SPA News

      VIRGINIA TEAM WINS SPA 60 MAJOR PLUS WORLDS

DALTON, GEORGIA – Move over NEW YORK YANKEES 1927 MURDER”S ROW, there is a new powerhouse line-up on the block and it belongs to the 60 MAJOR PLUS SUPERIOR SENIOR SOFTBALL TEAM.

The VIRGINIA team made shambles of the competition at the SPA DALTON WORLDS July 17-20 outscoring the opposition 127-69 in four games while also compiling a .821.team batting average.

 In the championship game 37-18 win over last year's 60 MAJOR CHAMP. MINNESOTA MASTERS WHITE, they pounded out 49 hits of which only five traveled over the fence.

 “Yes, we really had it going at DALTON,” SUPERIOR SENIOR SOFTBALL MANAGER and SPA 60 MAJOR PLUS MANAGER-OF-THE-YEAR JIM SEARS said, “There are some tournaments when everything goes right for a team and some that everything goes wrong and at DALTON everything went right.”

 In their four games SSS downed HOLLIS APPRAISALS 35-29, MINNESOTA WHITE 29-11, HOLLIS 26-11 and MINNESOTA 37-18.

 Of course winning has been the norm for the team in 2014. So far in 2014 the 60'S MAJOR PLUS team has won eight tournaments and their counterparts the 65 MAJOR PLUS HAMEL BUILDERS SUPERIOR SENIOR SOFTBALL TEAM has captured three.

 Since changing names from TURN TWO/SPICER two years ago they have won FIVEWORLDS and NINENATIONALS.

 “If you have the players, it makes it sort of easy,” SEARS said, “This team also enjoys playing together and takes their game seriously. They enjoy winning.”

 You won't find the names of RUTH, GEHRIG, MUESAL and LAZZEREI on this new MURDERS' ROW but there are a few names which are familiar to senior softball fans.

 Sprinkled through the line-up are SIX IMPACT PLAYERS: DANNY BALLARD (70), DON CLATTERBOUGH (65), JOHN DAVIDE (65), TOMDOMMEL,SR (65), TOMTUDOR (65) and PETE SMITH (65).

 The rest of the roster are no slouches either. The tournament MVP was short stop HAL HARRISON. HARRISON more than capably filled in for the injured TOMDOMMEL,SR defensively and at bat went 14-for-14.

 Joining HARRISON in receiving ALL-AMERICAN status were BALLARD (1B,.833), BILL CAMERON (P/1B, .882), CLATTERBOUGH (C,.823), DAVIDE (2b, .938) and DENNIS TUCK (3B, .938).

 The rest of the “powerhouse outfit” are: TOMMALVICH (OF,.867),CLARENCE ELLISON (1B, .647), JOHN SCRUGGS (2B,.600), RANDY THOMAS (OF, .818),RAY WIMBROUGH (P, .846), GENO BANDY (OF, .800), RONNIE COLLINS (DNP), VANCE GUDMUNDSON (DNP), DOMMEL (DNP), PETE SMITH (1B, .846), MIKE GOODMAN (OF/INF, DNP) and DEWEY FUSSELL (P,.545).

 Non-roster support was given by statistician ROSSI DODSON and equipment manager WESLEYWALDEN. (MIKE) GOODMAN in addition to his contributions on the field also is a big reason the team can make it without a full time sponsor.

 “Mike and his company RM GOODMAN BUILDERS out of BEAVERDAM, VIRGINIA has really helped the program with his financial assistance,” SEARS said, “He does this on his own and we really appreciate his help.”

 SEARS emphatically claimed the teams biggest support comes from the wives.

 “Oh definitely,” he said, “They are at every game pepping us up with their cheers and support. They maythink we don't hear their cheers and appreciate them but we really do hear them and it does help us on the field.”

 Like most MAJOR PLUS and even MAJOR teams/ SUPERIOR SENIOR SOFTBALL does feel the financial pinch.

 “If major plus teams want to play in a tournament, we can't get in a car and drive there, we usually have to fly,” SEARS explained, “Most local and regional tournaments do not have MAJOR PLUS DIVISIONS, we have to fly to the big one to play, like DALTON, VEGAS, etc.. If we do get to play in a REGIONAL or smaller NATIONAL, we have to play 50 and 55 majors.”

 “I would expect the only time we will be able to play 60-MAJOR teams is when we are 90-years old and we will probably have to spot them seven runs,” he added.

 Of course you can always break up the team and scatter the players, right?

 Wrong!

 “It would be the same story, there are not enough major plus teams for these guys to be split among,” SEARS said, “I don't have the answer, maybe have the major teams start loading up and come up and play with the major plus teams instead of trying to avoid the major plus division.”

 SEARS said he did hear there was a possibility SPA may be holding a couple of MAJOR and MAJOR PLUS only regional tournaments in the east and mid-west in 2015.

 “That would be great,” he said, “Then we wouldn't have to worry about having a 30,000 mile check-up every month or so.”

 “The organizations (SPA and SSUSA) created the MAJOR and MAJOR PLUS Divisions but they don't offer us enough tournaments to play,” SEARS added, “We love the SPA organization and the tournaments they have, we just hope RIDGE can come up with a way to offer us more tournaments. We definitely would attend.”

 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.”

 JERRY KEEFE'S MARKETING SKILLS PAYS DIVIDENDS

  SYLVANIA, OHIO – Sylvania, Ohio has become one of the fastest growing success stories in not only SPA but in all of senior softball.

 In eight years the SYLVANIA SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE has grown from one ten team league to two leagues with twenty teams and nearly 300 participants from age 50 up.

 In addition, the four-year old SPA SYLVANIA GREAT LAKES NIT CLASSIC, spearheaded by members from the SYLVANIA organization, is now in the top sixteen attended senior softball tournaments among all SPA, SSUSA and ISSA senior tournaments east of Las Vegas.

 Although he won't take all the credit he deserves, JERRY KEEFE has been the major moving factor in both.

 “It took a lot of people not just one to get the ball moving to form the League and the tournament,” KEEFE said, “ GORDON HIRSCH, BRUCE ANDERSON, GARY MEYER and myself got the idea to start a senior league back in 2008 and that is how it started.”

 Most of the original members of the League came from the East Toledo organization and really weren't happy with the ETO.

 Borrowing on his marketing skills as MARKETING DIRECTOR for TOLEDO JEWELERS, KEEFE organized a marketing plan that would make any organization proud.

 Using a newspaper blitz in all papers within a FIFTY-MILES radius, he promoted and advertised for senior softball players. He then devised a mailing list using names of former players from rec leagues the quartet knew and topped it off with a phone blitz.

 “Reaching potential customers, advertising the product and then selling it is the secret to any marketing plan and it really worked well for us,” KEEFE said.

 Another major factor in getting the league going and keeping it growing in popularity since 2008 has been sponsors.

 “We couldn't keep our price per player down without sponsors,” KEEFE stated,”Without them it would cost players over $100 to sign-up in the League as opposed to the $70 we now receive”.

 “The sponsors take care of the team shirts and hats and the league's biggest expense then are the field rentals and year-end awards. Members of all the league championship teams receive jackets and we also have additional individual awards at the Leagues Awards and Recognition Banquets,” he explained.

 Foremost among the sponsors is FRICKERS SPORTS BAR in SYLVANIA. Owner RAY FRICK sponsors six teams in the twenty-team league. He also backs the 70'S FRICKERS SPORTS BAR travel team and is constantly contributing additional money to the organizations operation.

 Speaking of tournament teams, there are travel teams in the 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70 teams from the SYLVANIA league.

 “ Having travel teams has also helped increase our membership as members look forward to playing in different locations like Columbus, Barberton, Dayton and Shelbyville, “ KEEFE explained. “Maybe in a few years we can go to DALTON and other SPA tournaments.”

 Attending SPA tournaments in BARBERTON and COLUMBUS also gave KEEFE the idea to have a senior tournament in SYLVANIA.

 “I contacted SSUSA and SPA but nobody was interested in us,” KEEFE explained, “But that changed when SPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RIDGE HOOKS met with me at THEE BUCKEYE CLASSIC TOURNAMENT in JUNE, 2011 and talked with me about the possibility.”

 “I was thinking, yeah right, you will probably forget about me and SYLVANIA as soon as you get back to OKLAHOMA. BOY WAS I WRONG!!.”

 HOOKS flew to SYLVANIA in JULY to meet with KEEFE and PACESETTERS ROB CONOVER about SYLVANIA hosting a tournament.

 He followed that up with another meeting in DECEMBER and shortly thereafter the SYLVANIA GREAT LAKES NIT was born.

 “Just like the creation of the SYLVANIA SOFTBALL LEAGUE, getting the tournament started also was not a one-man operation,” KEEFE said, “In addition to ROB CONOVER and PACESETTER PARK, we received a lot of help from SPA's LARRY MILLIRON and HO HOFFMAN, especially through promoting our tournament at THEE BUCKEYE CLASSIC and on their web site. HO and RED BOLE also furnished us with their data base of over 200 teams with names, e-mails and phone numbers we could contact about our tournament.”

 KEEFE and the SYLVANIA tournament might have needed help at the start but now they are not only running on their own, but also helping other SPA tournaments directors.

 In his marketing mailer about the SYLVANIA tournament, KEEFE also promotes THEE BUCKEYE CLASSIC, COLUMBUS and other area SPA tournaments.

 “Those tournaments are always promoting our tournament on newsletters, web sites and handouts at their tournament, so we do the same for them,” KEEFE explained, 'I have found if SPA area tournaments work together to promote each other, we all benefit.”

 The SYLVANIA League also has one of the best marketing tools in senior softball with their own web page at sylvaniaseniorsoftball.com. Lots of interesting articles, player profiles, current news and archives.

 However, it also has one of the best photo shoots in any senior web site. JOEL HANSON does a fantastic job with his pics on teams, individuals, sponsors, awards and such.

 Surprisingly, the one thing KEEFE is most proud of is not the tournament or the league but rather a special event put on by SYLVANIA LEAGUE COMMISIONER JAY SCHRAMM and members of the SYLVANIA SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE.

 In MAY, SCHRAMM along with the league organization raised over $30,000 for the WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECTS. It was done mainly through a triple header softball event featuring WOUNDED WARRIORS, SYLVANIA POLICE. SYLVANIA FIREMEN and SYLVANIA LEAGUE players among others.

 There was also a number of other fund raisers and activities.

 KEEFE and SCHRAMM both agree there should be more to senior softball then just wins and losses.

 “With the creation of the SYLVANIA SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE and the tournament, seniors have found an outlet to participate in an activity that they had previously given up on,” KEEFE summarized, ““At SYLVANIA PACESETTER PARK, senior players have found their own “Field of Dreams”

 And you really couldn't ask for more.

     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.

TEAMS STILL FIND IT, EVENT DRAWS THIRTY-SEVEN TEAMS

LOST MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA – Despite having to move the SPA 2014 PEACH STATE CLASSIC from AL BISHOP'S COMPLEX (MARIETTA, GEORGIA) to LOST MOUNTAIN PARK at POWDER SPRINGS the tournament still bettered last year's total drawing THIRTY-SEVEN teams.

 “We knew last year that the AL BISHOP COMPLEX where we usually hold the tournament would be under renovation in 2014, so we planned ahead to use POWDER SPRINGS,” TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR ROBBIE FAUCETT said.

 PLANNING is the key word for a FAUCETT - run tournament as he leaves nothing to chance. He usually starts his planning for the PEACH STATE CLASSIC six months ahead of time and that is why the tournament is always SPA'S highest attended tournament in the South.

 It was no different this year as EIGHT DIVISION CHAMPS were crowned in the 50-thru-75 age brackets in the JUNE 26-29 tournament..

 IBALZ SOFTBALL was focused in on the assignment at hand beating N.GA. OUTLAWS two out of three for the 50 AAA TITLE.

 IBALZ SOFTBALL won 20-18, 18-19 and 23-15 in the deciding game for the championship.

 There was a little more action in the 50-MAJOR BRACKET with seven teams battling it out for the the top spot.

 In the end it was ATLANTA MONARCHS running the table with wins over TENNESSE COMETS 35-22, LANGSTON PAINTING REVENGE BAITS POWER FORCE 13-10, MONSTER SOFTBALL 29-27 and DOC C'S 26-13 in the title game.

 SOUTHERN ELITE SOFTBALL and LIGHTHOUSE LOOKOUTS rounded out the field.

 It took three games to decide the winner of the 50-MAJOR PLUS BRACKET in a two team battle between T.S.C. And ADIKTIV SPORTS. The teams split the first two games with T.S.C. winning 38-33 and ADIKTIVE SPORTS taking it's game 27-22.

 In a scoring bonanza T.S.C edged ADIKTIV SPORTS 39-35 for the championship.

 In a six-team battle for the 55-AAA title DAVID BOWEN SPORTING GOOD took no prisoners sweeping aside GEORGIA ALABAMA SNIORS (GAS) 20-19, DIXIE EXPRESS 23-21 and G.A.S. again, this time in the finals 23-9.

 ATLANTA RECYCLING SOLUTION LLC, (BY) GRACE REDEEMED and DT EXPRESS were the other teas in the bracket.

 The 60 AAA DIVISION saw 4:13 RIMFIRE go 3-0 in bracket play to best the other four teams in the group. RIMFIRE BEAT STRYKERS 28-14, ELITE 60'S 33-16 and 22-16 to claim the top spot.

 Others in the bracket were BOYS OF SUMMER and T.A.G.

 EDGE SOFTBALL downed COLUMBUS LX 34-20 and CAROLINA COBRA'S twice (29-25, 22-21) to take the three-team 60 MAJOR CROWN.

 The 65 AAA BRACKET saw HUFFMAN ELECTRIC go undefeated in four bracket games to win the six-team division title.

 HUFFMAN beat EXTREME HEAT (15-8), S.E. LEFTOVERS (23-14) and SPORTS LETTERING 65's twice (14-5, 21-14) to take home the top prize. Others in the field were TEAM ABC and TENNESSE R.V.

 The 70 AAA went to SENIOR MOMENTS after they beat the GEORGIA NUGGETS 14-8 in the title determining “IF” game.

 The NUGGETS forced the “IF” game coming out of the loser's bracket to defeat SENIOR MOMENTS 16-14.

 Others participating in the six-team field were LEIDEN'S LEGENDS, SPORTS LETTERING 70'S, GEORGIA CLASSICS and CRIM'S BORDER STATES 70'S..