). The lead was extended after pitcher Dan Bean turned a double play and Zane Migues hit a bases- clearing . And then Bean hit a grand slam to put Nightmare up in the third inning (28-11) and another grand Xtreme’s Joe Skyles, All Tournament and 2019 Mr. Louisiana slam in the bottom of the fourth to go up (36-21). Nightmare eventually run- ruled Baugh Ford (42-27). The championship started near midnight Saturday as the cool air took over which is conducive to high- scoring games. Nightmare jumped on Xtreme with 16 runs in the top of the first inning and held Xtreme scoreless in the bottom of the inning. Nightmare then failed to score in the top of the second and led after two innings (16-9). Xtreme fought back to tie the score after three innings (18-18). In the bottom of the fifth, Curtis Stewart tied game again at (27-27) and Xtreme turned big double plays in fifth and sixth innings to keep Nightmare in check. Then Xtreme decided to use up their homers as Matt McGowan, Brandon Newman and Toby Letak Nightmare’s pitcher, Dan Bean, All Tournament all hit solos to go up (30-27) before Shannon Smith added a two-run blast. For the inning Xtreme hit six home runs and the defense held up and they won the championship game (38-31). Xtreme won the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record. It was their first Conference USSSA championship of the year after opening with a 2-2 performance in Las Vegas, the finishing fourth and fifth respectively at the Hall of Fame Dual in Florida. Xtreme’s potent offense averaged 32.8 runs per game in Louisiana and won games by an average margin of 11.2 runs per game. “They had by far the best defense led by the pitchers Updike and Green and middle infielder Newman, and Stewart and Letak put up some big numbers Xtreme’s Brandon Newman, All Tournament

T 32 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Cajun Classic

offensively,” said Weiser. Nightmare/Miken was an impressive runnerup with a 4-2 record, followed by Baugh Ford in third place at 4-2 and Wood Law in fourth at 3-2. Beckham Brothers/Pure/Exclusive from Goose Creek, South Carolina and Competitive Edge/C&R Equipment from Milton, Florida tied for fifth place. “Nightmare played well but gets a ‘trending even’ grade because they failed to beat Xtreme in either contest they played,” said Weiser. “Everyone seemed to be contributing. Brambilla and Bowser were hitting it well and Dan Bean was on fire hitting two grand slams in the clutch. It was fun to see the young players like St. Pierre fly around the bases and make great diving catches and Conner Murray play Xtreme’s Steve Whaley, All Tournament well enough to make All-Tournament at shortstop. This team has a deep lineup and should never feel like they are out of a game.” Steel Sports and Play The Game Sports tied for seventh place, while rounding out the Top 10 was Big Apple/NYPD from Ft. Worth, Dirty Vegas/Steel/ Marco from Beaumont, Old School/ MVP from Houston, and Natural State from Russellville, Arkansas all tied for 9th. Xtreme third-baseman Toby Letak was named Most Valuable Player of the Cajun Classic. Letak batted .840 with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs while also playing stellar defense. Mike Brambilla of Nightmare was named Offensive MVP and Xtreme pitchers Dirk Updike and Austin Green were named Co-Defensive MVP. Nightmare’s Zane Migues, All Tournament Brambilla batted .839 with five home runs and 13 RBIs. The rest of the All-Tournament team included Matt Schrage, Curtis Stewart, Joe Skyles, Brandon Newman and Steve Whaley, of Xtreme; Zane Migues, Connor Murray, Dan Bean and Phil Matte, of Nightmare; Curtis Cornett, Brandon Hooks and Tommie Baugh, of Baugh Ford; and Joshua Choate and Cole Campbell of Wood Law. The Cajun Classic originally put Louisiana softball on the national map. It was founded in 1978 by USSSA pioneer Robert Boudreaux at Pelican Park near Lafayette, which was one of the first softball complexes in the United States to feature Astroturf infields.

For most of the 1980s and ‘90s, Pelican Xtreme’s Matt McGowan

T 34 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Cajun Classic

Park was the place to be on Memorial Day weekend as the Cajun Classic was one of the top USSSA Major Tournaments in the nation. All of the top teams in America made their way to Acadiana country in southwest Louisiana. Over the course of almost three decades of use, however, the turf got worn down. And just like the tattered turf on the Pelican Park infields, even the mighty Cajun Classic eventually lost its luster. The last year the tourna- ment had a Major division was 2006. Pelican Park was shut down for a few years in the latter part of the first decade of the new millennium and sat as empty as a ghost town, with high weeds growing where many of the top softball players of all-time used Conference umpires were plentiful and accurate on the field. Welcome back Jason Oberlag! to play. The City of Carencro eventu- ally bought the facility and got it back into playable condition. But for most of the next decade, the Cajun Classic was relegated to hosting just D and E events with only local teams entering. Six years ago, the City of Carencro made a major financial investment to improve the facility. First and fore- most was ripping up the old, tattered Astroturf and replacing it with state- of-the-art Field Turf on all four fields. The new facelift included turf on the batter’s boxes and around the bases, something the old turf did not have. Dugouts on all four fields were also completely renovated. The result is a jewel of a park, which immediately earned a spot on the Conference USSSA schedule with the Cajun Classic. Soley, now in his fifth- Pelican Park staff:(l - r) Marcus Begnaud, Chris Francis, Kayla Carriere, Jim Thibodeaux and Eilean Begnaud. year as Louisiana USSSA State Director, has worked hard to return the event to national prominence. Soley is confident that with this year’s successful event as a drawing card, the Cajun Classic will soon return to the status of its glory years from the past. The team names were not quite as historic as the old days – Steele’s Hitmen, Ritch’s Superior, Smythe Sox, Superior Apollo, Lighthouse, Sunbelt, Bell Corp, Elite Coating or Budweiser. But the excitement was just the same. Soley has done an outstanding job of resurrecting one of the crown jewels of the USSSA Major Division and returning it to national prominence. “Hopefully, more of the big teams will take notice of what we were able to do this year and come join the party next year,” said Soley. Softball’s Center’s Dale “DW” Weiser (left) and Cajun Tournament Director, Richie Soley (right).

T 36 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball

Spring Worlds 1

Smash It Sports / USSSA Spring Worlds Lou Berliner Sports Complex - Columbus, Ohio Text by Gary Godden,USSSA Executive State Director

he USSSA first ever Spring Worlds Series was held at Berliner Sport Park in Columbus, Ohio. The event had sixT divisions with 133 teams from 26 states. The event was idea that was developed by Rick Schiffhauer the owner of Smash It Sports, along with Easton, Miken and OA Apparel. The thought was to bring World Events to other parts of the Country for teams that may not play USSSA to see the brand, have a great event and prize package. The event awarded over $50,000 in cash and prizes, with the championship team players receiving championship belts. Over the weekend teams would talk about the “Battle for the Belts.” Players throughout the event were getting their pictures taken with one of the belts that were on display. The event was run just like the World Series events have been run at ESPN Wide World of Sport and the New USSSA Space Coast Complex. I was able to bring four directors that have been part of the events for several years with Bob Reed and John DeMagistris from New York, Jim Pilla from New Jersey and Ed Oligee from Ohio joining me to run the event. The ability to have these director paid great dividends as we had never been to the complex prior to this event and had to learn as we went along. The staff at Berliner and the umpires assigned to the event by Eric “Slim” Rice also played a tremendous part in making the event a success. The ability of everyone to be flexible was very important as the weather started to look bad as the event approached. With any new event, you never know how the event will be received or the number of teams that will attend. This was true with this event as with 4 weeks to go there were only 80 teams so Friday night was dropped and the event was just going to be Saturday and Sunday. Over the next 3 weeks 53 more teams entered the event and bad weather Gary Godden, USSSA Executive State Director Rick Schiffhauer, Smash it Sports

T 38 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball Spring Worlds 2

coming Sunday so changes were made to get as many games in as possible on Saturday so that every game got played. We were able to get to a point where things looked bad Sunday but we had a chance to get everything in with the artificial turf infields. Somehow the weather held off enough to get everything completed and out of the park before the storm and tornado came. Divisons: Women’s Conference had 11 team with 6 team from the conference playing, the event was a big hit with girls fast pitch teams that were also at the park playing in a tournament. There was a large crowd watching as SIS/Derby Girls/Easton from Washington State played a local team Swing Nation/ Young Gunz from Ohio. Talking with 1st Womens Conference - SIS/Derby Girls - WA Don Cooper, the coach of the Derby Girls, he commented on how the fast pitch coaches and players thought it was great to watch former Division 1 fast pitch player playing Slow Pitch at the highest level.

1st SIS/Derby Girls/Easton WA Smash It Sports / F.A.I. 2nd / Miken FL Lady Mojo / F.A.I / SNC 3rd Sports VA

Men’s B only had six teams with the team from Colorado dropping out the week of the event. The other 5 teams played were mostly local as the top B teams were playing at Space Coast Complex in the Hall Of Fame Dual Conference event. Many of the games 1st Men’s B - GMS/Category 5 - MI were decided by one or two runs and the finals finishing 18-17

1st GMS/Category 5 MI 2nd Westpoint Softball IN Old Bag / Headlines 3rd Sportswear OH

Men’s C had sixteen teams from eight different states. This event was also very competitive going to an if game that ended 18-17

Elite Nashville / Big 1st Shotz TN 2nd Platinum Fire MA Smash It Sport / First 3rd Capital / Easton NY

1st Men’s D - Scott Routing - IN

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 39 Spring Worlds 3

Men’s D had fifty-two teams from thirteen different states. The feedback from the team was great again with many close game and the champion- ship game again ending with a one run game, 14-13.

1st Scott Routing IN Tiger Fitness/Nati 2nd Ducks OH ShowTime/D/Roit 3rd Sports NJ

Men’s E had thirty-five teams from ten different states. The local team Yard Goats came back thought the losers bracket winning 10 games before falling in the If game to a team out of North Carolina. 1st Men’s E - RLC Collier - NC 1st RLC/Collier NC 2nd Yard Goats OH 3rd Silverbacks IN

Women’s D/E had thirteen teams from eight different states. The team that traveled the farthest to the event was the Lady Ravens that came from Anchorage, Alaska.

1st Lady Legends IN 2nd Pork Pistols OH Emotional Wreck 3rd (EWR) NJ

The hope is that USSSA will approve this event going forward and that Todd Sledge and the Ohio USSSA staff will continue to grow the event to 200 1st Women’s D/E - Lady Legends - IN teams or more. Rick and his staff at Smash It Sports did an amazing job being the sponsor of such an event for the first time. In the week leading to the tournament, team numbers grow so a Hitting Contest was added and the turnout was more than expected with over 120 players hitting for a bats in the upper and lower divi- sion. Additionally, Easton set-up for players to test new bats that went on for several hours. It was great to visit an area where I have not been before and meet many new teams and player while also seeing teams that have been at the World Series Events in Florida over the years.

Lou Berliner Sports Complex proved to be a great venue for the 2019 Spring Worlds

T 40 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball The Oldies are Goodies No Slow Down for Seniors as the Fastest Growing Segment in Softball Michael Cisneros

or those of us currently in our 50s, our introduction to senior slowpitch softball was probably a story seen on the TV news 25 orF 30 years ago showing silver-haired gentlemen dressed in 1890s style base- ball uniforms and caps playing a very slow, very cute version of the game for the camera. I can still remember thinking two things at the time – man those guys are kinda old to be playing softball and I hope that I’m still able to Terry Hennessy, CEO Senior Softball USA, speaking before the first senior softball tournament in Havana, Cuba. play when I get to be that age. Softball Association, est. 1994) which open softball although they vary from Fast-forward to 2019. LeBron James is RB Thomas and his guys, and SPA association to association: examples is still be best player in the NBA at (Softball Players Association, est. 1992) of seniors rules include a double bag age 35; Tom Brady is will winning and Ridge Hooks. Those are the biggest at first and a scoring line at home Super Bowls in the NFL at age 41; and I happen to know that SSUSA to avoid collisions; a maximum of 5 and sporting goods and activewear registrations are 1,600 teams regis- runs allowed per inning; a 10-foot- companies are using the slogan “50 is tered, which is hard to believe but it is long pitchers box; and extra players the new 30” as more and more people true. Two years ago RB’s ISSA had just on defense for 70 and older. Masters keep playing sports through their 50s, about 400 registered teams but now progams, sometimes also called senior 60s and beyond. And senior softball is has right about 950. And SPA is right softball, consisting of 40 and 45 age fastest growing segment of our game around 900 too. That’s a lot of teams. divisions have been recently added across the country “There are a couple of other organiza- to most organizations, accounting for “There are about 1.5 million players tions working hard trying to get up even more growth. But the allure of over the age of 50 competing in where these three are – the WSL with the game can be explained without leagues,” noted Terry Hennessey, Chief Nathan Kendrick is a real popular, even mentioning the rules or specific Executive Officer for Senior Softball growing association that is starting associations. It’s growing because it’s USA. Not all of them are playing tour- to hold senior tournaments. And there competitive, it’s social, and it’s fun. nament ball … yet. But every year there is the BSC – the Black Softball Circuit “I think more than anything is people are more tournament teams than the under the direction of Clay Dickey, are just generally playing longer, year before and that trend shows no and you got your GSL which is part- especially with the USSSA Conference sign of slowing down. ners with USSSA who is also trying set-up, so it’s a good transition into “You have your three large senior to get into the senior arena. And why? something competitive that they associations – SSUSA, SPA and ISSA,” Because it’s growing and there is can still play,” said Chris Walker, explained Hall of Fame player and demand. Its going to take some time to sponsor and player for Team Kitty/ Miken/Worth senior bat consultant do, but what they hell, we’re not going FenceBrokers/Miken/Worth. In just Mike Macenko. “So, all three of them anywhere, right?” his second year running Team Kitty are out there with their different Typically, senior softball consists of they won the Major Plus world title in programs ... SSUSA (Senior Softball age group tournaments in five-year SSUSA, ISSA and SPA. USA, est. 1988) with Terry Hennessey, increments – 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 and so “I thought I was going to be playing Bill Ruth and Fran Dowell and their on. The rules are a bit different than in against of bunch of old guys. And I get gang, ISSA (International Senior

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 41 you’re going to see guys out there proud of what we do.” now that you’ve never heard of that One of the main things that attracts are unbelievable as seniors. They’ve players to senior softball is the equip- kept themselves in shape and they’ve ment – specifically the bats. Senior continued to develop their game. They bats are hotter than those used in open never played Conference back in the ball and recently the variety of brands day, they might have been D players and models has been overwhelming. It back then but they’ve kept themselves wasn’t always the case. in shape, kept playing the game and they are really good at their age. And “When I turned 50, Combat asked me there are really good hitters at 50 and to become involved doing a senior bat 50-plus that are going to shock you.” for them,” said Macenko. “At that time (2006) there was only one bat avail- Of course, not all senior ball is played able in senior softball and that was the at the Major Plus level. In SSUSA teams Miken Ultra II. Bottom line, one bat.” are rated from AA, AAA, Major and Major Plus. Fran Dowell, a two-time Combat released the yellow Mike member of the senior softball Hall of Macenko model the following year to Fame and Executive Director of SSUSA try and break Miken’s monopoly in the Fran Dowell, Executive Director SSUSA says making sure teams are properly senior game. “I don’t know why but placed is a big part of keeping teams I thought the number of bats Miken out there and find these guys are pretty playing senior tournaments. was selling to seniors at that time good. They don’t run quite as fast, but must be astromonical, maybe 25,000 a everybody is still pretty dang good. “We are really tight on our roster year,” said Macenko. But in reality the The defense is still there, the balls restrictions,” she said. “When you are number was closer to 12,000. And when are hit just as hard if not harder with coming to play in our organization and the first Combat model sold 4,500 units those senior bats. I was shocked at the you are playing in the AAA division, a new kind of arms race was on. quality and how good everybody is.” you are playing teams that are really AAA. You are really playing teams that In 2013 Miken asked Macenko to do a “What’s (senior softball) like? It’s really are in your division, at your skill level. bat with them. The Mike Macenko Big good,” said Alan Tanner, a Miken/Worth You’re not coming to a tournament and Cat was Miken’s first signature bat for senior bat consultant and member facing a team you have no chance of senior softball. It was also the compa- of Team Kitty/ FenceBrokers/Miken/ ever beating. We look at every score- ny’s first two-piece and full-ounce end Worth. “Here’s an example: When I card that comes back and every player loaded senior bat. started playing Jason Kendrick - one of on a team. We don’t rate individual “Now it’s kinda crazy,” he said. “You the best outfielders of all time - worked players, but we know who everybody have Adidas with their bat, Dudley, for Combat and he was my rep. He was is. We’re serious about it and I do think Louisville Slugger has 4 or 5 bats 45 at the time and still playing in the that fair play makes a difference.” The in their line now, Miken and Worth Conference. And I told him this senior proof is in the tournaments. Dowell (including a soon-to-be-released Alan softball is pretty good. What I really was preparing for the Rockin’ Reno Tanner model) of course, DeMarini enjoy is everybody is competitive, you’d tournament, at 196 teams the third has a couple, Easton is out with their be very surprised at the upper levels of largest SSUSA has. “Our biggest is the new bats, I think Mizuno has one. And Major Plus, how good it is. Yeah, we’re Worlds in Las Vegas, we had 631 teams there’s a bat called the Onyx - these are not quite as fast as the kids, the arms last year,” she said. “But this one is the called SMUs, a special make-up bat. aren’t quite as strong. But if you go granddaddy – this is our 32nd year of That’s where somebody gets involved look at it for what it is, I think you’d be the Rockin’ Reno tournament. I’m very with a bat company and has them surprised at how good some of these players are. And he’s all ‘Yea, yea, yea,’ and I said ‘This is the deal. I’ll give you this contract that you want but when you turn 49, you’re going to come play for me. Four years later I reminded him. Well, I sucked him in. He played for me all year and the following year he dragged me along with him to Fencebrokers. And he told me ‘You’re right. I never would have thought I would have seen some of the players out there doing what they do at this age. He gets it now.’ “Here’s another thing,” said Tanner “If you came out to some of these tour- naments and you think you know all the good players because you’ve been around softball such a long time, Mike Macenko, Miken/Worth Pro Staff Alan Tanner, Miken/ Worth Pro Staff

T 42 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball make a special bat just for them. The Onyx is made for Elite Sports and you know Carlos Vega. This is his own senior bat … you have all your bat manufacturers who have been around for all these years in the open arena with the kids in Conference ball all want a piece of that senior action. I would say today I think there’s at least 35,000 senior bats sold annually.” “The manufacturers have noticed,” agreed Dowell. “We’re the one that keeps growing. Seniors are the growth. They say their sales are flattening in other areas but we’re the ones that keep going and going. Not just our business, but all the people doing 40s and up, they are the ones buying the Chris Walker - Team Kitty/ FenceBrokers/ Miken/ Worth equipment.” Major and Super Major” for 12 years is “The growth has been great. When we If the level of competition and the even more emphatic when it comes to added the 40s, men and women, it just great equipment attract players to the attitude of senior players. took off. Now we have a representa- senior softball, it’s likely the experi- tive on the east coast for the 40s,” said “The beauty of it is, back when we ence that keeps them playing. While Dowell. “In this tournament in Reno we were playing, the culture in Major the game is still the game and the have 8 80s teams and one 85 … I don’t softball in the ‘90s was cutthroat, in drive to win remains intact, it’s a very think people realize there are so many your face, brash, egotistical – it was different attitude that is found on the and they are good, really good. They all those things and that’s what you field at senior tournaments. are very competitive … it’s fabulous had to be to survive at that level. If what we get to do.” “We thought about this for a while,” you weren’t then you were not going said Dowell when trying to describe to last too long,” he said. “With senior ISSA took a page out of open softball’s that difference. “So, guys play ‘flat- ball now, probably 98% of that is gone. book and created the first international belly’ ball for years then they start to Everybody’s grown up, chilled a bit. series in 2018. get families and our softball is some- But the fire of competitiveness is still “Last year was the first year we did a thing they can bring their families there … You talk about the comradery USA-Canada Border Battle for senior to. They don’t have to worry about of senior softball - I started flying softball,” said Macenko. “We had 16 someone getting absolutely plastered around playing in tournaments and teams from America, four from Canada, and getting out of control, we don’t I’m running into guys I haven’t seen we did it in Grand Rapids, Michigan. accept it. You have to play by our rules in 20 years that I played against and We did 50, 55, 60 and 65 - five teams in – you wear your hat the right way, you with, the comradery of that … I made each division and two American and don’t swear, all those things … and the choice to return to (senior) softball two Canadian teams won. We did a you’d be shocked how many players and I don’t regret it. Right now, I love Home Run Derby as well, 48 guys – two bring their families to the game. And what I’m doing.” per team. And we are going to do it they make it a destination, they make a again. We’re going to be in Ontario in vacation out of it. We think that had a Another advantage of senior tourna- July and taking 5 USA teams to play 15 big thing to do with it.” ments is they understand the 50-year- old physique Canadian teams. It’s been a lot of fun “I think by the time you get our age, and I’ve had a lot of fun working with “A lot of it is the format,” added number one you are just happy to be RB and his family in ISSA. out there,” said Walker. “Because we Walker. “A lot of times we’ll play two With the player participation, organi- all know people want to but are just on Thursday, two on Friday, two or zational leadership, momentum and not able. And we’ve played together three on Saturday and two or three support from manufaturers and team or against each other for so long you on Sunday. And there’s time limits. In sponsors, the future of the senior game know everybody in your age group. And the Conference sometimes you can get is limitless. even if it’s somebody you didn’t get in the loser’s bracket and play three along with back then, its really more two-hour games right in a row. There’s “I think it’s the interest,” said Walker. of a community. It’s still competitive, none of that … another thing I like is “The big companies are big companies but it’s just different in senior ball … we play about once a month, which is a for a reason. There is interest and there everybody is more cordial. Everybody real good schedule for me. I play with is a market … and with the sponsorship knows about the senior bats, they are a team on the east coast and for guys I think you keep raising the bar and pretty careful about hitting the middle who have to travel, once a month is a everybody’s bar gets raised. Whoever is … let me say this, it’s not a win at all good deal. in the lead you are trying to beat them. costs attitude.” And the game, even while enjoying all If someone has a good bat you try and outdo them. It’s the same thing with Tanner, who played “In Conference its current success, keeps evolving and teams, you keep raising the bar. before it was Conference – when it was getting more exciting.

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 43 Senior Softball-1

Making new friends continues to be the catalyst driving SSUSA’s growth By Jack Sirard, Senior Writer

AS VEGAS – The largest slow- pitch tournament in America is going global with its newest divi- sion: The International Co-Ed Championships.L Bud Light Guam and Color By Design (MD) shake hands following a thrilling “if” game in the Men’s 40 AAA Division at the 2017 LVSSA/SSUSA World Masters Championships. “Invitations are going to co-ed teams throughout Europe, the Pacific Rim and North America for teams to play in friendly competition and to give players a chance to make international friends,” said Terry Hennessy, chief executive officer of Senior Softball USA. Last year, Senior Softball USA launched a trial Co-Ed Division during the LVSSA/SSUSA World Masters Championships, attracting teams from Germany, Panama and the United States in the inaugural International 40 Masters Co-Ed Division. Yes, this is the same tournament that last year attracted a record total of 612 teams from 40 to 85 years old. Altogether there were 33 divisions, including the Co-Ed division, that Outfielder from Tharaldson Softball (NV) tracks down the fly Batter from Y’all Next (MD) swings for the fences during the competed in the 2018 WMC. ball during the 2018 Rock ‘n Reno Challenge Cup. 2019 Original Tournament of Champions. The co-ed trial was so successful, that You just can’t have too many friends. If that seems to strike a comfortable Senior Softball USA received many They’re the people who make you chord with you, then this year’s World requests to make it a permanent divi- laugh, pick you up when you’re down Masters Championships are made to sion. and are there with open arms, day or order. The tournament, which will be The reason is simple. night. played in Las Vegas, is issuing a global While there are many good reasons And if you’re like so many softball invite to co-ed teams to play Oct. 5-6 to play the game of softball, if we’re players, there’s nothing like coming for the chance to win a ring. forced to pick just one, it has to be the home from a tournament with a bunch “Since this tournament is about friend- opportunity to make new friends…in of new names to add to your growing ship as much as it is about softball, both dugouts. list of friends. the international co-ed teams must

T 44 COAST O COAST Big Time Softball Senior Softball-2

be drawn from the same metropolitan areas to prevent teams from loading and to provide the opportunity for more teams to be able to compete,” Hennessy said. “We want the International Division to be about even competition and making friends with players from around the world. We are waiving the player regis- tration fee, cutting the tournament to two days and cutting the entry fee in half.” “We’ve had encouraging signs from our developing partnerships with several domestic and international softball organizations,” he said. “Each is quite hopeful of sending teams to the World Championships.” He noted that SSUSA is working directly with the following groups to Play at the plate between Tharaldson Softball (NV) and Idaho Spirit during the 2018 Rock ‘n Reno Challenge Cup build up the number of teams playing in the international co-ed tourney: • Slo-Pitch National (SPN) - Canada • Independent Sports Association (ISA) - US • Members of the Pacific Rim Slow- Pitch Softball Association - China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong • Nations from recent international tours - Italy, France, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Mexico. In recognition of their championship play, each member on the winning team wins a ring from Josten’s, maker of MLB World Series and NFL Super Bowl rings. The international division will compete Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 5 - 6, 2019. The Player from K&B Beverage/AG Painting/D BAT (AZ) looks to Pitcher from Live! Casino (MD) looks to strike the mat during throw out the runner at first during the 2018 Rock ‘n Reno the 2019 Original Tournament of Champions. entry deadline is Sept. 4 and the entry Challenge Cup. fee is $395 plus a team registration fee of $40. For first time players, player SSUSA runs national qualifiers and SSUSA is one of the founding members registration fee is waived. regional championships in more than of the Pacific Rim Slowpitch Softball Team rosters restricted to respec- 70 cities and sanctions leagues in 300 Federation, along with Japan, China tive metropolitan areas. For more cities. and Taiwan. Canada has joined this information, visit seniorsoftball. The secret to its success stems from year and more Pacific Rim countries com/?event=1388. In addition, prospec- its founding principles of fairness, are expected to join in the future as tive teams can contact Anthony Ramos honesty and integrity. And by having the sport’s popularity continues to at SSUSA, 916-326-5303 or Anthony@ the top team ratings system in the blossom. seniorsoftball.com. sport, SSUSA continues to build on its Bob Mitchell, a retired California Senior Softball USA has been in opera- successes. Highway Patrol officer who founded tion for 31 years and has been the Not only has SSUSA built a firm foun- Senior Softball-USA, in Sacramento, largest senior softball company in the dation in the United States, but it has Calif., in the spring of 1988, did so world since 1996. In fact, it is larger become a growing force in the inter- with the firm belief that everyone is than all of its competitors combined. national arena as well. For the past welcome. SSUSA has more than 26,000 registered 31 years, the organization has been Mitchel set the guidelines: “This is a national players in every state and holding goodwill tournaments in coun- sport that doesn’t discriminate. Not Canada and hosts the WMC, the largest tries far and wide, from China and by age, not by sex, not by race and not slowpitch softball tournament – of any Japan to Italy and France and to more by religion. Our goal is to provide the age group – in America. In addition, than 30 other nations. opportunity for any senior to play soft- ball.”

T COAST O COAST Big Time Softball 45