DOUBLE PLAY, LASERS, CJ&S AMONG WINNERS IN PRESCOTT

Sept. 1, 2012

PRESCOTT, AZ. –The annual Arizona Western States Championships was played here in late July, attracting 29 teams from as far away as New Mexico, Nevada and California.

The Western States main facility was the beautiful Pioneer Park where the playing fields were touched up after every game.

Champions were crowned in seven divisions. Ann and Paul Smit’s Double Play Classics won the 55 Major Division. Double Play had a 3-1 record along with the AZ Rogues. The championship was decided by the tie breaker, fewest runs allowed. Los Vatos finished in third place.

The New Mexico Lasers, coached by Bob Daniels, won the 50 AAA Division. Bert Ouderkirk’s Arizona Bulldawgz came in second. In the hotly contested championship game with the bases loaded and two outs, Arizona Bulldawgz hit a ball up the middle that hit the runner off the base for the third out.

The champion in the 55+ division was the Arizona team CJ&S Express coached by Barry Zeese. CJ&S was undefeated with a 5-0 record for the tournament. The local Prescott Merchants finished second.

There were three champions in the 60’s. In the 60 AAA, the Roccos from Tucson finished with a 5-2 record. Los Vatos Viejos from Phoenix, won their first championships in the 65/60AA Division with a 4-1 record. Local team, Talking Rock of Prescott finished first in the 60AA by the tie breaker rule of allowing the fewest runs.