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This Dudley’s for you

By Don Bowman

The 2008 Dudley/Budwesier Classic, sponsored by Easton, once again will boast the top tournament field of ANY tournament in the nation! Set for June 20-22, the tournament is hosted by the City of Brooklyn Center at Brooklyn Center Central Park. The Dudley will feature Minnesota softball teams competing against national powers for a berth in the USSSA World Series. Admission is $7 for a weekend pass and $3 per day.

Resmondo (Fla.) comes in as the heavy favorite again this year, but Dan Smith (Calif.) and Long Haul Trucking/Miken (Minn.) definitely will have something to say about that!

Smith finally put some fear into Resmondo after knocking off the Sod boys not once but twice, in winning the Windy City Tournament in Illinois on June 6-8. Long Haul Trucking once again was a solid third, but this time the ‘Truckers’ will be playing on their home court at Central Park in Brooklyn Center. The 2008 ‘Classic’ should be a dandy!

The double-elimination tournament is part of the new conference organized by the USSSA. A paid World berth will be awarded to the highest finishing “B” and “C” team to their respective World tournament plus $500 travel expense money.

Yochum signs with Dan Smith

Local softball star Dan Yochum, who performed admirably for USSSA World Class ‘B’ Champions Showcase/J&H last season, has just signed on with Dan Smith to back up pitcher Scot McNastly. Yochum played sparingly for Smith in the Windy City tournament last week but played well.

Kuyath hits a towering shot

Minnesota Hall of Famer Dick Kuyath (Edina), at age 61, just seven weeks after hip surgery and a hernia operation, belted a 340-foot home run in his first at bat back in a senior qualifier last weekend. After witnessing this unbelievable act of power, no less than FIVE other Korba Insurance teammates, all with perfectly operating hips, called the Mayo Clinic the following day to schedule hip surgery themselves!

Bat Review Contest begins this month

The 10th annual Lets Play Softball 2008 Bat Review Contest will begin testing late this month. The very best softball bats in the world will be tested and judged by a local panel to determine which bats have the best pop, performance and production to help aid softball enthusiasts to make the right purchase! Never has there been so many great choices available to choose from! Among the top companies expected to enter are (in no particular order): Combat, Demarini, Easton, Miken, TPS, Worth, Mizuno, Anderson and more! There will also be contest for fast pitch and senior bats as well! Bat reps may call 651-766-4041 for more information.

Demars signs with Contractor’s

Contactor’s Capital, might be the local team with the best chance to make it to Sunday, after signing former major star Chaun “with a C” Demars. Demars will be playing USSSA with CC and continue playing ASA with Theraldson’s of North Dakota.

Mosquitoland Classic wrap-up

Twenty three mens senior softball clubs, including teams from Chicago, Des Moines, Kansas City, Omaha, Madison, Lawerence and Bemidji, participated in the 8th Annual Mosquitoland Classic Senior National Invitational in Little Canada last weekend.

Among the tournament champions were: Kevitt/Ploog (50 major+); Jimmys (50 major); MN Grayhounds/Miken/Tanel (55 major+); Korba Insurance (60 major+); Bobby and Steve’s (60 AAA); United Seniors (65 AAA); and Coffee Cup (70 major). Congrats to all participants!

No Taylormade at the Dudley

Scotty O’Neill’s Taylormade Softball Club, will not be coming to the Dudley according to sources due to what is termed ‘outrageous airline prices’ locally.

Rookies/Harding Classic a success

One of the best-run girls’ fastpitch tournaments in the NATION, the Rookies/Harding Area Fast Pitch Classic, was once again a HUGE success on June 7-8 with over 160 of the top teams in the Midwest entered!

Among those winning championships and national berths were: 14’s A- Chaska Black over the North St. Paul Polars; 16’s A - Rosemount Irish (Hahn) over the MN Sting 4-3; 18’s A (43’) - South Dakota Flash over the Rookies; 18’s B -Rosemount Irish (Gold) over the MN Sting. Congrats to Vic Wittgenstein, Ron Snaza (and staff) of the Rookies and Harding Area Associations, the City of St. Paul, and the St. Paul ASA Umpires Association for another job well done!

Outsiders, Madjacks win in Roseville

The Outsiders (class C) and Madjacks (class B) won tournament championships in the T-Boltz Invitational Tournament in Roseville two weeks ago. Both teams play league ball in the very competitive Little Canada Tuesday night women’s league.

Softball world loses Richman

Condolences to the family of John Richman, former coach/general manager of the SKR women’s softball club who passed away last week. John was quite a character who ran many a softball tournament and managed the highly successful SKR ball club for several years! He will be missed.

Recent tournament champions

Congratulations to tournament champion winners this past weekend who include: Diamond Auto at the BeBops Qualifier in Blaine; the Outpost Softball Club (B world berth winner in Blaine); and Fredericks Softball Club, who won the Co-Rec tourney at Diamonds on June 7-8!