SPA News

     TEXAS TEAM WINS 60 MAJOR WORLD TITLE

 DALTON, GEORGIA - GONZALEZ INSULATION made it two SPA WORLD titles in two years as they added the 2014 SPA 60 MAJOR title to their growing list of achievements July 17-20 at DALTON, GEORGIA'S HERITAGE PARK.

 Two years ago the GONZALEZ team claimed the 2012 55 AAA SPA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CROWN.

 “That 2012 was a good year for us,” SPA 60 MAJOR MANAGER-OF-THE-YEAR and GONZALEZ INSULATION head man BILLY STARRY said,” We won DALTON, VEGAS and TOC, This is our first big tournament win this year, so we hope it will be a repeat of 2012.”

 The GONZALEZ team has been together for eight years with five of the originals still on the roster. STEVE BURRIS, DAVE ESCALANTE, JOE RAMON,JR, DAN SILKWOOD and STARRY were all on that first team.

 “We have only been playing senior ball for eight years, but most of us have been playing together off-and-on for thirty years,” STARRY corrected.

 Over those thirty years, the gang probably hasn't won many tournaments in a quicker fashion then they did in DALTON.

 Counting two pool games and two bracket games, they only played four games, winning them all and most by a very wide margin.

 They beat K.C. KIDS 35-14 and HIGH STREET BUCS 15-13 in pool play and COLUMBUS LX 26-11 and CRYSTAL COBRAS 34-20 in bracket play.

 “We hit pretty good, around .760 as a team,” STARRY said, “But actually it was our defense which was the difference.”

 You score 110 runs and hit .760 in four games and defense was the difference?

 “Exactly, “ STARRY replied, “Everybody in major can hit and if you give them extra outs in an inning they will pound you. We did not give any teams extra outs, but they were giving us extra outs and that was the difference.”

 Leading the attack in DALTON was TOURNAMENT MVP TYRONE MCCLELLAN. The speedy gold glove outfielder was retired only once in four game compiling a .928 batting average.

 Joining MCCLELLAN on the ALL-AMERICAN squad were DH BILLY BLAKE (.866), ROVER STEVE BURRIS (.866), PITCHER RON FOREE (.846), SS DAN SILKWOOD (.866) and OF JULIAN TAMEZ (.857).

 Others on the GONZALEZ INSULATION team are: DAVE ESCALANTE (OF,.666), RANDY FULTON (DNP), WILL JOHNSON (2B,.615), DAVE PERKINS (P,.714), JOE RAMON, SR (3B,.555), JOHNNY SUTTON (1B,.642), DAVE WHITE (DNP), KENNY MORGAN (OF, 733), RICHARD WILSON (OF, .769) and RICHARD GIDDENS (INF, .692).

 “We also have a great cheer leading squad which always travels to the tournaments,” STARRY said, “They do a great job keeping our spirits up.”

 Members of the group are MARY SILKWOOD, BEVERLY ASHER, CHRISTIE PERKINS, JULIE STARRY, KAREN MORGAN, DIANE BLAKE, KATHY ESCALANTE and ERMA GIDDENS.

 So far this year GONZALEZ INSULATION has played in six tournaments compiling a winning percentage of.800 and hope to equal that or better it in the remaining two tournaments.

 “It has been tough to find good tournaments with other 60 major teams,” STARRY said, “ Usually we have to play 55'S and in one TEXAS tournament we played 50'S. Giving away ten years in age is a rough way to go.”

 STARRY also said the reason they are able to play so many tournaments and travel long distances to do it is because of their sponsor, GONZALEZ INSULATION.

 “ARNULFO GONZALEZ is in my opinion, one of the top sponsors in senior softball,” STARRY said. ' He covers our entry fee, uniforms and some other incidentals”

 “We are fortunate to have him as a sponsor and we really do appreciate everything he does for us. Having a sponsor like him also makes it easier on recruiting players,” STARRY explained.

 The big question for STARRY right now is what division will they play in 2015.

 “If we end up winning the SSUSA title then we should be moved to 60 MAJOR PLUS but if we don't win it then we should stay at 60 MAJOR,” STARRY said, “ I don't think a team should be raised a level just for winning two games in a WORLD TOURNAMENT and that is all we played at DALTON.”

 Due to a heavy downpour the 60 MAJOR tournament was called prior to the finals (losers bracket winner vs winner's bracket top team).

 Regardless of what happens and what DIVISION they are placed STARRY has only one request for SPA.

 “Give us some tournaments to play where there will be other teams in our rating group,” he requested, “We don't mind playing at a higher level, that should be every team's goal but finding tournaments which take majors and major plus teams is pretty tough.”

 “It seems like the only tournaments where there are more than two or three teams in MAJOR or MAJOR PLUS are the WORLD events and that requires big money to enter and a big travel expense,” STARRY said.

 As for the SPA organization and DALTON tournament, STARRY had a positive take.

 “I really like the SPA tournaments and we play everyone we can,” STARRY said, “They are all well run and competitive. I just wish they (SPA) could get more teams involved.”

 Finally STARRY had this to say.

 “We have had a great year,” STARRY said, “But you know it takes an entire group to accomplish winning a WORLD TITLE. For us it starts with our sponsor GONZALEZ INSULATION, the players, the manager and the support we receive from the wives and girlfriends. It really did take a village to be a champion.”

    IRON MEN WIN THEIR FIFTH 2014 TITLE

DALTON, GEORGIA – Nobody is hotter in senior softball this year than the DLB 50 MAJOR PLUS team.

The WISCONSON squad stayed on fire during the SPA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS at DALTON, GEORGIA'S HERITAGE POINT PARK JULY 17-20 adding the SPA 50 MAJOR PLUS TITLE to their growing list of 2014 tournament championships.

 “That (SPA WORLDS) was our first SPA WORLDS CHAMPIONSHIP title,” DLB MANAGER and SPA 50 MAJOR PLUS MANAGER-OF-THE-YEAR LARRY TOSTRUD said, “but it was our fifth Major championship this year.”

 At DALTON, DLB after losing an opening pool play game to BRYSON'S PUB (30-27), who was the number two seed in the eight team group, the WISCONSIN team went to work.

 DLB finished pool play with a 34-26 win over TSC TRI-STATE and then began their roll through the competition in bracket play. First up was 43-38 win over TEAN 1 SPORTS, followed by a 30-14 pounding of TEAM ADIKTIVE

 DLB edged 2013 50 MAJOR CHAMP OKI 24-21 before disposing of top seed MID-ATLANTIC 26-11 in the title game.

 “Once we got it rolling, we just kept going,” TOSTRUD said, “We hit over .750 with seven guys over .800.”

 TOSTRUD also emphasized the balance on the team from one-through-twelve.

 “There are no easy outs on the team, so when they have us with two outs, they (opponents) still don't have a breather,” he explained, “Our 12^th batter GENE SNOWDEN was 19-for-22 (.864), not too many teams have an .800 hitter batting last.”

 “We all laugh when the other team says, 'their 10-11 and 12 hitters are up this inning', they (opponents) have no idea what they are getting.”

 What they do get when they play DLB is a solid group of players who put as much emphasis on defense as they do offense.

 “Oh yeah, we do concentrate on our defense a lot,” TOSTRUD said, “ These are major plus teams we play and you can't give them extra outs with errors and by the same token you want to take outs away with double plays and great fielding plays.”

 The team's top ring leader at DALTON was MVP BOB WOLDYK. The first baseman hit .800 with eight home runs and some sparkling defense including a couple of diving stops.

 Joining WOLDYK on the ALL-AMERICAN teams were PAUL STANLEY (LF,.862), TIM FREDENBURG (P 5-1, .840), TOSTRUD (2B, .872), KEITH LESMEISTER (OF, .868) AND SNOWDEN (C, .864).

 Others on the team were VINNIE CHAMBERS (OF/C/DH .625) , JIM CUSHING (OF,.840), JIM MOLENCUPP (3B,.590), JIM OLSON INF/OF, .850), DOUG KEIT (SS/.785), MARVIN LIBERTY (INJ/ASST MGR/COACH), AL VANCAMPLER (DNP), KURT KOZLOWSKI (DNP) and TERRY DUNN (DNP).

 “As you can see by our roster, we down to the bare minimum,” ASSISTANT MGR/COACH MARVIN LIBERTY said, “If we would have lost our last game and had been forced to play the”IF” game, I doubt if we would have had enough healthy people to play the game.”

 TOSTRUD also gave special mention to team statistician LAURIE LESMEISTER.

 “She does an A+ job with the scoring and stats,” TOSTRUD said, “She also keeps us on our toes in the field telling us where the batter normally hits and Lord help you if you screw up at bat or in the field, she will let you know. LAURIE is a very important part of our team.”

 Another special person in the DLB FAMILY is sponsor DAN BISHOP, owner of DLB PURCHASING COMPANY in RACINE,WISCONSIN.

 “DAN has been with us for over seventeen years,” TOSTRUD continued, “He takes care of our entry fees, hotels, uniforms and a few other items. He is the ULTIMATE SPONSOR and more like a team member then a sponsor. We really appreciate what he does for us and we probably wouldn't be a team without him.”

 However, TOSTRUD forgot to mention another individual who has been contributing far more than his share to the team's tournament fund.

 “Larry will never tell anybody because of his modesty but he also has contributed a lot of money to support the DLB team, “ LIBERTY said,” He just does it quietly so nobody else will know but believe me, I know.”

 The DLB team although made up of players from adjoining four states, have either played with each other or against each other over the years and are not strangers to each other.

 “We all have known each other for years coming up through all the younger “alphabet organizations” and shared each others e-mail addresses and phone numbers,” the manager said, “ So when we put a senior softball team together it was just a matter of some phone calls and e-mails.”

 According to TOSTRUD, the team has great chemistry on and off the field.

 “No head cases on this team, we all get along great and really look forward to getting together after the games,” he said, “The wives are also a huge part of our group. They go to the games, cheer us on and help organize off-the-field things. This is just like a big family reunion when we get together. It really is a special group.”

 The DLB manager also said the SPA DALTON TOURNAMENT was special and praised RIDGE HOOKS for his leadership.

 “This (DALTON WORLDS) is the way a MAJOR PLUS tournament should be run,” he said, “Getting EIGHT MAJOR PLUS teams together for such a high-class event is fantastic. With the quality of teams we had here, who needs those sandbagging major teams who are afraid of competition.”

 “This is the best run and player friendly senior tournament we have ever attended,” he added, “The SPA umpires were without a doubt the best umpires we have had in any other organization's tournament this year. This was really a great tournament and we look forward to returning next year.”

    TWENTY-TWO TEAMS PARTICIPATE AAA AND MAJOR TOURNAMENT

COLUMBUS, OHIO – TWENTY-TWO 75 and 80 AAA teams along with the 75 MAJOR DIVISION surprised even SPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RIDGE HOOKS with the turnout for the SPA WORLDS at COLUMBUS, OHIO'S BERLINER PARK AUGUST 11-14.

“It was a pleasant surprise though,” HOOKS said, “ Think about this. In 2010 we had SEVEN TEAMS in those DIVISIONS (75 AAA, 75 M, 80 AAA) play at the SPA WORLDS in DALTON and in 2011 there were only four.”

 “We took a small survey and it showed the majority of that age group is from the mid west and mid east, so we moved the tournament to COLUMBUS, OHIO where teams suggested we hold it,” HOOKS explained, “I am certainly glad we listened.”

 The total of 22 teams may not sound like a big deal but when you consider how many teams actually are in those divisions it is amazing.

 SPA has 23 registered 75 AAA TEAMS which means 56-percent (13 teams) attended the tournament. It was even higher for the 80's as 5 of 7 (71-percent) made the trip to COLUMBUS while 4 of the 9 registered 75 MAJORS participated.

 The attendance was also spread among 15 states, so the attendance was definitely not regional as teams from INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ARKANSAS, NEW YORK, KANSAS, ILLINOIS. NEW JERSEY, WISCONSIN, TEXAS, OHIO, MINNESOTA, GEORGIA, MARYLAND, KENTUCKY and PENNSYLVANIA attended.

 Four DIVISION champs were crowned with WISCONSIN'S PROHEALTH CARE 80's going undefeated in bracket play, ending it up with a 21-15 win over the TEXAS CLASSICS finals to win the 80 AAA crown. Others in the bracket were SOUTHWEST STARS, COSSA 80'S and JIMMY”S MINNESOTA LEGENDS.

 In the four-team 75 MAJOR group, the LEFTOVERS claimed the title with a 23-8 win over HAMEL'S 75's in the championship game. The LEFTOVERS also defeated JIMMY'S MINNESOTA GOLD 27-12 and HAMELS 75's in an earlier game 21-20. CANTERBURY CRUISERS was the fourth team in the field.

 PEACH TREE RESTAURANT took no prisoners in rolling through the seven-team 75 AAA SILVER bracket. The PENNSYLVANIA team beat LOUISVILLE THUNDER 27-13, INDIANA SILVER FOXES 32-9, INDY CROWNS 15-0 and LOUISVILLE THUNDER 14-8 in the championship game.

 Others in the group were COSSA 75'S, MICHIGAN LAKERS and NAMI CONSTRUCTION.

 The CHICAGO GEEZERS lost their first game in bracket play 13-8 to the ANTIQUES and had to come out of the loser's bracket winning five in-a-row to take home the 75 AAA GOLD top prize.

 Along the way the GEEZERS beat HARRIS AUCTION28-23, NY STATESMEN 30-29, PROHEALTH 75'S 24-16, JERSEY JAGS 22-21 and the JAGS again, this time in the :IF” game 22-15.

 “I thought it was a great tournament,” TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR DON CHERRY said, “BERLINER PARK was an excellent facility. We had thunderstorms all over the place on MONDAY and I mean big ones but when they stopped we went right out and played.”

 “They have artificial turf and you just go back on them and play without needing grounds work,” CHERRY added, ”there was really some great competition with over half the games going to the last inning to decide the winner.”

 The SPA office also took a survey among the managers dealing with 2015 age rules, tournament locations, etc. and the results will be released as soon as they are compiled.

MUSTANG, OK - For 75 and 80 teams it has become a "no brainer", if you want to play tournaments where you will find other 75 and 80 teams you play the SPA MID-WEST and MID-EAST CIRCUIT.

That was verified again in 2014 when five SPA TOURNAMENTS again proved to be the top draw east of VEGAS in all SENIOR TOURNAMENTS hosting 75 and 80 Division teams.

"Over the past six years we have seen the attendance at just our WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS for 75 and 80 quadruple in attendance," SPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RIDGE HOOKS said, "This year alone we are expecting 22 teams (13 75 AAA, 4 75M, 5 80'S)  in that age group. That is expecting not projecting."

The high attendance figure is not only in the SPA WORLDS. THEE BUCKEYE CLASSIC drew fifteen 75's and three 80's to the JUNE BARBERTON,OHIO tournament while the JUNE COLUMBUS,OHIO HEART OF OHIO tournament has six 75's. SHELBYVILLE, INDIANA'S JULY HOOSIER CLASSIC pulled in seven 75's while GLEN BURNIE, MARYLAND had five 75's. 

That may not soul like many teams but when you are a 75 or 80 team it is a breath of fresh air.

"We just got back from the SSUSA MID-WEST NATIONALS in Kansas and we had to play 70's teams," TOM NORMAN, manager of the TEXAS CLASSIC'S 80's said, "It isn't much fun playing teams 10-to-15 years younger than you."

What the TEXAS CLASSICS experienced is not an exception but more like the norm. Out of all the SSUSA and ISSA tournaments east of VEGAS this year only one had three or more 75/80 teams entered.

"The 75 Division teams all know, if you want to play in a tournament where you see a lot of different 75's teams you have to play SPA and mainly in the mid-west," BILL REGAN, manager of PENNSYLVANIA'SPEACHTREE RESTAURANT team said," "You would hope the other organizations would try to put on a few "75/80 division friendly" tournaments together but that hasn't happened."

These aren't just local teams making the trip to the mid-west tournaments for 75's and 80's, they are coming from KANSAS, TEXAS, MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, MARYLAND, GEORGIA, INDIANA, ILLINOIS, KENTUCKY, MICHIGAN, PENNSYLVANIA and the CAROLINA's.

"You go where the other teams go and right now they are playing in INDIANA and OHIO," BOB NAMI, managerof NEW JERSEY'S NAMI CONSTRUCTION said, "I don't know what their (SPA) secret is but they sure turn out the 75 and 80 teams at their tournaments." 

JACK HAYDEN of the 75's LOUISVILLE THUNDER said it best.

"Teams have to decide if they want to pay $450 to go to a tournament a hundred miles away and play 70's teams and/or one 75 team or pay the same price and travel 400 miles and play different teams in their own age class," HAYDEN asked. "We prefer to go those extra miles and play lots of different teams in our own age group." 

Another manager said, "If we are going to travel a hundred miles or more to play in a tournament and there is only one other 75 team, we would be better off staying home and inviting that other team to visit us and play a few games over a week-end and both can save the $400 entry fee."

So this winter when you start planning where to play in 2015 be sure and put the SPA MID-WEST tournaments on your list, especially if you want to play 75's and 80's and not 70's. You will not regret it.

Speaking for SPA, we hope to see you in 2015.

       COLUMBUS, OHIO TEAM WINS SPA 55 MAJOR WORLDS

 DALTON, GEORGIA – What a difference a year makes. After going 1-2 in the SPA 55 MAJOR WORLDS in 2013, DOCS came up with a new prescription for success and ran the table at the this year's SPA WORLDS to take the 2014 55 MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP.

The tournament held JULY 17-20 at HERITAGE POINT PARK in DALTON, GEORGIA saw DOCS with the exception of a tight 29-28 win over SWEET CONSTRUCTION in the second round easily roll to the 55 MAJOR TITLE.

 “Our secret this year is we have a balanced attack of one-thru-twelve in the batting order,” DOCS and SPA'S 50 MAJOR MANAGER-OF-THE-YEAR NICK INBODEN said, “Teams can't take a breather at any time in our order, anybody in the line-up can hurt you.”

 That fact is easily solidified by the fact DOCS using all 15 players on the roster had an actual team batting average of .750. In all games pool and bracket with the exclusion of a forfeit win, they outscored the opposition 132-89.

 In bracket play they averaged 29 runs a game to their three opponents' 15 run total. After their 29-28 win over SWEET, they easily disposed of HIGH STREET BUCS 27-9, S.A. 55 SOFTBALL (15-0 FORFEIT) and SWEET CONSTRUCTION again, this time in the title game 31-9.

 “We were on our game in this tournament,” INBODEN said, “Sometimes you get in one of those grooves where hitting and good defensive plays become contagious with nobody wanting to make the last out and everyone is playing at the top of their game. This was one of those times.”

 This has also been a good year on the tournament trail for DOCS as they have added titles from the BRICKYARD, SMOKEY MOUNTAIN, DAYTON and COLUMBUS,OHIO in addition to their first SPA WORLD TITLE at DALTON.

 “We play all the organization's tournaments,” INBODEN said, “ Although SPA is by far our favorite, you have to play tournaments where they have a 55-major division, which isn't always the case at SPA tournaments.”

 “With all the traveling we have to do, senior softball is expensive,” INBODEN added, “We foot our own travel bills but we also receive some great help from our sponsor who pays the entry fees and covers the cost of uniforms and other incidentals.”

 DOCS sponsor is a DOC (what a surprise). Chiropractors KEN SCHONE and LYNN RINGHEISER have not only been taking care of the team financially but also in the office.

 “Every week either before or after tournaments, we (team) all start limping into their office for weekly adjustments,” INBODEN laughed, “ They are really good and I would recommend them to anybody, especially ballplayers.”

 The team was originally SCHONES when they started as a 50's team in 2005 and today, almost ten years later, still consider softball a way of life.

 “Most of us grew up together on the ball field and we just look forward to continuing it,” INBODEN explained, “ Our tournaments are more like a family reunion where everyone , wives included, get together for a fun two-or-three day vacation. Those are great memories and just make playing senior softball that much more enjoyable.”

 INBODEN also mentioned his team is starting to get close to social security age with three-quarters of the squad past the age of 60 years, but he isn't concerned.

 “Age is just a number.” he said, “You have to forget that number and just go out and play, have fun and treasure the memories of being together.”

 Five of those teammates came in for special recognition at DALTON.

 CLIFF CARPENTER was honored as the TOURNAMENT MVP. All the second baseman did was compile a team high .945 batting average.

 Being selected to the ALL-AMERICAN team were REX HICKS (3B,,844), GARY PERKINS )P, .824), TEDDY WEINGARTNER (DH/C, .830), KEVIN FARKAS (1B, .834) and CARPENTER.

 Other members of the new SPA 55 MAJOR CHAMPS are: INBODEN , LARRY MCELROY, DAVE SCHERVISH , MIKE SULLIVAN , BOBBY WALKER , ROB HAUKE , DAVID MILLER, JEFF BAUMGARDNER , BRAD WARNER  and DOUG SHANYFELT.

 Coming in for special recognition from INBODEN and his teammates were the “traveling wife's club.”

 “They have been really supportive,” INBODEN said, “There is no way we could pursue our hobby without their help. They have supported us all the way.”

 “They (wives, friends) are also at the games cheering us on, helping at team's functions. They are a very special part of our success and although maybe we don't say it enough, “we really do appreciate them.”

 The LADIES who were leading the cheers at DALTON were JUDY HICKS, JENNY MILLER, AMY CARPENTER, JUDY WARNER, JERI WEINGARTNER, JENNY PERKINS, MARY BAUMGARDNER, BETTY SULLIVAN and SUSAN INBODEN.

 WEINGARTNER, according to INBODEN, also deserves the “SPA 2014 STATISTICIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD.”

 “She is fantastic,” he said.

 As for 2015, the program has not been set.

 “With so many 60's players we do not know if we will stay at 55 MAJOR PLUS or go 60, we haven't decided yet,” the MANAGER-OF-THE-YEAR said, “One thing is for certain we want to return to DALTON, whatever age or Division we are in.”

 “This is just a great facility and there always lots of great competition with all the other major and major plus teams attending. RIDGE HOOKS and SPA run a tremendous tournament, we really enjoyed it.”

 TEAM WINS SPA 50 MAJOR DALTON WORLDS

 DALTON, GEORGIA – JIM FERGUSON and his RATED ATHLETICS 50 MAJOR softball team added a new twist to HORACE GREELEY'S famous quote, “Go WEST young man, Go West...” to find fame.

FERGUSON and his gang instead went EAST and ended up winning their first ever WORLD SENIOR SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, the SPA 50 MAJOR WORLDS in DALTON, GEORGIA JULY 17-20.

 “We had won a few local and regional tournaments in the West and the BLACK ATHLETES SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION (BASA) WORLDS in ATLANTA three years ago, but nothing this big,” FERGUSON said, “This is really special considering this is only our second year in the SPA organization.”

 The RATED ATHLETICS team made the move to SPA two years ago when FERGUSON said the other organization they played with unfairly (in his opinion) moved the team to MAJOR PLUS.

 “There was no way we were a major plus team, we had all the facts, results and info that showed it but they moved us to MAJOR PLUS right before a big tournament and they wouldn't listen,” he explained, “I decided to call RIDGE HOOKS at SPA with the same info and he agreed to let us play MAJOR in 2013.”

 Apparently FERGUSON was correct about his team because at the DALTON WORLDS in 2013, they went 2-and-2 and gone. But that was then and this is now and the result is a WORLD TITLE.

 “A big difference to this year from last,” FERGUSON said, “Last year we came in unprepared and paid the price. This year we were ready and knew what to expect.”

 It didn't start off that great as the RATED ATHLETIC lost its first pool game to MONSTER SOFTBALL 12-11 before winning the second game 34-33 over the ATLANTA MONARCHS.

 After that it was , “KATIE BAR THE DOOR” as the CALIFORNIANS knocked off HERRINGTON SERVICES (27-12) and the number one seed MONSTER SOFTBALL (26-8).

 That was followed by a 34-11 thumping of LIGHTHOUSE LOOKOUTS and the GOOD TIMES 20-15. The party ended shortly thereafter when GOOD TIMES came out of the losers bracket to force an “IF” game with a 42-30 win.

 “Man, can the GOOD TIMES hit the ball,” FERGUSON said, “They must have hit twenty home runs but of course a lot of them became singles when they reached their home run quota.”

 For the “IF” game, FERGUSON and the others decided to try a new strategy. They went with three outfielders, over loaded one side and had TOURNAMENT MVP PITCHER FREDDIE RIVAS pitch the ball flat and inside.

 The strategy worked as the home team RATED ATHLETICS won the “IF” game 30-25.

 “What a team effort,” Ferguson said, “ Guys were making tremendous defense plays. Coming up with key hits and RIVAS was just outstanding with his pitching and defense.”

 ALL-AMERICAN second baseman RUDY RAGADIO carried the big stick in the title game with a pair of grand slam homers.

 RIVAS, who won all five bracket games also batted .848 for the tournament with six homers. Defensively, after he pitches he drops back to second base giving the team another additional infielder.

 Joining RIVAS and RAGADIO (.636) in the gold glove and ALL-AMERICAN parade was third baseman CLIFF “COWBOY” MCLAUGHLIN (.666) , a professional stunt man.

 His “stunt background” certainly helped as FERGUSON said, “COWBOY stood on his ear many times during the tournament making defensive plays others just dream about making.”

 Others receiving ALL-AMERICAN recognition were K.T. THOMPSON (CF), SS GREG BOVERO and R.J. JOHNSON.

 JOHNSON batted .757 with six round trippers. THOMPSON was at .692 with eight home runs while BOVERO in addition to hitting .692 sparkled on defense throughout the tournament.

 Of course you don't win a tournament with just a few All-STARS, you need a whole team of them.

 “Exactly,” FERGUSON said, “Everybody played like an ALL-AMERICAN at DALTON, it was just a shame we couldn't give everyone ALL-AMERICAN recognition because each player deserved that honor.”

 Others on the team are: RON CHENIER (RF,.714), BARRY MORTON (p,2-0), FERGUSON (LF, .769, 9 HR'S), KEN HILL (,652, 5 HR'S, MGR), RAMON RUELAS (2B/OF, INJURED), the team “ROOKIE”,CARLOS RIVERA (.577, 4 hr's), SCOTT “MR. INTENSITY” CAMERY (.657) and CHRIS YAP, pinch hitter extraordinary who went 7-for-7 in that role.

 One of the biggest assets to the team is catcher ARNIE VICE. VICE not only shines on the field with his .720 average and 7 home runs but also off the field.

 VICE is the owner of the RATED ATHLETICS sports outlet which is the team sponsor. He isn't the only “VICE” the team has either.

 ARNIE's wife EVE is like the team's traveling secretary taking care of all the travel plans and such. With her help the team was able to rent cabins in the backwoods of DALTON, where they relaxed fishing, swimming and partying.

 Joining EVE as the team's chief cooks and special cheerleaders were wives PAULA FERGUSON. AILICIA RUELAS and KAREN MCLAUGHLIN.

 “This was just a great all-around experience for us,' FERGUSON said, “The winning was great but secondary to our team being able to be together and celebrate as a family.”

 “And as far as SPA and RIDGE HOOKS goes, one of the best decisions we have made was to align with SPA. They mean it when they say, “it is the player's association.” It was a tremendous experience and we look forward to returning in 2015.”

     FORTY-ONE TEAMS ATTEND SPA NIT EVENT

 SYLVANIA, OHIO – The SPA 2014 SYLVANIA GREAT LAKES NIT TOURNAMENT continues to carry a “SUPERIOR RATING” as far as senior softball teams are concerned.

The fourth year of the GREAT LAKES event, held at OHIO'S SYLVANIA, RECREATION'S PACESETTER PARK JULY 31-AUGUST 3, saw an increase in participation with FORTY-ONE TEAMS participating in the seven divisional brackets. It was the third growth year in a row for one of SPA'S most popular tournaments.

“We not only are growing but for the first time we brought in teams from the east coast,” SYLVANIA TOURNAMENT REPRESENTATIVE JERRY KEEFE said,” That shows our reputation as a quality tournament is spreading. In addition to CANADIAN, MICHIGAN,OHIO and INDIANA teams we also had teams from CHICAGO, PITTSBURGH and NEW JERSEY.”

“A lot of the credit for the recognition the GREAT LAKES TOURNEY is receiving should go to JAKE HENSEL, SYLVANIA RECREATION PROGRAM DIRECTOR and SPA REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE LARRY MILLIRON.” KEEFE added.” They both do a great job and their efforts along with the PARK'S grounds crew reflects why this tournament is so well received.”

The tournament's largest group, the 60 AAA, saw eight teams battle for the championship with UNIVERSAL SOFTBALL beating the “home town” MAUMEE BAY RAPTORS twice for the title. The COLUMBUS team won 24-16 in the title match and 23-22 in an earlier bracket game.

UNIVERSAL also beat CARR'S SHELL 25-10 and MINUTEMEN/PEPCO 16-10. The RAPTORS reached the title game by beating CHICAGO PRIME 17-6.

The other teams in the bracket were THE BOMB SQUAD, PRONIO SPORTS and OHIO SILVERADO'S. The EIGHT teams in the 65 AAA DIVISION was the fifth highest entry total of any senior softball tournament east of VEGAS.

The GREAT LAKES also had the second highest total of attendees in the 70 AA and 70 AAA, ranking only behind THEE BUCKEYE CLASSIC for all tournaments to date in senior softball east of VEGAS.

The 70 AAA DIVISION went to another COLUMBUS team as CENTRAL OHIO COSSA defeated MICHIANA MERCHANTS 17-14 in an “IF” game. The winners had forced the “showdown game” by beating MICHIANA 19-12 which also avenged an earlier 23-15 defeat at the hands of the team from ”UP NORTH”.

COSSA also had the distinction of playing the most games in the tournament They lost their second bracket game and had to fight their way out of the loser's bracket which forced them to play seven games to win it all.

COSSA'S other wins were 13-7 over JOB CENTRAL, 16-15 over BRANTFORD NISSAN, 8-5 against DORCHESTER CANADIANS and PITTSBURGH GOLD 21-16. AKRON BRENNANS was the other team in the seven-team bracket.

In the six-team 70 AA bracket the DAYTON LEGENDS edged FRICKER'S SPORTS BAR SYLVANIA 19-18 for the title. The DAYTON squad beat CHICAGO GREY SOX (15-0) and MISSISSAUGA LEGENDS 11-7 on the way to the crown.

FRICKERS beat CHICAGO (15-0) and MISSISSAUGA (16-12) to earn their spot in the finals. Others in the field were OLDE D'S and INDIANAPOLIS CLASSICS.

The four-team 60 AA title went to BRANTFORD NISSAN who swept bracket play beating MISSISSAUGA LEGENDS (22-13), CAVCO (19-15) and DAYTON (24-10). MISSISSAUGA made the finals by edging CAVCO 24-23.

The HAWKS NEST took no prisoners in easily going 4-0 in the six-team 65 AAA group. The PENNSYLVANIA team beat BRANTFORD NISSAN 21-14 in the finals after beating NEW JERSEY MASTERS 28-17, RUSH TRUCKING 27-16 and MICHIGAN LAKERS 32-21 in earlier games.

BRANTFORD beat the NEW JERSEY MASTERS 26-25 to make it to the title game. SYLVANIA 65's rounded out the field.

The WINDSOR CHIEFS 55's added an INTERNATIONAL flavor to the awards celebrations as the CANADIAN team nipped the GOLDEN VIPERS 20-19 for the five-team 55's DIVISION top spot.

The CHIEFS also beat BANKER AND MANN SOFTBALL 18-12 and the VIPERS 21-6 to go 3-0 in bracket play. The VIPERS made it to the finals by beating BANKER AND MANN SOFTBALL 19-10.

Others in the bracket were BSN and ALL SHRED/PACESETTER MANAGEMENT PROPERTIES.

PDC also went undefeated in bracket play (3-0) to take home the top prize in the 50'S five-team group. The champs beat DAYTON LEGENDS HITMEN 26-25, JJ FINANCIAL EAGLES 23-15 and DAYTON LEGENDS HITMEN (earlier game) 21-18.

DAYTON slid by JJ FINANCIAL 18-17 to earn their spot in the finals. Others in the field were SYLVANIA EAGLES and WINDSOR FOG.

KEEFE summarized, “Good teams and good competition help make a good tournament and we had both this year and are eagerly looking forward to 2015 in hopes of reaching our goal of FIFTY TEAMS. Teams should watch for e-mails as soon as our dates are finalized.”

     KNOXVILLE CASSWELL COMPLEX HOSTS TOURNAMENT

KNOXVILLE TENNESSEE – The SPA Women made their first trip to KNOXVILLE'S CASSWELL COMPLEX July 9-13 to add another tournament to SPA'S growing list of women's events.

“We are slowly but surely adding new tournaments to the women's program,” SPA PRESIDENT RIDGE HOOKS said, “Women's senior softball is one of the fastest growing sports participation activities in amateur sports today and we (SPA) are happy to continue to play an important part in its development.”

Two champions were crowned in the women's 70 DIVISION with the BLUE CHICS taking home the 70 AAA top prize while the OHIO TRI STARS earned the 70 MAJOR top spot.

The OHIO team claimed the title with a pair of bracket wins, first disposing of the CHATTANOOGA CHARGERS 15-0 and then the BLUE CHICS 26-12.

The BLUE CHICS handled two other 70's teams, downing the CLASSICS 18-5 and CHATTANOOGA LEGENDS 17-16. The GOLDEN GIRLS was the fifth team in the bracket.

In the 60/65 BRACKET, NOR EASTERS finished on top of the 60's podium while SMOKEY MOUNTAIN STARS were the 65's champs.

The road to the title wasn't easy for NOR EASTERS as they had to go to an “IF” game to win it. They started bracket play with wins over SMOKEY MOUNTAIN STARS (18-5) and SOUTHERN STARS (10-6) before the SOUTHERN STARS came out of the loser's bracket to hang an 18-9 thrashing on the NOR EASTERS forcing the “IF” game.

The NOR EASTERS settled down in the “IF” game to rebound with a 17-8 payback victory for the championship over the SOUTHERN STARS.

The 65 title boiled down to a one game nail biter SMOKEY MOUNTAIN STARS showdown 16-15 win over the GOLDEN GALS for the title.

The next women's event is the AUGUST 20 PARADISE IN THE VILLAGE NIT at SBUFFALO GLEN COMPLEX at the VILLAGES.

SPA DALTON WORLDS HOST 50/55/60 MAJOR/MAJOR PLUS TEAMS

DALTON, GEORGIA – It was another fantastic 50,55,60 MAJOR and MAJOR PLUS SPA DALTON WORLDS as FORTY-ONE teams from TWENTY-ONE states participated in the June 17 -20 event.

'WOW.!!!, All I can say is WOW!!,” SPA PRESIDENT RIDGE HOOKS said, “All year I have been hearing major and major plus teams aren't attending tournaments this year and then we see this type of turnout.”

 “The problem for the majors and major plus teams isn't that they don't want to attend tournaments, they just can' find tournaments which will let them play,” HOOKS explained. “We (SPA) will change that a little next year, we are already planning to have two-or-three major and major plus tournaments over three months in 2015. We will find a place for the majors and major plus teams to play.”

 If those tournaments HOOKS is talking about are anything like the DALTON WORLDS you can certainly add another big WOW to the SPA 2015 MAJOR and MAJOR PLUS schedule.

 The 50's MAJOR 15-team bracket set the tone for the tournament with the championship going to an “IF” game to determine the winner. CALIFORNIA'S RATED ATHLETICS took the deciding game 30-28 over FLORIDA'S GOOD TIMES squad.

 The FLORIDIANS forced the “IF” game by beating RATED ATHLETICS 42-30 which ironically was almost all the runs the CALIFORNIA team had allowed (46) in their four previous bracket games.

 RATED ATHLETICS advanced to the title game with bracket wins over HERRINGTON SERVICES (27-12), MONSTER SOFTBALL (26-8) and LIGHTHOUSE LOOKOUTS (34-11). GOOD TIMES edged LEVIN 50'S 18-17 in the loser's bracket finals to earn their shots at RATED ATHLETCS.

 Others in the 50 MAJOR BRACKET were SOUTHERN ELITE, DOC C'S, TEAM ARKANSAS, ATLANTA MONARCH'S, TEAM 1 USA, TENNESSEE COMETS, ROCHESTER 50'S, N.E.STORM and BIG TEN SOFTBALL.

 WISCONSIN'S DLB SOFTBALL ran the table in bracket play with wins over TEAM 1 SPORTS (43-38), TEAM ADIKTIVE 30-14, OKI (24-21) and MID-ATLANTIC (28-11) to claim the 50 MAJOR PLUS crown.

 MID-ATLANTIC reached the finals by disposing of the 2013 50 MAJOR PLUS CHAMP OKI 29-9 in the loser's bracket finals. Others in the eight-team group were TSC TRI-STATE, TEXAS PLAYERS, DLB SOFTBALL and BRYSON'S PUB/VELTRI.

 DOCS made up for their 2013 early exit (1-2) from the 55 MAJOR SPA WORLD'S TOURNAMENT by going undefeated in bracket play (4-0) to win the 2014 title.

 DOC'S started their title run by sneaking by SWEET CONSTRUCTION 29-28, followed by wins over HIGH STREET BUCS (27-9) and S.A. SOFTBALL (15-0). The OHIO wrapped up their championship run beating SWEET CONSTRUCTION again, this time 18-9.

 SWEET CONSTRUCTION reached the title game disposing of S.A. 55 SOFTBALL. Others in the ten-team field were LEVIN 55, TRIANGLE MASTERS, SCRAP IRON, GONZALES INSULATION, NEXT LEVEL and MWC.

 GONZALES INSULATION took no prisoners going undefeated in both pool and bracket play to win the five-team 60 MAJOR title. The TEXAS team beat K.C.KIDS (35-14) and HIGH STREET BUCS (15-13) in pool play and continued on in bracket play beating COLUMBUS LX 26-11 and CRYSTAL COBRA'S 34-20.

 SUPERIOR SR. SOFTBALL made amends for finishing in the runner-up spot in the 2013 SPA 60 MAJOR PLUS WORLDS by easily knocking off 2013 60 major champs MN MASTERS 37-18 in the finale.

 The VIRGINIA team earlier had beaten HOLLIS APPRAISALS 26-11 to make the title game. MINNESOTA WHITE made it out of the loser's bracket with a 29-24 win over HOLLIS in the three-team bracket.

 The SPA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP series continues with the 75AAA, 75 MAJOR and 80 AAA tournament AUGUST 11-14 in COLUMBUS, OHIO.

It wraps up SEPTEMBER 4-21 at DALTON with the WOMEN'S WORLDS, MENS' AA and AAA 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70's as well as the 65 and 70 major tournaments.

TEAMS FROM THE 60'S AND 65'S DIVISION BATTLE IT OUT

 JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE – THE SPA 2014 TOM WILLIAMS MEMORIAL at WINGED DEER PARK didn't have any representatives from the JERSEY BOYS or BEATLES at the tournament but there were enough 60 and 65 DIVISION TEAMS to again make the event a success.

The TOM WILLIAMS MEMORIAL is fast becoming a refuge for 60 and 65 division teams looking for a good competitive 60/65 only event.

Celebrating it's 22^nd year, the TOM WILLIAMS MEMORIAL drew 13 teams who battled it out for the four division crowns.

REALITY CHECK certainly got it's money's worth as they battled out of the loser's bracket to win the 60 GOLD DIVISION by beating BOYS OF SUMMER 22-16 in the “IF” game.

REALITY CHECK started bracket play beating CHARLOTTE SENIOR SPORTS 18-9 before losing 23-12 to BOYS OF SUMMER. They returned to their winning ways beating CHARLOTTE 21-6 in the loser's bracket finals and forced the “IF” game with a 21-16 victory against BOYS OF SUMMER.

FLIP DOW BONDING 60'S won the 60 SILVER bracket going 2-0 in bracket play beating TENNESSE SENIORS twice 22-9 and 23-8 in the championship game. The TENNESSEE earned their spot in the finals by beating TRI-CITIES 60;s 22-5 in the LOSER'S BRACKET finals.

FLIP DOW BONDING 65's followed the lead of their younger “brothers” by claiming the 65 GOLD TITLE with wins over TENNESSEE RV (14-11) and CHARLOTTE SENIOR SPORTS 65's twice (18-8, 13-12)

SPORTS LETTERING outdistanced three others in the 65 SILVER GROUP to stand alone at the top of the podium.

The champs beat TRI-CITIES 70's 22-15 in the title game. Their other bracket wins were 16-14 over TRI-CITIES 65's and TRI-CITIES 70's 17-12.

TRI-CITIES 70's reached the title game by beating PATRICK HENRY 27-16 in the LOSER'S BRACKET FINALE.