Softball and
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USSSA World Tourney bittersweet for local teams
By Don Bowman
A
handful of local men’s masters teams journeyed to
State
55-plus powerhouse Korba Insurance of Chanhassen was
the big winner, grabbing the title in the combined men’s 55/60 and over major
division.
Korba
went undefeated during the tournament.
Infielder
Rick Hoen of Korba was
selected as the MVP of the tournament.
Another
highly regarded 55-plus team, Larry Nelson’s Minnesota Masters/Anchor Bank club,
played extremely well and finished runner-up in the very same division.
In
the men’s super major over-50 division, Doc’s Grayhounds/JMG/Titan/Tanel
of Little Canada had a strong tournament, finishing runner-up to
Also
in mens 50’s major play, Team Miken
of Little Canada played a great tournament in claiming the runner-up spot.
What
was very disappointing about this tournament — and very unlike the normal
quality world events the USSSA conducts — is that the tourney host failed to
issue individual awards to the finalists, the all-world tournament teams and
MVP winners, as depicted in the official tournament program.
After
learning of this hooliganism at the national headquarters, national USSSA
executive Danny Brown has vowed to fix the damage, and look for heads to roll.
Resmondo takes last leg
Resmondo of Florida won the last leg of the USSSA Major Conference,
going 5-0 to take the
Rounding
out the top four were:
Resmondo pitcher Andy Purcell was selected as the MVP. Local
outfielder Scott Striebel is still out with a
shoulder injury, but hopes to return in time for the postseason later this
month.
WSL finals set for
Some
of the top men’s class A teams in the land are slated
to take part in the World Softball League North American Championships Sept.
7-9 in beautiful
Among
the expected participants: Jean Shoppe, Long Haul/Miken,
the Scene, LaserVision and more.
It’s
still not to late to enter the men’s B,C,D, and
women’s divisions. For more info go to
worldsoftballleague.com.
Showcase, Contractors share
The
results are in for the USSSA Men’s Open State Tournament on Aug. 4 in
Showcase
and Contractor’s Capitol tied for first place. It was a one-day tournament that
ran long, causing a lighting ban.
Third
place went to Jack O’Connor’s J&H Wall Class C juggernaut.
The
Boltz grab women’s title
The
top women’s teams in the state battled for supremacy at the USSSA Women’s State
Championships in
In
women’s open play, the Minnesota Thunderboltz won the
championship over Madjacks. The Minnesota Ice took
third.
All
three teams play in the very competitive Tuesday night women’s open league in
Little Canada.
Speaking
of the Tuesday open league, John Phyle’s class C
powerhouse, Easton/Hooters/Rockets won the league title.
Tharaldson’s a winner again
The
World Softball League’s Midwest Championships were held Aug. 5 in Shakopee. Tharaldson’s won the men’s B championship, while a very
good BBS/Miken won the men’s C tournament.
18-U Rookies claim title
Ron Snaza and Vic Wittgenstein, longtime fastpitch
softball coaches on
Nearly
75 teams participated, with proceeds going to the Oakdale Athletic Association,
the tourney host.
Marinelli on the mend
Let’s
Play Softball would
like to extend its best wishes to Minnesota USSSA State Umpire in Chief Jerry Marinelli, who is recovering from a recent illness.
Koppy hangs up the cleats
Good
luck to the recently retired postal worker, as he and his family are off to a
senior retirement retreat in
Tschida next Gopher coach?
Whispering
on the streets is the
This
program really needs a new shot in the arm and could definitely use Tschida to reboltster the most
disappointing team in the entire U of M athletic program.