» Latest news Sections: Obituaries | Tournaments | Womens' Corner | Editorials » For Advertisers: Editorial Calendar
Teams Shake Off Winter in Early SSUSA Qualifiers
April 1, 2015 – Joe Ruggiero SSUSA staff
By Joseph RuggieroSoftball News Report
Five first-rate qualifying tournaments kicked off the year in stride. From the rolling desert hills of Southern California to the flat “Valley of the Sun” in Phoenix all the way to saltwater ports of Alabama, players met at the fields to swing their bats, dirty their cleats and hopefully deliver a championship.
Mobile National Qualifier
Most recently, the Mobile National Qualifier saw 10 teams gather at West County Mobile Park to play ball on March 28. With tasty concessions, sunny skies, and an excellent maintenance staff, teams from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Tennessee eased in to play some solid ball.
The 60 AAA division saw T.A.G. thwart Atlanta Recycling at every turn. T.A.G. “made timely defensive plays; anytime Atlanta Recycling got something going, T.A.G.’s infield made a great play,” said Tournament Director Tim McElroy. In the title game, Atlanta Recycling put up nine runs in the bottom of the seventh inning before T.A.G. put them away and held on for a 21-17 win to take the title.
Louisiana Legends and the Firm stood toe to toe throughout the tournament. Practically aping each other, in a best 2 out of 3 format, both teams earned a 19-14 win to start off. Forcing a thrilling “If” game from start to finish, the Firm pulled out a slim 14-13 victory in eight innings to seize the division title.
“Great plays and plenty of runs were scored,” in the 50 Gold division said McElroy. Coming all the way from Pittsburgh, Steel Sox City won four games in a row to face Tennessee Connection in the championship game. With an early 12-3 lead, Steel Sox City ran out of steam. Meanwhile Tennessee Connection, with a strong 20-man roster and wisely used bench, meted out 16 runs in a final 19-12 victory to snag the division title.
Midwest Opener
The Midwest Season Opener set up shop at the Carl Smith Softball Complex in Tulsa, OK on March 21, 2015 with 9 teams competing.
The 50-55 Major/50 AAA division saw MWDS dominate the field. Disposing of Oklahoma Rhinos 30-23 and Team Arkansas II 25-12, MWDS sealed up the division.
KC Renegades 60’s went unbeaten in the 55/60 division to wear the crown.
Top Gun Tune Up
Sunshine and clear skies welcomed teams attending Top Gun’s SSUSA Spring Worlds Tune Up in Cathedral City, Calif., March 7-8. The stunning backdrop of Big League Dreams’ replicas of famous major league parks provided stunning playing conditions.
Featuring 18 teams and several competitive match-ups, the tournament saw players and fans alike enjoying the playful atmosphere and youthful spirit of players giving it their all.
With only two teams competing in Group A, Team 1st to 20 displayed their skills overcoming Whatever to take the division title.
Group B saw six teams compete, with Doubleplay Classic going undefeated to earn the championship after a decisive 20-13 victory against Sugamele Golf coming in at a close second place.
God Sports Co. 60 nabbed the championship in Group C, despite some skilled ball play by Top Gun III. Both teams played their last game of the tournament with the same record, but God Sports triumphed 17-16.
Fielding the most competitive set of teams, Fountain Valley Outlaws squeaked out a championship in Group D.
Phoenix Spring Training
The annual Spring Training Classic in Phoenix hosted 32 teams from Arizona, California, New Mexico, Washington and as far east as Ohio March 6-8.
Held during spring training for major league baseball teams, players got the chance to not only play ball under blue skies and idyllic weather, but also to watch some of their favorite major league baseball teams gear up for the upcoming season.
Divided into eight divisions, the 50’s division drew the most teams with 10, while the 40’s division fielded eight teams. A huge success, the annual Spring Training Classic featured some great competition and solid play.
Blue Pill Mafia gunned down the competition in the 40 division to obtain the coveted championship.
The 50 division saw Tucson Hammertime beat out Arizona Assault 25-14 to grab the gold, while Arizona Old School 50’s beat out AZ Assault 21-18 to earn second place. Meanwhile, Arizona Old School 55’s managed a 12-11 win over Santisi Bros. to seize the 55 division title.
Bucky’s Casino 60’s clinched the 60 AA division with 20-10 thumping of Los Vatos Viejos, and Sidewinders II snagged the 70 division title with Hooters Casino Hotel falling to second place.
Top Gun Winter Classic
With 50 teams competing over four days, SSUSA’s Top Gun Winter Classic welcomed the New Year on Jan. 8 with the sweet crack of bats. Fielding very competitive teams, players were eager to get back on the softball field after the holidays, said Tournament Director Don Reddig.
Despite starting off with perfect weather, rain unfortunately shortened tournament play on the last day of the tournament. Reddig said that despite the poor weather on Sunday, “Everyone was gracious and handled the inconvenience with a smile.”
The first session featured the 65-80 divisions comprised of 25 teams. Three Scrap Iron Softball teams out of Denver made the trip, playing on seven diamonds during the two-day event, but failed to earn a title.
So Cal Warriors dominated the Men’s 65/70 B division featuring six teams, going undefeated to take the title.
R&R 65’s also went undefeated to take the crown in the Men’s 65 A division. While Git-R-Done 70 AA swept the Men’s 70/75/80-AAA C division.
The second session showcased the 50-60 divisions with 25 teams competing. In the Men’s 50 A division, L.A.F. earned the championship without a loss.
Git-R-Done 60’s took the Men’s 55/60 B division by storm, while Double Play Classic 55’s dominated the Men’s 55 B division to take the title.
The Men’s 55/60 D division saw Sammy’s Nighthawks 60’s devour their competitors to seize the championship.