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Online now: 3 members: 4.5, Pieman, TABLE SETTER 11; 100 anonymousDiscussion: Slowpitch, US National team vs US Futures team on ESPN2 at 8:00pm or ES2HD
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| June 27, 2012 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Slowpitch, US National team vs US Futures team on ESPN2 at 8:00pm or ES2HD ESPN2 at 8:00pm or ES2HD tonight, Wednesday. |
| June 27, 2012 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | That's eastern time |
| June 27, 2012 rfsoftball Men's 50 64 posts | Futures 37 USA 30 Botton of the 6 |
| June 27, 2012 turn2 489 posts | Great game so far. |
| June 27, 2012 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | looks like McCraw was telling Rainwater to slide. USA lost by 1 run |
| June 28, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Agree, Bruce-but not sure he could have slid from that far away from the plate. I think I would have tried it though. |
| June 28, 2012 TerryN Men's 65 11 posts | Sorry that I missed the game lasts night. Anyone have any information on whether it is being re-broadcasted? |
| June 28, 2012 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Don't know about a reply but Team USA will be playing Canada this Saturday. I'm not sure about the time. |
| June 28, 2012 wiseguy298 Men's 55 10 posts | Game is on at 3pm est ESPN2 |
| June 28, 2012 stattad Men's 65 235 posts | Slopitch is on ESPN2 every night through July 2. Here's the schedule: http://www.usasoftball.com/news.asp?action=display&uid=6969 |
| June 28, 2012 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | It looks as if only one more men's slowpitch, rest are women's fastpitch Beginning today the World Cup of Softball presented by Lumber Liquidators will be broadcast around the world on ESPN’s family of networks the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced today. Six women’s fast pitch games and two men’s slow pitch games, including the annual Border Battle matchup between USA and Canada and the inaugural Slow Pitch Showdown between the USA Men’s National team and USA Men’s Futures team, will be included in the broadcast. “We’re extremely excited to have the World Cup of Softball presented by Lumber Liquidators distributed to sports fans around the globe,” said ASA Executive Director Ron Radigonda. “This event was created to give fans the opportunity to witness the top women’s softball players in the world on an annual basis, and the worldwide television coverage helps us achieve that goal. With the addition of the Border Battle, now in its fourth year of existence, fans also get the opportunity to see the best players that slow pitch softball has to offer.” The ESPN networks are the exclusive domestic home of the World Cup of Softball and feature over 15 hours of live coverage on ESPN and ESPN2 highlighted by multiple prime time windows including the Championship Game on Monday, July 2 at 9 p.m. ET. All broadcasts will be done in HD and available on the respective ESPN HD channels. The complete domestic ESPN telecast schedule is below: Date Game Time (CST) Wednesday, June 27 USA vs USA Futures (Men's Slow Pitch) 7:00 PM - ESPN2 Thursday, June 28 USA vs Puerto Rico 6:00 PM - ESPN2 Friday, June 29 USA vs Australia 6:00 PM - ESPN Saturday, June 30 USA vs Netherlands Noon - ESPN2 USA vs Canada (Border Battle) 2:00 PM - ESPN2 USA vs Canada 6:00 PM - ESPN Sunday, July 1 USA vs Brazil Noon - ESPN2 Monday, July 2 Championship Game 8:00 PM - ESPN2 |
| June 28, 2012 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | The replay can be found online at: http://espn.go.com/watchespn/player?id=480911 |
| June 28, 2012 Gorilla Boy Men's 50 271 posts | Hey Bruce, if Rainwater would not have taken such a wide turn at 3rd base. He alsmost touched the dugout as he was rounding 3rd. All in all it was a good game to watch with a great play to end the game. I watched it this mornig at 5:00 it was on again. Denny Helmig from Worth was the co host announcer. Denny works at Worth and actually started Steele's Sports. He has been around awhile. Good Stuff! Gorilla Boy |
| June 28, 2012 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | You're right Mike, it looked as if Rainwater came running out of the stands. Two of the guys that I play E ball with said Brian Rainwater was their high school coach! Team USA really showed what they were made of when they came back and scored 20 runs in one inning. I wish that Denny Helmig would get someone else to him Saturday. She just didn't know enough about men's softball to present it to the audience. |
| June 29, 2012 DoubleL10 Men's 70 907 posts | Baker was motioning for Rainwater to get down while McCraw - the on-deck hitter - was making no signal. It did look like Rainwater made a very wide turn at 3rd like Bruce said. It almost looked like he came running out of the dugout! I also agree that Beth Mowins should be replaced by someone with some softball "cred". |
| June 29, 2012 Doc 2 posts | Big Cat and Bruce.. I played against Helmig circa 1974-75 when he played OF for Lima Steele and Columbus Worthington Steel. I was with Wilsman Trucking. Of course, Mike would know him best from the (big) Steele's days. I agree, Rainwater's base running was poor....and Bryson did motion him to slide, but Rainwater was so far out of line. Beth Mowins seemed to mix up right field with left sometimes...or maybe I was just having a senior moment. I agree too that she was not a good choice for men's slowpitch. The 300 ft. fence and only 10 hrs. makes it a different game. Plus I believe the breeze was out. Saturday's game should be good. |
| June 29, 2012 Gorilla Boy Men's 50 271 posts | Hey Doc, you are right about Denny. He started the Steele's deal with John Brenner and Coats. He does know the game and the players out there today. As far as the field goes my Steele's team played on that field in 1987 against Smythe Sox to open it up. It was the week after Smythe beat us for the USSSA crown in Waterloo, Iowa. They played the ASA Men's Super there in 1988, 1989, and in 1990. They were using Wilson balls at the time because Wilson wanted to be part of the big picture with ASA. They gave the ASA something like 50,000 for that. They could never really get the right ball together for that event. We even played the 1989 Olympic Festival there in 1989. All 4 events the Wilson ball was different. In 1990 our Steele's team scored like 80 runs on the top field. Both fields face in the same direction. The wind blows out to left field every day. It's Oklahoma and boy does the wind blow there. In 1990 we used a good Wilson ball and you had some high scoring games. We beat Lighthouse 62-50 for the championship. The year before our Steele's team with Bruce Meade lost to Lighthouse 7-6. The ball that year was a Wilson ball and the cor was nothing. It was just an outside shell. They used the same ball in the Olympic Festival that same year and that is when one player pushed an umpire and someone else spit on one. Needless to say with those actions they didn't want slo-pitch in the Olympics. After 1990 they play the ASA A,B, and C Championships there. I believe they still do today. In 1990 I hit one ball that went over the top of those trees in right field. Bill Blake and Dirk Androff hit balls onto the top field. The ball really flies there. That is one reason it is so hard for the players to keep it in the yard there now. How many swings were there that looked like they were trying to hit a line drive and it flew right out. Anyways I enjoyed the game. Sorry for the rambling on... Just brought back some old but good memories... Gorilla Boy |
| June 29, 2012 Doc 2 posts | Gorilla Boy, Your memory is great. No rambling for me. I knew John Brenner (Zelmo) pretty well. I was there in 1990 to watch and do remember the wind and balls going onto the upper field way behind the main left field...seems like it took a 450+ shot to do that. Wish Dave Neale Sr.was still around...you two have great stories. |
| June 29, 2012 Ceres 73 posts | Everyone that's responded to this thread knows slow pitch softball well enough that it makes no difference who the announcers are. The only thing we need to know from an announcer is the name of the batter, his position in the order, and his fielding position. The television tells us just about every thing we need to know. Those viewers who don't know slow pitch, won't realize Beth's mistakes and furthermore won't watch very long. |
| June 29, 2012 Capt Kirk 541 posts | #18, Andy Purcell, pitcher for the US National Team, played on our league team in CA when he was 16. His dad, John, worked with me at Lockheed in Sunnyvale, CA. |
| June 29, 2012 Beasley Men's 50 173 posts | Hey Mike, I also played there in '88, '89 and '90 in the Super Open Championship with Bell Corp. It was always a great time and you're right, the wind really blows there. It seemed like we would get through a couple games in the winners bracket but just couldn't get over the hump. Wasn't this were the alledged "random steroid testing" first took place? |
| June 29, 2012 Gorilla Boy Men's 50 271 posts | Hey John, yes it was the place. In 1990 they had everyone on the teams rosters including the coaches to be expecting to take a test. In 1990 they took 3 people from the 2 teams playing for the championship. Steele's and Lighthouse. They tested in 1990 in Oklahoma, 1991 in Little Rock, Arkansas with Ritch's and Sunbelt Plastics, and in 1992 in Hendersonville, Tennessee where they played the Conway Twitty. They had the ASA there and it was Ritch's and Steeles Hitmen.. |
| June 30, 2012 bkb555 301 posts | I must say, it is alot more fun playing in a game like this than watching it...I played with Helmer (syracuse area) in early 2000's and he is a terrific guy...also had Jeff Wallace on our team...it was just a rec team but these guys were so good with the other players and just wanted some swings during the week before the big games on the w/e....also saw Steele's come to Syracuse in early 80's to play our "all stars" from our classic league...they won 45-3 I think...but the big thrill was going to the Van after the game and thinking if you wanted to spend $35 for a Steele sports 34 inch-38 OUNCE bat...thirty five bucks couldn't buy a bat bag today but it was a TON of money to spend for a bat back then......they were just way ahead of their times....one thing I did notice about these guys is, they pack on the pounds....or really fat guys to be blunt...i guess if I weighed 240 instead of my 180 solid steel and sex appeal body (lol) I would be hitting the ball about 350 ...but it is fun to watch them hit...I am so glad to be back to fundamental, fun softball again playing senior ball |
| June 30, 2012 bkb555 301 posts | I must say, it is alot more fun playing in a game like this than watching it...I played with Helmer (syracuse area) in early 2000's and he is a terrific guy...also had Jeff Wallace on our team...it was just a rec team but these guys were so good with the other players and just wanted some swings during the week before the big games on the w/e....also saw Steele's come to Syracuse in early 80's to play our "all stars" from our classic league...they won 45-3 I think...but the big thrill was going to the Van after the game and thinking if you wanted to spend $35 for a Steele sports 34 inch-38 OUNCE bat...thirty five bucks couldn't buy a bat bag today but it was a TON of money to spend for a bat back then......they were just way ahead of their times....one thing I did notice about these guys is, they pack on the pounds....or really fat guys to be blunt...i guess if I weighed 240 instead of my 180 solid steel and sex appeal body (lol) I would be hitting the ball about 350 ...but it is fun to watch them hit...I am so glad to be back to fundamental, fun softball again playing senior ball |
| June 30, 2012 dano911sc 51 posts | Capt Kirk, what a small world Andy Purcell and bunch of great guys (some playing 50s SSUSA) played for me, sponsored by Sunnyvale Construction back in 2001-2003 at Washington Park. Making a story short our team never lost and were kicked out of all the leagues in Santa Clara County for having payed players which was drummed up by Gary Brown of Sunnyvale Parks & Recreation and others in Santa Clara County. Andy Purcell will be 41 years old this year still playing for Resmondo Worth, by the looks of things he might be playing in his 50s getting a check... you go Andy! Capt Kirk you said you worked at Lockheed Sunnyvale,CA my grandfather Herschel Brown was VP maybe before your time :) |
| June 30, 2012 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Capt Kirk, I worked at Lockheed in Marietta, ga,three years ago for my company, Avaya. I only worked there 14 months thank goodness. I'm retired now. |
| June 30, 2012 dano911sc 51 posts | USA 32 Canada 21 |
| June 30, 2012 Tim Millette 615 posts | Alan, we're you on the Instand Landscaping team with a young right fielder named Hank Garris? If so.....your first game was against our Budweiser team...after we won that game we were rewarded with Steeles on the top field..... And yes Mike, that was the 82-34 three inning game...it seemed like your Steeles team took batting practice for about two hours. |
| July 1, 2012 jimjoes-gman Men's 55 80 posts | Ironically , I happened to be listening to the "Jim Rome Show" on the radio at noon the following Monday after the game.The softball game between team USA & The Futures became the topic. He was very harsh about the players & the game itself.He called them "a bunch of 5'10 , 310 lb slobs.I never cared much for Jim Romes big mouth & his self described knowledge of every sport. Anyone know if he ever even played anything or just relies on his big mouth to get his personal points accross & make money doing it ? |
| July 1, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | a) Rome played tennis. b) Yes he is a bit of schtick, but.... c) you should have as many people tuning in to hear what you have to say on a daily basis as he does. And as many people willing to pay you as he does. |
| July 1, 2012 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | would of thought G19 would be mad at Rome.. since he is 5'7" 310 pounds.. LOL |
| July 1, 2012 Gorilla Boy Men's 50 271 posts | Yes Tim it was your team up on the hill. That was 1990. Didn't Wes Lord lead the tourney in hitting that year with a .900 average, or real close to that? And Alan I remember playing your team as well. Did Scott Walinus play 3rd base and Jackie McClain pitch? I remember Hank playing the outfield. I think that might have been 1989. I think Dirk Androff hit 8 home runs in the one game against your team in 1989. If it was 1989, then the little team called Ritch's came back throught the losers bracket to win the tourney with Charles Wright as the MVP. Those were some good times back then with all of the friendship you had in the game. Fun times win or lose... Ritch's beat our Steele's team up on the hill Sunday morning in the losers bracket. I believe we got beat by New Construction and that was when Virkus and Mr. Neale were getting into it pretty heavy in the dugout after our loss. That ws 1989. Ritch's went on to win the ASA Men's Major that year as well.. Good Stuff Gorilla Boy |
| July 1, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | swing, you are close. I am 5'8" and have benched 310..... LOL |
| July 1, 2012 Gary33 149 posts | Jim Rome will attack anyone but not to their face. But if they come on his show they're his best friends. |
| July 1, 2012 bkb555 301 posts | WHO is Jim Rome??????lol |
| July 1, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Gary, clearly you did not hear him interview David Stern a few weeks ago, or all of the national talk shows who were talking about it the next day. Nice try, though.....:( |
| July 1, 2012 Fastsam Men's 60 56 posts | Did you see the Jim Everett interview Rome did when he was calling him Chris Everett? He's not afraid to tell it like it is even to the peoples faces. |
| July 1, 2012 Tim Millette 615 posts | Mike Wes was 18-20 in the tourney. We had two guys make all American even though we didnt do to well in the event... One was 18-20 with 8 homeruns. The other guy was 18-21 with 15 homeruns... That weekend was my first major tourney.... Other then your teams butt kicking I have many fond memories..... At breakfast Saturday morning I was loading up an artery blocking meal of french toast loaded with syrup tons of bacon and sausage when a booming voice from behind he beams down..... "How you going to stay on the cover of newspapers eating stuff like that?".... I turned around to a plate of healthy greens and veggies..... Looked up and BRUCE FRINKIN MEADE hands me the Little Rock paper with a photo of me on the front page touching home plate after a homerun.... I was hooked on major softball from that moment on. |
| July 2, 2012 Gary33 149 posts | Gary 19 Don't listen or watch him any more! Thinks he's an expert on everything. Don't like pro basketball. David Stern is not a very big man I don't see Rome taking on Brian Urlacker. |
| July 2, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | You really think Urlacher, or any athlete no matter their size, would ever physically attack Rome? I know Jim Everett did once, but I just don't see that ever happening again. Too much, in many ways, for them to lose. Hence, Rome has no real fear of anyone he were to comment on. And he might feel like he is an expert on everything, but so does Dan Patrick, Pat O'Brien, Mike and Mike, Colin Cowherd, and any other national or probably local talker. Again, that is just part of their schtick and part of the job. |
| July 5, 2012 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Love to read these reminiscences of Gorilla Boy, Doc, Tri18, Tim Millette and others about the old days with the barnstorming Men of Steele and their competitors. Keep it up. |
| July 6, 2012 Conman Men's 50 72 posts | A T one thing I do remember (other than the butt chewing) was every time a home run or foul ball was hit, Mr Neale threw in a new Steele's ball. No one even tried to go after the ones that were hit out. The kids had a field day. Never saw Avery that happy either. lol I think Killer, Harold Kelly had a fairly good game also. Conman |
| July 7, 2012 Beasley Men's 50 173 posts | Good thing Rick hit it out because I was on deck.... |
| July 10, 2012 Conman Men's 50 72 posts | Beaz, on deck does not mean standing there with a cup of water (LOL) .. I wish I had the scorebook from that game. Bobby Kozak and Mark Baker played with us that year. Don't remember if Ernie Toth or Eric (EJ) Jackson played with us that night or if that was later in the season. Someone, may have been Mike Bolen or Craig Elliot hit one off me that probably hasn't landed yet. Sal let me hear about that one for a long long time. At least until Lafayette that year when Eddie Berg hit one over the lights. I ran into Eddie a few years back and thanked him for all the abuse from my teammates I got! Conman |
| July 10, 2012 Beasley Men's 50 173 posts | Con, You have more softballs orbiting the earth then all the countries combined have satelites! I heard that if NASA couldn't figure out how to launch the shuttle, they were going to see if you could pitch it to someone and let them hit it into orbit. And I never said what I was doing on deck until you were kind of enough to tell everyone. Every team needs a batboy and I was just happy to be able to hang out at the ball park. I believe Kozak and Baker played with us that year. I think EJ was with us also but I don't think Ernie was with us. |
| July 10, 2012 Beasley Men's 50 173 posts | I hate to steal a line but I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was. Thanks Alan, that one ball makes up for the 8 pop-ups and 10 fifteen hoppers. Looked like you were hitting a few bombs whne I pulled up. |
| July 11, 2012 Conman Men's 50 72 posts | Beaz, When did u become a comedian? At least I didn't have the nickname "Plus 40". That's what we called one of our other (he will remain nameless) pitchers because everyone hit the ball 40 ft further when he pitched. Still remember Greg Gurrant wearing a towel around his neck in the outfield when we played against Starpath at the Space Coast in Cocoa. I asked him what was wrong and he said he hurt his neck turning around watching all the ball fly over the fence. My "buddies". Alan, was he hitting from the pitcher's mound again? Conman |
| July 11, 2012 Beasley Men's 50 173 posts | Hitting from the mound is too far for me. I was hitting from 2nd base and you wouldn't believe the WTP I had. Dude, I was sporting wood when I hit one off the fence. |
