A highly successful SPA 2017 softball season came to an end with the WINTER NIT at MICHAEL J. DESORBO EXCHANGE PARK in PENSACOLA/ FLORIDA October 13-15.
Twenty-two teams brought down the curtain competing for titles in five divisions.
GAS took the 60 AAA/MAJ Division coming out of the loser's bracket after losing their first game to win five in a row for the crown.
GAS lost to CARRIAGE HOMES 25-26 in the opening bracket game before going on a streak beating BAND OF BROTHERS 21-18, SOUTHERN SLAM 26-22, CARRIAGE HOMES 20-5 and SEASONED VETS twice 18-16 and 33-15.
Following GAS in the standings were SEASONED VETS, CARRIAGE HOMES, SOUTHERN SLAM, BAND OF BROTHERS.
TAG ran the table in the 65 AAA/M bracket running the table beating BOYD'S METAL 20-9 in the title game.. In the run they also disposed of DALLAS SPURS 25-13 and THE FIRM 21-7.
Order of finish was 1. TAG, 2. BOYD'S METAL, 3. DALLAS SPURS, 4. THE FIRM and 5. INDIANA LEGENDS.
The TRAVELERS went undefeated in both and bracket play going 5-0 to capture the 70/75 AAA/ M crown.
The TRAVELERS beat MATADOR CLUB 17-2 in the championship game. They reached the final game by beating FOR FREEDOM (21-6) and MATADOR CLUB (35-15)
MATADOR CLUB was runner-ups followed by FOR FREEDOM, SOUTHEAST LEFTOVERS 75'S and MISFITS.
DOC C'S beat TEAM ARKANSAS three out of five for the 50 MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP.
TEAM ARKANSAS had beaten DOC'S twice in the first thgree games but had to forfeit game four and five.
TEAM LOUISIANNA won the 50/55 title but not without a battle. Although going 3-0 in bracket play they had a pair of nail biters.in wins over SOUTHEAST SWARM (19-18), DT EXPRESS (20-18) and ADIKTIV (32-9).
The Dayton, Ohio First Flight Senior Tournament is back on the SPA schedule but with a new name and new date.
"We were never really gone," tournament director John Zampatti said, "it was just a matter of seeing when our Dayton fields were available and what SPA dates were available so we could match them."
The new dates correspond with the new name "Dayton First Flight Fire Cracker" SPA Tournament.
The dates are July 5-6-7-8 and is open to all ages and depending on teams entered, all divisions.
Entry fee is $450.
For more info or to get an early signing contact Zampatti at 937-371-9717.
With Dayton having a July date it means Ohio will have five SPA senior tournaments, once a month May thru August.
Two other SPA Ohio tournaments have also changed dates for 2018.
Columbus heart of Ohio is now may 9-13 and Thee Buckeye Classic June 12-24.
Distances from PA, Mich, KY, Ind, WVa are all within 400 miles while NY, NJ, VA and MD are about seven hours drive so each Ohio event is within driving distance.
The Ohio tournaments are:
Columbus Heart of Ohio - May 9-13 $450/$495
Thee Buckeye classic - Barberton - June 12-24 $475
Dayton First Flight Firecracker July 5-8 $450
Great Lakes Classic -- Sylvania August 1-5 $450/$495
Spa 75-80 World - Columbus August 6-9
For more info on Thee Buckeye Classic and SPA tournaments as it becomes available visit:
http://softballspa.com/