Category: ASA

1980 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1980 held at York, Pennsylvania.

Champions: Howard’s Rubi-Otts, Graham, North Carolina
Runner Up: York Barbellettes, York, Pennsylvania

After 10 times in National play and coming up short the previous nine times, Howard’s Rubi-Otts final won the big one. The North Carolina team went undefeated and won 7 straight games. It wasn’t easy as they scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning as Sherri Pickard and Marion Scott both got on base and scored on consecutive singles. They then held on winning a 5-3 decision over The Barbellettes of York. York took an early 2-0 lead, but the Rubi-Otts moved back ahead with three runs in the second inning on back to back singles and a sac fly. Tournament MVP Sherri Pickard scored one of the two runs in that 6th inning and went 2 for 3 to lead the Rubi-Otts offense. Susan Clark and Toni Pullium both were 1 for 2.

  • MVP – Sherri Packard, Rubi-Otts (17-25, .680)
  • Batting Leader – Inga Lees, McLaughlin Oil (13-16) – .813
  • Home Run Leader – Rita Lewis, Bob Hoffman’s Dots – 3

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Robin Murray, Hoffman Dots
P – Jamie Friedman, Action Pool Pacers
C – Pat Pickard, Rubi-Otts
1B – Bambi Toscano, Hoffman Dots
2B – Sherri Pickard, Rubi-Otts
3B – Rita Lewis, Bob Hoffman Dots
SS – Sue Bupp, Barbellettes
OF – Cindy Gross, Barbellettes
OF – Connie Blouse, Barbellettes
OF – Inga Lees, McLaughlin Oil
UT – Theresa Holt, Rubi-Otts
UT – Joannn Sharpe, Hoffman Dots

SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Bonnie Blouse, Barbellettes
P – Bev Beck, Sorrentos
C – Melinda Germain, Action Pool Pacers
1B – Laura Roundtree, Action Pool Pacers
2B – Linda Shermeyer, Barbellettes
SS – Debbie McLane, Action Pool Pacers
OF – Martha Kidd, Sorrentos
OF – Bunny Riley, Action Pool Pacers
UT – Marty Gordon, Rubi-Otts
UT – Toni Pulliam, Rubi-Otts
UT – Ann Keith, Rubi-Otts
UT – Marsha Repogle-Ehler, Sorrentos

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Howard’s Rubi-Otts, Graham, NC (7-0)
2. York Barbellettes, York, PA (9-2)
3. Action Pool Pacers, Jacksonville, FL (5-2)
4. Bob Hoffman Dots, North Miami, FL (7-2)
5t. Getz, Atlanta, GA (3-2)
5t. M&M Debs, Pittsburgh, PA (3-2)
7t. Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, OH (3-2)
7t. McLaughlin Oil, Columbus, OH (3-2)
9t. Universal Plastics, Baxter, TN (4-2)
9t. Tampa Gremlins, Tamps, FL (3-2)
9t. Redwood City Merchants, Redwood City, CA (3-2)
9t. Hutley’s Chasers, Huntington, NY (2-2)
13t. GB Wilcher, Franklin, IN (2-2)
13t. Richmond Stompers, Richmond, VA (2-2)
13t. Super Painters, Bloomington, MN (3-2)
13t. Spooks, Anoka, MN (2-2)
17t. Dapco Dexter, Ann Arbor MI (2-2)
17t. Jay’s Stereo, Westlake, MI (2-2)
17t. Indian Head Pub Mice, Huntington, NY (2-2)
17t. Fran Contracting Coal, Phillipsburg, PA (2-2)
17t. Arkies, Little Rock, AR (1-2)
17t. Redwood Saloon, New Bedford, MA (1-2)
17t. Goodenough Plumbettes, Monroe, MI (1-2)
17t. Renton Athletics, Seattle, WA (1-2)
25t. Wooster Motorwaves, Shelby, OH (1-2)
25t. Maplewood Bowl, St. Paul, MN (1-2)
25t. Ocean Staters, RI (1-2)
25t. Ozark Athletics, Joplin, MO (1-2)
25t. Bell Pickup, Grand Rapids, MI (1-2)
25t. Coors of the Ozarks, Springfield, MO (1-2)
25t. Playmates, Los Angeles, CA (0-2)
25t. Corrao Construction, Las Vegas, NV (0-2)
33t. Sherwood Construction, Wichita, KS (0-2)
33t. Bryan Sluggers, Bryan, TX (0-2)
33t. Moorewood City Cobras, Moorehead, CT (0-2)
33t. Namplates, Tulsa, OK (0-2)
33t. Austin Hawks, Austin, TX (0-2)
33t. A&E Sales, Corpus Christi, TX (0-2)
33t. Portland Redwings, Portlant, OR (0-2)
33t. Damn Yankees, Denver, CO (0-2)

1979 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1979 held at York, Pennsylvania.

Champion – Nelco Manufacturing, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (92-18)
Runner Up – Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, California (103-16)

Nelco Manufacturing had a slim chance of winning this event. Most thought it was gonna be another Howard’s-Campbell final.  But these two teams met in a first round matchup. ASA’s residency rule limited Nelson’s Painting to just local guys from Oklahoma, so only 6 of the players on the USSSA/NSPC Nelson’s team were eligible to play.

Campbell’s defeated Howard’s 17-16 in that first round matchup. The North Carolina squad then reeled off 8 straight wins in the loser’s bracket before meeting Campbell’s in the loser’s bracket final. The Howard’s boys suffered the same fate, only this time, it wasn’t as close in the 27-8 decision Nelco want undefeated (7-0) as they defeated Campbell’s in the Championship game 14-13 on the strength of Bruce Meade’s double that drove in the tying and winning runs in the game.

Meade was 5-5 in that game and finished the tournament 25-35 with a .714 batting average, including 7 HR and 18 RBI.  Nelco’s “Mighty” Joe Young was the tournament MVP as he batted only .559 (19-34), but had 10 HR and 30 RBI.  He also hit a grand slam in Nelco’s 18-15 winner’s bracket final victory over Campbell’s. The Nelso’s Painting team went on to win the NSPC and USSSA Championships to win the first Triple Crown of Slow Pitch Softball for Sponsor RT Nelson.

Note: Craig Elliott of Ken Sanders Ford hit 3 HR in one inning and 9 consecutive HR during the tournament — a record that has yet to be broken.

  • MVP – “Mighty” Joe Young, Nelco Manufacturing
  • HR Leader – David Beaird, Ken Sanders Ford – 14
  • Batting Leader – David Beaird, Ken Sanders Ford – .810

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Craig Elliott, Ken Sanders Ford (13-18, .722, 10 HR, 21 RBI, 8 BB)
P – Earl Chambers, Nelco Manufacturing (18-32, .563, 10 RBI)
C – Dean Brunken, Nelco Manufacturing (22-31, .710, 5 HR, 14 RBI)
C – Bob Brindamour, Shimers (.750, 5 HR, 23 RBI)
1B – Ed Berg, Nelco Manufacturing (19-30, .633, 7 HR, 21 RBI)
2B – Denny Hogan, Howard’s Furniture (21-35, .600, 8 HR, 17 RBI)
3B – Ed Roth, Howard’s Furniture (23-39, .590, 10 HR, 30 RBI)
SS – Russell Bradley, Campbell’s Carpets (22-31, .710, 1 HR, 14 RBI)
OF – David Beaird, Ken Sanders Ford (17-21, .810, 14 HR, 31 RBI)
OF – Tom Beall, Howard’s Furniture (23-29, .793, 7 HR, 25 RBI)
OF – Joe Young, Nelco Manufacturing (19-34, .559, 10 HR, 30 RBI)
OF – Bruce Meade, Nelco Manufacturing (25-35, .714, 7 HR, 18 RBI)
UTIL – Dale Chenault, Dave Carroll Sports (13-18, .722, 4 HR, 15 RBI)
UTIL – Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets (15-27, .556, 12 HR, 15 RBI)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Steve Kurman, County Sports (14-23, .609)
P – Greg Fuhrman, Campell’s Carpets (.457, 7 HR)
C – Ray Fleetwood, Howard’s Furniture (19-37, .513, 9 HR)
C – Lynn Navarre, Hans Hansen (11-16, .688)
1B – Harold Kelly, Dave Carroll Sports (.657)
2B – Jerry King, Campbell’s Carpets
3B – John Braxton, Dave Carroll Sports (14-22, .636)
SS – Paul Wright, Ken Sanders Ford (12-17, .708)
OF – Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets (.543, 8 HR)
OF – Gary Perkins, Hans Hansen (.650)
OF – Charles Pierce, Campbell’s Carpets (20-30, .667)
OF – Joel Todd, Nelco Manufacturing (6 HR)
UTIL – Terry Perryman, Nelco Manufacturing
UTIL – Steve Williams, American Realty (14-21, .667)

OTHERS

Mike Macenko, Hillcrest (9-11, .818)
John Geckle, Steele’s (12-15, .800, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 9 Runs)
Don Arndt, Howard’s (11-14, .786, 4 HR)
Curtis Williams, Ken Sanders Ford (13-19, .684, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 12 Runs)
Ken Slenker, York Barbell (13-19, .684, 7 HRs, 20 RBI, 11 Runs)
John Davide, York Barbell (15-23, .652, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 15 Runs)
Braxton Speller, Softbal City (16-25, .640, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 11 Runs)
Denny Ellis, Shimers (17-27, .630)
Craig Seaman, Softball City (16-26, .615, 4 HR)
Mike Jacobs, Howard’s (28-46, .609, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 26 Runs)
Chan Baker, County Sports (14-23, .609, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 7 Runs)
Lou Russo, York Barbell (14-24, .583, 2 RBI, 7 Runs)
Dick Bartel, Campbell’s (18-32, .563, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 14 Runs)
Marty Rolnick, County Sports (11-20, .550, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 13 Runs)
Pete O’Leary, County Sports (14-23, .542, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 8 Runs)
Rick Pinto, Softball City (10-20, .500, 3 RBI, 8 Runs)
Don Clatterbaugh, Dave Carroll’s (11-22, .500, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 13 Runs)
Stan Harvey, Howard’s (19-38, .500, 11 HR, 25 RBI, 15 Runs)
Buddy Slater, CC Brick (7-15, .467, 3 RBI, 6 Runs)
Richard Wilborn, CC Brick (11-25, .440, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 8 Runs)
Rick Scherr, Howard’s (17-39, .436, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 18 Runs)
Al White, American Realty (9-21, .429, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 8 Runs)
James Boyett, Dave Carroll (9-22, .409, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 12 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nelco Manufacturing, Oklahoma City, OK (7-0)
2. Campbell Carpets, Concord, CA (5-2)
3. Howard’s-Western Steer, Denver, NC (8-2)
4. Shimer’s, Minneapolis, MN (6-2)
5t. Hans Hansen, Toledo, OH (3-2)
5t. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrills Ford, NC (3-2)
7t. Softball City, Detroit, MI (4-2)
7t. Ken Sanders Ford, Phoenix City, AL (3-2)
9t. American Realty, Concord, CA (4-2)
9t. County Sports, Levittown, NY (4-2)
9t. Dr. Bernards, Portland, OR (3-2)
9t. York Barbell, York, PA (3-2)
13t. Robert’s Display Data, Baltimore, MD (2-2)
13t. C&C Brick & Lumber, San Antonio, TX (3-2)
13t. John Thell Builders, Providence, RI (2-2)
13t. Mustangs, Wauseon, OH (2-2)
17t. Midstate Oil, Springfield, OH (1-2)
17t. Bunch Brothers, Arab, AL (2-2)
17t. O’Bannon Bank, Springfield, OH (1-2)
17t. Indiana Coal, Evansville, IN (1-2)
17t. Frierson Building Supplies, Jackson, MS (2-2)
17t. Steele’s, Lima, OH (1-2)
17t. Bob’s American, Ephrata, PA (2-2)
17t. Chuck’s Off-Sale, Wahpeton, ND (1-2)
25t. Ensign Homes, Salt Lake City, UT (1-2)
25t. GB Wilcher, Seymour, IN (1-2)
25t. Dan Belew Insurance, Turlock, CA (1-2)
25t. Ross Insurance, Houston, TX (1-2)
25t. Hillcrest Tavern, Cleveland, OH (0-2)
25t. North Central BJ’s, Waterloo, IA (0-2)
25t. Kentucky Sporting Goods, Lexington, KY (0-2)
25t. Maggini Outlaws, Riverside, CA (0-2)
33t. Olympic Sports Center, Seattle, WA (0-2)
33t. Gallina’s Auto Center, Monroe, MI (0-2)
33t. Gartenhaus Cafe, Plainville, CT (0-2)
33t. Trenton Caps, Trenton, NJ (0-2)
33t. BYM Club, Pittsburgh, PA (0-2)
33t. Diablos, Albuquerque, NM (0-2)
33t. Hamilton Bryan, Wichita Falls, TX (0-2)
33t. Red Jenkins Amoco, Richmond, VA (0-2)

1979 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

1979 held at Burlington, North Carolina.

Champion – Clark & Sons, Providence, Rhode Island
Runner Up – Jack Matthews Realty, Las Vegas, Nevada

  • MVP – Charles Manz, Clark & Sons (14-24, .583, 9 RBI, 6 Runs)
  • Batting Champion – Gary Jones, Cody’s Justus (16-24, .667, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 11 Runs)
  • HR Champion – Tim Rhinehart, Carolina A’s – 7

The Rhode Island squad won the Class A championship without hitting a single home run. They lost the first final to Jack Matthews Realty 4-3 but won the deciding game 12-4 behind their pitcher and Tournament MVP, Charles Manz, who had 2 hits and 3 RBI in the title game.

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Charles Manz, Clark & Sons
P – Steve Johnson, Atwater Ford
C – Doug Armstrong, Cody’s Justus
C – Jerry Peters, Candlish Realty
1B – Gary Jones, Cody’s Justus
2B – Wayne Pyrtie, Atwater Ford
3B – Mike Rose, Clark & Sons
SS – Tommy Cole, Atwater Ford
OF – Fred Long, Atwater Ford
OF – Mark Soloman, Clark & Sons
OF – John Huntington, Jack Matthews
OF – Robert Balkcom, Clark & Sons
UT – Pat Bolster, Jack Matthews
UT – Ken Taylor, Jack Matthews

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Dan Barber, Hans Taylor
P – Mike Lowe, Jack Matthews
C – Steve Buckley, Clark & Sons
1B – Wayne King, Atwater Ford
2B – Dave Nuttall, Crosby Homes
3B – Gary Robertson, M&K Realty
SS – Tony DiCariano, Brothers A.C.
OF – Ricky Joyce, Atwater Ford
OF – Ed Kelly, Barbecue Kitchen
OF – John Johnson, Clark & Sons
OF – Floyd Wicker, Atwater Ford
UT – Barry Blomstedt, Clark & Sons
UT – Ron DiFrances, Brother A.C.
UT – Phil Seifert, Mid West Merchants

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clark & Sons, Providence, RI (6-1)
2. Jack Matthews Realty, Las Vegas, NV (6-2)
3. Atwater Ford, Burlington, NC (8-2)
4.  Cody’s Justus, Tacoma, WA (5-2)
5t. Candlish Realty, Logansport, IN (3-2)
5t. Brothers A.C., Yonkers, NY (3-2)
7t. Hans-Taylor Plumbing, Bargaintown, NJ (4-2)
7t. Crosby Homes, Bristol, MD (4-2)
9t. M.K. Realty, Merced, CA (4-2)
9t. Barbecue Kitchen, Atlanta, GA (2-2)
9t. Champlin Oilers, Enid, OK (2-2)
9t. Carolina A’s, Kings Mountain, NC (2-2)
13t. Midwest Merchants, Kansas City, MO (3-2)
13t. Erieside Electric, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
13t. San Mateo County Merchants, San Francisco, CA (3-2)
13t. Sportsman Sporting Goods, Charleston, WV (3-2)
17t. Maryland Pool & Patio, Bowie, MD (2-2)
17t. Hancock Sports Center, Jonesboro, AR (1-2)
17t. Armed Forces, Washington., DC (2-2)
17t. Starcom, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
17t. Green’s Jewelers, Corpus Christi, TX (1-2)
17t. Bob Hoffman Products, York, PA (2-2)
17t. Ridgemen, Paradise, CA (1-2)
17t. Sackett Brick, Kalamazoo, MI (1-2)
25t. Paco’s, Portland, OR (1-2)
25t. Super Shoe, Corpus Christi, TX (1-2)
25t. Cuevas Restaurant, Edinburg, TX (1-2)
25t. Jimmy’s Bar N.E., Minneapolis., MI (1-2)
25t. Houligans, Eau Claire, WI (1-2)
25t. Menasha, Lakeville, MN (0-2)
25t. East Construction, Bellevue, NE (1-2)
25t. Addie’s, Rockville, MD (0-2)
33t. Burger King, Logan, UT (0-2)
33t. Quinn’s Corners, Rice Lake, WI (0-2)
33t. Petrel’s, Birmingham, AL (0-2)
33t. Jack’s Convenient Store, Louisville, KY (0-2)
33t. Joy-Ful Convenient Store, Jacksonville, FL (0-2)
33t. O.J. Shoemaker, South Bend, IN (0-2)
33t. Carson-Pirie-Scott, Columbus, OH (0-2)
33t. Elmer’s Place, New Britain, CT (0-2)

1979 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1979 held at Springfield, Missouri.

Champion – Sun City Saints, Sun City, Arizona
Runner Up – Glendale Blazers, Glendale, California

Led by the pitching of Michelle Thomas and the hitting of Marilyn Rau, the Sun City Saints went through the tournament unbeaten. Thomas pitched a 2-hit shutout in the championship game, striking out 8 batters. This was a very balanced tournament as 12 games in all were decided by a 1-0 score. The big story was the 19th place finish of the Raybestos Brakettes, who were seeking their 9th consecutive National Championship. After winning their first game, they were beaten 1-0 by Sun City and then eliminated 2-1 by Law Equipment of Greeley, Co.

Paula Noel, Sun City (1-0, 14 IP, with a shutout) pitched the only game Michele Thomas didn’t pitch for the Saints.

  • MVP – Marilyn Rau, Sun City Saints
  • HR Leader – Linda Smith, West Allis Bankettes – 1
  • Batting Leader – Cindy Anderson, West Allis Bankettes – .500
  • Bertha Tickey Award (Pitching MVP) – Michelle Thomas, Sun City Saints
  • Erv Lind Award (Defensive MVP) – Dot Richardson, Orlando Rebels

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Carol Townsend, West Allis Bankettes (5-2)
P – Michelle Thomas, Sun City Saints (4-0, 22 IP, save, including a perfect game and a 2-0 2-hit shutout in championship)
P – Paulette Genz, Shimers
C – Marilyn Rau, Sun City Saints (7-14, .500, 3 3B)
C – Lana Svec, Don Coburn Inc.
1B – Barbara Hyde, Aspen Hill Nautilus
2B – Susan Bachman, Orlando Rebels
3B – Missy Mapes, Orlando Rebels
SS – Dot Richardson, Orlando Rebels
OF – Gail Davenport, Sun City Saints
OF – Patty Pyle, Orlando Rebels
OF – Charlotte Thomas, Glendale Blazers
OF – Leslie Bade, West Allis Bankettes
DH – Cindy Anderson, West Allis Bankettes (8-16, .500, 3 RBI, 3 Runs)
UTIL – Mary Yori, Langhurst Motors

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Laura Paulus, Langhurst Motors
P – Kathy VanWyk, Orlando Rebels (4-2)
P – Helen Contressceri, Glendale Blazers – led the Glendale Blazers pitching staff that went 5-2.
C – Marcia Newsome, Orlando Rebels
C – Linda Smith, West Allis Bankettes (6-21, .286, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 Runs)
1B – Kathie Maurice, Glendale Blazers
2B – Gail Hamilton, Glendale Blazers
3B – Jane Ludwig, Don Coburn Inc.
SS – Suzie Gaw, Sun City Saints
OF – Sue Redding, Orlando Rebels
OF – Nedra Jerry, Glendale Blazers
OF – Carol Kozlik, Langhurst Motors
OF – Gretchen Larson, Shimers
UTIL – Lisa Nicholson, Frost’s Sporting Goods

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Sun City Saints, Sun City, AZ (5-0) (Rocky Mountain Cactus)
2. Glendale Blazers, Glendale, CA (5-2) (Pacific Coast At-Large)
3. Bankettes, West Allis, WI (5-2) (Great Lakes)
4. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (4-2) (Southern)
5t. Langhurst Motors, Marion, IA (3-2) (Mid-America)
5t. Shimers, Bloomington, MN (3-2) (Northern)
7t. Frost’s Sporting Goods, Springfield, MO (3-2) (Host)
7t. Don Coburn, Inc., Ashland, OH (3-2) (East Central)
9t. Lansing Laurels, Lansing, MI (1-2) (Great Lakes At-Large)
9t. Budweiser Belles, Parsippany, NJ (2-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
9t. Quincy, Quincy, MA (1-2) (New England)
13t. Pelabole, Memphis, TN (0-2) (Southwestern)
13t. Orlando Suns, Orlando, FL (0-2) (Southern At-Large)
13t. Law Equipment, Greeley, CO (1-2) (Rocky Mountain Alpine)
13t. Houston Comets, Houston, TX (1-2) (Texas)
13t. Aspen Hill Nautilus, Adelphi, MD (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
17t. M&R Packers, Lodi-Sacramento, CA (1-2) (Pacific Coast)
17t. Bob Nelson Heating & Air, Omaha, NE (1-2) (Mid-America At-Large)
17t. Brakettes, Stratford, CT (1-2) (Defending Champ)
17t. Charter Finance, Cape Girardeau, MS (0-2) (South Atlantic)
17t. Macomb Magic, Macomb, IL (0-2) (Midwest)
17t. Dave Lee Sports, Portland, OR (0-2) (Northwestern)

1979 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1979 held at Midland, Michigan.

Champion – McArdle Pontiac-Cadillac, Midland, Michigan
Runner Up – Bob Hoffman’s Barbell Sunners, Reading, Pennsylvania

McArdle came through the loser’s bracket to defeat Bob Hoffman’s Barbell Sunners two straight times to capture the championship. Owen “The Fog” Walford of McArdle beat Ty Stofflett in a 10 inning 1-0 game in the first final, despite Stofflett’s 19 K. Then McArdle’s Bob Ryan beat York’s Larry Bergh 3-1 in the final championship game). Stofflett finished the tournament with 76 K in 45.2 innings and surrendered only 13 hits and 3 earned runs. Stofflet’s streak of 14 consecutive wins in ASA National Championship play was broken by in this tournament as he went 5-1.

  • Co-MVP – Jeff Peck, McArdle Pontiac/Cadillac
  • Co-MVP – Ted Hicks, CMI (12-19, .632)
  • Batting Leader – Jim Brackin, Wilson Powell – .533
  • Home Run Leader – N/A
  • Most Outstanding Pitcher Award – Ty Stofflet, Bob Hoffman’s Barbell Sunners

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Ty Stofflet, Bob Hoffman’s Barbell Sunners (5-1, 46 IP, 76 K, won 5 straight until the final game, 2 one-hit shutouts. Beat McArdle Pontiac-Cadillac earlier in the tournament to win his 14th consecutive ASA National Tournament game.)
P – Owen “The Fog” Walford, McArdle Pontiac-Cadillac (4-1, pitched a 10 inning 1-0 victory to get Midland to the championship)
P – Bob Ryan, McArdle Pontiac-Cadillac (3-0), pitched the 3-1 finale.
C – Jim March, Guanella Brothers (7-21, .333)
C – Nels Cronkright, McArdle Pontiac-Cadillac
1B – George Nokes, Peterbilt
2B – Jack Starling, McArdle Pontiac-Cadillac
3B – Jeff Peck, McArdle Pontiac-Cadillac (10-22, .455, 2 RBI), keyed all three rallies to give Midland the 3-1 championship final victory.
SS – Jim Brackin, Wilson Powell (8-15, 4 RBI)
OF – Ray Allena, Guanella Brothers (11-27, .407)
OF – Larry Potts, Wilson Powell (8-16, .500, 3 RBI)
OF – Bill Stewart, Peterbilt
OF – Scott Keener, Bob Hoffman’s Barbell Sunners
DH – Paul Custred, Wilson Powell
UT – Mike Parnow, Guanella Brothers (9-27, .333, 9 RBI)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Graham Arnold, Peterbilt (3-2)
P – Rick Balswick, Guanella Brothers
P – Roy Burlison, O’Byrne Electric (3-1)
C – Butch Batt, Peterbilt
C – Jim Nichols, O’Byrne Electric
1B – Jeff Seip, Bob Hoffman’s Barbell Sunners
2B – Hank Stocks, Wilson Powell
3B – Dennis Christopherson, Southern Truck Raiders
SS – Terry Brenner, Southern Truck Raiders
OF – Dale Lagow, Home Savings and Loan
OF – Bonus Frost, O’Byrne Electric
OF – Jim Nokes, Peterbilt
OF – Les Crandall, Guanella Brothers
DH – Evans Telegades, McArdle Pontiac-Cadillac
UT – John Anquillare, Raybestos Cardinals

FINAL STANDINGS

1. McArdle Pontiac-Cadillac, Midland, MI (7-1) (Host)
2. Bob Hoffman’s Barbell Sunners, Reading, PA (5-2) (Defending Champ)
3. Guanella Brothers, Santa Rosa, CA (6-2) (Pacific Coast)
4. Lakewood Jets, Lakewood, CA (1-2) (Pacific Coast At-Large)
5t. Southern Truck Raiders, Phoenix, AZ (3-2) (Rocky Mountain-Cactus)
5t. O’Byrne Electric, Springfield, MO (3-2) (Mid-America At-Large)
7t. Home Savings and Loan, Aurora, IL (3-2) (Midwest)
7t. Wilson Powell, Marlow Heights, MD (3-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (2-2) (New England)
9t. Peter’s Bombers, Des Moines, IA (1-2) (Mid-America)
9t. Zeniths, Rochester, NY (2-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
9t. Peterbilt, Seattle, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Steve’s Exporters, San Antonio, TX (1-2) (Texas)
13t. Alabama Auto Auction, Montgomery, AL (0-2) (Southern)
13t. Charlie’s Trading Post, Atlanta, GA (1-2) (South Atlantic)
13t. Made-Rite Chips, Bay City, MI (1-2) (Great Lakes At-Large)
17t. Franklin Enterprises, Memphis, TN (0-2) (Southwestern)
17t. Ohio Caverns, West Liberty, OH (0-2) (East Central)
17t. Page Brake, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2) (Rocky Mountain-Alpine)
17t. Bandbox, St. James, MN (0-2) (Northern)
17t. Wolverine Supply, Ann Arbor, MI (0-2) (Great Lakes)
17t. York Barbell, Lancaster, PA (1-2) (Central Atlantic At-Large)

1979 ASA Men’s (9) Modified Pitch Nationals

1979 held at Binghamton, New York on August 23-26.

Champion – Clinica Association Cubana, Miami Beach, Florida
Runner Up – Granite AC, Staten Island, New York

The rain-plagued Amateur Softball Association National Men’s Modified Fast-Pitch tournament should have either a paper champion or a true champion tonight.

A third straight day of rain delays ended at 3:15 o’clock this morning. Eight hours later, an agreement was reached for the two survivors – Clinica Associacion of Miami and unbeaten Granite A.C. of Staten Island– to meet tonight at 8 at First Ward Field, with a helicopter on standby for drying duty if further rain falls. Should the Miamians win, another game must follow to determine the national champion.

Last night’s drawn-out proceedings didn’t end on the field at First Ward, where in steadily heavier rain the Miamians held off Silvestri’s, another Staten Island team, to win the losers’ bracket final, 16-13.

That game began at 7 p.m. at MacArthur, but with none out in the top of the first inning and two Clinica runs home, it was held up by rain. Continuing showers forced tourney officials to give up on MacArthur and try to complete the tournament at better-draining First Ward.

When Clinica finished defeating Silvestri’s at about 1:30 a.m., it was supposed to immediately play Granite A.C. in the finals. Granite is 6-0 and defeated Clinica 19-13 in yesterday’s winners bracket final at MacArthur, Staten Island brothers Vince and Mike D’Esposito each hitting 3-run homers. But with rain pouring down, tournament chairman Carl Gaffney ruled First Ward unplayable.

After more than an hour’s debate in the Ramada Inn lobby and two wakeup phone calls to ASA Executive Director Don Porter in Oklahoma City, Gaffney informed Clinica manager-sponsor Ben Leon and Granite A.C. manager Mike Barone to call him today to find out when and where they’d play today.

Barone said all along yesterday that job and other commitments would make it impossible for his team to stay to play today. However Gaffney said this noon the New Yorkers -have told us they’ll be there ”

Barone, an attorney, cited an ASA rule to back his contention that Granite A.C. is already champion. He said since his team has the best record (6-0) and the tournament could not be completed in the scheduled time, it is the winner.

The rule reads: ” . . . tournaments shall be played in accordance with the dates on the bid accepted by the Commissioner’s Council.” Some ASA nationals have been decided in this fashion.

However, both the 1976 and ’77 teenage girls’ nationals here were completed a day late because of rain. Gaffney and his committee based their decision to play it out on another ASA rule: “In the event the tournament cannot be completed as scheduled, the tournament committee will ascertain the procedure to determine the final standings.”

The committee, which also included ASA officials Fred Schneider of Binghamton and Vince Scamardella of New York City, decided it will determine the standings by playing. If Granite didn’t show up. Clinica would regain by forfeit the title it held in 1976-77.

“I don’t want to walk away without winning a championship on the field,” said Leon, who said he out $25,000 to pay the freight for his team’s entourage of 64 (players, coaches, families).

Gaffney offered to help defray Granite A.C. travel expenses if the team wanted to return to New York City and drive back up for a title game tonight. “What would that prove?” asked Barone. “A team that’s rested all day going out to play one that’s driven to New York City and back and worked Barone’s shortstop Ray Rudolph, 74-year-old former Brewers’ minor-league infielder, has an unusual reason why he can’t stay. Rudolph must fly to Colorado Springs tomorrow morning to rejoin the U.S. team handball squad. He came straight to the softball tournament from Budapest. Hungary, where the U.S. handballers was in a tournament. Team hand-ball is similar to water polo, but played on a court in a Um

Hours earlier than the rain and off-diamond hassling, host team Endicott Trust split two games at First Ward to finish seventh in the 40-team field. ET nipped West Islip, 7-6, but then was a 9-1 victim of a 4-hitter by Silvestri pitcher Ed Pitre. Three double-plays helped ET fend off West Islip.

Jim Bennett, Elk Lake carpenter who played second base for ET, led the team in tournament hitting at .450 (9-for•20). ET’s four wins are the most ever for an area team in a modified national.

This year’s national also easily broke the Binghamton record for “rocking around the clock. ‘ Howdy Jones Construction of Little Meadows. which won three games and knocked out defending champ Marianao of Miami Beach Saturday, was eliminated itself at 5:33 a.m. yesterday. Howdy’s played the final “Saturday” game, a 12-11 loss to Oil City, Pa., that began 3:50 a.m. yesterday at First Ward.

The old wee-hours record was 3:10. A First Ward game in the ’76 Junior girls’ tournament ended then. Oil City was back on the First Ward diamond at 9:30 a.m., not surprisingly losing 5-4 to Silvestri’s. “When do the umpires ask that you turn the lights off?” was Gaffney’s ball-joking query to a bleary-eyed spectator as Oil City and Howdy’s took the field.

As is the case this summer in American League baseball, Oriole-organization blood was much for the New Yorkers when the Amateur Softball Association’s national men’s Modified Fast-Pitch Tournament finally came down to the wire late last night at First Ward Field.

Miami’s Asociacion Cabana Clinics, led by slugging tourney MVP Bill Russell— a one-time Baltimore baseball farmhand, pulled the rug from under previously un-beaten Granite Athletic Club of Staten Island, 149 and 104 to win the rain-plagued double-elimination event that began Thurs-day.

The crowd, estimated at 2,500 by local ASA commissioner Carl Gaffney despite seating for only 200, was undoubtedly the largest in First Ward softball history. No tickets were sold, because the field has no crowd control, but many would have rain-checks, anyway, from the MacArthur Field washout of Sunday night.

Granite AC had beaten the Miamians 19- 13 in the winners-bracket final earlier Sunday, and was three outs from victory in last night’s winner, on two runs in the top of the seventh, fore an intentional walk to Russell backfired and right fielder Jerome Byrd punched the winning 2-run single to right. Granite AC’s lead had been its third, the first a 4.0 top-of-the-first getaway in which towering Miami pitcher Kurtis fell heavily while trying to make a tag play near third base and suffered rib injuries that kept him out thereafter.

Centerfielder Russell’s two homers in the nightcap rout, 10-0 at one stage, gave the 31-year-old seven for the tourney, while batting .516.

On the 14-man all-tourney team, Granite AC was awarded five berths to the champions’ three, perhaps reflecting Granite manager Mike Barone ‘s contention the outcome was no true test since he was without three of his players after rain prevented the scheduled Sunday-night conclusion and he felt four others were sub-par after commuting home and back to perform their jobs yesterday. One Granite selection was first-baseman Vin D’Esposito who was 5-for-5 in last night’s opener, adding two hits in the Coral-game frustration.

Endicott Trust pitcher Bob Plew was one of the three second team pitching choices. Though modified fast-pitch play has been minimal in this area until this summer, Gaffney feels that spectators were so “taken” with competition that there’ll be a lot of recruits moving from slow pitch to modified when be organizes his 1980 leagues.

“I think it’ll boom,” he said. “It makes so many of the game more important, like ting and stealing.” Gaffney said that the tourney marked the first time in the national event’s 5-year history that the umpires have been in control as far as illegal pitches— which he’s told made a farce out of last year’s tourney in Spokane, Wash.

“From the time Ed Crane (Binghamton Central teacher who is ASA’s New York State umpire-in-chief) called some illegal pitches against the Long Island team at the very start of the tourney on Thursday, and threw their manager out for objecting, the tournament was made,” he said.

Six other Triple Cities umpires officiated last night: Dick James, Dave Van Woert, Kevin McGoff, Wally Mead, Don Soliwoda and Tom Katcher.

The infield had been covered with plastic, a precaution which foiled a mid-afternoon rain.

  • MVP – Bill Russell, Clinica Associacion Cubana
  • Batting Champion – Bill Russell, Clinica Associacion Cubana – .610
  • HR Champion – Jim Bennett, Endicott Trust – 7

1979 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

1B – Vin D’Esposito, Granite A.C.
1B – Eddy Fernandez, Clinica Associacion Cubana
SS – Julio Hernandez, Clinica Associacion Cubana
3B – Julio Acosta, Clinica Associacion Cubana
OF – Robert McDaniel, Clinica Associacion Cubana
OF – Bill Russell, Clinica Associacion Cubana

1979 SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Bob Plew, Endicott Trust

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clinica Associacion Cubana, Miami Beach, FL (7-1)
2. Granite A.C., Staten Island., NY (N/A)
3. Silvestri’s, Staten Island., NY (N/A)
4. Frank’s TV, Lowell, MA (N/A)
5t. Long Islanders, Babylon, NY (N/A)
5t. Quachita Sports, West Monroe, LA (N/A)
7t. Endicott Trust, Binghamton, NH (4-2)
7t. Nystrom’s, Delano, MN (N/A)
9t. Rana’s Restaurant, West Islip, NH (N/A)
9t. Ray L. Wear Manswear, Oil City, PA (N/A)
9t. R.C. Cola Wild Bunch, Claremont, NH (N/A)
9t. North Cumberland Motors, Morristown, TN (N/A)
13t. Howdy Jones Construction, Little Meadows, PA (N/A)
13t. Park Lunch, Newburyport, MA (N/A)
13t. Broadway National Bank, Bayonne, NJ (N/A)
13t. Cadillacs, Atlanta, GA (N/A)
17t. Pomerleau’s, Augusta, ME (N/A)
17t. L. B. Franco, Spokane., WA (N/A)
17t. Marianao, Miami Beach, FL (N/A)
17t. Cork “N” Bottle, Sayre., PA (N/A)
17t. King Builders, Little Meadows, PA (N/A)
17t. Platzers, Marysville, MI (N/A)
17t. Town & Country Cleaners, Waterbury, CT (N/A)
17t. Morrell’s Builders, Plymouth, MI (N/A)
25t. Roe’s Snack Bar, Easton, MD (N/A)
25t. Dubois Tire, Keene, NH (N/A)
25t. Tri-Star, Green Bay., WI (N/A)
25t. SDM Club, East Boston, MA (N/A)
25t. Sherm’s Riverside Inn, Watertown, MN (N/A)
25t. Hannons Bar, Scranton., PA (N/A)
25t. Magoo’s Tavern, Portland, OR (N/A)
25t. Blazers, King William, VA (N/A)
33t. Service Engineering, San Francisco, CA (N/A)
33t. Harrison Construction, Lubbock, TX (N/A)
33t. Blue Flames, Washington, DC (N/A)
33t. Mt. Hope Inn, Boonton TWP., NJ (N/A)
33t. Water Tank Service, Lufkin, TX (N/A)
33t. Strick’s, Spokane, WA (N/A)
33t. Coventry Lodge, Warwick, RI (N/A)
33t. McDowell Towing, Bridgeville., DE (N/A)

1979 Women’s College World Series (AIAW)

1979 held at Dill Softball Center in Omaha, Nebraska on May 24-27.

Champion – Texas Woman’s Pioneers (71-5)
Runner Up – UCLA Bruins (24-9)

Texas Woman’s University, newly named the Pioneers in February after years as the Tessies, won its first national championship behind the pitching of Kathy Arendsen, emerging from the losers’ bracket to defeat defending champion UCLA with a pair of 1–0 wins in the final. On the final day, Arendsen pitched all 21 innings in three games.

Kathy Arendsen pitched three games yesterday, allowed a total of four hits and led Texas Woman’s University to the championship in the Women’s College World Series. Arendsen shut out UCLA twice by 1-0 scores in the afternoon after eliminating top-seeded Cal Poly of Pomona, 2-0, in the morning. Arendson did not allow an earned run in more than 400 innings at one point this season.

Arendsen also won the 1979 Broderick Award for the nation’s outstanding female college athlete.

Cal-Poly Pomona entered the tournament with a 40-2-2 record and was led by new coach and legendary player Carol Spanks. By the time Spanks was finished coaching she amassed a 577-309-8 record with 11 WCWS appearances and ranked as the 4th winningest coach in NCAA history.

Rutgers sported a perfect 24-0 record entering the WCWS.

The Pioneers won the championship game with an unearned run in the first inning. UCLA third baseman Marcia Pontoni overthrew first base after fielding Sue Redding’s grounder. The Texas Woman’s leadoff batter went to third on the play, kicked the return throw from first baseman Kathy Maurice out of P9ntoni’s glove and scored as the ball rolled away.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Leading Hitter – Sue Reinders, Nebraska-Omaha (6-11, .545)
  • HR Champion – N/A

OTHERS

Batting Leaders

Sue Reinders, Nebraska-Omaha (.545, 6-11, 1 RBI)
Susan Bachman, Western Illinois (.417, 5-12, 2 RBI)
Gail Coleman, Western Illinois (.417, 5-12, 3 RBI)
Jill Larson, Kansas (.400, 4-10)
Melinda Farm, Oregon State (.364, 4-11, 1 RBI)
Denise Smail, Oregon State (.364, 4-11)
Gail Edson, UCLA (.350, 7-20, 1 RBI)
Chris Abrahamson, Western Illinois (.333, 4-12)
Diane Stephenson, Indiana (.313, 5-16, 2 RBI)
Suzie Gaw, Arizona State (.308, 4-13)
Linda King, Cal Poly Pamona (.308, 4-13 1 RBI)
Barb Reinalda, Cal Poly Pamoa (.308, 4-13 2 RBI)
Meg Seng, Indiana (.308, 4-13)
Sue Sherman, UCLA (.308, 4-13)
Julie Woodman, Kansas (.300, 3-10)

Leaders

Most Hits – Gail Edson, UCLA; Willie Rucker, Texas Woman’s; Val List, Texas Woman’s (7)
Most Doubles – Liz Zemanek, Texas A&M (2)
Most Triples – Pam Brown, Texas Woman’s; Gail Coleman, Western Illinois; Diane Stephenson, Indiana (2)
Most Home Runs – Gail Coleman, Western Illinois; Jackie Crescio, Western Illinois; Bridget Ellis, Rutgers; Kim Metcalf, Northern Colorado; Diane Ninemire, Nebraska-Omaha; Lisa Slate, Texas Woman’s; Linda Spagnola, Indiana (1)
Most RBI: Linda Spagnolo, Indiana (4)
Most Stolen Bases: Julie Hudson, Indiana (3)

Pitching Leaders

Kathy Arendsen, Texas Woman’s (6-1, 5 shutouts, 77 K, 0.00 ERA)
Barb Reinalda, Cal Poly (3-2, 16 K, 0.00 ERA)
Karen Andrews, UCLA (2-1, 13K, 0.00 ERA)
Phylllis Schachterle, Northern Colorado (2-0, 4 K, 0.00 ERA)
Shelley Sinclair, Kansas (1-1, 10K, 0.00 ERA)
Lucy Casarez, Arizona State (1-1, 14 K, 0.32 ERA)
Jan Jeffers, UCLA (2-1, 6 K, 0.33 ERA)
Lou Piel, Northern Colorado (1-2, 21 K, 0.58 ERA)
Denise Smail, Oregon State (2-2, 13 K, 0.75 ERA)
Hallie Cohan, Rutgers (0-2, 13 K, 0.81 ERA)

SCORES

Cal St Poly-Pomona 6, Nebraska-Omaha 0
Western Illinois 4, Emporia State 0
Arizona State 2, Oregon State 0
Texas Woman’s 4, South Carolina 2
Kansas 2, Arizona 0
UCLA 5, Texas A&M 0
Indiana 8, Chapman 1
Northern Colorado 3, Rutgers 2
Nebraska-Omaha 4, Emporia State 3
Oregon State 1, South Carolina 0
Texas A&M 6, Arizona 2
Rutgers 1, Chapman 0
Cal St Poly-Pomona 1, Western Illinois 0
Texas Woman’s 1, Arizona State 0
UCLA 2, Kansas 0
Northern Colorado 4, Indiana 1
Texas A&M 2, Arizona State 0
Western Illinois 3, Rutgers 2
Indiana 4, Nebraska-Omaha 2
Oregon State 1, Kansas 0
Cal St Poly-Pomona 1, Texas Woman’s 0
UCLA 2, Northern Colorado 0
Texas A&M 4, Western Illinois 2
Indiana 2, Oregon State 1
Northern Colorado 2, Texas A&M 0
Texas Woman’s 2, Indiana 1
UCLA 1, Cal St Poly-Pomona 0
Texas Woman’s 1, Northern Colorado 0
Texas Woman’s 2, Cal St Poly-Pomona 0
Texas Woman’s 1, UCLA 0
Texas Woman’s 1, UCLA 0

FINAL STANDINGS

1 Texas Woman’s Pioneers (7-1)
2 UCLA Bruins (4-2)
3 Cal-State Poly Pomona Broncos (3-2)
4 Northern Colorado Bears (3-2)
5t.Texas A&M Aggies (3-2)
5t. Indiana Hoosiers (3-2)
7t. Oregon State Beavers (2-2)
7t. Western Illinois Leathernecks (2-2)
9t. Kansas Jayhawks (1-2)
9t. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-2)
9t. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-2)
9t. Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (1-2)
13t. Arizona Wildcats (0-2)
13t. South Carolina Gamecocks (0-2)
13t. Chapman Panthers (0-2)
13t. Emporia State Hornets (0-2)

1979 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1979 held at Nashville, Tennessee.

Champion: Bob Hoffman’s Dots, Miami, Florida
Runner Up: Tampa Gremlins, Tampa, Florida

The Dots closed out their final campaign with a 12-6 victory over the Tampa Gremlins in the finals. They have been a dominant force in Slow Pitch during the last eleven years in national play. Since 1969, the Dots have finished in the top-5 every single year, They have won 5 National Championships (1969, 1974, 1975, 1978 and this year 1979), twice been Runner-up, twice been third and throw in a fourth and a fifth. They have had an incredible run. After the season, they decided to disband. The Gremlins had to defeat last year’s runner-up, Atlanta Getz in the loser’s bracket to gain the finals over the powerful Dots.

  • MVP – Rita Lewis, Bob Hoffman’s Dots (12-25, .480, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 13 Runs)
  • Home Run Leader – Sue Bupp, York Barbellettes (10-17, .588, 10 RBI, 6 Runs) – 4
  • Batting Leader – Pam Nelson, McLaughlin Oil (11-15, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 Runs) – .733

1979 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Robin Murray, Dots
C – Glynda Hester, Getz
1B – Linda Tumlin, Getz
2B – Debbie Wohlers, Gremlin
3B – Rita Lewis, Dots
SS – Chris Padgett, Dots
OF – Ernestine Hamel, Dots
OF – Elaine Honig, Gremlins
OF – Cindy Brogdon, Getz
UT – Jennie Garrison, Getz
UT – Marilyn Booher, Sorrento’s
UT – Sandra VanLandingham, Gremlins
UT – Marlene Brice, Gremlins

1979 SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Shirley Patterson, Sorrento’s
C – Terry Combs, Sorrento’s
1B – Laura McEvoy, Hutley’s Chasers
2B – Linda Mueller, All Sports
3B – Cheryl Gardley, Port City
SS – Sue Bupp, Barbellettes
OF – Karen Harris, UPI
OF – Lisa Shermeyer, Barbellettes
UT – Charlene Stemm, Ferry Cap
UT – Charlene Koski, Rebels
UT – Jennifer Gorecki, Self-Serve

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Bob Hoffman Dots, Miami, FL (7-0)
2. Tampa Gremlins, Tampa, FL (7-2)
3. Atlanta Getz, Atlanta, GA (4-2)
4. Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, OH (5-2)
5t. Self-Serve, Solon, OH (4-2)
5t. Rebels, Jacksonville, FL (3-2)
7t. Hutley’s Chasers, Huntington, NY 6-2
7t. Port City Ford, Houston, TX (3-2)
9t. Mclaughlin Oil, Columbus, OH (2-2)
9t. Annie’s Guns, Dallas, TX (3-2)
9t. Ferry Cap, Parma, OH (3-2)
9t. Barbellettes, York, PA (3-2)
13t. All Sport Uniform, Roseville, MI (3-2)
13t. Universal Plastics, Cookville, TN (2-2)
13t. Detlefsen Insurance, Burnsville, MN (2-2)
13t. Forrest Datsun, Redwood City, CA (2-2)
17t. Carrao Construction, Las Vegas, NV (2-2)
17t. Getaway Inn, Topeka, KS (2-2)
17t. Spooks, Anoka, MN (1-2)
17t. Nelson Painting, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
17t. Hecker’s Girls, New Athens, IL (1-2)
17t. Bernard Hall, Fond-Du-Lac, WI (1-2)
17t. Jefferson Royals, Desoto, MO (1-2)
17t. Stompers, Mechanicsville, VA (3-2)
25t. St. Paul Steamers, St. Paul, MN (0-2)
25t. Cunningham-Kelly Fillies, Nashville, TN (2-2)
25t. Quicksilver, Tulsa, OK (0-2)
25t. George Flowers Playmates, Sacramento, CA (0-2)
25t. L&B Oil, Hutchinson, KS (0-2)
25t. Indian Head Pub Mice, Huntington Station, NY (0-2)
25t. Hartford Road Dairy Queen, Manchester, CT (1-2)
25t. Danielson Insurance, Missoula, MT (0-2)
33t. Redwood Saloon, New Bedford, MA (0-2)
33t. The Junction, Greeley, CO (0-2)
33t. E.M.A.C., El Monte, CA (0-2)
33t. Lufkin Curves, Lufkin, TX (0-2)
33t. Sharpe Electric, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
33t. Great Falls Sponsors, Great Falls, MT (0-2)
33t. Dapco, Dexter, MI (0-2)

1978 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1978 held at Elk Grove, California.

Champion – Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, California (93-15)
Runner Up – Howard’s Furniture, Denver, North Carolina (133-30)

Campbell’s Carpets realized their three year dream of an ASA National Championship by holding off the mighty Howard’s Furniture in the championship.  Campbell’s advanced to the finals with a convincing 41-12 win over American Realty. Denny Jones was 5-5 with two walks in the game. He also hit 3 HR as did Mike Cellura and Tom Sandau.

Howard’s, sent to the loser’s bracket by Ken Sander’s Ford behind 4 HR each from Craig Elliott and Roger Mayo. Howard’s then came back from the loser’s bracket, defeating Nelson’s Painting 25-21, despite 5 HR from Curtis Williams of Nelson’s. Don Arndt and Stan Harvey hit 3 each for Howard’s.

After Howard’s defeated American Realty in the loser’s bracket final, they out-homered Campbell’s 22-8 in the first final on their way to a 42-26 to force the “if” game. Arndt and Harvey led Howard’s once again as they each hit 4 HR in the game.  Campbell’s put that game behind them and defeated Howard’s 26-20 in the winner take all final game.

Mike Cellura hit 4 HR in the game and Denny Jones shipped in with three. Jones, Cellura and Tom Sandau combined for 12 hits and 8 HR. Campbell’s set a record by scoring 86 runs in a game in their victory over AAFCO.

The Carpetmen scored 17 runs in the first inning, 20 in the 4th and 25 in the 6th inning, before finally winning 86-21. Denny Jones, Charles Pierce and Ron Masterson each collected 8 hits in the game. Among Pierce’s 8 hits were 5 HR. He also had 11 RBI. Denny Jones, Russell Bradley and Randy Barlich all drove in 9 runs.

Right before the tournament started, Campbell’s leading Al White was hampered by double vision and could not play. John Sandau stepped in and batted .720, made some great defensive plays and was named to the All American team. In another scoring outburst, Ken Sanders Ford won its first game 63-9 on the strength of a Nation  home run record of 27 for one game. On another note, the legendary Bruce hit 5 home runs in one game.

  • MVP – Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets
  • HR Leader – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture – 23
  • Batting Leader – Greg Fuhrman, York Barbells  – .944

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture (27-44, .614, 20 HR, 42 RBI)
P – Craig Elliott, Ken Sanders Ford (25-39, .641, 14 HR)
C – Gene Fisher, Howard’s Furniture (28-48, .583, 14 HR, 40 RBI)
C – John Tercheria, Campbell’s Carpets (25-39, .647, 8 HR)
1B – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture (36-51, .706, 23 HR, 45 RBI) – set a new national tournament HR record with 23.
2B – H.T. Waller, Howard’s Furniture (24-44, .545, 11 HR)
3B – Tom Sandau, Campbell’s Carpets (25-36, .694, 12 HR, 31 RBI)
SS – Russell Bradley, Campbell’s Carpets (21-35, .600, 4 HR)
OF – Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets (34-41, .829, 18 HR, 40 RBI)
OF – Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets (30-42, .714, 21 HR, 36 RBI)
OF – Mike Jacobs, Howard’s Furniture (31-42, .736, 8 HR)
OF – Randy Barlich, Campbell’s Carpets (30-40, .750, 15 HR, 41 RBI)
UTIL – Greg Fuhrman, York Barbell (17-18, .944, 12 HR, 19 RBI) – set all time national tournament batting record at .944.
UTIL – Mark Koller, American Realty (21-32, .655, 7 HR)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Gordon Wheeler, Campbell’s Carpets (19-39, .487, 12 HR)
P – Charles Mitchell, Nelson’s Painting (11 HR)
C – Brad Krebs, York Barbell (12-17, .706)
C – Herman Rathman, Nelson’s Painting (14 HR)
1B – Eddie Corum, Campell’s Carpets (25-40, .625, 7 HR)
2B – James Abercrombie, Nelson Painting (11 HR)
3B – Rick Scherr, Howard’s Furniture (36-51, .706, 12 HR)
SS – Terry Perryman, Nelson’s Painting (18-28, .643)
OF – Curtis Williams, Howard’s Furniture (27-42, .642, 10 HR)
OF – Bruce Meade, Nelson’s Painting (23-32, .719, 12 HR)
OF – Dean Brunken, Nelson’s Painting (11 HR)
OF – Charlie Pierce, Campbell’s Carpets (28-40, .700, 9 HR)
UTIL – Rich Latimer, Dallas Merchants (18-23, .783)
UTIL – Willie Willis, American Realty (15-23, .652)

OTHERS

Roger Mayo, Ken Sanders Ford (27-39, .692, 10 HR)
Denny Hogan, Howards Furniture (12 HR)
Len Larabee, Mid State Oil Derby (14-19, .737, 5 HR)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA (7-1)
2. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (9-2)
3. American Realty, Sacramento, CA (4-2)
4. Nelson Painting Service, Oklahoma City, OK (5-2)
5t. Hillcrest Tavern, Cleveland, OH (5-2)
5t. Dallas Merchants, Dallas, TX (3-2)
7t. Steele’s, Lima, OH (5-2)
7t. York Barbell, York, PA (4-2)
9t. AAFCO, San Jose, CA (2-2)
9t. Ken Sanders Ford, Phoenix City, AL (3-2)
9t. Chromomalloy, Abilene, TX (3-2)
9t. Non-Ferrous Metal Fab, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
13t. Port City Ford, Houston, TX (3-2)
13t. Bunca & Frey Softball Club, Kalamazoo, MI (2-2)
13t. Dick Joseph Auto Body, Springfield, OH (3-2)
13t. Burnetts & Associates, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
17t. Midstate Oil-Derby, Springfield, MA 1-2
17t. Lou Ana Foods, Opelousas, LA (1-2)
17t. Era-American Realty, Concord, CA 0-2
17t. Decathlon, Jackson, MI (1-2)
17t. Dubose Insurance, Pensacola, FL (2-2)
17t. Manning’s, St. Paul, MN (2-2)
17t. Sunset Lounge, White Bear Lake, MN (1-2)
17t. Gartenhaus, Plainville, CT (1-2)
25t. Fliteline Motors, Fort Smith, AR (1-2)
25t. Rule Conststruction, Oliver Springs, TN (0-2)
25t. Associated Glass, Fairfax, VA (0-2)
25t. Newberry’s Sporting Goods, Portsmouth, VA (0-2)
25t. MCU Sports, Boise, ID (0-2)
25t. Trenton Caps, Trenton, NJ (0-2)
25t. Trainham Chevrolet, Richmond, VA (1-2)
25t. Buck’s Car, Billings, MT (0-2)
33t. Neiderhauser, Cedar Falls, IA (0-2)
33t. Farnsworth Construction, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)
33t. GB Wilcher, Seymour, IN (0-2)
33t. Central Delivery Service, Shawnee Mission, KS (0-2)
33t. Wayne and Phil’s, Bartonville, IL (0-2)

1978 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

1978 held in Houston, Texas.

Champion – Port City Ford Wreckers, Houston, Texas
Runner Up – Jerry’s Catering, Daytona Beach, Florida (80-18)

  • MVP – Prince Williams, Port City Ford Wreckers (.708, 6 HR, 15 RBI)
  • Batting Champion – Ronnie DuBose, Port City Ford Wreckers – .857
  • HR Champion – Prince Williams, Port City Ford – 6

Jerry’s Caterers of Daytona Beach was formerly the Sub-Tropic squad of Ormond Beach, FL. When Jerry’s did not sponsor a Major team this year, they picked up the sponsorship of the Sub-Tropic team. They went 80-18 on the season.

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bobby Brown, Port City Ford Wreckers
P – Jeff Brelsford, Jerry’s Catering
C – Prince Williams, Port City Ford Wreckers
C – John Schirmer, Midwest Petroleum
1B – Neil Braly, Jerry’s Catering
2B – Ronnie DuBose, Port City Ford Wreckers
3B – John Spikerman, Port City Ford Wreckers
SS – Gerald Keigley, Port City Ford Wreckers
OF – Gary Miller, Midwest Petroleum
OF – Grady Scarborough, Jerry’s Catering
OF – Charles Neal, Port City Ford Wreckers
OF – Roger Clay, Port City Ford Wreckers
UT – Sam Golden, Port City Ford Wreckers
UT – Phil Seifert, Midwest Petroleum

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Mike Oshinski, Steamex of Michigan
P – Willie Perdomo, Disco Sports
C – Max Reed, Jerry’s Catering
C – Gary Hambright, Shipshewana Auction
1B – Doug Stroud, Queen Anne
2B – Larry Hingle, Jerry’s Catering
3B – Kim Preiner, Gilbert Bar
SS – Bob Nelson, Steamex of Michigan
OF – Grover Stephens, Shipshewana Auction
OF – David Bailey, Disco Sports
OF – Chuck Brown, Cody’s/Justus Co.
OF – Dan Greco, Cody’s/Justus Co.
UT – Tommy Haddad, Greens Jewelers Rangers
UT – Bob Kangus, Gilbert Bar

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Port City Ford Wreckers, Houston, TX (7-0)
2. Jerry’s Catering, Daytona Beach, FL (5-2)
3. Midwest Petroleum, Kansas City, MO (6-2)
4. Disco Sports, Richmond, VA (5-2)
5t. Greens Jewelers Rangers, Corpus Christi, TX (3-2)
5t. Shipshewana Auction, Shipshewana, IN (4-2)
7t. Gilbert Bar, Hoyt Lakes, MN (4-2)
7t. Queen Anne, Bono, AR (5-2)
9t. Cody’s/Justus Co., Tacoma, WA (4-2)
9t, R&T Travelers, Ephrata, PA (3-2)
9t. Conti Brothers, Providence, RI (3-2)
9t. Steamex of Michigan, Wyoming, MI (4-2)
13t. Central Ohio Welding, Columbus, OH (3-2)
13t. Addies, Olney, MD (2-2)
13t. Cinema West, Houston, TX (3-2)
13t. Thompson’s Sporting Goods, Savannah, GA (3-2)
17t. Cannon Welding, Jacksonville, FL (1-2)
17t. Moeller’s Grill, Cincinnati. OH (1-2)
17t. Armed Forces All-Stars, Washington, D.C. (2-2)
17t. Washoe Merchants, Reno, NV (1-2)
17t. Bill Brown Realty, Orem, UT (1-2)
17t. Ridgemen, Paradise, CA (1-2)
17t. Schmos-Paps, Portland, OR (1-2)
17t. Houligans, Eau Claire, WI (1-2)
25t. Preferred Picks, Brooklyn, OH (0-2)
25t. Sports Spot Lounge. Euclid. OH (0-2)
25t. Blue Hills, Kansas City, MO (1-2)
25t. Mid West Steel, Brenham, TX (1-2)
25t. King Ford, Maryville, TN (0-2)
25t. Atwater Ford, Burlington, NC (0-2)
25t. Guvnor’s Pub, West Sayville. NY (0-2)
25t. Solon’s, Walnut Creek CA (1-2)
33t. Jerry’s Steak House, Rice Lake, WI (0-2)
33t. Golden Leaf, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
33t. Bradley Plumbing, Zenio, OH (1-2)
33t. Coulombe & King, Bangor, ME (0-2)
33t. Corners, Bronx, NY (0-2)
33t. UIS-Pascagoula, Pascagoula, MS (0-2)