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.