News story

Ocean State SSWC Qualifier a Success in RI

Oct. 1, 2008 – Steve Simmons New England & North Regional Director, Clubs & Leagues

By Steve Simmons

Softball News Report

WARWICK, RI – This past August the Rhode Island Senior Softball League hosted the first ever SSWC qualifier held in Rhode Island.

Three years ago senior teams in the New England area were on the outside looking in. Sanctioned senior softball didn’t have much of a presence in this area although independent senior leagues and tournaments flourished.

Then in 2006 the first senior softball qualifier, a SSWC event, was held in New England at the Connecticut Sportsplex in North Branford, CT. That tournament is now three years old and has grown from eight teams to the 33 this year.

Aware of the growing interest that has occurred with the North Branford tournament, Emilio Notarantonio, president of the Rhode Island Senior Softball League, decided the time was right to introduce a second SSWC qualifier to the New England area.

Key to this decision was the fact that a four-field complex with quality facilities, not a common occurrence in the New England area, was available here.

Working with the city of Warwick, the Rhode Island Senior Softball League put on a first class inaugural SSWC qualifier and was rewarded for their efforts when 20 teams showed up in mid-August. The breakdown of the 20 teams was almost a perfect fit with four teams playing in the 50 AAA bracket, three teams in the 55 AAA bracket, five teams in the 60 AAA bracket, four teams in the 65 AAA bracket and four teams in the 70 AA bracket.

Contributing greatly to the fine first year attendance were the teams of the Rhode Island Senior Softball League. Eight of the league’s 27 teams played. Some of those teams were already registered with the SSUSA but others had to go through the full process of registering their teams and players with the SSUSA to be eligible to participate.

The tournament had some spirited competition in each division culminating with exciting championship games. Ray Sewell Income Tax Service (RI) won the 50 AAA division with a pair of wins over league rival Action Auto Parts (RI) in the winner’s bracket finals and the championship game. Sewell edged Action Auto Parts 19-18 in the winner’s bracket game and then Action Auto Parts ran out of gas and lost to Sewell 16-7 after having to come back through the loser’s bracket to get to the championship game.

The Baystate Bombers (MA) defeated Rally Time (NY) in their 55 AAA championship game. The 55’s played a double round-robin format and Baystate entered the final game undefeated. Rally Time not only had to win the last game to have a chance to claim the title but they had to beat Baystate by at least seven runs to acquire the championship. Baystate took care of business by topping Rally Time 12-9.

The 60 AAA division saw Bostonian Shoes’ (MA) courageous effort to come all the way through the loser’s bracket cut short in the final game by a determined Nassa Flooring 60’s (RI) team, which won that contest 12-4. Bostonian Shoes had forced the “if” game in this double-elimination competition by drubbing Nassa 24-9 in the first championship game.

In the 65 AAA division, the Cape Cod Whalers (MA) defeated every other 65+ team once to secure the 65 AAA championship. In succession the Whalers beat Nassa Flooring 65’s (RI) 19-5, the New England Renegades (MA) 12-11 and Edge Technology 65’s (CT) 17-12.

The 70 AA division championship went to a familiar team with a new name. The Back Office Associates (MA), a Cape Cod team formerly known as the Cape Cod Five, are now under new sponsorship. They met Wanskuck Post 56 (RI) in the winner’s bracket finals and squeaked by them 7-6 to set up the championship game between the same teams. Back Office Associates won again, this time by 17-9, to complete a sweep of the two New England SSWC qualifiers. They also were the 70 AA champions at the Connecticut SSWC qualifier in May.

Here are the top three finishers in each division of the Rhode Island SSWC qualifier:

50 AAA Division

1. Ray Sewell Income Tax Service (RI)

2. Action Auto Parts (RI)

3. Interstate Transmission (MA)

55 AAA Division

1. Baystate Bombers (MA)

2. Rally Time Sports / Zone Living (NY)

3. Woodmansee Insurance (RI)

60 AAA Division

1. Nassa Flooring 60’s (RI)

2. Bostonian Shoes (MA)

3. Edge Technology 60’s (CT)

65 AAA Division

1. Cape Cod Whalers (MA)

2. Edge Technology 65’s (CT)

3. New England Renegades (MA)

70 AA Division

1. Back Office Associates (MA)

2. Wanskuck Post 56 (RI)

3. Ca$h-4-College 70’s (NJ)