1994 ASA Super Qualifier – Altamonte Springs, Florida

May 1994 – article by Jerome Earnest – Softball USA Vol. 5, No. 3

Powers brothers power Converters

65-52 over Ritch's/Superior;  Bell Corp gets 2nd in first ASA Super.

Tot Powers usually takes a backseat to brother Jimmy when it comes time to hand out the hardware on the national slow pitch tournament circuit.  But last weekend at the beautiful Seminole County Softball Complex in the Orlando area, Tot toted away the MVP and Home Run awards as Converters Unlimited of Kinston, North Carolina pulled some surprises en route to the championship of the first ASA Super Qualifier of the 1994 season.

The 6-3, 280 pound catcher collected 22 hits in 25 at bats for an .880 batting average.  17 of his hits were home runs.  jimmy carried his share of the load, too.  The 6-1, 250 pound outfielder batted .840 (21-25) with 9 HR.  5 of Jimmy's home runs came in Converters biggest win — a 65-52 home run shootout against top ranked Ritch's/Superior of Windsor Locks, Connecticut in the semifinals of the winners bracket.  That game saw 60 home runs, 34 of them by Converters.

Tot also homered 5 times against R/S.  The Powers brothers went 15 for 16, with 20 RBI against their form teammates.  Each had 10 RBI.  The Powers brothers played for R/S last year after leaving the Converters team in 1992 to play for Steele's/Sunbelt of Brook Park, Ohio.

Converters turned around and beat 2nd ranked Bell Corp of Tampa, Florida 18-17, in the winners bracket finals on Saturday night, holding an 18-11 lead going into the top of the 7th.

Earlier Sunday, Ritch's/Superior was eliminated by Williams/Worth of Spring, Texas.  The score was 42-37.  It was 42-28 at one time.  Bell then ousted Williams 29-22.  Both of Williams losses were to Bell Corp.  The first one was by 43-10 when Bell scored 23 runs in the top of the 2nd inning.

After receiving the awards for MVP and most home runs, Tot was asked if this was a one weekend fling for Converters against such powerhouses as Ritch's/Superior and Bell Corp.  "No sir," he answered.  "We have a good ball club.  We will be in the mix every weekend.  We have a bunch of guys who don't quit.  And we have a bunch of guys who are hungry.  Plus, we have a good manager (Elvin Herring)."

Pitcher Butch Ovens, who started the season with the Vernon's team of Jacksonville, Florida, was signed during the week by Converters.

Converters had a 13 run inning in the 2nd to answer Bell Corps 14 run 1st in the Championship game and were not going to be denied the title and the first berth in the ASA Super Nationals.

All Tournament Team

Converters – 89 HR in 5 games
Tot Powers – MVP and HR Champ – .880 17 HR
Jimmy Powers – .840 9 HR
Derek Oliver – .750 6 HR
Todd Martin  – .783 7 HR
Bruce Rains  – .750 10 HR

Greg Cannedy of Bell Corp