Category: ASA

2024 ASA Men’s B Slow Pitch Nationals

2024 held at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on August 30-31, 2024.

Champion – Ely Reel/Schlabach/MSGA Sports, Wooster, OH
Runner Up – J&L Sports/Beachy’s Electric/Mt. Hope Auction, Sugarcreek, OH

  • MVP – Mitch Carriger, Ely Reel/Schlabach/MSGA Sports
  • Batting Champion – Jake Hathaway, Ely Reel/Schlabach/MSGA Sports
  • HR Champion – Bryan Yoder, J&L Sports/Beachy’s Electric/Mt. Hope Auction

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

Jake Hathaway, Ely Reel/Schlabach/MSGA Sports
Brett Kroeplin, Northwoods Elite
Kyle Slicker, Ely Reel/Schlabach/MSGA Sports
Dillon Lehman, All American/JEC/Kevitt
Joe Cornell, Tharaldson
Bryan Yoder, J&L Sports/Beachy’s Electric/Mt. Hope Auction
Damian Wiblin, Northwoods Elite
David Schwartz, Ely Reel/Schlabach/MSGA Sports
Kyle Yoder, J&L Sports/Beachy’s Electric/Mt. Hope Auction
John Schlabach, Ely Reel/Schlabach/MSGA Sports
Eric O’Connell, All American/JEC/Kevitt
Mike Feldman, Tharaldson
Laquan Gilliard, Armed Forces
David Yoder, Ely Reel/Schlabach/MSGA Sports
Blaine Horsager, Tharaldson

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

Patrick Conrad, MN Maniax
David Hershberger, J&L Sports/Beachy’s Electric/Mt. Hope Auction
Derek Miller, J&L Sports/Beachy’s Electric/Mt. Hope Auction
Derrick Hernandez, Armed Forces
Kyle Decker, MN Maniax
Scott Novak, All American/JEC/Kevitt
Carlin Yoder, Ely Reel/Schlabach/MSGA Sports
Chad McCarty, Ductech/Coors Light
Daniel Herren, Ductech/Coors Light
Nathan Troyer, J&L Sports/Beachy’s Electric/Mt. Hope Auction
Daniel Rothbauer, Northwoods Elite
Jake Freeman, Ductech/Coors Light
Mitch McClain, Tharaldson
Michael Thorbrogger, All American/JEC/Kevitt
Chris Bauer, Ductech/Coors Light

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Ely Reel/Schlabach/MSGA Sports, Wooster, OH (5-0)
2. J&L Sports/Beachy’s Electric/Mt. Hope Auction, Sugarcreek, OH (7-2)
3. All American/JEC/Kevitt, Brooklyn Center, MN (3-2)
4. Tharaldson, Fargo, ND (5-2)
5t. Northwoods Elite, Bloomer, WI (3-2)
5t. Ductech/Coors Light, South St. Paul, MN (3-2)
7t. Armed Forces, Washington, DC (2-2)
7t. MN Maniax, St. Paul, MN (2-2)
9t. Comatose/S2N/Monsta, Beloit, WI (2-2)
9t. Wiedmeyer Express/S2N/GOSC, West Bend, WI (1-2)
9t. Peper Farms, Mount Vernon, IA (1-2)
9t. T’s 13, Omaha, NE (1-2)
13t. Squids, Milford, CT (1-2)
13t. Future 1’s/Proton/Prime Apparel, Aubrey, TX (1-2)
13t. Elevate & Celebrate, Midwest City, OK (0-2)
13t. Texas 5 Sports, Spring, TX (1-2)
17t. Weather Pro/Cedar Creek/TSC, Topeka, IN (0-2)
17t. SWOK, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
17t. GTL/Dirty/Legacy/DR Drywall, Bothell, WA (0-2)

2024 ASA Men’s C Slow Pitch Nationals

2024 held at Lac Lavon Park in Burnsville, Minnesota on August 31-September 1.

Champion – Russell’s Paint & Body, Longwood, FL
Runner Up – Coors Light/South End Bar, La Crosse, WI

Russell’s Paint & Body captures a third ASA C National Championship with prior ones occurring in 2005 and 2015.

  • MVP – Deshawn Todd, Russell’s Paint & Body (14-20, 5 2B, 5 HR, 2 BB, 15 RBI, .727 OBP)
  • Batting Champion – Alex Lisecki, Cubby’s – .923
  • HR Champion – Bob Juan, Coors Light/South End Bar – 9

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Brandon Lester, Russell’s Paint & Body (15-25, 2 HR, 1 BB, 13 RBI, .692 OBP)
IF – Avery Aicher, S2N D Team (16-28, 5 2B, 3 BB, 2 RBI, .613 OPB)
IF – Bob Juan, Coors Light/South End Bar (20-26, 5 2B, 9 HR, 1 BB, 23 RBI, .778 OBP)
IF – Brady Gunderson, Coors Light/South End Bar (13-22, 3 2B, 2 BB, 5 RBI, .625 OBP)
IF – Corey Middleton, Russell’s Paint & Body (16-24, 5 2B, 2 HR, 1 BB, 13 RBI, .680 OBP)
IF – Devin Anderson, Russell’s Paint & Body (19-24, 5 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .792 OBP)
OF – Ryan Valdes, Russell’s Paint & Body (15-25, 3 2B, 6 HR, 2 BB, 19 RBI, .630 OBP)
OF – Doug Peterson, St. Cloud Subaru/DSA (8-11, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .727 OBP)
OF – Jonah Waite, Coors Light/South End Bar (19-29, 1 2B, 6 HR, 11 RBI, .655 OBP)
OF – Cole Erickson, S2N D Team (18-26, 4 2B, 5 HR, 13 RBI, .692 OBP)
UT – Adam Baker, Anonymous/Spiderz (9-15, 2 2B, 5 HR, 12 RBI, .600 OBP)
UT – John Slootmaker, Forss Painting (18-23, 3 2B, 7 HR, 3 BB, 16 RBI, .808 OBP)
UT – Henry McNally, S2N D Team (16-26, 2 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 3 BB, 9 RBI, .655 OBP)
UT – Tyler Pickunis, Forss Painting (17-26, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 1 BB, 10 RBI, .654 OBP)
UT – Jerry Rank, Coors Light/South End Bar (17-26, 3 2B, 6 HR, 21 RBI, .654 OBP)
UT – Alex Lisecki, Cubby’s (10-11, 4 2B, 1HR, 2 BB, 6 RBI, .923 OBP)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Mitch Kuznar, Cubby’s (9-13, 1 2B, 2 HR, 1 BB, 3 RBI, .714 OBP)
IF – Zackary Balabon, ChecKing/Alter Ego/Miller Carting (9-12, 1 2B, 1 BB, 3 RBI, .769 OBP)
IF – Steven Gallello, ChecKing/Alter Ego/Miller Carting (9-13, 2 2B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 4 RBI, .733 OBP)
IF – Josh Stahnke, Grassland (12-17, 3 2B, 2 HR, 1 BB, 8 RBI, .722 OBP)
IF – Bryan Tester, St. Cloud Subaru/DSA (9-13, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 BB, 6 RBI, .714 OBP)
IF – Jaeger Johnson, Grassland (10-14, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .714 OBP)
OF – Beau Johnson, Omaha’s Finest (17-21, 4 2B, 4 HR, 2 BB, 14 RBI, .826 OBP)
OF – Zack Schiltz, Omaha’s Finest (12-18, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 BB, 4 RBI, .739 OBP)
OF – Spencer Elwell, St. Cloud Subaru/DSA (7-11, 3 2B, 1 HR, 3 BB, 5 RBI, .714 OBP)
OF – Nathan McCray, Forss Painting (15-22, 1 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 1 BB, 14 RBI, .696 OBP)
UT – Kyle Rodgers, CPD (11-15, 4 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .733 OBP)
UT – Ken Prchal, Omaha’s Finest (11-16, 1 2B, 1 BB, 4 RBI, .706 OBP)
UT – Dakota Kennedy, Omaha’s Finest (11-17, 1 2B, 6 HR, 3 BB, 9 RBI, .700 OBP)
UT – Kenny Donelson, Forss Painting (17-25, 6 2B, 2 HR, 1 BB, 11 RBI, .692 OBP)
UT – Nicholas Kraszewski, ChecKing/Alter Ego/Miller Carting (8-13, 4 HR, 1 BB, 13 RBI, .692 OBP)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Russell’s Paint & Body, Longwood, FL (6-0)
2. Coors Light/South End Bar, La Crosse, WI (5-2)
3. S2N D Team, Beloit, WI (5-2)
4. Forss Painting, Woodbine, NJ (4-2)
5t. Anonymous/Spiderz, Pewaukee, WI (3-2)
5t. St. Cloud Subaru/DSA, Sauk Rapids, MN (2-2)
7t. Omaha’s Finest, Omaha, NE (4-2)
7t. Grassland, Greenwood, WI (3-2)
9t. Cubby’s, Menomonie, WI (2-2)
9t. ChecKing/Alter Ego/Miller Carting, Branford, CT (2-2)
9t. CPD, Brooklyn Center, MN (2-2)
9t. Demars/Big Dawg, East Haven, CT (1-2)
13t. Miners/Dirty Swag Apparel/JAT, Cold Spring (1-2)
13t. Fairline Security/S2N/GR8 Vape, Coon Rapids, MN (1-2)
13t. Shenanigans/WTP/Dunn Sports, Pleasant Prairie, WI (4-2)
13t. Truduct, Lakeville, MN (1-2)
17t. Kass & Co/S2N, Dubuque, IA (1-2)
17t. Orville Nation, Lincoln, NE (1-2)
17t. Undecided/Anarchy, St. Malo, MB (1-2)
17t. 10th Inning/Transco, Waterloo, IA (0-2)
17t. Tap In Tavern/J&J Fireworks/Busch Latte, Bismarck, ND (0-2)
17t. Modde Meats, Des Moines, IA (0-2)
17t. MMB/The Box/Monsta Athletics, Fargo, ND (0-2)
17t. A3/The Mill, Sidney, MT (0-2)

2024 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

2024 held at Meijer Sports Complex in Rockford, Michigan on August 4-6.

Champion – NY Gremlins, Clifton Park, New York
Runner Up – OMMA Tigres, Midland, Texas

  • MVP – Erick Ochoa, NY Gremlins
  • Batting Leader – Erick Ochoa, NY Gremlins – .846
  • Home Run Leader – Erick Ochoa, NY Gremlins

The 92nd annual USA Softball Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship concluded Sunday as the NY Gremlins claimed the 2024 Championship title with a 13-0 shutout victory over the Omma Tigres. With an undefeated 5-0 record through the three-day tournament, the Gremlins recorded three run-rule victories while outscoring their opponents 47-4 in five games played en route to their fourth-consecutive and ninth overall Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship title.

Despite facing an early setback with a loss in their first tournament game, the Omma Tigres regrouped and went on a remarkable seven-game winning streak to secure a spot in the championship game, ultimately finishing as the runner-up. After winning their first two matchups, the Hill United Chiefs faced a defeat against the Gremlins, sending them to the loser’s bracket for a chance at redemption against the Tigres. The Tigres emerged victorious with a tight 4-3 win, advancing to the final showdown.

The NY Gremlins finished the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record, making history by winning their fourth consecutive title and becoming the first team in USA Softball history to achieve this feat. Since 2009, the NY Gremlins have improved to a 70-16 record, winning a total of nine National Championship titles and securing a spot in the record books.

The Gremlins outscored its opponents 47-4 during the 2024 event while picking up two shutout wins along the way. Combining for a .357 batting average with a .690 slugging percentage, the squad tallied 46 hits including seven doubles and 12 home runs – six of which came off the bat of Erick Ochoa. Ochoa led the team at the plate with a .846 batting average followed by Cole Evans with a .500 batting average. Shining in the circle for the Gremlins was Jack Besgrove with a .33 ERA and tournament-high 33 strikeouts.

In the lineup of the National Champion NY Gremlins, fans will find two seasoned players from the U.S. Men’s National Team (MNT) – Nick Mullins and Erick Ochoa. With Mullins anchoring the squad from behind the plate and Ochoa delivering a commanding offensive performance, their contributions have been instrumental throughout the weekend.

A total of 18 teams gathered at Meijer Sports Complex in Rockford, Michigan this weekend as the Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship entered its 92nd year, continuing the tradition of elite Men’s Fast Pitch competition while growing the game around the world. First taking place at the World’s Fair in Chicago, Ill. in 1933, the elite Men’s Fast Pitch Championship has been held across 19 states throughout its near century of play.

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Jack Besgrove, NY Gremlins
P – Reo Koyama, OMMA Tigres
P – Marco Diaz, Hill United
C – Bruno Motroni – Hill United
IF – Erick Ochoa, NY Gremlins
IF – Lenny Villalvazo, Hill United
IF – Ladislao Malarczak, NY Gremlins
IF – Gustav Prishker, Glowworm
OF – Matthieu Roy, NY Gremlins
OF – Alan Peker, Hill United
OF – Miguel Leyva, OMMA Tigres
OF – Mazaya Toriyama, OMMA Tigres
UT – Yusef Davis, Glowworm
UT – Jesus Cardona, OMMA Tigres
UT – Ben Enoka, NY Gremlins

SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Kuba Osiaka, NY Gremlins
P – Nahuel Saenz, OMMA Tigres
P – Roman Godoy, Hill United
C – Juan Zara, NE Drillers
IF – Yuusuke Morita, Glowworm
IF – Justin Laskowski, Circle Tap Dukes
IF – Blaine Milheim, NE Drillers
IF – Zac Shaw, NE Drillers
OF – Brad Ezekial, Hill United
OF – Alan Salgado, Glowworm
OF – Callum Beashel, Circle Tap Dukes
OF – Spencer Yackel, LC Ostrander
UT – Edgar Prishker, Glowworm
UT – Bryan Abrey, NY Gremlins
UT – Brent Meshke, LC Ostrander

FINAL STANDINGS

1. NY Gremlins, Clifton Park, NY (5-0)
2. Omma Tigres, Midland, TX (7-2)
3. Hill United Chiefs, Six Nations, ON (3-2)
4. Glowworm, San Antonio, TX (4-2)
5t. Circle Tap Dukes, Denmark, WI (2-2)
5t. NE Drillers, Elkland, PA (2-2)
7t. Kegel Black Knights, Fargo, ND (2-2)
7t. Bear Creek Express, Melbourne, ON (2-2)
9t. Team 518, Albany, NY (3-2)
9t. AWP Lumberjacks, Du Quoin, IL (1-2)
9t. LC Ostrander Norsemen, Lake Crystal, MN (2-2)
9t. Midland Explorers, Midland, MI (2-2)
13t. Marchio Sausage Company, St. Paul, MN (0-3)
13t. Ohio Bombers, Bainbridge, OH (1-3)
13t. Pueblo Bandits, Pueblo, CO (1-3)
13t. STK Fastball, Chase, BC (2-2)
17t. Villa Arcos Misfits, Houston, TX (1-2)
17t. Homer Yard Goats, Homer, MI (0-3)

 

Cyril ‘Stoney’ Burke

Stoney Burke

Stoney Burke (1942-2024)

Stoney was a born and raised Texan who spent 23 years playing fast pitch softball in leagues. Softball became his biggest passion which he then instilled in his two daughters. White coaching his girls, he decide to join USA Softball (formerly known as ASA) in 1987 serving as the president of the girls league North West Sports Association. He also served as the president of the Coastal Girls Softball Association from 1989-1991 and became the founder of the Greater Houston Girls Softball Association, which is currently the governing body of the girls youth softball leagues for Houston.

Stoney had such a drive and passion to continue being involved with the world of softball after his daughters finished their careers. He continued to coach many talented girls for a few more years; most of whom went on to play in college and a few who played for the Women’s Olympic team. After hanging up his hat for coaching, he knew his passion to be involved needed to continue. He became the JO Commissioner for the Houston area in 1992 which led to him becoming the Houston Commissioner for USA Softball in 2010 thru the present.

Cyril’s influence in USA Softball impacted so many young individuals along the way, he leaves an amazing legacy behind in the world of softball. Along with his passion for softball, Stoney also had a passion for camping and spending weekends traveling with family and friends. Being present with his grandchildren and family was always most important for him.

Stoney was born in Bryan, Texas and lived in in Cypress, he graduated from Texas A&M University in 1970 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.

Eddie Andrews

Eddie Andrews

Eddie Andrews (1940-2023)

Edward Loren Andrews passed away on December 31st, 2023. He was 83 years old. Eddie was born December 1st, 1940 in Miami, Florida. He had three children; Kenny, Ronnie, and Sandy. However, in 2020, he learned through Ancestry.com that he was the biological father of a daughter who was born one year before his eldest son, Diana. Eddie divorced and remarried Patricia Jankovich in 2001. Ed worked for the City of Hialeah, Parks and Recreation and retired in 1990.

He also worked for the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) as a Commissioner from the City of Hialeah from 1975 until he retired in 2004. Ed and Patty loved to spend time with family and friends, loved to travel and spend their summers in their vacation home in Butte, Montana.A former long-time Commissioner for ASA/USA Softball of South Florida (1974-2004), Andrews also worked for the City of Hialeah, Florida in the Parks & Recreation department – retiring in 1990.

An avid traveler, Eddie and his wife, Patty, enjoyed spending the summers in their Butte, Montana vacation home and loved spending time with friends and family. Eddie is survived by his wife Patricia Andrews, his children Diana Seifreit, Kenneth Andrews, Ronald Andrews, and Sandra Tabert and his three grandchildren, Ethan Andrews, Emmy Andrews and Caitlyn Tabert.

Eddie’s dedication to the sport of softball is greatly appreciated and will leave a legacy that will continue for decades to come.

Vinnie Caserto

Vinnie Caserto

Vinnie Caserto (1946-2023)

Calling fast pitch softball “the greatest team sport that I ever played,” Caserto was a pitcher’s nightmare between 1971 and 1984 playing for the Little Brahaus Brewers of Poughkeepsie, NY, the Raybestos Cardinals of Stratford, CT and the Franklin Cardinals of West Haven, CT. A four-time All-American, he smashed 170 homers and drove in 583 runs during his career to go along with his .329 lifetime batting average. Four of the eight years he played for the Cardinals he led them in batting and was twice named an All-American (1976 and 1983). He also twice was an alternate for the USA Pan American team (1979 and 1983). He also batted .280 in the 1984 ISF World Championship. In his first year (’76) with the Cardinals, Caserto led the team in batting (.384) and homers (11). In 1979, he again led the team in batting (.360) and homers (18). He played in 11 ASA national tourneys and twice was a member of a national championship team (1976 and 1983). Before joining the Cardinals, Caserto starred for Little Brauhaus and helped them finish third twice in the national championship. Caserto batted .336 in his first year with Poughkeepsie and was an All-American. He batted .444 in the 1972 national championship to lead all hitters as well as being named an All-American again. Caserto was born June 12, 1946.

Vinnie Caserto, who passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. He was 77 years old.

York’s Sue Ilyes honored by National Softball Hall of Fame induction

Sue Ilyes says it was a full-circle moment returning to USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on Oct. 28. She had been on the field before, way back in 1981. The site has become one of the sport’s most hallowed grounds since then, now a 13,000-seat cathedral best known for hosting the Women’s College World Series.

Forty-two years ago, she was a star shortstop for an All-American slow pitch softball team that made the trip for the first-ever Hall of Fame Classic. The team defeated North Carolina-based Howard’s Rubi-Otts, who a year prior had traveled to York and won the 1980 Amateur Softball Association national championship over Ilyes’ York Barbelletes.

This time, Ilyes was in town to be inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame.

Sue Corcoran Bupp Ilyes was among nine inductees in the Hall’s 2023 class. She joined an exclusive club of 449 members, and she was only the 14th women’s slow pitch standout to be enshrined.

“It’s just been a full-circle moment for me that I got to go back on that field, I got to stand at shortstop and relive that again. That was really special to me,” Ilyes said. “And then to have this award on top of it, it was 100 times more than what I thought it would be.”

 

Ilyes is one of the most decorated slow pitch softball players of all time and arguably the greatest ever from Pennsylvania. During a 35-year career that began in 1972 — the year she graduated from Dallastown High School — Ilyes received a combined 18 All-American and All-World honors. She was part of eight national title teams with the Erie-based Lakerettes and won national championship MVP in 1998.

“I would have never expected this,” Ilyes said of the national awards and recognition. “I just went out to play ball. I loved playing softball, I loved the people I hung out with. Both teams, we were a family. We always did things together. If we weren’t playing ball together, we were doing something together. It was the best experience that I’ve had as far as sports goes.”

National treasures: It started with Ilyes’ father, Gerald R. Corcoran Sr. — better known as “Cork” — who played competitive softball himself when Sue was growing up. The family moved to the York area in 1969 and Sue began playing for a local team sponsored by Frank’s Steak Shop. After the group won the city championship, York Barbell owner Bob Hoffman jumped in as a sponsor. The Barbellets, coached by Cork, became a national powerhouse in the 1970s and were a massively popular draw in the area. Hoffman used his vast resources to send the Barbellets around the country, even funding a 10-day trip to Hawaii for a showcase.

The team name changed after Hoffman stopped sponsoring softball in 1982. The group remained largely intact, though, competing as Mr. Dario’s and the self-sponsored York Pacers. They reached ASA nationals twice but didn’t reach the heights of the Barbellets. As the team slowly disbanded, legendary Lakerettes coach Art Hoover invited a handful of players to join his team, which had been a familiar competitor at weekend tournaments throughout the years. Ilyes made the jump in 1993.

“That’s when it took off,” she said.

The Lakerettes immediately became a fixture at nationals and finally claimed the championship in 1998 and 1999. They also played in the 35-and-over division and won six straight titles from 1999-2004. In their last runs at the Major National level, they finished second in 2000 and third in 2001. Ilyes — who primarily played second base for the Lakerettes — was named ASA Player of the Decade for the 1990s.

The York Area Sports Hall of Fame inducted Ilyes in its 2009 class, and she went into the USA Softball of Pennsylvania Hall of Fame with multiple teammates this March. But she still never gave much thought to “the big one,” even though the three players who had been named Player of the Decade before her had all been in the Hall since at least 2007.

She was nominated by Steve Dimitry, who runs the Softball History USA website dedicated to preserving the history of high-level softball in all forms. Ilyes and Dimitry had never met before Dimitry called Don Ilyes, Sue’s husband, to establish contact.

“I got a phone call one day … he said, ‘What’s your wife’s phone number?’ And I said, ‘Well, who are you?’” Don Ilyes said with a laugh. “And that’s how it started … and it just rolled from there.”

The email from the National Softball Hall of Fame came early in the summer, giving Sue Ilyes a few months to make plans and prepare her speech. She and Don flew to Oklahoma City on Thursday, Oct. 26, did sightseeing that Friday and got a tour of the complex and museum on Saturday morning. The banquet was that evening, and Sue went home with a plaque, a ring and a full-sized bat with her name inscribed on it. (She’ll need to keep that one away from her 7-year-old grandson, she joked.)

‘Cherry on top’: Sue and Don Ilyes met at the softball field — where else? — and eventually married in 1994. Don Ilyes was also a high-level player on one of Hoffman’s York teams and later served as an assistant coach with the Lakerettes. The couple balanced their family life with full-time jobs and copious weekend travel.

Sue Ilyes has remained connected to the game since hanging up her spikes — she has volunteered with the West York softball team in recent years and helmed a short-lived softball program at Penn State York — but isn’t one to boast about her playing accomplishments. It’s Don who makes sure those aren’t forgotten.

“We have a hall in our house that, if it wasn’t for me, (the plaques) wouldn’t be there,” Don Ilyes said. “They’d still be down in the basement.”

Softball was never a job for Sue Ilyes, even if her teams carried themselves like professionals when it was time for business. She was offered opportunities to play outside the state — one team in North Carolina offered her a job and a house — but never moved out of York County. She didn’t see herself as above her teammates despite her distinguished achievements. Her memories of “Saturday Night Live” watch parties in the 1970s are as fond as those of championships in the ’90s.

It was never about MVPs or All-American selections or Hall of Fame inductions. At its core, softball was how Ilyes chose to spend her time away from work. In that time, though, she left a legacy that will now be commemorated forever.

Al Dattolo

Al Dattolo

Al Dattolo (1946-2023)

Al was born on Monday, August 5, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Carmine Dattolo and the late Ann Cardille Dattolo. Al was a Captain in the United States Army and served for 27 years in the Army Reserves and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He later retired as an attorney with the United States Government. Al enjoyed umpiring softball games, refereeing basketball games, and worked closely with GHSA, USA Softball, and MBOA – basketball.

Al was the Georgia USA Softball Commissioner from 2006-2023 and was recently named the Region 3 Vice President serving on the USA Softball Board of Directors. Al passed away on October 2, 2023.

Jack Aaron

Jack Aaron

Jack Aaron

Jack Aaron (1934-2023)

Served ASA as president from 1993-1994. Was first player rep ever elected to that position. First player rep to become a member of the ASA Executive Board. Former president of the Texas ASA from 1978-1986. Served five consecutive terms as Texas Region vice president. Succeeded W.W. (Bill) Kethan as commissioner of Texas ASA in 1986 and did an outstanding job before becoming executive director of the Texas ASA in 1997. Jack was a former sponsor and player. Born May 11, 1934 in Stanford, Texas. Has lived in Waco, Texas since 1941. Jack passed away on September 22, 2023.

He dedicated many years to Amateur Softball Association all for the love of the sport. He was a former player and sponsor for many years with the Aaron family spending their summers at softball tournaments.

He was former president of the Texas ASA from 1978-1986. Jack served five consecutive terms as Texas Region vice president to the ASA, was commissioner of Texas ASA in 1986, and became executive director of the Texas ASA in 1997.

He served as President of ASA from 1993-1994. He was first at-large player-rep ever elected to that position. He was the first player-rep to become a member of the ASA Executive Board.

In 1995, Jack received Meritorious Service award and was inducted in the ASA Hall of Fame.

He had great memories of attending 1996 Atlanta Olympics for first ever women’s fast-pitch softball games, throwing out honorary first pitch at a game, and watching USA women softball team win the first Olympic gold medal. His involvement in the ASA led to many friendships and travels across America, and other travels including Canada, New Foundland, and Taiwan.

2023 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

2023 held at Hall of Fame Stadium Complex in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 3-4.

Champion – RoofX/Revolution Athletics, Topeka, Indiana
Runner Up – LSR/Riot, Jasonville, Indiana

Closing out Labor Day weekend and the 2023 event season at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex, RoofX/Revolution Athletics earned the Men’s Class A Slow Pitch National Championship title today following a dominant 34-12 (four innings) run-rule win over LSR/Riot in the final contest. The Championship squad ended the double-elimination tournament with the lone undefeated record and 139 runs scored across five games played.

Making its way to the Championship contest with a pristine 4-0 record, RoofX/Revolution Athletics kicked off the tournament on Sunday morning with a 24-8 win against BYB Sports followed by three additional victories over T’s 13 (24-5), Thunder/Chosen/RF/Beloli (31-15) and Ductech/Budweiser (26-20) to advance to the title game on Monday, Sept. 4.

The tournament Runner-Up, LSR/Riot, started its path to the Championship with two wins against Infinity Contractors (33-24) and Comatose/S2N/Monsta (33-28) before falling to Ductech/Budweiser, 25-17, to drop to the loser’s bracket on Sunday evening. Responding with a 39-run game to pick up a win over T’s 13, the squad earned a spot in Monday’s play, going on to defeat Comatose/S2N/Monsta, 42-28, before redeeming itself with a 33-13 run-rule win against Ductech/Budweiser to move on to the Championship contest against RoofX/Revolution Athletics.

Rolling into its third game on Championship Monday, LSR/Riot opened with a pair of singles followed by a home run to left field to jump ahead to an early 3-0 lead. Unfazed and fresh in its first appearance of the day, RoofX/Revolution Athletics led off with a double, single and sac-fly to put one on the board in its half of the inning while back-to-back singles followed by a walk set the stage for another sac-fly and a home run as RoofX/Revolution Athletics took the lead, 7-3, going into the second. Three home runs for LSR/Riot in the next at-bat was enough to tie the game but a one-out triple and its third sac-fly allowed RoofX/Revolution Athletics to pull ahead once again – taking an 8-7 lead after two innings of play. The competition continuing through the third inning, LSR/Riot pieced together a pair of singles and home runs to plate five runs to steal back the 12-8 lead while RoofX/Revolution Athletics answered back with four quick runs of its own to open the bottom of the frame and keep its foot on the gas – loading the bases and blasting a grand slam to center field to extend the lead, 17-12. LSR/Riot mustered two singles in the top of the fourth but could not manage to score a run as the game advanced to the bottom of the frame with the momentum favoring RoofX/Revolution Athletics. Scoring 17 runs on no outs, the RoofX/Revolution Athletics offense exploded in its fourth at-bat to propel the squad to a 34-12 (four innings) run-rule victory and the 2023 USA Softball Men’s Class A National Championship title.

The RoofX/Revolution Athletics compiled a .660 batting average and .677 on-base percentage in its five games while also recording a 1.469 slugging percentage and blasting 138 hits – including 61 singles, 30 doubles, two triples and 45 home runs while walking 19 times. Two members of the U.S. Men’s Futures Slow Pitch National Team were represented on the Championship squad with Jeremy Fry and Ryan McClanahan helping to lead the team to victory.

Posting a 5-2 record throughout the tournament, LSR/Riot tallied 213 hits – 117 singles, 30 doubles, six triples and 60 home runs – combining for a .625 team batting average and a .649 on-base percentage with 207 runs and 27 walks.

  • MVP – Kyle Miller, RoofX/Revolution Athletics (17-19, .895, 6 HRs, 16 RBIs, 12 Runs)
  • HR Leader – Mitchell Dunse, Comatose/S2N/Monsta (22-32, .688, 33 RBIs, 13 Runs) – 10
  • Batting Leader – Kyle Miller, RoofX/Revolution Athletics –  (17-19, 6 HRs, 16 RBIs, 12 Runs) – .895

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Jerry Williams – LSR/Riot (18-26, .692, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 9 Runs)
IF – Jeremy Fry – Roofx/Revolution Athletics (17-22, .773, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 14 Runs)
IF – Steven Hathaway – LSR/Riot (23-30, 767, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 18 Runs)
IF – Erik Hilgren – Comatose/S2N/Monsta (27-33, .818, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 19 Runs)
IF – Tyler Jensen – T’s 13 (16-20, .800, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 11 Runs)
IF – Jon Troyer – Roofx/Revolution Athletics (18-22, .818, 8 HR, 16 RBI, 16 Runs)
OF – Anthony Acevedo – Thunder/Chosen/RF/Beloli (15-21, .714, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 9 Runs)
OF – Mitch McLain – Tharaldson (15-19, .789, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – Jarred Vanderhoof – Thunder/Chosen/RF/Beloli (15-18, .833, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 15 Runs)
OF – Kye Winter – The Herd (13-17, .765, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 Runs)
UT – Tyler Barrett – BYB Sports (15-18, .833, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 10 Runs)
UT – Kyle Miller – Roofx/Revolution Athletics (17-19, .895, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 12 Runs)
UT – Jeff Roxby – Ductech/Budweiser (18-24, .750, 8 HR, 18 RBI, 17 Runs)
UT – Zack Woodside – The Herd (13-17, .765, 8 HR, 20 RBI, 13 Runs)
UT – Branden Yoder – RoofX/Revolution Athletics (17-22, .773, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 16 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Justin Mucciarelli – Roofx/Revolution Athletics (7-13, .538, 3 RBI, 4 Runs, 5-0 pitching)
IF – Faron Fry – Roofx/Revolution Athletics (15-22, .722, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 10 Runs)
IF – Cory Neugebauer – Ductech/Budweiser (16-23, .696, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 10 Runs)
IF – Michael Rainier – LSR/Riot (28-38, .737, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 28 Runs)
IF – Mike Snyder – BYB Sports (14-19, .737, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 19 Runs)
IF – Tanner Unkel – The Herd (13-18, 722, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 13 Runs)
OF – Adam Aceto – Ductech/Budweiser (13-28, .722, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – Austin Andrews – Comatose/S2N/Monsta (24-32, .750, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 22 Runs)
OF – Matt Stefanski – Comatose/S2N/Monsta (24-33, .727, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 22 Runs)
OF – Damian Wiblin – Northwoods Elite/Pure (13-19, .684, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 10 Runs)
UT – Mitchell Dunse – Comatose/S2N/Monsta (22-32, .688, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 13 Runs)
UT – Zack Goleniak – LSR/Riot (27-37, . 730, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 26 Runs)
UT – Terry Lambright – Roofx/Revolution Athletics (16-22, .727, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 13 Runs)
UT – Phil Matte – Comatose/S2N/Monsta (26-36, .722, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 23 Runs)
UT – Dan Rothbauer – Northwoods Elite/Pure (14-19, .737, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 11 Runs)

OTHERS

Craig Colb, Northwoods Elite (16-19, .842, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 10 Runs)
Travis Noor, Northwoods Elite (16-19, .842, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 11 Runs)
AJ Bilslend, T’s 13 (11-14, .786, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 11 Runs)
Hunter Beehler, Theraldson’s (13-19, .684, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 11 Runs)
Brandon Streets, Thunder/Chosen (15-22, .682, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 13 Runs)
Alex Hovey, The Herd (12-18, .667, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 8 Runs)
Richard Roccobaldo, LSR/Riot (21-32, .656, 9 HR, 26 RBI, 16 Runs)
Kyle Pearson (LA), Thunder/Chosen (15-22, .652, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 11 Runs)
Andrew Hall, LSR/Riot (23-36, .639, 9 HR, 26 RBI, 12 Runs)
Austin Dawe, Thunder/Chosen (11-18, .611, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 9 Runs)
Ryan Pennebaker, T’s 13, (11-19, .579, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 10 Runs)
Ryan McClanahan, RoofX/Revolution (12-22, 545, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 9 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. RoofX/Revolution Athletics, Topeka, IN (5-0)
2. LSR/Riot, Jasonville, IN (5-2)
3. Ductech/Budweiser, South St. Paul, MN (3-2)
4. Comatose/S2N/Monsta, Beloit, WI (4-2)
5t. Thunder/Chosen/RF/Beloli, Gladewater, TX (3-2)
5t. T’s 13, Omaha, NE (3-2)
7t. Tharaldson, Fargo, ND (2-2)
7t. Northwoods Elite/Pure, Bloomer, WI (2-2)
9t. BYB Sports, N/A (2-2)
9t. Texas5/DadBods/Legacy Health, Houston, TX (1-2)
9t. Infinity Contractors, Tulsa, OK (1-2)
9t. The Herd, Urbandale, IA (2-2)
13t. Dirty Vegas/Steel/Envy, Groves, TX (0-2)
13t. Taqueros, N/A (0-2)
13t. Elevate & Celebrate, Choctaw, OK (0-2)
13t. Rogers’ Rabbits, Little Rock, AR (1-2)
17t. BSL/S&S Landscaping/Juno/Dirt Dogs, Wallingford, CT (0-2)
17t. Vivid/Killbombers, Frisco, TX (0-2)

RoofX/Revolution Athletics

RoofX/Revolution Athletics