Category: ASA

Ron Boley

Ron James Boley (1946-2023):

Boley attended Oregon State University where he competed on the football and baseball teams, including the historic 1967 football squad – also known as the Giant Killers – that finished the year ranked seventh in the nation. Following his graduation from Oregon State, he began his tenure with USA Softball as the volunteer coordinator for the men’s fast pitch, men’s and women’s slow pitch and coed softball leagues. He was appointed the USA Softball of Portland Commissioner in 1982 where he oversaw various national championships and was a member of the Region 9 Adult Classification Committee while also serving as the assistant chairman and chairman of the National Classification Committee. Following his retirement as Commissioner for USA Softball of Portland in 2020, Boley remained involved with the organization as a member of the Board of Directors. In 2013, he was recognized for his leadership and contributions to the sport of softball in Portland with enshrinement in the Region 9 Hall of Fame.

Off the field, Boley began a career with the City of Portland Parks and Recreation Department where he eventually earned a role as the Sports Supervisor. For 30 years, Boley directed the Portland youth and adult football and basketball leagues while also serving as the director for the American Legion, Connie Mack and adult baseball leagues.

Boley was survived by his wife Vickye Boley and his son Erik.

Remembrances for Boley can be made to the Maurice Lucas Foundation or non-kill animal shelters in his name.

National body considers stopping titanium bats

Amateur Softball Association committee might decide as early as today to not allow new high-powered bat.

Like another famed offensive machine, the “T-bat” may be heading the way of the T-Rex.

The titanium bat, banned for some fast-pitch and modified fast-pitch tournaments by the Amateur Softball Association last month, could get the same treatment today when the ASA equipment standards committee addresses the bat’s future in slow-pitch.

Merle Butler, the ASA umpire-in-chief, said that the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association has completed an independent study of the bat. Five members of the seven-person committee met Friday in Oklahoma City to discuss the report’s findings. They were scheduled to meet again today and take a vote on the bat’s future in ASA-sanctioned events.

Bats using a titanium-based alloy enable the ball to jump off faster and travel farther. But critics say the ball leaves the bat so quickly that the risk of injury to infielders and pitchers is increased because their reaction time is cut.

Easton sports manufactures titanium bats in Burlingame, and Jim Darby, senior vice president of promotions, has heard the criticism.

“Their concerns are ours, too,” he said. “We want the game to be safe. We’re in this world of lawyers, too. “I’ve heard of no injury peculiar to the bat. I just hope people will keep an open mind and say, ‘OK, the bat has been out on the market for a year; let’s give it a fair evaluation.’ ”

But Darby and others involved in the titanium-bat industry admit that the bat’s future doesn’t look promising.

“Even though it’s approved now, it’s going to be very difficult to keep the bat on the market,” said Darby. Chris Chaney, manager of the San Diego-based Professionals Choice/TPS club that played at the recent Super National slow-pitch qualifier in Bakersfield, said the titanium bat is changing softball, and not necessarily for the better.

“It’s really changing the dynamics of the game,” said Chaney, whose team is sponsored by Tournament Player Series, a subsidiary of Hillerich & Bradsby Co., which makes Louisville Sluggers. “The average power hitter becomes a home run hitter. And what are you going to do? You can’t move the fences back because the fences are already established.”

Clearing the 300-foot fences at Sports park was no problem for Chaney’s club, which in one half-inning sent 33 batters to the plate, hit 21 home runs and scored 29 runs in a 71-52 victory over D&D Thoroughbred of Seattle, Wash. The half-inning lasted 64 minutes.

“I like home runs, but I also think there’s a place for the singles and spray hitters in softball,” said Chaney, whose team would eventually finish third.

Titanium bats have already been banned by the U.S. Slo-Pitch Association and National Softball Association. ASA also initially outlawed the bat but lifted the ban until conclusive testing could be done.

The Voice of Softball, Ray Molphy

Ray Molphy

Ray Molphy

The awful screech from the public address system at Municipal Stadium was pure noise, and loud at that. It worse than any amateur rock band, worse than any late-night horror movie.

It was less than five minutes before the opening game of the 20th annual Stroh’s softball tournament, but Ray Molphy, softball’s best and most well-known voice, wasn’t worrying yet.

“I hope you guys know what you’re doing,” he said to the two men hurriedly trying to correct the mess. “because I don’t know a thing about those systems. All I do is talk into the microphone.”

Molphy, busy filling in his scoresheet and his position-by-position chart. turned to the reporter. “See the trials and tribulations of this job?” he asked. laughing.

In 25 years of public address announcing. Molphy’s come to expect such problems. Maybe not like them, but expect —and accept — them.

He began by announcing high school games in Seaford, N.Y., on Long Island. He now does all of Hofstra University’s football and basketball games, the ECAC basketball games at Nassau Coliseum and the basketball games of perennial power Long Island Lutheran High.

He does junior international basketball. He hosts an Inter-national Night program for a various foreign nation every year before crowds of 10,000-12,000. And he even did a New York Nets game when the regular announcer didn’t show.

But Ray Molphy will not be remembered as the Voice of Hofstra. He will be remembered as the Voice of Softball.

He’s announced the American Softball Association nationals the past “14 or 15” years. Last year, he also did the U.S. Slo-Pitch Softball Association nationals. In the first infant year of the National Slo-Pitch Conference, he did its tournaments, as he had done games in 1977 for the new pro league. He’ll do its all-star game July 22 in Louisville, Ky.

Already this year, he’s been to Las Vegas, Concord, Calif., Jacksonville, Fla., Winston-Salem, N.C., Chattanooga. Tenn., Springfield, Ohio.

“This is one of the best,” he said of Springfield. “Cleveland-Parma — that is really the mecca of slow-pitch softball. It turns out more for softball than any other.

“I’ll be going from March to mid-September,” he said. Then it’s football and basketball. “It’s a year-around job.”

Job? Not quite. The NSPC, for instance, merely pays softball’s best announcer expense money. No salary. And since he’s on the road on Fridays and sometimes even Mondays, he uses his six weeks of vacation time just to announce softball.

And doing all these weekend tourneys should qualify him for some sort of marathon talk award. After flying into Springfield Friday, for instance, he did all four games. Saturday, he did nine, working from 9 a.m. until around midnight. ;Today, he’ll be back at 12:30 p.m. for the two semifinals and the title game.

It’s a long, grueling schedule. Howard Cosell would never do it. But Ray Molphy? His only complaint is that it’s not his job.

“Is it my living? Unfortunately, no,” the 56-year-old Molphy said. “I work in personnel administration at Union Carbide.

“I was a frustrated jock. That’s what I wanted to be. So I made it My avocation instead. Listening to Molphy’s deep. sonorous voice, his colorful, varied delivery developed through years as a one-man announcing team, you’re surprised he isn’t announcing for some big station or network — because he certainly would like to.

“I think of it all the time, but I fed some radio reports on the ASA back to Long Island.” But that was about it.

“That’s my problem. I don’t have enough chutzpah. “Are there any openings in Springfield?” He laughed.

But he meant it. Molphy would love a job doing what he loves — especially since Union Carbide is moving to Connecticut within the next 18 months and “I’m not going with them. Then I’ll get serious about doing something.”

Until then, he’ll be doing what he does best — announcing softball games — every weekend. He sees a bright future for the NSCP, which just might mean a real job — pay and all for him in the future.

“Already, a number of teams want to come in next year,” he said of the 22-team league, which has more than doubled since 1977. “It’s the best thing that’s happened to slow-pitch softball. I think it might possibly get into a regional setup to minimize travel. But the level of competition — it just pro-vides fans everywhere with .the best in softball.

“The good thing about this new conference is the fences are 300 feet, the bases 65 feet. That’s really separated the men from the boys in the home run competition. There’s con-siderably fewer homers in the conference than in most week-end tournaments where the bases are 60 feet and the fences are 275-290 feet. “This is much more enjoyable. You see the double plays, guys getting thrown out at first, legitimate home runs, lower-scoring games.

“This,” Molphy continued. “is not just a trot-around-the-bases league. Last week, for instance, there were two unassisted double plays in consecutive innings. “I love it.” Now if he’d only get paid. Now that would be heaven.


Elections need residency rules; softball doesn’t

Last January, the American Softball Association Commissioners’ Council voted to eliminate “summer employment exceptions” to residency requirements for the 1980 season.

Henceforth, a player’s residence must be established by March 1.

The move was aimed at removing special privileges for teachers and students, who were excluded in the past from having to abide by the March 1 residency rule.

Both teachers and students formerly were allowed three separate areas where they could choose to play:

  • The area where their school was located;
  • Their place of summer employment;
  • Their permanent residence.

Once a teacher or student determined in which of these areas he cared to play, he was not allowed to play in any other area.

In 1975, the two-time slow pitch national champion, Howard’s Furniture of North Carolina, lost the services of their All American second baseman, H.T. Waller.

The ASA’s reasoning was that Waller was a school teacher and permanent resident of northwest Florida, and although he had summer employment in North Carolina, he was not eligible to play.

Howard’s failed to win its third consecutive national championship that season and many believe that the absence of Waller had a lot to do with that.

In 1976, Waller became eligible to play for Howard’s by claiming a full-time residence in North Carolina, even though he still taught school in Florida. That’s when the question arose: “What is a full-time resident?”

Interpretations include a person owning property in an area, having a voter’s registration card, or spending at least part of their time in a given area.

Richard Howard felt that it would be impossible to prove Waller was not a full-time resident of North Carolina, especially with him spending the entire summer there. He was right.

It was the feeling that teachers and students should have to abide by the same restrictions as others that led to the new rules.

To some, this seems somewhat unfair since most school years do not end until June. It Wouldn’t be surprising if the controversy ends up in the courts, which seems ridiculous for an amateur sport.

One answer to the problem would be to abolish any restrictions on residency in the Open Division, while retaining restrictions in the other divisions.

Industrial and church leagues already have strict guidelines concerning team membership. As long as he is not openly being paid by a sponsor, it seems unfair to restrict a player from playing where he desires. And if the sponsor or player can afford travel expenses, why prohibit them?

Many successful sponsors find loopholes in the residency rule to allow their players to live in one area and play in another, and the ASA is not in a financial position to have a full-time security force.

Amateur softball is supposed to be played for fun and recreation, and the rules makers should remember this when making decisions on residency.


From The Miami News, November 8, 1979.1979 Miami News Residency Rule

Allan F. Yaeger

Al Yaeger

National Softball Hall of Famer Al Yaeger passed away on January 14, 2023.

Yaegar attended Michigan State University before signing a contract with the Boston Red Sox where he played professionally for four years in the minor league system. Following his career with the Red Sox, Yaegar starred on the Raybestos Cardinals for nearly 17 years (1965-1981) and led the squad to four national championship titles. He earned three All-American honors throughout his softball career and participated in four All-Star games. Following his playing career, Yaegar transitioned into coaching and led the 1984 USA Softball Men’s National Team to a bronze medal at the International Softball Federation (ISF) World Championship. Yaegar was inducted into the Connecticut ASA Hall of Fame in 1986 before his enshrinement into the National Softball Hall of Fame in 2009.Allan F. Yaeger who starred for the Raybestos Cardinals from 1965-1981, is the 12th former Cardinal elected to the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame. An outfielder, Yaeger was a member of four National Championships teams, in fact his two out, bases loaded single in the bottom of the eighth inning landed the Cardinals their third National Championship title in four years. Yaeger had a career .298 batting average, played in four All-Star Series games, and participated in ten National Tournaments during his ASA career. Yaeger earned All-America honors three times and led the 1971 ASA National Championship in batting (.455). After 1981, Yaeger got into coaching, and he helped lead the Franklin Cardinals to an ASA National Championship. A year later, he coached the 1984 USA Men’s Softball team to a bronze medal in the International Softball Federation (ISF) Men’s World Championships. For his accomplishments, Al was inducted into the Connecticut ASA Hall of Fame in 1986.

Off the field, Yaegar worked for Pitney Bowes for over 28 years in both their Newtown and Stamford locations. Following his retirement in 2000, he became a very successful coach at Sacred Heart University and the University of New Haven.

2022 ASA Women’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

2022 held at Hall of Fame Stadium Complex in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on August 20-21.


Champion – Team 24/S&S Landscaping, Little Rock, Arkansas
Runner Up – Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/LaClear/Easton, Kent, Washington


An action-packed Saturday at the Softball Capital of the World® saw two teams battle between the lines in final pursuit of the 2022 USA Softball Women’s Open National Championship title as Team 24/S&S Landscaping came out on top. Ending the day with a 19-18 eight-inning victory over Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/LaClear/Easton, Team 24 proved superior – forcing an if-game and staging a comeback in the final two innings to claim the coveted National Championship title.

Kicking off the tournament with a 12-8 win over La Famigila, Smash It Sports combined for 17 hits in their first game of the day while Mandy Hollman led the squad with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate and Megan Baltzell contributed with a leadoff home run in the fourth to extend the lead and propel her team to victory. Continuing to dominate, Smash It Sports tallied 21 runs on 25 hits in its next win over On Point. With four base hits in the contest, Fiana Finau lit the spark with two singles in the first inning and two doubles later in the game to stay hot and keep the foot on the gas as Smash It Sports claimed the 21-14 victory. In its third game of the day, Smash It Sports met Team 24 in a tight defensive battle in which Smash It Sports came out on top in the low-scoring, 10-6 win. Two home runs and five RBI from Baltzell allowed Smash It Sports to get ahead early and hold onto its lead through seven innings as they sealed the victory and earned a spot in the Championship contest.

Fueled by a 14-run second inning, Team 24 came out swinging in its opening contest with a 19-0 (four innings) run-rule victory over Comfort Systems/Taola’a Fireballs. The win came in result of the squad’s ability to string hits together combined with a solid defensive performance led by Stacey Moore in the circle. Starting off its next game quiet on offense, Team 24’s bats were stifled against Smash It Sports in the 6 p.m. contest. With only six runs off 13 hits, Team 24’s first loss of the day sent them to the loser’s bracket where they matched up against La Famiglia in an effort to fight their way to the title game. Another low-scoring, defensive battle, Team 24 fell behind early in the game but managed to rack up six runs in the fifth to pull ahead and claim the 7-5 victory to advance to the Championship contest.

Entering the Championship contest with the goal of forcing an “if-necessary” game against Smash It Sports, Team 24 took on the challenge with no hesitation. Both teams plated a run in the first inning before Smash It Sports pulled ahead in the second, but a three-run third inning from both teams would keep Smash It Sports in the lead. Getting down to business, Team 24 outscored Smash It Sports in each of the next four innings to record the 19-9 win to force the if-necessary game.

With the National Championship title on the line, the final contest of the tournament did not disappoint as each team scored in the double-digits while also totaling over 20 hits apiece. The game got off to an explosive start as three singles, a double and a triple from Smash It Sports tallied five runs while Team 24 answered back with two triples, two singles and two walks of its own to put six runs on the board and give them the edge after one inning of play. An RBI single from Megan Higginbotham in the top of the second tied the game for Smash It Sports, but it didn’t stay that way for long as the Team 24 offense erupted with seven hits and six runs to double its lead going into the third.

Only one run scored the following inning as Team 24 tacked on another to its lead but Smash It Sports did not stay quiet as its offense came to life in the fourth with a handful of base hits to narrow the deficit, 13-10. Continuing to apply the pressure, a one-out single from Chelsea Showers followed by a triple from Hunter Clark and an RBI single from Sara Poteat extended the Team 24 lead before both offenses fell silent in the fifth inning. A solo home run from Finau in the top of the sixth gave Smash It Sports a spark, but a strikeout quickly ended the at-bat. Remaining consistent at the plate, Team 24 scratched two additional runs in the bottom of the frame thanks to a leadoff triple off the bat of Amber Parrish followed by a sac fly from Jamie Novus and three consecutive singles as the inning continued.

Down to its final three outs, Smash It Sports had its eyes set on a comeback. Starting the inning strong with three singles to load the bases, a fielding miscue and a sac fly scored all three runners to cut the lead, 17-14. A ground out would bring Team 24 within one out of the victory but Smash It Sports did not go down without a fight as another three singles loaded the bases once again and set the stage for Finau to blast her second home run of the night – this time a grand slam – to take the lead. Down for the first time all game, Team 24 dug deep, managing a triple and a single in the bottom of the frame to tie the game and send it into extras. A quick top half retired Smash It Sports in order as Showers stepped up to the plate for Team 24 in the bottom of the eighth. Reaching base three times in the game thus far, Showers found her groove and stuck with it – sending the third pitch she saw over the left field fence to walk-off the game and clinch the 2022 USA Softball Women’s Open Slow Pitch National Championship title for Team 24/S&S Landscaping.

Compiling a record of 3-2 throughout the tournament, Smash It Sports totaled 92 hits in five games while scoring a high of 70 runs. The squad tallied six home runs as well as 27 doubles while three players led the team with a batting average above .600 (Higginbotham – .684; Tara Licuanan- .625; Hollman – .611). A remarkable two-way player for Smash It Sports, Licuanan led the team from the circle while pitching all 35 innings – recording five strikeouts and allowing a low of eight walks.

A 4-1 record through the double-elimination day earned Team 24 the Championship title after falling into the loser’s bracket and battling its way back to the final run. Speed on the base paths allowed the team to leg out eight triples and 19 doubles, adding to the total hit count of 93 while also scoring 70 runs throughout the day. Meagan Pearson led Team 24 with a .684 batting average followed by impressive outings from Clark (.625) and Chelsea (.600). Moore and Randi Pauly split time in the circle, limiting their opponents to 68 hits and 42 runs through five games played.

With an overall outstanding performance through the tournament, Team 24’s Pearson earned the Most-Valuable-Player (MVP) title while she and Higginbotham from Smash It Sports shared the Batting Champion title – each compiling a .684 batting average. Also representing Smash It Sports, Baltzell was selected as the Home Run Champion while recording the highest number of home runs with four on the day.

Nine members of the U.S. Women’s Slow Pitch National Team (WSPNT) took part in the Championship game with Megan Baltzell, Kristen Connell, Fiana Finau, Megan Higginbotham, Mandy Hollman, Tara Licuanan and Kelly Park representing Smash It Sports while Team 24 included Amber Parrish and Dara Toman. The USA Softball Women’s Futures team was also accounted for as six members took the field in the final contest with Bethany Brown playing for Smash It Sports and Hunter Clark, Shayna Finley, Stacey Moore, Randi Pauly and Meagan Pearson taking home the trophy with Team 24.


  • MVP – Meagan Pearson, Team 24/S&S Landscaping
  • Batting Champion – Meagan Pearson, Team 24/S&S Landscaping – .684
  • Batting Champion – Megan Higginbotham, Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/LaClear/Easton – .684
  • HR Champion – Megan Baltzell, Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/LaClear/Easton – 4

2022 ASA OPEN ALL AMERICANS

P – Tara Licuanan (Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/LaClear/Easton)
IF – Kristen Connell (Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/LaClear/Easton)
IF – Mandy Hollman (Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/LaClear/Easton)
IF – Amber Parrish (Team 24/S&S Landscaping)
IF – Caitlin Stoner (La Famiglia)
IF – Dara Toman (Team 24/S&S Landscaping)
OF – Hunter Clark (Team 24/S&S Landscaping)
OF – Sara Poteat (Team 24/S&S Landscaping)
OF – Rubie Richie (Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/LaClear/Easton)
OF – Adrianna Saders (La Famiglia)
UTIL – Megan Higginbotham (Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/LaClear/Easton)
UTIL – Jamie Novus (Team 24/S&S Landscaping)
UTIL – Randi Pauly (Team 24/S&S Landscaping)
UTIL – Alyssa Schreiner (La Famiglia)
UTIL – Chelsea Showers (Team 24/S&S Landscaping)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Team 24/S&S Landscaping, Little Rock, AR (4-1)
2. Smash It Sports/Derby Girls/LaClear/Easton, Kent, WA (3-2)
3. LaFamiglia, Cocoa, FL (2-2)
4. On Point, Urbandale, IA (0-2)
5t. Comfort Systems/T’s Fireballs, Harris, MN (0-2)


Team 24/S&S Landscaping

Photo Album Link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=USASoftball&set=a.10160261670766055

2022 ASA Men’s C Slow Pitch Nationals

2022 held at Prairie Island Athletic Complex in Prairie Island, Minnesota on September 2-3.


Champion – Stagecoach, Shakopee, Minnesota
Runner Up – Blackies, Defiance, Ohio


Stagecoach rebuilt their roster in 2022 and defended their ASA C National title by going 6-0 on Labor Day Weekend at Prairie Island. They were led by MVP Josh Miller on the hill with his tough defense and stellar hitting.

Blackies of Defiance, Ohio took second. They had players drop out the Thursday night they left and showed up with ten players and went 8-2.


  • MVP – Josh Miller, Stagecoach/Redline (.579, 2 HR, 8 RBI)
  • Batting Champion – Kyle Wiest, Shameless/Budweiser – .875 (2 HR, 11 RBI)
  • HR Champion – Luke Otto, Stagecoach/Redline – 9 (.760, 28 RBI)

2022 ASA C ALL AMERICANS

Jason Alderson, SN2/NULEEVE/A&B/Monsta (.850, 1 HR, 8 RBI)
Wayde Whelan, Stagecoach/Redline (.700, 1 HR, 12 RBI)
Seth Blair, MMB/The Box/Monsta (.739, 3 HR, 12 RBI)
AJ Coleman, Stagecoach/Redline (.650, 4 HR, 11 RBI)
Kyle Franzen, Shenanigans/WTP/Dunn Sports (.625, 1 HR, 8 RBI)
Jeremy Barnfield, Shenanigans/WTP/Dunn Sports (.650, 4 HR, 14 RBI)
Mark Blazeiewske, Shenanigans/WTP/Dunn Sports (.600, 5 HR, 15 RBI)
James Yenser, Blackies (.652, 3 HR, 9 RBI)
Eric Vaughn, Blackies (.642, 8 HR, 25 RBI)
Logan Pinckney, Oak Ridge Dental (.808, 1 HR, 16 RBI)
Geoff Yenser, Blackies (.639, 10 RBI)
Ryan Neitzke, Blackies (.615, 2 HR, 10 RBI)
Travis Branson, Stagecoach/Redline (.636, 5 RBI)
Zach Dubanoski, Stagecoach/Redline (.625, 6 HR, 19 RBI)
Jon David, Stagecoach/Redline (.720, 2 HR, 12 RBI)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Stagecoach/Redline, Shakopee, MN (6-0)
2. Blackies, Defiance, OH (8-2)
3. Shenanigans/WTP/Dunn Sports, Pleasant Prairie, WI (4-2)
4. Shamless/Budweiser, Sheffield, IA (3-2)
5t. The Box, Fargo, ND (2-2)
5t. Oak Ridge Dental, Lakeville, MN (5-2)
7t. S2N/NULEEVE/A&B/Monsta, St Peter, MN (4-2)
7t. MMB/The Box/Monsta Athletics, West Fargo, ND (3-2)
9t. Grassland, Greenwood, WI (2-2)
9t. RMI/First Class Mortgage/Budweiser, Grand Forks, ND (2-2)
9t. Iconic Apparel/Lake Painting, Adel, IA (2-2)
9t. Russell’s Paint & Body, Oviedo, FL (3-2)
13t. Gwaltney Group/Remax Results, Rochester, MN (2-2)
13t. Pioneer Auto, Sioux City, IA (2-2)
13t. The Mill/A3, Sidney, MT (1-2)
13t. St. Cloud Subaru, Foley, MN (1-2)
17t. Minnesota Maniax/H. Sports/Easton, Forest Lake, MN (1-2)
17t. Good Vibes Only, Des Moines, IA (1-2)
17t. VHI/Northern Beverage/Greater Than, Rochester, MN (1-1)
17t. Bash/Elusive Sports/Six Branch/BGC, Columbia, MO (1-2)
17t. Demars Softball, East Haven, CT (1-2)
17t. Eide, Bismarck, ND (1-2)
17t. Silverbacks, Inver Grove Heights, MN (0-2)
17t. The 10th Inning, Hudson, IA (0-2)
25t. Square One/Spiderz, Waukesha, WI (0-2)
25t. The Creek, Stewartville, MN (0-2)
25t. Flirts/T&C Lawn Care, Cedar Falls, IA (0-2)
25t. Kass & Co, Peosta, IA (0-2)
25t. Omaha’s Finest, Omaha, NE (0-2)


Stagecoach

Stagecoach/Redline

2022 ASA Men’s B Slow Pitch Nationals

2022 held at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 2-3.


Champion – Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli, Topeka, Indiana
Runner Up – The Herd, Des Moines, Iowa


The 2022 Men’s Class B Slow Pitch National Championship wrapped up on Saturday night with an explosive offensive performance from Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli as it claimed the trophy with back-to-back wins over The Herd. After battling through the loser’s bracket to arrive in the Championship contest, Rock Run posted a 20-12 victory to force an “if-necessary” game before unleashing with a 27-7 (four innings) run-rule victory to earn the National Championship title.

The Herd entered Saturday’s competition sitting in a prime spot with a 2-0 record heading into the winner’s bracket quarterfinal matchup. Perfect performances at the plate from Alex Hovey, Tanner Unkel and Kyle Winter contributed to the 23-hit game and propelled The Herd to a 21-13 win over DNR Miller Concrete to open the day. Moving on to the semifinals, The Herd jumped out to an early lead against Dirt Dogs/Alter Ego/KL&R/RDD before a 10-run fourth inning from the Dirt Dogs stole the lead. Refusing to go down without a fight, The Herd continued to chip away, eventually tying the game in the sixth and breaking it open in the seventh – regaining control and sealing the 25-21 victory to send them to the Championship contest with an undefeated 4-0 record.

Also starting the day on top with a 2-0 record, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli’s path to the Championship was not as simple after an early 14-13 loss to Dirt Dogs sent them to the loser’s bracket. Determined to fight its way back, Rock Run came out strong in its next two games – earning back-to-back victories over Southern Rooster/Texas5 (30-18) and DNR Miller Concrete (26-8). With a rematch against Dirt Dogs in the semifinal contest, Kyle Miller led the Rock Run offense with three home runs and a double to keep the pressure on and help claim the 23-8 win to advance to the Championship game against The Herd.

After climbing its way through the loser’s bracket, Rock Run entered the Championship contest needing to pull-out a victory in order to force an “if-necessary” game in hopes of claiming the title. A consistent effort at the plate in addition to a seven-run second inning allowed Rock Run to stay on top and defeat The Herd 20-12 – forcing another game and keeping the hope alive.

With an energy that was both unmatched and unstoppable, Rock Run opened its sixth game of the day with a massive 17-run first inning. The team managed to string together nine singles, three doubles and three home runs off the bats of Marcus Miller, Erik Lehman and Glenn Bender to take the early lead and set the tone.

A grand slam from Matt Schrange in the bottom of the frame put The Herd on the board with four runs, but Rock Run answered back with five more of its own in the top of the second to steal back the momentum. With Rock Run leading 22-4 heading into the third inning, Jeremy Slabach sent a solo home run over the left field fence to tack on another run before a series of base hits plated two more runners – extending the Rock Run lead 25-4.

The Herd mustered two runs in the bottom of the inning but Rock Run matched that yet again in the fourth, sending the game to the bottom of the frame with the run-rule in effect as Rock Run led The Herd 27-6. Looking to give his team a chance, Winter led off the inning with a solo shot to right field, but two consecutive line outs followed by a fly out would end the game and seal the 27-7 (four innings) run-rule victory for Rock Run and the 2022 Men’s Class B Slow Pitch National Championship title.

Compiling a 7-1 record through the tournament, Rock Run combined for 181 runs on 211 hits – including 40 doubles, seven triples and 47 home runs while recording a team batting average of .588. Five Rock Run athletes tallied over 20 hits apiece while Kyle Miller and Marcus Miller blasted a tournament-leading nine home runs each. Splitting time in the circle, Lehman and Matthew Chromy limited their opponents to 90 runs and 119 hits to keep the Rock Run defense under control on its quest to the National Championship title.


  • MVP – Marcus Miller, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli
  • Batting Champion – Erik Lehman, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli – .762
  • HR Champion – Kyle Miller, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli – 9

2022 ASA B ALL AMERICANS

P – Alex Hovey, The Herd
IF – Joseph Nissley, DNR Miller Concrete
IF – Zak Sokolis, Dirt Dogs/Alter Ego/KL&R/RDD
IF – Jason Stabach, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli
IF – Kyle Miller, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli
IF – Brent Zomer, The Herd
OF – Jamie Weaver, DNR Miller Concrete
OF – John Reiman, Dirt Dogs/Alter Ego/KL&R/RDD
OF – Arlis Miller, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli
OF – Marcus Miller, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli
UTIL – Zach Goleniak, Southern Rooster/Texas5
UTIL – Mike Martinez, Dirty Vegas/Steel
UTIL – Jeremy Fry, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli
UTIL – Joe Bulens, The Herd
UTIL – Matt Schrage, The Herd


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli, Topeka, IN (7-1)
2. The Herd, Des Moines, IA (4-2)
3. Dirt Dogs/Alter Ego/KL&R/RDD, Wallingford, CT (3-2)
4. DNR Miller Concrete, Goshen, IN (3-2)
5t. Dirty Vegas/Steel, Groves, TX (3-2)
5t. Southern Rooster/Texas5, Houston, TX (3-2)
7t. Tharaldson, Fargo, ND (2-2)
7t. JEC/P5/Anarchy/Kevitt, Brooklyn Park, MN (2-2)
9t. Team Stoop/Schmidt Roofing, Sartell, MN (1-2)
9t. Ductech/Budweiser, South St. Paul, MN (1-2)
9t. Northwoods Elite, Eau Claire, WI (1-2)
9t. T’s 13, Omaha, NE (1-2)
13t. Alter Ego Apparel/BYB Sports (0-2)
13t. OnlyFriends (0-2)
13t. Meirtran/Swiing Kiingz, Byron, IL (0-2)
13t. Vivid/Kilbombers (0-2)


https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/Events/2022/September/02/Mens-Class-A-B-Slow-Pitch-National-Championships


Rock Run Cabinetry

2022 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

2022 held at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 4-5.


Champion – The Herd, Des Moines, Iowa
Runner Up – Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli, Topeka, Indiana


An exciting day at the ballpark concluded the 2022 Men’s Class A Slow Pitch National Championship today as The Herd walked away with an undefeated 5-0 record and the 2022 National Championship title. Facing off against Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli, The Herd put up 39 runs on 39 hits in the final game to come out on top and record its fifth-straight win of the tournament.

After playing four games on Day One, The Herd entered Monday’s competition already having clinched a spot in the Championship contest. Rock Run Cabinetry’s path to the title game was more daunting, however, as the squad fought its way through the loser’s bracket on Sunday evening to stay alive in the competition and make it to Monday. With timely hitting, enormous enthusiasm and a fight that never gave way, Rock Run Cabinetry pulled out back-to-back walk-off wins over Dirt Dogs/Alter Ego/KL&R/RDD and Dirty Vegas to make its way to the title game.

Both teams jumped out to a quick start in the Championship contest as Rock Run Cabinetry put up six runs while The Herd answered back with five of its own. Continuing to tack on to its lead, Arlis Miller, Marcus Miller and Kyle Miller blasted three home runs for Rock Run Cabinetry in the second inning to extend the score, 10-5, but it wouldn’t hold for long as The Herd unleashed with a 14-run performance in the bottom of the frame. Four home runs from Matt Schrage, Brett Rettenmeier, Chris Bauer and Quinn Cannoy in addition to a handful of base hits contributed to the rally as The Herd pulled ahead 19-10 after two innings of play.

Chipping away at the lead, Rock Run Cabinetry plated six runs through the next two innings while The Herd kept its foot on the gas with 12 more runs crossing the plate. With the score sitting at 31-16 after the fourth inning, Rock Run Cabinetry flipped a switch and came to life with six singles, a double and three home runs to score 11 runs and cut the lead 31-27. Answering back with two singles and three home runs of its own, The Herd tacked on six insurance runs to pad the score 37-27 heading into the sixth.

Refusing to back down, Rock Run Cabinetry continued to put pressure on the Herd, adding three more runs in the top of the sixth before The Herd put up another two in the bottom of the frame. With one last chance to score, Rock Run Cabinetry pieced together three singles and two doubles to plate four more baserunners, but were unable to muster anything else as a line out ended the game with The Herd claiming the 39-34 victory and the 2022 Men’s Class A Slow Pitch National Championship title.

With a 5-2 record through the tournament, the Rock Run Cabinetry offense combined for a .651 batting average with 238 runs on 243 hits. Kyle Miller led the squad – and the tournament – with 13 home runs followed closely by Arlis Miller with 10 while the two recorded team-leading .811 and .762 batting averages, respectively.

The Herd posted an undefeated 5-0 record this weekend with a .643 batting average, 155 hits and 149 runs scored. With 18 hits apiece, Alex Hovey and Zach Woodside led the team while five members of the squad recorded a batting average over .700.


  • MVP – Alex Hovey, The Herd (18 Hits)
  • Batting Champion – Michael Gonzalez, Dirt Dogs/Alter Ego/KL&R/RDD – .870
  • HR Champion – Kyle Miller, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli – 13

2022 ASA A ALL AMERICANS

Pitcher – Alex Hovey, The Herd (18-23, .783, 7 HR, 21 RBI, 23 Runs)
Infield – Michael Gonzalez, Dirt Dogs/Alter Ego/KL&R/RDD (20-23, .870, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 19 Runs)
Infield – Mike Gallo, Dirt Dogs/Alter Ego/KL&R/RDD (15-21, .714, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 12 Runs)
Infield – Steve Paramore, Dirty Vegas (16-19, .842, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 14 Runs)
Infield – Brett Rettenmeier, The Herd (17-22, .773, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 12 Runs)
Infield – Kyle Miller, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli (30-37, .811, 13 HR, 46 RBI, 26 Runs)
Outfield – Brady Bate, Monsta/Cheap Suits/Bloomerang Property Group/Sparky Apparel (16-21, .762, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 14 Runs)
Outfield – Hunter Beehler, Tharaldson (13-16, .813, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 15 Runs)
Outfield – Quinn Cannoy, The Herd (16-20, .800, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 16 Runs)
Outfield – Zach Woodside, The Herd (18-24, .750, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 17 Runs)
Utility – Mike Martinez, Dirty Vegas/Steel (16-19, .842, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 13 Runs)
Utility – Tanner Kockler, The Herd (16-23, .696, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 11 Runs)
Utility – Terry Lambright, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli (18-25, .720, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 10 Runs)
Utility – Jason Slabach, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli (28-38, .737, 9 HR, 18 RBI, 24 Runs)
Utility – Arlis Miller, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli (.762, 10 HRs) (32-42, .762, 10 HR, 28 RBI, 32 Runs)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. The Herd, Des Moines, IA (5-0)
2. Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli, Topeka, IN (5-2)
3. Dirty Vegas/Steel, Groves, TX (3-2)
4. Dirt Dogs/Alter Ego/KL&R/RDD, Wallingford, CT (3-2)
5t. Tharaldson, Fargo, ND (2-2)
5t. Monsta/Cheap Suits/BPG/Sparky, Stockton, CA (3-2)
7t. T’s 13, Omaha, NE (2-2)
7t. Comatose/S2N/Monsta, Beloit, WI (2-2)
9t. Ductech/Budweiser, South St. Paul, MN (1-2)
9t. Chosen/Thunder/Beloli, Plainview, NY (1-2)
9t. Northwoods Elite, Eau Claire, WI (0-2)
9t. DNR Miller Concrete, Goshen, IN (1-2)
13t. Alter Ego Apparel/BYB Sports (0-2)
13t. OnlyFriends (0-2)
13t. Meirtran/Swiing Kiingz, Byron, IL (0-2)


OTHERS

Andrew Matson, T’s 13 (13-15, .867, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 10 Runs)
Austyn Dawe, Chosen/Thunder/Beloli (10-12, .833, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 7 Runs)
Justin Barber, The Herd (13-16, .813, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 8 Runs)
Michael Dunse, Comatose/S2N/Monsta (12-15, .800, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 7 Runs)
Matthew Brady, Monsta/Cheap Suits/BloomergangPropertyGroup/SparkyApparel (15-20, .750, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 13 Runs)
Scott Huffman, Tharadlsons (12-16, .750, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 6 Runs)
Matt Schrage, The Herd (14-21, .667, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 17 Runs)
Kyle Fisher, Monsta/Cheap Suits/BloomergangPropertyGroup/SparkyApparel (16-24, .667, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 13 Runs)
Marcus Miller, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli (24-37, .649, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 23 Runs)
Eric Lehman, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli (19-33, .576, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 20 Runs)
Faron Fry, Rock Run Cabinetry/All Hustle/Silverbacks/Koval/Beloli (23-40, .575, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 22 Runs)


The Herd

2022 ASA Men’s AA Slow Pitch Nationals

2022 held at Drakes Creek Park Athletic Complex in Hendersonville, Tennessee on August 20-21.


Champion – N/A
Runner Up – N/A


  • MVP – N/A
  • Batting Champion – N/A
  • HR Champion – N/A

The ASA Men’s Super Slow Pitch National Championship was cancelled due to a lack of registered teams. It has been placed at Tahpah Park in Shakopee, Minnesota in 2023.