Teams from 7 States Vie for Eastern Crown

Sept. 1, 2009

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Eastern Nationals drew 52 teams from 17 states here in August. The teams played for six days at the state-of-the-art, nine-diamond Walnut Creek Softball Complex under sunny skies and hot temperatures, vying to represent the East.

The tournament was the first step in the Triple Grand Slam, and included a berth in the USA National Championship games at the World Championships in Phoenix in October. Additionally, all winners earned berths in the 2010 Tournament of Champions in Polk County, Fla., in February.

Raleigh officials arranged for Rex Hospital to provide a full crew of paramedics and nurses, along with keeping their equipment onsite for the entire tournament. The paramedics and nurses treated several cases of heat exhaustion and other minor injuries – and provided a great sense of security for the players and officials.

The games matched the weather – sizzling hot – with eight of the 16 divisions being decided by one run – or an “IF” game. In one of the top skill divisions, Schones Chiropractic of Ohio edged out Turn Two of North Carolina 28-27 to win the 55 Major-Plus Division.

In one of the largest divisions – the 55 AAA – Northern Virginia Force out-dueled Flip Dow Bonding of North Carolina 15-14 to win the 8-team division.

In the eight-team 60AAA division, two Virginia teams rose to the top, with Secure Horizons defeating Southland Log Homes 31-12 in the finals.

Meanwhile, in another tight contest, Steel Dawgs of Pennsylvania defeated the Silveradoes of Ohio 17-16 to win the 55AA Eastern berth. In the 65 Platinum division, the perennial powerhouse Florida Legends edged Dirt’s All Stars / Old South from Georgia 18-17 to win the title.

The record for close games however, went to the eldest senior teams. The four divisions in the 70-80 age groups ALL went to “IF” games.

In the Women’s divisions, Dreamgirlz of Virginia won the 50s and hometown favorite Wanna Bees took the 55 division crown.

“Raleigh has been a great host for the Eastern in 2008 and 2009,” said Terry Hennessy SSUSA’s chief executive officer, who was on site as the Tournament Director. “In fact, we have already agreed to bring the Eastern Nationals back to Raleigh in 2010. The playing facilities are first-rate, and there’s a never-ending supply of that famous Southern Hospitality.”

Here are the results (USA indicates the team will represent the East in the US Nationals, and TOC represents a berth to the Tournament of Champions):

MEN’S 50-PLATINUM

1. Morgan-Keegan (FL) USA & TOC (in 50-Major)

2. Frederick Chevrolet Metal Fab. (PA) USA (in 50-Major+)

3. Carpenters Legends (NC)

MEN’S 50/55-GOLD

1. Shark Sports (NY) ï USA & TOC (in 50-AAA)

2. Sweet Construction 55’s (NJ) USA (in 55-Major)

MEN’S 55-MAJOR PLUS

1. Schones Chiropractic /AMR (OH) ï USA & TOC

2. Turn Two/Rock Solid/Elite (NC)

MEN’S 55-AAA

1. Northern Virginia Force / USA & TOC

2. Flip Dow Bonding Seniors (NC)

3. Freddie’s Shooters (MD)

MEN’S 55-AA

1. Steel Dawgs of Pennsylvania / USA & TOC

2. Ohio Silverados

MEN’S 60-MAJOR

1. Bay State Plus (MA) / USA & TOC

2. TapcoïBogey’s Sports Bar (NC)

MEN’S 60-AAA

1. Secure Horizons (VA) ï USA & TOC

2. Southland Log Homes (VA)

3. Ca$h 4 College 60’s (NJ)

MEN’S 65-PLATINUM

1. Florida Legends/Human Kinetics (FL) / USA & TOC (in 65-Major+)

2. Dirt’s All Stars/Old South (GA)

3. Vacar Stars / USA (in 65-Major)

MEN’S 65-AAA

1. Blaze Softball (NC) / USA & TOC

2. Maryland Tri-County Office Equipment

3. Carolina Cardinals (NC)

MEN’S 65-AA

1. Chicago Classics Gray Sox (IL) / USA & TOC

2. Chicago Seniors (IL)

MEN’S 70-MAJOR PLUS

1. Hamels 70’s (MD) / USA & TOC

2. Pompano Beach Bums (FL)

MEN’S 70/75-MAJOR

1. Doc’s Sports Retreat (MI) / USA & TOC (in 70-Major)

2. Texans 70’s (TX)

3. Joseph Chevrolet (PA) / USA (in 75-Major)

MEN’S 70-AA

1. Virginians (VA) / USA & TOC

2. Burlington Classics 70’s (NC)

MEN’S 75/80 DIVISION

1. Nami COnstruction / USA & TOC (in 75-Major+)

2. Center For Sight (FL) / USA (in Men’s 80’s)

WOMEN’S 50’s

1. Dreamgirlz (VA) ï USA & TOC

2. Sassy Seniors (SC)

WOMEN’S 55’s

1. Wanna Bees (NC) / USA & TOC

2. Smoky Mountain Stars (TN)