FALL 2017 EDITION Volume 30 • Number 3

Seniorwww.seniorsoftball.com SoftballMORE THAN JUST A GAME NEWSAMERICA’S LARGEST CIRCULATED SENIOR SOFTBALL PUBLICATION WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 PREVIEW: Our Coverage Includes the US National Games List and a Calendar of Events PAGES 14-18

INSIDE: BEST STATES TO RETIRE: PART 3 Tournament Recaps & All-Tournament Teams Pages 22-27 Arizona, Texas & Washington Among Top Tier SSUSA States Softball News Report Photo Wall Street Journal ith the dark At 86, Paul Tomanio is the days of win- Rick Siefman, Arizona oldest player in his senior “You can play eight softball league. ter rapidly months out of the year Softball Bends approaching, in the Phoenix metro area and the other Rules for Seniors scores of Senior Softball four in the north, as ©The Wall Street Journal W Flagstaff and Prescott players are only too happy By James R. Hagerty that they’ve made the move are just a two-hour SOUTH PARK, drive away.” Pa.—One Thursday from the chilly climates to states where they can play Angie Ayala, Arizona evening this month, “We get used to the Paul Tomanio was their favorite game year- heat living here, and growing impatient with round. play a lot of league games at night in the his slow-pitch-softball In fact, weather and with evenings.” teammates in this it great game conditions, has Pittsburgh suburb. A fly proved to be a key reason Bill Ruth, Washington "The growth has been in NSSHOF Class of 2017 ball had just plopped to for seniors moving to their the western part of the Page 3 the ground between two favorite retirement states. state, Seattle, Tacoma, outfielders, allowing a Olympia.” CAN-Sirs Corner In our on-going series, Page 6 run to score. “Best States to Retire,” Don Brooks, Texas “Somebody should “Rain outs are short Editorial we’ve found that while Page 6 have caught that, lived as we average nine right?” muttered Mr. Florida and California rank inches of rain a year.” Financial Column Tomanio, wearing at the very top in the num- Page 8 a blue T-shirt with Please See Page 12 Fitness Column matching bandanna Page 9 PART Florida Tops PART In-depth Look PART Remaining PART Series knotted around his List for at SSUSA's Top SSUSA Wrap Up Hitting Column neck. 1 Retirees 2 Top State, 3 States: AZ, 4 Page 10 Please See Page 13 California TX, WA PROUDPROUD TOTO BEBE WITHWITH SSUSA!SSUSA!

BSNSPORTS.com/SENIORSOFTBALL Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball News 3 News Briefing 12 To Be Inducted Into NSSHOF PROUD at World Masters Championships PROUD Softball News Report colades. always apparent to opponents, but LAS VEGAS – The National NSSHOF member, Audie is fully recognized and appreci- Senior Softball Hall of Fame Hollis, who Deaton also played ated by his teammates.” TOTO BEBE WITHWITH (NSSHOF) will add 12 mem- for on his 55 and 60 Major Plus On Sept. 25 at Big League bers at the 2017 LVSSA/SSUSA teams, stated, “Gary Deaton is the Dreams, during the opening World Masters Championships best softball player in the country ceremonies of the second session Shane Verley (WMC) here in September. who is NOT in the National Se- of the WMC, there will be four Of the 12 inductees, two nior Softball Hall of Fame.” players, four pioneer players, SSUSA players will be inducted during one manager and one director the first WMC session, and 8 enshrined into the NSSHOF. Mourns players, a manager and a direc- In the Player Category, Ed SSUSA!SSUSA! tor will be inducted during the Carey, Billy Mack Lough, Dale second session. This will be the McLaughlin and Bob Ross will Loss of single most inductions into the be honored. National Hall of Fame in 2017. Shane On Sept. 22, at Lorenzi Park Softball Complex, two players, Gary Deaton and Jon "Bully" Verley Kramer, will be enshrined into Softball News Report the NSSHOF during the opening Shane Verley, longtime Se- ceremonies of the first session of nior Softball-USA director, player the WMC. and Washington State umpire-in- Jon "Bully" Kramer charge, died June 21. Player Category A lifelong Washington State Kramer, who racked up 12 resident, Verley, 61, played for NSSHOF points in his 12 seasons some of the best-known teams of senior softball with numerous in the Northwest: Second Wind, All-Tournament, All-American Doerflinger, Wolfpack and the Y and All-World selections, began Ed Carey Bar & Grill. his senior softball career in 2005 Player Category As a tournament director, he with Seacrest Mavericks, a 50 founded the very popular “Rock Major Plus team. The team is Carey earned eight NSSHOF at the Rac” in Lacey, which now Sommerville Softball 55 points over his current 15-year mixed senior softball with classic Major Plus. career in senior softball. BSNSPORTS.com/SENIORSOFTBALL Rock N Roll, as well as several Don Newhard, manager of Beginning his senior softball other annual tournaments in the the Nighthawks, says of Jon, career in 2001, Carey played with Northwest. “probably more impressive than local teams in Northern Califor- As the Washington State Gary Deaton Jon’s skills, performance, and nia, competing in tournaments in UIC, Shane has been instru- Player Category achievements on the field is his the Northern California Senior mental in the successful running dedication to the teams he plays Softball Association (NCSSA). In of some of the sport’s premier Playing in his 17th season for and his enthusiastic support of 2009, Ed joined the Old A’s and tournaments, including the Reno of senior softball, Deaton tallied all of his teammates. He leads by then in 2010 began playing at the tournament, Northwest Champi- 20 points towards the NSSHOF, example as well as through en- national level with the Omen 60 onships and the World Masters in earning numerous First Team couragement of everyone on his Major Plus team, playing mostly Las Vegas. All-American and All-World ac- teams. This aspect of Jon is not Continued on Page 20 Continued on Next Page 4 Senior Softball News Fall 2017 Edition Hall of Fame: Lough, McLaughlin, Ross, Davis and Haltrich Elected to Class of 2017 Continued from Previous Page Scrap Iron Hall of Fame in 2009. third base. Ross has played for the Arizona Gary Tryhorn, NSSHOF Sidewinders, Master Collision member says of Carey, “Ed has and numerous Scrap Iron teams. become the quintessential third Additionally, he has traveled baseman delivering a massive internationally, playing softball ball stopping power and a great in Italy and Cuba as part of Team throwing arm to cut down run- USA in SSUSA’s international ners. His hitting has become so tours. precise that he now is one of the best hitters on our Major Plus 70 team.” Dale McLaughlin Player Category Bobby Davis McLaughlin began his senior Pioneer Player Category He began playing senior softball softball career in 1994, playing in 1992 and was sidelined for 10 with Robbi’s Pizza in Portland, years due to knee surgeries begin- Ore. In 1999, he began playing ning in 2000. Davis then returned on the W. E. Ruth teams in the to accomplish an amazing record, Major and Major Plus divisions, which has included helping lead and in 2007 with the Scrap Iron the Seals to the Triple Grand teams. Bob Ross Slam in 2015 and 2016, as well “Dale has played a very Player Category as earning All-Tournament selec- important role in the success of tions in the WMC in 2015 and my Ruth Real Estate teams, and NSSHOF member Ranier 2016. continues to be a key player on Martens, speaks highly of Ross, Billy Mack Lough “No one in the game at our his present team with his extraor- stating, “Bob is an outstanding Player Category age can turn a single into a dou- dinary skills,” said Bill Ruth. outfielder with excellent speed, a ble better than Bobby and if it’s Earning eight NSSHOF NSSHOF member Jack sure-handed glove, and a strong close, he surprises the fielder with points over his 19 years in senior Robinson on McLaughlin: “As throwing arm. He is clearly one a spectacular slide that excites softball, Lough began his career his many tournament wins and of the top five outfielders in the everyone,” said Roger Berryman, in 1998 at age 50. He began all tournament awards indicate, country. teammate and NSSHOF member. playing with Coasters, Capital Dale is a great hitter, especially Terry Hennessy, SSUSA Revisited, GSF, Full Circle and in the clutch. I played against chief executive officer, adds, Omen, as well as D&K, Paradise Dale for many years and he “Bob has competed at the top end Chevrolet, Palm Springs Heat and was always one of the players of the sport throughout the past B&B. we worried about the most. We two decades. He has played on Bob Woodroof, NSSHOF played together at the 70 Major some of the best teams to come member says of Lough, “In addi- Plus level for the last four years out of Colorado in the Scrap Iron tion to being a very good player, and my admiration for his ability organization, including the Leg- he was an excellent teammate. He and knowledge of the game just ends, Redux, Legacy and Phiten.” loves the game of softball and the gets greater.” In the Pioneer Player Cat- people who play it, whether they Playing in his 14th season egory, Robert Davis, Norman are teammates or opponents.” in senior softball, Ross earned Haltrich, Kenneth Lockman and Norman Haltrich McLaughlin is entering his 9.5 NSSHOF points. He began James Phillips will be inducted in Pioneer Player Category 23rd season in senior softball, is senior softball career at age 58 the class of 2017. Haltrich, a member of earning 12.5 NSSHOF points, after answering a newspaper ad Currently a member of the Florida Investment Properties (80 being named to a number of for tryout for a 55 team. In 2002, San Francisco Seals (75 Major Major), has been playing senior All-American, All-World and All- he joined the Scrap Iron Softball Plus), Davis has been participat- Tournament teams. Club, and was inducted into the ing in senior softball for 25 years. Continued on Next Page Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball News 5 Hall of Fame: Lockman, Phillips, Carey and Hennessy Round Out Class of 2017 Continued from Previous Page Mitchell. During the past 15-plus softball for 27 years. He’s earned years, Hennessy has expanded the numerous All-Tournament selec- presence of SSUSA globally and tions throughout his career and into China. helped lead Florida Investment Michael Boone, NSSHOF Properties to the Triple Grand member, on Hennessy: “Terry Slam in 2015. spends countless hours planning “Norm has played senior tournaments, and making sure softball since he was 55, and he that ALL players are made to feel is now 80,” said Warren Watson, important to the organization. He teammate and NSSHOF mem- has dedicated his efforts to mak- ber. “He hits to all fields, always ing sure that all teams and players behind the base runner, and hits are treated fairly and equally." Pat Carey with power. He is usually in Gary Tryhorn, NSSHOF Manager Category member adds, “through his as- the top five hitters in any given added the name Bucs to the team Jim Phillips sociation with SSUSA, Terry has tournament.” name in his father’s memory. Pioneer Player Category contributed to the advancement of Along with his team cham- Phillips helped lead his Senior Softball around the coun- pionships, Carey has earned teams to five Triple Grand Slam try, and the world. As publisher individual accolades, earning titles, accomplishing the feat in of the Senior Softball News, and ISSA’S Manager of the Year on 2008 with NorCal Bluejays and the SSUSA Rulebook, which is 12 occasions, covering the years then four-in-a-row with the Seals the default softball rulebook in 1999-2012. In 2009, The Wash- (2013-2016). leagues and associations across ington Metropolitan Slow Pitch “Jim ‘Berkeley’ Phillips truly the country." Softball Hall of Fame recognized epitomizes what our special game Fran Dowell, NSSHOF The High Street Bucs team for is all about…sportsmanship, member and SSUSA Executive their Outstanding performance fellowship, and an attitude that Director says, “as a testament over the years. shows his appreciation of being to Terry’s character and leader- on the field, expressing his love ship, he has based every single Ken Lockman for the game, his teammates as judgment and decision within the Pioneer Player Category well as his opponents,” said Don context of, ‘Is this the right thing Lockman, a member of Fair- Farber, NSSHOF member and to do for the benefit of the teams way Ford (80 Major), has a senior manager of the Seals. and players?’ This is true even softball career spanning 23 years. In the Manager Category, when SSUSA’s or Terry’s indi- “Ken has played with Fair- Patrick “Kid” Carey, manager of vidual interests would be better way Ford softball for five years, High Street Bucs, has been elect- served by a different result.” leading the team in key hits and ed to the NSSHOF. Carey has RBIs,” said Carlos Becerra, a NS- been involved with senior softball SHOF member. “84 years young for the past 16 years, as a player/ Terry Hennessy and he is one of the best on our manager. His managerial accom- Director Category team, possibly the entire world. plishments include 28 national This man is always ready to play titles across all the major associa- tions, championships in over 300 Terry Hennessy enters the and gives his all.” NSSHOF in the director category. Phillips is the second mem- other senior tournaments of vary- ing degrees and multiple second Hennessy joined SSUSA in 1994, ber of San Francisco Seals (75 as Executive Director and Pub- Major Plus) in the Class of 2017, & third place finishes. He began his softball managerial career as lisher of Senior Softball News. joining fellow teammate, Bobby In 2002, he assumed the posi- Davis. Spanning a 22-year career, manager of his workplace team High Street when he was 35 tion of C.E.O., when he and Bill Phillips has been a member of Ruth acquired SSUSA from Bob nine teams since 1994. years old as a player/manager and 6 Senior Softball News Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball Opinions & Letters News 9823 Old Winery Place, Suite 12 Guam Shows Sacramento, CA 95827 (916) 326-5303 True Nature (916) 326-5304 FAX of Sports www.seniorsoftball.com An inspiring brand of Publisher sportsmanship has blossomed W.E. Ruth in Guam, an island with 210 Editor square miles of beauty in the Terry Hennessy middle of the Western Pacific Managing Editor Ocean. Guam has produced seven Anthony Ramos Masters and Senior teams, Contributing Writers both in the Men’s and Wom- Pete Davignon, Dave en’s divisions, that continue to Dowell, Jack Eberhard, demonstrate the highest level Art Eversole, Carl Gus- of sportsmanship and provide an example to other teams tafson, Stephanie Hopkins, throughout the sport. Ross McCulligan, George In recognition of their Moreno, Tiffany Peck, Stan truly inspirational play, the Sue Ballenger Reents, Jack Sirard collective teams from Guam love of the game for all who • Sindalun Guahan have been awarded the 2017 Internet Director witness it. • Guam Seniors Scott Flodin Steve Simmons Memorial Their excitement in • Guam SOTTA Sportsmanship Award which cheering each other on – and • Guam Mighty 50 Art Director is the top team award present- at participating in the World • FIGO Islanders Sue Ballenger ed by Senior Softball USA. Masters Championships has Through their sportsman- This award transcends Marketing Manager been remarkable. ship, these seven teams from Fran Dowell the game itself. It stands for The 2017 Sportsmanship an island in the middle of the all that is good in the sport: Award will be presented to Pacific are having a major Nothing in this publication shall be passionate competition played deemed to constitute in any fashion these Guam Teams during the impact on teams throughout whatsoever an endorsement by Senior with good humor and good World Masters Champion- America – and on the sport Softball USA, LLC. (SSUSA), of fellowship - that is the for- any information in this publication. ships Opening Ceremonies in itself. SSUSA, LLC., disclaims any and all mula for good sportsmanship. Las Vegas: liability with respect to any use of, or The beauty of good sports- reliance on, such information. No in- • Armed Forces Guam Terry Hennessy - Editor formation in this publication shall be manship is that it incites a • Bud Light Guam construed in any manner whatsoever as a recommendation of any industry standard, or as a recommendation of any kind to be adopted by, or binding Medicine Advances in Cancer Detection on, any person or entity. Nor shall By Pete Davignon by harnessing the body’s immune radiation, or by transplant of bone information contained in this publica- tion be deemed to constitute in any The U.S. Federal Drug Ad- system. marrow which produces blood fashion whatsoever an endorsement ministration has approved a can- A process known as CAR cells. When these treatments fail by SSUSA, LLC., of any product cer treatment that uses a patient’s T-cell therapy is used in children to beat back the cancer, the odds or service advertised herein. The material set forth in this publication own genetically modified cells to or young adults fighting an often- of survival fall to 1 in 10. is provided on an informational basis attack a type of leukemia. This fatal recurrence of the most com- The new treatment is a only. SSUSA, Inc., is not engaged in the practice of any profession, includ- opens the door to a new frontier mon childhood cancer — B-cell one-time infusion developed by ing but not limited to law, medicine in medicine and clears the way acute lymphoblastic leukemia. researchers at the University of and accounting, and nothing in this publication should be relied upon in for medical researchers to apply a Most of the time, it is treated Pennsylvania and the pharmaceu- lieu of appropriate competent profes- new approach to fighting cancer successfully with chemotherapy, Continued on Next Page sional advice. Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball News 7 Receiving the Call of a Lifetime The call informing me that I had Executive Director Fran Dowell last been nominated and elected to the Senior Covering year, and offers tournaments in 70 cities, Softball National Hall of Fame came out the Bases leagues in 300, Regional Championships of the blue as a total surprise. By Terry Hennessy in 20 cities, a Tournament of Champions I am both humbled and honored to Senior Softball USA as the executive in Florida and the World Masters Cham- be recognized by the people in the sport director. pionships (which we partner with Las I love. Having worked for more than 30 Vegas Senior Softball Association) with And I’ll be forever grateful to Fran years as a newspaper reporter and editor, about 600 teams. Dowell, SSUSA executive director, for it felt like I was stepping into the deep Internationally, we continue to all the work she did in nominating me for end of a pool. promote the sport through our charter such an honor. It was a refreshing change and membership in the Pacific Rim Slowpitch As many seniors know, life’s path challenge. At the time, SSUSA was the Softball Federation, two annual interna- is generally not only crooked but full of second largest of eight national programs tional Softball Tours, and the opening of surprises. offering senior softball tournaments, with an office in Beijing to promote softball Little did I realize when Bob Mitch- about 20 qualifiers leading to the World and teeball in schools throughout China. ell (the founder of Senior Softball USA) Championships with about 150 teams. All of these accomplishments were called me to help publish his newspaper We continued to build the program, a team effort. I am very proud of what in 1994, that I’d have the chance to help with Bill Ruth and myself buying SSUSA SSUSA has accomplished as a team shape a sport. from Mitchell when he retired at the end dedicated to promoting, expanding and It started slowly. of 2001. improving the sport we love. First we revamped and updated the Flash forward to 2017. newspaper, next Bob taught me how to SSUSA now is larger than all of the Terry Hennessy is the chief executive run tournaments, introduced me to the other senior softball programs combined. officer of Senior Softball USA and can be International Softball Tours and, in 1997, SSUSA now has three owners, adding reached at [email protected]. he asked me to work full time running CAN-Sirs: Warning Signs of Cancer Continued from Previous Page and treat a lot of different types you experience symptoms during tical company Novartis. Officially of cancers, particularly blood a three-month period. The most known as chimeric antigen recep- cancer patients. common — changes in a mole tor T-cell therapy (CART-T-cell), Warning Signs — is a sign of skin cancer. Other it starts with doctors extracting A recent smart phone app symptoms to be aware of are: disease-fightingwhite blood cells, that can screen for pancreatic • a chronic cough, known as T-cells, from a patient’s cancer works by having a person • sore throat or trouble swal- blood. The cells are frozen and take a selfie to detect signs of lowing shipped to a laboratory where jaundice in their eyes. Pancre- • headache, backache or an- CAN-SIRS they are genetically engineered atic cancer has one of the worst other pain that will not go away CORNER to attack a specific protein on the outcomes. The survival rate is • fever and fatigue By Pete Davignon cancerous B cells. 9 percent in part because there • rapid weight loss with your doctor are still the cor- They’re then put back into are no telltale symptoms to catch • changes in bowel movement nerstones of most health recom- the body, where they seek out and a tumor before it spreads. The • unusual bleeding mendations. destroy cancer cells. And because problem with pancreatic cancer Some of these can be warn- You can reach us at can- the cells were taken from the pa- is that the by the time symptoms ing signs of cancer. People who [email protected] and visit the CAN- tient’s own body, there is no need appear it is frequently too late. recognize them are more likely Sirs website at www.can-sirs. for anti-rejection drugs, which are Other warning signs may to seek care, improving their org. Your financial support is needed after transplants. be far less obvious. Doctors do chances against the disease. welcome, you can donate through It is currently limited to the not have a screening test for all With all the information PayPal or 2485 Notre Dame one children’s leukemia, but that cancers so it is important to know about awareness and prevention Blvd. #370-180, Chico, CA 95928 platform potentially can be used the potential warning signs. Talk of cancer, a healthy diet, regular to benefit many cancer patients with your health care provider if exercise, and regular checkups 8 Senior Softball News Fall 2017 Edition 2.2% Social Security Bump Expected By Jack Sirard all. would have to be cut because strong,” Nancy A. Berryhill, For the first time in what So for the average Social it is estimated that there will acting commissioner of Social seems like years, there’s a Security beneficiary, that 2.2 only be enough money com- Security, said in a statement. bit of prospective good news percent works out to about ing in to pay for roughly 77 “People understand the value looming for Social Security $30 a month for an individual. percent of scheduled benefits. of their earned Social Security recipients. The Social Security bosses are However, the picture benefits and the importance of In a nutshell, we’re likely expected to make it all official has brightened a bit for the keeping the program secure going to be getting a raise in in October. solvency of disability and for the future.” 2018 and this time it might The reason that these Medicare benefits. Other highlights of the be enough to actually make a annual cost of living adjust- Last year, Social Secu- Trustees Report include: small difference. Those over- ments have been so low is that rity said it believed that the • Total income, includ- seeing the program are pro- inflation has been pretty much disability trust fund would ing interest, to the combined jecting a cost-of-living raise held in check for the last sev- be depleted in 2023, but now OASDI Trust Funds amounted of about 2.2 percent come eral years. It’s also interesting it projects it to be good until to $957 billion in 2016. ($836 January and if that’s the case, to note that the Social Secu- 2028, with an estimated 93 billion in net contributions, it will be the biggest bump up rity Board of Trustees noted percent of benefits still pay- $33 billion from taxation of in payments since 2011. that the fund is projected to be able. The Medicare trust fund benefits, and $88 billion in If you think 2.2 percent depleted by the year 2034, the is now expected to be OK interest) doesn’t sound like much, re- same target date they forecast until 2029, a year later than • Total expenditures from member that we only got a 0.3 last year. last year’s forecast. the combined OASDI Trust percent increase this year and If nothing is done in In its 2017 annual Report Funds amounted to $922 bil- back in 2016, we didn’t get a Washington to beef up the to Congress, the Social Secu- lion in 2016. dime more! Nothing extra at Social Security fund, benefits rity Trustees also announced: • Social Security paid • The asset reserves of the benefits of $911 billion in cal- combined trust funds in- endar year 2016. There were creased by $35 billion in 2016 about 61 million beneficiaries to a total of $2.85 trillion. at the end of the calendar year. • The combined trust fund • During 2016, an esti- reserves are still growing and mated 171 million people had will continue to do so through earnings covered by Social 2021. Beginning in 2022, the Security and paid payroll total annual cost of the pro- taxes. gram is projected to exceed Jack Sirard is a retired income. nationally syndicated finan- “It is time for the public cial columnist and a senior to engage in the important writer/editor of Senior Soft- national conversation about ball News how to keep Social Security JOIN THE SSUSA LEAGUE FAMILY! SSUSA provides promotion of leagues on its website (www.seniorsoftball.com), which has provided players a way to identify local leagues in their area. It has been a very successful partnership. SSUSA also provides the best deals on approved softballs with free delivery when ordering six dozen or more. This is a great program that can work for all leagues. Please call our office at 916-326-5303 and ask for Stephanie or Fran for a quote. Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball News 9

Avoid Stretching Right Before Playing By Stan Reents, Senior Softball News Contributor Sit flat on the floor and place your bare feet about We’ve covered aerobic fitness and muscular fitness in 10-12 inches apart against the box on either side of the the past. Now let’s talk about stretching and flexibility. extended part of the yardstick. It is recommended that everyone stretch regularly. Now, reach forward with your fingers extended. Ex- (Dogs and cats do it so it must be somewhat beneficial!) hale and tip your head down to reach as far as you can. Stretching can help prevent some sports injuries, mostly Do not bend your knees. Keep your toes pointed up so in activities where a muscle is forced to lengthen rapidly: that you don’t push the box away. Measure the farthest softball, baseball, basketball, football, soccer, tennis, vol- point on the yardstick that you can touch with your finger- leyball, etc. Stretching is not very useful in cycling or tips. swimming. If you can only reach the end of the yardstick, your However, stretching should be avoided in the 60-90 reading is zero. If you can reach the edge of the box, your minutes prior to competition. This might be confusing. value is 15 inches, and so on. Elite athletes routinely stretch just prior to competition. This test should not be performed by people with How can this be bad? severe back pain, an acute back injury, or by people with It takes about 60 minutes for a muscle to regain its full significant osteoporosis of the spine. strength after it has been stretched. So, do your stretches The back-scratch test evaluates flexibility in the shoul- before you get to the ballpark, not immediately prior to ders. In this test, you try to touch the fingertips of both walking up to the plate. hands behind your back. You’ll need someone to do the Stretching can be helpful for recovering from minor measurement. muscle injuries such as plantar fasciitis or a pulled ham- Do this in a standing position. One arm goes over the string. shoulder on that side (the left arm goes over the left shoul- Stretching technics include static stretching and bal- der) and the other arm goes under the opposite shoulder. listic stretching: If you can’t touch your fingertips, record the distance • In static stretching, you slowly stretch the muscle between them (in inches) as a negative number. If your group, stopping before it gets painful, and hold that posi- fingertips overlap, record this distance as a positive num- tion for 20-30 seconds. Release the stretch and repeat it. ber. This is the preferred technic. You can compare your values to your age group in a • Ballistic stretching refers to a rapid lengthening of reference book like ACSM’s “Complete Guide to Fitness the muscle, as what occurs when you bend down at the & Health.” waist rapidly in an attempt to touch your toes. This tech- nic is not recommended. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stan Reents, PharmD, is a Flexibility is also considered an element of fitness. It health care professional and certified health coach. He can be assessed as follows: created the web site www.AthleteInMe.com®, a resource • The sit-and-reach test assesses flexibility in the ham- on the health benefits of exercise. He is also the author of strings and low back. Here, you’ll need a box that is 12- the sports medicine text “Sport and Exercise Pharmacol- 14 inches high and a yardstick. To prevent the box from ogy.” moving, load it up with heavy books. Tape the yardstick to the top of the box with 15 inches overhanging the edge of the box and pointing towards you. 10 Senior Softball News Fall 2017 Edition Faster Hips Mean More Bat Speed By Art Eversole Whenever I hold my SEATAC hitting club session, members frequently seek advice on how they can increase their bat speed. A common miscon- ception is to believe that swing- ing harder is the only way to increase bat speed. IS EXCITED TO INTRODUCE THE NEW A hitter should be aggressive but have controlled aggression. In golf, the mantra smooth is power comes to mind. Bat speed is actually manufactured from the ground up. Generating more bat speed involves synchronized sequential movements that transfer stored BAT SERIES FOR 2018 energy at crucial connection points in the swing. When a hitter correctly con- nects the dots while executing their swing, more bat speed will be the result. It’s about using the hips and shoulders rotating prop- erly to generate greater bat speed at arm’s length creates a speed shoulders) then the arms/hands connected to the torso while ro- instead of just engaging arms and multiplier ratio of ~4:1 to the hips and wrists transferring all this tating your body until the release hands. (i.e., bat-arm 60” to hips 15”). built-up energy to the bat handle of the bat to the ball. Rotational The aforementioned methods This means the bat will have to to accelerate the barrel. mechanics also produces that are referred to as rotational me- move ~4 times as fast as your The swing’s back and for- all important bat snap at the ball chanics, using the rotating body hips to catch up which creates the ward motion: which creates underspin to carry forces versus the old school linear accelerated bat speed. The back swing, or wind-up, the ball farther. The lead arm mechanics or just using arms During this torso rotation, has hips turning to your backside, then extends away from the body straight to the ball for bat-speed. fundamental physics maintains then the shoulders turning back a into a fluid follow-thru (see figure The swing’s kinetic energy if you keep holding onto the bit more than the hips; finally the 4). combers up from the ground bat it will have to catch up to arms pushing the bat back behind In order to maximize bat beginning with leg forces that are your leading hips (see figure 1). the head (see figure 2). speed, make a concerted effort to handed off to the torso (which is Hence, making the point that the The forward swing is initi- get the bat-head moving as fast as the part of the human body from faster you can move your hips, ated by a subtle lateral movement possible using the principles just the neck to the groin). the greater the bat speed you can of the hips allowing a weight described to the ball. Think of a rotating torso as produce. Slow hip turn yields transfer to your front foot landing You can Google hip speed LITE FRAME TECHNOLOGY (LiFT) ALLOWS EVERY PLAYER, ESPECIALLY PLAYERS WHO WANT TO SWING DUDLEY’S a beer barrel holding your core slow bat speed. on your toe first. As soon as the trainers on the internet that can FIRST EVER 25 oz. SENIOR SOFTBALL BATS, MAXIMUM BAT SPEED AT IMPACT. IT’S SIMPLE SOFTBALL PHYSICS: muscles. Thus, bat speed is Note that there is very little front foot heal goes down then help in generating more hip speed maximized by using the major speed multiplier just using your then the rotational parts of the thereby increasing your bat- muscle groups beginning with arms alone to accelerate the bat. swing can start immediately with speed. legs, then torso, transferring those The step sequence must be a quick swivel of the hips. LiFT + GRIP SPIN TECHNOLOGY = BOMBS! cumulative energies to the arms/ maintained in the correct order Next comes the shoulders Happy hitting, hands and ultimately to the bat with each of the segments lagging rotation and lastly the arms; itself which is what I call con- a little bit behind the previous remember to straighten the lead Art Eversole can be reached necting the dots. step to take advantage of cumula- arm at contact (see figure 3). at [email protected]. The softball bat when tive energy transfer. The swing In order to trap those critical extended out from the shoulder sequence is torso (hips-core- body forces the arms must stay VISIT THE DUDLEY TENT AT THE SSUSA WORLD TOURNAMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW LIGHTNING LEGEND LiFT BATS Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball News 11

IS EXCITED TO INTRODUCE THE NEW

BAT SERIES FOR 2018

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VISIT THE DUDLEY TENT AT THE SSUSA WORLD TOURNAMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW LIGHTNING LEGEND LiFT BATS 12 Senior Softball News Fall 2017 Edition Best States: Year-Round Play in AZ & TX Continued from Page 1 “We very seldom have a rain ber of active Senior Softball players, “Softball is about outs,” said Don Brooks, SSUSA the next three favorites - Arizona, national director, who resides in El Texas and Washington - have a lot to the only activity Paso. “Rain outs are short lived as we offer retirees as well. average 9 inches of rain a year.” Using data collected by Walle- that is played by a Another reason for the popular- thub.com’s 2017 Best & Worst States ity of the sport is the sheer number to Retire in addition to our own find- team of seniors." of players available. “Growth is ings, we noted that Arizona which -Larry Reed predicated on population,” continued ranks third in the number of SSUSA Brooks. requirements are also a big draw for players with 2,729 also ranked a solid As the second most populous players. Arizona scored well in quali- 13th in retiree friendly scores. Texas state, it is no surprise that Texas ty of life (16), one of the three dimen- with 2,607 players ranked fourth and would be among the top states for sions used in the Wallethub study, to 18th in the same categories and Wash- senior softball, as the Lone Star State go along with affordability and health ington with 1,441 players came in 5th claims three of the top 10 largest cit- care. One can argue that the access to and 16th respectively. ies in the nation: Houston, San Anto- senior softball within these retirement “You can play eight months out nio and Dallas. communities aid in the quality of life of the year in the Phoenix metro area “Senior softball is big in Houston, for the residents. and the other four in the north, as Austin and San Antonio,” said Keith “In active retirement communi- Flagstaff and Prescott are just a two- Parker, an SSUSA regional director ties, there are lots of activities and hour drive away,” said Rick Seifman, out of Texas. Parker also helped cre- sports geared toward the individual - SSUSA vice president/umpires, and ate Texas Half Century Softball Club golf, bowling, pickle ball, bocce ball, Arizona state director, on playing year in 2008 with a desire to bring more swimming, tennis, racquetball, etc.,” round in the Grand Canyon State. competitive play to the state. said Larry Reed, a member of Sun Seifman also mentions the great “There are three to four leagues Cities Senior Softball Association. fields in the area, which allow for ac- in Houston, as well as leagues in “Softball is about the only activ- cess to league and tournament play. Georgetown, Austin, San Antonio and ity that is played by a team of seniors. For these reasons, as well as its Tyler,” continued Parker. “It really Many of us have fond memories of location to other states with large has spread throughout the state.” team sports when we were younger numbers of SSUSA players, it is Parker also mentions how players and jump at the chance to rekindle no wonder that Arizona is currently begin to take on the sport later in life. that team spirit again." home to one of SSUSA’s most popu- After playing some sort of sports in “The camaraderie and friend- lar tournaments, the Winter World high school and/or college, slow pitch ship built through that team activity Championships. allows players to return to an active is hugely important to all of us who Angie Perez Ayala, manager of pastime. participate. I've often heard people Arizona Dream Team, agrees with The outlier in the top five states say softball is the excuse to go down Seifman, saying, “We can constantly of SSUSA players is Washington. Lo- to the field to enjoy the friendships. play all year long, playing every cated in the Pacific Northwest, some There are just a lot of people who weekend. We get used to the heat would not except to see the Evergreen believe in the phrase ‘You don't stop living here, and play a lot of league State on the same list as California, playing because you grow old. You games at night.” Florida, Arizona and Texas, states grow old because you stop playing.’" Ayala also enjoys playing in the with a more weather friendly atmo- Similarly, weather is a main northern part of the state, traveling to sphere for year-round play. catalyst for the popularity of senior Flagstaff, Sedona and Prescott. “Our season is short,” said Bill softball in Texas, particularly in the In addition to weather, established Ruth, SSUSA president and a key western part of the state that sees senior softball leagues within retire- pioneer of the sport in Washington, drier conditions. Continued on Next Page ment communities with residency Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball News 13 Best States: Growth Seen in Western States Continued from Previous Page Where to retire as a player and sponsor. “You can’t SOUTH DAKOTA Florida ranks in first place as WYOMING 29 SSUSA players a great state for retirees. And get on the field until about April, and 16 SSUSA players 3rd Place WASHINGTON it ranks second in number of 1,441 SSUSA players 2nd Place have to stop in October.” Overall: 16th SSUSA players. Ruth credits the core of senior Affordability: 31 (WalletHub's ranking in black Quality of Life: 20 type; SSUSA players in blue) directors and umpires early on, Health Care: 17 specifically Jim Sherman, with the COLORADO IOWA 554 SSUSA players 255 SSUSA players implementation of uniform rules and 5th Place 4th Place improvement of umpires. TEXAS 2,607 SSUSA players FLORIDA “Washington was a late entry to Overall: 18th 2,895 SSUSA players Affordability: 3 CALIFORNIA Overall: 1st place senior softball,” said Ruth. “Other Quality of Life: 36 7,786 SSUSA players Affordability: 1 Health Care: 44 states were way ahead. The growth Overall: 32nd ARIZONA Quality of Life: 11 Affordability: 42 2,729 SSUSA players Health Care: 24 has been in the western part of the Quality of Life: 8 Overall: 13th states, with the larger cities, Seattle, Health Care: 20 Affordability: 21 Quality of Life: 16 Source: WalletHub.com; Senior Tacoma, Olympia.” Health Care: 21 Softball USA Divided by the Cascade Range, weather varies drastically between the western and eastern parts of Wash- ued Grassi. “As an umpire, I used to eration X as well. Arizona and Wash- ington. “I think the top reason (for work four game sets five days a week ington, among the top 15 states in softball popularity) on the west side because of so many teams. Those terms of population, prove the contin- of the state are the great complexes, players still love the game.” ued popularity and growth of senior many which have artificial turf, so As the top three states in the na- softball in the western states. very few rainouts,” said Ron Grassi, tion in terms of population, it makes Our series will wrap up with the SSUSA’s Northwest umpire-in-chief. sense that California, Texas and fourth installment in our next edition, “The east side of the state has less Florida, would be among the top three in which we will look at the remain- rain and hotter weather.” states of SSUSA players, as the baby ing four states that made the “Best “I think another reason might be boomers generation continues to be a States to Retire” list, Wyoming, South the popularity of slow pitch when this driving force, along with the growth Dakota, Iowa and Colorado, second generation was growing up,” contin- that has been witnessed within Gen- through fifth, respectively. WSJ: Joys of Feeling 12 Years-Old Again Continued from Page 1 men over 50 to relive boyhood glories. older than the fathers of many of these At age 86, Mr. Tomanio is the voice Now, rather than giving up the game after guys,” he said. of experience on his senior softball team. a few years, more are sticking with it into It’s a bittersweet experience for the His teammates range from late 50s to their 80s. older players, mixing the joy of feeling 80. He isn’t particularly impressed with “It kind of rejuvenates people, 12 years old again with the sorrow of many of them. “They don’t know where softball does,” said Bill Klinkenberg, 82, fading abilities. The widening age gap to throw the ball half the time,” he said. who lives in Lenexa, Kan., and plays for also presents a challenge for softball One of his teammates, he said, “throws a team called the Antiques, whose rivals leagues across the country: how to keep like a girl.” include the Chicago Geezers. the game fair when the very old are Yet Mr. Tomanio concedes he, too, There are some senior-women’s playing with fairly spry sluggers in their is past his prime. No longer as agile as softball leagues, but at these older age 50s—league minimums can be age 50, a few years ago, he has been relegated levels, men vastly outnumber women, 55, 60 or sometimes higher. from infield to catcher, a position organizers say. An estimated 393,000 Americans requiring less mobility. “Oh, the good old Hugh Brotherton, an 85-year-old in over 55 regularly play slow-pitch days,” he said. “I used to be half decent.” Englewood, Fla., who has had both knees softball, according to the Sports & Senior softball leagues, a fixture replaced, plays softball several times a Fitness Industry Association. It isn’t clear across the U.S., have long been a way for week, sometimes with 50-year-olds. “I’m Continued from Page 22 14 Senior Softball News Fall 2017 Edition Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball News 15 2017 WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA More Than 600 Teams Expected In Vegas U.S. National Championship Games Softball News Report Beasts From The East vs. Best From The West For National Bragging Rights AS VEGAS The top teams East of the Mississippi battled to represent their region in North Caroli- – The largest na, August 1-6; while their counterparts in the West vied for regional honors in California, senior softball July 25-30. tournament in The winners of the Eastern Nationals will play the winners of the Western Nationals in the world – the the one game, winner-take-all, U.S. National Championship Game during the 2017 World Las Vegas Senior Masters Championships in Las Vegas. Softball Association (LVSSA)/ These games are the second leg of the coveted Triple Grand Slam, as teams winning LSenior Softball-USA (SSUSA) the U.S. National Game and their division in the World Masters, along with their victory in World Masters Champion- the Eastern/Western National, complete the feat. ships - returns to Sin City in Additionally, teams winning the U.S. National Game are seeded first in their bracket 2017 for the sixth straight for the World Masters, while the teams losing the U.S. National Game are placed second year. in their bracket, in divisions of five or more teams. Last year, a record 564 AGE DIVISION WESTERN CHAMPION EASTERN CHAMPION teams from 41 states (includ- MEN ing Alaska and Hawaii), three 40 Major Plus NWP (CA) NONE Canadian provinces (Alberta, Major SofaKing Softball (CA) East Coast Berserk (MD) British Columbia and On- AAA No Limit/Fay’s Sports (CA) Color By Design (MD) tario) and Guam (five teams) 50 Major+ J.K.,Inc. (CA) Mid-Atlantic Softball (VA) competed in Senior Softball’s Major KM Sportz (CA) Ohio Elite/A&B Contracting largest tournament ever. Over AAA Calhoun/Michael’s Toyota (WA) BP Associates (PA) 10,000 players competed, 55 Major+ Sommerville Softball (CA) NONE playing in an incredible 1,837 Photo by Jack Eberhard Major Doerflinger Softball (WA) Woodlawn Funeral (VA) Player from Bulldogs 60's (OR) rounding third and coming home looking to score. AAA Senior Bend Elks (OR) Ameriprise Florida Legends games over the 13-day tourna- Team finished third in the 2016 WMC. ment, across 10 sports com- AA Pastimers (WA) Longshoremen 55 (VA) plexes and 39 fields. Senior Softball World Masters 60 Major+ MTC/Dudley (CA) Hollis Appraisals 60 (FL) Major Houston Fire (TX) Omega IT Services (MD) This year, World Masters Championships 2017 Calendar of Events AAA Mountain Mike’s Pizza (CA) Pompano Crush 60’s (FL) Championships (WMC) offi- AA Fresno Mayhem (CA) NONE cials are estimating more than Thursday, Sept. 21: 65 Major+ Timberworks/Adidas (CA) Superior Sr. Softball (VA) 600 teams will flock to this 5 - 7 pm at the Boulder Major NorCal STIXX (CA) New Jersey Hitmen gambling mecca, setting yet Station Casino and Hotel: AAA Oregon Crabs Northern Virginia Force 65 another record. Manager’s Registration 70 Major+ Omen 70 (CA) Venom 70 (FL) The 600-plus teams in Managers for the Men’s 55 Major California Wrecking Crew NONE the WMC translate to over and 60 Divisions register and AA Sacramento Buds (CA) NONE 18,000 people, who will infuse receive their programs and 75 Major+ San Francisco Seals 75 (CA) NONE over $27 million into the local schedules anytime between Major General Equipment/PDR (OR) NONE 5pm and 7pm at the Head- economy. AAA Triple Play 75 (CA) NONE quarters Hotel: Boulder “It is our pleasure to 80 Major NONE FL Investment Properties Station Casino and Hotel. welcome the more than 600 AAA Redwood City Gold Rush (CA) NONE Several vendors will be at WOMEN teams that will make the trip registration and the meeting 40 Major Old School (CA) Kryptonite (FL) to Las Vegas to compete in the displaying new softball gear Photo by Jack Eberhard AAA Utah Relics Fireballs (MA) Senior Softball World Mas- Player from Texas Mav- Photo by Jack Eberhard and products. AA B.O.O.B’s 40 (CA) NONE ericks looking to hit the ters Championships,” said Pat Player from Hawaii Five-O (55 Major) attempting to 50 Major NONE Dreamgirlz 50 (VA) Christenson, president of Las cut-off man. Team was make the back-hand grab at the 2016 WMC. runner-up in 2016 WMC. AAA B.O.O.B.’s 50 (CA) NONE Please See Page 18 Please See Page 16 16 Senior Softball News Fall 2017 Edition 2017 WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA Continued from Previous Page sions. U.S. National Games 7 pm at the Boulder Station are scheduled to be played. Casino and Hotel: Man- 12:30 pm at Lorenzi: Open- ager’s Meeting ing Ceremonies Managers for the Men’s 55 Two players (Gary Deaton and 60 Divisions meet at the and Jon "Bully" Kramer) will Boulder Station Casino and be inducted into the National Hotel. Managers will meet Senior Softball Hall of Fame. the directors of fields, review changes in schedules, hear de- Saturday, Sept. 23: tails of awards, special events 8 am at all fields: Games of the tournament and will be Continue eligible to win prizes during Elimination games played at drawings. all fields throughout the day.

Friday, Sept. 22: Sunday, Sept. 24: 8 am at all fields: The 8 am at all fields: Awards Games Begin Presented Seeding games for the World Today is the culmination of Championships begin at all play for the Men’s 55 and 60 fields. Players check-in be- Divisions. Awards will be fore the first game and receive presented on the field after wristbands. Bracket games each of the Championship will be played in some divi- Games. Winners receive rings.

Casino and Hotel. Manag- Sunday, Sept. 24: ers will meet the directors 5 - 7 pm at the Boulder of fields, review changes in Station Casino and Hotel: schedules, hear details of Manager’s Registration awards, special events of Managers for the Men’s 65, the tournament and will be 70, 75, 80 and 85 Divisions eligible to win prizes during receive their programs and drawings. schedules anytime between 5 and 7 pm at the Headquarters Monday, Sept. 25: Hotel: Boulder Station Casino 8 am at all fields: The and Hotel. Several vendors Games Begin will be at the registration and Seeding games for the World meeting displaying new soft- Championships begin at all ball gear. fields. Players check-in be- fore the first game and receive 7 pm at the Boulder Station wristbands. Bracket games Casino and Hotel: Man- will be played in some divi- ager’s Meeting sions. U.S. National Games Managers for the Men’s 65, are scheduled to be played in 70, 75, 80 and 85 Divisions Men’s 65, 70, 75, 80 and 85 meet at the Boulder Station Continued on Next Page Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball News 17 2017 WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Continued from Previous Page Thursday, Sept. 28: 7 pm at the Boulder Station Noon at Big League Dreams: Divisions. 8 am at all fields: Games Casino and Hotel: Man- Opening Ceremonies Conclude & Awards Pre- ager’s Meeting National Anthem with Nellis Noon at Big League Dreams: sented Managers for the Men’s 50 Air Force Base Color Guard Opening Ceremonies Today is the culmination of Division meet at the Boulder presenting the colors. In ad- National Anthem with Nellis play for the 65, 70, 75, 80 and Station Casino and Hotel. dition, there will be a special Air Force Base Color Guard 85 Men’s Divisions. Awards Managers will meet the direc- presentation of the 2017 presenting the colors. Ten will be presented in ceremo- tors of fields, review changes Steve Simmons Sportsman- players (Terry Hennessy, Pat nies on the field after each of in schedules, hear details ship Award to Guam Seniors Carey, Billy Mack Lough, the Championship Games. of awards, special events of (Men’s 50 AAA). Robert Ross, Ed Carey, Dale Winners receive rings. the tournament and will be McLaughlin, James Phillips, eligible to win prizes during Saturday, Sept. 30 Robert Davis, Ken Lockman, Thursday, Sept. 28 drawings. 8 am at all fields: Games and Norman Haltrich) will 5 - 7 pm at the Boulder Continue be inducted into the National Station Casino and Hotel: Friday, Sept. 29 Seeding games played at all Senior Softball Hall of Fame. Manager’s Registration 8 am at all fields: The fields throughout the day. Honorable Mayor Oscar Managers for the Men’s 50 Games Begin Goodman will be in atten- Division register and receive Games begin at all fields. Sunday, Oct. 1 dance. their programs and schedules Players register before the 8 am at all fields: Games anytime between 5 pm and 7 first game, receive wrist- Conclude & Awards Pre- Tuesday, Sept. 26 - pm at the Headquarters Boul- bands. U.S. National Games sented Wednesday, Sept. 27: der Station Casino and Hotel. are scheduled to be played in Today is the culmination of 8 am at all fields: Games Several vendors will be at Men’s 50 Division. play for the 50 Men’s Divi- Continue the Registration and Meeting sion. Awards will be present- Seeding (Tuesday) and displaying new softball gear. ed in ceremonies on the field Bracket (Wednesday) games after each of the Champion- played at all fields throughout ship Games. Winners receive the day. Continued on Next Page 18 Senior Softball News Fall 2017 Edition 2017 WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA Continued from Previous Page rings. WMC: Seven Guam Thursday, Oct. 5 Teams to Be Honored 5 - 7 pm at the Boulder Continued from Page 14 mons Sportsmanship) tran- Station Casino and Hotel: Vegas Events. “We hope that scends the game itself,” said Manager’s Registration all of the participants and fans Terry Hennessy, SSUSA CEO. Managers for the Men’s 40 have a great experience at the “It stands for all that is good in and All Women’s Divisions mons Sportsmanship Award ballparks and enjoy everything the sport: passionate competi- register and receive their pro- to six Guam teams: Armed that Las Vegas has to offer.” tion played with good humor grams and schedules anytime Forces Guam (Men’s 40 Ma- Las Vegas Events, the Title and good fellowship - that is between 5pm and 7 pm at the jor), Bud Light Guam (Men’s Sponsor of the 2017 World the formula for good sports- Headquarters Hotel: Boulder 40 AAA), Sindalun Gua- Masters Championships, has manship. The beauty of good Station Casino and Hotel. han (Men’s 40 AAA), Guam been instrumental in provid- sportsmanship is that it incites Several vendors will be at Women’s - FIGO Islanders ing the necessary support to a love of the game for all who the Registration and Meeting (Women’s 40 AAA), Guam witness it.” displaying new softball gear Women’s - Team SOTTA create the largest senior soft- and products. (Women’s 40 AA), and Guam ball tournament in the world. “The teams from Guam Women’s - Team Mighty 50’s The WMC will feature 12 have demonstrated the highest 7 pm at the Boulder Station (Women 50). National Senior Softball Hall level of sportsmanship and Casino and Hotel: Man- of Fame (NSSHOF) induc- provide an example to teams ager’s Meeting Saturday, Oct. 7: tions – See story on Page 3 – throughout the sport.” Managers for the Men’s 40 8 am at all fields: Games as well as several U.S. National Teams qualified for the and All Women’s Divisions Continue Championship Games and a WMC by playing in one of meet at the Boulder Station Elimination games played at chance for teams in 35 divi- the nearly 70 SSUSA quali- Casino and Hotel. Manag- all fields throughout the day. sions to win the largest senior fiers and regional champion- ers will meet the directors tournament ever. ships. The tournament is a of fields, review changes in Sunday, Oct. 8: In addition, the top award joint venture, administered by schedules, hear details of 8 am at all fields: Games given by SSUSA annually, the SSUSA, with LVSSA supplying awards, special events of Conclude & Awards Pre- many of the field directors and the tournament and will be sented Steve Simmons Memorial eligible to win prizes during Today is the culmination of Team Sportsmanship Award, helping secure and maintain drawings. play for the Men’s 40 and All will be presented to the seven the 12 softball facilities and 37 Women’s Division. Awards teams traveling to Las Vegas fields used in the tournament Friday, Oct. 6 will be presented in ceremo- from Guam during Opening throughout Las Vegas, Hen- 8 am at all fields: The nies on the field after each of Ceremonies. derson and Clark County. Games Begin the Championship Games. “This award (Steve Sim- Seeding games for the World Winners receive Rings. Championships begin at all fields. Players check-in be- fore the first game and receive wristbands. Bracket games will be played in some divi- sions. U.S. National Games are scheduled to be played in the Men’s 40 and All Wom- en’s Divisions.

Noon at Big League Dreams: Opening Ceremonies There will be a special presen- tation of the 2017 Steve Sim- Senior Softball - USA International Tours presents: Viking Adventure: Play Ball and Explore Scandinavia June 21 - July 3, 2018

oin Senior Softball- We will spend our first Norwegian Fjords USA International four nights in Copenhagen, Tours as we head on the capital of Denmark. an exciting Viking While there, we will embark Adventure through on some of the most famous the Scandinavian sightseeing the city has to capitals of Copenhagen, offer including Tivoli Gardens and Christiansborg Palace. J Our USA teams will complete against Danish teams during a tournament on June 23rd. From there we will travel the Oresund Bridge, a nearly 7.5 mile corridor connecting Copenhagen Stockholm Denmark and Sweden. While Norwegian capital of Oslo. ing Vigelund Sculpture Park, in Stockholm, players will get Oslo is famous for its majestic the Royal Palace and Akerhus Stockholm and Oslo. Ex- to experience a full city tour fjords which house a maze Castle. Our third tournament perience the rich history and with local guides, visit the of islands, narrow sounds will take place July 1st against breathtaking landscapes these famous VASA Ship Museum and idyllic bays. We will Norwegian teams. northeastern Europe nations and play in a softball tourna- get enjoy a boat tour of these In addition to our planned offer, while getting to play ment against Swedish clubs beautiful waterways and also tours, ample free time will be softball tournaments in each on June 27th. visit many other famous sights available to players who wish city! Our last stop will be the of this wonderful city includ- to explore Scandinavia on their own! Don’t miss out on this ex- citing Viking Adventure with Senior Softball-USA! • For a full itinerary, CLICK HERE • Full more information on the tour please contact Ross McCulligan at Ross@senior- softball.com or call (916) Team photo of USA teams from Germany/Austria Tour 326-5303 20 Senior Softball News Fall 2017 Edition Verley Remembered Continued from Page 3 He is survived by his wife, His funeral service in Cen- Cynthia; step-children David tralia, Wash., was packed with (wife, Rebecca) and Vanessa ballplayers and umpires from the (husband, Tom); 3 grandchil- region. Many spoke about Shane dren; father; sister, Susan Verley; Verley’s quiet, but powerful influ- brother, Steven (wife, Debbie) ence on them in the sport – and in Verley. their lives. “Shane is an exceptional example of how senior softball transcends the sport through the life-long friendships that touch so many players, umpires and their families,” said Terry Hennessy, SSUSA chief executive officer. “Most important, Shane has been a friend to me and to many of us in the sport,” said Hen- nessy. “His usual calm demeanor – always with a twinkle in his eye – is etched in our memories.” Verley earned a bachelor of science degree in business man- agement and computer science and worked for the Washington Health Care Authority for the past Shane Verley at 2017 Rock 20 years. 'N Reno Challenge Cup Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball News 21 22 Senior Softball News Fall 2017 Edition WSJ: Leagues Make Allowances for Seniors Continued from Page 13 runner. Others send in fielded two players a year knows how to hit,” said how many are over 70, but a speedier replacement or two below the league’s Ken Meyer, manager of Mr. league managers around the for anyone considered a 60-year-old threshold. All Tomanio’s team. “He’s a country say the 70-plus set is slowpoke. team members were stripped whiner and complainer, but a fast-growing segment. “Guys try to take of their championship jackets, you live with that. He can That reflects advantage, you know human and the league now requires a perform.” demographics. There were nature,” said Doug Houston, photo ID to prove age. Even so, Mr. Tomanio 13.9 million men aged 70 or the league’s commissioner. John Teron, league can’t always meet his own over in the U.S. in 2016, up The league has changed its president, said nothing like expectations. On a recent 17% from 2011, according to pinch-running rules twice this that had happened in more night, he was struggling to get census estimates. Dr. James year to deter excessive use than three decades of play: on base. After striking out and Kirkland, director of Mayo of pinch runners. The latest “Why would you want to join then popping out to shallow Clinic’s Kogod Center on version: No more than three the senior league if you’re not center field, he sulked: “This Aging, credits medical care members of a team may use senior?” is not my night. I shouldn’t that allows more people to surrogate runners. In Pittsburgh, Mr. have even came.” survive heart attacks, cancer In the South Hills league, Tomanio is happy to be still Then he finally got a and strokes. all batters must make their competitive as he nears his single by chipping a ball just At a late-September Las way at least to first base 87th birthday in December. over the first baseman’s head. Vegas tournament organized before yielding to a pinch The retired delivery-truck “Yea, Dad!” shouted his by Senior Softball-USA, six runner. Some other leagues driver has played baseball daughter, Kathy Weir. teams of men 83 and above now allow the least-mobile or softball since he was 12. “That was a bloop,” Mr. are expected to compete players to hit the ball and let Because of a sore back, he Tomanio said. “I used to hit in their own bracket. Two someone else run to first. gave up the game for a spell line drives.” decades ago, the tournament’s Many leagues help older in his 50s until one of his His team lost. “Too many highest age bracket was 70- players by allowing them an brothers prodded him to try errors,” he concluded. “If plus. automatic stroll to first base if senior softball. “Best thing these people would listen to As more old men hang on, they manage to hit the ball out that ever happened to me,” me, we could win. I tell them the skills gap grows. Some of the infield. Some leagues Mr. Tomanio said. what to do but they don’t do still run briskly. Others can also allow as many as five Unlike many players it.” barely shuffle to first base. people to play outfield, so his age, he never needs a Write to James R. Hagerty Managers in the South none has to chase a ball very pinch runner. Though he is at [email protected] Hills Senior Softball league, far. on medication for diabetes Appeared in the August where Mr. Tomanio plays, Then there’s the matter and cholesterol issues, Mr. 18, 2017, print edition as have been squabbling all of making sure everyone is a Tomanio can still trot swiftly 'Who’s on First? Great- summer about rules for genuine senior. enough to beat out some of Grandpa! Softball Alters using pinch runners. Some In the Cleveland suburbs, his ground balls. His arm is Rules for Seniors.' managers think only players the Huff-N-Puffers league last strong enough to throw batters with a serious disability year discovered at the end of out on the opposite side of the should qualify for a pinch the season that its champion diamond. team had surreptitiously “He plays hard and he TOC Qualifier Recaps and All-Tourney Picks The summer months saw twelve Texas State TOC and Austin (2016) all serving as the Original TOC, held annually Tournament of Champions (TOC) hosts. Thirty-six teams played in February in Polk County, Fla. qualifiers held June through EL PASO – For the first time here at the El Paso County Sports August. in its 10-year history, the Texas Complex, June 21-25. To read the complete recap, State Championships headed please click here. For complete, 668 teams competed in the dozen toward the western part of the As a Tournament of Champions game-by-game scores, please TOC qualifiers held throughout state, after being held exclusively (TOC) qualifier, 11 teams secured click here. the United States. in the eastern part, with Dallas berths to the most prestigious (2008-12), Houston (2013-15) tournament in all senior softball, Continued on Next Page Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball News 23 Recaps: 668 Teams Compete for TOC Berths Continued from Previous Page Nor Cal State TOC Nor Cal Warriors: Manny Gutierrez, Sean of Champions, held in February Morgan, Thomas Lee Wood, Mark Carmi- in Florida. chael, Robert Gibbs, Jr. SACRAMENTO – The third Men's 50 Major Division To read the complete recap, annual Northern California State Bad Seeds: Mario Rios, Marty Daniels, Rob please click here. For complete, Championships was another Jacinto, Brian Gregoire. rousing success, as SSUSA and Men’s 55/60 Gold Division game-by-game scores, please the CAN-Sirs organization once Tri-C Machine (60 Major): Curtis Williams, click here. again teamed up to help promote Jerome (Berry) Jones, Jose Moreno, Frank cancer awareness and prevention, Catomerisios, Rex Snowden. / Rebellion (55 with a portion of each team’s AAA): Jeff Jackson, Randy Morriera, George entry fee, a total of $2,900, being Lamb. donated to CAN-Sirs. Men’s 60 AAA Division The Crew: William Eppinga, William Remitz, Duane Williams, Darrell Heim, Paul Drobatz. Sacramento Softball Complex / Cut Loose: Rudy Valdez, Jonathan Yoshida, Texas State All-Tournament Teams and Foskett Regional Park hosted Men’s 40 Masters Division Steve Stafford. 59 teams, June 27-July 2. Tucson Hammertime 40’s (AAA): Tony Car- bajal, Fernando Lopez, Jose Moreno, Ralph Men’s 65 Major Plus Division Wayne Dubois, Jr. Fifteen Tournament of Champi- Timberworks/Adidas: Steve Hillman, John Men’s 50/55 Platinum Division ons (TOC) bids were awarded Cochran, Doak Whitley, Vern Fowler, Dave San Antonio Softball Club (55 Major Plus): at the Northern California State Briones. / Omen: Richard Mansker, Michael So Cal All-Tournament Teams Mike Garibay, Juan Navarro, Martin Rodri- Championships. Yancheff, Alvin Tate, Robert Looney. Women’s 40 Major Division guez, Tommy Clark, Mike Tepera. / Fully Men’s 65/70 Gold Division TKP/Hunters: Gina Oliver, Kimberly Roter, Loaded (50 Major): Humberto Vega, Richard Animals (65 Major): Larry Starkey, Len Mei- To read the complete recap, Debra DiMeglio, Kristi Whitcomb, Vicki Cooke, Antonio Salazar, Leo Montion. necke, Kevin Pringle, Eric Hoff, Gary Garcia. please click here. For complete, Cescato. / SoCal Toxic: Cynthia DeLaFuente, Men’s 50 AAA Division / Sacramento Islanders (65 AAA): Bruce game-by-game scores, please Becky Hardy, Irene Jones. ManCave/WorkSteps: Juan Lopez, Jr., Hugh Allen, Ray Lucas, Tim Kesner. click here. Men’s 40 Gold Division Green, Jr., Michael McKellop, Timothy Men’s 70 AAA Division Pony Tail Express: Willie Galaz, Christopher Worcester, Gregg Shirley. / Graywolves: RJ Sacramento Islanders: Michael Berlant, Rabine, Jose Angel Medrano, David Lopez, Jamieson, Ronald Simon, Ron Angst, Bryan Richard Edwards, Jon Ellison, Stan Shibata, Edgar Ortiz. Guernsey. Dan Sumpter. / Mustangs: Al Oxley, Robert Men’s 50 Major Division Men’s 50/55/60 Gold Division Salinas, Rich Ponce, Steve Schwartz. ShowTime So Cal: Ernie Perez, Joseph (Ed) SW Outlaws (55 AAA): Enrique “Rick” Men’s 70 AA Division Lujan, Kendrick Bourne, Wesley Patterson, Marquez, Albert Marrujo, Anthony Mitchell, Sacramento Buds: Louis Mahinay, Ted Edward Broussard. / Kamizake: Phil Saenz, John Hurst, Manuel Gutierrez, Jr. / Gonzalez LaTona, Michael Jordan, Calvin Okamoto, Matt Campbell, Lawrence Jump, Lloyd Prof- Insulation (60 Major): Kippy Carr, Robert Robert Nishimoto. / Triple Play: James Grubb, fitt. / Arizona Old School: Thomas Trieber, Garcia, Joe Ramon Kenneth James Leppke, Ronald Larsen, Ralph Paul Figueroa, Jeff Armbruster. Men’s 55/60 Silver Division (Chip) Putnam. Men’s 50 AAA Division Electrifiers (60 AAA): Carl Beyer, Robert Men’s 75/80 Gold Division Pacific Coast Alliance: Rudy Bondietti, Ste- Price, Ignacio (Jay) Ibarra, Rodney Westfall. / Triple Play (75 AAA): Clifford Vierra, phen Fultz, Brandon Mitchell, Greg Metcalf, Texas Thunder (60 AAA): Harold Warden, J. Michael Brady, Bill Svoboda, Ernie Stauman. Greg Fortin. Bailey Nance, John Hughes. / Sacramento Gold (80 Major): Cloicec Wade, Nor Cal All-Tournament Teams Men’s 55 Major Division Men’s 65 Gold Division Ray Newman, Dave Fairchild. Women’s 40 Silver Division The Core: Mike Stater, Jack Zoani, David Dallas Spurs (65 AA): Kim Harold Sykes, Old Nasty Curves (40 AAA); Mary Knudsen, Cherry, Richard Taulli, Doug Fox. / Southern Billy Turney, Tom Parris, Richard Olsen, So Cal State TOC Stephanie Pease, Diane Bruss, Christina Jones, California Braves: Darryl Hunt, Craig Nor- Bill Bartolucci. / Texas Legends (65 AAA): Michelle Serna. / B.O.O.B.S (40 AA): Alicia rbom, Matthew Palmer, Mario Penados. / Terry Silva, Leif Guttormsen, Richard Wilson, RIVERSIDE - The 2017 South- VanHoy, Julie Holcomb, Kandace Knudson. AZ Legends: James (Dusty) Lee, Alejandro Mike Seraphin. / San Antonio Silver Streaks ern California State Champion- Men’s 40 Major Plus Division Carrasco, Ken Alger. (65 Major): Julian Tamez, Domingo Garcia, Prestige/Elite Sports Orange County: Robert ships was held here, July 7-12, Men’s 55 Silver Division Rockey Crews. VanLandingham, Johnny Johnson, Derrick at Big League Dreams in Mira Top Gun Hornets (55 AAA): Brian Buhl, Scott Men’s 70/75 Gold Division Williams, Mike Pena, Patrick (Shane) Garret. Loma and Chino Hills. Guthrie, Gary Ballingham, Steven Rubino, El Paso Nine-Elevens (70 AA): Donald Reay, Men’s 40 Major Division Mario Aguinaga. / Kamikaze (55 AAA): Kyle Robert Ramirez, Carlos Sandoval, Hector Team ASB/Executive 1: Michael Smith, John A total of 19 teams secured their Swensen, Vince Gallo, Matthew Dickey, Mike Molina, Robert Ward. Morris, Chris Reyes, Joe Concepcion, Jr. bids to the Original Tournament Men’s 50 Major Plus Division Continued on Next Page 24 Senior Softball News Fall 2017 Edition Recaps: Northeast, Midwest Shine in July Continued from Previous Page Fifty-two teams from around Talaga Construction 60(AAA): Don Huels- game-by-game scores, please man, Stan Bocek Jr / Spring Ford AA 60+ Madrid. New England, the Mid-Atlantic click here. (AAA): Albert Bryan Basista, William Red- Men's 60 Major and Canada, met here for their man, Benn Miller Top Gun Elite: Dan Nunnelee, John Crawford, shot at earning a Tournament of Men’s 60 AA Division James Villarreal Sr., Clyde Phillips, Mark Champions berth in February. Durham Silver Sitx 60(AA): Michael Purdy. Batho, Lawrence Taylor, David Neil, Robert Men’s 60 AA Division When all was said and done, 13 Cummins, David Pahl / Syracuse Cyclones So-Cal Titans: Ray Torres, John Cesena, Al teams would go on to secure their 60(AA): Mark Merrell, John Maxwell, Louis Garnica, Fred Gershkoff, Mike Ruff. / 911 TOC berth. Rossi Softball Club: Frank Asa, Jimmy King, Ron Men’s 65 Major Division Meyer, Richard Roman. To read the complete recap, Syracuse Merchant 65 (Major): Ron Mitchell, Men’s 65 Major Division Paul O’Brien, Michael Muldoon, Brett Top Gun 65 Mavericks: Ray Martinez, Don please click here. For complete, Gorham Chandler, Jim Teeter, George Anas, Dave game-by-game scores, please Seitz. / D & K Softball: Roger Waite, Donald click here. Men’s 65 AAA Division Crenshaw, Ron Hansen, Steven Rose. Anaconda Sports 65: Joe Romeo, Joseph Di- Men’s 65 AAA Division Fabio, Bob Nizlek, Joseph Vancho / Rochester No Guts, No Glory: Randy Van Essen, Jack Midwest All-Tournament Teams Brewers 65: Michael Callahan, Daniel Ship, Brunschmid, Bruce Marschall, Gary Parker, Men’s 50 Platinum Division Kenneth Snyder James Mangiapane. / Las Vegas Stars: Felix KC Classic (50 Major): Jeff Henning, Doug Men’s 65/70 Silver Division Mendiola, Bob Bravetti, Ralph Wolf. Ewert, Jimmy Bolles, Jon McLallen, Tim Tabor Frenchi VFW 70(AAA): Lou Capirchio, Men’s 65 AA Division Hubert. Jack Archibald, Dan Pisaturo, Michael Git-R-Done: John Potter, Donny Drehsen, Men’s 50 AAA Division Chambers / Bostonian 70 (AAA): Ray LeP- Wayne Arendt, Tim Byrne, Tony Trebaol. / Team O50: Richmond Lingard, Charles age, Roger LePage, David Joseph, Mike Franklin Loan Center: Dave Emanuelson, Earvin, Hesse Stevenson, Ronald Banks, Perroncino, Ted Wess, Joe Salzano. / Southern David Kallok, Bill Leitch, Bruce Nelson. James Haynes. / Midwest Connection: James Tier Express 65 (AA): Robert Crandall, Gary Men’s 70 Major Division Loberg, Jerry Imig, Patrick Stessman. Marcello, Jim Miller. Sons of Pitches: Herman Vaught, Jack Wayt, Men’s 55 Major Division Men’s 70/75+ AAA Division Tom Imming, Robert Jackson, Jr., Prentiss Midwest Driving School: Ron Lipps, Craig Bailey Talent Cavaliers 75(AAA): Tony Byrd. Northeast All- Tournament Teams Childress, Steve Krull, Lloyd Brent Pate, Giannini, Calvin Freedman, Robert Taylor, Men’s 70 Silver Division Men’s 40 Gold Division Perry Hannon. / 50 Caliber Plus – St. Louis: Jim Davis, Leroy Allen / Monkey Joe’s Big Doughboys (70 AA): Vinnie Ferrante, Alan Thunder/Giantsteel/Miken (Major):Dennis Murray Wortman, Mark Luttman, Randy Nut Co. 75(AAA): Charlie Howe, William Melnick, Ray Belak. / Southern California Noury, Angelo Marsella, Carlo Cannone, Ciro Werneke, Joseph Laws. Armstrong, Ralph Morrison, Frank Taverno Crush (70 AAA): James Trez, Carmelo Mon- Cascella, Anthony Santoianni / JD Oxfords/ Men’s 55 AAA Division / Jersey Masters 75(AAA): Robert Knight, tanez, Fred Mittelstaedt. Bob Johnson Chevrolet (AAA): William Nebraska Silver Bullets: Gerald McCaw, Pat- Marty Evans, Thomas Pietryk Men’s 75/80 Gold Division Rhodes, Chris Edleman, Mike Almeida, Chirs rick Sweaney, Scott Emery, Douglas Lewis, Fairway Ford (80 Major): Vincent (Dave) Lockwood Robert Knowles. / KC Monarchs 55: Kevin Duarte, Bertram Haley, Richard (Red) Sim- Men’s 50/55 Major Division Midwest TOC Moore, Chauncey Roulette, Willie Holmes. mons, Anthony Iavarone, Bill Poe. / California Elmwood Sports Center 50 (Major): William Men’s 60 Major Division Connection (75 Major): Kenneth Cornelison, Kirby Murphy, Mark Moniz, Anthony Tager ROGERS, Ark. – The 12th an- Sports Image: Ted Creech, Paul Oblein, Steve Charlie Jame Wiley, Douglas Wiley, Bob Vis. Jr, Doug Haynes, Mark Anderson / Domino’s/ nual Midwest Championships Angelo, Joe Scaturo, Mike Taylor. / Nebraska / Git-R-Done (75 AAA): Carl Cordill, Cas Bob Johnson: John Kennedy Fitzgerald, Kevin was held here at Rogers Regional 60’s: Dennis Steinhauser, Roger Hein, John Mazet, James Vargeson. Hayes, Jeff Silveira, David Tokanel / Hard Sports Park for a second consecu- Salerno, Russ Scheffert. / Pope Transport: Men’s 80 AAA Division Hat Café/Latella’s/Vio’s Sport 50 (Major): tive season July 11-16. Michael Baehman, Hugh Gnatzig, Paul Cox. Davis & Associates: Harold Brown, Arthur Steve Deschene, Mike Fanara, Keith Worthy / Men’s 60 AAA Division Novom, John (Dave) Leek, Charles Marshall. Action Auto Parts 55 (Major): Bill Lancelotta, Forty-nine teams from around Carriage Homes: Doug Blohm, Mike Jacobs, James Rock, William Lee, Bill Laflamme / the Midwest, as well as Texas Jimmy Pennington, Steve McNeil, Doug Frederick Chevrolet 55(Major): Gordon Dale Northeast TOC and Oklahoma, competed with Rodgers. Jr, Grant Meyers, Roger Kummerer Men’s 60 AA Division 13 teams earning a bid to the Men’s 60 Major Division Dallas Spurs: David Sampson, Michael Beard, SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The tenth Original Tournament of Champi- annual Northeast Championships Agway Steelers 60(Major): Steven Garvin, Gerald Schimcek, Wade Moran, Clarence Mc- Jeff Morton, Steve Vasseur, Donald Dash, ons (TOC) in Polk County, Fla., was held here for a sixth consecu- Craw. / R&K Drywall: George Basore, Billy Rick Garvin / Promotion 60(Major): Robert in February. Hovarter, Phil Ross. tive year at Hopkins Road Park Sollitto, Bill Linnehan, David Giannelli, Mike Men’s 65 Major Division July 7-12. Santo To read the complete recap, Continued on Next Page Men’s 60 AAA Division please click here. For complete, Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball News 25 Recaps: Northwest, ISA Seniors, Southern Hunt, Harry Bain. Continued from Previous Page able to lock up an invitation Forty-six teams played across 12 Men’s 65 AA Division Boyd Metals: Bob Clements, Mike Comstock, to the Original Tournament of divisions, with the grand prize of Chicago Hitmen: Jim Kupiec, Mike Chastain, Michael Taylor, Phil Honeycutt, Jerry Claw- Champions in February. an elusive Tournament of Cham- Phil Whitman, Mike Sabatino, Warren York. son. / Handeland Flooring: Ron Bruce, Mi- pions bid on the line. chael Baehman, Bert Hempler, Tim Whiting. To read the complete recap, Men’s 65 AAA Division please click here. For complete, To read the complete recap, Southern TOC Texas Legends: Jim Gibbons, Michael game-by-game scores, please please click here. Seraphin, Richard Wilson, Leif Guttormsen, BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The 11th click here. annual Southern Championships Terry Silva. was held here Aug. 9-13 at Liber- Men’s 65 AA Division Northwest All- Tournament Teams Dallas Spurs: James Morgan, Ray Harty, Men’s 40+ Gold Division ty Park Sports Complex. Twelve Gregory Jollay, Jeff Ratkowski, John Mach One 40(AAA): Rico Alvarado, Russ teams from around the Southeast Schmeisser. / Oklahoma City Relics: Victor Clark, Jamie Tworowski, Christian Smith region, including Tennessee, Seidel, David Puglisi, Alvin Crossley. Men’s 50/55+ Major Division Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia Men’s 70 AAA Division Bulldogs 55(Major): Mike Winn, Dan Bue, and Florida, converged onto The Midwest Express 70’s: Duane Carolus, Jim Nethercott / Doerflinger 55(Major): Lor- Magic City for the opportunity at Clyde Fry, John Kelly, Larry Stolte, Edward ren Dalesky, Bret Pavlicek, Emory Lunsford, ISA All-Tournament Teams earning a berth to the 2018 Origi- Rastovski. Jim Perry Men’s 50 Major Division nal Tournament of Champions in Men’s 75/80 Gold Division Men’s 50/55 Major+ Division LS/WB: Jeffrey Grate, Lee Hoover, Robert Florida in February. Midwest Driving School: Fred Fleming, Ted NW Legends 55(Major+): Steve Leighton, Leete, Tim Willis, Raymond Collyear. / Brick- Stringer, Vernon Coates, Dennis Ibbotson. / yard Classics: Tim Smith, Mark Thompson, Ken Block, Robert Wilkens, Darren Idler. In the end, five teams would go Mid-America Patriots: Frank Perez, Frank Men’s 60+ Major Division Paul Hanley. / Motor City Thunder: Milton on to earn TOC berths. Mar, Ken Stock, Charles Workman. Goodman Racing 60 (Major): Marlin Harris, Douglas, Johnny Spratling. Men’s 80 AAA Division Henry Musgrove, Marc Stock, Gary Kearney, Men’s 55 Major Division Texas Greyhounds: Edward Petlak, Jay Lavar- Rick Parker / Second Wind Resurrected 60 Six Pac 55’s: William Chesher, Robert Hauke, To read the complete recap, nway, Eddie Glover, Joe Housley, Ed Hardy. (Mayor): Mike Ronk, George Ladenburg, Tom Steilberg. / Speedwerx: Paul Todd please click here. For complete, / Roadrunners: A. Dee Chasteen, Ronald Lloyd Kirner, Keith Keesee Zemke, Donald Hoffman. game-by-game scores, please Stanley, John Cowan, Ron Perdue. Men’s 65 Gold Division Men’s 55 AAA Division click here. Enviro- VAC Marauder 65(Major): Dave Jackson Merchants: Mark Lipscomb, David Docksteader, Michael Plunkett, David Layne, Greg Maddelein. Dorsey, Robert Mireau / Stagecoach Saloon Men’s 60 Major Division 65 (AAA): Dennis York, Rodney Both, Tom Motown Stars: Houston Tipton, Randy Jack- Linham. son, Gary Deaton, Bob Burns, Mike Sullivan. Men’s 70/75+ Gold Division / AMR/Clean Planet: Bob Stewart, Mickey Silver City Brewers 70 (AAA): Bill Nelson, Maddy, Floyd Ellis. Bob Hayes, Ben Zlateff / General Equipment Men’s 60 AAA Division 75(Major): Bill Johnson, Jay Brack, Mike Milwaukee Merchants: Bill Scasny, Don Alley, Jerry Ronk / Suburban Auto Group Laine, Scott Herrick, Mark Hurst, Brent 70 (AAA): Wendell Neumeyer, Leslie Gipe, Puhle. / Cincinnati 60s: Ted Weingartner, Gary Ron Teninty, Wesley Anderson, Thomas Neiheisel. Dalrymple. Men’s 60 AA Division Men’s 70/75+ Platinum Division All in: Don Griffin, Bruce Biedron, Dave Northwest TOC Master Marauders 70’s(major): Allan Did- Schmidt, Robert McShane, Rob Jesk. / Indy Southern All- Tournament Teams rikson, Alan Heath, Everett Holmes, Richard Fog: Bob Oakley, Chuck Newton, Gary Men’s 50/55+ Major Division SALEM, Ore. – Forty-four teams Moore. Shireman Master Softball 50(Major): Anthony Hart, from around the Pacific North- Men’s 65 Major Plus Division Daniel Cloud, Al Beyersdorf / Master Re- west, as well as Canada, met ISA TOC Minnesota Masters/Ancell: Randy Jorgenson, loaded 50(Major): Rod Roland, Terry Smith, here for the second straight year Mike Haley. David Phillips, Anthony Myles, Earl DuBose at Wallace Marine Park Softball COLUMBUS, Ind. - The 2017 Men’s 65 Major Division Men’s 65 Platinum Division Complex, July 11-16, for the 12th ISA Senior World Series, an Handeland Flooring: Mike Baehman, Bert (by) Grace Redeemed 65(AAA): Gary Wilkin- annual Jim Sherman Memorial/ Original Tournament of Cham- Hempler, Brad Mueller, Paul Cox, Greg son, Carl Hall, Ronnie Woodall, Ronald Lentz Hudack. Men’s 65 AAA Division Northwest Championships. pions (TOC) qualifier, was held Men’s 65/70 Gold Division Edge Softball 65(Major +): Glenn Smith, Ben here at Dunn Sports Complex and Hendricks Sports Management (70 Major): Sheffield, Andy Harbin, Leonidas Koulo- Lincoln Park July 28-30. As the TOC qualifier for the Larry Lopez, Jim Tharp, John Melton, Fred Continued on Next Page Northwest region, 13 teams were 26 Senior Softball News Fall 2017 Edition Recaps: Northern, Rocky Mountain, West/East Continued from Previous Page Lehnertz, Kevin Jacobs / Kinnco Services please click here. For complete, Palmer, Daniel LoBue, Roy Dale Reiser. gianes, Steve Snow / Matador 65 (Major): 60(Mayor +) : Kevin Kastl, Charlie Schwartz, game-by-game scores, please Men’s 70 Gold (Major/AAA) Division Rick Sarli, Jack Baker, Nate Doss, Dennis George Roberts click here. Scrap Iron/3N2 (Major): Alan Wiechmann, Rowell. Men's 60 AAA Bob Darrah, Ken Hiatt, Don Carpenter, Greg Minutemen/Pepco/SFS: Paul Synek, Alan Broeckelman. / Scrap Iron 70 Red (AAA): Northern TOC Attewell, David Reifschneider, Moe Perez. Byard Wayne Fields, Ken Armbuster, Joe / Roc City 60’s: Mark Langan, Daniel Ship, Burton, Mel Vaneck, Bob Parella./ Tri-State LANSING, Mich. – The 12th Tony DelVecchio Diamondbacks (Major): Kent Near, Leslie annual Northern Champion- Men’s 60 AA Division Poland, Ronne Mercer, Edward Kanda. McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home: Men’s 75 Gold (Major/AAA) Division ships was held here for the ninth Jon Catalano, Steven Laurenty, John Zayicek, Scrap Iron Beams (75 Major): Larry Bradsby, straight season, as East Lansing John Ross, Larry Jones Don Pierson, Bob Ross, Don Burden, Ronnie Sports Complex and Lake Alli- Men’s 65 AAA Division Maxwell. / New Concepts I (75 AAA): Jerry ance Softball Complex hosted 49 Michigan Lakers: Rick Neerken, Jerry De Hartrim, Ron Case, Geno Fernandez, David teams Aug. 17-20. Jongh, George Vanderhyde, John Feuerstein, Freeman. / Mid-America Patriots (75 AAA): Rick Bode. / Ohio Silverados: Larry Chi- Woody Johansen, Bob Williams, Charles As a regional TOC qualifier, 11 mento, Lawrence O'Malley, John Waldsmith, Workman. teams would go on to earn their David Caplinger. Rocky Mtn. All-Tournament Teams Men’s 70/75 Gold Division invitation to the marquee Senior Men’s 50 Major Division West, East TOC Life Guard Financial/Pepco 70(AAA): Softball event of the year in WC Thunder: Tom Hubek, Keith Bradley, Dan Timothy Klodnick, Roger Richardson, Martin February. Mueller, Scott Klein, Terry Feeney. / Arizona 183 teams played in Sacramento Emerman, Charlie Cash, Richard DeGraff. Old School: Jeff Armbruster, Marcel Spauld- and Cary, NC in the Western and / Canterbury Cruisers 75 (Major): Vaughn To read the complete recap, ing, Daniel Yeck, John (Andy) Garcia. Eastnern National Champion- Covert, Ronald Sanner, Bob Willoughby, Ray Men’s 55 Major Plus ships. please click here. For complete, Dye. / Chicago Gray Sox 70(AAA): Jerry The Core: Doug Fox, Todd Osmundson, Bert game-by-game scores, please Santerelli, Wayne Markett, Harry Rakers. Cochran, Mike Stater. / High Street Bucs: Bill The Western National was held click here. Men’s 70 Major Division Bush, Mark Roberts, David Maertens. Chicago Strikers: Dan Tuftee, Chuck Flucas, July 25-30, while the Eastern Men’s 55 Major Division Dan Serrato, Ron Kleinein, Richard Fleming. National was held Aug. 1-6. Scrap Iron/Rocky Mountain Thunder 55: John (Jack) Donnelly, Kerry Ecker, Markis Harper, Winning your division in the Rocky Mountain TOC Brad Edginton, Mark Haupt. Men’s 55 AAA Division Western/Eastern National is the Aurora, Colo. – Sixty teams en- Nebraska Silver Bullets: Scott Emery, Gerald first leg of the Triple Grand Slam, tered the 2017 Rocky Mountain McCaw, Rod Chambers, Scott Opfer, Douglas as those winners from the respec- Championships seeking a cham- Lewis. tive divisions meet up in the U.S. pionship and berth to the Original Men's 60 Major National Championship game, the Tournament of Champions (TOC) Pope Transport: Michael Baehman, Steve second leg, at the LVSSA/SSUSA held in Polk County, Fla., in Feb- Naubauer, Hugh Gnatzig, Steve Thelen, Mike World Masters Championships. Northern All- Tournament Teams ruary. Aurora Sports Park hosted Brown. / Arizona Old School: Steven Gove, Teams the win the U.S. National Leslie Thomas, Bill McKnight. Men’s 50 Silver Division the games Aug. 25-27. Game and then go on to win their Men’s 60 AAA Division Buddies Sampson Olivet Merchants 50(AA): division in the World Masters, Scrap Iron 60’s Rockies: Thomas Bechtel, Joe Hartman, Todd Gonser, Scott Coolidge, The tournament also featured a complete the Triple Grand Slam. Pete Ayotte, Bruce Brothis, Don Casuse, Justin Bowerman, Dana Haggins second annual skills competition, Eddie Buonaiuto. / Mountain Men: Ernest Men’s 50/55+ Major Division with home run hitting, precision Reyes, Stuart Fredman, Arthur Talbot, Charles To read the complete recap of the Brickyard Classics 50(Major): Timothy Smith, hitting, and precision pitching McStotts. Western National, please click Mark Thompson, Eric Fouce contests. All proceeds of the com- Men's 60 AA Division here. For complete, game-by- Men’s 50/55 AAA Division petition benefited the Scrap Iron Classics: Craig Aramaki, Marty Lopez, Lee game scores, please click here. Old Stars 55(AAA): Tim Cannon, Harold Hutson. Johnson, Jerry Howard / TMS Michigan 55 Softball Club. Men’s 65 Major Plus Division (AAA): Dale Witczak, Rick Berridge, Joseph To read the complete recap of the MN Master/Ancell: Gary Hamilton, Ludwig Gould, Kevin Haarsma, Scott Fineout / Lan- After the tournament, sixteen Eastern National, please click Nordahl, Randy Simonson, Richard Kuyath. sing Legends Softball Club 50(AAA): Kirk teams would go on earn the cov- here. For complete, game-by- Men’s 65 AAA Division Nelson, Nate Walker, Michael Latunsky eted TOC bid. game scores, please click here. Minnesota Masters: Raymond Brown, Mike Men’s 55/60 Platinum Division Trewick, Dennis St. Sauver, Gary Palesh, Tom Doug and Don’s Auto Care 55(Major): Jeff To read the complete recap, Ashcraft. / Ryan’s Way: Mike Marshall, Dale Kocsis, Bill Simmonds, Jim Vickers, Edward Continued on Next Page Fall 2017 Edition Senior Softball News 27 Recaps: Western, Eastern All Tournament Continued from Previous Page Baltazar, Brian Urata, Wayne Wilcox. Parker, Anthony Marlow. / Carolina Cobras: Men’s 60 Major Division Gary Ellison, John Scruggs, Ray Hubbe, Wade Houston Fire: Tony Washington, Dana Dean Bailey Heppert. / Minnesota Cowboys: Duane Cote, David Aguilar, Wilford Johnson, Wil- Johnson, Scott Sanford, Kent Mariska. liam Husta. / Reloaded: Robert Sewell, Ed Men’s 60 Silver (AAA/AA) Division Rhoads, Tom Lewis, David Sloan. / Goodman Pompano Crush 60's (AAA): Nick Holgash, Racing: William Stock, Marlin Harris, Rick Mark Stone, Fernando Blanco, Carlos Vico, Parker. Bobby Morse. / Men’s 60 Silver (AAA/AA) Division Reality Check (AAA): Larry Long, John Mountain Mike’s Pizza: Mark Fry, Jamie Bar- Douglas Weber, Clarence Lewis. ron, Paul Challburg, Craig Sweeney, Donald Men’s 65/70 Platinum Division (Butch) Maciel. / Cut Loose: Roger Kroeber, Superior Senior Softball (65 Major Plus): Daryl Austin, Addison (Casey) Clark, Antonio Thomas Dommel, Donald Clatterbough, G. Diaz. / The Crew: Monta Litle, William Ep- Clarence Ellison, Vance Gudmundsen, Ste- pinga, William Remitz. Women’s 40/50 Division phen Pierson. / Hollis Appraisals 65's:James Men’s 65 Major Plus Division Dreamgirlz 50: Beverly Lovett, Shirley Sim- Wiley, Tony Vodola, Chip Cregar, Norman West National All-Tourney Teams Timberworks/Adidas: Steve Hillman, Doak mons Snell, Renee Fuller, Sylvia Echols, Cyn- Edwards. Women’s 40 Major Division Whitley, Ellwin Jobe, Chris Dayak, David thia (Diane) Mobley. / Fireballs (40 AAA): Men’s 65/70 Gold Division Smack That: Rona Stanley, Monica Barajas, Briones. / Omen 65: Barry Oliver, Marlin Har- Marie Gaudreau, Michelle Scecina, Val Smith, Spicer Properties (70 Major): Billy Martin, Jonnie Lopez, Vera Arellano. ris, Jerry Scanlan, Randy Faulkner. Kelly Petrowski. Patrick Murphy, Marty Harahush. Women’s 40 AAA Division Men’s 65/70 Platinum Division Men’s 40 Major Division Men’s 75/80 Gold Division Utah Relics: Malia Krogstad, Linda Gentry, Nor-Cal Stixx 65 (Major): Bud Castro, John East Coast Berserk: Marshall Grissom, Jamie Florida Investment Properties (80 Major): Baubie Wardrobe-Fox, Tricia Cooke, Penny Flores, Larry Younger, Gopher Gold Harris. Barnett, Michael Kuckinski, Bobby Ross, Da- Thomas Sides, Brad Smith, Lawrence Mc- Varoz. / Old Nasty Curves: Christina Jones, / Enviro-Vac Marauder 65 (Major): Rick vid Lohr. / PA Posse 40's: William Shoemaker, Curdy, David Drakulich, Raymond Bosetti. Mary Knudsen, Connie Benavidez, Michelle Parker, Trevors Bjurman, Anthony Goularte. Keith Haugh, Troy Daub, Matt Imboden. / Bailey Talent Cavaliers (75 AAA): Calvin Serna. Men’s 65 AAA Division Men’s 40 AAA Division Freedman, Bruce Remick, Paul Math, Gary Women’s 40/50 Division Oregon Crabs: Terry Ness, Timothy Fissori, Y’all Next: Damian Rivera, Shawn Smith, Parks. / Carolina Blue Sky’s (75 AAA): Sal B.O.O.B.S 40: Josie Alferez-Smith, Stacy Jeff Powers, Gerald Itkin, Mike Carroll. / Chris Stamps. Colloca, Frank Shotwell, Jerry Skiles. Linton, Kam Butler, Megan Patterson, Cristina Sacramento Islanders 65: Jack Wabinga, Alex Men’s 50 Major Plus Division Fernandez. Luna, Edward Stoessel. TSC Miken Reloaded: Reginald Barber, Men’s 40 Major Division Men’s 70 Gold (Major/AAA) Division Anthony Stafford, Myron Usher. Classic Glass/One Nation: Bryson Baker, Leo California Wrecking Crew (Major): Harold Men’s 50 AAA Division Skattebo, Daniel Comer, Brian Bruguier. / Johnson, Johnny Melvin, Cliff Thomas, James BP & Associates/Roadhouse Blues: Farlan Team ASB/Executive 1: Andy Guzman, Chris Laurenti. (James) Alusik, Jeff Rowe, Rick Shelton, Reyes, Ronnell Summers. Men’s 70 AA Division Steve Shellenberger, Tim Hawkins. / Straight Men’s 40 AAA Division Sacramento Buds: Robert Nishimoto, Lee Gas: Lieutenant (JR) Hamlett, Clifford No Limit/Fay’s Sports: Jose Rivera, Jeff Marshall, Michael Jordan, Ted LaTona, Robert Billingslea, Earlon Love, Quincy Morris. / Davis, Sandro Contreras, Mario Silva, Robert Jones. Gaithersburg Rental: Anthony Traylor, Miguel Zuniga. Men’s 75 Major Division Izquierdo, Robert Ring. Men's 50 Major Plus Division General Equipment: Bill Johnson, James Men’s 50/55 AA Division Nor Cal Warriors: Tommy Langenhorst, Sean McAbee, Tom Imming, Chuck Bergeron, Helltown: Mark Reidelbach, Mike Covington, Morgan, Manny Gutierrez, Joe Cuneo. Richard (Tim) Myers. / State Roofing Sys- Nick Bischoff, Kenny Hancock. Men’s 50 Major Division tems: Gilbert Jess, Edwin Lowe, John Sebring, Men’s 55 AAA Division Layer Cake Wines/Crush 50’s: Jerome Noel Lanctot. / Kokopelli Eye Institute Ameriprise FL Legends 55's: Brian Ellis, Brown, Christopher King, John Gibbs, Chuck Scorpions 75’s: Lani Beach, Larry Richey, Chris Coffey, Kerry Mauldin, Mike Mash. Rufkahr. Jay Larson. / Crossfit/RDU: Edward Sawyer, Richard Men’s 50 AAA Division Men’s 75/80 Gold Division Cooper, Neil Phillips, Troy Lee Bowling. / Outlaws of Lincoln: Mark Foster, Mario Fer- Redwood City Gold Rush: Ted Alarcon, Bill Old Stars: Randy Bryson, Leo Vernier, Jerry nandez, Gilbert Rodriguez, James Haub. Guzules, Bob Cushman, Ronald Schwartz, Howard. Men’s 55 Major Division Victor Madden. / Sacramento Gold: Louis Men’s 55/60 Platinum Division Doerflinger: Joey Patnode, Kevin Juma, Dar- Velez, Sam Sekikawa, Ray Newman. Hollis Appraisals 60’s (Major Plus): TJ Jones, ren De Boer, Steve Cady, Bobby Bates. Jeff Frey, Lawrence Reedus, Edward (Clarke) Men’s 55 AAA Division East National All-Tourney Teams Farrell, David Motta. Kamikaze: Charles Pickett, Tony Valencia, Women’s 40 Major Division Men’s 60 Major Division Vince Gallo. Kryptonite: Theresa Walburger, Colleen Omega IT Services, LLC: Hosea Harris, Men's 60 Major Plus Smith, April Blake, Diane White, Sara Payne. Charles Clarke, Wade Ellegood, Edward Summy's Demolition: Paul Smit, Anthony 28 WORTH Senior Softball News IS BACK Fall 2017 Edition IN THE SSUSA GAME THE WORTH WICKED 1-PIECE SSUSA BAT UTILIZES A PLAYER-PREFERRED XL ENDLOAD TO GENERATE HIGHER SWING SPEEDS.

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XL LOADING: A 0.5OZ ENDLOAD FOR PLAYERS SEEKING A MODERATELY ENDLOADED BAT, OFFERING MORE MASS IN THE END OF THE BARREL FOR EXTRA WHIP AND SMOOTHER FINISHES ON SWINGS.

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