News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Breaking News

Softball Scene

July 7, 2007

Softball Scene: Who is Wabash Valley’s top slowpitch home run threat?

TERRE HAUTE — Last week’s column focused on the team competition to replace the Ballyhoo Tavern as the Wabash Valley’s top-ranked men’s slowpitch squad.

This week, I thought it might be of interest to discuss who will replace Tom Kirchner, who has opted to retire, as the area’s most potent home-run threat.

The slowpitch game, noted for its offensive action, has witnessed a lively local competition for the title of “best local home-run threat.” As such, I’m referring to guys who you expect to hit a circuit blast at least once a game and often more times than that.

Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, players such as Geoff Shuck, Danny Miracle and the Bird brothers (Larry and Mike) were among the best on the local softball scene. Among the power hitters of note during the mid-1980s and into the early 1990s were Brian “Boney” Jeffers, Tom Riggs, Doug Elliott, Fred Decker and Curt Reimer.

With the changes in bat technology during mid-1990s and into the early 2000s, things get a little more difficult to figure out. The double-walled and exotic composite bats made it possible for almost everyone to hit the long ball. During this period, names such as Joe East, Jeff Lauritzen and Jeff Beeler come to mind as consistent long-ball threats.

Now to the replacement for Kirchner as the most potent threat on the local softball scene. Three names immediately come to mind for their prodigious long-ball “bombs” — Bryan Millington, Randy Morelli and Ryan Nicholson. Nicholson recently hit a tape-measure blast in Vincennes that traveled 392 feet, while Morelli consistently hits the long ball during Brazil YMCA league play.

Others in consideration for long-ball honors include David Kingery, Boomer Grange, Rick Robins, Brad Pierce and Jason Payton.

With state-tournament play rapidly approaching, let’s see who can lay claim to local honors in the power category.

• • •

Two Valley men’s slowpitch squads returned from last weekend’s play with runner-up finishes.

DeHart’s Rentals placed second in an ASA state qualifier tourney in Avon. DeHart’s recorded wins over Indy Elite 23-6 and Baseline 14-9, while dropping a 12-11 decision to Webster’s/Rookies.

Clabber Girl traveled to Vincennes for the Fourth of July invitational tourney. After a 27-22 loss to Old Town Tavern in its opening game, Clabber Girl rallied for six consecutive wins to finish second behind Hall’s Produce. In doing so, the Clabber Girl team recorded wins over Pay ‘n’ Pac 9-5, Halter Tree Service 10-9, Boston Pizza 11-9, Lemon Concrete 20-8, Old Town Tavern 20-8 and Hall’s Produce 20-15. Hall’s Produce won the tourney title with a 23-9 triumph over Clabber Girl in the championship game.

Rick Robins led the way for Clabber Girl by going 22 for 30 with 10 home runs.

• • •

While fastpitch league action dormant locally, the Elkins Brothers Tree Service men’s team is still alive and well.

Elkins Brothers has made plans to play in an invitational tourney in Indianapolis next weekend as well as the MFP Class Ca state tourney July 27-29 at Elkhart.

The team also hopes to travel to Texas over Labor Day weekend to play in the ASA national tournament.

According to Rudy Elkins, the following fastpitch veterans are slated to play: Rudy Elkins, Frank Elkins, Scott Elkins, Mike Elkins, Ike Elkins, Larry Shaffer, Kevin Compton, Dennis Kesler, Jimmy Sullivan, Buddy Bays, Jason Fields, Jeff Sell, Curt Carroll and Dirk Joy. Assisting with coaching duties will be Jerry Krasek.

See ya at the park.



John Benton can be reached by phone at (812) 877-2566.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Softball Scene
Latest News
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
AP Video
Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On' Robot Action Connected to Human Thought Rain Damages Brazil Soccer Stadium Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours Falling Cable Hurts 10 NASCAR Fans Raw: 100K Protesters Flood Brazilian Streets Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead Transgender Candidate Running in NYC Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent' Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail Today in History June 18 Oklahoma City Thunder Players Tour Moore Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation' Raw: Prince Philip Leaves Hospital After Surgery
NDN Video
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent' WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child "Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton Show Off Their Amazing Bikini Bodies NBA FINALS: Spurs Win Game 5, Lead Series
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News