USA TEAM WINS FIRST BARCELONA SHOOTOUT

Oct. 1, 2011 – Senior Softball-USA

BARCELONA, SPAIN – The tournament here this summer attracted a team from Germany, two teams from Spain and two US teams; but the finals were strictly an American affair.

The 23rd Annual Senior Softball International Tour to Spain – which included exhibition goodwill games in Madrid -- was capped by the Barcelona Shootout in June.

“The games were the high point of the trip for the players, and the sightseeing, shopping just added to the overall charm of the trip,” said Susan Ruth, Director of International Sports Holidays. “One of the unique opportunities that made this trip so enjoyable was the opportunity to meet new friends on the Spanish teams and see our old friends on the German team.”

The exhibition games were played on a state-of-the-art artificial turf field just outside of Madrid, and the US team practices were at the Olympic Stadium in Madrid.

The Barcelona Shootout was hosted by Club Beisbol Y Sofbol Gava at a beautiful facility with two artificial turf fields and a soccer stadium.

Games were spirited against the Spanish and German teams – and a healthy dose of good-natured ribbing took place as the much older US teams beat the younger, but less experienced foreign opponents.

The USA Red and USA White teams each played the Spanish and German teams before facing each other in what turned out to be the championship game – both teams entered the game 3-0.

USA White, led by Bill Ruth (SSUSA President), defeated the USA Reds, managed by Terry Hennessy (SSUSA CEO), to win the Barcelona Shootout championships.

Ruth and Hennessy presented more than 20 bats from Miken and dozens of balls to both the Madrid and Barcelona Softball clubs to help promote the sport.

The USA White Most Valuable Player was Angelo Scarcello, Best Offense was Bobby Davis and Best Defense was John Redner.

The USA Red Most Valuable Player was John Fournier, Best Offense was Jack Aronson and Best Defense was Dave Weinman.