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The Old Scout's - "Softball Report"
Updated: October 19, 2009
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Final Softball Report From "The Old Scout" - October 19, 2009
I'm writing the final Softball Report, as I'm retiring and shutting down the Old Scout website. I can tell you all that my general health has not been good for approximately a year. I have decided to step aside and let somebody else start up a new major bigtime softball site. I started up the Old Scout website just after my good friend Jerome passed away. I tried to promote the bigtime game for the associations, the manufacturers, the softball teams and their sponsors, players, coaches and managers who were the game. I gave it my all to this great game that I love. I personally played the game for 45 years. I never stopped playing from 1963-2008. I cannot play the game anymore due to my health nor can I travel like I used to. I really enjoyed traveling around the country and seeing the best teams and the best players who played the game. I know before I got sick I watched more bigtime softball games than anybody in the country. When I went to a tournament I watched the first game to the last game of every tournament. I have seen bigtime softball played from 1965-2009. I have seen every bigtime player play the game from those years.

I managed and played a game against the Steele's Silver Bullets in 1989 in Syracuse, NY. I have seen every world USSSA championship from 1988-2008. I missed the 2009 Worlds because of my health. I also attended a few other USSSA worlds over the years. I attended about five ASA National championships along with a few NSA & ISA worlds also.

I know this for sure, if I had got involved into the bigtime game like I have since 1990-2009 I would have tried to change the game in the late 80's through the late 90's. The game has always been the same, a dominating team year after year. I also know nobody really tried to level the playing field until the late 90's. Howards, Elite and some other older teams dominated in the early times. Steeles, Rich's, Team TPS, Long Haul, Dan Smith and Resmondo dominated from the 90's to today. The teams I named were powerhouses throughout the seasons that they won championships. The most dominating team in all the years has been Resmondo with five USSSA World Championships.

I have tried to make changes in bigtime softball since 1998 to try to level the playing field. I also know that Hank Bassett, Jeff Hague and John Daniels tried to get changes made throughout the years they were involved. I believe the biggest change for major softball was the homerun rule of 12 hrs. per game when the super teams played the class A,B or any other teams. Give the credit to Hank, Jeff and John for that one. I do not believe it helped out those teams that much. I wanted the 6 hr. hitters rule put in. The reason is that I believe the class A teams would have 5 or 6 good homerun hitters, but the super teams have 10 or 11, and that's the difference believe me. I was the one who insisted the bases needed to be moved to 80'. NSA, ASA and ISA tried it and it worked. USSSA has put them to 75' at their conference and USSSA Worlds. It does not work. The 75' bases lets hitters get automatic doubles, and the defense cannot turn many double plays and that allows for big innings. The USSSA needs to put the bases at 80' period. I know if that is done it will give the class A & B teams an even better shot of upsetting the big two. It just makes sense to say the bigtime game is a mess right now. The conference does make sense, but only if you eliminate the two big teams and let two elite players on a team. Resmondo & Dan Smith will dominate in 2010. The rest of the teams don't have a chance to win if changes aren't made. The only time the class A teams can win is when the two big boys are not entered, period. I cannot believe that any sponsor would invest it's hard earned money and know from the get go it cannot win unless there are no super teams entered. It just does not make any sense. I have said many times before it is time to make the change. John Daniels has decided not to play USSSA anymore, and that my friends is another story. Resmondo & Dan Smith will be back in 2010. These two teams will get even more stronger with the pickup of some of the better Long Haul players and the rest of the Long Haul players will go elsewhere. Who knows it doesn't matter.

I say now is the time for the USSSA to make the change to two elite players on a team. I know you might ask why two? It's pretty simple money!!! The only three sponsors in the game who could afford more than two elite players on their roster are Travis, Dan & John Daniels. Gregg Blackburn from Jean Shoppe I believe could afford to have more than two. Nobody else in the game can afford over two. Troy Nance, the Taylor Made sponsor, GTL and maybe two or three more can get enough money to have two elite players. That's it my friends bottom line. That is why I say only two players. I also will say by doing this the game will level out and there will be about 8-10 very competitive teams to play in the conference along with any of the other teams, and that is how bigtime softball should go starting in 2010.

I also will tell you the elite players list must be done right with no favors to anybody. Everybody gets their two players choice and then pick any other players in the country to make up your teams. I believe that could keep Travis & Dan having teams, but after their two picks they can only pick players that are not on the list to fill out their rosters, go to it. I'm here to tell you if all that's done the game will get better, the competition will get better, the playing field will level out. It's pretty simple get it done.
The best part about this plan is that most of the elite players still get paid what they've been getting. The other best part of this plan is there are about 8-10 elite players who are on the end of their career soon, with that making it even better because that will leave about 25 players on the list to choose from.

I will write a little about the 2009 USSSA Worlds. I have found it very hard to say much about this mess that happened at this year's USSSA Worlds. I will write about why I believe this mess happened later, don't miss it. Resmondo won this one, but I'm sure the world will forever say it was tainted. I for one believe it was, but that is history. I also believe that if it went the way it's supposed to have Resmondo would of still won. I don't believe they needed any help and that is another story. I do know they were the best team in 2009, no doubt about that. I will congratulate Travis and his great team on a great 2009 season and for winning the USSSA Worlds. Travis has now one five USSSA World championships.

T&R Stucco/Bass/Worth got the runner-up spot in this one, and deserved it by beating one of the super teams, Dan Smith to get 2nd. place. Tiny, Jackie & Troy deserve everything they received for the job they did for the 2009 season. I ranked this team #4 after the first NIT of the season in Florida this year. I can tell you my friends that is where they ended up #4 the best class A team in 2009. Congratulations to Troy, Tiny, Jackie and all the players for one hell of a year and good luck to all in 2010.

Third place went to Dan Smith who just did not get it together in 2009. I believe they had the talent to win. I also believe that they used legit bats and that might of hurt them this year, just my opinion. Congratulations on your worlds. Congratulations to all the teams that participated in the 2009 worlds.

I will continue my story and write a little about the USSSA Executive Director & CEO Don Dedonatis, Sr. and other people involved with the USSSA. I personally met Don in 1993 when I took my team to Detroit to play in the Last Chance NIT. I had been warned by some pretty good people in softball to keep a good eye on Don, and that he was a pretty foxy guy. I found Don to be a pretty friendly guy and tried to find out what he was really like. I come from NY and got to know some pretty bigtime people through my baseball and hockey career. I also worked for some pretty heavy weight people in downstate NY. I know for sure with my connections to some of these people it helped me out throughout my life including my nightclub business in NY and other venus. I had heard some things about certain people in softball, so I decided to find out whether they were real or rumors. I can tell you all they were rumors and that put that to bed. I then knew how to work the softball world. I had a son-in-law Jeff Wallace who I knew was a very talented player. I had to get him moving in the right direction. I got Louisville Slugger as my bat sponsor and got Jeff out to the NIT's so that he could get seen. I did that and the rest is history. The years went by and I was into bigtime softball all the way. Jeff was making his career go and I had retired at a young age and met Jerome and started traveling the softball circuit, enjoying every minute of it. I learned a lot from Jerome about people in the game. Don Dedonatis was one of them. Jerome told me to watch out for that guy. I told Jerome my background and he told me I like that. I could go on and tell you a lot more about Don, but I will not tell you all the story,

I will begin to tell you what I think hurt Don's integrity and honesty was when Junior came into the game of bigtime softball. I want to tell you all that Junior needed no help in the game from his dad or anybody else. Don Sr. thought he needed to help Junior on any team he played on, and that is when Don Sr. got into trouble. Don's troubles started early on when he was elected Executive Director and CEO. Don began to tear down the USSSA as it was known by getting rid of good people and putting in his people. Don wanted to control the USSSA his way. The people he put in were along for the ride, and it has worked. Don has taken the USSSA to the top of the sports entertainment business known to man. I believe he has done a terrific job running this USSSA sports venues. Softball is a very small part of their whole program, especially the major part of softball. He took over for Al Ramsy and began to run softball his way or the highway.

I'm going to give you what I think has been wrong with softball for a long long time. Softball is like anything else, it's about money. I will tell you there's a whole lot of money in softball. The money has been a big problem for years. The equipment used in the game is one of the big problems. The bat manufacturers have been great for the game, but have caused a lot of problems. The game has always had teams who were sponsored by bat manufacturers who gave their teams bats, gloves and sometimes money. Problem #1 when the manufacturer sponsors a team with equipment and money what do you think they are looking for, a favor for their team. The manufacturer also sponsors the NIT's and the world tournaments, and what do the manufacturers want, a favor from the associations for their teams. The associations want the manufacturer's money to help support them, and what do the associations want, a favor. The problem with bigtime softball is that its all bias. The game has never been run by a non bias person or people. The game has been run by the associations, the bat manufacturers looking for a favor, it doesn't work. The game of softball needs an independent non-bias person who has no interest in money & favors. All he needs is what's best for the game, teams, sponsors, players, coaches and managers, that's all.

Now back to Don Sr. Junior starts playing bigtime softball with Mountain Top out of Michigan and the fun begins. Don Sr. wants Junior to win at all costs. Osceola County Sports Complex Class A Worlds-Mountain Top vs. Northwest Pipe two outs ground ball, runner out by five steps, the umpire calls the runner safe. Mountain Top comes in scores and wins the Class A Worlds, Junior wins. Larry Q is from Michigan, doesn't want any problems from Don, says nothing, Larry's back the next season. I can tell you there's nobody in the park who doesn't believe that Don Sr. didn't get help from the Michigan umpire, what do you think? The Top team knew they were beat, how do they except that championship, no way believe me I saw it. That is #1- #2 Junior is now playing for Dan Smith with Jerry Angel as the coach for the Smith team from Michigan, good friend of Don Sr. USSSA Worlds- bat problems have been going on all year long, Don Sr. decides to test bats and put red stickers on the bats that were tested. I think it's not a bad idea. The bats are all tested and the red stickers are on the bats. Don Sr. decides Dan Smith and Junior need more red stickers and low and behold who appears upstairs, Jerry Angel and he gets some red stickers to put on his team's bats that didn't get tested. Smith wins, Junior wins. The tournament is over and I'm walking out of the stadium and a high ranking USSSA official is walking out at the same time. The guy says to me, I am sick about what happened upstairs today. I said I know I seen what happened. The guy says I don't know what to do, I say quit. I don't know how you can be a part of cheating, the end he's back next year. #3 Junior starts playing for Resmondo, Don Sr. is no dummy. He sees this is going to be the best team in the game for 4 or 5 years. Don Sr. decides to make another move and gets in bed with Travis and the game is on. I have to tell you there's no sponsor that has put more money into the game than Travis Resmondo. Travis has done it himself for many years. I do know some people who said he wouldn't last two years and now has five USSSA World Championships, not bad. The question now is did Don Sr. help out the Resmondo team? By paying for hotel rooms or maybe car rentals or how about some flights once in awhile, I don't know the answers to that. There are some people and rumors going around who say he did. I was told by the man this did happen. I can also tell you he has never lied to me since I've known him, I trust him.

I now must tell you what I think is the worst decision that Don Dedonatis Sr. ever made in the game of softball. I also believe he embarrassed the whole USSSA organization. This was the worst of all of his trying to help Junior & Junior's team win. The sad problem with all that said is that Resmondo or Junior needed any help from Don Sr. to win, I guarantee you. The bat testing is a flat-out useless tool to use. It does not work. The only thing it's good for is to scare the players. The real problem is, if it did work why in hell would you use the USSSA lawyer and Don Sr. or anybody else who belongs to the USSSA organization to test the bats. It doesn't make any sense, especially when some of the USSSA staff know that Don Sr. is involved with the Resmondo team. I would of thought that Don Sr. would of been much more smarter, but obviously not.

Dan Smith who won one world by using stickers on bats that weren't legal, and in the 2008 season some of his players used painted bats that were illegal and won with them. Dan decides to protest the Long Haul bats to try and win, it didn't work this time. The Long Haul players get their bats tested and some are over the limit. McCollum gets upset and hollers at the USSSA attorney, who by the way should not have been in there anyways. Don Sr. thinks about it, knows it's not a give me game against Long Haul and makes his decision to suspend McCollum for the rest of the tournament. The big question is, did Don and Travis get mad at Brett for not wanting to sign with them in 2010, and did that help Don's decision, who knows. I believe what really should of happened was that Don Sr. should of waited until after the tournament was over and then made his decision. He did not, Junior wins. John Daniels has a team vote and they vote to pull out of the tournament. The worse thing about this whole mess is that John will not return to the USSSA ever again, and the game and his players suffer for it and the USSSA is in a mess again. I believe if Dan Smith would of pulled out also, Don Sr. would of been in real trouble with Travis's team and his players. I honestly believe it would of been the end of what bigtime softball has been all about, bigtime teams. Don would of had to step back, that's for sure. I know it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that every team in the country knew that Resmondo's bats were not going to be tested like the other teams when the USSSA officials were doing the testing. Don you're a lot smarter than that.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I will close by saying it's been a wonderful ride being the Old Scout all these years. I've met some great people over the years, and I'll never forget any of you. I've had a lot of critics over the years. I've had some people who didn't agree with me, but I can tell you all I had much more that did. I can also say I did it my way, and that is why my website was very good with millions of hits over the years. I told the whole story whether you liked it or not. I want to wish all my readers good luck in your life and enjoy the great game of softball. To all my critics when I pass I hope they bury me upside down so the critics can kiss my ass, ha ha Bobby Knight. I do plan on writing a column once in awhile on the new major board. And as always I'll sign off by saying this time there will be no more next time, goodbye the Old Scout.

P.S I want to thank some very special people who helped me through the years: Richard Howard, John Daniels, Travis Resmondo, Dan Smith, Ed Menosse, Pat Dalsanders, Jerry Backman, Jeff Hague, Greg Blackburn, Woody Bell, Dave Neall, Bill Taylor, Mike Glascock, Hank Bassett, Jackie Hayes, Mike Cunningham, Carlie LaRoche, Cheeze, Pat Kehoe and Gene from Pace, but most of all my website readers, all the bigtime players who I got to watch play and know, thanks for all the memories. Also to all the sponsors I got to know, the bat manufacturer reps., a special thank you to Steve Dimitry, you're the best, and also a very very special thank you to my good friend Bubba Tatum, you are a class act. I may have left out some, but I won't forget you all.

The Old Scout...
Softball Report August 19, 2009
I sure wish I could of been at the Class A Worlds, but right now I'm not healthy enough to travel and spend 16 hrs. a day watching the game I love. GTL/Cartel/Stucco/Worth finally put it all together and won this terrific Class A Worlds. I thought early on in the season that this team would be at the top of Class A, but that didn't happen. The Stucco boys had a hard time winning during the conference season. This past weekend was post season time and Doug Reed and his gang won the Class A Worlds. Doug has now made it #3 Class A Worlds in his career as a Class A sponsor. I was not there, but my eyes and ears covering this world was one of my good softball buddy's from Columbus Ohio, the round man Cheese. I can tell you all, this man knows bigtime softball and is one of the most knowledgeable guys in the game I know. I want to thank Cheese for keeping me abreast of what happened at this year's Class A Worlds. Cheese also has been keeping me informed on a lot of the NIT's played all season long. I feel like I'm there when Cheese is there and giving me all the information. I thought all along that GTL would be heard about this season. Cheese & I talked on Thursday about who we thought would win. Cheese liked T&R, GTL & Jean Shoppe, so did I. Cheese also told me at the end of the conversation, watch out GTL might win it all, and they did. I knew this team had a lot of talent. They just did not get it done during the season, but sure got it done when it counted. Congratulations on your win and good luck at the Conference Championship and the USSSA Worlds.

Jean Shoppe/Chaney/Easton is a lot like GTL. They did not play up to their potential this season. This team was a lot better than they played in conference play. The Shoppe boys got beat early in this one, but got it back together the rest of the tournament and got the runner-up spot. Make no mistake, this is absolutely a very good team who just ran out of gas at the end. Congratulations on your season, the Class A Worlds and good luck in the Conference Championship and at the USSSA Worlds.

T&R Stucco/Bass/Worth, the best Class A team in conference play this season came up a little short in this post season tournament and finished in 3rd. place. This bunch has nothing to hang their heads for, as they had a great season. I know they made some changes for the worlds, but sometimes that is not the answer, who knows. Congratulations on your season and the Class A Worlds and good luck in the Conference Championship and the USSSA Worlds.

Combat/USA showed why they belong in the top ten as this team had a very good season in conference play and the Class A Worlds. You guys deserve a lot of credit for the hard work and play you showed all season. Congratulations on your season and the Class A Worlds and good luck in the Conference Championship and USSSA Worlds.

Congratulations to Don Sr. and his USSSA staff on another great Class A World. Don you must feel great about having a Class A World as great as this one was. The teams and your staff should be very proud to play at Disney's Wide World of Sports. There's no better place than there, First Class all the way!! I would also like to wish all the teams who will participate in your Conference Championship and USSSA Worlds. Good luck to all. I also would like to wish Rick Robertson a speedy recovery. Get well soon Rick, you are a class act and a great guy.

Next tournament the Conference Championship!

Until next time the Old Scout..
Softball Report August 12, 2009
Long Haul/Phonemasters/Miken finished off the 2009 conference season by winning the Last Chance NIT in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The truckers have had a very successful season. This reporter ranks Long Haul as the #2 team in 2009 conference play. I believe that Long Haul will be a force in the USSSA Conference Championship and the USSSA World, we will see. I had said in the start of the season that Long Haul had about 4 or 5 of the best young players to come into the game since Wegman, Connell & Kirby, and I was right. I knew if these kids played well Long Haul would have a very good year, and they did. I also believe Long Haul would of been even better if Hall, Phelps & Genter would of had a season like they had last year. I know this it's on to post season play and the veteran players usually give their best when it's all on the line, we will see. Congratulations on your season and good luck in the post season.

Jean Shoppe/Easton has been playing much better the last few NIT's and I look for this bunch to be right at the top in the Class A Worlds. The Shoppe boys beat Resmondo to get 2nd. place in this one. I believe that win should give them a big boost in the A Worlds, we will see. Congratulations on your season and good luck in the post season.

Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth got 3rd. place this past weekend. The sod boys came up on the short end in their game against Jean Shoppe losing 36-35. Resmondo played a few more games and then Jean Shoppe and Resmondo decided to catch their flights and the tournament was over. Congratulations on your season and good luck in the post season.

Bud Light/TPS got 4th place in this one. This bunch has been playing great the whole season. I look for this team to be very solid in the A Worlds. I know for sure you better play good or they will beat you. Congratulations on your season and good luck in the post season.

I want to wish all the teams good luck who are playing in this coming weekend's USSSA Class A Worlds. I believe this will be one of the best ever in Class A play. I think there are about five teams who have a chance to win this tournament. Good luck to all of you. I also want to wish all the teams who will participate in the USSSA Conference Championship and the USSSA Men's Major World good luck to all. I hope everybody has a safe and competitive post season.

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report July 30, 2009

Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth wins the Rocky Mountain Shootout in Colorado this past weekend. The sod boys were too much for this one, as Dan Smith & Long Haul did not play. Resmondo got a little scare from runner-up Combat/USA/Elite. The Combat boys came up a little short losing by only two runs in the winners bracket finals. The sod boys had it pretty much their way the rest of the way on route to the championship. Congratulations to the sod boys on your win. Good luck in your next one.

Combat/USA/Elite has shown that they belong up in the rankings. This team has played very well all season long and after this weekend's performance they will move up in the rankings. I look for this team to be a good Class A team with an outside chance of winning the A Worlds. The other A teams better keep an eye on this one. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck the rest of the way.

Hubs Pub/Elite, who I don't know much about, but was told this was a pretty good team. I know finishing in third place in a Conference NIT is a good job by any team. Congratulations on your great weekend and good luck the rest of the way.

Northwest/Combat finished fourth in this one. This is another one of those pretty good Class A teams. This team has played very good all season long and deserve to be in the top 15. Congratulations on a terrific weekend and good luck in the future.

I would like to commend the Colorado USSSA staff on running a very good Conference NIT and good luck in the future with it.

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The 3rd annual Carolina Shootout was played in Raleigh, N.C. this past weekend. Bud Light/TPS won this very good Conference NIT. I had just written last week that you better play good against this team or you would get beat. I believe the other top A teams entered in this tournament played pretty good, but Bud Light played better. I will say it again, the Class A Worlds is going to be a great tournament, I guarantee you. T&R, Jean Shoppe, Taylor Made, Bud Light, GTL, Combat/USA, Wood Law, Northwest Combat, Blitz /Watanabe and a few others will make up this year's Class A Worlds. I can tell you it's going to be a war. Congratulations to Bud Light/TPS on your great weekend and good luck the rest of the way.

T&R Stucco/Bass/Worth gave it a giant run, but came up a little short. This team has nothing to hang it's head about, that's for sure. I believe this team is the team to beat in the Class A Worlds. I know for sure they'll be around the top when it's over. Congratulations on your great weekend and good luck at the A Worlds.

Linedrive/Tripless finished in third place. This is another one of those pretty good teams who can compete with some of the better Class A teams. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck in the future.

Taylor Made/Mizuno is right up there with the best of the Class A teams. This bunch has been knocking on the door all season long. I believe this team will be a force in the A Worlds. They've got the talent. They've got to push a little harder. Their fourth place finish this weekend was a pretty good job with the competition the way it was. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck down the road.

Congratulations to the North Carolina USSSA staff on running a great tournament. Good luck in the future.

I know that after 20 of the 21 conference NIT's played we have come up with the top super teams and the top Class A teams. Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth has been the class of the three super teams. T&R Stucco/Bass/Worth has been the best of the Class A teams. I believe it has been a very successful year for the conference. The three super teams were pretty competitive against each other. Long Haul sure proved that they could compete with Resmondo & Smith. Long Haul beat Resmondo & Smith a few times this season. I know this, what Long Haul did putting this team together proves that if you pick the right players you can compete. You also have to have the money to support it. Dan Smith who I thought had the best offensive team going into the season just did not get it done for whatever reason. I will tell you all, remember last year? Smith did not get it done during the conference play, but when it counted they stepped up and won the big one, the USSSA Worlds. I'm not sure who will win this year's USSSA World, but maybe a surprise!

Next USSSA Conference NIT the Last Chance in Sterling Heights, Michigan Aug. 7-9th

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report July 22, 2009
Jean Shoppe/Chaney/Easton wins the biggest Conference NIT of the season with 40 teams entered. Jean Shoppe, Bud Light and Blitz/Watanabe were the only teams ranked in the Top 15 in this one. The Shoppe boys were the class of the field, that's for sure. The 2009 season has been played without the super teams entered quite a few times this year. I believe that's good for the better Class A teams and the Class B, C & D teams also. I like it because it gives some of those teams a chance to win a conference tournament. Congratulations to Shoppe on winning this one and good luck the rest of the way.

The next best team in this one was Bud Light/TPS who got the runner-up spot. Bud Light is one of the good Class A teams. I will tell you, if you don't play good this bunch can and will beat you. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck down the road.

PRI/MFAB/Insanity took third place, another team I don't know much about. Congratulations on your weekend, and good luck in the future.

EAP/Easton finished in fourth place. I don't know a whole lot about this team, but was told they played very good in this NIT. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck in the future.

Congratulations to the Ohio USSSA staff who ran this Conference NIT. I know you guys put in a lot of hard work getting this many teams and you deserve a lot of credit. Good luck in the future.

Next up the 3rd Annual Raleigh Shootout - Raleigh, NC and the 25th Annual Rocky Mountain Shootout - Aurora, CO.

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report July 15, 2009
Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth wins the prestigious Smoky Mountain Classic in beautiful Maryville, TN. The sod boys defeated Long Haul/Phonemasters/Miken two times to win this one. Resmondo had beat Long Haul in the winner's bracket finals late Saturday night. The sod boys then waited to see who would come back through the losers bracket. The question was would it be Dan Smith or Long Haul? It was Long Haul as they sent Smith to the house in the losers bracket finals. Resmondo and Long Haul got it on for the second time in this year's Smoky and it was a very good game. Long Haul was down 10 going to the bottom of the 7th. They scored 8 , came up short and Resmondo wins the 2009 Smoky. Congratulations to Resmondo for winning the Smoky. Good luck in the Conference Championship and the USSSA Worlds.

Long Haul/Phonemasters/Miken gets the runner-up spot in the 2009 Smoky. The truckers gave a great effort after their coach Gary Jost was taken to a Knoxville hospital after complaining of not feeling well on their flight from Minnesota. Gary was told he had a blocked artery and needed a stent put in. He was released Sunday and flew back to Minnesota to have more tests done. Good luck Gary, the good softball family has you in their prayers. Long Haul has proven that they are for real after winning the Dudley and now taking 2nd. at the mighty Smoky. I will tell you all, make no mistake this is a very good super softball team who will be a force in the conference and the USSSA Worlds. Congratulations on your great weekend, and good luck in the two big ones.

Dan Smith/Menosse/Combat finished in third place this past weekend. The Smith boys, who won two NIT's in Seattle without the other super teams, have fallen on hard times the last couple of NIT's when they were entered. I'm not quite sure what's going on with the Smith team, but I do know they will have to pick it up a whole lot if they want to repeat as the USSSA World Champion. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck in the last two big ones.

T&R /Stucco/Elite/Worth got back on track this past weekend as they finished in fourth place. The Stucco boys had a little let down last week at the Pepsi Classic in Little Rock, but turned it around in this year's Smoky. The T&R boys have been the class of the A division so far in 2009. I really believe that this year's Class A worlds will be one of the best ever. T&R, Jean Shoppe, Taylor Made, GTL, Wood Law and Bud Light are all very close. I hope Donnie will use a good ball on those 305' fields at Disney. I know this, if the ball is good and with those great teams it will be a war to see who comes out on top, I guarantee you. Congratulations to T&R on another great weekend. Good luck the rest of the way.

I would like to commend Joe Huff and his staff on another Great Smoky. The Smoky is what bigtime softball should be. The best of the best in major softball, with big crowds in the most beautiful setting in all of softball located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. I can tell you all, it doesn't get any better than this. Once again, congratulations to Joe and his staff and good luck in the future. 

Next weeks NIT USSSA Conference in Cincinnati, OH.

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report July 9, 2009
Seattle NIT:

Dan Smith/Menossee/Combat won both ends of the dual event in Seattle this past weekend. The Smith boys had a pretty easy time in winning these two conference NIT's. The last time that Smith played without the other two super teams entered, they lost out in Concorde, California to Classic Glass/Easton. The Smith boys took care of Glass and everybody else in these two NIT's. Dan Smith will now set it's sights on the greatest of them all the Mighty Smoky this coming weekend. Congratulations to Dan Smith on winning these dual Nit's and good luck at the Smoky.

Classic Glass/Easton kept the runner-up spot in the first of two in Seattle. The Glass boys played well in this one. I have said most of the time the Glass team plays very competitive in super NIT's. Congratulation on your weekend and good luck down the road.

Showcase/All American finished in third place in the first NIT in Seattle. Showcase is a pretty darn good A/B type team. This bunch will give you fits if you don't play good. Congratulations on your weekend, and good luck in your next one.

Northwest Combat got fourth place in the first of two. I can tell you all this is another pretty good class A or a very good B type team who can compete with the good A teams. Congratulations on your weekend.

NIT #2 in Seattle:

Dan Smith/Menossee/Combat wins this one also to make it 2-2 in Seattle.

GTL Cartel/Stucco/Worth got the runner-up spot in NIT #2. This bunch is starting to heat up down the stretch. The Stucco boys played well at the Dudley and continued it this past weekend in Seattle. I look for this bunch to be a force in the class A worlds. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck at the Smoky.

WCS/LCV finished in third place in the second NIT in Seattle. This is another one of those good A/B type good teams who play pretty good against the super and class A teams. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck down the road.

Northwest Combat finished in the same place as they did in the first one, that being fourth. Like I said this bunch is very competitive in these major NIT's. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck the rest of the way.

Congratulations to the Washington State USSSA staff and Coop on a very good event and good luck in the future.

The 30th Pepsi Classic - Little Rock, Arkansas:

Fencebrokers/Illustrated Sportswear won this great USSSA Conference NIT. The boys from Arkansas became the first Class A team to beat T&R Stucco/Elite/Worth in a long longtime. The Fenceboys also beat Wood Law, another good Class A team who have been playing very well in 2009. I was told the Fencebrokers played extremely well in this one and definitely deserved to win this Conference NIT. I have said all along that if you put ten of the best A teams in a tournament I'm not sure which one of the ten would win that tournament, it's that close. I know this for sure, it is where bigtime softball should be. The hand writing is on the wall. It's time to break it up and have 16 very good open teams, just my opinion. Congratulations to Fencebrokers on your great win and good luck the rest of your season.

Wood Law got the runner-up spot in this one. This bunch also beat the T&R Stucco boys this weekend. I have said from the start of the season that Wood Law was a very good Class A team, and they have proved me right. This team has some very good players that can flat-out play the game and are getting it done. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck the rest of the way.

T&R Stucco/Elite/Worth finally got stopped by teams other than the three supers. I can tell you this bunch has played extremely well all season, but did not get it done this past weekend. I know for sure it was a very good run for this team. Make no mistake they will be there in the end. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck at the Smoky.

Sports Center from Mississippi and my good friend Bubba Tatum finished in fourth place in this very prestigious tournament. This little old C team played awfully good the whole weekend against some pretty darn good A teams and competed very good. I know this for sure, any team ran by Bubba will be in the hunt, I guarantee you. He's been there and done that for a lot of years. Congratulations on your weekend and I hope to see you guys somewhere down the road. Good luck guys.

I would like to commend Clint and Marla on another tremendous Pepsi Classic. You two are first class people who have done a great job over the years for the best softball teams and players in the world to be able to come and play in your prestigious Little Rock tournament. Good luck in your future. Your friend Gordie

Next week's tournament the Greatest of them all the Mighty Smoky!! Good luck to all the teams.

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report July 2, 2009
Jean Shoppe/Chaney/Easton won this Conference NIT played in Connecticut this past weekend. The Shoppe boys did not have too much competition in this one. The tournament was made up of a lot of class B, C & D teams.

I can tell you all if these teams don't come then there's no NIT period. I know that there are people who will criticize this tournament, but I can tell you it is impossible for all the good teams to play much more than 6 or 7 NIT's and a couple of world tournaments. It's just too expensive. I have said over the years that it would make more sense to have less NIT's, align the tournaments up in central areas across the country so that teams could get cheaper flights, and then the teams from surrounding states and locals could drive. The competition would be much better with 8 or 10 of the good teams and 6 or 8 of the other teams, but who knows. The Shoppe boys had a couple of games that were close, but not any real competition. Congratulations to Shoppe on their win and good luck down the road.

Dark Side/TYJA Sports finished in the runner-up spot in this one. I really don't know much about them or the fourth place finisher TRI/State/Apex. The Scene finished in third place. Good luck to all the rest of the way.

Congratulations to all the rest of the teams who participated in this NIT. I would like to commend John and the Connecticut USSSA staff on your NIT.

Next NIT's the USSSA 30th Pepsi Classic in Little Rock, Arkansas and the Dual USSSA Combat Conference NIT in Kent, Washington.

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report June 25, 2009
John Daniels told me last year when he came back into bigtime softball all he wanted to do is win. In the 2008 season it did not happen. John decided after the 2008 season he would come back in 2009 with a much better team with his man he calls coach, Gary Jost. The 2009 season got under way in Kissimme, Fla. and the Long Haul/Phonemasters/Miken team played pretty good in this double NIT event. The Long Haul squad even beat pre-favorite #1 Resmondo.

The next couple of NIT's were not very good for the Long Haul team, being run-ruled a few times during those tournaments. The mighty Budweiser Dudley USSSA Nit was this past weekend and guess what? The Long Haul boys put it all together and won this prestigious tournament. I have seen a number of Dudley Nit's over the years, but this was one of the better ones. This tournament was very competitive and I believe the reason for that was the ball used in this NIT. I know for sure this ball was perfect for 300' fields. It was a little softer than the one they've been using all year and that made a big difference. The homeruns that were hit were hit by homerun hitters. In the daytime you had to really hit it to get it to fly. The ball flew a whole lot better after dark. I want to tell you all the Long Haul team has as much power as Resmondo and Smith. This Long Haul team has the best seven young players to come into the game since Wegman, Kirby and Connell.. Genter, Blackburn, McCollum, Thiede, Rhines, King and Isenhower are the next super stars of bigtime softball, I guarantee you. The ten players I've named can flat out play the game both offensively, defensively and they all can hit for power. These guys are the future of bigtime softball. I must give John, Gary, Teddy & Jeff Davis a lot of credit for putting together this great team. I know when you put these seven very good young players with veterans like Hall, Phelps, Messina, Buck and Robbins, it spells win. I also believe that when the players who are getting toward the end of their careers leave the game knowing that there is a new breed of players who can flat out play the game. I also believe when the new era of players take over bigtime softball we are going to see teams who have 12 players who can play great D, hit, hit for power & run. It will be a much better game when time comes.

Congratulations to the Long Haul team on one hell of a win. I believe this win was not only good for the Long Haul team, but also for the game of softball, the Dudley and the USSSA Conference. I believe that it shows that you can put a great team together and win for a lot less money than the two big teams spend and still be able to win. Yes there are very good young players that can play bigtime softball. I can tell you all there are more of these type of players out there, and I say go find them and bigtime softball will get a whole lot better.

Dan Smith/Menosse/Combat got the runner-up spot in this one. The Smith boys finally beat Resmondo. It's been a longtime. The Smith team played without super star Brett Helmer who tore his bicep muscle before the tournament. I have not heard how bad it is, but if he needs surgery he could miss up to a year. The Smith team just could not hold off Long Haul and had to settle for second place. This team is still not hitting when it counts and now are not catching it when it counts. I believe they will have to pick it up if they want to win the rest of the way. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck on your next one.

Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth finally had a weekend when they did not get it done. The sod boys had a chance to win the game against Long Haul in the winners bracket final, but Resmondo was one run away from run-ruling Long Haul with a runner on second and Wallace at the plate, but he did not get it done and Long Haul came back and won the game. The sod boys got back to play Dan Smith in the losers bracket final, but could not get it done in this one either, and were sent to the house for the first time in six tournaments. Congratulations on your run and good luck in your next one.

T&R Stucco/Elite/Worth showed why they are ranked the #4 team in the world. I can't believe that anybody would think this team doesn't deserve a lot of credit for what it has accomplished in 2009. The Stucco boys have beat all comers from class A, B or any other teams other than the three super teams. The Stucco boys gave Dan Smith all they wanted in their game. I still believe that T&R is the team to beat in the Class A Worlds, but they will have to beat Taylor Made, Jean Shoppe, GTL, Bud Light or Wood Law to win that. Congratulations on your great weekend at the Dudley and good luck on your next weekend.

I once again would like to commend Warren Bellm on another great Dudley. I really like the tournament this year. I think the ball made a whole lot of difference. I also want to commend the grounds crew at central on the job they do keeping the fields in perfect condition for this tournament. They deserve a lot of credit. The umpires I thought were excellent and did a great job. Congratulations to the whole Minnesota USSSA staff on a great job done. Good luck in the future.

Next NIT the USSSA Worth TYJA Northwest Shootout

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report June 15, 2009
The Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth Express is on a roll and nobody seems to be able to stop this runaway train. The sod boys have won six in a row in conference play. Resmondo went undefeated again to win this midwest conference NIT in Joliet, Illinois. This bunch just keeps hitting it and catching it and does not give up very many runs. I guess I may have hit a nerve when I said after their NIT's in Florida that they were too old and that some of the players could not get it done anymore. I guess I have to eat crow for saying that. The sod boys have won everything in sight since I called them too old, ha. I can tell you all this, the Resmondo sponsored team has won more games in the last seven years than any team in the history of the game in a seven year stretch. Resmondo's win, loss record over the last seven years is unbelievable. Their winning percentage is like 950. I didn't check all the numbers, but I believe that their record is about 350 wins and 50 losses in the seven year span. It doesn't get any better than that. I might be off a little, but not much on these numbers. I know this for sure, no team has had a run this long like Resmondo, some had a three or four year run, but not like this. Congratulations on your win in Illinois and good luck at the Mighty Dudley this coming week.

Dan Smith/Menosse/Combat got the runner-up spot in this one. The Smith boys just are not getting it done in the last few tournaments. I believe the big problem is some of their best hitters are not hitting well and definitely not hitting it when it counts. You can't win when you don't score. The Smith team has had a lot of chances to win in the late innings, but just come up short in the 7th. I can't believe this will continue the rest of the season, we will see. I know in the past the Smith teams have come up big in the Dudley and the Smoky. Let's see what happens this year. Congratulations on your weekend, and good luck at the Mighty Dudley.

GTL Cartel/Stucco/Worth finally put a good weekend together and finished in third place. I knew all along that this was a much better team than they have shown. I believe if they continue to play like they played this past weekend they will be right up there with the best of the Class A teams. Congratulations on your weekend and keep it going at the Dudley.

PRI/MFAB/Insanity finished in fourth place in this one. I don't really know a whole bunch about this team, but was told they played pretty well this past weekend. I do know this is a Class B team. Congratulations on your great weekend, and good luck down the road.

I would like to congratulate the Illinois USSSA staff on a very good NIT. I know you guys worked very hard on putting this one together. I believe this was one of the best field of teams in any conference NIT in 2009 so far. Great job guys!

Next week's Conference NIT is the Mighty Dudley in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

The Dudley and the Smoky are the top two NIT's of the season in bigtime softball. Warren Bellm has worked his butt off for many years in the Dudleyand made this USSSA Nit a place for the best teams and players to play. Warren has dedicated his time and effort to raise money for the charity of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. I believe Warren should be honored for the job he has done putting on this great USSSA Nit in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. I can tell you all, if you haven't been to the Dudley you haven't seen what bigtime softball would be like. The Dudley is not just a softball tournament. It brings people together and has a carnival atmosphere, great food, lots of beer and provides a great time for all adults and children to enjoy. It is one of the top softball tournaments in the world. I would like to thank Warren for making this the best place to come and enjoy watching great ball and having a great weekend being able to see the best players in the world play. Good luck to all the teams, and to you Warren for the weekend. See you all there.

Until next time The Old Scout ...
Softball Report June 9, 2009
T&R Stucco/Elite/Worth won it's second Conference NIT of 2009. The Stucco boys went undefeated in this 55 team Texas tournament. Troy, Tiny & Jackie Hayes have got this very good Class A team playing at the top of the heap at the Class A division. This bunch is meeting all comers. This Worth team is hitting it, catching it and hitting for power. I saw on my board that some idiots don't have a clue how big this team is. Make no mistake this bunch has what it needs to win, and with Jackie there he will make the right call when it counts. The Stucco boys have beat everybody they've played in the last two NIT's. I can tell you it's going to take a very strong effort for some Class A or B team to beat this bunch, we will see. Congratulations on another good weekend and good luck in your next one.

Wood Law, a team I saw play in Florida in April, I knew they would be a very good Class A team. I ranked this bunch in my top 10 and they have proven me right. This is another good Class A team who have some people who can play the game. I also know there are a whole bunch of good ball players from Texas who know how to play the game. I really like it that there is another good A team from Texas playing in the conference in 2009. I also believe there are more good teams from Texas who could compete in the conference if they could get more sponsors. I would like to see a couple of more Texas teams in Class A. Congratulations to Wood Law on a great weekend and good luck down the road.

Fencebrokers/Illustrated Sportswear from Arkansas, another good Class A team finished in third place in this one. This bunch always seems to have a good competitive team. The Fence boys played very good this past weekend. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck the rest of the way.

Mafia House of Pain finished fourth. I don't know much about this bunch, but was told they played extremely well this past weekend. Congratulations on a good weekend and good luck in your division in 2009.

P.S. Keep a eye out on my boy Lou and the Scene. They look like they might be a pretty good team down the stretch, we will see.

I would like to congratulate the staff of the Texas USSSA who ran this very good tournament. I know you guys worked your butts off putting this huge tournament together. Good luck in the future.

Next Conference NIT Joliet, Illinois

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report June 1, 2009

Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth wins it's fourth straight USSSA Conference NIT, the Music City. The sod boys maybe too old, but I don't know if anybody can beat them. Resmondo's last four NIT's have amounted to two full complete games, with all the other games having been run-ruled. Resmondo lost in Florida in April and have done nothing but win from there on out. This team is hitting the hell out of it and they're also playing very good D. Andy Purcell is getting people out. He has not allowed more than 15 runs per game over the last four tournaments. This team is on tract right now and it's going to take somebody to have a great game to stop the Resmondo express. I was told that BJ Fulk had an unbelievable weekend. The big boy from North Carolina supposedly was 40-40, which is probably a record, I will check it out. Congratulations to the sod boys and good luck in your next one.

Long Haul/Phonemaster/Miken got the runner-up spot in this one, but were no match for Resmondo in the championship game. Long Haul who had beat the sod boys in Florida, have now been hammered by Resmondo the last four times they played. Long Haul is proving it can handle the best class A & B teams, but are having trouble with the two big boys. I still believe they will give Resmondo & Smith a hard time, but they will have to play their best to beat either one. Congratulations to Long Haul on your weekend and good luck in your next one.

Jean Shoppe/Easton finished in third place this past weekend. The Shoppe boys beat the teams they should have and lost to the teams they should of period. Make no mistake this team will be at the top of the class A and battling for the championship at the end. Congratulations to the Shoppe guys and good luck down the road.

Suncoast/RBK got the fourth spot in this one. The Reebok boys are starting to play much better in the last couple of NIT's. I believe this team has a chance to be in the thick of things down the stretch in class A, we will see. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck in the future.

I would like to congratulate Brooks Cherry on running a great NIT as usual. Good luck in the future, you do a great job Brooks.

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The Mike Davis Memorial NIT in California was won by Combat/USA/Elite. The big story in this one is not quite who won, but who lost. The #2 team in the country, Dan Smith/Menossee/Combat gets knocked out early by two lesser teams and finished in fourth place. I can tell you all this doesn't happen very often. I do believe it's great for the game to see a class A or B team beat the big boys once in awhile.

Combat/USA deserves a lot of credit on winning this prestigious Mike Davis Memorial NIT. This win by Combat is one of the big upsets in bigtime softball in a longtime. The bat boys hit it well and played good D. Congratulations on a great win and good luck in the future. I know that there are a lot of very good players from the west coast. This NIT and the Seattle, Colorado NIT's will give the west coast teams more play in conference tournaments, and that is great for the game.

Northwest/Combat gets the runner-up spot in this one. The Northwest boys also deserve a lot of credit for their play this past weekend. I like it when these teams play extremely good and get a good finish in the tournaments. Congratulations on a great weekend and good luck down the road.

Classic Glass/Easton takes third place and I can tell you this bunch is always in the hunt out west. This team seems to play very well in the major NIT's. The Glass boys have some very good players. Congratulation on your weekend and good luck down the road.

I guess the headline story in this Mike Davis NIT is what happened to Dan Smith. I think it's pretty simple. The Smith boys did not score enough to win, period. This team has not played very good the last few tournaments. They have not hit it when it counted, and that is why they are not winning. Dan Smith may have to make a couple of changes, but I believe they'll get it going pretty soon. I had said that I thought this team had the best offense, but they have not proven me right so far, we will see. Good luck down the road.

Congratulations to the Northern California USSSA staff on another great Mike Davis NIT. I would also like to thank and congratulate Dan Smith for making this happen.

Next week's NIT the Third Annual Space City Classic League City, Texas South

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report May 27, 2009
T&R Stucco have now proven that they are a top legit Class A team, who can play with any of the better Class A teams in the country. The Stucco boys put it all together this past weekend and won the Peach State USSSA Conference NIT. This bunch played extremely well in Kissimmee, Fla. this past month and I ranked them up in the top 10. The Stucco boys have proven that they will be a legitimate contender to win the Class A Worlds. Troy, Tiny & Jackie Hayes have put together a solid class A team. This team has very good defense, good hitting and enough power to keep teams honest. I believe with Jackie there this will make a big difference when it's on the line. Jackie has the experience and knowledge of bigtime softball that will help some of these players who have never been winning at this level. He will make a difference. The Stucco boys beat the best of the Class A this weekend, Jean Shoppe twice, Taylor Made and others on route to the championship. Congratulations on a great win and good luck on your next one.

Jean Shoppe/Easton finished second and shown why they're one of the best in Class A. Make no mistake this bunch can play having veteran players like Todd Joerling and Hank Garris on their roster as they will help any good A team. These two have been two of the great players of all time in the game. Joerling & Garris are well into their forties, but still know how to win and play the game. This team also has some very good young talent, and I look for this team to be right at the top in the end. Congratulations on a very good weekend and good luck in your next one.

Taylor Made/Titan/Mizuno finished in third place in this one. The Mizuno boys showed why they are right up there with the top 6 or 7 very good Class A teams in the country. I had said in an earlier report there were about 6 or 7 very good Class A teams, and it's proving me right. T&R, Jean Shoppe, Taylor Made, Bud Light, GTL, Suncoast, Blitz/Watanabe are the top Class A teams in 2009. I also believe there are about 6 to 8 very good Class B teams and of course the three super teams that make up bigtime softball in 2009. I believe that this is how bigtime softball should be. I also believe that 16 good competitive teams are enough to play 8-10 NIT's , a Conference Championship and the USSSA Worlds, which make up bigtime softball. I also know when 20 or 25 of the top players leave the game in the next 3-5 years we will then have 16 very competitive team, and that any one of them could win a tournament on any given weekend, and that's how it should be. Congratulations to Taylor Made/Mizuno and good luck down the road.

Suncoast/RBK finally played like it should and finished third in this one. This team is much better than it has showed and I'm sure will continue to play much better. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck down the road.

Congratulations to the Georgia USSSA staff on running your NIT, it was a good one. Good luck in the future.

I like the weekends when the big three are not entered I believe it lets the class A & B teams see who are the better teams in their divisions. It's definitely good for the game a few weekends a year without the big boys. Congratulations to all the class A, B, C & D teams who participate in all the NIT's throughout the season and good luck to all the rest of the year.

Next week The Music City NIT in Tennessee and the Mike Davis Memorial Tournament in Concorde, Calif.

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report May 18, 2009
Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth, the team I called too old, now has reeled off three consecutive Conference NIT's. I know this, they may be getting old but they're running over every team in their path in the last three tournaments. The sod boys are winning and the offense is coming from everybody. Resmondo moved Greg Connell into right field and that has made a big difference. BJ Fulk is hitting the hell out of it, because he doesn't have to run the outfield anymore and he has his legs now. Brian King is getting more playing time and that shores up the middle of the infield. I believe these three moves has made Resmondo a much better team now. Resmondo run-ruled just about everybody this weekend, including Long Haul/Phonemasters/Miken, who were without Hall, Phelps & Buck. I'm not making any excuses for Long Haul, but when you take out three great hitters on any team it's not the same. Congratulations to Resmondo on another great weekend and good luck on your next one.

Long Haul/Phonemasters/Miken got the runner-up spot in this one. The truckers just could not muster up enough offense without the three big boys and didn't get it done. Make no mistake this team is capable of playing with both Resmondo & Smith and will when everybody is there. I know this, it's pretty simple; take three of your better players out of your lineup and any team will struggle. This weekend the rest of the Long Haul boys didn't hit it like they should of and that is why they struggled. Congratulations on a good weekend and good luck in your next one.

Blitz/Watanabe, who finished in third place, played extremely well in this one. This bunch beat Long Haul and others on route to the third place finish. I can tell you all that when Dave Watanabe is involved it will be a competitive team. This bunch have some players who can play and they know how to win. Congratulations on a great weekend and I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this team in 2009.

Fourth place went to Line Drive/Tripless. This B team gave all it had in this one and got a good finish. Congratulations on your weekend and good luck the rest of the way.

I would like to congratulate the Columbus, Indiana USSSA staff on getting a very good turnout for this NIT, and wish them good luck in the future.

Next week's USSSA Conference NIT The Peach State Shootout Marietta, Georgia

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report May 13, 2009
The team I continue to call too old to win has proven me wrong again. Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth has now made it two in a row over arch rival Dan Smith/Menossee/Combat. The sod boys had it pretty easy going through the winner's bracket, but in the first game of the finals they had a battle royal. Resmondo scored the winning run in the bottom of the 7th to win the championship 44-43. I have said all along there would be a big battle every time the three super teams play each other and it is proving to be that way. I know these two, Smith & Resmondo are still very good teams, even if they're getting older.

This season looks like last year so far with Resmondo winning NIT's again and Smith being the runner-up. I can tell you, remember last year when it counted at the USSSA Worlds Resmondo came up short. We will see what happens at the end of 2009. Congratulations to Resmondo on winning it's second Conference NIT of the season, and good luck in your next one.

Dan Smith/Menossee/Combat got the runner-up spot this past weekend as they could not find a way again to beat the sod boys. The Smith boys, who won the first two NIT's of the season in Florida have since fallen on hard times the last two outings. I know some of the big hitters are not getting it done when it counts, and that is why they are not winning. I still think this is the best offensive team in the country, but they're going to have to prove me right to start beating Resmondo again. I also know that Resmondo only lost to Smith in the stadium by one run in each game. They also got run-ruled by Long Haul in the stadium. I still believe that Resmondo and Smith are very close in talent and believe that Long Haul will be a force against both Smith & Resmondo all season long. Congratulations to Smith on a good weekend, and good luck on your next one.

Woodlaw gets third place in this one and is proving they belong in the top 10. This team, who is ranked Class B and obviously belong in the A division and have some people who can flat out play the game. I now believe they belong up there with Jean Shoppe, Taylor Made, Bud Light and GTL as the top five Class A teams in 2009. Congratulations on another great weekend and good luck in your next one.

GTL/Cartel/Stucco/Worth is off to a slow start, but finished fourth this past weekend. They will have to get it going soon, if they expect to climb up the rankings and be there with the better A teams. I know they have enough talent to do it and they better get it going. Congratulations and good luck the rest of the way.

Special Notice: I changed my board back to what it used to be after numerous softball people wanted it. Since the change I have read a number of bashing, slandering and personal assaults on people who read the board. I can only say I'm going to let this board stay the way it is for a short time if this behavior doesn't stop. I am going back to the sign on board to eliminate the people who want to post this kind of trash. A lot of the people who continue to post this junk don't have the balls to sign their name. I don't agree with everything that Tim Millette writes and talks about, but I respect the fact that Tim is a knowledgeable softball man. I'm asking you Tim to please refrain from bashing or attacking anyone personally and not only Tim, but anybody else who is doing the bashing.

You guys are ruining it for everyone who enjoyed the old board back. It's a lot easier for me to have the sign on board and believe me a lot less headaches. I also want to say that there's two sides to every story, and that some people make their own beds getting bashed and ripped and maybe they deserve it. So for the people who feel they're getting bashed and ripped maybe you ought to look in the mirror and see if you are doing things wrong. I'll end this now by saying I hope that both sides of the scope will clean their act up starting today and let this message board be for the enjoyment and information highway for Bigtime Softball!! ENOUGH SAID!!!

Next USSSA Conference NIT Columbus, Indiana.

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report May 5, 2009
Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth wins this Conference Mike Turney Memorial Gateway Classic NIT in St. Louis. The old sod boys put it all together this past weekend except for one game. Resmondo lost to Bud Light/TPS in the winner's bracket final game. Bud Light had beat Dan Smith/Menossee/Combat in an earlier game. The Smith boys got beat by Resmondo in the loser's bracket final and that sent them to the house. Resmondo then went to work on Bud Light and double-dipped the TPS team to get the win.

I still think that Resmondo is too old to keep it going all season without some changes, we will see. I also believe that Dan Smith has got a few players who are on the end of their careers too. I think that the top four class A teams this season have a better chance to beat the top super teams because of age. This season in the four NIT's played the big three have been beat by A teams. My friends it's going to happen quite a lot in 2009, I guarantee you. Congratulations to Resmondo on winning this tournament and good luck in your next one.

Bud Light/TPS gets the runner-up spot in this one. The Bud boys beat the #1 team Dan Smith and the #3 team Resmondo coming into this NIT. This Class A team has some very good players who can play the game. I had said in an earlier report that Jean Shoppe, GTL,Taylor Made & Bud Light would be the class of the A division in 2009. I believe these four teams have a chance of beating the big three if they don't play up to their standards. I also believe the Bud Light team is getting a little extra help in 2009 by swinging the new Louisville Slugger TPS bat. I can tell you it's been awhile since Louisville has made a top notch bat, but this new one is right there with the best of them. Congratulations on a very good tournament and good luck the rest of the season.

Dan Smith/Menosse/Combat just did not get it done this weekend and had to settle for third place. I thought seeing them play the first weekend in Kissimme that this team might be special, but this week proved me wrong. I still think they have the best offense in the game, but with Nastally hurt and some of the players getting older this team will not be as good as I thought. I do believe that when the three big teams get it on it's going to be a terrific battle to see which one is the best in 2009. Congratulations to Smith and good luck in your next one.

Fencebrokers, who finished in fourth place this past weekend played pretty good. Congratulations on a very good weekend and good luck the rest of the season. I would like to congratulate the people involved in running this Mike Turney Memorial in St. Louis. You guys did a terrific job and good luck in the future.

I have said for the last few years that I thought they should break up the super teams and put two or three elite players on a roster and any other players in the country to fill up the rosters. I still think this should be done in 2010. I know if it's not done the game will fix itself in about three years. There are about twenty players who are 40 or more in age left in the game who will not be in the game in three years. Fifteen of these players have been the best players in the game the last 12-20 years. I can tell you all that they have only a few years left. What's going to level the field? Over the last ten seasons only eight players who have come into the game have super star talent. I know for sure when these twenty players leave the game bigtime softball will level out. The only way it will stay the same is if more very good baseball players who played college or pro ball come into the game in the next three years and work very hard at the game. I say the game will level out and we will have 16-20 very good A teams, and that my friends is how it should be period, we will see it's just my opinion.

Next NIT Euliss, Texas May 8-10

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report April 23-25, 2009

The third Conference NIT of 2009 was played in Glen Burnie, Maryland this past weekend.  Jean Shoppe/Chaney/Easton won this one.  The Shoppe boys who did not participate in the two NIT's played in Florida had to do it the hard way by coming back through the loser's bracket to get the win.  Shoppe lost a game early, but stormed back to double dip Taylor Made/Mizuno.  I can tell you all the top three teams in this one came in just how they should have, Shoppe, Taylor Made and Bud Light.  Diamond Blade/Angle/Easton finished in fourth place.  The Shoppe team has a whole new ballclub in 2009.  Shoppe lost some of the best players they had in 2008.  I'm here to tell you Larry, Greg and Chaney have put together another terrific team that will contend for the Class A Championship again.  This year's addition of the Shoppe team has got one of the game's best overall hitters in Hank Garris and Kyle Cowart, one of the game's best outfielders. 

I know looking at this year's Class A division that there are about seven very competitive teams.  I believe there are about five more low A teams and five very good B teams in the conference.  I also believe the 2009 conference winner will be decided between Smith, Long Haul and Resmondo.  The Class A will be decided between Shoppe, GTL, Taylor Made/Titan/Pasi/Mizuno and Bud Light.  Woodlaw, T&R Stucco and Johnny Blaze/Demarini/Elite will contend.  Johnny Blaze and Woodlaw will be two of the top B teams in 2009. 

Congratulations to Jean Shoppe/Chaney/Easton on a very good weekend and good luck in your next one.  Taylor Made/Titan/Pasi/Mizuno got the runnerup in this one.  Scotty's boys are going to be in the running when the three big boys are not entered, and when they are entered they will have to settle for 4th or 5th place.  Congratulations on a very good weekend and good luck in your next one. 

Bud Light /TPS, Line Drive/Sports finished third in this one, and like Taylor Made and Shoppe, when the big boys are there they'll have to settle for 4th, 5th or 6th place, and when not they'll have a chance to win.  I think this team will get much better as the season goes on.  Congratulations and good luck down the road.

Diamond Blade/Angle/Easton finished fourth, and that is a very good finish for this club.  They will struggle when the better Class A or super teams are entered, but can be pretty competitive if you don't play well.  Congratulations on a very good weekend and continued success the rest of the year. 

Congratulations to Bob Holland on another very good NIT.  You and your staff have done it right for years.  I wish you continued success in the future.

Next Conference NIT is the Mike Turney Memorial Gateway Classic in St.. Louis, Missouri.  This is a tribute to a great guy who was well liked by everyone in the softball family.

Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report April 22, 2009
The 2009 Conference season got off to a rousing start in Kissimmee, Fla. at the winter home of the Houston Astros and where the USSSA's home and Hall of Fame are located. The top three super teams in the game, six of the top Class A teams and a few of top B teams got it on, along with thirteen unranked teams made up the first conference's tournaments of the season. The USSSA held a double event in their first NIT's of the season. They played Thursday & Friday in the first one, and Saturday & Sunday in the second. I cannot tell you how much the teams liked this new format, but I personally liked it. I do think it would have been better if they had played this format later on, like in June instead of April. I know a lot of the players had not played yet and some of the northern guys had not hit very much or took infield and outfield practice. I believe overall the play was pretty good. Dan Smith/Menosse/Combat won both ends of this double event.

I would like to write a little about some of the troubles that happened this past weekend in these two tournaments and then I will write about the games. I have said for years that they use too strong of a ball and that somebody will end up getting killed or seriously injured. I can tell you all it happened this weekend. Dirty Sanchez got hit in the face. Dirty is a very good athlete who has very good reflexes and catches almost every ball that's hit at him up the middle. This time Dirty could not defend himself, no chance. Dirty will have to go through surgery to repair his face. I know all the softball families will pray for his recovery. I know Dirty will recover and be back as one of the games very best pitchers. Good luck on a full recovery. Dirty was not the only pitcher hurt this weekend. There were two more hit, one may have a broken arm. I will say it again a .44 core 375 compression ball is good enough for the stadiums. The real homerun hitters will hit it out. The ones who should not, won't and pitchers and infielders will be able to make plays. That my friends is how it should be period. This past weekend I seen balls hit that no infielder in the world could make a play, and I also seen pitchers literally diving out of the way to keep from getting hit. My friends that is not how the game should be played. I know this, it's time for the people to be to wake up and use the right ball and let these great softball players play the game the way it should be played. The softball world knows how good the bats are, as good as they've ever been. The only way to slow the bats down is to use the right ball. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what's going on. STOP IT NOW before someone gets killed, enough said just do it. Now back to the games.

I know it's very hard to judge how good these teams are when they are playing with rocks. I will try to breakdown how the teams looked to me. I had to leave for personal business so I did not see late Sat. night or Sunday games. I did get information from people who were there. I also was involved in a terrifying car accident Saturday on my way back to Daytona on I-4. Myself and 8 other people were taken to hospitals. We'll all be alright down the road. I can tell you all, I know there is a God believe me. I am very lucky to be alive. I hit another car at high speed. I don't know how I got out of this, but I did. For those of you who called me wishing me well, thank you.

Dan Smith is all and more about how good of a team they will be in 2009. I said that I thought this team has the best offense in the game, and I believe that. I know for sure they have the most power. The 2009 Smith team is better defensively, both in the infield and outfield. The Smith boys played this weekend without the services of Scott Nastally who hurt his ankle and did not play. Scott Brown did a terrific job pitching and also literally hit the hell out of it. He was named the tournaments's MVP and he deserved it. Wegman, Helmer and the rest of the boys hit it very well all weekend. The Smith boys were in some very close games this past weekend, but managed to get it done and start off the 2009 season winning the first two NIT's of the conference season. The Smith boys went 10-1 and that was a good way to start off the season. I believe Dan Smith will be a very tough team to beat in 2009, and may break the Resmondo record with only three losses in a season. Congratulations on a great weekend and good luck in your next one.

Long Haul/Phonemasters/Miken got off to a shaky start in the first NIT of the season, but came storming back to finish runner-up in the second NIT. Make no mistake this team will be a force down the road, they are solid. This is a very young team who have some very young talented players believe me. This team maybe the best overall defensive team of the three super teams, and also has some very good hitters who can hit it a long ways. The only suspect is their pitching, but that looked pretty good this weekend. I can only tell you, keep a close eye on this bunch. By September they maybe the best, we will see. Softball fans keep an eye on these young players, Blackburn, Genter, Isenhower, King, McCollum, Rhines & Thiede. These guys are going to be the next super stars of softball. Remember this team beat Dan Smith once and Resmondo twice this past weekend. Congratulations on a great weekend and good luck down the road.

Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth is in some trouble for sure. I have said that they might be too old and that some of the players are on the end of the line. I can tell you it sure looked that way this past weekend. I also have said that Resmondo needed to put some young blood in their lineup, and the only young player they brought in the past two years was Gregg Connell, who is a bigtime super player. The problem is that Martin is too hurt to play bigtime softball anymore. Krause and Bisbee can't get it done, and Wallace is not hitting like he used to and Purcell does not get the people he needs to get out anymore., and all that adds up to losing. I told Travis a couple of years ago to start adding new blood. I gave him names like McCollum from Rope Club, Theige and Rowbo to pick up two years ago and he listened to other people, and I believe it will cost him dearly this season. I know it will be impossible to pick up any bigtime caliber players to help him this season. I do believe he needs to pick up three or four good young class A players who can play good D and give them time to learn to hit at bigtime. He needs to get rid of some of the over the hill game if he wants to win again in bigtime softball, we'll see.

T&R Stucco/Worth played extremely well in this tournament and finished in third place in the first NIT. Troy has put together a very good team with Tiny and Jackie Hayes helping out running the show. This bunch will be a force in class A all season long. They can catch it and hit it pretty good. They have some good players and I know they have picked up another good one in veteran John Dutch. I still think they need to add one more power hitter and they will be solid. Congratulations on a great weekend and good luck down the road.

Woodlaw out of Texas is going to be a very good B team, although I know this bunch should be classified A, but I don't classify the teams. This bunch has some veteran players like Jebby King and Dennis Shrum who can play the game. I look for this team to be very good this season. Good luck and congratulations on a great weekend.

Taylor Made/Mizuno is another one of those very good Class A teams, who will be battling for the top spot in Class A. Scotty has got some good talent who will just get better. They played 500 ball this weekend, but are much better than that. Good luck guys.

Johnny Blaze out of Las Vegas, Nevada is going to be a very good B team. This bunch can hit it and catch it very good. I like this team a lot and believe it will be a contender to win the Class B worlds. Good luck to you the rest of the season. I wish you well.

GTL/Stucco/Worth just didn't play well in this one. This team is a lot better than what their record showed this weekend. I guarantee you they will play a whole lot better the rest of the season. Good luck down the road,

Congratulations to all the other teams who participated in these two conference tournaments and good luck the rest of the season. I must say it was another very good job done by the USSSA staff and wish them well all season long. To Donnie D, I know you feel bad about the players who got hurt this weekend, but you have to change the ball, it's just too good. Infielders have no chance and pitchers will get hurt if you don't change it, just my opinion.

 Until next time The Old Scout...
Softball Report March 5, 2009
I love the thought that the 2009 season is right along the corner. Last month I gave you a look at some of the teams for 2009. I also wrote about doing a new stat program for just the top 6-8 teams when they play each other. I named six teams Smith, Resmondo, Long Haul, GTL, Jean Shoppe & Suncoast. I have seen Taylor Made's roster and I'm going to add them to the list. You may ask why, and I'll tell you. They've picked up Bryan Goins, Dan Yochem and John Bailey. I look for Scotty and his gang to be very competitive and give the three big boys in 2009 a battle. I also know they'll be right there with the other good Class A teams, good luck boys and see you down the road. I'll add other teams when I see more rosters if they're warranted.

I'm going to give you my opinion on some of the people who I believe should be entered into the USSSA Hall of Fame. Remember these are just my opinions.

1. Carl Rose is long overdue to be entered into the Hall. Carl was the greatest homerun hitter on 300' fields the game has ever had. Carl's numbers are far above any other player who played in qualifying NIT's and world tournaments in all associations from 1990-2009 in his illustrious career. Carl was also able to play the game and base hit it as good as anybody. I can only say it's time.

2. Hank Garris is also long overdue. This man will go down as one of the greatest homerun hitters the game has ever known. Hank also has won a number of world championships in his long career. Hank could play the game. He started out as an outfielder and was pretty good. Hank also is considered a great team leader. I can only say it's time.

3. Wendall Rickard is another one of those great homerun hitters. His numbers are in the top 20 from 1990-2009. Wendall was also a very good base hitter. He hit some of the longest homeruns that have ever been seen in the game. It's time for him to enter the Hall.

4. Jimmy Powers is next in line and should enter the Hall. Jimmy was a great homerun hitter and was one of the top OB hitters in the history of the game. Jimmy could play the game also. He was an outfielder in his early days. Jimmy won a few world championships throughout his career. He belongs in the Hall.

5. J C Phelps is right at the top of the heap in hitting in this game. This man hit some of the longest homeruns you'll eer see. He is in the top 5 OB in the history of the game. I say it's time for him to enter the Hall.

6. Ricky Huggins- This man is without a doubt one of the best hitters in the history of the game. Ricky could hit some long bombs and go backside in a second. Ricky was a great team leader and gave 100% every time he stepped on the field. He belongs in the Hall.

7. Dewayne Nevitt was one of the most feared hitters the game has ever had. I personally know only one hitter who hit it harder than Dewayne, and that was his teammate Jeff Wallace. Dewayne belongs in the Hall.

8. Dewayne Frizzel -This man was the quietest guy to play the game, but boy could he hit it. Dewayne could hit it a long way and hit a lot of homeruns in his career, but he also could base hit it. Dewayne could play the game defensively. He belongs in the Hall of Fame.

9.Paul Drilling- I believe this was the second best pitcher to ever play the game. I also would believe Paul would be my number one choice if he could of caught it like Purcell. This guy was a true winner and boy could he get on base. Paul was very competitive and he came to every game to beat you. Paul belongs in the Hall.

I may have left some players out or missed them. These players I've named are overdue. I hope these guys get in.

I'm giving you three managers who I believe should be in the Hall.

1. Mike Glasscock= This man was the best motivator I've ever seen managing a team. Mike was able to get his players to believe in his system. I know Mike was not much of a ball player, but he knew how to get into player's heads and that was Mike's biggest asset. Mike was a great guy and definitely belongs in the Hall.

2. Cobbie Harrison- I personally think this man knew more about softball than any man in the history of the game. I believe Cobbie was one of the best, if not the best. Cobbie could get more out of his players than anybody who ever managed. Cobb got more out of lesser players than anybody in the game. Cobbie took a team that had no chance of winning the USSSA Worlds and was by far not the best team, but won the world championship. That was a fine example of how Cobbie got more out of his players than anybody. This man belongs there.

3. Gary Jost- Gary is a very quiet guy and is really down to earth. Gary just wants his players to play the game hard, and what happens ,happens. Gary is a very hard worker on the field and leaves nothing in his mind to get a win. Gary played the game the same way he manages, very hard. He just simply wants to win. He belongs in the Hall.

I will end this report by giving you two sponsors who I believe belong in the Hall

1. John Daniels- John has not only given his hard earned money, but he has given his heart to this great game. John sponsored one of the best teams to ever play bigtime softball. John's 2001 Long Haul Truckers TPS team won the Grand Slam, going 17-0 . The only team to go unbeaten in the four association world tournaments, USSSA, ASA, ISA & NSA. John has had other great teams throughout his career, the 2000 AA Long Haul/TPS team came up just short of winning the Grand Slam in Class AA. John started the WSL in 2002 and his softball 360 tv show, which has now ran seven years. The Long Haul Bombers are without a doubt the best promotion in softball. The tv show goes into 80 million homes today. I can only say that John has done a great job promoting this great game. John deserves to be in the Hall of Fame for what he has done for the sponsors, players and associations.

2. Jeff Hague- No doubt belongs in the Hall. Jeff has dedicated a lot of his life to softball. He gave a lot to the game. The game needs to give back to Jeff. The 1995 Hague team was the only class AA team to ever win the USSSA World Championship. Jeff won a number of championships over the years throughout his illustrious career. This man cared a lot about the game. He was always trying to do the right thing, changing rules, giving associations great ideas. Jeff cared, Jeff belongs in the Hall of Fame.

I wish all of you I named in this report Good Luck getting into the Hall of Fame. I hope to give you all a look at the 2009 teams in my next report.

Until next time The Old Scout...
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