TERRE HAUTE — Before writing this column, I would like to offer a disclaimer. When mentioning the Clabber Girl men’s slow pitch softball team, I want readers to be aware of the fact that I’m serving as team manager this season. When reporting the outcomes of their games, I’ll try to maintain a certain degree of objectivity.
Now on to the issue at hand.
After being out of the game — other than being a casual observer and umpire, I have returned to a manager’s role for the first time in almost 20 years. I’ve quickly found out there have been big changes in the slow-pitch game.
The Clabber Girl team ventured to Bloomington last weekend for the prestigious Bloomington Invitational Tournament. While the results were disappointing to a degree, they were also an indication of tremendous changes that have taken place.
The Clabber Girl team managed to tally 47 runs on 52 hits, seven walks and 11 home runs, while losing two straight games. The team dropped games to Bedford’s Propane Direct 31-28 and Bloomington’s DDI squad 21-19.
The tournament’s eventual winner, Wildman Uniforms/Freedom recorded wins by the following scores: 25-0, 30-0, 29-15, 32-13 and 24-19. They averaged 28 runs per game.
In comparison, scores from state tournament games in the late 1970s and early 1980s show how much scoring has increased. A local team, Platolene/Famoso’s Pizza team won two state championships and two second-place finishes during that period. In comparing their scores for the 1979 ASA Class “A” state finals, the 1980 USSSA Class “B” state finals and the 1982 ASA Class “A” state finals, the offensive changes will be clear.
In compiling a 14-3 record in three state finals tournaments, the Platolene 500/Famoso’s Pizza team averaged 11 runs per game. That 11-run average would have resulted in an 0-30 record in the Bloomington Invitational last weekend as every winning team tallied in excess of 11 runs each game.
As the figures clearly illustrate, the game has become more offensive oriented, which is a results of the much-improved equipment. The bats are now much more lively than the equipment available during the period mentioned earlier. Some would say they are too lively.
One Indiana park administrator is offering a partial solution to the equipment dilemma. Avon’s Steve Boone is sponsoring the Worth Best of the Best tourney during the weekend of July 14-15. During tourney play all participating teams will have to use identical equipment provided by the Worth company. Each team will be using the same bats and balls (Worth blue-dot balls) throughout the tournament.
Cost is $175 per team, with each team guaranteed four games. For further information, contact Steve Boone at (317) 902-8243.
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The local Aisin Brake team returned from the recent Honda Invitational in Marysville, Ohio, with a second-place finish. The Aisin Brake team dropped its opening game to eventual tourney champ Honday by a 21-9 score and then reeled off six consecutive wins before losing again 21-7.
A noteworthy victory was the 18-17 come-from-behind win against the Sam Showa team. Trailing by 13, the local squad gained the lead on Brian Taylor’s 3-run home run in the sixth inning and held on for the win.
Playing for Aisin Brake were: Justin Copeland, Brian Chesshir, Billy Kirkham, Todd Hein, Randy Winkler, Brian Taylor, Matt Agresta, Dennis Handschu, Matt Burris, Shane Chesshir and Kris Foust.
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One local facility seeing plenty of slow-pitch action is the Saline City field. Last weekend, the Alabama Bar & Grill team won a round-robin affair with a perfect 3-0 mark. Other participants were the Athletics (2-1), Floor It, Inc. (1-2) and Cory Volunteer Fire Department (0-3).
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An adult kickball tournament has been scheduled for July 4th at the Terre Town youth baseball facility. The tournament will serve as a fundraising effort for the Terre Town 12-year-old all-star team. Interested teams can contact Shawn Klotz at (812) 466-3447 or (812) 201-4655.
Softball Scene
Softball Scene: lot has changed in slow-pitch softball in 20 years
- Softball Scene
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SOFTBALL SCENE: Swingers win state title
The Swingers from Greencastle double-dipped Carlisle Plaza 10-7 and 8-6 to win the ASA coed novice state title in Lafayette last weekend.
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SOFTBALL SCENE: Brent D. Long Tournament a success on and off field
Somebody forgot to tell the Tykal’s American team that they weren’t the favorite in the Brent D. Long Tournament last weekend at Spencer Field.
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SOFTBALL SCENE: Team Bud takes third at coed state tourney
Following last week’s news that local softball fortunes had improved with Crawlworks/All American Auto Repair’s seventh-place finish in the Amateur Softball Association men’s Class D state finals, this weekend’s news is even better.
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SOFTBALL SCENE: Wabash Valley slowpitch team takes seventh at state
News from the state softball front has improved as a result of Crawlworks/All American Auto Repair’s seventh-place finish in the ASA MSP Class “D” state tournament this past weekend. With their finish, this is the first local team with a .500-or-better record in state tournament play.
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SOFTBALL SCENE: Tough tournament trail
Results from various ASA state tournament play continue to trickle in and unfortunately for local softball interests, they are disappointing. The combined record for the Outkast men’s team and the Ladies Last Call women’s team was one win and four defeats.
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Valley softball teams fail to impress in ASA tourneys
“Disappointing” might be the operative word to describe the outcome for Wabash Valley softball efforts in the ASA men’s slowpitch Class D (North) and men’s slowpitch Class E (North) state tournaments last weekend.
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SOFTBALL SCENE: Copeland’s wins its first Show-Me’s coed tournament
Results are in for the Show-Me’s coed city softball tournament and Copeland’s are the new champions.
The eight-team affair was divided into two four-team pools, with the pool winners matched in the championship game. -
SOFTBALL SCENE: Valley squad wins Bedford tourney, series titles
This past weekend the Crawlworks/All American Auto Repairs squad ventured to Bedford to participate in another leg of the Tanel 360/Dudley Challenge Series. In doing so, Crawlworks/All American Auto Repair not only captured the tourney title but also annexed the season-long series title.
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SOFTBALL SCENE: Sign-up now under way for city slowpitch championship
Arrangements for the Show-Me’s city slowpitch softball tournaments have been completed and interested teams are encouraged to sign up.
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SOFTBALL SCENE: The talent ladder for local softball
I would like to open this week’s column with a “thank you” to Tribune-Star sportswriter David Hughes for his excellent article featuring local softball star Kevin Kull, which ran in Wednesday’s paper.
The article, which chronicled Kull’s rapid rise to prominence, was a much-discussed topic around the ballpark Wednesday and Thursday evenings. In addition, it provided me with an idea for this week’s installment of “Softball Scene.” -
SOFTBALL SCENE: Teams give some pep to area men’s softball
Wabash Valley softball action picked up briefly at Spencer Field last Saturday as four men’s slowpitch squads competed in tournament play.
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SOFTBALL SCENE: Coed slowpitch softball tourney raises money for cancer research
Last weekend, Hamilton Center and the Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department co-hosted a co-ed slowpitch softball tournament to raise money for cancer research.
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SOFTBALL SCENE: Valley teams strong at tournaments
The results are in from last weekend’s Bedford All-Nighter and Wabash Valley softball interests fared well in the 42-team men’s slowpitch tournament.
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SOFTBALL SCENE: Local adult softball teams gearing up for action
Well softball fans, it’s time for yet another season of adult softball in the Wabash Valley.
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SOFTBALL SCENE: Wabash Valley well-represented in state tournamen t
The Wabash Valley was well-represented in the ASA Coed Class D/E state tournament last weekend at the Avon softball facility.
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Budweiser team has mixed results in national slowpitch regional tourney play
The local Budweiser men’s softball squad ventured to Columbus, Ohio, this past weekend to participate in the 82-team ASA MSP national regional tournament.
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SOFTBALL SCENE: Myers family softball tradition carries on
This past Jan. 10, local softball icon Wayne Myers passed away leaving behind two brothers, Fred and Bill, son Terry, daughter Elaine as well as grandchildren Haley, Whitey and “Chicky.” In addition, the Indiana Amateur Softball Association was left without its commander in chief.
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Softball Scene: Softball moments of years past
With the summer softball season coming to an end, I thought it might be interesting to look to past Softball Scene columns and dredge up a few old memories from seasons gone by. This type of column also serves as a reminder to those presently playing that in a few short years, your achievements will be largely forgotten by those who will be playing in future seasons.
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Softball Scene: Valley squads fare well at state tournaments
The results from the Indiana Amateur Softball Association’s MSP Class “C”, “D” and “E” state tournaments are in and local softball interests fared well. Of the five local men’s teams participating, four managed to come away with winning records.
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Softball Scene: 8 Valley softball teams competing in 5 different state tournaments
This weekend several local softball teams are vying for titles in Amateur Softball Association state tournament play. In all, eight local squads are competing in five different state tournaments.
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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.
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