Winter Nationals Thaws Recession: Grows to 159

Feb. 1, 2009

FORT MYERS, FL – The 8th annual Easton Winter Nationals continued to set records in November with 159 teams participating in the first tournament of the SSUSA’s 2009 season.

The Winter Nationals is not only one of the largest senior softball tournaments of the year, but it also boasts some of the best amenities of any tournament in the country.

“With a complementary manager’s reception, large divisions, and some of the best fields in the country, the Winter Nationals is a very special event hosted by Lee County,” said Don Stratton, executive tournament director.

The Winter Nationals has emerged as the third largest SSUSA tournament of the year – and the sixth largest senior softball tournament of all associations. As a result of the large divisions, teams are flocking to the Winter Nationals from more than 25 states and Canada.

“Even in the current recession, we are seeing solid growth in the Winter Nationals,” said Stratton, who also is ISA’s chief executive officer. “We believe teams will continue to come to the tournament because they know they will see great competition and be able to play on excellent fields in a beautiful setting.”

Four teams emerged from the loser’s bracket to double-dip the top seeded teams and win their divisions.

In the 60 Women’s Division, the Golden Girls of Virginia defeated the Sportaculars of Canada twice, 14-12 and 7-5, to win. In the Women’s 50/55 Division, Sunny Beaches of Florida fought out of the loser’s bracket to beat the Cobra 55s of Michigan 23-15 and 18-16 to win that division.

In the Men’s 50 AA, Smith Barney Classics beat Classic Logos (both teams from Florida), in two straight in the finals, 19-6 and 16-15, to win the division. And in the 70 AA, Lawson Products beat the Ospreys 14-10 and 19-16 in another Florida-only finals to win.

In the 5-team 50 Major-Plus Division, the northern teams romped. Damon’s Grill of Maryland defeated fellow northerners Frederick Chevrolet of Pennsylvania by a huge 54-14 to take the division.

In another large bracket, AMR 50s of Ohio beat Deerfield Storage of Florida 35-8 to win the 10-team 50 Major championships.

In the 15-team 50 AAA Division, Action Auto Parts of Rhode Island lost the championship game 24-23 to Pinehurst Pub of Florida, but then came back with force to win the “IF” game and the division 31-22.

Connecticut Sportsplex beat Hollis 55s of Florida 41-16 to win the 55 Major-Plus Division title and Kittrell Acoustics of Alabama won by forfeit of the championship game in the 6-team 55 Major Division.

TNT Sports Club of Pennsylvania defeated New York Motion 26-14 to take the 10-team 55 AAA Division and Freddie’s Shooters of Maryland beat the Ohio Silverados 14-4 to take the 55 AA championships.

In the 6-team 60 Major-Plus Division, the Miken Raptors of Florida defeated a cold Spicer Properties of Maryland 39-6.

The AMR 60S followed the winning ways of their younger club, defeating Brix and Stix of the Villages of Florida to win the large 10-team 60 Major Division.

In the 16-team 60 AAA, the largest division of the tournament, Red Storm of Florida forced the Bay State Bombers of Massachusetts into an “IF” game by winning in a thrilling 20-19 contest. But the Bombers came back to win the mammoth division 20-15 in the “IF” game.

Two Florida teams battled it out in the 12-team 60 AA Division, with South Florida Heat beating K&S Painting 20-15 in the finals.

The Florida Legends took the 6-team 65 Platinum Division, beating Budweiser of Missouri 16-9 in the final game.

In the large, 12-team 65 AAA Division, the Village Merchants of Florida beat the Indy Classics 22-5 to win and, in the 12-team 65 AA Division, the Columbus Silver Streaks of Indiana defeated Quad City of Iowa in a nail-biter, 16-15.

In another Florida finals, the Pompano Beach Bums won the 70 Gold Division, beating Premium Seats 25-19.

In the 70 AAA Division, Cash 4 College of New Jersey defeated Papa Nicks of Florida 18-7 and in the 75/80 Division, Joseph Chevrolet of Kentucky beat the Georgia Peaches 11-1 to win.

And in a Florida women’s division final, Cebert Wealth 65s defeated the Silver Belles 14-4 to win the Women’s 65 Division championships.

For a complete list of results, please see www.seniorsoftabll.com and go to news, then type in the keyword Winter Nationals.