Author: Dan Pfeffer

1991 USSSA Men’s AA Slow Pitch Worlds

1991 held at San Clemente, California.

Champion – Dan Smith Plastering, San Jose, California
Runner Up – Gooslin Construction, Columbus, Ohio

Coach Tim Millette of Dan Smith Plastering recently waxed retrospective. Amidst all of the excitement that has surrounds his 1991 “AA” World Champion club from San Jose, California, Millette’s thoughts harkened back to long summer days and nights of the past, talk with the “Bear”.

“You know, the Bear and I used to talk for hours and hours about winning the ‘AA” Championship,” said Millette. “Sometimes, that was all we would talk about.

The “Bear”, better known as Dennis Fransen, the longtime coach of Pro Team Sports and its recent moniker, Dan Smith Plastering, wasn’t able to enjoy his dream of winning a world title, as he died of a heart attack early this season.

The indescribable loss of this man – who served as a friend, coach and mentor to all members of Dan Smith Plastering – would have destroyed most softball teams. The team seemd to follow this pattern at first, as the veteran ball club slumped at the beginning of ’91.

But despite early problems, Millette knew it was only a matter of time before Dan Smith turned it around. After all, this team was on a mission – to win it all for the “Bear.”

Dan Smith Plastering did eventually turn it around, and completed its mission by capturing the “AA” World title at San Clemente, California Labor Day weekend with a 5-0 record.

For Millette and the rest of his charges, it wasn’t a matter of “if’ they would take the trophy back to San Jose, but of “how” they would do it. “We had to win – that’s why we were here,” said Millette. “Coming in second wasn’t good enough – we would just as soon as come in last than do that.”

Behind the MVP performance of outfielder Jeff Peterson, who hit .882, and the offensive power of Gary Robertson, Wes Lord, and Dave Feather, Dan Smith Plastering was able to put the runs on the board with regularity, as an opening 28-10 win over Budweiser from Omaha can attest.

However, Dan Smith presented itself as a champion in a field of winners by winning the money games. Down and nearly out in the bottom of the seventh to Taylor Brothers from Rhode Island 15-9 with one out, divine intervention seemed to be taking place.

“It was a miracle – a couple of those hits didn’t have a chance to get through,” said Millette of the rally. In probably the biggest inning in the team’s long history, Dan Smith Plastering completed the miracle with a three-run homer from Robertson to give the team a shocking 17-15 win.

“Dennis must have been up there helping us,” said Millette.

The defense, led by infielders Chris Alverado, Tim Allen and Todd Verner, served as gatekeepers in a 7-2 win over Michigan’s Bunca Car Wash, as few balls found the outfield grass. The Plastering crew completed its storybook finish with dual wins over Gooslin Construction of Columbus, Ohio, 29-13 and 13-11.

With the team still on cloud nine after winning at San Clemente, Dan Smith Plastering brought their amazing brand of softball to the cast coast with a remarkable fourth place finish at the Major World Series in Daytona Beach, Florida two weeks later. “Teams were looking right past us, but when we beat them, they were amazed,” said Millette. “I hope that a west coast teams will get more respect.”

Dan Smith’s torrid post-season finish culminated a complete turnaround from 1990, when the ten-named Pro Team Sports went 0-2 at the “A” Worlds after tearing up the west coast during the year.

“Some people in the grapevine were saying we couldn’t win the big one, and that hurt:’ said Millette.

But amid all of the hoopla that still surrounds Dan Smith, Millette is still thoughtful of the past season, and what it meant to all of those involved, past and present.

Millette could almost hear “Bear” say “Timmy, we did it!”

  • MVP – Jeff Peterson, Dan Smith Plastering
  • HR Leader – N/A
  • Batting Leader – Jeff Peterson, Dan Smith Plastering – .882
  • Defensive MVP – Brad Farrar, Gooslin Construction

1991 USSSA MEN’S CLASS “AA” WORLD TEAM

Kevin Birkofer, Gooslin Construction
Rich Courtney, Dan Smith Plastering (.700, 4 HR, 7 RBI)
Steve Dickinson, Gooslin Construction
Bill Dunlap, Slo-Pitch News
Brad Farrar, Gooslin Construction
Dave Feather, Dan Smith Plastering (.737, 10 RBI)
Tim Linson, Gooslin Construction
Wes Lord, Dan Smith Plastering (.687, 7 HR, 17 RBI)
Ron Pease, Slo-Pitch News
Jeff Peterson, Dan Smith Plastering (.882, 5 HR, 19 RBI)
Gary Robertson, Dan Smith Plastering (.813, 7 HR, 10 RBI)
Doug Shaneyfelt, Gooslin Construction
Todd Verner, Dan Smith Plastering

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Dan Smith Plastering, San Jose, CA (5-0)
2. Gooslin Construction, Columbus, OH (4-2)
3. Slo-Pitch News, Seattle, WA (5-2)
4. Stottler Stagg, Cocoa, FL (4-2)
5t. Bunca Car Wash, Kalamazoo, MI (2-2)
5t. Spectrum Screen Printing, Crystal, MN (2-2)
7t. Boys of Summer, Naples, FL (2-2)
7t. Pace Electronics, Rochester, NY (2-2)
9t. Rainbow Carpets, Houston, TX (2-2)
9t. Murls/Sonny’s/Worth, Broomfield, CO (1-2)
9t. Budweiser of Omaha, Omaha, NE (1-2)
9t. Taylor Brothers, Providence, RI (1-2)
13t. R&M/Midwest Metals, Waterloo, IA (0-2)
13t. Las Vegas Aces, Las Vegas, NV (1-2)
13t. Worley’s Maverick’s, Jefferson City, MO (0-2)
13t. McDonald’s Survival, Wylie, TX (0-2)
17. Pacific Blues, Seattle, WA (0-2)

1991 USSSA Men’s A Slow Pitch Worlds

1991 held at  San Clemente, California on August 30-September 2.

Champion – Undercoverwear, Wilmington, Massachusetts
Runner Up – Post/Showtime Floor, Sacramento, California

UndercoverWear Refuses To Go Down In A World

It was a classic case of a team that wouldn’t allow itself to be beaten, as Undercoverwear of Wilmington, Massachusetts captured the 1991 USSSA “A” World Championship in San Clemente, California August 30-September 2. The winners overcame long odds as well as a long series to post a 9-1 record.

After dropping into the loser’s bracket after falling in game three, Undercoverwear reeled off seven consecutive victories in the loser’s bracket to claim the title. The final two wins came against previously unbeaten Showtime floor of Sacrament, who finished with a 5-2 marl.

Third place went to Alliance of Woodland Hills, California with a 4-2 mark, and Arizona Elite from Mesa surprised many with a fourth place finish and a 7-2 record. In all, 34 teams from around the United States participated in the tournament.

Undercoverwear’s success at world was surprising since teams from the New England region are usually not competitive in the “A” ranks. Even more impressive was the fact that Undercoverwear did it with local players from Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut.

To win the title, Undercoverwear went through a lot of adversity. “People laughed at us because of our name,” said coach Steve Crampton of the second year team “Our sponsor is a women’s lingerie producer.”

No one is laughing anymore, though.

Undercoverwear’s only “easy” win came in their opening game against Schooner Tavern from Tacoma, Washington, as they breezed to a 16-5 triumph. Schooner came back strong, however, to win four straight en route to an eighth place finish.

A tidy 10-5 victory over A&W Produce out of San Leandro, California was one of many victories Undercoverwear had over California-based teams. However, in their only had game of the tournament, Undercoverwear lost 10-2 to Showtime Floor to drop into the loser’s bracket.

At the same time, most of the attention was focused on local favorites such as Itchy Foot, Rebs, Dynasty and Alliance — the four top-ranked teams in the “A” division at the time.

Dynasty opened with runaway wins of 19-4 over Bancroft Softball Club from Grand Prairie, Texas and 33-8 over Beloli Heating of Taunton, Massachusetts. Reb’s, led by veterans Mike Cellura and Greg “C-Train” Cannedy, rolled in their first two games, including a 36-7 thrashing of Haro’s Team Sports from San Jose. Alliance and Itchy Foot also breezed through their early games.

Other teams that seemed to have beat on the world title included Arizona Elite, Showtime Floor, RAM/Unocal ’76 from Richmond, California and Bull on the Beach from Ocean City, Maryland. However, since many of these teams had the misfortune to play each other at this point, some of the favorites began to fall out of the picture.

Alliance edged rival Itchy Foot 14-13 to knock them into the loser’s bracket. RAM/Unocal 76 topped Dynasty and Arizona Magic to remain in contention. Maryland’s Bull on the Beach surprised Reb’s with a narrow 15-14 win, a loss which Reb’s wouldn’t recover from.

As Alliance Showtime Floors and Arizona Elite began to emerge from the pack in the winner’s bracket, Undercoverwear began what would prove to be a glorious run to the top. The East Coast team began to make their move with an efficient 12-6 win over Mizuno/Cooper from Martinez, California.

Reb’s was next, and Undercoverwear jumped out to a narrow lead and maintained it for most of the contest. However, they could never pull away from Reb’s and held a slim 13-11 lead going into the bottom of the seventh.

In the bottom of the inning, Reb’s put the tying and winning runs on second and third with two outs. Reb’s sent the consistent Donnie Furnald to the plate. Furnald couldn’t deliver, however, as he one-hopped the first pitch back to the mound, resulting in the third out and the win for Undercoverwear.

As Undercoverwear continued to climb through the loser’s bracket, the equally surprising Showtime Floor squad continued their run through the winner’s bracket. Their 27-14 rout of RAM/Unocal set Showtime up for a showdown with the other undefeated club, Alliance.

As North met South for California supremacy, Showtime Floor upended Alliance 20-10 to gain a spot in the championship final against the survivor of the loser’s bracket.

Meanwhile, Arizona Elite defeated Bull on the Beach 29-12 to knock them out of the tournament, while Undercoverwear eaked out a tough 8-7 decision over RAM/Unocal. Arizona Elite and Undercoverwear clashed for the right to meet Alliance in the loser’s bracket final, and the Wilmington-based squad recorded another narrow victory, 11-10, to win their third straight.

Playing in its fourth consecutive game on Labor Day, the hard-charging New Englanders fell fell behind once-beaten Alliance early in the contest. Undercoverwear trailed by two runs after six innings, but the tide seemed to turn when Alliance’s John thrown “Bull” Kramer was out at the plate to end the top of the seventh.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, a two-run single by Gino Espinal was disputed by Alliance players and coaches. Complaining that there was too much pine tar on the bat, the intensity of the game reached a fever pitch. However, the play stood and the score was knotted at 14-14. This dispute seemed to fuel Undercoverwear’s fire, however, and a fly ball to left scored the winning run from third to give Undercoverwear a 15-14 win and another crack to Showtime Floor.

In the championship game, Showtime Floor jumped out to an early 6-0 lead over Undercoverwear, and seemed on the verge of blowing the contest open. But over the next three innings, the Easterners came back to knot the score at 6-6.

After battling back and forth over the next few innings, Showtime held a slim 11-10 lead before Undercoverwear put two runs on the board in the bottom of the sixth to take a 12-11 lead. Showtime couldn’t respond, as they left runners on second and third to end the game.

Despite losing the first game, coach Rudy Rodriguez of Showtime Floor wasn’t worried. “We had never been beaten twice in a row like this,” he said. “We felt that they were tired. We honestly felt we could beat them.” It was almost a carbon copy of the first game, as Showtime Floor erupted for seven runs to take an early lead. Undercoverwear came back with four of its own the bottom of the inning to keep the game close.

Showtime padded its lead by scoring four more runs midway through the game to take a 11-4 lead. However, Undercoverwear roared back for seven runs in the fifth inning to Showtime’s one to edge closer, 12-11.

Showtime held a 14-13 lead going into the bottom of the sixth, but Undercoverwear struck with two runs to take a 15-14 lead, which held to the end.

“It was incredible because the team jelled a the right time,” said Crampton. “It was sweet to win it in their backyard.”

Rodriguez, though disappointed to lose two straight games to Undercoverwear, had no complaints. “The story in those two games was they got the timely hits, and we didn’t,” he said. “They wanted to win it really bad, and everything was going their way. They deserved to win, because they played better than we did.”

Espinal collected the MVP award, despite a bad shoulder that almost force the standout to stay at home. It was this type of dedication and perserverence that helped Undercoverwear go all of the way. “We just kept coming back and winning,” said Crampton. “We were like mosquitos out there.”

  • MVP – Gino Espinol, Undercoverwear
  • HR Leader – N/A
  • Batting Leader – N/A
  • Defensive MVP – N/A
  • Offensive MVP – N/A

1991 USSSA MEN’S CLASS “A” WORLD TEAM

  • No Information Provided

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Undercover Wear, Wilmington, MA (9-1)
2. Post Oil/Showtime Floors, Sacramento, CA 5-2)
3. Alliance, San Fernando Valley, CA (4-2)
4. Arizona Elite, Mesa, AZ (7-2)
5t. Ram/Unocal 76, Richmond, CA (3-2)
5t. Bull on the Beach, Ocean City, MD (3-2)
7t. Rebs, North Hollywood, CA (3-2)
7t. Schoner Tavern, Tacoma, WA (4-2)
9t. Muzuno/Cooper, Martinez, CA (3-2)
9t. Arizona/Majic, Tempe, AZ (3-2)
9t. Trygg’s/Edina Realty/Ed’s Body Shop, Crystal, MN (3-2)
9t. Itchy Foot, San Gabriel, CA (2-2)
13t. Haro’s/Team Sports/Mizuno, San Jose, CA (2-2)
13t. Beloli Heating, Taunton, MA (2-2)
13t. Dan Smith Plastering, San Jose, CA (2-2)
13t. Dynasty, Downey, CA (2-2)
17t. Roof Mechanics/GES, Wichita, KS (1-2)
17t. A&W Produce, San Leandro, CA (1-2)
17t. All Line Construction, Clearwater, FL (1-2)
17t. Hutchinson Softball Club, Hutchinson, KS (1-2)
17t. House of Travel, Waco, TX (1-2)
17t. Keystone/Bahama Bob’s, Fairfield, CT (1-2)
17t. Herb’s, San Diego, CA (2-2)
17t. Chipper’s Pub, South Beloit, IL (1-2)
25t. Bancroft Softball Club, Grand Prairie, TX (1-2)
25t. Steichen’s/Keller Lake Lounge, Roseville, MN (0-2)
25t. Landsharks/Rancho Suspension, Phoenix, AZ (0-2)
25t. Jimmies, Kalamazoo, MI (0-2)
25t. Coors, Midland, TX (0-2)
25t. Hopkins Bowl/Hopkins JC’s, Hopkins, MN (0-2)
25t. Softball Express, Lunwood, WA (1-2)
25t. Precision Construction, Independence, MO (0-2)

1991 USSSA Women’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1991 held at Concord, California.

Champion – Lady Blue, Carrollton, Texas (60-8)
Runner Up – Salem Hawks, Bellville, Illinois

Pitcher Mary Hoff cemented her MVP award by going 2-3 with 2 HR and 5 RBI in the championship game. She pitched the 16-14 victory. Leslie Kanter and Anna Clements were both 3-4 for the Lady Blue squad. Sue Kozoil smashed a HR and had 4 RBI. For the Hawks, Lori Ergenbeck was 3-4, with 2 HR and 6 RBI. Manager Al Campbell won his 5th USSSA World Series title.

  • MVP – Mary Hoff, Lady Blue (11-21, .524, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 11 Runs)
  • Batting Leader – Lori Ergenbeck, Salem Hawks (11-15, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 10 Runs) – .733
  • HR Leader – Denise Day, Lady Blue (12-23, .522, 12 RBI, 11 Runs)  – 9
  • Defensive MVP – Gina Vitale, Salem Hawks
  • Offensive MVP – Lori Ergenbeck, Salem Hawks (11-15, .733, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 10 Runs)

1991 ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Mary Hoff, Lady Blue
C – Janet Dial, Mr. A’s Express
AH – Fran Nicholson, Mich
AH – Sue Day, Mr. A’s Express
AH – Lori Erpenbeck, Salem Hawks
1B – Jeril Junker, Auto Body Panels
2B – Leslie Kanter, Lady Blue
3B – Denise Day, Lady Blue
SS – Deanna Darrell, Empre
SS – Trina Hertzog, Salem Hawks
SS – Sue Koziol, Lady Blue
OF – Laura Troutman, Auto Body Panels
OF – Andy Auto Body Panels
OF – Allison Cole, Lady Blue
OF – Gina Vitale, Salem Hawks
Manager – Al Campbell, Lady Blue

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete – 16 Teams)

1. Lady Blue, Carrollton, TX (5-0)
2. Salem Hawks Softball, Belleville, MI (4-2)
3. Auto Body Panels, Cincinnati, OH (4-2)
4. Mr A’s Express, Sacramento, CA (4-2)
5t. Empress Chili, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)

1991 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1991 held at Decatur, Illinois at Borg-Warner Field.

Champion – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (64-2)
Runner Up – California Knights, Burbank, California

Knocked into the losers bracket originally by the Knights, the Brakettes fought back to capture the first final 2-1 in 10 innings and then in the final championship game behind Pat Difficy’s 2 Home Runs and Kathy Arendsen’s pitching, walked away with a 8-0 victory to clinch the title. The Brakettes came back from a 5-0 deficit to defeat the Redding Rebels 8-6 in the loser’s bracket final. They then came back in the first final, losing 1-0 and Knight pitcher Lori Harrigan on the mound and three outs to go, the Brakettes fought back to win a dramatic 10 inning 2-1 game. Which brought both teams to the winner take all championship game. The Brakettes won going way 8-0 on the strength of 3 home runs.

Barbara Reinalda was 1-0.

Chrissy Oliver was 1-0.

  • MVP – Lisa Fernandez, Raybestos Brackettes
  • HR Leader – Pat Dufficy, Stratford Brakettes – 3
  • Batting Leader – Charlotte Wiley, California Knights – .542
  • Bertha Tickey Pitching Award – Kathy Arendsen, Raybestos
  • Erv Lind Defensive Award – Julie Smith, Redding Rebels

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Kathy Arendsen, Raybestos Brakettes (3-0, 2 Shutouts, 0 ER, 8-0 shutout in championship game)
P – Michele Smith, Redding Rebels
P – Lori Harrigan, California Knights (2-1, 2 shutouts)
C – Suzy Brazney, Orange County Majestics
C – Denise Correa, Whittier Raiders
1B – Sheila Cornell Douty, Raybestos Brakettes
2B – Julie Smith, Redding Rebels
3B – Sharon Sodano, California Knights
SS – Dot Richardson, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Jeannae Lambdin, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Lisa Erickson, California Knights
OF – Kris Schmidt, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Rina Foster, Redding Rebels
DP – Charlotte Wiley, California Knights (13-24, .542)
UTIL – Lisa Fernandez, Raybestos Brakettes (1-1 with save in first final, 22 K, 18 IP, 1 ER, .346 Average, 8 RBI, hit a 2-run Double in the final game)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Susie Parra, Phoenix Sunbirds (2-1 with 30 K in 22 IP)
P – Cheri Kempf, Raybestos Brakettes (3-0)
P – Debbie Doom, Orange County Majestics (4-2)
C – Barb Booth, Redding Rebels
C – Doreen Denmon, Raybestos Brakettes
1B – Debbie Langevain, Whittier Raiders
2B – Karen Walker, Raybestos Brakettes
3B – Cindy Cooper, Redding Rebels
SS – Shari Johnson, California Knights
OF – Priscilla Rouse, California Knights
OF – Suzy Lady, Redding Rebels
OF – Xan Silva, Whittier Raiders
OF – Dionne Harris, Raybestos Brakettes
DP – Jill Justin-Coffel, Raybestos Brakettes (game winning hit in 10th inning of 2-1 first final to get to the “if” game)
UTIL – Amy Gelbach, Whittier Raiders

THIRD TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Heather Compton, Whittier Raiders
P – DeDe Weiman, California Knights
P – Michele Granger, Whittier Raiders
C – Angie Jacobs, Redding Rebels
C – Leanne Bonifas, East Peoria Avantis
1B – Jodi Rathbun, East Peoria Avantis
2B – Pam Newton, Orange County Majestics
3B – Jill Matyuch, Orange County Majestics
SS – Ann Rowan, Whittier Raiders
OF – Jenny Condon, National Designwear
OF – Yvonne Gutierrez, Redding Rebels
OF – Carol Maioran, Budweiser Belles
OF – Natalie King, Phoenix Sunbirds
DP – Valerie Van Kirk, Whittier Raiders
UTIL – Nikki Busch, Orange County Majestics

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (8-1)
2. California Knights, Burbank, CA (5-2)
3. Redding Rebels, Redding, CA (4-2)
4. Whittier Raiders, Whittier, CA (4-2)
5t. Orange County Majestics, Orange, CA (4-2)
5t. Phoenix Sunbirds, Phoenix, AZ (4-2)
7t. West Frankfort Cards, Frankfort, IL (2-2)
7t. Budweiser Belles, Parsippany, NJ (4-2)
9t. First Page Metros, Washington, D.C. (2-2)
9t. Purity Bakery Sting, Decatur, IL (3-2)
9t. Topton VIPs, Topton, PA (1-2)
9t. St. Louis Classics, St. Louis, MO (3-2)
13t. Bloomington Lady Hearts, Bloomington, IL (2-2)
13t. Ballwin Saints, Ballwin, MO (2-2)
13t. East Peoria Avantis, East Peoria, IL (1-2)
13t. Des Moines Merchants, Des Moines, IA (1-2)
17t. Carterville Cougars, Carterville, IL (0-2)
17t. Michigan Cruise, Ann Arbor, MI (1-2)
17t. National Designerwear Bash Minneapolis, MN (1-2)
17t. Plymouth Blue Wave, Plymouth, MA (0-2)
17t. Celina Suns, Celina, OH (0-2)
17t. Decatur Rockettes, Decatur, IL (1-2)
17t. Texas Beverage KIDZ, TX (0-2)
17t. Mid-Michigan Express, Midland, MI (0-2)
25t. DeWyse Builders, Engadine, MI (0-2)
25t. Herrin Softball, Herrin, IL (0-2)
25t. DeFeo’s Jersey Blue Jays, NJ (0-2)

L-R, top row- Manager Ralph Raymond, Scorer Richard Peterson, Doreen Denmon, Julie Standering, Dot Richardson, Lisa Fernandez, Karen Walker, Mary Jo Firnbach, Dionna Harris, Michelle Palmer, Coach Bob Baird, Coach John Stratton bottom row- Jill Justin, Leslie Adams, Pat Dufficy, Barbara Reinalda, Kathy Arendsen, Cheri Kempf, Sheila Cornell, Kris Schmidt

1991 ISA Men’s Super Slow Pitch World Series

1991 Held at Cocoa, Florida.

Champion – Ritch’s/Superior/TPS, Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Runner Up – Sunbelt Plastics/Worth, Centerville, Georgia

Ritch’s/Superior/TPS defeated Sunbelt Plastics/Worth in the Championship game 28-8. Charles Wright, eventual MVP, had 4 hits and 3 RBI in the game. Also coming up big for the R-S Express was Britt Hightower who was 4-5, including 2 HR and 7 RBI (a grand slam home run and a three-run homer). Ron Parnell chipped in with 2 Homers as well. Doug Roberson and Dave Steffen combined for 7 hits. Mike Macenko accounted for 5 of Sunbelts 8 runs with a 3-run HR and a 2-run Double. Ritch’s beat Sunbelt 16-9 in the winner’s bracket final and then waited for the surprise hometown team, Stottler-Stag team to survive a first round loss to battle back to the losers bracket final, where it lost to the powerful Sunbelt squad 18-11. Stottler finished 3rd, while another local team, Power Pit finished 5th.

  • MVP – Charles Wright, Ritch’s/Superior (14-16, .875, 6 HR)
  • Defensive MVP – Kenny Clark, Stottler Stagg
  • HR Leader – Charles Wright, Ritch’s/Superior – 6
  • Batting Leader – Charles Wright, Ritch’s/Superior – .875

1991 ISA ALL WORLD TEAM

  • Charles Wright, Ritch’s/Superior (14-16, .875, 6 HR)
  • Dirk Androff, Ritch’s/Superior (5 HR, 16 RBI)
  • Ron Parnell, Ritch’s/Superior
  • Britt Hightower, Ritch’s/Superior
  • Doug Roberson, Ritch’s/Superior
  • Dave Steffen, Ritch’s/Superior
  • Monty Tucker, Sunbelt/Worth
  • Todd Joerling, Sunbelt/Worth
  • Sylvan Little, Sunbelt/Worth
  • Greg Schulte, Sunbelt/Worth
  • Rob O’Leath, Power Pit
  • Alan Tanner, Power Pit
  • David Franklin, Power Pit (11-13, .846)
  • Ed Starcher, Stottler Stagg
  • Kenny Clark, Stottler Stagg
  • Mike Nye, Vernons

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Ritch’s-Superior, Windsor Locks, CT (4-0)
2. Sunbelt/Worth, Centerville, GA
3. Stottler Stagg, Cocoa, FL (4-2)
4. Skyhawk, Cape Coral, FL
5t. Bell Corp., Tampa, FL
5t. Power Pit, Cocoa, FL (2-2)
7t. Vernon’s, Jacksonville, FL
7t. Datum-Argus, Lebanon, TN
9t. WW Gay, Gainesville, FL
9t. Boys of Summer II, Miami, FL
9t. Back Porch, Fort Walton Beach, FL
9t. Treasure Coast, Fort Pierce, FL

*No info available on the final records

1991 ASA Men’s Super Slow Pitch Nationals

1991 held at Little Rock, Arkansas on August 21-23.

Champion – Sunbelt/Worth, Centerville, Georgia (72-28)
Runner Up – Ritch’s-Superior/TPS, Windsor Locks, Connecticut (80-7)

The final game was a back-and-forth affair with the power of Sunbelt making the difference. With the 325 foot fences, the Championship wasn’t decided until early Tuesday morning.

Ritch’s-Superior took a 12-5 lead into the fourth inning before Sunbelt scored 10 runs on 11 hits to take a 15-12 lead. Ritch’s came back in the sixth inning to take a 21-16 lead. it would have been more but Left-Center Fielder Steve Craven dove over the fence to rob Cecil Whitehead of a home run for the third out of the inning.

Sunbelt came back to score 9 times in the bottom half of the inning on the strength of Danny Williams, whose 3-Run Blast tied the score with two outs.

Todd Joerling and Greg Schulte each drilled two run shots to see the final margin.

MVP Steve Craven said this was Sunbelts first win over R/S in the meetings.

Ritch’s, which entered the tournament with a 68-4 record, including the NSA and ISA World titles.

To reach the finals, Sunbelt defeated Starpath 25-18 in the winner’s bracket finals pounding out 28 hits and 12 HR.

Starpath had beaten Sunbelt 10 of 13 times this season.

Ritch’s defeated Starpath in the loser’s bracket final 26-23 behind Ron Parnell’s 2 HR, 5 RBI performance.

Sunbelt entered the tournament with 1679 Home Runs and hit 40 at the big field in Little Rock. 9 of the top 11 home run hitters play with Sunbelt.

On a side Note, three former Major League players were in action at the ASA Super National. Doug Flynn of Bell Corp, Jim Fuller of Ritch’s Superior and Kim Seaman of Williams/Finke.

Flynn started with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and retired after the 1985 season with the Detroit Tigers. In between, he played with the New York Mets, Texas Rangers and Montreal Expos. He won a Gold Glove in 1979 with the Mets. He played 1308 games, and his career average was .238.

Jim Fuller, primarily an outfielder, appeared in 107 games with the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros between 1973 and 1977. His career average was .194, but he did have a lot of power.

Kim Season was a pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979 and 1980. he had a career record for 3-2 with 4 saves and an ERA of 3.12

Sunbelt/Worth defeated Starpath/Le-Al-Co 25-18 in the winner’s bracket final to advance to the championship game.

The Legendary Bruce Meade of Starpath was only 7-17 (.412) but hit 5 HR in the tournament. Sunbelt came from behind in the game to win the title 25-21 over R-S.

  • MVP – Steve Craven, Sunbelt/Worth
  • HR Leader – Jim Fuller, Ritch’s-Superior – 8
  • HR Leader – Jeff Arnold, Williams/Finke – 8
  • HR Leader – Britt Hightower, Ritch’s/Superior – 8
  • HR Leader – Danny Williams, Sunbelt – 8
  • Batting Leader – Carl Rose, Sunbelt/Worth – .800
  • Wilson Field Master Award – Greg Whitlock, Starpath

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – John Keigley, Williams/Worth
C – Dave Steffen, Ritch’s-Superior
1B – Mike Macenko, Sunbelt/Worth (17 SB)
2B – Mark Baker, Bell Corp
3B – Carl Rose, Sunbelt/Worth (16-20, .800, 7 HR)
SS – Greg Whitlock, Starpath
OF – Britt Hightower, Ritch’s/Superior (8 HR)
OF – Steve Craven, Sunbelt/Worth (14-19, .737, 5 HR)
OF – Cody Wyatt, Starpath
OF – Larry Friedeau, Starpath
UT – Dennis Graser, Ritch’s-Superior
UT – Jim Fuller, Ritch’s-Superior (8 HR)
UT – Danny Williams, Sunbelt/Worth (12-19, .632, 8 HR)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Rick Weiterman, Ritch’s-Superior
C – Jeff Arnold, Williams/Finke (8 HR)
IF – Brian Dewitz, New Construction
IF – Todd Joerling, Sunbelt/Worth
IF – Kerry Everett, Bell Corp
IF – Ken Scobee, Williams/Finke
OF – Ronnie Hawkins, Williams/Worth
OF – Kim Seaman, Williams/Finke
OF – Larry Goodwin, Ohio Transport
OF – Mark Martin, Bell Corp
UT – Doug Beard, Wilson Softball
UT – Rich Plante, Williams/Finke
UT – Ken Carver, Sunbelt/Worth

OTHERS

Carl Rose, Sunbelt (4-4, 4 HR, 5 RBI in a game)
Danny Williams, Sunbelt (3 HR in a game and a big 3-Run Homer in another game)
Kenny Carver, Sunbelt (2 HR in a game)
Todd Joerling, Sunbelt (2 HR in a game)
Greg Schulte, Sunbelt (2 HR in a game)
Charles Wright, Ritch’s-Superior (Grand Slam)
Ron Parnell, Ritch’s-Superior (2 HR, 5 RBI in a game)
Dave Steffen, Ritch’s-Superior (3-3, HR, 5 RBI in a game)
Darrell Beeler, Ritch’s-Superior (2 HR, 5 RBI in a game)
Rick Wheeler, Starpath (4-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI in a game)
Larry Fredieu, Starpath (3-4 in a game)
Bruce Meade, Starpath (7-17, .412, 5 HR)
Mark Baker, Bell Corp (5-5 in a game)
Kim Seaman, Williams (2 HR in a game)
Dewayne Nevitt, New Construction (3 HR, 4 RBI in a game)
Vern Hensley, New Construction (2 HR, 5 RBI in a game)
Greg Cannedy Dan Smith (4-4, 2 RBI in a game)
Greg Johnson, Seta (3-4, 4 RBI in a game)
Steve Skladany, Ohio Transport (5-5, HR in a game)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Worth/Sunbelt, Centerville, GA (4-0)
2. Ritch’s-Superior/TPS, Windsor Locks, CT (5-2)
3. Starpath, Monticello, KY (2-2)
4. Williams/Finke, Houston, TX (2-2)
5t. Ohio Transport, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
5t. Bell Corp., Tampa, FL (1-2)
7t. Dan Smith Plastering, San Jose, CA (2-2)
7t. New Construction, Shelbyville, IN (2-2)
9t. Seta Corporation, Charlotte, NC (0-2)
9t. Lemoyne Sleeper, Harrisburg, PA (0-2)
9t. Gooslin Construction, Columbus, OH (0-2)
9t. Wilson Softball, Little Rock, AR (0-2)

1991 USSSA Men’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1991 held at Daytona Beach, Florida.

Champion – Ritch’s-Superior/TPS, Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Runner Up – Starpath/LeAlCo, Monticello, Kentucky

Starpath, the second ranked team, most of the season put Ritch’s-Superior in the losers bracket with a 29-24 win in which they hits 21 Homers. Starpath then beat Sunbelt 28-17 in the winner’s bracket finals. Ritch’s won games in the losers bracket by scores of 6-5 and 13-11. Then in the loser’s bracket finals, their bats came alive as they defeated Sunbelt 24-3. The R-S Express then defeated undefeated Starpath twice to win the Championship. The scores were 29-6 and 18-8. In the final victory, Jim Fuller was 4-5 with 3 RBI. Dirk Androff, Britt Hightower, Dave Steffen and pitcher Paul Drilling all had 3 hits. Bruce Meade was 3-3 with 3 homers for Starpath. Big Dirk Androff, the regular First Basemen, had to play in the outfield when Cecil Whitehead went down with an injury, he was named the MVP for his play in the field and also for his clutch hitting as he went 23-34 (.696) with 13 HR and 27 RBI.

The Stottler Stagg team met for its morning meeting to talk softball and swill coffee.

But neither words nor caffeine could awaken the team. “I kept telling them that the fire and intensity weren’t there,” manager Dick Landress said. “I saw it in the first game [a 10-9 loss]. For some reason, we didn’t come here wanting to win badly enough. “I told them we lacked spirit [Thursday night]. I talked to them about it over our team meeting this morning, and they agreed. If we didn’t turn it around, we knew this game could be our last.” This game was Stottler Stagg’s last. The team, based in Cocoa, was eliminated from the United. States Slowpitch Softball Association Men’s Major World Series, 16-13, by Murfs (Colo.) before an estimated crowd of 600 Friday morning. Other scores from the second day of the tournament: Coors/Atkins (Kan.) beat Sports Hero’s (Minn.). 11-6; Neuse Sand and Gravel (N.C.) defeated AJD/Russell (Va.) 18-3; and Gooslin Construction (Ohio) topped Spectrum (Minn.), 12-5.

The only team from Florida left in the series is Bell Corp. of Tampa. Today’s games of the double-elimination tournament begin with the losers’ bracket pairings at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. The winners’ bracket games are scheduled for 6:30 and 8 p.m. Stottler Stagg, ranked ninth by Softball USA, wasn’t expected to win, but Landress said his team should have done better. Three players had hit 50 home runs or more during the season. And the team had chances but failed to capitalize. Stottler Stagg was beaten by Bunca in extra innings in its opening game. Then Muris scored five runs in the top of the seventh (last) inning to score a comeback victory in its last. “We didn’t play half as well as we could have,” said Landress, whose Stottler Stagg team has competed in three consecutive USSSA World Series. “We have six months apart in the off-season. “I’d like to have these same guys next year. They’ve been too good for too long not to come back and try again.”

  • MVP – Dirk Androff, Ritch’s-Superior (23-34, .676, 13 HR, 27 RBI, 19 Runs)
  • Home Run Leader – Bruce Meade, Starpath (18-23, .783, 23 RBI, 18 Runs) – 16
  • Batting Leader (15 ABs) – Gary Adams, Dan Smith (13-15, 7 RBI, 6 Runs) – .867
  • Defensive MVP – Larry Fredieu, Starpath/Le-Al-Co

USSSA MAJOR WORLD SERIES ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Andy Cook – Starpath (11-22, .500, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 6 Runs)
P – Paul Drilling – Ritch’s/Superior (13-28, .464, 3 RBI, 7 Runs)
C – Bruce Meade – Starpath (18-23, .783, 16 HR, 23 RBI, 18 Runs)
1B – Rich Plante – Wlliams/Finke (14-21, .667, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 14 Runs)
2B – Darrell Beeler – Ritch’s/Superior (15-29, .517, 10 HR, 15 RBI, 16 Runs)
2B – Dan Schuck – Larry’s Used Cars (14-20, .700, 11 HR, 20 RBI, 14 Runs)
3B – Charles Wright – Ritch’s/Superior (14-25, .560, 9 HR, 15 RBI, 21 Runs)
3B – Carl Rose – Sunbelt Plastics (15-20, .750, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 14 Runs)
SS – Greg Whitlock – Starpath (11-20, .550, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 6 Runs)
OF – Gary Jones – Starpath (12-17, .706, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 Runs)
OF – Larry Fredieu – Starpath (14-23, .609, 11 HR, 12 RBI, 13 Runs)
OF – Dirk Androff – Ritch’s/Superior (23-34, .676, 13 HR, 27 RBI, 19 Runs)
OF – Greg Schulte – Sunbelt Plastics (13-21, .619, 6 HR, 13 RBI,11 Runs)
OF – Jeff Peterson – Dan Smith (14-21, .667, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 14 Runs)
OF – Wes Lord – Dan Smith (14-19, .737, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 8 Runs)
OF – Sylvin Little – Sunbelt Plastics (12-21, .545, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 10 Runs)
UTIL – Jim Fuller – Ritch’s/Superior (22-33, .667, 8 HR, 21 RBI, 19 Runs)
MGR – Buddy Slater – Ritch’s/Superior

OTHERS

Hank Garris, Stottler Stagg (6-6, 1.000, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 5 Runs)
Randy Romagna, Neuse Sand & Gravel (11-14, .786, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 6 Runs)
Mark Heirlmeier, Bell Corp (11-15, .733, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 12 Runs)
Freddie Johnson, Larry’s Used Cars (14-20, .700, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 10 Runs)
Mark Baker, Bell Corp (11-16, .688, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 10 Runs)
Bob Louria, Bunca (2-3, .667, 1 Run)
Rick Weiterman, Ritch’s/Superior (14-22, .636, 6 RBI, 9 Runs)
Cliff Carpenter, Bell Corp (10-16, .625, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 8 Runs)
Dave Steffen, Ritch’s/Superior (17-28, .607, 8 HR, 21 RBI, 14 Runs)
Cecil Whitehead, Ritch’s/Superior (7-12, .583, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
Doug Flynn, Bell Corp (8-14, .571, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 Runs)
John Keigley, Williams/Finke (9-16, .563, 5 RBI, 9 Runs)
Steve Craven, Sunbelt (12-22, .545, 7 HR, 13 RBI, 11 Runs)
Jeff Arnold, Williams/Finke (12-22, .545, 9 HR, 14 RBI, 11 Runs)
Chuck Maiorana, Bunca (6-11, .545, 2 RBI, 4 Runs)
Kenny Carver, Sunbelt (10-19, .526, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 11 Runs)
Danny Williams, Sunbelt (11-22, .500, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 9 Runs)
Ernie Montgomery, Larry’s Used Cars (10-20, .500, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 12 Runs)
Mike Martin, Bell Corp (7-14, .500, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 8 Runs)
Todd Martin, Neuse Sand & Gravel (4-8, .500, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 Runs)
Britt Hightower, Ritch’s/Superior (15-33, .484, 9 HR, 15 RBI, 15 Runs)
John Grisson, Williams/Fink (12-25, .480, 6 HR, 7 RBI, 11 Runs)
Bill Blake, Larry’s Used Cars (9-19, .474, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 11 Runs)
Doug Roberson, Ritch’s/Superior (15-33, .455, 9 HR, 17 RBI, 13 Runs)
Todd Joerling, Sunbelt (9-20, .450, 6 HR, 8 RBI, 11 Runs)
Mike Macenko, Sunbelt (10-23, .435, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 10 Runs)
Ron Parnell, Ritch’s/Superior (12-28, .429, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 14 Runs)
Doug Berfeldt, Sports Heros (3-7, .429, 1 RBI, 1 Run)
Clyde Guy, Sunbelt (6-14, .429, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 9 Runs)
Dave Allen, Starpath (8-20, .400, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 9 Runs)
Craig Elliott, Neuse Sand & Gravel (4-10, .400, 3 RBI, 4 Runs)
Rick Wheeler, Starpath (9-24, .375, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 10 Runs)
Doug Brown, Starpath (9-24, .375, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 8 Runs)
Jimmy Powers, Neuse Sand & Gravel (4-11, .364, 3 Runs)
Tot Powers, Neuse Sand & Gravel (4-13, .308, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Ritch’s/Superior, Windsor Locks, CT (7-1)
2. Starpath/LeAlCo, Monticello, KY (4-2)
3. Sunbelt Plastics/Worth, Stone Mountain, GA (3-2)
4. Dan Smith Plastering, San Jose, CA (3-2)
5. Larry’s Used Cars/Capitols, Grand Prairie, TX (3-2)
6. Williams/Finke, Spring, TX (3-2)
7t. Bell Corp., Tampa, FL (2-2)
7t. Neuse Sand & Gravek, La Grange, NC (2-2)
9t. Coors/Atkins, Dodge City, KS (1-2)
9t. Murfs/Sonny’s/Worth, Denver, CO (1-2)
9t. Bunca Car Wash, Kalamazoo, MI (1-2)
9t. Gooslin Construction, Columbus, OH (1-2)
13t. Spectrum Screen Print Inc., Crystal, MN (0-2)
13t. AJD/Russell Athletics, Richmond VA (0-2)
13t. Stottler Stagg/Cocoa Express, Cape Canaveral, FL (0-2)
13t. Sports Heros Athletics, Eagan, MN (0-2)

1991 ASA Men’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1991 held in Decatur, Alabama on August 29-September 2.

Champion – Riverside Paving, Louisville, Kentucky (103-26)
Runner Up – Vernon’s, Jacksonville, Florida

Riverside Paving won seven games without a loss in sweeping to the championship of the Amateur Softball Association’s Major National Slow Pitch Men’s Softball Tournament two weekends ago at Decatur, Ala.

Riverside is the first Louisville team to win the ASA National Slow Pitch tournament since Jiffy Club did it in 1972.

Riverside upset tournament favorite Williams/ Thompson from Houston in the finals of the winners’ bracket, then defeated three-time national champion Vernon’s of Jacksonville, Ha., 27-15 in the final.

Don Rardin of Riverside was named the tournament’s most valuable player, while five others made the All. American team

They were pitcher Matt Johnson, shortstop Tony Stansbury, second baseman David Crawley and outfielders Mike Jackson and Billy Adams.

Riverside completed its season with a record of 103-26, including titles in several local and regional tournaments.

  • MVP – Don Rardin, Jr., Riverside Paving
  • HR Leader – Dewayne Nevitt, Wildcat Fence – 17
  • Batting Leader – Dewayne Nevitt, Wildcat Fence – .897

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Matt Johnson, Riverside Paving (18-26, .692)
C – Vernon Hensley, New Construction
1B – Dewayne Nevitt, Wildcat Fence (26-29, .897, 17 HR)
2B – Mike Gunnels, Williams/Finke/Worth
3B – Don Rardin, Jr., Riverside Paving (23-30, .767)
SS – Tony Stansbury, Riverside Paving (14-23, .609)
OF – Ray Eppley, Vernon’s
OF – Tim Williamson, Mike’s Gym
OF – Kelly Stanley, SETA Corporation
OF – John Adams, Wildcat Fence
EP – Randy Lucas, New Construction
UT – Mike Jacobs, Vernon’s
UT – Mike Jackson, Riverside Paving (17-26, .654)
UT – Gary Whitefield, Daton/Argus
UT – Brian Devitz, New Construction

OTHERS

Ed McCauley, Riverside (19-26, .731, 11 HR, 22 RBI)
David Crawley, Riverside (19-25, .760)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Riverside Paving, Louisville, KY (7-0)
2. Vernon’s, Jacksonville, FL (5-2)
3. Williams/Finke/Worth, Spring, TX (4-2)
4. Wildcat Fence, Lexington, KY (6-2)
5t. Mississippi Grand Slam, Toomsube, MS (3-2)
5t. Miller & Miller, Huntsville, AL (4-2)
7t. Gary’s BBQ, China Grove, NC (3-2)
7t. New Construction, Shelbyville, IN (4-2)
9t. Ohio Transport, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
9t. Datom-Argus/Mounton, Lebanon, TN (2-2)
9t. Time Out Sports, Jackson, MS (2-2)
9t. Ditt’s Liquors, Indianapolis, IN (4-2)
13t. SETA Corporation, Charlotte, NC (2-2)
13t. St. Louis Softball, St. Louis, MO (2-2)
13t. Mike’s Gym, Elba, AL (3-2)
13t. Worth/Back Porch, Niceville, FL (2-2)
17t. Atlas Van Lines, Oak Ridge, TN (1-2)
17t. Cougars, Huntsville, AL (1-2)
17t. Armed Forces Military, Washington DC (2-2)
17t. Sports Heroes, Eagan, MN (1-2)
17t. Nanney’s/Worth, Taylors, SC (1-2)
17t. Big Daddy’s, Dalton, GA (2-2)
17t. Grand Slam Services, Douglassville, GA (1-2)
17t. Converters Unlimited, LaGrange, NC (1-2)
25t. Jocks Nitch/Wilson, Louisberg, KS (0-2)
25t. Coors/Atkins, Dodge City, KS (0-2)
25t. Grey Back Transport, Cincinnati, OH (0-2)
25t. Barbee Construction, Chattanooga, TX (0-2)
25t. Beaver’s Bud Dry, Springfield, IL (0-2)
25t. Jay’s Cincinnati, OH (0-2)
25t. St. Claire Park Athletic, Belleville, IL (0-2)
25t. Century Glass, Garland, TX (0-2)
33t. Rocky’s, Decatur, AL (0-2)
33t. Beefeaters, (0-2)