Softball Scene
Softball Scene: Girls youth softball is flourishing across
As a part of the Indiana Amateur Softball Association Junior Olympic program, girls youth softball is flourishing on the local softball scene.
Local programs such as Miss Softball America, the Wabash Valley program and Covered Bridge Girls Softball (Montezuma) registered more than 50 teams in 2006 and expect to exceed those numbers in 2007. Other local programs registering with the ASA in 2006 were Riley with 16 teams and West Terre Haute with five; they also expect to see a growth in registrations this summer.
Statewide, the number of registered girls fastpitch teams is also on the rise. As noted by Indiana ASA Junior Olympic commissioner Cindy Inman, the growing interest in travel teams is especially noteworthy. As proof, Inman expects to see more than 125 teams register for competition in this weekend’s Hoosier State Games.
Competition in that event is slated for Brownsburg, Plainfield, Mooresville, Center Grove, Bloomington and Indianapolis’s Chuck Klein Field. Fastpitch play is open to girls 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18-and-under teams. A slowpitch competition is also scheduled.
Approximately 12 local teams are expected to participate in Hoosier State Games competition. The local softball scene will also see youth team competition. The MSA softball facility will be hosting the 8-and-under state tourney, while the Wabash Valley facility is hosting a girls 10, 12 and 14-and-under Class C tourney (league teams only).
The public is welcome and encouraged to attend each of the tournaments mentioned above. It’s an opportunity to see the future stars develop.
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Results from the Strawberry Fest Invitational at Crawfordsville are in and two local teams fared well. Maurizio’s Pizza finished with a 2-2 tourney mark, while DeHart’s Rental earned a fourth-place finish with a 4-2 mark. In doing so, DeHart’s Rental knocked the Maurizio’s Pizza squad into the losers’ bracket with a 10-9 come-from-behind win.
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One of Indiana’s most prestigious tourney titles will be on the line this weekend. The long-running Bloomington Invitational will feature many of Indiana’s and Kentucky’s better teams. Local entrant Clabber Girl will open tourney play against a powerful Propane Direct squad.
The Clabber Girl squad features Clay Huffman, David Kingery, Brad Pierce, Ryan Nicholson, Rick Robins, Jeff Millington, Kevin Millington, Gary Potter, Ryan Carter, Jason Hinton, Kevin Hicks, Travis Funk, Darren Buck and Jason Long.
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A get well soon to old friends Kenny Myers and Debbie Hicks. Both were longtime fixtures on the local softball scene and are involved in fights against cancer.
Another get well to my sister-in-law, Myra Bosworth. Also fighting against cancer, this marathoner is looking forward to returning to her full-time running habit.
To all involved, keep up the good fight.
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The 2007 Men’s Indiana ASA Church State Finals are July 7-8 at the Simon J. Graber Complex near Odon.
There will be an Open Class tourney and a D & E Class tourney. Entry fee is $250; checks can be made payable to Simon J. Graber Complex. Entry deadline is July 3. A uniform requirement is matching shirts with a six-inch number on the back.
For tournament information or to enter, contact Jerry Bob Catt at (812) 354-6865 or Bill Graber at (812) 486-9251. Entry fees can be mailed to Catt at 413 N. 9th St., Petersburg, IN, 47567.
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See you at the ballpark.
- Softball Scene
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Softball Scene: Outkast heating up at right time with state tournament approaching
Local softball player and enthusiast Ryan Dehart recently made an astute observation when commenting on the Outkast softball squad. He said, “they’re getting hot at the right time of the year.” Lending support to Dehart’s claim was Outkast’s showing in the recent Hooter’s Invitational hosted by Indy Sports Park.
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Softball Scene: Get scoop on upcoming men’s, co-ed tournaments in Wabash Valley
Several questions have arisen concerning the upcoming city tournaments for men’s and co-ed softball teams. In an attempt to dispel any rumors and to address the questions, I will now address callers’ concerns.
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Softball Scene: Terre Haute ready for first-time city tournaments in July
The Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department, working in conjunction with several interested softball parties, will be hosting city championship tournaments for both men’s and coed softball teams.
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Softball Scene: Hit Men making their mark on travel softball scene
I have recently noticed a dearth of young softball squads coming up through the ranks. In short, I am interested in knowing who will replace the Wabash Valley’s top-caliber talent as they fall pretty to age, injury work and family obligations.
- Softball Scene: Valley teams have mixed results in state tournaments
- Softball Scene: ‘Old School’ softball at Saline City withstands test of time As the college football season begins and Wabash Valley adult softball action starts to wind down, those interested in a dose of “old school” softball should travel to Saline City this weekend.
- Softball Scene: Crawlworks’ hard work to host tournament pays off Recent Softball Scene columns have been devoted to efforts to raise funds for various causes. The opening segment of this week’s column will stick with that theme.
- Fund-raising tourneys a great way to contribute to community
- SOFTBALL SCENE: Crawlworks prevents Valley shutout Thank goodness for the efforts put forth by the Crawlworks men’s slow pitch team in the ASA MSP Class D state finals. Without their 6-2 finish, local softball efforts were almost shutout in ASA state tournament play this past weekend.
- Softball Scene: Several Wabash Valley softball teams preparing for state-tournament action The next three weekends should prove interesting for local softball squads as several local teams will be competing for state titles. Hoping to improve on last year’s second-place finish in the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) women’s class C tournament, the Chop Shop women’s team will be traveling to Kokomo this weekend. Chop Shop’s second-place finish at state earned it a nationals’ berth, and the squad finished fourth.
- More Softball Scene Headlines
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Softball Scene: Outkast heating up at right time with state tournament approaching
