SPA News

It took nearly ten years but the 60 AAA Central Illinois Chiefs finally won a SPA World Championship capturing the title September 7-10 in Dalton, Georgia.

“It has been a long time coming but is worth the wait,” Chief spokesman Mike Chamness said. “Every year we thought we could do it but a bad bounce or something always seemed to cut us short. This year we got all the bounces and breaks.”

The champs ran the table in bracket play beating Atlanta Recycling twice 19-18 and 14-8 to take the title. Earlier bracket wins were 22-7 over KC Thunder, 18-4 Georgia’s Columbus LX and, Georgia’s GAS Softball 13-10.

They went 2-1 in pool play downing Boys of Summer (Tn) 23-13 and Seasoned Veterans 23-13 before losing 17-18 to Columbus LX.

The Chiefs are unique in the fact they do not have one manager or two managers they have four.

Mike Barton was the SPA 65 AAA Manager of the Year but he was ably assisted by Britt Edwards, Chamness and Dan Hittmeier.

Central Illinois short stop Joe Ferguson was Tournament MVP. Selected to the All-American AllStar team were Lonnie Netzell, Bart Wills, Britt Edwards, Kevin Kronst and Greg Finigan..

Team members are: Netzel, Bart Wills, Randy McEldowney, Hittmeier, Edwards, Cliff Krueger, Mike Henry, Chamness, Barton, Kronst, Finigan. Ferguson, Jed Bunyan, Kevin Blakeman and Jeff Huston.

Following the Chiefs were 2. Atlanta Recycling, 3. Boys of Summer, 4 GAS Softball, 5. Cincinnati 60’s, 5. Seasoned Veterans, 7. KC Thunder, 7. Columbus LX, 9. Carolina Patriots, 9. RPR Softball and 9. (By) Grace Redeemed.

Kentucky's Jim & Joe’s Ice out dueled ten other teams to win the 2017 SPA 65+ AAA Worlds September 7-10 in Dalton, Georgia.

The Icemen went 4-0 in bracket play beating The Firm (Tenn) 18-9, The Firm 22-17, The Travelers 16-12 and Boyd Metal 18-14. They went 2-1 in pool play with a 9-8 win over Travelers and 18-14 over Tennessee’s Tag. Their only loss in the tournament was 8-17 to Maryland’s Simmons Day All-Stars.

“I think the difference between us and the others was our speed, especially in the outfield,” Jim & Joe’s SPA 65 AAA Manager of the Year John Coffman said. “We also had a full roster so we were able to rest players and have plenty of runners to give guys a chance to rest.”

The four outfielders Coffman praised were Chris Stenger, Mike Howell, Jimmy Nageleisen and Ed Perry.

The Icemen qualified for Dalton by winning Thee 2017 SPA Buckeye Classic. They also won the Heart of Ohio.

“We enjoyed playing the SPA tournaments, they are always among the best in Senior Softball, especially the Dalton Worlds,” Coffman said.

Tournament MVP was Jim & Joe’s Bobby Mefford with Charles Marrero, Dickie Vaughn, Billy Heim, Larry Metcalf and Billy Brown all selected to the All-American team.

Other members of the 2017 SPA 65 AAA champs are: Bill Brutscher Jr, Greg Ellerkamp, Michael Robey, Anthony Steel Sr, Lamon Tucker, Daniel Vogt, Harry Young, Herman Cottrell and Larry Gray.

Finishing behind Jim&Joe’s Ice were: 2. The Firm, 3. Boyd Metals. 4. Simmons Day AllStars, 5. Trvelers, 5. Tag, 7. Dayton Legends, 7. Blue Chips, 9. Ohio Silverado’s, 9. Cavco Sports and 9 Crystal Heat.

Rochester’s Trinity Home Renovation/Rizzo TR Painting ran the table at the Softball Players Association (SPA) World Championships September 7-10 at Heritage Park in Dalton, Georgia to win the organizations 50 AAA bracket.

Competing with fourteen other teams from Michigan, Tennessee, Ohio, Texas, Carolina’s, Nebraska, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Indiana and New York. Trinity/Rizzo's won not only The World Tournament but also the Regional Qualifier in Barberton, Ohio and the World Series between the four SPA regional winners.

“Considering we had never won a tournament prior to this year, it was quite an honor for us,”

Trinity/Rizzo manager Tony Rizzo said. “This year everything fell in to place and we played great ball.”

The trifecta was the Triple Crown championship and the only team to win the Triple Crown in the SPA 50. 54, 60, 65, 70. 75. 80 AA,AAA and major brackets.

Trinity/Rizzo’s started the tournament with wins over SE Swarm (16-14), Atlanta 50’s (22-3) and Bulletts (17-8). The pool came win over Bullets was for the title in the of the four regional winners.

In the bracket play the Rochester team Beat Roadhouse Blues (28-13), Team 757 15-14, Bulletts 28-18 and KC Classic 19-7.

In the title game with KC, Trinity/Rizzo erupted for 13 runs in the top of the seventh to rally from a 7-6 deficit.

In addition to the team title individuals also were honored. Rizzo was named SPA 555 Manager of the Year and Rod Richardson was tournament MVP. Selected to the All-American Tournament team are John Hoagland, Ray Thornton, Steve Horton, Jeff Drain, Darren Mack and Ray Tramonto.

Members of the team were: Donato Fazio Jr, Robert Shaffer, Salvatore Gallo, Horton, Tramonto, Jose Munoz, Rizzo, Mark Lapoma, Christopher Parsons, Richardson, Don DiCrasto, James Canfield, Jeffrey Drain, Darren Mack, David Perkins, Thornton, Hoaglund, Steve Holmes and Thomas Rickard.

Hoaglund (Trinity) and Rizzo were the team sponsors.

Order of finish: 1. Trinity/Rizo,2. KC Classics, 3. Bulletts, 4. SE Water/Swarm, 5. Tennessee Comers, 5. Team 757, 7. Roadhouse Blues, 7. Carolina five-0, 9. Blackburn Trucking, 9. MLG Seniors, 9. Brickyard Softball, (. Flytime Seniors, 13. Atlanta 50’s, 13. Colorado Elite.

Team USA may soon force SPA into creating a new division. Two years ago they won the 50 AAA and were moved up, in 2016 they won the 50 Major crown and moved up. This year they added the SPA 50 Major Plus crown to their list of accomplishments.

Team USA went 3-0 in bracket play beating Suncoast Addias 13-12 in the title game. They didn't exactly run away with the championship as they only beat Team 1 Sports 31-29 and Suncoast Addias 21-20 in earlier bracket games.

”It was an evenly matched tournament with all four teams being very equal, “ manager Mike Rose said. “The difference for us was our depth.”

Playing in 100-degree weather conditions, Rose used his entire roster of 15 players.

“If they didn't start one game then they were runners in that game, the next game they started and we used other runners. I just wanted to keep everyone as fresh as I could..” Rose said.

It has been a good season for Team USA winning five of the seven tournaments they played compiling a 45-7 record. They still have a couple of tournaments left on the 2017 schedule.

Members of the 2017 SPA 50 MAJOR PLUS World champions are: coaches Dutch Detwiler Jr and Jimmie Johnson. Players are Michael Allegretti, Verdell Blackston, John Casner, James Devine, Michael Dill, Ernest Donaldson Jr, Jay Ehrhart, Edward Farrell, Stephen Heller, Bob Jones, William Kelly, Reid Miller, Kenneth Shemonski, Charles A. Smith and Ronald Wenrich.

Final Standings: 1. Team USA, 2. Suncoast Addias, 3.Team 1 Sports, 4. Mid-Atlantic

Alabama's Team Kitty only used eight of its nine lives to take home the 2017 SPA World 50 Major crown.

They did it by going 2-0 in pool play and 5-1 in bracket play beating RB Lawncare 22-10 in the “IF” title game.

RB forced the “IF” game by beating Miami Power 18-17 in the loser's bracket finals and then beat Team Kitty 25-21 to force the extra game. Team Kitty had sent RB Lawncare into the loser's bracket with a 23-17 win earlier in the tournament in the battle berween two underfeated teams in the winner's bracket finals.

With the tournament win Team Kitty upped their season record to 46-9 with eight tournament titles in the ten events they participated.

“We played a tournament about every rwo or three weeks if we could find them,” Head coach Richard Otinger said. “We have been playing mostly in the South but would like to play some Northern tournaments if they took majors and/or major plus.”

It will really be hard to find tournaments in 2018 now that they are Major Plus.

“I know that,”Otinger said. “But that is what we were shooting for, to be one of the best 50 division teams. We will just have to add to our roster and get a little stronger but it will be great to compete at the highest level.”

Twenty teams took part in the double-elimination SPA World Tournament held in Dalton, Georgia July 20-22.

Team Kitty went 2-0 in pool play with wins over TeamWood Law 17-14 and Goodtime/Clean Planet 27-12.

The Cats rolled in bracket play beating Walker Beothers 23-8, Texas Vets 24-20, Miami Power 23-22 and RB Lawncare 23-17 before losing to RB and then beating them in the “IF” game

RB Lawncare was second followed by Miami Power, Team Champion, Phenix Tube, Team Wood Law, Lighthouse, Texas Mavericks, Hit N' Run, Texas Vets, Ohio Elite, Walker Brothers, LS/DTN, Atlanya Monarchs, Team Elite Miken, Doc C's, Goodtime/Clran Planet, Team Arkansas, Monster Softball, and Public Enemy.

Coach of Team Kitty is Richard Otinger.

Members of the SPA WORLD'S50 Major championship team are: Paul Hardin, Robert Brown, Spencer Kennedy, Charles Miller, Davod Reynolds, Timothy L.Lee, Ronald Hollingshed, Roger Teate, Bert Moore, Gerald Donaldson, Kevin Gillor, Joel Majoes, Partrick Madden, Robbie Clark, Paul Robinson and Otinger.

The SPA Sylvania Ohio Great Lakes Classic is closing in on the "50" team attendance figure as 45 teams attended this year's tournament.

The event held at Pacesetter Park, one of SPA's top facilities, drew 45 teams for the August 3-6 tournament.

"We had great turnouts in all age groups except the 75 AAA," SPA rep Jerry Keefe said. "I think that was due in part to Thee Buckeye Classic and Shelbyville tournaments being so close scheduling wise. The eastern 75's do not look forward to traveling to. Ohio and Indiana three times in a space of two months.

"The Great Lakes Classic made up for the loss of the 75 division by bringing in eight 55, 65 AAA and 70's teams.

The 65 AAA bracket saw Doc Martens/Rope Course finally put it together to win a big tournament. The "Doc" gang went 5-0 in bracket play to win the 65 AAA crown.

Doc Marten beat Universal 23-5, CAVCO 15-14, Michigan Lakers 20-12, Brantford Nissan 23-22 and Rochester Royals 21-16.Universal. Softball was second followed by CAVCO, Ohio Silverado's, Rochester Royals, Chicago Pride, Rush Trucking and Sylvania 65'sThe Dayton Legends bounced back from an earlier 18-23 bracket loss to Rush Trucking beating the Michigan team twice 23-15, 21-13 to win the 70's AAA crown.

COSSA was third followed by Windsor Chiefs, Chicago Strikers, Steel City, Frickers Sports Bar and Hewcor Bandits.

Another Dayton team, the Dayton Legends 55's ran the table got win the 55 bracket. The Legends beat Team Elite twice 17-6, 21-20 and Buckeye Classics 18-10 and Allshred 33-13.

Team Elite was second with JJ Financial, DC Connection, Buckeye Classics, CPOA, Jackson Merchants and All Shred finishing out the bracket The seven team 50 AAA bracket was won by Canada's Homer Lovers but beating Trinity Rizzo 30-18 in an "IF" game.

The Ohio Hitmen were third followed by Flytime, Diversified Machine, Lakeshore Trucking and Dayton Legends.

Windsor Chiefs gave Ontario Province two champs as they won the 60 AAA crown beating Detroit Lugnuts 22-7, 23-12 to seal the deal.

The Lugnuts were second followed by JP Motormen, Minutemen/Pepco and Sideline Sports/Bull Moose.

Canada's Durham Silver Stix won the three-team 60 AA bracket beating Dayton Diamond Dawgs twice 18-0, 25-14. Hewcor finished third.

Pfeiffer Grey Sox bested Peachtree 27-11 to win the 80's championship. Hamel was third and Syracuse Cyclones fourth.

Canterbury beat Michigan Merchants 17-4, 21-5 for the 75 Major crown.

Alabama topped the 30-team mark July27-30 with six bracket winners earning spots in the SPA Triple Crown tournament.

The biggest gathering was the 60 AAA which saw RPR 60's rising from a ninth seed winning five games and the bracket crown.

RPR beat Boys of Summer 19-4 in the title game but along the way beat Carriage Homes 20-16, Atlanta Recycling 21-20, GAS 29-22 and (by) Grace Redeemed 15-2.

Boys of Summer were second followed by Carriage Homes, Seasoned Vets, Atlanta Recycling, Columbus LX, GAS, RDG and (by) Grace Redeemed. 

The Tennessee Seniors took the 65 AA crown beating Deep South 12-10, 8-20 and 18-8 for the title. 65 AAA crown was claimed by the Travelers with wins over The Firm 17-13, 16-3 and TAG 21-6. TAG was third and Crystal Heat fourth.

Time Bandits went 3-0 in bracket play to claim the 70 AAA title. The Bandits defeated runner-up For Freedom 8-7, 25-13 and fourth place Senior Moments 20-12 during the charge.

Tennessee Seniors were third and Bank of Rison fifth.

Tennessee Connection came out of the losers bracket going 5-1 to win the 55 AAA championship, The Connection beat James R. Smith 16-15 to force and "If" game and 22-12 win.

They lost to Darrell Harris 18-24 before downing Southern States 18-3, Darrell Harris 23-16 and DT Express 15-10 to make it to the finals.

James R. Smith was second, DT Express third, Darrell Harris fourth and Southern States fifth.

SE Water Swarm beat Tennessee Comets two out of three in one-run games in bracket play 23-22, 23-24 and 22-21 for the 50 AAA crown.

They also beat third place Major League 19-4. Kents Players was fourth and Team Adiktiv fifth.

Hollis Appraisals and AMR Special Taste Clean Planet Miken split the SPA

60 Major and Major Plus World titles July 20-21 in Dalton, Georgia.

Hollis won the Major plus crown and AMR the Major title in the double-round robin event.

Only four teams made it to the 60 Major and Major Plus World championships resulting in each team playing five games.

Hollis and AMR tied at 4-1 with each beating the other once. Hollis won its game 26-11 but lost 20-24 in the rematch. Hollis was named 60 Major Plus champ and AMR the 60 Major winner.

Gonzalez Insulation (2-3) was a 60 M finalist with the Golden Vipers (0-5) third in the majors.

Members of the Hollis Appraisals team are: Manager Audie Hollis, Jack Aronson, Robert P. Davis, Steven Dorrell, Jeffrey Frey, Curtis Hollis, Austin Hollis, Horace Jefferson, Timothy Jones, Richard Meltz, Mike Monnier, David Motta, Gary Nicday, Randy Parker, David Royalty, Norm Edwards, Edward Farrell and Lawrence Reedes.

Members of the AMTA Special Taste Clean Planet Miken are: Manager Jim Hanna, Gabriel Barrow, Gary Bealle, James Davenport, Flod Ellis, David Erdmann, Craig Fairbanks, Anthony Gabriel, Nucholas Garovfalis, Eric Gilliam, John Johnson, John H. Johnson, Mickey Maddy. Harold Phillips, Robert Schneider, Grant St.Amour, Robert Stewart, Timothy Thomas and John Van Wagner.

The DLB 55 Major Plus team showed their appreciation to sponsor Dan Bishop by rolling undefeated (4-0) in bracket play to win the 2017 SPA Worlds title July 20-21 in Dalton, Georgia.

“We really wanted to win this one for Dan (Bishop),” manager Larry Tostrud said. “I've being playing on his sponsored teams for over 21 years and a lot of times he never gets the recognition he deserves”.

“Without his help and sponsorship there never would have been a DLB 55 Major softball team,” the manager added.

Bishop is the owner of DLB Purchasing Company in Racine, Wisconsin

This has been a good season for DLB who have won World titles in all senior softball tournaments plus a handful of others to go 5-0 in tournament play.

This is the second SPA World title for DLB having won the 50 Major Plus title in 2014.

In this year's tournament DLB defeated Klover Tool 29-7, San Antonio 24-16, High Street Bucs 25-18 and Florida Automated Shade 24-9 in their four bracket games.

Klover Tools was runner-up in the seven-team field followed by San Antonio, Next Level, High Street Bucs, Florida Automated Shade and TSC Miken Reload.

Members of the champion DLB squad are manager Tostrud, Joseph Ausec, Cliff Carpenter, William Chambers, Marlin Cox, Joseph Curtis, Mark Horn, Douglas Kett, Keith Lesmeister. Marvin Liberty, Terry McGlothlin, Robert Woldyk, Jim Cushing and Paul Stanley.

Tostrud says defense has been the difference this year between winning and losing.

“In Major Plus everyone can hit so defense has to be the difference,” Tostrud stated. “We turned 14 double plays in the tournament plus some great individual outfield and infield play. We pride ourselves in never taking a play off on defense and it has paid off for us.”

The majority of the team has been together for seven years and looking forward to eight years in 2018 and hopefully another title for their sponsor.

When you have two names as your sponsor you have to be twice as good and Domino's/Bob Johnson Chevrolet was just that in winning the 2017 SPA 55 Major Worlds June 21-23 at Dalton.

The 55 Major team sponsored by both Mark Gaiser Domino's and Bob Johnson Chevrolet ran the table in the double elimination bracket going 2-0.

The champs beat SW Thunder 25-23, 22-7 and Colorado's Scrap Iron RMT. The fourth team in the bracket was Legends of Texas.

“We have win five tournaments this year,” team spokesman Chris Schello said. “We are probably somewhere around 19-5 for the year.”

Domino's/Johnson is a building block organization. The Rochester based team have a 40, 50,55 and hope to have a 60's team next year.

The group is made up of players from Canada, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and other area states.

“We (sponsor and team) decided that was the best way to go,” Schello, who also plays on the 50 team said. “Everyone gets along so well and we want to keep the camaraderie going up through the next levels of play.”

“Surprisingly with players from different states who only see each other for a few tournaments in the summer we get along greatly,” he said. “It is similar to a yearly family reunion where we talk about last year, what we did during the offseason and where we want to play this year. It is really a fun and great group of guys and wives.”

Mark Gaisser managed the team in Dalton and was named SPA 50 2017 Manager Manager-of-the-Year while Tom Mastrodinato won a similar ISSA award managing the team in Richmond.

Members of the team are: Schello,manager, David Anderson, Michale Balta, Jerry Blair, John Fitzgerald, John Fontaine, Ronald Hargrove, Peter Madafferi, Tony Masciotra, Mastrodinato, Rick Moyer, Kirby Parent, David Parsnik, William Perkins, Stephen Skotnicki, David Tokanel, Joe Guiducco, Jeff Silveiro, Steve Deschence, Kevin Hayes, Robert Bennett, Michale Conway and Gaisser