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International Tour: Germany/Austria 2017
Aug. 1, 2017
VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Three Senior Softball USA teams, made up of senior players from 19 states, swept the tournament here and another tournament in Munich, Germany.
The teams hit the finish line in identical order in both tournaments, with the USA White team winning, USA Red in second and USA Blue in third.
Eight teams competed in the Bavarian Classic in Munich and six teams competed in the Vienna Classic, including a U.S. Embassy team.
The tournaments were part of the 2017 Germany/Austria Alpine Fairytale Tour from June 22-July 4.
While the centerpiece of Senior Softball USA’s 30th Annual International Tour were the two tournaments, the 72 players and family members saw historical highlights in both countries and enjoyed barbeques and beer with the players from Germany and Austria.
“One of the primary purposes of the International Tours for three decades has been to build friendships with players in other countries based on our mutual love of the sport,” said Terry Hennessy, chief executive officer of SSUSA. “Our players and their families are excellent ambassadors for both the sport and for America.”
The group visited Neuschwanstein Castle (known as the fairytale castle), Hitler’s Eagle Nest, saw ski jumpers fly off a giant jump in Innsbruck, walked through the Melk Abbey (built in 1089), and walked the beautiful Old European streets of Vienna.
On the last night of the tournament in Vienna, the hosting Vienna softball club treated the U.S. teams to a giant firework display to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Several awards were presented at the farewell banquet, including commemorative medals for the oldest players on each team: Pete Chccchini, 86 on the Red team; Dale Myers, 81 on the Blue team and Ralph Ventura, 80 on the White team. The average age on each team was 68.
Manager of the champion USA White team (pictured below), Angelo Scarcella of Massachusetts, presented the Best Defense award to Brad Spuitenburg of California, Best Offense to Butch Jones of Washington and team MVP to Steve Calabrese of Pennsylvania.
Terry Hennessy, manager of the Red team (pictured below), presented Best Defense to Larry “Jukebox” Von Ruden of Wisconsin, Best Offense to Dave Prins of Iowa and MVP to John Smutnick of Florida.
Ed Schell, manager of the Blue team (pictured below), from Hawaii, presented Best Defense to Steve Murphy of New Mexico, Best Offense to Roland Bleitz of Oregon, and MVP to Jerry Scanlan of California.
