The Champion of Tournaments

April 1, 2015

TOC Honors Winners of Top Championships with Banquet, Rings, Special Events

By Joseph Ruggiero

Softball News Report

POLK COUNTY, FLA. – Players from all corners of North America filed into the Auburndale Softball Complex Feb. 4 to kick off the Senior Softball USA’s Tournament of Champions. Adorned in red, yellow, blue, tan and gray uniforms, the jubilant crowd of players displayed their team names proudly - MCC, Vacar Stars, Sacramento Buds, Florida Automated Shade.

All champions of SSUSA’s National Qualifiers, they gathered here to determine who would win the crown jewel of senior softball – a division championship ring at the TOC.

The tournament featured 23 divisions and 115 teams from 26 states and Ontario, Canada.

eat players took to the freshly cut diamonds to hone their skills for a day of free hitting clinics before the real action began. Hitting instructors Bobby Davis, Lee Trotter and Dave Reed, some of the finest hitters in the country, were on hand to work one on one with players. The first of many worthwhile events, players still had the following events and awards to look forward to:

Free Skills contests with top prizes for each age division.

An All-Star Game featuring the top players from each team.

A TOC Shirt and certificate for each player.

A free gala banquet for all 2,100 players and their guests.

Free rings for division champions.

With prizes, events and awards like these, it’s no secret why Senior Softball’s Crown Jewel—the TOC — is the premier senior softball tournament in North America.

The first night of activities saw 51 players square up in the annual All Star game; pulling the best players from SSUSA’s leading teams. The National All Stars, led by co-managers Terry Hennessey of SSUSA and Freda Jones of Virginia, did their best to thwart the efforts of the American All Stars led by Doug Robbins of SSUSA and Donnie Brooks of Alaska. After the dust settled, the red capped American All Stars displayed their dominance defeating the blue capped National All Stars 38-22.

The next day, more than 300 determined players ignored the rain to compete in several skills competitions, including precision hitting, pitching, power hitting and running.

Cones dotted the outfields, a five-gallon bucket loomed at the plate, the outfield wall taunted prospective batters, while players rounded the bases to prove that they possessed the nimblest feet in the country. (For a list of winners, see page 17).

Standing from afar, the packed diamonds looked like Spring Training. The players’

chatter and whoops of encouragement echoing off the fields revealed why the TOC showcases the very best of Senior Softball - you may come to win, but you play to experience camaraderie at its finest.

The great size and scope of the tournament was nowhere more evident than on Friday night when 2,100 players and their guests attended the annual gala banquet at the Sun N’ Fun Facility in Lakeland. Two large airplane hangars were needed to host the formal affair and Mark Jackson, director of Polk County Sports Marketing, acted as master of ceremonies.

Over the course of the evening, each manager of the participating teams was announced and received a certificate. A raucous moment, each time a team’s manager was called, teammates and players from the team’s home state erupted in hoots and hollers to voice their pride and support.

Each winner of the skills competitions in their respective age division was also announced and received recognition. They were awarded shoes, fielder gloves, or a special edition TOC bat depending on the skills competition.

The highlight of the evening featured a presentation by Leonard Anderson, a team member of Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team. Anderson served in the U.S. Air Force and during his second tour to Afghanistan was struck with an IED rendering him as a left below the elbow and partial right hand amputee.

His personal account was both inspirational and shed light on the importance of making sure U.S. veterans receive the support needed to ensure their success when they return home. Leonard received a sustained and well-deserved standing ovation from all attendees

In honor of the Wounded Warriors, SSUSA also held an auction during the banquet for a special edition Louisville Slugger bat with the TOC, WWAST (Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team) and SSUSA logo. The bat was also signed by the WWAST. Mike Aevermann of the Beltway Bandits ended up being the lucky owner with the highest bid of $7,000. All proceeds went to WWAST.

On Saturday night at the Auburndale Sports Complex, the WWAST faced off against the SSUSA All Stars in front of an estimated 1,000 fans strongly supporting the WWAST. In the top of the 9th inning, the SSUSA All Stars mounted an impressive 19-run rally to overcome a huge deficit, taking a 39-36 lead into the bottom of the 9th.

Roaring back, Mike Aevermann, the lone SSUSA All-Star filling out the WWAST squad, led off with a tape-measure HR to straightaway center. Dennis Turner of Louisville Slugger, Greg Reynolds (U.S. Army/Iraq) and Leonard Anderson (U.S. Air Force/Afghanistan) then strung together consecutive singles to score one more. To the delight of the crowd, Matt Kinsey (U.S. Army/Afghanistan) launched a game-winning three-run homer to left to account for the final score of 41-39.

No less exciting, tournament play displayed the high competition present at the TOC with 41 games during bracket play determined by merely one run.

The Men’s 40/50 Platinum division, featuring four teams, showcased the highly competitive nature of the tournament. In the 40 Major-plus division, Homer Lovers eked out a win against MidAtlantic 24-23 to take the championship. The 50 Major-plus Champions Team 1 Sports narrowly defeated MidAtlantic 27-26 for their title.

The Men’s 50 Major Division saw four teams grind it out for the big ring. Despite Monster Softball’s best efforts, Miami Power proved victorious. In their first meeting during bracket play, Miami Power dominated 26-18, only to face a tough rematch in the championship game after Monster mustered a win against Doug & Don’s 20-19. In the championship game, Monster fell 24-23 to Miami Power’s sizzling bats.

Featuring the first ‘If” game of the tournament, the Men’s 50 AAA division showcased some fierce competition. Team Sonic put on a dazzling performance throughout bracket play knocking off Team Elite 18-12, Florida Automated Shade 19-18 and All Secure 18-3. Florida Automated Shade took the narrow loss in stride and after three consecutive wins met Team Sonic again at the championship game. Losing 18-16, Team Sonic quickly rebounded from the loss and shell shocked Florida Automated Shade 17-7 to win the division.

Roc City 55’s took the 55 AA division, defeating Rocky Mountain Extreme 16-10, New Mexico Boomers 18-16 and Lake Charles Lakers 22-16. Despite the Laker’s tough loss, they earned the 50-AA division title.

The Men’s 55 division, featuring 10 teams, saw the fourth seeded High Street Bucs rise from the ashes of the elimination bracket to face off against the dominant second seeded CNM Wealth Mgmt/Lance for the championship. At their first meeting, CNM Wealth trounced High Street Bucs 21-6. The second time around, High Street Bucs put up a fight but still couldn’t manage a win, losing 14-13 to CNM Wealth, a true champion.

David Bowen and the Golden Vipers put on quite a show in the Men’s 55 AAA division. The top seeded team, Golden Vipers easily marched their way through the championship bracket disposing of Central Illinois Chiefs 20-5 and David Bowen Sporting Goods 19-9. Not to be undone, David Bowen defeated Integrity 17-10 to take another shot at the Golden Vipers. In a nail biter, David Bowen felt the sting of Golden Vipers’ bats losing 25-24 in the championship game and the Vipers took the 55 AAA division crown.

In the 60 Platinum division, Hollis Appraisals earned the division title despite Houston Fire’s attempts to put them away. In their first match-up, Houston Fire walloped Hollis Appraisals 25-14. Undaunted by the loss, Hollis Appraisals raised their bats against a determined IN Legend/Acc. Therapy squad and narrowly survived 20-19. Then, avenging their first loss, Hollis Appraisals defeated Houston Fire 22-11 to take the title.

In a crowded 60 AAA division, 11 teams pursued the crown only to see their hopes dashed by two strong squads; American Scaffolding of Ohio and Minnesota Masters. The top seeded Masters, despite losing their first bracket game 19-16 against Wisconsin Masters, remained determined. Winning five consecutive games, including a tough match against a strong Slug-A-Bug squad 18-14, the MN Masters slogged their way out of the elimination bracket to earn a spot in the championship game. After a slim victory against Slug-A-Bug 14-13, American Scaffolding met the resolute bats of MN Masters. In an exciting match-up, American Scaffolding defeated MN Masters 14-11 to tale the division crown.

With eight teams competing in the 60 AA division, the seventh seeded Team Texas surprised the competition. Top seed, Talaga Construction, looked like the team to beat at the onset of bracket play only to be bested by Syracuse Cyclones 20-17. Cyclones, hoping to make a run for it after beating the top seed, were unseated by Team Texas shortly thereafter, but pulled off another magnificent win against Talaga Construction 19-18. In the championship game, Team Texas cooled off Cyclones’ hot bats and in a decisive 19-14 victory, sealed the division.

The 65 Platinum division saw Murphy’s Law decimate the competition to earn the division title. Defeating Roadrunners 19-13, 4:13 Rim Fire 24-15, and Voice Tech 15-6; Murphy’s Law nearly went undefeated except for one loss during seeding play against Michigan Express.

Midwest Express and Mello Financial vied for the 65 AAA division title. Falling to Midwest Express 20-12 at their first meeting during bracket play, Mello Financial fell to the elimination bracket to play Lake Wales Legends. In a fiercely competitive match, Mello Financial overcame Lake Wales Legends 27-26 to replay Midwest Express in the championship game. This time around, Mello Financial annihilated Midwest Express 21-5 to take the division title.

With five teams competing in the 65 AA division, Chicago Hitmen and Anaconda Sports of New York, battled it out for the title. Anaconda Sports played strong right from the start dispatching Duke City 12-11 and Chicago Hitmen 9-8. Following their first loss in bracket play, Chicago Hitmen beat Sacramento Buds 7-5 to face off against Anaconda Sports again. Unable to stifle Anaconda’s bats, Chicago Hitmen fell 10-8 and delivered the division title on a platter.

The TB Financial Group overpowered their competitors to earn the 70 Major division title, swiftly putting away MCC Insurance 70’s and Vacar Stars. Florida Legends won the 70 Major-plus championship.

The 70 AAA division forced an “If” game to determine the division champion. Kokopelli Eye Institute gave Triple Play a run for its money during their first meet up outscoring them 20-17. Triple Play turned it around however, and after defeating American Legion Post 19-16, went on to beat Kokopelli Eye Institute 17-14. Not going down without a fight, Kokopelli Eye Institute overwhelmed Triple Play 18-14 to claim their division title.

Cozy Grille of Rhode Island scorched the 70 AA opposition during bracket play going undefeated. Beating Colombus Silver Sticks 12-7, Syracuse Cyclones, and Hill Contracting 12-9; Cozy Grille walked away with the ring.

In the 75 Gold division, Pfeiffer Gray Sox outgunned Bucs and Bulls 14-6 to take the 75 AAA division title. Joseph Chevrolet put down PDR Fastsigns 9-6 to earn the 75 Major division championship and Florida Investment Properties beat Fairway Ford 12-8 to win the 80 Major division ring.

The 80/85 Gold Division saw a strong rivalry develop between Jimmy’s Minnesota Legends and ProHealth Care out of Wisconsin. Losing to ProHealth Care 14-7, Jimmy’s Minnesota Legends kept their bats warm for their next competitors, Center for Sight, delivering a 17-14 victory. In a nail biter of a championship game, ProHealth Care barely managed the win against Jimmy’s Minnesota Legends 18-17 to earn the division title.

The Women’s 40-Masters AAA division saw five teams compete for the title. Despite several strong performances, Twisted Fossils and Chill 40 Below managed to take it all the way to the championship game. In a close, low-scoring bout, Chill 40 Below barely overcame Twisted Fossils 7-6 to take the division title.

In the last “If” game of the tournament, Old School 40 eked out a thin win over Kryptonite 10-9 to take the Women’s 40-Masters Major division championship ring.

Dreamgirlz crushed the competition to earn the Women’s 50 division championship ring. Routing AZ Dream Team 19-4 in their first match-up, the championship game saw Arizona Dream Team put up a fight but ultimately fall to the Dreamgirlz 8-5.