Softball and baseball’s favorite newspaper since 1987

---

USSSA Update

By Gerry Turnberg

USSSA State Director

Central Divisional Vice President

Our Youth State Championships were held July 16-17 in Andover, Champlin, Oakdale and St. Paul. Congratulations to ALL of the teams that participated and to our 2011 State Champions.

In Girls’ 10 & Under, Brooklyn Park’s Zane Orange Crush captured the championship over runner-up Richfield. The Girls’ 12 & Under Competitive championship was won by Golden Valley’s Reese Orthodontics with the Bloomington Cougars finishing a close second. The Girls’ 12 & Under Recreational title was won by Norwood of Brooklyn Park with the Oakdale Heat finishing second.

Burnsville’s Inferno captured the 14 & Under Competitive state title with Richfield’s Fireside Pizza finishing a close second. The 14 & Under Recreational championship was won by the Andover Storm over their league rival, Andover Stars.

Chaos from Andover won the Girls’ 19 & Under Competitive state title over Champlin’s Elm Creek. The Girls’ 19 & Under Recreational was won by Brooklyn Park’s Sammy Perrella’s over the Oakdale Twins. The Boys’ 19 & Under was an all Champlin tournament with Tool Shed defeating Dynasty for the title.

In the Girls’ 16 & Under Competitive division, Golden Valley’s Spectrum went undefeated for the title. Oakdale’s Extreme finished second. Coon Rapids Dynamite captured the 16 & Under Recreational division over Andover’s MN Monitoring.

• The Crystal Frolics, Minnesota’s longest running and one of the most prestigious tournaments in our state is this weekend. It is always the last full weekend in July, and it can’t get much later than this year with the oddity of five weekends in the month. Games start Thursday along with the home run hitting contests.

• Our Regional & State tournaments start the first weekend in August and continue throughout the month of August. World tournaments take center stage in September and our Fall States are in October.

• Another reminder: All teams going to World tournaments must play in their State Tournament and a National Tournament.

• The Central Division National Tournaments will take place over Labor Day weekend with the exception of the Men’s “E” in Bridgeton, Mo., which will be held August 26-28.

Men’s “C” – Blaine, MN

Men’s “D” – Omaha, NE

Men’s “E” – Bridgeton, MO (8/26-28)

Women’s “B/C” & “D” – Blaine, MN

• With the postseason right around the corner, remember if you play on teams in different classes, you are eligible ONLY for those weekend and post season tournaments with your HIGHEST classified team. Teams found in violation of this will forfeit all awards and travel expense monies won and individual player eligibility may be placed in jeopardy. Ignorance is not an excuse; know the rules!

• Check out the Minnesota USSSA website and view the listings of all tournaments. You can also print out copies of numerous fliers for weekend tournaments.

Minnesota USSSA/MRPA Website

www.mnusssa.com

National USSSA Website Access

www.usssa.com

If I can be of any assistance in any of your softball needs, please contact me either at 763.571.1305 x 108 or 1.800.862.3659 x108 or e-mail turnberg@mnrecpark.org

Remember – it is you, the player, coach, fan, and umpire that make USSSA a GREAT organization and the place to be!