Resmondo/KME Softball won this prestigious tournament, the Showcase of Softball, the USSSA World Series.  Resmondo went 5-0 to win the championship.  Brian Rainwater hit a walk-off 3 run homerun to give Resmondo a 21-20 win in the championship game.  I believe this was one of the great championship games ever played, because it was a see-saw battle right down to the last pitch.  This game was played the way "Bigtime Softball" should be played.  I can tell you there were no arguments with the umpires.  The players just played the game.  This was truly a great job done by the umpires.  These two giants just gave the fans a great game to watch.  I definitely can say there is not much of a difference in these two great softball teams.  I believe the difference is that Resmondo has five players who have won more USSSA  championships than any other player in the history of the USSSA,  Wallace, Bumgardner, Martin, Kendrick & Purcell.  Travis Resmondo, the sponsor has now won 20 world championships in Class C, B, A, AA & Super.

 

This USSSA Worlds came down to the finish with the top 6 teams in the Old Scout's rankings, Resmondo, Bell, Specialty Tank, Benfield, Northwest Pipe & Jean Shoppe.  I could not have written the script any better.  I will tell you this, it doesn't get any better than those 6 teams.  I want to tell you all that missed seeing this tournament, there were some great games played when the two big boys were not playing against the other 14 teams.  The games played with A teams against each other were very competitive.  When the A teams played against the two big boys, no contest. I know that the only way to get parity in bigtime softball would be to not have the two big boys play or only allow a couple of players on A teams.  I also know that the A & B teams over the years have liked to play against the best teams a few times in a season.  I know this, it has now come down to the A teams and B teams would like to play against each other more and not always have to play the two big boys. 

 

I do believe that there should not be just one game in town.  I know this, it is time for a big change.  The biggest issue in the game today is the cheater bats being used in softball in all divisions.  I know that there were a few players caught this week with cheater bats and also one woman in the women's division.  These cheater bats are in Class E, D, C, B, A, Super and even women's.  This cheater bat situation has come to epidemic proportions and something needs to be done.  This weekend there were balls hit further than anytime in the history of the game.  The buzz around the park all weekend was what the hell is going on?  I heard a player say to one of the bigtime homerun hitters in the game, remember when a ball would be hit off the scoreboard a couple of times during the tournament or one might go over the scoreboard in centerfield.  I can't believe now they're hitting balls over the scoreboard and over the flag poles in left field consistently and it's not just the best homerun hitters, it's guys who never hit it that far in their life.  I know the ball used was very good and that contributed with balls going that far there's something else helping, I guarantee you. 

 

I asked one of the game's greatest homerun hitters, Mike Macenko what he thought about the long homeruns and he told me he could not believe how far some of them were going.  I know that it's time for something to be done and I will be releasing some news soon on a new system,  that not only will stop the cheater bats, but get parity in the game and bring integrity and honesty to bigtime softball once and for all.    I really enjoyed the tournament other than the unbelievable homeruns hit.  I liked the 75' bases and there were a whole lot of double plays turned.  I didn't think the ball was all that bad when the A teams played each other.  I do know it was way too much ball when the big boys played the A teams.  They had no chance to play a full game.  The USSSA will have to take a serious look at these problems.

 

Resmondo played extremely well all weekend.  Bell Corp also played very good.  The winner's bracket games and the championship game could of gone either way.  Congratulations to all the players and especially to MVP, Rusty Bumgardner on winning another USSSA Championship.  The Bell Corp team deserves a lot of credit on playing a great tournament.  This team can stand tall as they left nothing on the field.  Congratulations to all the Bell Teams on a great USSSA World Series and good luck in 2007.

 

I have seen them all play for years.  I want to tell you the top 30 players playing today on baseball fields are the best players to ever play the game bar none.  I will not take anything away from the great players from the past eras, but very few can play the game the way it's played today.  The 60's & the 70's had players who were big and slow, players trained on beer and whiskey.  The 80's & 90's players found supplements to get even bigger, infielders and outfielders were 250-280 lbs.  The players played on 300' fields using aluminum bats and good balls.  The scores of the games were ridiculous 70-68, 85-79 & higher, it made no sense, but they let it go on.  The late 90's came and the athletes started to come into the game, one after another.  Very good baseball players from high school, college and pro baseball started to make up bigtime softball and take it to a different level.  The bats started to get better, the balls got better, the players got better.  Then in 2000 the game took it's biggest turn.  The NSA, the ASA started to play more on big baseball fields using 80' bases and even 90' bases.  The bats became plastic, the balls got even better and the game became better.  The game no longer could use 250 or 280 lb. outfielders and infielders.  The game started to get players that could flat-out pick it at every position.  The only 250 to 280 lb. players left were the catchers and AH's.  The rest of the players had to be great athletes and great players.

 

Today we have got the best players in the world playing.  We have the best bats that technology makes, the best balls ever made.  Today we now play world tournaments in the biggest and best facilities in the history of the game.  The game has reached the pinnacle, but the game is in serious trouble.  The players use the best equipment ever made, but some have decided to make it even better.  Today you can't tell how good the new players are, because some choose to use cheater bats.  I believe that today players are saying "hey he's using one, I'm going to".  I know there are people out there who are trying like hell to stop this serious problem.  Hopefully something will be done in all associations.  I know this, I seen some of the best defense played in this year's tournament.  Today's game is so much more about defense than in the past.  The teams play on the biggest playing fields that softball has ever played, 335', 385', 400'.  I can tell you this, you better have 3 outfielders that can go get them or you can't win.  I loved that Don moved the bases to 75'.  It certainly helped to turn more double plays than ever at Disney.  I still believe it would benefit the A teams with 80' bases.  I honestly believe that there were enough homeruns hit, but I question the distance they were going by some questionable people hitting them. 

 

I want to tell everyone that I questioned the ball the young man hit Sat. night, the farthest ball ever hit at Cracker Jack Stadium.  The player I'm talking about was Scott Kirby.  I talked to one of his coaches, Tom Delaney about the ball he hit Sat. night.  I also asked Mike Macenko about what he thought.  Mike said he would of questioned that ball hit whether he was using a legit bat or not.  Mike did not say he did and I did not say he did.  I questioned his coach who told me the kid did not use a doctored bat.  Tom told me that he and Gary Jost talked to Scott in his room after Saturday night's game and he told them he did not use a doctored bat.  Scott told Tom & Gary that he  uses protein and works out very hard in the gym.  Sunday after the game Scott came to talk to me about the homerun he hit and about the bat he uses.  He told me from the bottom of his heart he did not use a doctored bat when he hit the furthest ball ever hit at Disney.  He told me he would not ever use an illegal bat knowingly.  I want you all to know that Scott is one very talented young player who is headed to stardom in bigtime softball, I guarantee you.  I also want to say this young man is a First Class man along with his father.  I am honored to have met Scott and his dad in my lifetime.  This is one terrific kid.  I apologize to Scott if he thought that I thought he used a cheater bat.  The only thing I said to Tom Delaney was that I had to question the ball he hit.  I also know there were a lot of other people, including some of his peers, who questioned that homerun. 

 

Let's get back to the tournament.  Third place went to Specialty Tank who just played a very good tournament, after getting run-ruled by Resmondo.  "The Tank Boys" played with 10 players all weekend and one who could not throw the ball 10 ft. due to injury.  I have to tell you that this team left nothing on the field in the loser's bracket final against Bell Corp.  This bunch gave a great effort.  Congratulations to John, Doug, Carl and all the players on a great season.  You guys have nothing to hang your head about, Great Job!  Fourth place went to Benfield.  I think this team was hurt by rumors about players leaving, sponsors leaving and that did not help.  This did not look like the Benfield team who've I've seen all season.  Congratulations on a great season and good luck next year.

 

I have written a lot about the biggest issues in softball today, that being the cheater bats.  I know this, I will bet that I have seen more bigtime softball games played in the last 20 years than anybody in softball.  The reason that is true, because I see the first game to the last game at every tournament I go too.  I have been going to tournaments from 1962-2006.  I was at tournaments when nobody knew who I was.  I've seen just about every player who played bigtime softball since 1962-2006.  I have seen this great game change a lot over the years.  I played against big Jim Galloway in NY when he was young and so was I.  I saw Jim hit many homeruns in his day with wood bats and Harwood softballs, which became socks after 3 innings.  We played on 250' and 275' fields in them days.  I remember back a few years ago somebody posted on my board that Jim hit 400' balls with a wood bat.  I'm here to tell you Jim Galloway never hit Harwood 100 balls with a wood bat, I guarantee you.  I seen him hit balls 300' a lot of times, but none 400'.  I saw Howard's play, I saw Nelson's Painting play, I saw Campbell's Carpet's.  I saw all the best teams play in USSSA from 1971-2006.  I saw teams in ASA from 1962-2006. 

 

What I have seen this year, is the worst case of cheater bats being used that I have seen in my 45 years in softball.  I've seen guys play with bats for years, but no way like they have this year.  It must be changed.  I want you to know there's no way that anybody can detect a cheater bat without confiscating the bat and cutting it open to see what has been done, period.  I don't care about machines, tools, doctors, scientists, engineers and testing.  I know when balls are being hit by players who can not hit it out of a 300' field with any consistency, hit it out at 385', which means it has to go 400' to get out, we have a serious problem.  I also know when players who hit balls as far as Bumgardner, Helmer, Wallace, JC Phelps and Hall we have a problem.  These guys have been the longest homerun hitters in the game the last 10 years.  I can say there were some legit homeruns hit this weekend down both lines.  I believe that most players who play on the Top 15-15 teams can hit it out down the lines at Disney.  I don't believe that some of these players should hit it out at 385' or bust it 400' off the 40' scoreboard at centerfield at Disney.  I wrote earlier that I heard a bigtime homerun hitter say, there used to be one or two hit off the scoreboard.  There were balls hit in this year's tournament further than ever before.  I have my opinions why.  I would like to hear some comments from players who played in this tournament and softball fans who were there.  I did not think there were too many hit, but I think there were too many hit too far by people who I know can not hit that far with a legit bat period. 

 

Let me hear your comments and thoughts.  I have heard for years that certain teams and players have gotten stickers put on their bats, and I hope that it's not true.  I know this the bat check is not working.  I can tell that by the balls being hit.  I know the bat manufacturers are being embarrassed by players using their products and doctoring their bats.  I cannot believe any player who gets bats from a manufacturer can alter a bat.  I am sure that any manufacturer who has a player using his product and gets caught doctoring their bats will be suspended for life.  I know that players who play on some of the best teams in the world know that some of their teammates are using doctored bats.  I don't like rats, but I do know that if I were getting bats from manufacturers supporting me and my team, I would have to do something about it.  Teams and players are very fortunate to have bat manufacturers give them bats, gloves etc. and then have the nerve to go doctor their product.  I may have got out of control in this report, but I love Bigtime Softball and I do care about the game.  I know there's not much integrity or honesty left in the game today.  I say it's time to do something about it.  I will release a news release in about two weeks to tell our softball family about a new system to get integrity, honesty and parity back into Bigtime Softball for people who care about the great game of softball, stay tuned!

 

Congratulations to Don and his whole USSSA staff on another great USSSA World Series.  I can't tell you how much I love the Showcase of Softball.  To all the people in the game of softball, what I wrote in this report is because I DO CARE about "Bigtime Softball"  I know we need to fix the biggest issue the game has ever seen.  I know bat cheating has been going on for 45 years.  I believe we are very lucky to have not gotten a pitcher killed in Bigtime Softball.  I hope that this does not happen.  I guarantee you, if the cheater bats are allowed to continue in the game we will have someone killed, no doubt about it.  Thanks for a great World Series and good luck in 2007.

 

The Old Scout

USSSA CLASS A WORLDS - ORLANDO, FLORIDA'S WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS- August 20-21, 2006

Resmondo - KME Softball wins the Last Chance USSSA Conference NIT in Michigan.  Resmondo proves to be the best team in the new conference NIT play for 2006.  The "sod boys" pretty much dominated throughout the season.  Resmondo had to win this one the hard way by double-dipping Northwest Pipe.  This bunch was led by MVP Howie Krause, and once again was a total team effort.  The regular season is now over and it's on to the Conference Championship Labor Day weekend and then to the USSSA Worlds.  I have written during the year that I thought Resmondo would be the best team on the big fields and Bell would be the best on the small fields.  I was a little wrong on this as the sod boys proved to be the best on the small fields, that's for sure.  I still believe it will be a battle in the Conference and the USSSA to see who comes out the #1 team for 2006, we will see.  Congratulations goes out to Travis and his whole squad on being the #1 team in the first year of the conference season. 

 

Second place went to a very competitive A team Northwest Pipe/Bud Light/3N2/Easton.  This team deserves a lot of credit for the job they did this season.  This bunch has played extremely well in most of the tournaments they played in not only this year, but in the past.  Larry and the gang beat both Bell and Resmondo this past weekend to finish in the runner-up spot before falling to Resmondo in the final two games.  Congratulations on a great season and good luck in your Class A Worlds and also the Conference and USSSSA Worlds. 

 

Third place went to Bell Corp/Taylor/Belcher/Easton who has fallen on hard times the last three weekends they played.  Make no mistake this is one very talented team, but they will have to pick it up if they expect to win in the last two, we will see.  Good luck in the last two.

 

Fourth place went to Team Combat.  This bunch has started to get it going, and look out for these guys in the next two.  I believe that this team will hurt some very good teams in the Conference Championship and in the USSSA Worlds.  Good job in this one, and good luck the rest of the way.

 

Congratulations to Tony D. and his Michigan USSSA staff on another great Last Chance Tournament. 

 

I'm sorry about not getting the Softball Report in from last week's NSA Class A Worlds.  I just was too busy with other things, I apologize.  Here's a little something from that tourney.  Jean Shoppe/Worth won this Class A NSA Worlds in a cloud of smoke.  I did get some details on what happened with the forfeit to Shoppe, but really don't have all the facts.  I can tell you that this is what I heard is that they used Huff and according to the NSA he was not eligible to play and therefore they forfeited the first game.  I was also told that the NSA staff made a decision to allow Shoppe to continue in the tournament, and the rest is history as they went on to win this tourney.  Like I said I don't know the whole circumstances, but I do know that Huff had been with Shoppe for about three weeks.  That's all I know about it.  I believe that Jim and his staff made the right decision in letting Shoppe continue to play.  The Shoppe team would be ranked in the Top 5 in my pole if they didn't go to some lower class tournaments and get beat.  Believe me this is a very good A softball team who can compete against any of the best teams in the country on any given weekend.  I've seen enough on my board of the bashing of this team for the last 2 or 3 years, yet this team goes out and wins a lot of games against a lot of very good teams.  I will tell you this, that if anymore is said derogatory about this team I will ban you immediately and you will not come back on this board, I promise you!  Enough is enough.  Congratulations Shoppe on winning this NSA A World  and good luck the rest of the way. 

 

 

Second place went to K&C/Lockdown Graphic23/Easton.  This squad has played very well in every NIT they've played in this season.  This team will be a force in the A Worlds I guarantee you. This is a very talented team, who can pick it and hit it very well.  Congratulations on a very good tourney and good luck down the road.

 

Third place went to EAS/Pollards/Easton, who are a pretty good team.  I didn't have them in my rankings, because I did not get a roster.  They will be in this week.  I knew this was going to be a pretty good team in the start of the season.  Great job in this one and good luck the rest of the way.

 

Fourth place goes to KME/Chaney's/Body/Easton, who is definitely one of the good and very competitive A teams.  They can play some good D and base hit it pretty good also.  Look for this team to be around the top in the Class A Worlds.  Good job boys and good luck.

 

Congratulations to the USSSA Washington staff on running this USSSA NIT.  I know there was some bashing on my board about having some B, C & D teams entered in your tournament.  I'm here to tell you there's nothing wrong with those teams playing in bigtime softball tournaments.  I guarantee you these teams playing in these Super NIT's will help these class B, C & D teams when they play in their own Class Worlds.  I want to tell all the bashers out there, that you don't have a clue, and I guarantee you starting this week you will be banned from the board for any more bashing.  Great job guys and good luck next year.  Thanks again to Jim McCarron for keeping us posted.  This week's tournament is the NSA AA Worlds in Muncie, Indiana.  Good luck to all the teams.  Until next time...................

 

The Old Scout

USSSA NIT - CINCINNATI, OH: July 15 -16, 2006

Benfield/Reece/Shade Rest/AM Las Vegas/Easton wins this USSSA Conference NIT with the most teams entered of any of the Conference NIT's thus far.  The Benfield Boys have got it all together now, and no telling how far this very good team can go.  This bunch started to play very well last week in the Smoky's and it carried right into Cincinnati.  I know this for sure, it's the right time of the year to get it going.  Benfield will play one more conference NIT before the Conference Championship and the big one the USSSA Worlds.  I believe they have turned the corner and will be a force in the two big tournaments, we will see.  I would like to commend the sponsors, manager and coaches who put this 2006 edition of this team together.  I know when they lost three very good players some people thought including me, it would take awhile for this team to get back on top.  I'm here to tell you this team has not missed much of a beat, that's for sure.  They definitely picked up the right players to replace the ones they lost.  Congratulations on winning this NIT and good luck the rest of the way.  This is the first time this season that another team has won an NIT with at least one of the big boys entered.  Teams have won when Resmondo and Bell were not entered, but none have won with both or one until this one.  Great job boys!

 

Second place went to Bell Corp/Taylor/Belcher/Easton who have fallen on hard times these last two weeks.  This one was probably hard to play in because of the news the team learned on Saturday morning about the tragic death of one of their sponsors Bill Taylor.  I am not making any excuses that this is the reason they lost this weekend, but I'm sure it was on all their minds.  The Bell boys were coming off a loss at the Smoky and it carried into Cincy.  This is the first time the Bell team has lost back to back weekends.  They will get a chance to get back on track in Detroit the first weekend in August in the last Conference NIT of the season.  We will see what happens there.  Good luck in Detroit.

 

Third place went to Watanabe/TPS, who is one of the very good lower class A teams.  Make no mistake they have some people who know how to win.  I also know it was a very good showing in this one, and teams better look out in the Class A Worlds with this bunch.  I will tell you this, if you don't play your best against this team you're going to get beat.  Great job and good luck down the road.

 

Fourth place went to a team who just gets it done in these NIIT's every time they're entered.  Northwest Pipe/Bud Light/3N2/Easton just finds a way to finish in the money most of the time.  Larry gets a lot out of his players, and that is why they are usually in the top 4 when the tournaments are over.  Great job in this one and good luck the rest of the way.

 

I would like to commend Jim Wessel on a great job he and his staff did putting this NIT together.  I know this, somebody did their homework getting 43 teams to play.  This is the biggest number of teams in a Super NIT in a long, long time.  This proves one thing, that if you do your work the teams will come out.  I have said all season long, it's great to see these B, C and D teams get in these Super NIT's to see the best teams, players and what it takes to play at the next level.  Congratulations to all the B,C and D teams who have made the USSSA Conference NIT's a success all season long.  Good luck in your class and your worlds.  Thanks again to the man Jim McCarron for keeping us posted on the Cincy tournament. 

 

USSSA SMOKY MOUNTAIN CLASSIC - MARYVILLE, TN: July 7-9th 2006

Resmondo/KME Softball won this prestigious tournament this past weekend in the "Granddaddy" of them all, The Smoky Mountain Classic.  "The Sod Boys" had to do it the hard way, by coming out of the loser's bracket and winning the "if" game to capture the biggest prize in softball, other than the USSSA Worlds.  Resmondo was led by MVP Jeff Wallace and a total team effort in this big win.  I have said all season long that I thought Resmondo was the best team on the bigger fields, and they proved me right in this one.  The big reason is the power up and down their lineup.  This being the only tournament that there is no homerun limit; it's hit all you can, and they did.  I also believe that playing on bigger fields and using the 80' bases like they did in this one, is the only way bigtime softball should be played.  I want you to look at the scores on the smaller fields.  Lots of runs scored; 2 1/2 hour games.  I then want you to look at the runs scored on the main diamond at Sandy Springs; 315' down the lines, 340' in the gaps, 350' to center.  I can tell you when the gaps are bigger and the middle is bigger,  using 80' bases  makes for lesser runs, 1 1/2 hr. games, more double plays, much better defense and homeruns hit by the players who should hit them.  That my friends is how bigtime softball should be played period, like it or not.  I can also tell you that it's about the only chance the lesser teams have of beating the big boys.  I still think that Bell Corp is the best on the 300' fields.  AM Las Vegas and Specialty Tank are very competitive on 300' fields also, but cannot win very often when the big boys are there.  I do believe they can win on the bigger fields using 80' bases with unlimited homeruns, just my opinion.  Congratulations to Resmondo on winning this tournament, and good luck the rest of the season.

 

AM Las Vegas/Benfield/Reece/Shade Rest./Easton finished in second place in this one.  This team has been up and down all season, but got it together this weekend.  I think they are a lot better team when they play unlimited homeruns and are playing with 80' bases.  This is a very good hitting team, who have a lot of pop.  I think that is why they played very well in this one.  They maybe a little bit too strong for 300' fields, just my opinion.  Good job guys and good luck the rest of the way.

 

Third place went to Specialty Tank/Creative Walls/Worth who have been playing much better the last few tournaments, that's for sure.  I heard they have lost their shortstop Tim Mattox.  I know this, if they did this will really hurt this team.  This kid can flat out play.  He can pick it with anybody, and he can also hit it with anybody, and this will be a big loss.  Congratulations on a great job this weekend.  Good luck down the road.

 

Fourth place went to Bell Corp/Taylor/Belcher/Easton, who just did not get it done this week.  I know you can't win every week, that's for sure.  They have done pretty well most of the season winning.  I also have said that I don't think Bell Corp is the best team on the bigger fields, we will see down the road. 

 

I talked with Chris Clark in Maryville, and I asked him what he thought of playing this tournament USSSA for the first time.  Chris told me it was a perfect fit for this tournament.  He told me they let them run this tournament like they always did, and that was good for us.  Chris said they kept the tournament unlimited homeruns, and they used the 80' bases and they liked that.  Chris said he thought this was one of the better Smoky's and they are looking forward to next year.  I personally would like to commend Chris and Joe for running another Great Smoky Mountain Classic.  I also want to commend Don Dedonatis for making this great tournament part of the USSSA Conference.  I honestly believe that this conference can keep Bigtime Softball going, with a lot of hard work and making some adjustments to the game.  I believe we've turned the corner of getting this game back where it belongs.  I know this, if the right moves are made this game will be better than ever.  Just make the right moves. 

 

USSSA PEPSI-BUSCH CLASSIC - LITTLE ROCK, AR:  JUNE 23-25, 2006

Bell Corp/Taylor/Belcher/Easton wins this Conference Tournament in Little Rock.  Resmondo/KME Softball gets 2nd. place, Specialty Tank/Creative Walls/K&G/Worth takes 3rd. and Jean Shoppe/Worth takes 4th.   The story line on this tournament is, it didn't get finished.  This was not the fault of tournament director Clint Albright.  The main problem was some of the Bell and Resmondo players flew into Memphis, which is two hours from Little Rock, and giving you have to be there at least an hour early caused the problem.  Clint didn't know the flight schedules of these players.  I'm here to tell you there's more problems causing players missing flights, because we are back to 2 1/2 to 3 hr. games scoring 70-100 runs a game on these 300' fields using rock hard softballs.  I don't care what people say, when balls are flying through the infield at 100 miles an hour, the infielders have no chance of catching, even with limited homerun rules you cannot stop 2-3 hour games.  When we played on baseball fields using 80' bases, scores were no more than 60 runs and most of the time less than 50 runs were scored total.  There were plenty of homeruns hit and much more competitive games.  These are the real facts, like it or not.  It's just my opinion.  Bell Corp defeated Resmondo in the winners bracket final by the score 41-18.  They were awarded 1st. place by winning this game. 

 

Congratulations to Clint and Marla on another great job putting this prestigious tournament together.  Good luck next year.  A big thank you to Jim McCarron for keeping us informed on what's going on in these Conference Tournaments.  Bring back 3 teams on Sunday and you won't have teams missing flights.

 

The Long Haul Bombers put on a great show for the crowd.  Cowart, Waldyck and Carter hit bombs.  There was a special guest hitter who hit with the Bombers, and that was 50 year old legend Mike Macenko.  I'm here to tell you that Mike did not miss a beat, as he hit 12-15 and some unbelievable bombs.  This was truly a great show put on by Macenko, and the 8,000 fans loved it. 

 

This tournament is put on to raise money for charity in and around Bismarck and the state of North Dakota.  This was the 31st. McQuade Tournament.  The tournament had started to drop down in in numbers a few years ago.  The McQuade has always been an ASA tournament and still is.  John Daniels and his WSL partnered with the McQuade a few years back putting this event on TV, and the numbers rose back up.  This year they turned away 40 teams.  I have been told that in 2007 they are going to take more teams and make it even bigger.  I would suggest to any teams who have never been to the McQuade softball tournament, to make plans now to attend the 2007 tournament.  You won't regret it, I guarantee you.  Yours truly and Softball 360 radio did the broadcast of the B Division championship game and the "if" game from the McQuade.  These two games were very well played.  Tangletown and Sports Diamond were the two teams in the finals.  Tangletown lost the first game, but came back and won the "if" game to win the B Division of the biggest softball tournament in the world.

 

I can only tell you I went, I saw and I will be back next year.  This was one hell of a softball weekend and party, that in my 43 years of playing, coaching and reporting that I have ever seen.  I was truly amazed at seeing so many families, moms, dads and lots of kids that made up this huge crowd of people.  This is what softball tournaments around the country should try to do. I was so amazed at the respect that the players, coaches and fans showed in attending this tournament.  Not once during the weekend did I see arguments with umpires or cursing, and the truly amazing thing I have never seen so much beer drinking and not one incident throughout all those softball parks all weekend long.  This tells me that they came to play softball, drink beer and have a great time at the #1 tournament and the biggest tournament in the world.  Congratulations and my utmost respect go out to Marlo and the whole McQuade staff and the hundreds of volunteers who helped make this the greatest softball tournament in the world.

 

The USSSA Dudley Budweiser NIT was held in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota this past weekend.  The teams came and the rain came not once, but three or four times throughout the weekend. Bell Corp/Taylor/Belcher/Easton had to do it the hard way, by winning the "if" game.  The Bell Boys rolled through  the winner's bracket final game defeating Resmondo, then fell to Resmondo 39-20 in the championship game, and then came the "if" game.  Resmondo got off to a 17-3 lead, but Bell came charging back to take the lead for good by scoring 17 big runs, and that was it.  I know this, when these two gladiators get it on it is a total war.  These are two top flight softball teams that have a lot of talent.  Congratulations to the Bell team on winning this prestigious tournament.  The Bell boys sure proved who is the #1 team in "Bigtime Softball" at this time.  Bell was led by MVP Brett Helmer in a total offensive assault throughout the tournament.

 

Second place went to Resmondo/KME Softball.  The "Sod Boys" played pretty good, but got a scare from K&C Lockdown in one of the semi-final games, but managed to escape with a two run win.   The "Sod Boys" came into the championship game and hit good to win easy.  They looked like they were going to run away with the "if" game, but did not catch it very well, and let Bell back in it.  I know this, Resmondo is going to have to catch it a whole lot better if they expect to contend as the #1 team in 2006.  They will have to definitely get much better play from their infielders.  "The Bell Boys" on the other hand have one of the best, if not the best infield in the history of the game.  Joerling at third, Dedonatis at short, Rulli in the middle, Mello at second and Goulash at first makes up this unbelievable infield.  I'm here to tell you, when you can play four great shortstops in your infield, you are not going to lose too often.  I have said that I think Bell has the best team on 300' fields, and I still believe Resmondo is the better team on the baseball fields, we will see.

 

Third place went to Specialty Tank/Creative Walls/K&G/Worth, who's only loss of the weekend was to Resmondo.  "The Tank Boys" rolled through the loser's bracket after losing to Resmondo.  "The Tank Boys" would of had to play Resmondo, but chose to catch their flights home and did not play the game.  I know this, the "Worth Boys" have turned the corner and will be a force down the road.  Congratulations to Specialty Tank on a good Dudley.

 

Fourth place went to K&C Lockdown/Graphic23/Easton who are a very good A team.  I believe this will be the team to beat in Class A this season.  This team has a tremendous pitcher and great defense, and they can base hit it with anybody.  The one thing I like about this team is that they never quit.  Great job guys.

 

I'm going to write a little about the job Warren and his staff did in getting this one finished.  The maintenance staff of the City of Brooklyn Center deserve all the credit for getting this tournament finished.  I'm here to tell you that after of five inches of rain  Friday and Saturday on those softball fields their crew had those fields playable each day doing a remarkable job.  Congratulations to Warren, Jerry and the whole USSSA staff on another Great Dudley.

 

The Music City NSA NIT was held last weekend in Nashville, Tenn.  Jean Shoppe/Worth won this NSA Qualifier.  "The Worth Boys" proved to be the best team in this one.  I have said in the past that there are about 10-12 A teams who can win any given weekend.  I know this, when the two big boys are not entered it will always be a battle to see who will win.  That my friends is how it should be.  The "Shoppe Boys" are a very good A team who will be a force when Class A Worlds comes around, I guarantee you.  Congratulations and good luck the rest of the season. 

 

Second place went to another good A team, Kirby's/Easton.  This was a very good B team last season and now are a very good A team this year.  This team is very well coached and has some very talented players.  Great job boys and good luck the rest of the way. 

 

Third place went to Aubrey's/Worth, who has played extremely well all season long, but came up short in this one.  I look for this bunch to bounce back down the road.  This will be a tough team come A World time, we will see.  Good jobs guys and good luck.

 

Fourth place went to a team Twisters/Outfit whom I don't know much about.  They must of played fairly well to finish in fourth in this field of good teams.  Good job fellas and hope to see you down the road. 

 

I want to commend Jim and his NSA staff on another very good NIT, on putting together a very good field of teams for this one.  I know for sure it looks like this Music City NIT will become one of the top tournaments from now on.  I'm glad you guys took the initiative to take over The Twitty spot.  Good luck next year.

 

The USSSA NIT Mike Davis Memorial in Concorde, California was won by Team Combat.  I was told that there was not enough time to get this tournament completed.  Team Combat was declared the winner, as they were undefeated.  I talked to a few people and they told me that they gave Combat the top points.  KC Lockdown/Graphic23/Easton and Sanchos/Easton split second and third place points.  Fourth place points went to KME/Chaney's/Body/Easton. 

 

USSSA HALL OF FAME NIT - KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA -  April 21-23, 2006

 

There are 18 teams in the new conference, which is made up of 5 Super teams, Resmondo, Bell, Specialty Tank, Team Combat and AM Las Vegas.  The other 13 teams are Aubrey's, Northwest, K&C Lockdown, Jean Shoppe, Team Arkansas/Barnes, R&D/AAA Glass, Cash Plus Pawn, Watanabe, Team Worth, Suncoast AH, B&K Butchis, Pace and EAS Pollards.  There are 16 teams in this tournament this weekend with 12 conference teams and 4 non-conference teams entered.  This should be a pretty good bunch of teams in the conference to battle for the Top 15 places to make the first Conference Championship labor day weekend.  I know that I can't wait to see how this new program works out, we all will see. The USSSA Conference is not the only game in town.

 

The WSL will host a bunch of Class A, B & C tournaments all over the country this season.  The WSL and the ASA will continue to work together to run some of the best tournaments in the world.  Check the Old Scout's message board and find out where the tournaments are each week.  I can tell you tournaments like the one in Bismarck, North Dakota, which by the way is the biggest tournament in the world with over 450 teams entered.  The Fireman's event in Minnesota is another great tournament.  Make plans to play the WSL in 2006 and go to beautiful Panama City Beach, Florida for the 2006 WSL Miken Championships.  I can tell you there is nothing like this one.  The hotels are First Class and the beach is one of the best in the world, and Frank Brown Park is perfect for this event.  They also added a brand new beautiful Aquatic Complex at Frank Brown Parks, so bring the family and enjoy softball, the water park and the beach.   I guarantee you you'll enjoy this one.  The NSA is also playing 4 or 5 Class A, AA events in 2006.  Tournaments like The Thoroughbred in Kentucky.  It doesn't get any better than this.  Until next time.

 

The Old Scout

 

The 2006 season is right around the corner. The holiday season is over now, and it's time to start looking at the upcoming season.  I believe that 2006 is the start of "Big Time" softball getting back to where it belongs.  This year it looks like there will be about ten very competitive teams.  I think there will be 4 or 5 major teams depending on how the major list is made.  These are the following teams that I believe should be major;  Resmondo, Bell Corp, Team Worth, Team Combat and Benfield.  I think the very good A teams will be Aubrey's, Northwest Pipe, Jean Shoppe, Team Arkansas/Barnes Logging, McNair Sports, Laser Vision, Tacoma Dodge, K&C/Lockdown/Easton, Long Haul/Miken and about 10 others, who I don't know their roster names yet.  I think with the new softball conference in USSSA will be a giant step in the right direction getting the game back on top.  I like this conference idea, as I think this will get some other teams interested in moving up to play the program.  I would like to see some of the better B teams play in these tournaments to get more experience at the next level.  I will write a little about some of the Top 15 teams for 2006.

 

Resmondo will be the # 1 team in my pre-season rankings.  This year's edition of Resmondo will have a few changes.  Jeff Wallace will be player-manager this year.  The returning players are Wallace, Bumgardner, Purcell, Krause, Baker, Striebel, Kendrick and Rainwater.  The new players are Dal Beggs, Todd Martin, Jimmy Devine and Bryan King.  Gone are Hall, Dedonatis, Glidewell, Turner and Rosado.  I believe if Todd Martin is ready to play and hits like he has in the past, this will make this team better than last year.  Dal Beggs is very close defensively to Dedonatis and is a better hitter than Jr., Dal also has a lot more power.  I think the key player will be Bryan King.  This guy can flat-out pick it and will be a great defensive move in the 6th and 7th innings, and that my friends is what every great team has to have to win.  What makes this such a very good team is the great defense in their outfield.  They are the best three defensively and the best three offensively in the game, we will see. 

 

Bell Corp is right up there with Resmondo.  I will rank them # 2 in my pre-season picks. This team is a lot like Resmondo, with some very good players.  The Bell team in 2006 will have Helmer, Cocco, Joerling, Brown, Baker, Hughes and Nastally.  The new players are Dedonatis, Rulli, Bisbee and Kirby.  I think the only difference in Bell than Resmondo is the offense.  Resmondo has much more power 1-11, and Resmondo has the game's best pitcher in Andy Purcell.  I think on the 300' fields Bell may come out on top, but on the bigger fields Resmondo will win, we will see. 

Team Worth/Stucco/Doc's is my # 3 pre-season ranked team.  Team Worth looks to be very strong with the addition of Jeff Hall over there, raising them up a notch.  I thought that they would keep Randall Dykes and JD Genter, but not to be and that might hurt them.  I know with JC Phelps, Jeff Hall, Mattox and Goulash they will have four legitimate homerun hitters who can hit with any of them.  I think they will be solid on defense, and believe they will have to get a lot of hitting from the bottom of their order.  I'm positive this will be a very competitive team, we will see. 

 

Team Combat is my # 4 pre-season ranked team.  I believe with  the changes that Combat made for 2006, will make this team a contender every weekend.  Johnny McCraw and RJ Howerton will be the guys who must lead this bunch.  They have picked up some very good players in Briggs, Hartman, Casey, Wilhelm, Glidewell, Dykes, Wilson, Rosado, Guess, Holcomb and Higgenbotham.  I think this team has a chance to give anybody a run for their money, we will see. 

 

Benfield/Reece/AM Las Vegas/Shade/Easton is my # 5 pre-season ranked team.  I believe this team will come together after a few tournaments, with all the changes it will take time.  I know losing Rulli, BJ Fulk, Lavorico and others is a big loss for them.  I am sure that Rooster and Randy and the gang have picked up some good players.  I look for this team to move up during the season.  Returning players are Crine, O'Hara, Wegman, Hamermeihl, Justice, Hartwick, Hatfield, Webber and Messina are a good nucleus.  New players are Matt King, May, JD Genter and Buteaux, which should make them fine. 

 

Aubrey's will be my pre-season # 6 team.  This will be a very good A team.  Rocky has made some changes that I believe will make them a better team than last year.  Returning from last year are Jarman, Martin, Johnson, Santiago, Dutch, Cowart and Thomas.  New players are Derrick Oliver, Lorring, Mclean, Filby, Clint, Hillard, Allen and Bare.  I think it will take a few tournaments to get it together, but this should be a contending team. 

 

Northwest Pipe is my # 7 team in my pre-season rankings.  Larry always puts a good team together, and I am sure this 2006 edition will be good.  I know this, if it's anything like last year's team they will be very good.  This bunch has some very good players who know how to win, we will see. 

 

KC/Lockdown/Easton is my # 8 team in my pre-season rankings. I don't know all their players, but I know some and they will be a very good A team.  They should be a contender at Class A at most tournaments, we will see.

 

Long Haul/Miken is my # 9 team in my pre-season rankings. This bunch knows how to win and are always there at the end.  This team has a lot of talent at every position.   They can hit and hit for power.  I know they have picked up a couple of new players, and I heard they can play, we will see.

 

Jean Shoppe/Worth is my # 10 team in my pre-season rankings.  This team will make some noise, I guarantee you.  They have picked up two very good players in pitcher Mucciarelli, and AH catcher Shawn Ballard.  Mooch will be reckoned with in USSSA, I guarantee you.  Ballard is the next Bigtime homerun hitter in the game.  This young man can flat-out hit it and hit it a long way believe me.  I look for the Shoppe boys to have a very good year.  I know they will take their lumps, but they will beat some of the best, we will see.

 

Team Arkansas/Barnes Logging is my # 11 team in my pre-season rankings.  Team Arkansas was a very good B team last year.  Barnes Logging had a very good A team.  With these two merging, I look for this team to be very competitive.  Both teams had good players, and now they put the best of each together.  They will be good, we will see. 

 

McNair Sports is my # 12 team in my pre-season rankings.  Cobbie Harrison is managing this new team and I know Cobbie will put together a very competitive team.  Cobbie is one of the best managers in the history of this game, believe me.  I watched Cobbie take a team that nobody thought could win, and win two of the four Grand Slam events, with one being the USSSA Worlds.  This guy knows how to get the best out of his players, believe me.  We will see what he brings to the table this season. 

 

I will give you the rest of my Top 15 & Honorable mentions as soon as I get all the rosters in.  I'm looking forward to the upcoming season and I know a lot of you are too.  Please send your rosters and your schedules as soon as possible.  I will not post anybody in the Top 15 or Honorable mentions unless you send a roster to me first.  Remember that when you send your roster please give us the name you want posted for your team and also the city and state you're from, along with your contact person.

 

I attended the opening of the USSSA Office Complex and the USSSA Hall of Fame in Kissimme, FL. I'm here to tell you that it's a must to see this unbelievable building.  Hall of Fame Director Robert Still has put together the most beautiful Hall of Fame you will ever see.  If you are in Central Florida it is well worth the time to stop over and see this fabulous USSSA office and Hall of Fame.  This is an easy place to get to coming into Orlando;  from the east take I-4 West to 192 East follow  I92 East to Osceola County Stadium and your there.  From the west take I-4 East to I92 East to the stadium.  I attended the Hall of Fame dinner and it was a first class event.  Todd Joerling was inducted, along with Frank Lateano and Woody Bell. I can tell you these three giants belong in this great organization's Hall of Fame.  Todd has earned his by being one of the great players of all time.  There are some softball experts that believe that Todd has been the best all around player in the game throughout his great career.  I'm one guy who believes it also.  Todd was the #2 homerun hitter from 1990-2005.  Todd has hit 1654 homeruns.  This is from the official homerun list from NIT's and World Tournaments from 1990-2005. Congratulations Todd on a great career and good luck in 2006.  Frank Lateano surely earned his way into the USSSA Hall of Fame by winning more World Championships than any manager in history.  Frank has won 40 World Championships in all divisions in all the associations.  Frank had a great run with one of the all time great teams, Rich's Superior.  Frank had over 40 supporters at the induction including veteran Buddy Slater who talked Frank in, and some players who came to the event including Britt Hightower, Darryl Beeler, Ron Parnell and Paul Drilling just to name a few.  Congratulations on your inductions into the USSSA Hall of Fame, you earned it.  Woody Bell was also inducted into the USSSA Hall of Fame.  Woody, who I believe is one of the classiest sponsors to ever be in the game.  I have never heard any of his players throughout the years say anything bad about Woody.  He treated his players like family.  Woody and Pat have done a lot for this great game throughout the years, and treated other players and softball people first class forever.  Woody all I can say is you earned it and congratulations on your induction and good luck in 2006.  Warren Bellm talked Woody into the Hall.  Warren without a doubt is one of the nicest people in the game of softball.