Category: ASA

2021 ASA Men’s Super Slow Pitch Nationals

2021 held at Drakes Creek Park in Hendersonville, Tennessee on August 19-20.


Champion –  Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S, Cicero, New York
Runner Up – Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics, Spring, Texas


  • MVP – Josh Riley, Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
  • HR Champion – Jason Matusik – Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics
  • Batting Champion – Bradley Jones – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S

THUNDER/SIS/CHOSEN/ALL AMERICAN/MENOSSE/RDD/S&S CLAIMS FOURTH STRAIGHT MEN’S SUPER SLOW PITCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

The 2021 USA Softball Men’s Super Slow Pitch National Championship was full of nonstop action as the one-day, double-elimination tournament took place today in Hendersonville, Tenn. Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S won three straight games to defeat Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics 27-12 in the Championship contest to claim their fourth-consecutive USA Softball Men’s Super Slow Pitch National Championship title.

The Thunder made their way to the Championship Game by kicking off the day with a 35-15 run-rule victory (five innings) over Comatose/S2N/Monsta. Josh Riley led the team with four home runs and was one of eight Thunder players with a long ball in the contest. Riley also racked up eight RBIs for the Thunder while Jeremy Yates went five-for-five at the plate. In their second game of the day, the Thunder took down Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics thanks to a 13-run sixth inning. Down 17-14 in the bottom of the frame, back-to-back home runs from Riley and Kyle Pearson sparked the rally for the Thunder. A single, a double, and four more home runs in the inning would put the Thunder ahead and lead them to a 26-20 victory and a spot in the title game.

Monsta Black Sheep played a total of four games today and started out strong with a 18-16 win against Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals. They then took on the Thunder in the semi-final game and led through five innings of play but fell 26-20 after the Thunder’s explosive sixth inning. Sent to the loser’s bracket, Monsta Black Sheep took on Juno Athletics for the second time in a win-or-go-home matchup. Jason Matusik got things going for Monsta Black Sheep in the first inning with a solo shot to left field. Once on the board, Monsta Black Sheep didn’t look back, scoring in five out of six innings with home runs off the bats of seven different players, propelling Monsta Black Sheep to a 13-9 victory to send them to the Championship Game.

The final game of the tournament reunited the Thunder and Monsta Black Sheep for the second time today. The Championship contest was an impressive matchup with runs crossing the plate for both teams in all but one inning. Once again, Matusik put Monsta Black Sheep on top with a solo home run to start off the game. The lead didn’t last long, however, as the Thunder responded with a sacrifice fly and a home run of their own to make the score 3-1, Thunder, after one inning of play.

The Thunder continued to tack on runs, extending their lead to 8-1 in the second inning with a handful of base hits and a home run from Gregg Connell. Monsta Black Sheep answered back with a sac fly and two more long balls from Filip Washington and Matusik to close the gap to 8-5, though they would not be able to stop the Thunder offense who plated seven more runs in the bottom of the frame.

With the score 15-5 going into the fourth inning, Monsta Black Sheep refused to go down without a fight. The team was able to scratch a couple of runs and hold the Thunder to only two runs over the next two innings. Home runs from Brian McBryde and Matusik in the sixth cut the Thunder’s lead to 17-12. With bats still on fire, the Thunder took back control in the bottom of the sixth to close out the game. Back-to-back home runs from Bradley Jones and Yates sparked the rally that led to a 10-run sixth inning capped with a walk-off home run from Yates to seal the win. The Thunder walked away with a 27-12 run-rule victory (six innings) over Monsta Black Sheep, winning their fourth straight USA Softball Men’s Super Slow Pitch National Championship title.

Riley put together an impressive tournament performance which earned him the MVP title, while Jones led with a .867 batting average and Matusik tallied the most home runs with nine on the day.


FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Travis Clark – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
IF – Kevin Bazat – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
IF – Orlando Castillo – Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals
IF – Greg Connell – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
IF – Bradley Jones – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
IF – Jason Matusik – Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics
OF – Tyler Marshburn – Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals
OF – Josh Riley – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
OF – Nic Santana – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
OF – Jeremy Yates – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S
UTIL – Travis Houseman – Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics
UTIL – Ryan Honeycutt – Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics
UTIL – Brian McBryde – Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics
UTIL – Phil Matte – Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals
UTIL – Brian Wegman – Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Thunder/SIS/Chosen/All American/Menosse/RDD/S&S, Cicero, NY (3-0)
2. Monsta Black Sheep/Texas5/Monsta Athletics, Spring, TX (2-2)
3. Juno Athletics/MPT Rentals, Toms River, NY (2-2)
4. Comatose/S2N/Monsta, Beloit, WI (1-2)
5. Apex, Ankeny, IA (0-2)


2021 ASA Men’s C Slow Pitch Nationals

2021 held at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on August 27-29.


Champion –  Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors, Shakopee, Minnesota
Runner Up – Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation, Branford, Connecticut


  • MVP – John David – Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors
  • HR Champion – Ryan Balis – Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation (7)
  • HR Champion – Dustin Duncan – Russell’s Paint & Body (7)
  • HR Champion – Scott Patterson – Newbreed/Gorillaz/Royce Geo (7)
  • Batting Champion – Casey Tyler – Demars Softball (1.000)

STAGECOACH/CREST EXTERIORS EARNS THE 2021 MEN’S CLASS C SLOW PITCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

The 2021 USA Softball Men’s Class C Slow Pitch National Championship came to a close today with Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors claiming the Championship title after forcing an “if-necessary” game to defeat Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation 18-10 in the final contest. Stagecoach finished the tournament with an 8-1 record, their only loss coming from a winner’s bracket matchup against Northwoods Elite. Sent to the loser’s bracket on Day Two, Stagecoach clinched five-straight crucial victories to earn them the trophy and the Championship title.

In the first game of the day, the loser’s bracket semi-final saw a rematch as Stagecoach took down Northwoods Elite in a close-fought 11-8 battle. Stagecoach came out of the gate strong with a four-run first inning and three home runs from Daniel Sargent, Micah Loegering, and Zach Prins. Plating five more runs in the top of the third, Stagecoach extended their lead to 9-0 before Northwoods scratched two in the bottom of the frame to make it 9-2. Stagecoach pushed two more runs across in the fourth thanks to a pair of singles and a double, making it an 11-2 ballgame. Northwoods began to chip away at the Stagecoach lead in the bottom of the frame with a sacrifice fly from Dru Mickelson to add one more run to the board before scoring five more in the fifth inning to close the gap, 11-8. Despite the rally, Northwoods was unable to string things together in the final two innings, ending their tournament run and allowing Stagecoach to walk away with the 11-8 win to send them to the title game.

The offense continued to dominate for Stagecoach as they rolled into the Championship Game against Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation. Six hits in the first inning pushed five runs across the plate for Stagecoach, but Trinity answered back with three home runs in the bottom of the frame to score four, making it 5-4 Stagecoach after one inning of play. A big inning in the second put up eight more runs for Trinity allowing them to pull ahead 12-5 going into the third inning. Losing the lead lit the spark for Stagecoach as their offense exploded for 26 runs in the next four innings including a 12-run fourth. Trinity put up four runs in the fifth inning but couldn’t make a comeback as Stagecoach took the 31-16 (six innings) victory to force an “if-necessary” game. Out of their 33 total hits, Stagecoach racked up 10 doubles in the contest with James Kauffmann leading the way with three.

In the winner-take-all matchup with the Championship title on the line, the competition was fierce as neither team gave up the fight. Stagecoach struck first with a five-run first inning after two RBI singles from Sargent and Loegering and a three-run shot from Prins put them on the board. Both offenses were quiet throughout the next two innings as the defense controlled the game. Trinity broke the silence in top of the fourth after Robert Aquilino put a two-run home run over the left field fence. The team used that momentum to extend the rally, scoring seven more runs in the top of the frame to take the lead, 9-5. Not going down without a fight was Stagecoach, finding ways to get on base and manufacturing three runs to bring them within one of Trinity. Aquilino tacked on another run for Trinity in the top of the fifth for his second home run of the game to put his team up 10-8, but it wouldn’t last long as Stagecoach responded with a three-run home run from Kauffmann to steal back the lead, 11-10. Stagecoach finished out the game strong, scoring 10 runs in the last two innings and sealing the 18-10 victory with a slick double-play on the infield to clinch the 2021 Men’s Class C Slow Pitch National Championship title.


2021 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

  • P – Joseph Apostoli – Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation
  • IF – Matt Allen – Russell’s Paint & Body
  • IF – Ryan Balis – Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation
  • IF – Craig Kolb – Northwoods Elite
  • IF – Daniel Rothbauer – Northwoods Elite
  • IF – Casey Tyler – Demars Softball
  • OF – Kyle Creamer – Shameless/Budweiser
  • OF – Sean Grosonic – Newbreed/Gorillaz/Royce Geo
  • OF – Nathan King – Fishers Softball
  • OF – Micah Loegering – Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors
  • UTIL – Robert Aquilino – Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation
  • UTIL – John David – Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors
  • UTIL – Nicholas Follo – Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation
  • UTIL – James Kaufmann – Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors
  • UTIL – Zach Prins – Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors, Shakopee, MN (8-1)
2. Trinity/Big Dawg Sublimation, Branford, CT (5-2)
3. Northwoods Elite, Bloomer, WI (4-2)
4. Newbreed/Gorillaz/Royce Geo, Alton, IL (6-2)
5t. Shameless/Budweiser, Sheffield, IA (3-2)
5t. Russell’s Paint & Body, Oveido, FL (5-2)
7t. Demars Softball, East Haven, CT (3-2)
7t. Fishers Softball, Lancaster, PA (4-2)
9t. The Mill/A3, Sidney, MT (3-2)
9t. MN Maniax/Easton/H Auto, St. Paul, MN (2-2)
9t. VHI/Greater Than, Rochester, MN (2-2)
9t. Thunder/Chosen/Competitive Edge/SOG, Gladewater, TX (3-2)
13t. CIDW/Left Lane Athletics, Ankeny, IA (2-2)
13t. Square One/Spiderz, Waukesha, WI (2-2)
13t. The 10th Inning, Hudson, IA (2-2)
13t. Omaha’s Finest, Omaha, NE (2-2)
17t. Kass & Co., Peosta, IA (2-2)
17t. MVP/Old School, Houston, TX (1-2)
17t. Grassland, Greenwood, WI (1-2)
17t. All Star Plumbing, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
17t. Oak Ridge Dental, Lakeville, MN (2-2)
17t. MMB/The Box/Monsta Athletics, West Fargo, ND (1-2)
17t. Twisted Lazers/First Watch/Big House Gym, Kearney, NE (1-2)
17t. C&M Transport/Nager Law/Lakes Heating & AC, Kirtland, OH (1-2)
25t. Silverbacks, Inver Grove Heights, MN (1-2)
25t. Granite Services, Foley, MN (1-2)
25t. Dick Raimann Farms/Garage Force/Excel Homes, Eyota, MN (1-2)
25t. Buzs/Valpo Family Dentistry, Valparaiso, IN (0-2)
25t. SWOK Outlaws, Altus, OK (0-2)
25t. Pioneer Auto, Sioux City, NE (0-2)
25t. 605, Sioux Falls, SD (0-2)
25t. T&C Lawn Care/HH, Cedar Falls, IA (0-2)
33t. Shenanigans/WTP/MII/Dunn Sports, Pleasant Prairie, WI (0-2)
33t. Dirty Vegas/Steel, Grives, TX (0-2)
33t. GetNutz Hawaii, Hayward, CA (0-2)


2021 ASA Men’s B Slow Pitch Nationals

2021 held at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 3-4.


Champion –  Thunder/Chosen, Gladewater, Texas
Runner Up – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval, Topeka, Indiana


  • MVP – Justin Gregory – Chosen/Thunder
  • HR Champion – Erik Lehman – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
  • Batting Champion – Mike Wieland – Apex

CHOSEN/THUNDER CLAIM 2021 MEN’S CLASS B SLOW PITCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH BOUNCE-BACK WIN OVER SILVERBACKS/REVOLUTION ATH/KOVAL

The 2021 USA Softball Men’s Class B Slow Pitch National Championship came to an exciting close today as Chosen/Thunder claimed the Championship title with a bounce-back win over Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval in the Championship “if-necessary” game. After posting an undefeated 5-0 record through bracket play, the Thunder suffered their first loss of the weekend in the Championship contest as the Silverbacks pulled out the 19-17 win to force the “if-necessary” game. The Thunder offense proved superior though with a dominating performance to cap the tournament with a 25-5 (five-innings) Championship victory.

Silverbacks jumped out to an early lead in the Championship contest, driving in four runs in the top of the first before allowing Chosen to cut the lead in half with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. The back-and-forth scoring would continue through the remainder of the game, with Chosen evening the score at seven in the bottom of the third before Silverbacks responded with a six-run fourth inning to regain the lead. Chosen would plate five in the bottom of the sixth to give them their first lead of the game, but Silverbacks would once again answer back in the top of the seventh to put them on top, 19-17, with three outs remaining in the game. Kendall Welborn and Josh Kirsten would send base hits through the infield to put runners on for Chosen with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but an infield ground out would seal the win for Silverbacks to force the “if-necessary” game.

After suffering their first loss of the tournament, Thunder bounced back even stronger with the help of a 12-run second inning to propel them to the 25-5 run-rule win to secure the Championship trophy. Thunder wasted no time in getting on the board, scoring two in the top of the first with a two-run home run from Brian Renner. That lead did not hold long though as the Silverbacks answered back in the bottom of the frame with two runs of their own to even the score, 2-2. Refusing to stay down long, the Thunder offense lit a spark in the top of the second with 10 base hits, two home runs and a grand slam putting them on top, 14-2. The Thunder continued dominating through the third and fourth innings, tacking on eight more runs to their lead before rain at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium forced a weather delay in the bottom of the fourth. The delay showed no affect though as the Thunder returned to the field to limit the Silverback offense to just three runs through the fourth and fifth innings while adding three runs of their own to seal the 25-5 Championship victory.

How the teams made it to the finals:

Chosen/Thunder landed in the Championship Game after outscoring their opponents 107-62 in route to a 5-0 undefeated record through bracket play. With the help of a 11-run fourth inning in their first game of the day, the Thunder pushed past Tharaldson to advance to the winner’s bracket finale against Drip City/Midwest Monsta. Another explosive fourth inning, this time scoring eight runs, helped the squad to a narrow 20-16 victory over Drip City to place them in the Men’s Class B Slow Pitch National Championship trophy game.

Thunder offense combined for 134 hits and 30 home runs in their quest to the Championship contest with Kirsten leading the way with 17 hits and three home runs followed by Justin Gregory with 16 hits and four home runs.

Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval cruised through bracket play with three-straight victories before dropping the 19-15 decision to Drip City in their first game of the day to send them to the loser’s bracket. Wasting no time staying down, the Silverbacks quickly bounced back with a 34-17 win over the Dirt Dogs/FHC before posting a 21-1 (four-innings) run-rule victory over The Nation to advance to the semi-finals. With a trip to the Championship contest on the line and a rematch set against Drip City, the Silverbacks offense proved superior with a 30-10 (four-innings) run-rule win to send Drip City home with the third-place trophy.

Battling through seven games to land in the Championship game, Silverbacks totaled 172 hits and 38 home runs while outscoring their opponents 162-72. Galen Miller led the Silverbacks offense with 22 hits and nine home runs while Dennis Yoder and Jeremy Stabach tallied 21 hits. The Silverbacks were one of three teams to score a tournament-high of 30 or more runs in a game.


2021 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

Dennis Yoder – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
Faron Fry – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
Robbie Hinkle ­– Drip City/Midwest Monsta
Brian Renner – Chosen/Thunder
Gregg Downing – Chosen/Thunder
Josh Kirsten ­ – Chosen/Thunder
Tanner Unkle – Drip City/Midwest Monsta
Jeremy Stabach – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
Galen Miller – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
James Patterson – The Nation
Taylor Albrecht ­– The Nation
Alex Hovey – Drip City/Midwest Monsta
Justin Gregory – Chosen/Thunder
Aaron Yoder ­ – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
Erik Lehman – Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval
Matthew Brady – Chosen/Thunder


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Thunder/Chosen, Gladewater, TX (6-1)
2. Silverbacks/Revolution Ath/Koval (7-2)
3. Drip City/Midwest Monsta, Urbandale, IA (3-2)
4. The Nation, Rhome, TX (4-2)
5t. Tharaldson, Fargo, TX (3-2)
5t. Dirt Dogs/FHC, Wallingford, CT (4-2)
7t. Ductech/Monsta Athletics/Budweiser, South St. Paul, MN (3-2)
7t. D&R Miller Concrete, Topeka, IN (3-2)
9t. JEC/P5 Sports/Kevitt, Brooklyn Park, MN (2-2)
9t. Lifetime Diamonds/Legendary Sports, Conroe, TX (1-2)
9t. Reno Cycles & Gear/Lithia Chrysler Jeep of Reno, Sparks, NV (1-2)
9t. L&S Glass, San Jose, CA (1-2)
13t. Apex, Ankeny, IA (1-2)
13t. Vivid/Kilbombers, Frisco, TX (1-2)
13t. Wahl Optical/NZone, Lincoln, NE (1-2)
13t. All American/Dugout 47, Rochester, MN (0-2)
17t. T’s 13, Omaha, NE (0-2)
17t. All Star Plumbing, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
17t. Kut4 Sports/OI Livingston/D2E Trailers, Clanton, AL (0-2)
17t. Blackies Softball, Defiance, OH (0-2)
17t. Competitive Edge/Olmito Heat/Adiktiv, League City, TX (0-2)


2021 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

2021 held at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 5-6.


Champion –  Thunder/Chosen, Gladewater, Texas
Runner Up – Kut4 Sports/OI Livingston/D2E Trailers, Clanton, Alabama


  • MVP – Austyn Dawe – Thunder/Chosen
  • HR Champion – Damon Wegner – Comatose/S2N/Monsta
  • HR Champion – Sean Greer – Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E
  • Batting Champion – Austyn Dawe – Thunder/Chosen

Thunder/Chosen closed out Labor Day weekend at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex by earning the 2021 USA Softball Men’s Class A Slow Pitch National Championship title with a 41-33 victory over Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E. Thunder posted an undefeated 5-0 record en route to the Championship hardware while scoring 30 or more runs in each of their contests with a combined total of 49 home runs on the weekend.

The first game of the day saw a loser’s bracket matchup between Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta and Dirt Dogs/FHS with a trip to the loser’s bracket finale on the line. A dramatic start to Championship Monday, the offensive duel saw 20 balls leave the park with both teams scoring at least one run every inning en route to a 37-36 walk-off win for Chanticlear. Dirt Dogs jumped on top early, taking a four-run lead in the top of first while holding Chanticlear to one. An explosive third inning from both offenses would bust the game open with Chanticlear taking a 26-17 lead after plating 18 runs while allowing 12 runs to score for the Dirt Dogs. The score continued to bounce back-and-forth through the remainder of the game, but a walk-off single from Quinn Cannoy would plate the winning run to advance Chanticlear to the final loser’s bracket contest against Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E Trailers.

Dirt Dogs completed their run with a 5-2 record after dropping their first game of the tournament to Comatose/S2N/Monsta yesterday morningFighting their way through the loser’s bracket, the Dirt Dogs won five-straight games to advance to Championship Monday before falling to Chanticlear in the 37-36 contest.

Game two paired Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta and Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E Trailers together, with the winner advancing to the Championship game against the undefeated Thunder/Chosen. The semi-final matchup came down to the final three outs with Kut4 Sports pulling out the 28-25 win with the help of a 10-run second inning and seven-run seventh inning. Trailing Chanticlear 25-21 in the top of the seventh, the Kut4 offense would string together three base hits and two home runs off the bats of Brandon Hooks and Andrew Calhoun to take the final lead of the game before issuing a 1-2-3 inning the bottom of the frame to send Chanticlear home with the third-place trophy.

The Championship contest saw a rematch between Thunder/Chosen and Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E after going head-to-head in the winner’s bracket finale last night where Thunder took the 30-24 win. A similar outcome in the winner-take-all game, Thunder proved superior, this time with a 41-33 victory to earn the trophy. The two squads put on a show in the final matchup of the tournament, combining for a total of 74 runs and 20 long balls with Sean Geer (Kut4 Sports) sending three out of the park.

Thunder wasted no time in getting things started, plating seven runs on four homers in the top of the first. Quick to answer back, Kut4 Sports responded with seven runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to even the score, 7-7. The powerful offenses continued to shine for both teams through the second and third innings before Thunder took control in the top of the fourth, combining for 13 hits and three long balls to score 16 runs and put them on top, 34-21. Kut4 Sports cut the lead to six after responding with eight runs in the bottom of the inning, but Thunder tacked on four more in the top of the fifth to cushion their lead with two innings left to play. All the Kut4 Sports offense could muster through the remainder of the game was four runs in the bottom of the fifth after home runs from Josh Cardwell and Blake Green and base hits off the bats of Sean Greer, Kyle Mng, and Justin Tripp cut the Thunder lead, 38-33. Thunder offense wasn’t finished, though, adding three more to the board in the sixth and seventh innings while holding the Kut4 Sports offense scoreless through the final six outs to secure the 41-33 Championship win.

Josh Fyffe and Gregg Downing sent two balls out of the park in the win while Justin Gregory, Joshua Riley, Brian Renner, Kyle Pearson, Amilson Marquez and Austyn Dawe hit one home run apiece.


ASA A FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

Austyn Dawe, Thunder/Chosen (25-28, .893, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 17 Runs)
Jason Branch, Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta (22-31, .710, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 26 Runs)
Amilson Marquez, Thunder/Chosen (20-25, .800, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 21 Runs)
Ryker Cence, Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E (16-28, .571, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 20 Runs)
Joel Sanchez, Thunder/Chosen (14-21, .667, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 12 Runs)
Mason Farmer, Competitive Edge/OlmitoHeat/Adiktiv (20-23, .870, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 17 Runs)
Michael Gonzalez, Dirt Dogs/FHS (19-26, .731, 3 HR, 10 RBIs 15 RUns)
Brandon Hooks, Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E (18-26, 692, 9 HR, 17 RBI, 18 Runs)
John Rasberry, Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E (13-19, .684, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 14 Runs)
Mike Jacobson, Comatose/S2N/Monsta (19-22, .864, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 14 Runs)
Chaun Demars, Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta (16-21, .762, 9 RBI, 7 Runs)
Alex Hovey, Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta (19-26, .731, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 18 Runs)
Kyle Pearson (LA), Thunder/Chosen (19-27, .704, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 20 Runs)
Conner Miller, Dirt Dogs/FHS (23-32, .719, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 20 Runs)
Justin Tripp, Kut4 Sports/Ol Livingston/D2E (19-26, .731, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 5 Runs)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Thunder/Chosen, Gladewater, TX (5-0)
2. Kut4 Sports/OI Livingston/D2E Trailers, Clanton, AL (4-2)
3. Chanticlear Pizza/Monsta, Becker, MN (4-2)
4. Dirt Dogs/FHC, Wallingford, CT (5-2)
5t. APEX, Ankeny, IA (2-2)
5t. Competitive Edge/Olmito Heat/Adiktiv, League City, TX (3-2)
7t. Comatose/S2N/Monsta, Beloit, WI (3-2)
7t. T’s 13, Omaha, NE, (2-2)
9t. The Nation, Rhome, TX (1-2)
9t. Lifetime Diamonds/Legendary Sports, Conroe, TX (1-2)
9t. Ductech/Monsta Athletics/Budweiser, South St. Paul, MN (1-2)
9t. Blackies Softball, Defiance, OH (1-2)
13t. All American Restoration/Dugout 47, Rochester, MN (1-2)
13t. Drip City/Midwest Monsta, Urbandale, IA (1-2)
13t. Tharaldson, Fargo, ND (0-2)
13t. L&S Glass, San Jose, CA (0-2)
17t. Wahl Optical/NZone, Lincoln, NE (0-2)
17t. Reno Cycles & Gear/Lithia Chrysler Jeep of Reno, Sparks, NV (0-2)


OTHERS

Tyler Ervine, Competitive Edge (24-29, .828, 8 HR, 25 RBI, 18 Runs)
Joey Bulens, Apex (16-19, .842, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 11 Runs)
Damon Wegner, Comatose (16-20 .800, 10 HR, 23 RBI, 14 Runs)
Keith McCormick, Competitive Edge (15-20, .750, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 14 Runs)
Steve Whaley, Competitive Edge (20-28, .714, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 16 Runs)
Sean Greer, Kut4Sports (21-30, 700, 10 HR, 32 RBI, 13 Runs)
Zachary Sokolis, Dirt Dogs (22-33, .667, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 15 Runs)
Adam Ussery, Chanticlear Pizza (18-29, .621, 8 HR, 20 RBI, 18 Runs)
Justin Gregory, Thunder/Chosen (15-25, .600, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 15 Runs)


2021 ASA Gold Girls 18-Under Fast Pitch Nationals

2021 held in Salem, Virginia on July 18-25.


Champion – Windermere Wildfire Paulson, Windermere, Florida
Runner Up – Florida Storm National Shepherd, Oviedo, Florida


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Windermere Wildfire Paulson, Windermere, FL (9-1)
2. Florida Storm National Shepherd, Oviedo, FL (5-2)
3. Rock Gold Waye, Holland, PA (4-2)
4. Clearwater Lady Bombers Mason Gold, Tampa, FL (6-2)
5t. NJ Gators Biasi, Sewell, NJ (3-2)
5t. Lady Lightning Gold Elite Jones, Rocky Mount, NC (3-2)
7t. Virginia Unity Linder, King George, VA (3-2)
7t. Ohio Hawks National, Centerville, OH (3-2)
9t. Sarasota Heat, Sarasota, FL (2-2)
9t. Outlaws Premier, Allentown, PA (2-2)
9t. Louisiana Voodoo Gold, Kenner, LA (3-2)
9t. Turnin2 Robeson Long, Fenton, MI (4-2)
13t. Oregon Red Heat, Hillsboro, OR (2-2)
13t. Orion Hunter Elite Murphy Inman National, Chesapeake, VA (2-2)
13t. Gold Coast Hurricanes Sac National, Fort Meade, MD (3-2)
13t. NJ Fight Delgado, Bloomfield, NJ (2-2)
17t. Richmond Storm, Richmond, VA (1-2)
17t. Firecrackers NC Wright, Reidsville, NC (1-2)
17t. Delaware Cobras, Bear, DE (1-2)
17t. Team Virginia Mizuno Harrington, Warrenton, VA (2-2)
17t. Lady Gators Jackson, North Palm Beach, FL (2-2)
17t. Angels 02 Reynolds Gold, Rincon, GA (1-2)
17t. Southern Power Degroat, Juliette, GA (1-2)
17t. MS Thunderbolts Groves, Biloxi, MS (1-2)
25t. Wagner’s Gold 18U, Baltimore, MD (1-2)
25t. TNT Maryland National, Annapolis, MD (1-2)
25t. Indiana Gators Rupert, Jasper, IN (1-2)
25t. Newtown Rock Hutchins Cipolloni, Newtown, PA (1-2)
25t. 3N2 Gold Haynes, Ocala, FL (0-2)
25t. Heartbreakers Gold, Woodsboro, MD (0-2)
25t. Illinois Bash, Elk Grove Village, IL (0-2)
25t. KC Rebels Elite Ingle, Overland Park, KS (0-2)
33t. New Mexico Suncats, Rio Rancho, NM (0-2)
33t. Gold Coast Hurricanes Stoicheff, Lewistown, PA (0-2)
33t. Richmond Diamonds, Richmond, VA (0-2)
33t. Lady Lightning Gold Nova, Fairfax, VA (0-2)

Ivan “Ike” Wheeler

Ivan “Ike” Wheeler

Ivan “Ike” Wheeler (1935-2021)

“Ike’s career spanned 50 years. He retired from the United States Air Force with 21 years of service. He worked for 30 plus years for the City of Shreveport Parks and Recreation department serving as Athletic Director, as well as numerous community efforts in sports, charities and beyond.”

At the time of his induction into the National Softball Hall of Fame in 2012, Ike was a registered umpire for over 56 years and served as District Commissioner in the Shreveport, La. area, Player Representative, and Louisiana Umpire-in-Chief. In addition to these positions, Wheeler was a member of the National Indicator Fraternity (1988) and a member of the ASA/USA Softball of Louisiana Hall of Fame (2010). Some of his accomplishments he achieved since joining ASA/USA Softball include: recipient of the Region 6 Award of Excellence (2009) and umpire for four National Championships (1982, 1987, 1988, 1997) in addition to serving as either Tournament Director, Umpire Coordinator, or Housing Authority for 17 National Tournaments. Since 1978, Wheeler had successfully registered every team in the Shreveport Parks and Recreations Department for ASA/USA Softball, and has attended every Umpire-in-Chief clinic and ASA/USA Softball National Convention since 1982.

The family would like to commemorate his life by offering a visitation on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home (1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, Louisiana). A private service and internment for immediate family only will follow the visitation.

Angelo Frannicola

Angelo Frannicola

Angelo Frannicola (1942-2021)

Mr. Angelo R. Frannicola, 78, of Nutley, NJ, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2021, at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston. Visitation will be at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley 540 Franklin Avenue on Sunday, February 28th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. There will be a funeral mass celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge Street, Newark on Monday, March 1st at 10:30 a.m. The interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington with military honors.

Angelo was born in Newark, NJ and resided in Nutley for the past 42 years. He attended Sacred Heart School and had the honor of being a Page Boy when the Cathedral Basilica opened in 1954. Angelo was a graduate of St. Benedict’s Prep in 1960. He served his country proudly in the United States Army 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Montclair State University in 1974, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Seton Hall University, in 1981.

Angelo spent 27 years as a Physical Education teacher/Athletic Director in Newark, working at both the old Vailsburg and Weequahic High Schools. He was the Athletic Director of Nutley High School from 2001-2006 before his retirement. After that he served on the Nutley Board of Education from 2007-2010.

Angelo was an ASA/USA Softball Metro Newark Commissioner for 40 years. He was a football and basketball official as well as a baseball and softball umpire for over 50 years. Most recently, he was a mentor for student teachers under the direction of Montclair State University and Caldwell College.
Angelo’s hobbies included collecting Lionel Trains and enjoying a nice meal followed by a “good” cigar.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Toni (nee Ciccolini) Frannicola; his devoted children, Robert Frannicola and his wife Alicia, and Antoinette Giglio and her husband Joseph; his cherished grandson Michaelangelo; his dear brother-in-law Jack Kopidlowski, and his dear sister-in-law Loretta Kopidlowski. He is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews Anthony and Ruth Sgobbo, Anita and Jose Rodriguez, Joseph Kopidlowski and his fiancé Christina Hunter, and Peter and Jaclyn McKenna; his great-nieces and nephews Brooke Sgobbo, Jake Kopidlowski, Peter and Loretta McKenna; and also his loving furry companion Bella.
Angelo is predeceased by his parents Nicholas and Virginia (nee Fiaella) Frannicola, and his sister Annette D’Angelo.

There will be visitation at Biondi Funeral Home on Sunday, February 28 from 1 – 5 p.m., while the Funeral Mass will be held at Cathedral Basilica of The Sacred Heart on Monday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m. The Internment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleom at 12 p.m.

2003 ASA Men’s C Slow Pitch Nationals

2003 held at Lancaster, California.


Champion – MediaTrac/Roto Rooter, Vallejo, California
Runner Up – SportsDiamond.com, Fridley, Minnesota


  • MVP – N/A
  • Batting Leader – N/A
  • Home Run Leader – N/A

2003 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Kelly Wheelock, S.W.A.C.
C – Steve Gibson, S.W.A.C.
1B – Travis Benway, Sportsdiamond.com
2B – Lou Peterson, Sportsdiamond.com
3B – Daryl Allen, Mediatrac/Roto Rooter
SS – Matt Pesso, Aw Hell
OF – Lance Dalbey, Sportsdiamond.com
OF – Dax Crabbe, Mediatrac/Roto Rooter
OF – Doug Joseph, Sportsdiamond.com
UTIL – Rush Chamblin, Bully’s
UTIL – Robert Morales, Aw Hell
UTIL – Paul Gose, S.W.A.C.
UTIL – Richard Agostini, Mediatrac/Roto Rooter
UTIL – Ricky Garnett, Sox
UTIL – Ron Espinosa, Bully’s

2003 SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Matt Cardenas, Aw Hell
C – Angel Macias, Drunkn Munky
1B – Wes Archie, Bully’s
2B – Steve Otaguro, Mediatrac/Roto Rooter
3B – Chris McMahon, Sox
SS – Darren Cooper, Mediatrac/Roto Rooter
OF – Darren Hansen, Sportsdiamond.com
OF – Steve Fong, Mediatrac/Roto Rooter
OF – Brent Rieck, Sportsdiamond.com
OF – Ron Webb, M.A. Clary Construction
UTIL – Brent Miller, S.W.A.C.
UTIL – Dave Burice, Bully’s
UTIL – Steve Carpenter, Woods/Albatronix
UTIL – Pete Asselin, Mediatrac/Roto Rooter
UTIL – Freddie Lopez, Sox


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Mediatrac/Roto Rooter, Vallejo, CA (7-0)
2. Sportsdiamond.com, Fridley, MN (6-2)
3. S.W.A.C., Ceres, CA (7-2)
4. Bully’s, Reno, NV (5-2)
5t. Sox, Visalia, CA (4-2)
5t. Aw Hell, Simi Valley, CA (5-2)
7t. M.A. Clary Construction, San Carlos, CA (6-2)
7t. Woods/Albatronix, Anaheim, CA (6-2)
9t. Who’s Your Daddy, Orange County, CA (3-2)
9t. Drunkn Munky, El Monte, CA (5-2)
9t. Choppers/Lefty’s, Brainerd, MN (5-2)
9t. Navarro Electric, San Francisco, CA (3-2)
13t. Twisted, Sierra Vista, AZ (3-2)
13t. KC Wingnuts, Kansas City, MO (4-2)
13t. Xtreme, Tustin, CA (3-2)
13t. Sports Connection, Brookings, SD (3-2)
17t. Something Unique/Chariton Merchants, Chariton, IA (2-2)
17t. A-1 Truck Parts, Portland, OR (3-2)
17t. Spancky’s Sports Bar, Rohnert Park, CA (2-2)
17t. Galindo/SCS, Buena Park, CA (2-2)
17t. Griff’s/3 Bag/Ideal Floors, Des Moines, IA (2-2)
17t. Jonny’s Saloon/Eagles #2228, Rochester, MN (3-2)
17t. Panic, La Palma, CA (3-2)
17t. Impact, Hastings, MN (2-2)
25t. Lee’s Pro Shop/Worth, Pine City, MN (2-2)
25t. Energy Link, Orange County, CA (2-2)
25t. Jersey’s, South St. Paul, MN (2-2)
25t. Team Gorilla/Rawlings Silverback, National City, CA (2-2)
25t. Double Play/Miken, Fairmont, MN (2-2)
25t. Mizuno Braves, Bloomington, CA (2-2)
25t. Team Dickies/Easton, Diamond Bar, CA (2-2)
25t. J&H Wall/Advanced/Jersey’s, Inver Grove Heights, MN (2-2)
33t. Club Shots, Des Moines, IA (1-2)
33t. Team Hara’s/Dallwig Bros., Salem, OR (1-2)
33t. Excel, Coeur d’ Alene, ID (1-2)
33t. Dream Team/Mizuno, Walnut, CA (1-2)
33t. Knights, Bend, OR (1-2)
33t. Imperial Custom Molding, Albertville, MN (1-2)
33t. Code Red, Simi Valley, CA (1-2)
33t. Gary’s Carpet, Caldwell, ID (1-2)
33t. MN Burn, Anoka/Coon Rapids, MN (1-2)
33t. Prime Source/Tejano, Owatonna, MN (1-2)
33t. Junkers, North Mankato, MN (1-2)
33t. Buffalo Wild Wings/Tanel 360, Apple Valley, MN (1-2)
33t. Arizona Worth, Tucson, AZ (1-2)
33t. Frontier Excavating, Portland, OR (1-2)
33t. Guido’s Pizza, Anchorage, AK (1-2)
33t. So What/All Star Appraisal, Aurora, CO (1-2)
49t. Sting Sports Bar, Great Falls, MT (0-2)
49t. Mudcats, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
49t. H&R Trucking, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
49t. Hard Rock Block, Lake Havasu, AZ (0-2)
49t. Spikes Mortgage Depot, Faribault, MN (0-2)
49t. JJ’s Sports Lounge/Anaconda Sports, Anchorage, AK (0-2)
49t. Brewskies/Midwest Auto, Winona, MN (0-2)
49t. North Dallas Integrated Health, Dallas, TX (0-2)
49t. Imperial Room, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
49t. N.E. Yankees, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
49t. Blackshirts, Blair, NE (0-2)
49t. Team Casteels, Mead, OK (0-2)
49t. Tealey’s Land Surveying, Boise, ID (0-2)
49t. Zephyrs, Lewiston, ID (0-2)
49t. Happy Joes/NDAD, Grand Forks, ND (0-2)
49t. Rumpleminze/Hooters, Windsor Heights, IA (0-2)

E. Scott Southworth

Longtime ASA Umpire and Central Virginia Player Rep has passed away. When more details become available we will post them. Below is an article about Scott from 2009 and his passion for our sport.


Scott Southworth is known throughout the county as “Mr. Softball.”

Whether he’s behind home plate as a softball umpire or organizing a softball tournament, Scott Southworth does it with one thing in mind.

“I know to the people who are playing, it’s like a national tournament to them, so I have to treat it accordingly,” said the 61-year-old county resident. “I have to do a good job so the people who are participating can have a good time. I want them to enjoy it as much as I do.”

The personable Southworth has been in the softball game for 44 years, first as a player, then as a coach and now as an umpire and an official with the Amateur Softball Association (ASA).

“In Chesterfield, he is considered our head umpire and ‘Mr. Softball.’ He lives, eats and breathes the game,” said Kelly Thompson, recreation coordinator with the Chesterfield Department of Parks and Recreation.

“It’s his life,” added Drew Walker, a coed player for the Free Choice Act team. “The players appreciate his good-natured approach to the game. He knows everyone by name and genuinely cares for all the players. As an umpire, his No. 1 concern is for the safety of the players. When it’s blazing hot on Sunday afternoons, he’s always checking to make sure people are drinking water and staying hydrated. I’ve seen him stop a game because someone didn’t look well; he made them go cool off.”

Southworth is a nominee for the ASA Hall of Fame this year and says he’s loved every minute of his softball sojourn. “I love the camaraderie with the people, I enjoy the exercise, and I love the game itself so much.”

Southworth started in baseball at John Marshall High School. He then played semi-pro baseball. “It died out, then I started playing softball,” he said.

He has had an illustrious career in softball. In 1965, he started playing in church leagues. He played first base on the Samuel’s Grocery team in 1973 that “was the only team from Richmond to ever win Class A nationals,” Southworth said. He organized the Disco Sports team that finished fourth in nationals. Southworth also coached the AJD team at the AA level from 1980 to 1989 that finished in the final 16 seven years.

Southworth is in his 39th year as an umpire. He won the Indicator Award for umpiring in three national tournaments, and was the representative for two teams that played in national tournaments in Florida.

He’s back in the umpiring saddle this summer after undergoing hip surgery last year.

Dawn Vaughan, a player with the coed Balch Alignment team, said of Southworth, “He is one of the most knowledgeable and fairest umpires I have ever had a chance to play with. If something comes across that he has never experienced before, he will do all he can to make sure that he finds out the answer and fully explains what it is. I absolutely love him as an umpire, and better yet as a person.”

Southworth, who is married with three grown children, umpires 14 games a week in the Chesterfield Coed Softball League on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Harry G. Daniel Park at Iron Bridge and on Sundays at L.C. Bird High School.

A 19-year ASA employee who also owns an insurance agency, Southworth organizes 15 to 20 tournaments a year in the Central Virginia area as senior deputy commissioner with the ASA. “I try to have one tournament every other weekend,” he said. He also organizes two senior tournaments a year.

Among his larger projects, he organizes the Midnight Madness tournament that had about 60 teams participating in July. He also organized the Turkey Shoot tournament the past two Novembers that attracted 102 teams.

During the week, he can be found umpiring coed games. “As long as the good Lord blesses me with my health, I hope to continue doing it,” he said.

That’s good news for the many players who have found enjoyment playing their games under the sharp, caring direction of Mr. Softball.

The History of Balls & Strikes

Through many name and format changes, the current “Balls and Strikes” magazine has been a mainstay throughout the growth of the organization. It was started in 1933 by the founders and continued through the efforts of countless ASA staff.

When Leo Fischer and M.J. Pauley founded the Amateur Softball Association 75 years ago, they – and in particular Fischer – wanted a way to communicate with the handful of commissioners of the newly-formed organization. In time the organization would peak at 110 local association commissioners.

Fischer, then a sportswriter who would eventually become sports editor of the Chicago American, suggested that a bulletin be mailed each month to the commissioners to keep them informed on what was going on in the Association. The name of this bulletin was “Soft-Balls and Strikes.”

Originally in mimeograph form, this bulletin became a newspaper in 1938 when it was included in a publication called “Softball” that was printed by the Michigan Softball Association, Lansing, Mich., and sold for $1 per year. “Softball” was printed twice each month during June, July and August and once each the remaining months of the year.

In 1937 and 1938, however, the ASA produced the first printed issues of “Softballs and Strikes” and distributed 5000 copies each of these souvenir issues, which highlighted the respective national championships. Each 32-page issues contained pictures and articles about the national championship. These two issues sold for 25 cents each plus 5 cents for mailing. “Softball” eventually became “Softball News” and continued to devote a page to “Soft-Balls and Strikes” until June of 1942 when it discontinued the publication. This resulted in the ASA switching back to the mimeograph machine to produce “Soft-Balls and Strikes”. And, in 1947, the name “Soft-Balls and Strikes” was shortened to its present name “Balls and Strikes”.

In April of 1947, the Balls and Strikes format was changed to a 7-column newspaper with four pages each issue and the subscription price still $1 per year. “Balls and Strikes” remained a 7-column newspaper until increasing costs forced the publication to go back to the mimeograph following the August, 1948 issue. In that issue, M.J. Pauley wrote an editorial about the swan song of Balls and Strikes and himself as editor of the ASA’s official publication. Just prior to the January 30, 1949 annual meeting in Chicago, Pauley resigned as ASA executive secretary, ending 16 years of service to the ASA.

Balls and Strikes remained a mimeograph, however, only a few months because in Nov-Dec., 1948, it was changed to a 4-column tabloid and remained a tabloid until the ASA changed to a slick magazine in 1980.

ASA switched Balls and Strikes back to a four-column tabloid in 1982 and the publication remained in that form until 1996 when another attempt at a magazine was made.

The evolutionary circle continued because of rising costs and a lack of advertising, in 1999 Balls and Strikes was changed from five issues to two—a season preview in February and a national championship/ season recap issue in the fall. On March 1, 1999, the ASA launched its first issue of Balls and Strikes on its website. Little did Fischer and the other people involved with the formation of the ASA realize the strides softball and Balls and Strikes would make together.

And, from all indications, it appears that the best is yet to come for softball and the ASA, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2008 with the National Council meeting scheduled in Oklahoma City.

You can find current issues of Balls & Strikes magazines at https://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/media/balls-and-strikes-online-magazine.