WINTER NATIONALS NOW LARGEST TOURNEY IN EAST

Feb. 1, 2010

Softball News Report

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The 9th Annual Winter Nationals here in November grew to the largest senior tournament east of the Mississippi River – and the third largest tournament of the 2009 season.

Teams from 25 states and Canada competed in 25 divisions. The total number of teams – 168 – was up from 158 teams in 2008.

“The numbers ensured some very large and competitive divisions,” said Fran Dowell, SSUSA executive director. “We are now using 18 fields in four pristine complexes in three cities: Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Naples.”

In addition, the Winter Nationals attracted national television and internet exposure. A film crew from AARP filmed much of the tournament and did a number of interviews. To see the coverage, go to http://bulletin.aarp.org and search for Senior Softball.

On the field, the largest group was a huge 23-team 60 AAA division. The Time Bandits of Georgia, seeded 5th, had a perfect run in the bracket with five straight wins including beating the Southern Florida Heat 20-8 in the finals to win the 60 AAA division title.

Competition was tight in many of the final games. In more than half of the divisions, 13 of 25, the championship was decided by 3 or fewer runs – or by an “IF” game.

In the youngest groups, the Men’s 50 Major-Plus and the Women’s 50, the championships were decided by 1 or 2 runs. And the oldest group – the 75/80 Men’s division, the finals went to an “IF” game, with Nami Construction 75 of New Jersey barely beating their elders – Center for Sight 80s of Florida – 12-11.

The bats were sizzling in the 65 AAA division finals, in which Dan’s Sports of Florida beat the New York Streaks by an amazing 32-31.

For a complete list of scores, go to www.seniorsoftball.com and click on Tournaments, then on 2009 Winter Nationals. Here are the results:

MEN’S 50-MAJOR PLUS

1. Frederick Chevrolet • E&E Metal Fab. (PA)

2. Gekle Builders (MI)

3. Florida Sluggers (FL)

MEN’S 50-MAJOR

1. Morgan-Keegan (FL)

2. Deluxe Bakery (NJ)

3. Kayson’s Grille (GA)

MEN’S 50-AAA

1. Cryans (NJ)

2. Shark Sports (NY)

3. Harbortown Canaveral (FL)

MEN’S 50-AA

1. Classic Logos (FL)

2. Tulsa Hawaiians (FL)

3. Hungry Harry’s (FL)

MEN’S 55-MAJOR PLUS

1. Southern Slam (NC)

2. The Titans (FL)

MEN’S 55-MAJOR

1. Spicer • Sportsman (VA)

2. Simmons • Cooper Rhinos (IL)

3. Syracuse Merchants (NY)

MEN’S 55-AAA

1. Joe B’s Air Conditioning (MD)

2. Bay State Bombers (MA)

3. New Jersey Hitmen (NJ)

MEN’S 55-AA

1. Badger • Cooney Classics (WI)

2. Steel Dawgs of Pennsylvania (PA)

3. Oshkosh Ambassador’s 55’s (WI)

MEN’S 60-MAJOR PLUS

1. New York Statesmen

2. AMR 60’s (MI)

3. Brix & Stix of the Villages (FL)

MEN’S 60-MAJOR

1. Double L Roofing (FL)

2. Big Cat Sports (FL)

3. HMR 60’s (PA)

MEN’S 60-AAA

1. Time Bandits (GA)

2. South Florida Heat (FL)

3. New York Streaks 60’s

MEN’S 60-AA

1. Spring Ford (PA)

2. Sound Realty (FL)

3. No Stars (FL)

MEN’S 65-MAJOR PLUS

1. Florida Legends • Human Kinetics (FL)

2. Rochester Legends (NY)

MEN’S 65-MAJOR

1. Florida Thunder (FL)

2. Village Merchants (FL)

3. Libby’s (WI)

MEN’S 65-AAA

1. Dan’s Sports (FL)

2. New York Streaks 65’s (NY)

3. Bostonian Shoes (MA)

MEN’S 65-AA

1. Quad City Old Stars (IA)

2. Syracuse Cyclones (NY)

3. Western Massachusetts 65’s (MA)

MEN’S 70-MAJOR PLUS

1. Suncoast Orthopedic Surgery (FL)

2. Pompano Beach Bums (FL)

MEN’S 70-MAJOR

1. Premium Seats USA (FL)

2. Kaiser Permanente North Coast (OH)

3. Ed’s Aluminum (FL)

MEN’S 70-AAA

1. Barracudas (NY)

2. Carolina Cardinals 70’s (NC)

3. Port St. Lucie Ramblers (FL)

MEN’S 70-AA

1. Bucs & Bulls 70’s (FL)

2. Papa Nicks (FL)

3. Indy Crowns (IN)

MEN’S 75-MAJOR

1. Joseph Chevrolet (KY)

2. Georgia Peaches (GA)

MEN’S 75/80 DIVISION

1. Nami Construction (NJ)

2. Center For Sight 80’s (FL)

3. ProHelath Care (WI)

WOMEN’S 50+ DIVISION

1. New York Metro Double Play (NY)

2. Southern Trace Chiropractic Silver Belles (FL)

3. Vintage Babes (FL)

WOMEN’S 55/60+ DIVISION

1. ING Villages Vixens (FL)

2. Golden Girls 60’s (VA)

3. Kentucky Fillies (KY)

WOMEN’S 65+ DIVISION

1. Can Do (NV)

2. Cebert Wealth Vixens (FL)

3. AIG Financial Golden Gals 2 (FL)