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"Welcome to Major League Softball" |
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The Old
Scout's - "Softball Report" |
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Updated:
October 5, 2007 |
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Softball Report October 5, 2007 |
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The 2008 season will be the first time in a long, long
time that there are bigtime players who have been paid
big money over the years who have no where to play and
get paid what they're used to being paid. The 2008
season also will have a whole bunch of players who
haven't got paid much to play that will be looking just
to play for scrap. The big reason this is happening is
at least three or four teams have folded, and a couple
of teams merged. The game will need to get more
sponsors for all these players, that's for sure. I know
many of the critics will say the game is dead. That may
be true, but I for one don't believe it. The reason the
game is in trouble is because nobody did anything to
make the right changes in the game.
I know that one year back in the early 90's some
softball people made an effort to drop the number of.
major players from 11 to 9 and the following year 9 to
7. Two of the biggest sponsors in the game decided they
didn't want that and went to the association and told
them they wouldn't play if that rule was put into
effect. That was mistake one, it should of been put
into effect. I have said for years it doesn't make sense
to have one or two great teams and the rest of the teams
can't win. I don't want to hear how it used to be back
years ago. In the early years of the game there were
always one dominating team. In the 80's it was the same
way, one dominating team. I know this for sure,
that from 1990 through 2007 there has always been one
dominating team. I also know in the early 90's there
were 4-5 very good super teams and one dominating.
There were four to five good AA teams, and they were
very competitive. I also know in the early 90's there
were about five solid A teams that were very
competitive. I can't believe that the people who ran
the associations did not do something to even the
playing field. I know that in the late 90's the
associations instituted the homerun rules to try to get
the A teams more competitive against the supers. I am
here to tell you the rules never did anything to level
out the game. Take a look at how the game was from 1990
until they put the 12 homerun rule in, and also before
1990, but not quite as much. The game was the dumbest
most ridiculous it ever was in those years. I can't
believe anybody would of let this go on the way the game
was played from 1990 until the homerun rule was in
effect.
The talk of the game today is how good the equipment is,
and there is no doubt the equipment is very good. I
know this, don't you ever believe that the equipment in
1990 until the homerun rule came in effect was good,
very good. The bats, single wall and double wall; the
balls .47 core and .50 core were used; the fields 300'
unlimited homeruns; the players on most of the best
teams 6' to 6 '5" 200 to 280 lb. players; infielders a
lot of them 200 to 250 lbs.; one step right, one step
left was their range. Outfielders; most of the good
teams had two good ones; the third outfielder was 260
and even heavier on some teams. These big men hit
softballs out of the park consistently. Scores of the
games were totally outrageous, 150-180 runs scored in a
game. Umpires on the field for 3 hours or more. I
would like to know what skills it took these big men
hitting .47, .50 core balls out on 300' fields.
The game should of been changed then, but nobody did
anything about it. I was asked once to call a tournament
into the Boston Globe newspaper for Rich's Superior. I
called and the sportswriter answered. I told him I
would like to report a softball tournament. I told him
it was the # 1 team in the world Rich's Superior. He
told me he was not the regular guy who wrote about
softball, that he was a beat writer for the Boston Red
Sox. He said he would take the info. I told him Rich's
won the championship with the final score Rich's 86,
Shen Valley 78. The man said excuse me sir are you
reporting a summer basketball tournament? I quickly
replied sir forget what I said thank you for your time
and hung up. I got back in my car and started to drive
home. I then realized what the hell am I crazy? How
could anybody report a score like that from a softball
game to a bigtime baseball reporter. I vowed then I
would never put a score like that in any report again,
and I have not. The restricted homerun rule was put into
play to try and stop these high scores, and it has
worked. The scores now with the homerun rule have
become respectful, and yes it's a better game. I know
since the rule was instituted the good class A teams
have beat the best super teams on occasion each season
since it's been put in. The rule has made for more
competitive games between the good class A teams and the
best super teams. I also can tell you no A team has
ever won a NIT when two or more super teams have played
in a restricted homerun tournament.
I believe the only way bigtime softball can become
competitive and have a level playing field is to not
have super teams as they are today. I have looked at
all angles as to how to get the game on a level playing
field. I have been saying the game should put together a
right elite list and have two or three elite players on
a team. I certainly believe this is the way the game
should go. The problem is right now there are only about
five or six sponsors who would and could afford to do
this. I don't believe this program will work without
more sponsors or the players will have to play for a lot
less money than they do today. The year of 2008 is the
year that players that have been playing for some big
money will have no choice but to play for a lot less or
get out of the game. I can tell you all, this is the
way it will be in 2008. The only other way to level the
playing field is to not let any of the elite players
play. I damn sure don't want that to happen. I totally
believe that the best players in the world will get paid
just like they have been, and that two to a team is the
correct way to go. They may play for less, but that's
how it's got to go. It's pretty simple, the man who
spends the most money and gets the right players wins
most of the time.
Nascar was like that for years, not anymore. They
realized that they better make the right changes or
Nascar might be finished. Bigtime softball is in the
same boat, level the playing field or it will be over
very soon. I say to the class A sponsors, it's time for
you guys to make the right moves and be able to come to
NIT's and world tournaments with a chance to win. I
believe it's time for you A sponsors to not be the teams
to get beat up by teams you cannot be competitive
against. I know there's a simple way to get the playing
field even, get rid of the super teams, allow two elite
players on a team, use the right damn ball for the size
of the field and bigtime softball will not die. I'll
tell you all, if no change soon it will die. I believe
the conference is good, but not with the two super
teams. The other teams have no chance to win.
I want to give you a look of what I think will happen if
they go to a two elite player program. Here is a fine
example; Team Combat in 2007 had four elite players on
their team, Garris, McCraw, Brown and Genter. Team
Combat with those players struggled most of the season,
not only against Resmondo and Bell Corp, but Shoppe,
Aubrey's, KME, the Scene, Woodlaw, Fencebrokers and even
some B teams. The reason for this happening is just
plain simple. You cannot have four or five catcher AH
players in your lineup; you will not win. I say if you
had two elite players and they were your catcher AH's
then you go out and find four shortstops, 3
centerfielders, a great pitcher and a decent first
baseman and you'll be competitive, anything other than
that save your money. Do the math, the system will work
when the two super teams are gone.
I knew that Bell Corp was not coming back in 2008. I
thought if Dan Smith stays out of the game I believe
that Travis would get out of it also, then we would have
the game right where it belongs. We would of had 10-12
very good teams. Travis and Dan could of put A teams
together, and these teams could compete against each
other and anyone of the 10-12 teams would have a chance
to win on any given weekend. That is how bigtime
softball should be, not one or two dominating teams that
nobody else can beat. I think the A teams need to take
a very hard look at what could be for them. I know that
one association is not the answer. I believe that there
is a chance that one of the other associations will have
a division which will allow two elite players on a team,
playing about four NIT's and one world tournament. This
will be the best play for the very good A & B teams in
the country. I believe they will use the six homerun
hitters for the A teams and four homerun hitters for the
B division; when A plays B four homerun hitters, when A
plays A six homerun hitters. This was how AA was
played back a few years ago and that was the best game
ever. There will be more info on this new program for A
& B teams coming out after the conventions. Remember
these are only my opinions.
Here is a list of players that I know are with some
teams, and a lot that are not with any teams. Some of
these players may have already signed with teams. From
Bell Corp-Tim Cocco, BJ Fulk, Todd Joerling, Dennis
Rulli, Greg Cornell (with Resmondo maybe), Rick Baker
(with Resmondo), Bobby Hughes (with Resmondo), Joel
Ramos, Jeff Hall (with Resmondo), Scott Kirby (with Dan
Smith), Brian Wegman (with Dan Smith), Scott Nastally
(with Dan Smith), Brett Helmer (with Dan Smith).
From Resmondo - Jeff Wallace (with Resmondo), Bryson
Baker (with Resmondo), Vince Bisbee (with Resmondo), Don
Dedonatis, Jr. (with Resmondo), Kevin Gillott (with
Resmondo), Howie Krause (with Resmondo), Todd Martin
(with Resmondo), Andy Purcell (with Resmondo), Brian
Rainwater (with Resmondo), Rusty Bumgardner (with Dan
Smith), Dal Beggs (with Dan Smith), Jason Kendrick (with
Dan Smith).
Team Combat (now Dan Smith-No Combat) Mark Weber, Brian
May, Brian Higginbotham, Shane Hatfield, Greg Hartwick,
Hank Garris, Jeff McGavin (with Dan Smith), Brian
Justice (with Dan Smith), JD Genter (with Dan Smith),
John McCraw (with Dan Smith) Scott Brown (with Dan
Smith).
Aubrey's has folded Kyle Decker, Greg Collett, Scott
King, Roy Jarman, Clint Hiller, John Thomas, Shun
Watson, Dennis Turner, Wayne Habemehl, Kyle Cowart (with
Jean Shoppe), San Chez (with Jean Shoppe).
Fence Brokers, I have heard they have folded. I also
heard that Troy Nance and Rick Gosser are putting a team
together, we will see.
I have heard that GTL is looking to merge with some
other team, we will see.
Laser Vision and the Scene are trying to merge. If this
happens there will be 12 players from the two teams
available.
KME has folded. Denny Crine, Bill Messina, Brian
Martin, Tim Baker, Jimmy Carter, John Gallegos, Bryan
King, Jason Chamizo, Aaron Fuqua, John Balley, Donovan
Pokraka, Scott Janack, Victor Cordova.
Mooch, JC Phelps.
I am sure there are a lot of other team who might have
folded and many players looking for a place to play in
2008. I would suggest that you run your name on the
message board and leave a number to contact and you
might get on a team.
I hope this helps out a lot of teams that are looking
for players. Until next time......
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report
September 26, 2007 |
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USSSA MENS SUPER WORLD
SERIES DISNEY'S WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS SEPT. 19-23 |
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Resmondo Softball won this
prestigious tournament and finished off the most
spectacular bigtime softball season the game has ever
seen. Resmondo Softball set the best season record of
all time in NIT's and the world series with a record of
60-3. Resmondo played 11 tournaments in 2007, with 7 of
those tournaments played on 300' fields playing with the
restricted homerun rules. One tournament, the Smoky was
played on a semi baseball field with dimensions of 315'
down the lines, 350' to center. Resmondo lost that
tournament and lost the only game of the season to
powerhouse Bell Corp that weekend. The other three
tournaments Resmondo played in 2007 were the first
tournament of the year a baseball field 330', 390',
410'. They also played the conference championship on
that same field. Resmondo finished off the season
playing at Cracker Jack Stadium at Disney's Wild World
of Sports 330', 385' & 400'. Resmondo showed the
softball world they could play restricted homerun
tournaments and unlimited homerun tournaments and go
60-3 in these conditions. Resmondo was led by MVP, Brian
Rainwater who has come into his own and fast becoming
one of the games best all around players. This young man
from Georgia who was a college all american baseball
player at Georgia, is showing the world of softball why
he was selected as a college all american outfielder.
Brian has learned to hit the softball and now may become
one of the games feared hitters with his tremendous
power and his ability to use the whole field. There's no
doubt in my mind he is a super star of the game.
Resmondo got a total team effort, as they have all year
in winning this world championship. Congratulations to
the winningest team in one season at the top level.
Second place went to Team Combat/Dalsanders, who lost
their first game of the tournament and came charging out
of the losers bracket to get back to the finals. The
Combat boys played extremely well coming back through,
as they played a whole bunch of games to get back to the
finals. This Combat team have struggled a whole lot
throughout the season losing to teams they shouldn't of
lost too. I will write in the report later why I think
this happens. Congratulations to Combat on a great
weekend and a hell of a run to get back to the finals.
Third place went to Bell Corp who played pretty good
until Saturday night when Resmondo sent them to the
losers bracket. The Bell boys came out Sunday morning
needing to beat Combat to get back to the finals, but
that wasn't to be, as Bell fell to Combat and were
headed to the house. I know this, it was a long season
for Bell Corp with the injury to Scott Nastally. They
struggled throughout the season. Bell Corp in 2007 just
did not have enough to be competitive against Resmondo
and I will tell you why later in this report.
Congratulations to Bell Corp on their season. Woody Bell
has announced that he is retiring from the game for
good. There's no finer guy and lady than Woody & Pat
Bell who have given their heart and soul to the game
they love, Bigtime Softball. I wish Woody & Pat the best
and enjoy the rest of your lives.
Fourth place went to GTL. This softball team from the
west coast has played extremely well in the Conference
Championship and now in the USSSA Worlds. I'm here to
tell you this is one very good Class A softball team who
can play against any of the good A teams in the country.
Congratulations on the job you've done in the last
couple of weeks and I hope to see you guys back in 2008.
I would like to congratulate the rest of the teams who
participated in the 2007 USSSA World Series.
I would like to commend Don Dedonatis Sr. and his USSSA
staff on running another great USSSA World Series.
There's no doubt in my mind this is the showcase of
softball. It is totally a first class operation from
start to finish playing in the greatest venue the world
of softball has ever played in, Disney's Wide World of
Sports. The only problem that I saw all weekend was the
ball was just a little too good. I talked to a lot of
the managers and players and they had the same opinion I
had. Other than that it was another great USSSA Worlds.
I would like to comment a little on the state of the
game ending the 2007 season and entering into the 2008
season. Back four or five years ago I asked the NSA to
come down to Florida and look at an experimental
tournament and they did. What I wanted to do in that
tournament and did was play on the big baseball fields
using 80' & 90' bases We had some of the greatest
players participate in this experimental tournament and
the NSA put this into play that year. When I proposed
this experimental tournament I was thinking how much the
game of slow pitch softball needed a change. The
equipment was getting much better, the bats and the
balls were explosive. The 300' fields could not contain
the players of today, nor the equipment of today. The
game needed to be played on bigger fields with longer
bases. The game then needed to change how the players
played the game. The game being played on the big fields
with longer bases all of a sudden needed athletes who
could run, field, throw, base hit, use the whole field
and especially play defense. The game did change and
some of the teams realized that they had to make player
changes to win. The world championships were going to be
decided on baseball fields with longer bases. Travis
Resmondo was the first one to realize he could not win
having four and five catchers and additional hitters in
his lineup. He knew he could not win with those type of
players. Travis and his management put together a team
made up of three centerfielders, four shortstops, a
first baseman with great power and the ability to catch
pretty good. He had the game's greatest pitcher ever in
Andy Purcell, and he had the game's greatest overall
hitter in Wallace. That is why that team was 60-3 and
the greatest team to ever play the game, and that's my
opinion.
The second best team in softball in 2007 was Bell Corp.
You might ask why could they not beat Resmondo? I'm
going to tell you why, as I stated earlier you cannot
and you will not win when you have four or five catchers
and additional hitters in your lineup. That my friend is
what Bell Corp had in their lineup. It didn't matter how
many homeruns Fulk, Helmer, Hall, Cocco, Cornell or
Wegman hit. What mattered they did not catch the ball,
and that is the reason why they could not beat Resmondo.
Team Combat was in the same position. They had a bunch
of homerun hitters, but four or five catchers and
additional hitters would not let them win, period. In
the 2008 season Dan Smith will return and take over the
Combat team. I was looking at their tentative roster and
sure enough I see the four catcher additional hitter
situation, and that my friends is going to be right
where the 2007 Bell Corp and Combat teams were. They
cannot and will not win using those players. I'll end
all this with my opinion; to build a team for 2008 you
better find three centerfielders who can go get the
ball, no more 250-260 lb. outfielders, you must have
four shortstops in the infield who have a lot of range,
and not have infielders who only can one step right or
one step left. You will not win. You also better have a
great pitcher who is not afraid to throw the ball over
the middle of the plate instead of everything inside, or
you won't win. You better have one of the game's
greatest hitters in your lineup or you won't win. That's
my opinion on how you should build a team in 2008.
Remember this is only MY OPINION. I will not allow any
bashing about my report. If you have your opinions, feel
free to write them yourself. If you come on and bash
myself or anyone else's opinions you will be banned from
here.
Congratulations to all the teams, players and sponsors
on a great 2007 season. I hope you all will be returning
in 2008 with better teams, think about what I wrote.
Until next time the Old Scout who is going to rest for
awhile. It's been a great season. Looking forward to
what 2008 will bring!
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report September 14,
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WSL/MIKEN NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS PANAMA
BEACH CITY, FL: SEPT. 7-9, 2007 |
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I would like to tell you all, it doesn't get any better
than this in world tournament play. Frank Brown
Softball and Recreation Complex is the best setting for
a tournament of this size, no doubt about it. The
diamonds are
kept perfect throughout the tournament. The
aquatic park with pools, slides and toys for the kids is
just fabulous. The Edgewater Resort is a five star
condo resort that is absolutely perfect for the softball
teams and their families. The only problem I found is
that some of the teams have a little hard time flying in
to Panama Beach, but that is going to get a lot better
next year because they are working right now to make the
airport much bigger allowing more flights to come into
the area next year. The WSL held it's first tournament
in Panama Beach four years ago and drew 100 teams. This
year the number was 200 teams. This became the biggest
slow pitch tournament ever at Frank Brown Park. The WSL,
with it's Midwest Championships in Minnesota, the West
Championships in Las Vegas and the North American Miken
Championships in Panama City had over 400 teams total
playing in these world championships. The WSL had
hundreds and hundreds of teams participate in qualifying
tournaments throughout the US all summer long to get to
these worlds. I can tell you all, it's going to get
much bigger and better in 2008. The reason is the
prizes and equipment packages from Miken for the top
four teams in each division is the best in all of
softball, lots of cash and Miken equipment.
This year's tournament in all divisions was
outstanding. There were great battles in all divisions
for the championships. The A Division had ten teams
entered with six of the top A teams in the nation there,
along with Team Illinois and three military teams, the
Army, the Air Force and the Navy. The A teams played on
320' fields all the way around using 80' bases, which
made this the most competitive A Worlds this season.
The Scene/Mattingly Softball out of NY won this great
Class A Worlds. This team had to fight right to the end
and beat USSSA World Class A Champions Jean Shoppe/Worth
to win the championship. The Scene lost a few players
towards the end of the season. They picked up three
players to play in this one. Chris O'Hara, the veteran
bigtime hitter who plays for KME all season long was a
big pickup for the Scene, as he continued to hit it like
he has all season long with KME. Chris played in this
one with some broken ribs, but toughed it out and had a
great tournament. The Scene has played very, very good
all season until the last few weeks, but put it all
together when it counted and won this Class A
Championship. Congratulations on a great weekend. I
hope your team is able to come back in 2008. We need
you guys, good luck.
Jean Shoppe/Worth, who lost their first game to the
Scene, came charging out of the loser's bracket and got
back to play the Scene again in the first game of the
championship. The "Shoppe Boys" just plain ran out of
gas in the very hot weather and had to settle for the
runner-up in this one. I want to tell you all that
Shoppe showed a lot of heart coming back through this
tough loser's bracket in the extreme hot weather, that's
for sure. Congratulations on a great tournament and
good luck at Disney.
Third place went to ABS/Easton who played good in this
one despite the fact that two of their very best players
Dill and Devine did not play. This veteran team did not
give up easy as they battled to the end and fell just a
little short. This team has had a great season winning
the NSA Class A Worlds and played great in a lot of
NIT's this season. Congratulations on a great season,
and I hope you come back in 2008, we need you in Class
A.
Fourth place went to Long Haul Trucking/Miken, who gave
a very good showing despite not having two or three of
their very good players who haven't really played very
much in 2007. I can tell you all this is a solid top 10
A team when they have all the bodies there. "The
Truckers" gave a terrific effort in this one, but just
not enough talent to get any higher. Congratulations on
a good weekend and I sure hope you guys come back in
2008 a little stronger and compete with the best A teams
in the world.
Laser Vision/Easton just did not play well in this one.
Fencebrokers/Worth also didn't play very well this
weekend. Team Illinois had a tough weekend. The Army,
Navy and Air Force military teams gave a great effort in
this world tournament. Remember these teams are only
together for a couple of weeks and then come and play
the best A teams in the world. I can tell you these
teams are competitive and give a great effort. I also
want to say from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate
what you guys do for America, and I'm sure I speak for
all the softball family when I say this.
Here is a run down of the lower divisions.
The B Division winner was Team Logo. Second place went
to Alabama Brick.
The C Division winner was J&H Wall/Merit Chev/CR'S.
Second place went to OWC.
The D Division winner was AWA. Second place went to
T&T.
The E Rec Division winner was Dog Pound. Second place
went to D-Backs.
The Women's Division winner was Cidra. Second place went
to O&S Cattle.
Click here to view Brackets,
MVP and All Tourney for all Divisions
I want to thank all the teams in all divisions for
participating in this great world tournament and hope to
see you all back in 2008. I would like to thank John
Daniels and his whole WSL staff for working very hard
the last five years to make the WSL a first class
organization in helping to bring softball in America to
the great amateur sport that it is. I know for sure
without people like you John this would not happen.
Congratulations on a great WSL World Championship
Tournament. You deserve all the escalades!
Next tournament the granddaddy of them all, the USSSA
Men's Super World Series at Disney's Wide World of
Sports starting Wed. Sept. 19-23. Good luck to all the
participating teams, and may the best team win. I
believe this is going to be one hell of a tournament and
I can't wait to see it all happen. See you all there.
Until next time.......
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report
September 4, 2007 |
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The USSSA Conference Championship was held at Osceola
County Stadium, winter home of the Houston Astros this
past weekend. This is also the home of the USSSA
Headquarters. The second Conference Championship was
played and Resmondo Softball went undefeated going 6-0
on route to the championship. Resmondo has now set the
modern day record for the least losses in one season.
Resmondo has one more tournament to play, and even if
they lose two games in that tournament they will still
finish with only five losses in this 2007 season.
Rich's Superior, Steele's Silver Bullet and Long Haul/TPS
had seasons with six losses. Warren Motors, way back in
the early days went 92-2 in that season. The sod boys
have set this record playing nine restricted homerun
tournaments in 2007 and two unlimited homerun
tournaments, the Smoky and the USSSA World Series. This
is no doubt an unbelievable record when most of your
games are played with a twelve homerun limit on 300'
fields. I guarantee you one thing, you have to base hit
it, go backside, play great defense and have some timely
hitting to only lose three games so far. I believe the
reason this team has a conflict this great season is
because they have the best defensive team in the game,
that's for sure. They also have the best overall
hitting team.
They have the best pitcher and arguably one of the
greatest hitters the game has seen in Wallace, who broke
the all time OB record hitting a whopping 824 OB for
the season. Wallace is still in the race for the
homerun leader in 2007. BJ Fulk won the conference HR
title with 80. The Conference Championship and the
World Series at Disney will settle who leads the country
in 2007. Fulk, Garris, Wallace and Helmer are in a
battle with one tournament to go. The Conference
Championship got off Friday night and as I predicted in
last week's Softball Report I thought the tournament was
up for grabs. I also said there would be some upsets,
and sure enough the first game Aubrey's beat Bell. Then
Aubrey's gets beat by Fencebrokers. That's pretty much
how the pool play went. Shoppe got upset by GTL/Combat.
The tournament started out Saturday and the double
elimination part of it began. By the middle of the
afternoon the clouds started to blacken up the sky and
the rain came. The fields were covered with a whole lot
of water. The tournament director decided it would be
almost impossible to get all the fields ready for play
and the USSSA had scheduled the awards banquet for
7:00. They decided to send the loser bracket teams home
and bring back the four teams from the winner's bracket
on Sunday. Resmondo beat KME, Bell Corp beat GTL/Combat.
Then it was time again for Resmondo and Bell Corp to get
it on and decide who would be the 2007 Conference
Champions. The game was a low scoring game with
Resmondo up two going to the top of the 7th. Resmondo
scored 8 big runs to take a 10 run lead and Bell Corp
came to bat in the bottom of the 7th needing 10 to tie
and 11 to win. Bell Corp got one and it was over.
Congratulations to the Resmondo team on your win and
your great season so far. Good luck at Disney.
Congratulations to Bell Corp on your runner-up and good
luck to your team at Disney.
I would like to congratulate all the teams who
participated in this second year Conference
Championship. I am sure the teams who couldn't finish
would of liked to, but sometimes decisions have to be
made and it doesn't always make people happy. Good luck
to all you guys who are participating in the USSSA World
Series. I loved watching the games being played on the
biggest fields the teams play on all year long, 330',
390', 410' with 75 ft. bases. That is the way bigtime
softball should be played. The only problem that I saw
in this tournament was the ball they used, a .47 core
rock. It was just too good, even for this size field.
The only thing that kept the ball from flying out all
day was the severe heat. Any games played at night any
player could of hit it out anywhere in the park. I
believe a .44 525 would of been the right ball and only
the real homerun hitters could of hit them out, and
that's the way it should be. Even with the heat the
ball was flying past the infielders and the
outfielders. The only way it was caught was if it was
at somebody. The tournament was great with a lot of
good teams, but just too much ball for that tournament.
Good luck to everybody at Disney.
The WSL Miken North American Championships will begin in
Panama City Beach, Fla. Sept 7-9th with 208 teams
participating in all classes. This is the biggest
softball tournament in Panama City Beach ever. This
should be a great weekend and fun in the sun on the
beach. I can tell you if you're in the area bring the
family and watch some great softball and enjoy the
fabulous beach. See you all there. Until next
time......
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report
August 30, 2007 |
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WSL/STATION CASINOS
WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS: LAS VEGAS, NV AUGUST 23-26,
2007 |
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This past weekend in
steamy hot, hot Las Vegas, Nevada was the warmest
temperatures I've ever seen in my 45 years of being
around softball, temperatures reaching 110-115 degrees
was the norm for the six days I was in Vegas. I give the
teams, coaches, wives and kids a lot of credit for
making it through this tournament. I will post the top
two finishers for all the divisions later in this
report. Greg Huchinson did try to help the teams by
instituting a one hour time limit for all the games on
Saturday and that helped. The time limit kept the
tournament right on schedule all day Saturday. Sunday's
games all were played the distance, seven innings. I
believe we were very lucky as only one player went down
with a heat stroke, but was revived by the Henderson
City rescue squad and was okay in a couple of hours. I
know that playing in Vegas in August is not good. I also
know that next years West Championships will be played
in late October in Vegas with no time limit games, I
guarantee you. The time limit just had to be done in
this one for the safety of everyone concerned, believe
me. The tournament in all divisions was very good. The
competition in the C, D & E was so good that all three
divisions were decided in the if game.
The B Division was won by Tharaldson Enterprises who went
undefeated. Second place went to Texas Storm.
The C Division winner was Chariton Merchants. Second
place went to Salscheider.
The D Division winner was FR Construction. Second place
went to Wilson Creek.
The E Division was won by Miners/SO/Cal Roofing. Second
place went to HLLK.
The Women's Division winner went No Chit. Second place
went to Tharaldson Enterprises.
The Co/Ed Division winner went to KKB/Spit On It. Second
place went to Sweet Spot.
Click here to view complete brackets for all
divisions.
I will tell you all, there were some very happy teams
who not only won their championships, but also won a
great package from the WSL Miken Sports. Some of the
prizes totaled over $6,000. Some awesome equipment was
given to some of the winners along with some cash, as
the WSL continues to give away the best prize packages
in all of softball. I believe this West WSL/ASA
Championship will grow and become as big as the Miken
North American Championships in Panama City Beach, Fla.
Panama City Beach, Fla. will be the setting for the
Miken North American Championships Sept. 7-9. This is
going to be a great event with over 200 teams
participating in this year's championships. I'm looking
forward to this one. The Class A should be a great one
with teams like Jean Shoppe, ABS/Easton, Laser Vision,
Aubrey's, the Scene and a bunch more of the very good A
teams in the country entered. The B Division has a whole
lot of great teams, as does the C Division. The D
Division is loaded. The women will also be good. See you
all in beautiful Panama City Beach, Fla.
Next tournament is the USSSA Conference Championships
this coming weekend in Kissimmee, Fla. August 31-Sept
2nd.. Don't miss this one. I believe this one is up for
grabs with the games being played on the biggest fields
these teams will play on in 2007. I'm looking for some
upsets maybe, we will see. Good luck to all the teams.
Until next time......
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report August 20, 2007 |
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USSSA CLASS A WORLDS AUG.17-19 DISNEY'S WIDE WORLD OF
SPORTS |
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The people at the Wide World of Sports were giving away
ice cream Sunday and Jean Shoppe/Worth decided to get a
double dip. The Shoppe boys came all the way back
through to win this Class A World Championship. The
Shoppe boys have been one of the top A teams all season
long and now have proven they are the #1 A team in
2007. Shoppe has everything it takes to win in Class
A. This team can base hit it with anybody. They have
enough power to keep them in all games and can flat out
catch it, both in the infield and outfield. They also
have two very good pitchers in Mooch and Filby. I'm very
happy for Greg and Ed who have been trying to win the
big one for a few years and they finally won it. Greg
is one of the best sponsors in the game, and I'm here to
tell you he is a first class guy who deserves this
championship. I cannot say enough good about this
team. This bunch has some very, very good players who
can play the game. I believe with Larry Q coming over
gave Shoppe some good chemistry and experience. He
brought some very good players along with him from last
year's championship team Northwest Pipe.
Congratulations to Greg, Larry and the whole Jean
Shoppe/Worth team on winning this great Class A Worlds.
Good luck the rest of the way.
Second place went to KME/Chaney/Easton, who I believe
was the #2 Class A team in 2007. This is another one of
those very good A teams. This bunch also has some great
class A players, that's for sure. This club has played
well all season and was one of three teams to beat
Resmondo this season. The others were Shoppe and Bell.
This team has a few players from the great Benfield team
the last few years, O'Hara, Crime and Messina and others
who know how to win. KME also has some very good players
from California who also can play. Congratulations to
KME for a great Class A Worlds, and good luck the rest
of the way.
Third place went to Woodlaw, who started out with their
own team, then folded and combined with Extreme Fitness
and then ended the season being Woodlaw again. This
team has some good A players who can play This team is
a legit A team who can compete with any of the top A
teams in the country. I believe if this team did not go
through all the problems they would have been right up
near the top
Fourth place goes to Aubrey's/Worth who struggled a
little early in the season, got rid of a couple of
players and then started to win some. Aubrey's always
seems to play well in the Worlds. and did so in this
one. Congratulations to Rocky and all your sponsors and
team members on a good tournament. Good luck down the
road.
This year's Class A Worlds was a little different from
the past few years. The ball used this year was the
same ball the USSSA used all season on the 300' fields
.44. The last few years they used a .47. Don told me
he wanted to keep the same ball that they used all
season long. He said they will hit .47 core on the
baseball fields in Kissimmee and Disney. I agree with
Don to keep it uniformed and the teams will always know
what they're hitting. I'm here to tell you the ball
made for a lower scoring tournament and that's okay.
There were a lot of very close games and not a lot of
homeruns. The ball also made for a much better
defensive game. I liked the 70' bases on the 300'
fields. Don said the Conference Championship and the
Major will have 75' bases. I like that also. I had
said earlier that I thought eight teams had a chance to
win in this A Worlds. I believe the eight teams I
thought could win finished just about how they should
have. I know we are getting close to where we should be
in bigtime softball. We have about ten very good A
teams. We need to get six more to make sixteen very
competitive Class A teams, and softball will be right
where it should be. The Class A Worlds is the way the
game should be with good hitting, great defense and
homeruns hit by the players that should hit them, lower
scores and not a homerun derby. I say put sixteen
competitive teams in a tournament ten times a season
letting them play two championships and you will have
the best ball the game has ever had. I believe we are
getting close to this happening. They just have to make
the moves. Bigtime softball does not need 30-40 teams
in a tournament, like years back. They got 30 & 40
teams back then, but only 12-16 were competitive. No
different then and no different now. Class E, D & C need
40 teams, not bigtime. Bigtime needs the best 16 teams
it can get and any of the 16 have a chance to win. That
is how bigtime softball should be. That's just my
opinion. Don congratulations on another very, very good
Class A Worlds. Keep up the good work.
The next bigtime tournament is the Conference
Championship Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at Osceola County Stadium,
winter home of the Houston Astros in Kissimmee, FL.
This coming weekend the WSL West Championship in Las
Vegas, Nevada. Good luck to all the teams, Until next
time......
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report
August 8, 2007 |
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USSSA CONFERENCE NIT STERLING HEIGHTS, MI: AUGUST 3-5,
2007 |
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Resmondo Softball wins the last Conference NIT of 2007.
The sod boys end up the conference season going 48-3.
Resmondo will now set sail for the Conference
Championship and the grand daddy of them all the USSSA
Worlds. Resmondo has a chance to set the modern day
season record if they run the table in their next two
tournaments. Warren Motors out of Jacksonville, Fla. in
1976 went 94-2. Long Haul/TPS lost six games in 2001
and went 18-0 in the grand slam in 2001. Rich's
Superior went 81-6 in 1993. Steele's Silver Bullets
went 72-6 in 1990. Dan Smith went 76-6 in 2004. I know
this the critics can argue about who was or is the best
team of all times, and that is fine. I can tell you I
have seen them all, Warren Motors, Howard's, Steele's,
Rich's, Dan Smith, Long Haul and other great teams over
the years in bigtime softball. This is my opinion and I
believe that Resmondo Softball's 2007 team is the best
to ever play the game. I know this no team in the
history has ever had four shortstops, three
centerfielders, the best pitcher and arguably two of the
games greatest hitters ever. Combine all that and you
have the greatest team in history bar none. I also
believe that Long Haul/TPS's 2001 team was the second
best team of all times. I believe the 93 Rich's
Superior team to be the third best team of all time. I
believe the 90 Steele's Silver Bullets team to be the
fourth best team of all time, and finally the Dan Smith
team of 2004 the fifth best team of all time. Remember
this is only MY OPINION. I will not accept any bashing
about MY OPINION. You may express your opinions about
your teams.
Resmondo did not have to play the first game of the
finals because it was raining hard and both teams agreed
to end the tournament and catch their flights home.
Resmondo will now have a month to rest, get players
healthy and ready to play the last two tournaments.
Bell Corp. will also have a month off and that will give
them a chance to get healthy also. The A teams will now
set their thoughts on the upcoming Class A Worlds Aug.
17-19 at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla.
Congratulations to Resmondo on an unbelievable season
and good luck in the Worlds.
Bell Corp/Backman/Belcher finished in second place in
this one and I'm sure are looking at starting a new
season against Resmondo in the two championships coming
up. I think playing on the two biggest fields these two
teams will play on will be very interesting; 330', 390,
400' makes for a whole lot of defensive plays and only
the real HR hitters will hit homeruns consistantly, I
guarantee you. I'm looking forward to an interesting
World Series, we shall see. Congratulations to Bell on
a good season and good luck in the Worlds.
Third place went to Jean Shoppe/Worth who has proven to
be one of the very best Class A teams in the world. I
believe this is the team to beat in the USSSA A Worlds.
Congratulations on a great season and good luck the rest
of the way.
Fourth place goes to Aubrey's/Worth who has struggled
most of the season, but might be getting it all together
for the upcoming Worlds, we will see. Congratulations
on your season and good luck in the Worlds.
I would like to commend Don Dedonatis Sr. on a great
second conference season. I know the numbers were up in
conference play in 2007 and that has been good for the
game. I also know it is time for a change. I would
hope you would take a very good look at the game and
make some big changes for the best interest of the
game. The sponsors and players are the game not the
associations, because without the sponsors and the
players there is no game. I have said I believe that
every sponsor who spends his hard earned money in
softball should have a chance to win. That is not the
case now or ever in bigtime softball. I know it doesn't
take a rocket scientist to figure out how to get the
game competitive and more even. There are about
25 players making good money left in the game. These 25
guys work their ass off to make this money. I say put
three elite players on each participating team, make
the right elite players list so the rich don't get
richer and you will have about 20 very competitive
softball teams and the game will even out. I say keep
the conference going, cut down on the number of events,
8 NIT's, the Dudley and the Smoky makes for ten
tournaments, the Conference Championship and the USSSA
Worlds. The Class A Worlds should keep going. This is
my opinion and I can tell you also that a lot of the
sponsors and players have the same opinions. Remember
this is just MY OPINION.
Next tournament Aug. 17-19 the Class A Worlds at Disney.
I want to write a little about the USSSA Class A Worlds
coming up at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando.
I believe this will be the most competitive Class A
Worlds in a long, long time. I believe there are
about eight teams who have a good chance to win this
great Class A Worlds. These eight teams have battled
each other the whole season and they also have beat each
other all year long. I know when I write about getting
the game down to three elite players and the right
player's list the game will gain another eight teams to
join the eight that are already here and make softball
more competitive than it's ever been in its history.
That my friends is how bigtime softball should be. I
can't wait to see this year's Class A Worlds. I know
it's going to be a terrific Class A Worlds playing at
Disney's Wide World of Sports, the classiest place in
all of softball. I guarantee you it doesn't get any
better than this. Good luck to all the teams.
P.S. Travis Resmondo told me none of his players will
play in the NSA AA Worlds.
Until next time........
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report
July 30, 2007 |
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USSSA CONFERENCE NIT
SEATTLE, WA: JULY 27-29 |
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C-Town/American Fund/Red Rock/Easton wins the Seattle
NIT. This team is from Boise, Idaho. I know there were
no super teams entered, but one of the best Class A
teams in the world KME/Easton was in, and guess what
they got upset. I know it's not going to happen too
often, but it did. Congratulations to C-Town on getting
the win. I also know that the California teams are
playing down, but who cares. They're playing with the 12
homerun limit and that's the bottom line. I also know
without the D,C,B or local teams playing in these
Conference NIT's there would only be about 10-12 teams
participating. The big ones, like the Smoky and Dudley
are the only two of the fourteen conference tournaments
that can get 16-20 Conference teams to participate.
The other twelve Conference NIT's are made up with B,C,D
and local teams. I can tell you all that is how bigtime
softball is today. I have said over the years that I
believe there should be 8 NIT's played plus the Dudley
and the Smoky in bigtime softball. I also believe that
there should be no more than 10-12 teams entered in each
NIT. I believe the best 10-12 teams should play in these
NIT's, which would make for the best competition the
game could have. This program can become a reality when
the people to be who are running bigtime softball put
the three elite player limit in the game. Three elite
players on a team make the elite list right so that the
rich don't get richer.
Here is a sample; Resmondo picks Purcell, Wallace and
DeDonatis and then Resmondo has to go out and get nine
players that are not on the elite list. There should be
no major player list, with the right elite list made the
teams would have to go out and find players to fill
their rosters. I know when this is done there will be
10-15 very good teams who can compete with each other,
and beat each other on any given weekend. That's how
bigtime softball should be, period. This is a must if
this program becomes a reality. No player on the elite
list can come off without the approval of a five man
committee. I say it is time to make the change. The game
itself has been bad for a long, long time.
I will take you back a few years from the late 70's to
today. Howard's dominated, yes there were a few other
teams who were competitive, but not as good as Howard's.
Then there was Rich's who also dominated, and yes there
were other teams such as Steeles, Bell Corp, Shen
Valley, Lighthouse, DJ's, Williams Worth, Spectrum,
Hague, Taylor Bros., Riverside, but guess what, Rich's
dominated period. The next team to dominate the game is
a combination of three teams and the main players being
on all three of these teams. Team TPS, Long Haul and
Resmondo. This bunch has dominated the game the longest
of any of the teams over the last twenty years. In the
late 70's there were about four super teams, about four
AA type teams, and about 15 A teams. The late 80's to
the mid 90's there were about four very good super
teams, four very good AA teams and about ten very good A
teams. The mid 90's to today there were about three
supers, three AA type teams and about six very good A
teams. This is how bigtime softball has been for years.
I can tell you all, just go back and look at the games
from the 70's to 2007. Howard's beat teams who could not
compete with them the first 3 games of the tournament,
then played against an A team who gave them a game and
finally played somebody who had a chance to beat them
once in awhile. Rich's started out their tournaments
playing a D team, then a C team and then finally played
an A team, and then maybe a AA team, then onto a team
that could beat them once in awhile. Team TPS, Longhaul
and Resmondo did the same thing as Howard's and Rich's,
finally getting to play the best teams at the end of the
tournament and dominated. Nothing has changed from the
70's-2007, dominating teams who play very little
competition ealry in the tournaments and finally getting
to play the better teams at the end of the tournament.
That my friends is how the game has been forever.
I say it is now time to break up the two big teams,
spread the talent, make the right elite list, no major
list, play 10 NIT's a year, 8 NIT's, the Dudley and the
Smoky keeping the Conference going, have a Conference
Championship and the USSSA Worlds and have about 16 very
competitive teams with anyone of them having a chance to
win on any given weekend. It's time to get it done! I
will bet money that no elite players want to go out week
in and week out playing against inferior competition
beating them up with games lasting 3 innings. It doesn't
make sense to have the best teams and the players play
against these type of teams period. Remember this, what
I wrote here is only my opinion. I will not stand for
any bashing about what I wrote. It's my opinion and only
mine.
Now back to the tournament, Second place went to WCS/LCV
another B team who played good in this one.
Congratulations on a good weekend and good luck in
whatever you do.
Third place went to another B team, Haras/Casa Group.
Congratulations on a very good weekend. Good luck guys.
Fourth place goes to GTL/Combat another B team.
Congratulations on a very good weekend and good luck
down the road.
I know it's very hard to get teams from the east to come
out to Seattle, but you did a good job on running this
one.
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NSA CLASS A WORLDS JULY 27-29
ABS/Easton, the over the hill gang won this NSA Worlds.
I don't think this bunch is too far over the hill. These
guys can still get it done and have all season long.
Devine, Dill, Minjelli and the rest of the boys have
proven all season that they can play with any of the
Class A teams in the country. This bunch beat some
pretty good softball teams on route to the championship.
Congratulations on a great win and good luck in the
other Worlds you play.
Second place went to Laser Vision/Easton who had a very
good weekend going as they won the winner's bracket
finals, but got the ice cream job getting double dipped
and finishing in second. I have said to watch out for
this bunch, and sure enough they were right there
knocking on the door. Congratulations on a very good
weekend and good luck the rest of the way.
P.S. Laser Vision is looking for an infielder for the
rest of the season. Anyone interested put it on my
message board and they will answer.
Third place went to Fencebroker's/Worth. This bunch has
played a lot this season and most of the time they are
around the top. Great job guys and good luck in the rest
of the Worlds.
Fourth place goes to Plumbers & Fitters out of Michigan
who always do a great job when they play in these World
Tournaments. Congratulations on a good weekend and good
luck the rest of the way.
I would like to commend Brooks fior another great job
running this NSA Class A World. I also want to thank
Brooks and his staff for posting the scores and results.
Thanks again
Next week's tournament the USSSA Conference NIT "The
Last Chance" in Sterling Heights, MI. Until next
time......
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report
July 23, 2007 |
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USSSA CONFERENCE NIT
CINCINNATI, OH: JULY 21-22, 2007 |
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I know this, it took
exactly one week for Resmondo to show who's the boss in
bigtime softball. "The Sod Boys" put a big time whooping
on the "Bell Boys" on route to the championship of the
Cincinnati Tournament. The sod boys are now 46-3 on the
season. Resmondo has one more NIT, the Conference
Championship and the USSSA Worlds left. Resmondo has
played Bell seven times in 2007 and have run-ruled them
six. I don't believe there is any doubt who is the
better team, but like the Smoky anyone can win on any
given weekend. The Bell boys only win against Resmondo
was at the Smoky, and it gave them the championship.
This past weekend Resmondo just plain drubbed the Bell
boys in both the winner's bracket final and the first
game of the championship for their win. The sod boys
were led by co-mvp's Andy Purcell and Jeff Wallace. This
was Wallace's sixth MVP of the season and Purcell's
third. I can also tell you this win was a total team
effort. I know this for sure, I don't care if you're
playing the house of the blind, it is very hard to win
this much when you're playing in homerun restricted
tournaments. It takes a talented bunch of players to win
like Resmondo playing in these conditions, I guarantee
you. This team has to do all the parts it takes to win,
hit it backside, use the whole field, hit for power and
play great D, and the sod boys are doing just that. I
believe if Resmondo and Bell meet in the Worlds and the
Conference Championship playing on the baseball fields
at Kissimmee 330', 390' 410' and Disney 330',390'400',
the advantage will go to Resmondo because they have a
much better defensive team. I also know you better make
all the plays on the big fields or you can't win period.
I do believe these two tournaments will be very, very
good, we will see. Congratulations to Resmondo on their
win, and good luck in Detroit.
Second place went to Bell Corp/Belcher/Backman, who just
ran into a buzz saw when they met Resmondo. The Bell
boys played pretty good most of the tournament. They had
a very hard time against the Scene/Mattingly Softball,
but scored a whole lot of runs in the top of the 7th. to
get by the Scene. The Bell boys then had to play
Resmondo and then it was over for Bell. Bell Corp just
has not played very good against the sod boys this
season. Six out of seven games they have lost by the run
rule. I have gotten a bunch of emails about why Bell
doesn't play good against Resmondo. My answer is they
just don't hit Andy Purcell well, and that pretty much
tells it all. Make no mistake, Bell is a very good
softball team who have some very good players. I know
with Scooter out it hurts, but even with Scooter
Resmondo has been the better team the last few years. I
was asked one time by some people, how can we beat these
guys from Team TPS, Long Haul and Resmondo? I replied
get Wallace, Bumgardner, Martin, Kendrick, Garris and
Purcell and you will win, and that my friends is how you
beat that bunch. These six players have won more than
anybody in the history of the USSSA. I will also say
don't count Bell out in the Conference Championship or
the USSSA Worlds. They will be a tough team to beat in
these conditions. They may have more power than
Resmondo, and they will need to use it to outscore them
to have a chance to win, we will see.
Third place went to a team I ranked up high early in the
season, the Scene/Mattingly Softball. I knew some of
their players and I believed they could be at the top of
Class A. The Scene/Mattingly Softball has proven me
right, as they are just what I thought they would be.
This team from N.Y. are a pretty good A team, who is
another one of those A teams who will be reckoned with
in the Class A Worlds. This bunch can base hit it with
the best of them and has enough power to keep teams
honest. Congratulations to you guys on a great
tournament and good luck the rest of the way.
Fourth place goes to Team Combat/Benfield/Reece/Dalsanders,
who just don't seem to be able to play with the big boys
anymore. They got it going earlier in the season when
they beat the Bell boys a couple of times, but since
then they just have not played well. I believe they are
a lot better team than they have showed the last few
tournaments. This is a major team and they need to start
playing like a major team or it will be over early in
the championships, that's for sure. Good luck the rest
of the way.
I want to personally commend Jim Wessel and his staff on
putting together the biggest Conference Major NIT of the
season. I did not see the bashing of Jim on my board for
charging to get into the tournament. I personally do not
think it's wrong to charge fans, players, coaches and
sponsors. I know how much work and money it takes to get
a lot of teams to come and play, especially in today's
times. There's no way any tournament director should run
a tournament and lose money to put the show on for the
players and sponsors in this country. I know this, over
the years tournament directors have lost their butts
many of times. A lot of it is because they didn't work
hard enough to get enough teams to make money. I give
Jim and his staff a lot of credit for getting these many
teams to come to this tournament with the cost of gas,
airlines, rental cars and hotels. It took an
unbelievable effort by him and his people to get this
done. Congratulations once again Jim on a great job. I'm
sorry I did not go on the board over the week or I would
of taken it all off. You have treated me good over the
years and I appreciate that. Good luck next year.
Next week the USSSA Conference NIT in Seattle,
Washington.
P.S. I want to let all the players Class A and above,
teams, sponsors to start making plans to attend the WSL
West Championships August 24-26 in Las Vegas. This year
the WSL will have an open division and is letting any
players and teams who want to play in this tournament to
play. We will accept pick up teams, Class A or Super
teams.. This division you do not have to qualify, all
others you do. I suggest you put a pick up team together
or bring your team you played with all year long and
come to Vegas and have a great time. There's no better
place to play ball, gamble, golf and see the sights of
the great city of Las Vegas. I put a pick up team
together one year and beat the best team in the world in
the ISA Worlds. Liquid Blue was the name of the team who
beat Rich's that year. Since then there has not been a
pick up team allowed to play in any pre-season play. So
come on and put one together and have a great time in
Vegas. For more info. contact Greg at 979-575-5669 or
email him at
huch@worldsoftballleague.com or myself at
315-278-6499. Don't miss that great event. Until
next time......
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report
July 18, 2007 |
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USSSA CONFERENCE NIT
SMOKY MOUNTAIN CLASSIC MARYVILLE, TN: JULY 13-15 |
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Bell Corp/Belcher/TIA/Backman
wins this prestigious tournament by winning the "if"
game against Resmondo Softball. "The Chimers" win for
the first time in 2007 against Resmondo. Bell Corp was
rolling through this tournament until the first game of
the championship when they met their nemis Resmondo.
"The Sod Boys" did what they've been doing all year run
ruling Bell and sending this tournament to be decided by
the "if" game. "The Chimers" wanted to put an end to
Resmondo's winning streak and did just that by run
ruling the sod boys to win this great event. The "if"
game started out slow until Bell went up by seven and
never looked back. Bell was led by MVP Brett Helmer, but
got a great effort by this whole team on route to the
championship. These Resmondo/Bell Corp games were like
the old days used to be between these two giants. Bell
and Resmondo players started chirping right from the
first pitch and continued to the last. I know this for a
fact, between the lines there is no love, but off the
field they're the best of buddies. I know one thing for
sure, when these two giants get it on with lots of
people watching it doesn't get any better than this. I
think Bell Corp showed this weekend that they are not
going to rollover and they will give the sod boys all
they want the rest of the way. Helmer did a great job
pitching and got help from the cheese man. Helmer, who
is used to throwing 100-150 pitches a day to Wallace
knows how to throw strikes. He also can field it pretty
decent. The Bell boys hit it pretty good this weekend,
and got great defense from Rulli and Rick Baker to help
them win this one. Congratulations on a great weekend
and good luck in Cincinnati.
Second place went to Resmondo Softball, who came into
this tournament 33-1 and now stand at 40-3 for the
season. "The Sod Boys" got beat by KME early in the
tournament and then set sail to get back to the finals.
Resmondo got back and then forced the "if" game, but
came up short. I've been saying that this team has a
chance to have the best season record and I still do.
The sod boys have two more NIT's left, the Conference
Championship and the USSSA Worlds. We will see what
happens. Congratulations on a good weekend and good luck
in Cincinnati.
Third place went to KME/Chaney/Easton, who played
extremely good in this one. The boys from the west coast
would not go away from anybody, and came up just a
little short. I will tell you that this bunch will give
everybody they play a very tough time in the Class A
Worlds, I guarantee you. This softball team has some
very experienced players who know how to play the game.
This team base hits it very good, and play very good D.
Congratulations on a very good weekend, and good luck
the rest of the way.
Fourth place goes to ABS/Easton. This is a veteran team
with the players all being 35-40 years old. ABS beat
some very good softball teams in this one, Aubrey's,
Jean Shoppe and other very good A teams on route to
their 4th place finish in the Great Smoky. This is
another team that will be very tough in the Class A
Worlds. Veteran Jimmy Devine tore the cover off the ball
hitting 919 with a bunch of homeruns for the weekend.
Congratulations on a great weekend and good luck down
the road.
I want to commend Joe Huff and Chris Clark on another
great job running this first class Smoky Mountain
Classic Tournament. It is a tradition like no other,
"The Smoky's". When you win this grand daddy of all the
NIT's, it's like you won a world championship. It's been
like that forever.
I also want to congratulate Air Transat from Montreal,
Quebec for coming to play in the Smoky. I know these
people personally, and I can tell you they are all first
class guys and have a very nice B team. I think it is
great that we can have our neighbors from the north come
and play in the #1 NIT in the world. Thanks guys for
coming and you did a great job playing here in the
states. We hope you will continue to come over and play
in the NIT's. Good luck in your upcoming Canadian World
Tournaments, and hope to see you guys soon.
Next week the USSSA Conference NIT in Cincinnati, OH.
Until next time......
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report
July 9, 2007 |
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USSSA CONFERENCE NIT
LITTLE ROCK, AR: JULY 6-7 |
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The Resmondo Express just
keeps rolling through the Conference NIT's. The "Sod
Boys" now have run their 2007 record to 33-1, 27 by
run-rule. This powerful team is on route to possibly
becoming the winningest team in NIT play in the history
of the game for one season. Resmondo has three NIT's
left, the Conference Championship and the USSSA Worlds
remaining on their schedule. The "Sod Boys" conceivably
if they go undefeated the rest of the way, would finish
with a record of 54-1 for the year, we will see.
Resmondo completed this NIT by beating Jean Shoppe/Worth
in the finals. Resmondo was led by Co-MVP's Andy Purcell
and Jeff Wallace, but this was as usual a total team
effort. The "Sod Boys" continue to score a lot of runs
without using a lot of homeruns. That is how you can be
33-1 in homerun restricted tournaments. I know this,
when Resmondo plays the better A teams like Shoppe, KME,
Aubrey's, the Scene and other good Class A teams they
have to play with a 12 homerun limit. That means they
have to hit it backside and use the whole field to win,
and they do just that. The biggest part of their team
winning is their defense. It is the best in the game,
along with the best pitcher. The 'Sod Boys" also have
the best over-all hitting team in the game.
Congratulations on winning Little Rock and good luck at
the Smoky.
Second place went to Jean Shoppe/Worth. This team has
been playing great ball all season long and have given
everybody a tough game. This bunch can flat-out play the
game. They base hit it, hit for power and play great D.
This team also has the second best pitcher in the game.
I will tell you nobody works harder than Mooch. This kid
has a lot of skills and never gives up. Mooch has made
this team a contender, no doubt about it. I lobbyed this
kid three years ago and he has proven me right. I will
take nothing away from Scooter, but this kid is a lot
younger and more athletic. This kid will be the best
when Purcell is done. The Shoppe has beat Bell Corp two
times this season and they have gave Resmondo all they
wanted before losing 21-17 in the finals this week. Make
no mistake, this team is the team to beat in the Class A
Worlds in 2007. Congratulations on a great weekend and
good luck at the Smoky.
Third place went to Bell Corp, who just continues to
struggle against Resmondo. The "Bell Boys" will need to
find a pitcher and a shortstop if they want to beat
Resmondo, it's that simple. Rulli can play short, but
then they need somebody over the middle. The key for
them to beat Resmondo is to figure out how to hit
Purcell, period. The Bell team seems to hit it pretty
good against the lesser teams, but sure struggle against
Resmondo, Combat and Shoppe. I believe Hall will help
them, but they will need a lot more than Hall to win. I
know they are looking for a pitcher who can get the job
done. The problem is there's not many to get at this
time of the year. Hopefully Scooter will come back and
solve that problem. Good luck at the Smoky.
Fourth place goes to Xtreme/Worth, who for the second
week in a row played extremely well. This team is coming
on and look to me like they will be a team to reckon
with in the Class A Worlds. Congratulations on another
great weekend, and good luck at the Smoky.
I want to commend Clint and his wife on another great
job running the Busch/Pepsi Classic in Little Rock. I
also want to thank Jim for doing another great job
posting scores. Next week is the Granddaddy of all the
NIT's, The Smoky Mountain Classic in Maryville, TN. Good
luck to all the teams. Until next time.......
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report
July 6, 2007 |
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USSSA CONFERENCE NIT
BROOKFIELD, WI: June 30-July 1st |
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Extreme Fitness/Combat
wins this Milwaukee USSSA NIT. The boys from Arkansas
put it all together to win this one. Extreme has some
very experienced players who have been around. I ranked
this bunch up fairly high early in the season, but some
of the players left and they did not play very well
since then.. This team has added some more players and
now has become a much better team. Extreme was led by
MVP, veteran Wade Casey and the rest of the Extreme team
on route to the first conference title. Scott Nichols
has done a good job getting this team to where it is
today. Congratulations to Scott and the whole gang on
winning this tournament. Good luck the rest of the way.
Second place went to Laser Vision/Easton. I'm here to
tell you this team has definitely got a whole lot better
since they added Jeff Ott, Paul Brannon and John Mello.
This team, with these additions has become a legitimate
Class A team who will be a force in the Class A Worlds,
I guarantee. This bunch has very good defense, can base
hit it, and has enough power to keep them honest. I look
for this team to continue to get better. Congratulations
on a great weekend.
Third place went to Steve's Dry Wall, who is a pretty
good Class A softball team. This team is loaded with
veteran players who have won a whole bunch of world
championships. I will tell you all, if you don't play
your best against this team they will bite you. This
bunch does not get to play the bigger teams very often,
but when they do they play very well. Good luck boys and
congratulations on a great weekend.
Fourth place goes to Meyer Logistics/TAI/Elite, who is
another one of those lower Class A teams who can compete
against the better A teams. This bunch played extremely
well in this one, that's for sure. Congratulations on a
great weekend boys, and good luck the rest of the way.
I would like to say, just another good Milwaukee USSSA
tournament, as usual. I heard the fields were not very
good, but I'm sure Pudge will make sure they get a
better place to play next year.
Next week's tournament the Busch/Pepsi Classic in
Little Rock, Arkansas.
Until next time the......
Old Scout |
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Softball Report June 27, 2007 |
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USSSA CONFERENCE NIT SAN DIEGO, CA June 25-26 |
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Bell Corp/Belcher/TIA/Backman wins it's second NIT of
the season by rolling through the first conference NIT
in San Diego. "The Chimers" just tore the cover off the
ball. Bell put up some very strong numbers in this
one. The Bell boys had a new addition to their lineup
this weekend, veteran Jeff Hall. I know this, Hall will
bring the much needed offense to this team. I am not
sure how Gary will set his lineup defensively when
everybody is healthy. Cocco, Helmer, Hall and Fulk will
have to play somewhere, along with Wegman, Kirby &
Joerling. It should be interesting. Bell who has won
two times this season when all the better teams are not
entered. "The Chimers" will have to catch it much
better when the other teams are entered if they expect
to win. I believe this is a very solid offensive team,
but will need to come up with a pitcher and shortstop or
middle infielder to beat the better teams, we will see.
Congratulations on winning this one and good luck on
winning the Little Rock and the Smoky.
Second place went to KME/TRIQ Nightclub/Chaney/Easton.
I can tell you that this team will be very competitive
in the Class A Worlds. This is a very experienced bunch
of players that know how to get it done. This club has
great D and also can hit it pretty good. KME is always
in the thick of things in most tournaments.
Congratulations on a very good weekend and good luck
down the road.
Third place went to WCS/LCV, whom I don't know much
about. I believe this is a Class B or C team, I'm not
sure. I know this they must of played pretty good to
finish in third place. Congratulations on a good finish
and good luck in whatever you do the rest of the way.
Fourth place goes to GTL/Combat. This team has played
in a few of the conference NIT's and will probably play
in both the Class A and Class B Worlds. Congratulations
on a good finish and good luck.
I
would like to commend the San Diego USSSA staff on
getting this one off. I believe this NIT will get much
better as it grows. Good luck guys. Thanks again
Jim for posting the scores. You are the best.
Next week the USSSA Conference NIT in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
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Bismarck, North Dakota The 32nd Annual McQuade Softball
Tournament ASA/WSL Event
I made the trek out to beautiful Bismarck, North Dakota
again this year, and it was once again the greatest
spectacular softball tournament I have ever been to.
This year there were 420 teams entered, not bad for the
price of gas or the price of a plane ticket. The Long
Haul Bombers put on a fabulous show Friday night.
Representing Demarini was Larry Carter, who started out
the show with 10-15. The local boy who hit in this one
was Chris Hutchinson was 9-15. Representing Miken was
Kenny Briggs who came to bat needing 11 to win. Kenny
hit some monster shots well over the 400' and ended up
hitting 14-15 for the win. This was one of the great
shows put on by the Long Haul Bombers ever. The crowd,
which was about 10,000 people packed around the main
diamond got to see some of the longest balls ever hit in
the homerun derbys. It sure was a great and exciting
Friday night at the McQuade. I want to tell you all
Class B, C, D, Rec., Women's and seniors played in this
tournament. I also will tell you, if you haven't been
to the McQuade before it is worth the cost to go to
Bismarck and be a part of the biggest softball
tournament in the world. I know this, what makes this a
great event is what the McQuade does with the money.
They help out people who are in need of help in and
around Bismarck and North Dakota. That my friends is
why the McQuade is the best and the teams keep coming
every year. They are in the stages of planning to build
a new ten field complex in Bismarck to be able to take
the 60 teams they had to turn down this year because
they didn't have room, maybe next year.
I want to thank Mike and his whole McQuade staff on
another great year. I hope to see you next year. Until
next time......
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report June 21, 2007 |
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USSSA CONFERENCE NIT "THE DUDLEY" BROOKLYN
CENTER, MN JUNE 16-17, 2007 |
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Remondo Softball made it 5-5 IN Conference play by
winning the Dudley. Travis has now won the Dudley and
there are no other tournaments left to win in bigtime
softball for Travis. The sod man has won at every level
that he has sponsored a team. Travis has won all the
worlds in all associations many times. Travis Resmondo
has been one of the truly great sponsors in the history
of the game. I personally can tell you I have known
Travis for about 15 years and I know what kind of man
this guy is. Travis is a very hard working man who
starts work at 5:00 am and ends at 7:00 pm everyday.
Travis started out with a little landscaping business
that his grandfather ran, and built it into one of the
biggest sod and landscaping business in the southeast.
Travis was not handed anything. He has worked for
everything he has got, I guarantee you. I can also tell
you that Travis has worked very, very hard at softball
putting together the best teams. Make no mistake Travis
Resmondo knows the game of softball and calls most of
the shots that are made by his team. Travis is very
loyal to his players and his players are very loyal to
him. Travis's sponsored teams are a very close nit
bunch of guys who care about each other and when you say
team, Resmondo is all about team. There were quotes
when Travis had his first super team that he would not
be in the game very long. Some said he might make the
year. I guess they were all wrong. Travis, Jerome & I
were in his living room in Lake Wales, Fla. when he just
had a little old A team when he said to us "you know
what boys, I'm going to win the A Worlds this year, and
my goal in softball is to have the best team ever." I'm
here to tell you he won the A World that year and he
sure has put together maybe the best team ever. It's
just my opinion along with many others. I have said for
the last two years that the Resmondo team is getting old
and they are, but it hasn't stopped this well-oiled
machine from being the best. I believe that Travis
might get two more years out of this bunch at best and
that will be it. I better get back to the tournament.
The "sod boys" pretty much had it their way in this
one. Resmondo had a tough game against Aubrey's, but
squeaked out a win and then rolled through the rest of
the NIT. Resmondo's record now stands at 29-1, which
includes 25 run-ruled games. I'm here to tell you all,
this is one powerful softball team. I would of liked to
of seen this team play with no homerun rule. I know
that it's a whole lot different game today with the
restricted homerun rule. Some of the great teams from
the past never had to adjust and keep the ball in the
park like they do today. Resmondo has the most powerful
team in softball, homerun wise. In the championship
game this past weekend the sod boys unloaded a 19 run
inning in the top of the first against Combat and only
hit a grand slam homerun, the rest were scored by base
hits. That my friends is how you adjust in bigtime
softball today and that is why Resmondo is the best.
Congratulations on your win. The sod boys will take a
couple of weeks off before heading to Little Rock where
all the good teams will be trying to stop the Resmondo
express, we will see.
Second place went to Team Combat/Benfield/Reece/Dalsanders,
who has played pretty good the last few tournaments. I
think they will give Bell Corp all they want to see who
is the second best team in the land. The "Combat boys"
are hitting it good, but will need to catch it a lot
better if they expect to move up. The Combat-Bell game
was a terrific game. Combat squeaked out the 43-42 win
to get into the finals. "The bat boys" came up short
against Resmondo and settled for second place.
Congratulations on a very good Dudley and good luck in
Little Rock.
Third place went to Bell Corp/TIA/Belcher/Backman. "The
Chimers" just came out flat in it's second game and a
very good A team, The Mattingly/Scene took advantage to
beat Bell. The chimers then set sail on trying to get
back through the finals, but ran out of gas. Bell
played nine games in this one, and built up some pretty
good stats, but could not finish any better than third.
Congratulations on a valiant effort trying to get back
to the finals. Good luck in San Diego and Little Rock.
Fourth place goes to KME/TRIQ/Chaneys/Easton who played
very good in this one. This is a very good A team, who
I think can be a force at the Class A Worlds. This team
has players who know how to win, and I look at this team
to have a good chance, we will see. Congratulations on
a great finish in the Dudley and good luck down the
road.
I know this, that coming to the Dudley is a real treat
for a softball junkie like me. This is a great event.
The atmosphere is absolutely fantastic. The food is
great and the softball doesn't get any better. Warren
is a First Class person, and the tournament is run first
class all the way. Congratulations Warren, Jerry and
your whole Minnesota USSSA staff on another great Dudley
and good luck in the future.
Next week San Diego, CA USSSA Conference NIT. Good luck
to all the teams. Until next time......
The Old Scout |
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Softball Report June 12, 2007 |
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The USSSA Conference NIT at League City, Texas was
the setting for the Resmondo Softball team to make
it four out of four in 2007. Resmondo now sports a
22-1 record for the season. "The Sod Boys" will now
head to Minnesota this coming weekend for "The
Mighty Dudley, where a Travis Resmondo sponsored
team has never won. The Dudley is the only big NIT
that Travis needs to win to accomplish everything
there is in softball over the years. Travis's teams
have won World Championships at Class D, C, B,A ,AA
,Super, the Smoky and all other association Super
Worlds. We will find out this weekend, that's for
sure. "The Sod Boys" just rolled through this
week's tournament. Resmondo has played 23 games in
2007 and have run ruled 19 of them. I have said
that they might not lose more than 5 or 6 games in
2007. I know for sure this powerful machine has 5
NIT's left, the Conference Championship plus the
grand daddy of them all, the USSSA Worlds at Wide
World of Sports in September. We shall find out
what happens the rest of the way. Resmondo was led
by MVP Scott Striebel and the rest of the Resmondo
team. Congratulations on another win and good luck
the rest of the way.
Second place went to Fence Brokers/Worth out of
Arkansas, who just continues to play very good ball
every weekend. This is a very experienced team who
knows how to win games. I will tell you all, watch
out for this bunch in the Class A Worlds. They may
surprise a whole lot of people. This team has some
veteran players who can play the game, along with
some very good young players. Congratulations on a
great weekend, and we'll see you all at the Dudley.
Third place went to a team who has had a whole lot
of players on their roster this season. I know it
took awhile, but this team finally had a good
weekend to get third place in this one. Extreme
Fitness/Combat played exceptionally well this
weekend, and deserved to finish up. Make no mistake
this team has some good players and will get better
as the season goes on. I'm looking for this bunch
to be a tough team in the Class A Worlds.
Congratulations to Scott and the whole gang on a
very good weekend. Good luck down the road.
Fourth place goes to Suncoast/Reebock who has picked
up a few players since the start of the season and
have definitely gotten better. I know this for
sure, Lee and Troy will keep looking for players to
improve this team. Great job in this one and keep
up the good work.
Congratulations to the Texas USSSA staff in putting
this one together. Pretty good turnout, and I'm
sure it will get better each year. I believe the
Houston area is a great place to hold a softball
tournament. Good luck in the future..
This upcoming weekend "The Mighty Dudley" in
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Good luck to Warren and
all the teams at the Dudley. Until next time.......
The Old Scout
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Softball Report June 4, 2007 |
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USSSA Mike Davis Memorial Conference NIT Concord,
California June 1-3, 2007 |
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Team Combat/Benfield/Dalsanders got it
altogether this weekend and won this NIT. "The
Bat Boys" had to do it the hard way, by winning
the "if" game. Combat was led by MVP Hank
Garris, but some of the other boys had a big
weekend also. I said that this team was coming
together and they did just that this weekend.
This team has improved so much over last year's
squad, that I believe this bunch can win again
down the road, we will see. Congratulations on
a great weekend and best of luck along the way.
Second place went to KME/TRIQ
Nightclub/Chaney/Easton, who I believe is one of
the very good A teams in the country. This team
is always around the top of the field in most of
the tournaments they play in. I think they will
be a team to reckon with in the Class A Worlds.
Congratulations on a very good tournament and
good luck down the road boys.
Third place went to Regency Softball, who I
don't know much about, but they sure played well
in this one. I believe this is a Class B team
out of California who are a pretty good team. I
know this, if they can play this well against
some of the teams they played in this one, they
could be very tough in the Class B Worlds.
Congratulations on a great tournament and good
luck down the road.
Fourth place goes to another B team LaRussa/Miles
DSS Bats/Easton. I've seen this bunch play
earlier in the season, and they are not a bad
A/B type team. This bunch can be pretty
competitive against some very good teams. I
know you don't want to take this team lightly,
or you might get upset. Congratulations on a
good weekend and hope to see you down the road.
I want to commend John McKinley on running
another good Mike Davis Memorial tournament, and
good luck in the future. I also want to thank
Jim and John for getting the scores posted all
weekend. Great job guys!
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NSA Music City NIT Nashville, Tenn. June 1-3
2007
I have to tell you all, this is one of the top
and first class tournaments in the country. I
know that Brooks and Jim along with the whole
NSA staff has made this one of the most powerful
tournaments in bigtime softball in a short
time. This tournament ranks right up there with
the Dudley, Little Rock and The Smoky. I have
said that I don't think any of the elite major
teams should be allowed to play in this NIT or
the Thoroughbred. I know that Aubrey's got beat
early and didn't play very well in this one. I
also know that Aubrey's was the class of the
field in this one. I also know that the better
teams can get beat on any given weekend, and
that just happened to Aubrey's this weekend. I
believe there are four major teams in the
country. Those four are Resmondo, Bell, Team
Combat and Aubrey's. After them there are about
ten very, very good A teams. I believe that if
these ten other teams are in the same tournament
any given weekend, any one of the ten has a
chance to win, and that my friends is how this
game should be. I would bet this, if you broke
up the teams Resmondo, Bell, Combat and
Aubrey's and let all the teams select three
elite players on each roster from those teams
and any other elite players playing on other
teams, you could put together about 16-20 very
good competitive teams to play 10-12 tournaments
a year, period. I guarantee you, if that was
done you would see the most competitve, exciting
softball tournaments the game has ever had.
ABS/Easton who won this great tournament is one
of those teams who has a chance to win every
weekend, when Resmondo, Bell, Combat and
Aubrey's is not entered. I know that the
critics are going to ask me why has ABS not been
in the Top 15? The answer is I didn't think
they were going to play enough big NIT's to
warrant being in. I can tell you now, they will
be in no matter where they play. I had seen
their roster and knew they could be one of the
better Class A teams in the country, and they
sure are. This is a veteran club who have
players who know how to win. I think they will
be a team to reckon with in the Class A Worlds I
guarantee you. Congratulations on a great
weekend and good luck in whatever you guys do
the rest of the season.
Second place went to Laser Vision/Easton who has
become one of the top Class A teams in the
country. This team with it's new additions have
begun to show the softball world it is ready to
take on all the very good A teams.
Congratulations on a great weekend. Too bad you
had to leave early. I have been saying for
years, I would like to have all the money that
has been spent by sponsors who had to stay over
on Sunday because the tournament ran late. The
Conference USSSA has stopped all that, as they
only bring back four teams on Sunday. By doing
that, nobody misses their flights unless the
weather causes problems. I believe that all
associations should only bring back four teams
on Sunday, and nobody will miss their flights.
Third place went to The Scene/Mattingly
Softball. These guys are for real and will give
all the best A teams in the country a battle
every weekend. This is a very good team who can
play the game. Good D, great O! This club is
very competitive and will not take a back seat
to any of the A teams. Congratulations on
another great weekend. Good luck in the future.
Fourth place goes to Damage Control/Miken who
has a good team, but has not played up to their
potential. I think this weekend may get this
team headed in the right direction, we will
see. Congratulations on a good weekend, and
good luck down the road.
The "Shoppe Boys", who finished tied for 5th in
this one, just had a bad one. Every team has
one or two of these type of weekends during the
season This was Shoppe's week.
Next weeks tournament is the USSSA NIT "The
First Annual Space City Classic" in Houston,
Texas. Until next time......
The Old Scout
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Softball Report May 29, 2007 |
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USSSA NIT CARY, NC was the setting for this conference
tournament.
Bell Corp/Belcher/TIA/Backman finally put it all
together in this one to win it's first conference NIT in
2007. "The Chimers" got good hitting and played good
defense on route to the championship. "The Bell Boys"
only had one close game winning a game by one run early
in the NIT. Bell Corp pretty much dominated the rest of
the way. Bell was led by MVP Bobby Hughes and the rest
of the gang did their job. I know this, it is a much
better team than it has been early in the season. I
believe this win might get this bunch heading in the
right direction. Congratulations on your win and good
luck in your next one.
Second place went to Jean Shoppe/Tanel/Worth, who is
just playing great right now. I know that when this
bunch is entered in a tournament they have a good chance
to win. I'm here to tell you this is a very good A team
who will be very hard to beat in the Class A Worlds.
Congratulations on another very great weekend, and keep
up the good play.
Third place in this one went to Team
Combat/Benfield/Reece/Dalsanders, who are playing much
better than last year's addition. This bunch will put it
all together soon and you better be ready to play or you
will get beat. This team has some great talent and will
be reckoned with down the road. Congratulations on a
good weekend, and good luck in the future.
Fourth place goes to Laser Vision/Easton, another one of
those A/B teams who is caught in between. This bunch is
very competitive against the lower A teams, but find it
much harder against the upper A teams. I do know this,
you cannot take this team lightly or you will get beat.
This ball club has gotten much better with the addition
of three players they have picked up. Great job and good
luck down the road.
I sure was glad to see Bigtime Softball back in North
Carolina. This is a great place to play. I think if it
wasn't on the same weekend as the Thoroughbred they
would of had more teams. Congratulations on a good job
running this tournament.
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NSA NIT THE THOROUGHBRED LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
Aubrey's MIT/Phonemasters/Elite Sports/Worth came
charging out of the losers bracket to capture this NSA
tournament. The Aubrey boys had to do it the hard way by
double dipping a very good team called The
Scene/Mattingly Softball. Aubrey's showed why they are
one of the best A teams in the country in this one. I
believe that this team has not played to it's potential
yet. I think this is a much better team than it has
shown so far. I know this for sure, if they play like
they're supposed to they will be very hard to beat in
Class A, we will see. Great job in this one and good
luck the rest of the way.
Second place went to the Scene/Mattingly Softball. I
believe this is another A/B team caught in the middle.
They will beat the lower A teams pretty consistently,
but will come up short against the better A teams. I
will tell you, don't take this bunch lightly or you will
lose, I guarantee you. Great job boys and I hope to see
you down the road.
Third place went to BW3, a very good B team. This team
has some very good players. They can catch it and hit it
pretty good. This will be a very good B team in the
Class B Worlds. Congratulations on a good weekend.
Fourth place goes to Spitz Seed/Mizuno. This team fits
right in with a whole lot of other teams caught in the
middle between a Class A team or B team. This team has
played very good in these Major NIT's. This bunch is
getting very close to cracking the Top 15.
Congratulations on a great weekend.
The Thoroughbred has been one of the very good
tournaments in the country for years. I believe this
would of been a great tournament if Aubrey's did not
play. I know this, with Aubrey's out of it anyone of six
or seven other teams would of had a chance to win, but I
also agree it was still a good tournament.
Next week's NIT's are the USSSA NIT "The Mike Davis
Memorial" in Concord, California and the NSA "The Music
City Classic" in Nashville, TN. This one will be one
of the best tournaments of the season with some of the
top A & B teams in the world competing. Don't miss this
one. Until next time......
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Softball Report May 21, 2007 |
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USSSA CONFERENCE NIT COLUMBUS, INDIANA MAY 19-20 |
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Resmondo wins again making it 3 out of 3 for the
2007 season. "The Sod Boys" had to win this one the
hard way, by coming out of the loser's bracket and
double dipping Jean Shoppe/Worth. I said in an
earlier report that I thought Resmondo might lose
four or five games this season, or maybe less. "The
Sod Boys" lost their first game of the season in the
winner's bracket final. Resmondo came charging back
through the loser's bracket and got to the first
game of the finals run ruling the "Shoppe Boys".
The championship of this NIT was going to be decided
in the "if" game. "The Sod Boys" had to work very
hard to win this one. Jean Shoppe led 25-21 going
into the bottom of the 7th. Resmondo went to work
and scored 5 to get the win. Jason Kendrick hit a
walk off homerun for the win. Resmondo was led by
MVP Jeff Wallace and the rest of this high powered
team. Resmondo is off to a 17-1 record in three
NIT's played this season. "The Sod Boys" next
tournament will be in Houston, Texas and that will
give another team a chance to win a conference
tournament. Congratulations on your win and good
luck down the road.
Second place went to Jean Shoppe/Worth. "The Shoppe
Boys" gave it a great effort in this one, but just
came up a little short in the "if" game. I'm here
to tell you this has been one of the very good teams
the last few years. I believe this is the best team
they have ever put together. I know this, they will
be a full force in the Class A Worlds, I guarantee
you. This team has a lot of talent who can flat out
play the game. They can hit it and they can catch
it. "The Shoppe Boys" gave the best team in the
land right now, Resmondo all they wanted in this one
that's for sure. Congratulations to Greg, Ed, Larry
and all the players on playing a great tournament. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys down the
road.
Third place went to Spitz Seeds/Mizuno, who is
another one of those very good teams caught between
a very good B team or a lower class A team. I know
this, you better play well when you play these type
of teams, or they will beat you. This team was
good last year, and maybe a little better in 2007.
Congratulations on a great weekend, and good luck
the rest of the season.
Fourth place went to Steve's Drywall, who is another
one of those teams caught in the A, B situation. I
have said there are about 10-15 of these type of
teams who are caught in the A/B situation. I like
these teams because they compete and give all they
got in these major tournaments. Congratulations on
a great weekend and good luck down the road. I
would like to commend Charlie on a great job putting
this NIT together. I know you did your homework
getting this many teams in your NIT, great job!
Congratulations to all the teams who played in this
one.
Next week's tournaments: USSSA Carolina Shootout
Carey, North Carolina, NSA Thoroughbred Classic
Lexington, Kentucky. Until next
time...........
The Old Scout
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Softball Report May 14, 2007 |
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USSSA NIT THE LEGENDS EULESS, TEXAS MAY 12-13, 2007 |
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Resmondo Softball wins their second Conference NIT
of the season. "The Sod Boys" rolled through this
23 team field on route to the championship.
Resmondo was led by MVP Don Dedonatis Jr. along with
the rest of his teammates, as this powerful machine
just keeps rolling along. I know this, softball
people around the country are talking about
Resmondo's team, and well they should be as this is
one very potent softball team. I said in an earlier
report this is the best defensive team ever
assembled in bigtime softball, and I am not alone on
this one. I also know when you can start four
shortstops in your infield, and three centerfielders
in the outfield, have the best pitcher in the game
and have one of the most potent hitters the game has
ever seen, and add that all together you will
probably come up with the best team to ever play. I
know there are critics who think there were better
teams out there, and you have a right to feel that
way, but I have seen the best of the best throughout
the years and I can't find any teams who could play
the game like this bunch has. Remember this is only
my opinion. I will not allow any bashing or
criticism for what I've written. I will look
forward to people's opinions on what they think
about the Resmondo team. I believe this team will
lose a few games over the season, but the question
is how many? I say about 6, maybe 8, but who knows
maybe less we shall see. Congratulations on your
win and good luck down the road.
Fence brokers Inc/Worth out of Arkansas finished in
second place in this one. I don't think anybody
thought this could happen with Bell Corp and
Aubrey's entered. I ranked this bunch fairly high
early in the season, because I knew they had some
very good players. They have since added a very
good player named Will Watson to their roster, and
he will be a big addition to this team. I knew that
Aubrey's, Team Combat and Jean Shoppe looked to be
the top teams to beat after Resmondo & Bell. I'm
here to tell you that Fence Brokers can play with
those teams I mentioned. I am not sure if Bell is
that good right now. I believe they will have to
shore up their defense and certainly will have to
get more offense out of some of their players, if
they expect to win. The boys from Arkansas are for
real and will be a force in Class A Worlds. Chris
Walker and Rick Gosser have put together a very
solid A team, and they will be reckoned with
throughout the season. Congratulations on a great
weekend and good luck the rest of the way.
Bell Corp/Belcher/Backman did not get it done in
this one. I know they were missing Scooter and
Baker this week, but that is no excuse. This team
is much better than they have shown so far this
season. I believe they will have to pick it up a
lot or it's going to be a very long season.
Illustrated Sports/Mizuno finished fourth and played
exceptionally well in this one. This is a very good
B team who probably belong in Class A. They have
good defense and hit it pretty good. This Arkansas
team proved they can play, you don't beat some of
the teams they did without good players. I am
moving this bunch into the Top 15 this week, and
let's see how they play in their next tournament.
Congratulations on a great weekend, and hope to see
you down the road. The Legends NIT has proved once
again, it is one of the very good USSSA Conference
NIT's. Great job running this one. Good luck in
the future.
Next week USSSA Conference NIT Columbus, Indiana.
Until next time......
The Old Scout
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Softball Report April 30, 2007 |
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USSSA CONFERENCE NIT GLEN BURNIE, MARYLAND APRIL 28-29 |
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Aubrey's/MIT/Phone masters/Elite Sports/Worth
put it all together this past weekend by double
dipping Jean Shoppe/Worth to win the second
Conference NIT of the season. Aubrey's, who
last week did not play all that well showed
everybody why they will be a contender to be the
best Class A team in the world. This is a very
solid defensive and offensive team. I believe
this team will be the team to beat in the Class
A Worlds this year, we will see. Aubrey's was
led by Dan Dirty Sanchez. Dirty has become one
of the top pitchers in the game today. The rest
of the team also contributed to this big win.
Congratulations on your win and now go out and
beat the people you are supposed to and you will
stay at the top of the heap.
Second place went to Jean Shoppe/Worth, who also
is one of the best A teams in the country. "The
Shoppe Boys" had a good chance to win this one,
but couldn't get it done losing both games of
the championship. Make no mistake, this is a
solid team with good D and good offense. This
bunch will contend every weekend and be a force
in the Class A Worlds. Congratulations on a
good weekend.
Third place went to another very good A team,
TaylorMade/Mizuno, who I should have put in the
Top 15 last week after the Kissimmee NIT. This
bunch will need to catch it a little better and
they can compete with the top A teams in the
country. I believe this team will do well in
the A Worlds. Congratulations on a great
weekend.
Fourth place went to The Scene/Jolt, who I said
in my first report of the year that this team
would hurt somebody and they did. This is a
very good team and I believe they should be
playing Class A, but they are classified B.
Congratulations on a tremendous weekend.
This Maryland NIT is a fine example how the A
Worlds will stack up this season. I believe
it's going to be a very competitive Worlds and
can't wait to see who comes out on top.
Congratulations to Bob on another great Maryland
NIT. You do a great job running this event.
Congratulations to the teams who participated in
Maryland. I want to thank Jim for posting the
scores for all the softball world to see. Jim
you are the best, thanks again.
The next USSSA NIT is May 11-13 in Euless,
Texas. Don't forget the Spring Open USSSA Class
A in Maryville, Tennessee this coming weekend.
Until next time.......
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Softball Report April 27, 2007 |
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NIT's & World Schedules for 2007 |
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NSA NIT- May 25-27 Thoroughbred Classic Lexington,
Kentucky
NSA NIT- June 1-2 The Music City Classic Nashville,
Tennessee
USSSA NIT Class A- May 4-6 Spring Open Maryville,
Tennessee
NSA AA Worlds- August 28-29 St. Louis, Missouri
NSA Class A Worlds- July 28-30 Nashville, Tennessee
ISA Class A Worlds- August 8-11 Flat Rock, Michigan
ASA Hooter's Championships Sept. 27-30 Oklahoma City
ASA Open Class A Championship Sept. 28-30 Oklahoma
City
ASA Women's Open Sept. 28-30 Oklahoma City
USSSA Class A Worlds August 17-19 Disney's Wide World
of Sports
USSSA Conference Championship August 31- Sept. 2
Osceola County Stadium Kissimmee, FL
USSSA Men's Major Worlds Sept. 19-23 Disney's Wide
World of Sports
The full qualifying schedule for the WSL Tournaments
are listed on The Old Scout website.
The WSL Championship in Panama City Beach will be ran
the same as always, being you must qualify in Class A,
B, C, D, The E and Women's divisions are first come
first serve entry. Great prizes and don't miss this
one!! This Championship series has gotten bigger and
bigger year after year, and is a great place to play.
I would suggest if you haven't been there before, make
plans to attend and bring the whole family. You won't
regret it, I guarantee you. This year the WSL will
also bring it's championships to the west coast. Las
Vegas will be the site for these championships. The
divisions for this tournament is as follows open
class, any team or players can play in this one. The
teams don't have to qualify for the open. You can put
a team together and play. The Class B, C, D, E &
Women's will also be played, but you must qualify to
play in those divisions. I suggest to the teams to
get out and play the qualifiers and come to beautiful
Las Vegas to play ball, gamble and see the great
entertainment. This is going to be a great time for
all, so don't miss it. For more info go on The Old
Scout website and get what you need. Until next
time...........
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Softball Report April 23, 2007 |
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USSSA NIT KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA APRIL 20-22, 2007 |
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The 2007 USSSA Conference NIT was played this past
weekend, and Resmondo went 5-0 to capture the
championship. "The Sod Boys" left no doubt that
they are out to win it all again in 2007. This may
be the best team that Travis has ever put together.
I know this team will go down as one of the greatest
defensive teams in history. The infield with Martin
at 3rd, Dedonatis at short, Baker over the middle,
Beggs at 2nd.and Bumgardner at 1st.it doesn't get
any better with Purcell being the best pitcher in
the game makes this the very best defense in the
game. I also know with Kendrick, Striebel and
Rainwater in the outfield, makes this the best three
outfielders to ever play together. The Rich's
outfield was awfully good, but didn't have the speed
that these three have. "The Sod Boys" also have one
of the most potent offense the game has ever seen.
I think we will see just how good this team can be
in a few more tournaments. Resmondo was led by MVP
Jeff Wallace and the rest of the Resmondo team.
Congratulations to Resmondo on winning the first NIT
of 2007.
Team Combat/Dalsanders showed the softball world
that they will be reckoned with in 2007. This team
is so much better than last year. They have people
who can catch it, base hit it and hit it for power.
I look for this team to be in the hunt every
weekend. I give Cooper, Pat and Cropper a lot of
credit for putting this team together. Make no
mistake, you better be ready to play your best, if
you want to beat this bunch. "The Bat Boys" took on
the #2 team coming into this season Bell Corp, and
after falling behind early, and then being down 8
going into the bottom of the 7th. scored 9 to beat
"The Chimers". "The Bat Boys" then played Resmondo
in the first game of the finals and gave them all
they wanted, but came up a little short.
Congratulations on a great tournament.
Bell Corp/Belcher/Backman got beat by a run keeping
them from getting back to play Resmondo, who had
beaten them in the winner's bracket final. I'm here
to tell you this is a very talented softball team
who will be knocking on the door all season long.
"The Bell Boys" did not hit it very good this
weekend. I also believe they will have to pick it
up defensively if they expect to win. I thought
Kirby did a pretty good job at short defensively,
but I believe it might take a little away from his
offense, we will see. The power hitters for Bell
just did not get it done this weekend. Cocco,
Helmer, Kirby and Wegman did not hit like they can.
Make no mistake, when this bunch does it they will
be in the hunt I guarantee you. Congratulations on a
good tournament.
Aubrey's finished fourth in this one. I believe
this team will get better along the way. They have
some talented players and will need to play a few
more tournaments to show their talents. Resmondo,
Team Combat and Bell Corp are the top three teams.
Aubrey's, Jean Shoppe and Fence Brokers are the next
top three teams. After these six teams mentioned,
the next ten teams are a notch below. I think it
will make for a great Class A Worlds the way
softball is today. Congratulations to all the teams
who played in this USSSA Conference NIT. There were
16 conference teams in this one and 4 non-conference
teams. The tournament was ran very good, the games
were on time, the umpiring was very, very good and
the fields were great. This my friends is how
bigtime softball should be played. I talked to some
of the softball fans who were there about how they
liked watching softball being played on the baseball
fields. I can tell you that almost everyone said
they would rather watch it on baseball fields than
softball fields at this level, and I agree. Remember
this is only my opinion! Until next time......
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Softball Report March 29, 2007 |
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I will begin this report on a sad note. Mike Turney has suffered a big
setback, as he was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Mike went
through brain surgery this past week and he is battling for his life. I
know the softball family is praying and hoping that Mike can fight his
way back to a full recovery. I know one thing for sure, if Mike or his
family is in need of anything the softball world will be there to help
them. Let's keep Mike and his family in our prayers. His brother has
created a website for Mike to keep up with his updates. It's
www.miketurney.com. You can go
there and sign in his guestbook.
This report is going to give you a rundown on the schedule for Bigtime
Softball in 2007. The USSSA Conference is beginning it's second
season. April 20-22 is the opening weekend at Osceola County
Stadium in Kissimmee, FL, winter home of the Houston Astros.
This is a first class facility with the stadium and four outside
baseball diamonds. The dimensions are 340', 390', 410', the perfect
place to play bigtime softball. I expect about 28 of the 32 teams
entered in the conference this season to be there. This should be one
of the best of the year.
Week 2: April 27-29, Glen Burnie, MD - Is the setting
for this USSSA Conference NIT. This one will be played on 300' fields.
I expect that there will be about 18-20 teams in this one.
Week 3: May 11-13, Euless, TX - Will be the site for
this USSSA Conference NIT. I look for 25-30 teams entered in this one.
This has been one of the better NIT's the last few years.
Week 4: May 18-20, Columbus, IN - Is the site for this USSSA
NIT. This is the second year in Columbus and I believe there will be
about 16-20 teams entered in this one.
Week 5: May 25-27, Raleigh, NC - Will host this USSSA NIT.
This is a new site for the USSSA and I think this will become one of the
better places to hold a NIT., we will see. I look for about 16-20 teams
the first year.
Week 6: June 1-3, Concorde, CA - The Mike Davis Memorial
USSSA NIT. This has been a very good NIT for years. Dan Smith has been
a great sponsor of this event. I look for about 24-28 teams in this
one.
Week 7: June 8-10, Houston, TX - will be the site of this USSSA
NIT. This is also a new place for the USSSA Conference. I believe this
will be another great place for them to play. I look for a very big
turnout for this one, we will see.
Week 8: June 15-17, Brooklyn Center, MN - Is the setting for
this great USSSA NIT. This tournament ranks right at the top of the
softball world. This is not just a softball tournament, it's like a
state fair event with great food, beer and lots of people from the first
pitch to the last. Warren Bellm has been the host for a longtime and
has made this what it is today, believe me. Forty teams will get it on
starting Friday night, and it will finish about 5:00 pm on Sunday. This
is one hell of a weekend. If you haven't been there before, make plans
to go. CLICK HERE (pdf file) to
view teams entered.
Week 9: June 22-24, San Diego, Ca - Will host this USSSA NIT.
This will be the first year and I'm not sure how this one will go. I
believe this could be another great site. We will have to wait and see
how this one turns out.
Week 10: June 29-July 1, Milwaukee, WI - This city has
hosted a USSSA NIT for years and it has always got a bunch of teams. I
look for about 16-20 teams for this one. There will be a lot of local
teams entered.
Week 11: July 6-8, Little Rock, AR This is another
one of those softball tournaments that is more than just softball. This
is a beautiful setting with a gorgeous softball park. The food is
awesome and lots of people all over the place. Clint Albright and his
wife have ran a first class event for years, and now this is a USSSA
NIT. This ranks right up at the top. If you haven't ever been there,
make plans to attend. You will love it, I guarantee.
Week 12: July 13-15 Maryville, TN - The grand daddy of them all
"The Mighty Smoky". I know this, win The Smoky and you have won the best
tournament of the year. You may ask why, and I will tell you why. The
top 32 teams in the country are entered. The winner will have to beat
the best teams to get the win. This is the only NIT left in the game
that it's all you can hit homerun limit and they use 80' bases. The
main field is 320', 350', 350', much better than the 300' fields. This
is the biggest drawing tournament in softball from Friday to Sunday.
There are games played at five different sites around Maryville and
lots of people at all fields. This became a USSSA NIT last year and I
can tell you, both the USSSA, Joe Huff, Chris Clark and the Maryville
Parks & Recreation Dept. are very happy to become partners, I guarantee you.
This will be another Great Smoky, don't miss it.
Week 13: July 20-22 Cincinnati, OH - I can tell you Jim Wessel
ran this tournament last year and it was the biggest team turnout of the
year, 42 teams. That my friends is getting it done. I look for the
same this year. This is one of the nicest settings in all of softball.
The ballpark is set in the middle of a scenic view of beautiful trees
and it has a very nice restaurant and bar. Don't miss this one.
Week 14: July 27-29 Federal Way, WA - This is one that gives a
bunch of teams a chance to make the USSSA Worlds. There are some very
good players and teams from the great northwest. There should be a
pretty good turnout for this one.
Week 15: August 3-5 Sterling Heights, MI - They call this the
Last Chance, and it sure could be for one of the teams to make it to
Mickey Mouse World. This has always been a very good NIT for years.
There is always a good turnout of teams and is usually a very exciting
event. I want to wish all the teams who participate in these 15 NIT's
good luck in their endeavor to make it to Mickey Mouse World, and the
greatest of them all the USSSA World Series.
This year I will post my Top 15 teams every week. I will post the rest
of the teams in Honorable Mention. I will move teams into the Top 15,
if warranted during the season. I will post the top 25 teams of the
year at the end of the USSSA World Series. Bill Tassinari and I will
post OB, HR and HRF each week. Please make sure you send your stats to
Bill if you want to be included in this. If you don't send them to him,
you won't get listed. The USSSA will post it's stats from conference
play each week I'm sure. The USSSA only counts their NIT's for their
stats. Bill will count stats for all USSSA NIT's, the conference
championship and the USSSA World Series. We will not count stats from
any other tournaments period. I keep these official stats to keep up
with the history stats of bigtime softball. The reason I will not keep
the stats for Class A or AA Worlds is I do not believe it is fair to the
players from the past or of today who only play Super NIT's. There are
other associations who allow super players to play in their Class A & AA
Worlds, and that is why I'm not keeping those stats. I will post the
other associations schedules and all the World Tournament schedules and
dates at a later time. Until the next time...
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The
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Softball Report March 1, 2007 |
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The 2007 season is right around the corner, and
things are getting controversial already. The
USSSA Conference is going to have about 26-28
teams in it's second season. That is definitely
great for the game for sure. I know to get to
28 teams they needed to get some B & C teams to
make it. I believe that's how it should be.
Congratulations to Don and his staff on working
very hard to keep Bigtime Softball going. I
think it's going to be a very exciting season to
see what teams out of the 28 make it to Mickey
Mouse world for the USSSA World Series.
I will try to give you a little rundown on the
top teams for 2007. Resmondo Softball will
start out as the #1 team until they prove that
they don't belong at the top. I said earlier
in this report that controversy has already
started, and it has with Resmondo. Travis
announced a couple of weeks ago that Dan
Smith, Ed Menosse and Pat Dalasanders would be
back as sponsors. I'm here to tell you that
is not going to happen. Travis will once
again be the only sponsor of the winningest
team in softball the last ten years. I know
fans are going to ask, what happened? I can
tell you Travis just would not have Pat
Dalasanders as a coach, and that's what ended
the Smith/Menossee sponsorship. Resmondo's
team is just about the same team as 2006, with
the addition of the best shortstop in the
game, Don Dedonatis Jr. Last year I said that
some of the players might be over the hill,
and for awhile it looked that way. I will
tell you they got up off the floor and won
another USSSA world championship. Resmondo
still has Bumgardner, Martin, Kendrick,
Striebel, Purcell and Wallace, the winningest
players in USSSA history.
I'm going to write a little about what's
happening to some of the players in the game
today. The game has always had it's great
players of each era. The days of Howard's and
Nelson's, and before that Warren Motors.
These teams all had some great players and
they got old and left the game. Then came
Rich's, Steele's and other great teams and
players, like Macenko, Hightower, Elliott,
Androff and other great players of their era.
Then along came the next era of super stars of
the game Bumgardner, Hall, Wallace, Helmer,
Phelps, Martin, Rose and Rickard. I can tell
you that these super stars and a lot of others
are getting towards the end of their careers.
Most of these players I mentioned are pushing
towards 40, and not many years left. The way
the game has changed has made Bigtime Softball
players to be great athletes being able to
run, hit, hit for power and most of all catch
the ball. I will tell you that for years a
lot of the past players did not have the tools
to play the total game.
Today you can't play the game without having
the total tools. Let's take a look at the new
super stars of the new era and they are two
players Brian Wegman and Scott Kirby. These
are the only two players who fit the category
of the stars of the past. These two boys have
the ability to become the best players in the
game in the next two years. I still believe
there are a lot of very good players who will
be great players down the road, but will not
become superstars. The reason is because the
game has become a much better game. Defense
is as big as offense, in the past it was
homerun after homerun, not much D. Today
teams have to catch it or they can't win
period. I'm going out on the limb again and
make the statement that the Resmondo team
might be getting too old to win, but if I was
a betting man I would not count them out, we
will see.
Bell Corp/Belcher/Backman will be my #2 team
to start 2007. I look for this team to become
the #1 team fast. I know Bell has the two
best young players in the game, Wegman and
Kirby. These two guys will be the best in the
game, I guarantee you. These two boys can
catch it, base hit it, and hit some of the
longest bombs in the history of the game.
With these two and the rest of the Bell squad,
who have great players at every position,
don't be surprised that this is the year they
become the best team in softball. I would
like to see some more players of the caliber
of Wegman and Kirby come into Bigtime
Softball. Make no mistake they're out there.
Graduating high school baseball players,
college players, minor league players that got
cut. We need to get out and play softball and
we will get more superstars in the game of
softball in the future.
Superstar Jeff Hall has opted to call it
quits, but will continue to hit in the WSL Major League HR Derby at Major League parks
across America this summer. Jim Wessel has
joined the staff. I still think that Bell
will be very hard to beat even without Hall.
This is one hell of a solid softball team who
has a lot of power and can base hit with the
best. Gary Jost will be running this team,
and he knows how to get it done, we will see.
Aubrey's is my #3 team to start out the 2007
season. Big JC Phelps will be the leader of
this very good team. Alex Lavorico and Shawn
Watson will also be a great addition to this
bunch. I look for Aubrey's to give the two
big boys a run for their money on the 300 ft.
fields, HR restricted games. Team Combat is
my #4 team. John McCraw will be the leader
again, but conference OB leader in 2006 Scott
Brown will also be a force. I believe this
team will be much improved in 2007. TRI
C/Electric/Extreme Fitness/Kleuver/Combat will
be my #5 team. This team will be reckoned
with as Scott Nichols has put together a
pretty good offensive team. Scott has brought
back some veterans who haven't played Bigtime
Softball very much in the past couple of
years. Wendall Rickard, Wayne Frizzel and
Hank Garris are three of the top 15 HR hitters
of all times. Scott has added some young guys
to go with this bunch of veterans. I think
this team will be very interesting. Jean
Shoppe/Worth will be my #6 team. Shoppe will
be out to prove it can be a better team in
2007. The Shoppe team has made some changes,
and I look for this team to stay in the Top 15
all season long. Wood/LAW/Cash Pawn will be
my #7 team. This will be a very good A team,
who I believe will move up in the rankings
quick. This is a good defensive team and they
will hit it. I will tell you this, you better
be up on your game when you play this bunch or
you will get beat. The Scene/Jolt is my #8
team pick. This bunch has some good young
players that can play the game. I'm looking
for this team to be a contender in the A
Worlds. They can pick it and hit it. Watch
out for this bunch. Don't take them likely or
you will get beat. KME/TRIQ Chaney's/Easton
is my #9 team. I don't believe this bunch
will be #9 long. I think they will move up
quick. Make no mistake, this is a good team.
Long Haul/Miken is my #10 team. I put this
team up high in the rankings every year, but
they always seem to struggle early. I can
tell you this though, when it gets down to
crunch time they find a way to get it done.
This is a very talented veteran team who knows
how to win.
Good Luck to all the teams in 2007 and
remember this is only my opinion!!! Until
next time......
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