51 Teams, 9 States Play in Rocky Mountain

Dec. 1, 2014 – Joe Ruggiero SSUSA staff

AURORA, COLO. – Returning here for the second year in a row, the Rocky Mountain Championships hosted 51 teams in 12 divisions over the Aug.15-17 weekend. Growing since its inception in 2013, 10 more teams participated in this year’s tournament than last year.

Gathering teams from Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas and Utah, the tournament continued to attract a diverse set of teams from all over the country.

This is due, in no small part, to the beautiful 12-field Aurora Sports Complex – named 2014 SSUSA Complex of the Year – as well as great weather.

Director Don Brooks noted that the complex did not disappoint senior players, nor did the weather as “many of the teams, especially the traveling teams, were extremely complimentary of the complex and the playing conditions.”

Featuring a talented pool of teams, Brooks remarked that “all games and divisions were very competitive,” but a couple of divisions set the bar high.

The 50 AAA division fit Brook’s description perfectly showcasing some fun, but highly competitive championship bracket play. Of the 9 teams competing, fourth seeded S.I./Moore Plumbing got off to a fast start by beating the top seeded Texas Elite 27-13 and Animo 20-14. Texas Elite proved their resolve however ousting Universal 25-22 and Rio Grande 19-12 to rally their way out of the elimination bracket. With only Animo standing in their way, Texas Elite quickly dispatched them 23-14 to earn a rematch against S.I./Moore. Losing the first game 14-9, S.I./Moore refused to go down easy. In a climactic “If” game, Texas Elite scored 29 runs to S.I. Moore’s 28 to claim the division title.

Windy City Thunder cleaned house in the 50 Major division going undefeated. They topped Sac Pac 20-16 and Scrap Iron/RM Thunder 19-14. Putting up a valiant effort during the championship game, SI/RM Thunder almost pulled off an upset win but ultimately lost to Windy City 23-22 in a suspense-filled final game.

With six teams competing in the 60 AAA division, Scrap Iron Legend’s impressive performance kept the division interesting. SI Legends were knocked into the elimination bracket by a tough Dixon ZTR squad in a close 15-14 match-up. SI Legends regrouped to outdo Wizards 12-11 and Dugout 15-6. With Dixon ZTR’s 18-17 loss to the KC Renegades, SI Legends were given a chance to eliminate Dixon ZTR, which they did in a well-earned 23-8 victory. Riding that winning momentum, SI Legend’s came out swinging and handedly defeated KC Renegades 18-11 in the semifinals. With an “If” game deciding the winner, KC Renegades seized the division title with a close 19-18 win over the formidable SI Legends.

The 55/60 Platinum division saw the TUC Bandits put up a strong offensive showing to snuff out the rest of the competition. Going undefeated during championship bracket play, the TUC Bandits demolished Tasty Pizza 38-20 and MWC 20-13 in their first two games. Facing Scrap Iron/RM Thunder in the finals, Tucson Bandits clinched the division title with a strong 27-12 victory.

The KC Kids showed true grit against impressive performances by Integrity Builders and Mountain Men in the 55/60 Gold division. After being pushed into the elimination bracket by Mtn. Men 16-11, KC Kids went on to win four consecutive games, including a tough 20-15 rematch against Mtn. Men to earn a spot in the semifinals. Unable to keep up with Integrity Builders, KC Kids lost 19-8. The undefeated Integrity Builders gained the division title in a clean sweep.

With four teams competing in the 55 AA division, Rocky Mtn. Extreme came away with the title. Facing little resistance from Dallas Spurs 18-7 and SI Coyotes 15-9, Rocky Mtn. Extreme easily sealed the division title by defeating SI Coyotes19-7 in the championship game.

Three evenly matched teams duked it out for the crown in the 60 AA division. MN Blizzard barely snatched a victory from the Dallas Spurs 31-29, but fell to SI Freedom 22-16. In a welcome rematch, the Dallas Spurs managed a 23-16 comeback over MN Blizzards and advanced to the championship game. Calm, composed and undefeated, SI Freedom confidently beat Dallas Spurs 17-12 to claim the division title.

MN Prize 65s and High Desert RR’s vied for the 65 Platinum division title. MN Prize 65s gained the edge with a close 27-26 early win. High Desert however persevered to win two consecutive games 15-12 and 19-9 and seize the division title.

R&D Leverage swept the SI 65 Classics 18-11 and 17-14 to clinch the 65 AA division title.

Scrap Iron Force appeared to be the strongest contender at the start of round robins in the 70/75 Silver division. Cutting down New Concepts 10-8 and Scrap Iron Force 75’s 14-13, they were poised to easily win the division title. Scrap Iron 75’s however bounced back defeating M.A. Patriots 12-4 and Scrap Iron Force 16-12 to compel an “If” game. However the teams decided not to play the final game, with Scrap Iron 75s giving the title to Scrap Iron Force in a 7-0 forfeit.

For complete game results, please visit Senior Softball USA’s Rocky Mountain Championships’ tournament page at: www.seniorsoftball.com.

Rocky Mountain All Tourney Picks

2014 Rocky Mountain Championships

Men’s 50 Major – WC Thunder: Jim Watson, Tonny Gilchrist, Scott Klein, Tom Hubek, Terry Feeney

Men’s 50 AAA – Texas Elite: Rey Garcia, Walt Lowry, Steve Vinson, Jerry Wicks, Alan Walcott; Scrap Iron/Moore Plumbing: Ron Levitre, Lawrence Hernandez, Randy Strandberg

Men’s 55/60 Platinum – Tucson Bandits: Dave Quenzler, Mike Swank, Mark Reagin, Dave Niles, Kenny Hill; Scrap Iron/Rocky Mountain Thunder: Rick Stillwell, Michael Mouton, Mark Troxel

Men’s 55/60 Gold – Integrity Builders: Rod Chambers, Mike Fitzgerald, Roger Hein, Chuck Grubb, Ted Bliss; KC Kids: Bob Knowles, Bill Radford, Ron Sanell; Mountain Men: Mike Seegmiller, Jaime Miranda

Men’s 55 AA – Rocky Mountain Extreme: Rich Shaum Jr, Don DiFiore, Scott Brian Ritter, David Sprino Hernandez, Joseph Hernandez

Men’s 60 AAA – KC Renegades: Pat Bales, Randy Rowe, Dave Cook, Steve Likes, Larry Rodgers; Scrap Iron Legends: Lupe Pena, Don Poulter, Terry Roberts

Men’s 60 AA – Scrap Iron Freedom: Asa Jenkins, Bob Templeton, Mike Westin, Ken Mason, Rich Vieria

Men’s 65 Platinum – High Desert Roadrunners: Ronne Mercer, Johnny Battaglia, Roger Assink, Austin Kramer, Lucky Near

Men’s 65 AAA – Scrap Iron Diamonds: Hans Benes, Ron Kemmerer, Ralph “Obie” Oberhelman

Men’s 65 AA – R & D Leverage: Ron Nieman, Larry Branson, Howard Helm; Scrap Iron Classics: Danny Bradfield, Bill Shaffer, Jerry Vigil

Men’s 70 Major – Scrap Iron Legacy: Dave Cox, Jerry Sundberg, Jim Brown, Dennis Lutz, Don Pierson; Tri State Diamond Bar: JW Perry, Tom Grubb

Men’s 70/75 Silver – Mid America Patriots: Don Applebaugh, Robert Hill