2015 USSSA Houston Major tournament report!
2015 Nationwide Conference USSSA
9th Annual "Space City" Classic
League City, TX
April 10-12
Vivid/Cash House/Worth catcher and Texas native Argen Dodds hammers a big home run in the Championship game!
Link to the Softballcenter.com picture album of the Houston Major
USSSA Houston tournament info and bracket link
The night and grey skies made for tough photo taking. That is why a lot of them are grainy or blurred. Sorry
Vivid/Cash House/Worth a 'B' team based out of Texas came from behind to beat Albicocco/The Scene/Worth 34-31 in the winner's bracket finals Sunday morning to win the Houston Major after rain cancelled the loser's finals and championship. This gave Albicocco and CA Sports/Buzini/Lockdown/Powerhouse/Miken a tie for 2nd Place. TG Brand played deep into the night Saturday/Sunday morning to finish 4th.
The tournament began on Friday night at 6 PM central time at League City's Big League Dreams park. The entire tournament was played with the Dudley Hycor 52/300 softball which provided for exciting and sometimes lower scoring games on the smaller fields. The entire weekend there was a threat of rain and games were postponed twice eventhough the fields have artificial turf. That tells you how hard it was raining. The Friday upsets began in the second round for a few of the 12 Nationwide Conference USSSA teams. An athletic HGC out of Mississippi smoked conference 'C' team Big Ten 31-7. L/S Glass a 'D' team from northern California shocked Fence Brokers 'B' team from Arkansas 26-24. CA Sports 'A' team was down 11-6 and came back to win on a walk off dribbler with the bases loaded 17-16 against 'C' team BTX. Fat Pats beat Conference 'C' team Steel 22-21. Olmito Heat gave Compound Athletics all they could handle in a 22-21 win. And in what may have been the best game of the tournament (definitely the longest) Albicocco, the only Major team in Houston, came from way down to beat Colorado Stars a 'C' team. Stars went up 17-0 in this game that went well past midnight Friday, and Albicocco slowly overcame multiple double digit deficits. Going into the bottom of the 6th with two quick outs and no homers left, Albicocco scored 7 runs to break a 41-41 tie. Colorado Stars who had basically led the entire game ran out of gas and managed just 3 runs in the top of the 7th to lose the upset bid 48-44.
On Saturday morning in the final 16, Vivid aka VCH pulled out an ugly 16-15 win over a feisty HGC team as a strong wind started to affect most of the games. L/S Glass pulled off another win 23-20 over Magz Premier over on Crosley field on a walk off home run. Chill Sports a local 'B' team put together by veteran Conference sponsor Doug Wood jumped out to a nice lead and pitcher Danny Evans held down CA Sports 22-21. Evans even came through with a clutch hit in the bottom of the 7th to set up the game winner. Nightmare won their 3rd game of the day, Albicocco beat a very good Olmito Heat team, I heard they put up 32 runs in one inning back on Wrigley, and TG Brand and Above All Landscaping survived and advanced in the 64 team field.
By the start of the final 8 it was evident to all that the ball, the wind, and the strength of the C teams in this tournament was making for a well-played and entertaining weekend. The final 8 was played at 3:30 PM – VCH came from behind and used some nice defensive plays by brothers left fielder Zane Trammell and my pick for defensive MVP middle infielder Jason Trammell to beat TG Brand 21-16. Chill Sports held off L/S Glass 20-18 with L/S Glass having runners on and homers left in the bottom of the 7th. More good pitching by Chill Sports Danny Evans sealed it. Both teams were the Cinderella stories of the tournament and both could of advanced to the final four, but it was Chill Sports that kept the slipper! In the bottom half of the bracket Albicocco beat Fat Pats 26-11 and Above All Landscaping quietly won their 4th game of the day, beating Nightmare 22-15 but comfortably leading the whole way.
In the final four with the rain starting up at 8 PM VCH (Vivid) beat Cinderella Chill Sports 18-8 and Albicocco run ruled Above All Landscaping 25-10 on a Lee Payne walk off 3 run homer.
The winner's bracket final between VCH and Albicocco barely got started late on Saturday night when pouring rain moved the game to 8 AM Sunday morning. The 12 teams remaining in the loser's bracket agreed to wait out the rain and resumed their games with a one hour time limit starting a midnight. It was at this time that the upsets ceased for 3 hours and the higher seeded teams won almost every game as the cream came to the top.
The conference awoke Sunday morning to CA Sports who won 8 games in Houston taking on TG Brand over on Fenway Park and the winner's final between VCH and Albicocco was on Crosley field. CA Sports run ruled TG Brand who wasn't happy with an overturned double play call in the 5th inning. And VCH shocked the softball world with a come from behind 34-31 win over heavy favorite Albicocco. Albicocco hit 8 homers in the first inning and surrendered their lead late when Vivid's "meat of the lineup" – Ryan Roppel, Zane Trammell, and Argen Dodds all came up with clutch hits and clutch homers. VCH MVP pitcher Wes Newell was a workhorse all weekend and the defense held Albicocco who was out of homers in the bottom of the 7th to win.
Then the rain returned about 10:30 AM Sunday morning and the tournament was called (possibly prematurely) with VCH the deserved champion!
Team Breakdown – Teams Total (12 Conference)
1 Major
2 'A'
6 'B'
23 'C'
24 'D'
8 'E'
It was fun to see 12 more conference teams, 11 of whom were not in Las Vegas. 2 run homers were prevalent and lots of solos were hit late in games.
It will be interesting to compare stats at the two BLD tournaments and the two different balls used. I know the Houston conference players wanted to hit the regular conference ball.
The softball world mourns the passing this week of Jimmy "Texas Red" Glasgow a renowned umpire and Cleveland softball player/manager/legend Buddy Langdon. May they rest in peace.
VCH middle man Jason Trammell making another great play
Ebbets field – L/S Glass Matthew Imwalle hits a walkoff homer to beat Magz Premier
Yankee Stadium – TG Brands Faron Miller pitches to Pro Gutter
Fenway
Wrigley
Big Ten pitching to Olmito Heat on Sportsmans Park field
Ebbets Field
Crowds were small due to bad weather
Oldscout pollers
Only 2% picked VCH to win…
Video Highlites brought to you by:
Long Bombers of the Week
This kid pounded one all the way over the other end of the grass.
I did not see a lot of bombs and couldn't recall one that stood out so lets give it to this kid who had a great swing.
Major Awards and Final Standings
Player Tournament Awards | Players Name | Plays For |
Tournament MVP | Wes Newell | VCH Worth |
Offensive Tournament MVP | BRIAN FARIA | Albicocco/The Scene/Easton |
Defensive Tournament MVP | Richard Buck | CASports/Buzini/Lockdown/Powerhouse |
All Tournament Team | Brad Reckart | Albicocco/The Scene/Easton |
All Tournament Team | Ryan Morrow | TG Brand |
All Tournament Team | Justin Evans | TG Brand |
All Tournament Team | Phillip White | Albicocco/The Scene/Easton |
All Tournament Team | John Radich | TG Brand |
All Tournament Team | Isaac Gonzales | VCH Worth |
All Tournament Team | Cory Large | Albicocco/The Scene/Easton |
All Tournament Team | ZANE TRAMMELL | VCH Worth |
All Tournament Team | JASON TRAMMELL | VCH Worth |
All Tournament Team | Jesse Solomon | VCH Worth |
All Tournament Team | Colby Hughes | CASports/Buzini/Lockdown/Powerhouse |
All Tournament Team | Ryan Parfitt | Albicocco/The Scene/Easton |
All Tournament Team | Adam Kaminski | TG Brand |
All Tournament Team | Kyle Pearson | CASports/Buzini/Lockdown/Powerhouse |
All Tournament Team | Bryan Daniel | VCH Worth |
All Tournament Team | ryan roppel | VCH Worth |
All Tournament Team | Billy Maggard | CASports/Buzini/Lockdown/Powerhouse |
All Tournament Team | SID STEPHANY | CASports/Buzini/Lockdown/Powerhouse |
All Tournament Team | Jeff Payton | CASports/Buzini/Lockdown/Powerhouse |
All Tournament Manager | Rob Whitehouse | VCH Worth |
Place | State | Team | Team Class | Wins | Losses | Ties | Runs Scored | Runs Allow | Avg Runs | Avg Allow | Avg Diff | Max Runs | USSSA Points |
1 | TXN – Dallas | VCH Worth | USSSA-Mens-B | 7 | 0 | 0 | 151 | 90 | 21.5 | 12.8 | 8.71 | 34 | 300 |
2 | NYU – Commack | albicocco/the scene/easton | USSSA-SPMensMajor | 6 | 2 | 0 | 192 | 104 | 24 | 13 | 11 | 48 | 225 |
2 | MS – Jackson | casports/buzini/lockdown/powerhouse | USSSA-Mens-A | 8 | 2 | 0 | 249 | 125 | 24.9 | 12.5 | 12.4 | 50 | 200 |
4 | MI – Flint | TG Brand | USSSA-Mens-A | 6 | 2 | 0 | 178 | 116 | 22.2 | 14.5 | 7.75 | 38 | 175 |
5 | NJ – Jackson | above all landscaping/evo9x | USSSA-Mens-B | 4 | 2 | 0 | 107 | 76 | 17.8 | 12.6 | 5.16 | 28 | 155 |
5 | TXN – Lewisville | Chill Sports Bar & Grill | USSSA-Mens-B | 4 | 2 | 0 | 117 | 108 | 19.5 | 18 | 1.5 | 28 | 155 |
7 | MS – Brandon | HGC/BWW | USSSA-Mens-C | 5 | 2 | 0 | 162 | 103 | 23.1 | 14.7 | 8.42 | 37 | 130 |
7 | AR – Rogers | bear hollow ranch/cl/buzini/easton | USSSA-Mens-B | 5 | 2 | 0 | 159 | 84 | 22.7 | 12 | 10.7 | 29 | 130 |
9 | AR – Bryant | fence brokers inc/buzini/worth | USSSA-Mens-B | 5 | 2 | 0 | 154 | 107 | 22 | 15.2 | 6.71 | 30 | 110 |
9 | MO – Branson | Nightmare/Miken | USSSA-Mens-B | 3 | 2 | 0 | 102 | 97 | 20.4 | 19.4 | 1 | 32 | 110 |
9 | CAN – San Jose | L/S Glass | USSSA-Mens-D | 3 | 2 | 0 | 100 | 106 | 20 | 21.2 | -1.2 | 29 | 110 |
9 | LA – Lafayette | Fat Pat's | USSSA-Mens-C | 3 | 2 | 0 | 85 | 101 | 17 | 20.2 | -3.2 | 24 | 110 |
13 | CO – Denver | Big Ten / Team Wager | USSSA-Mens-C | 4 | 2 | 0 | 99 | 98 | 16.5 | 16.3 | 0.16 | 38 | 70 |
13 | TXS – Corpus Christi | Steel | USSSA-Mens-C | 4 | 2 | 0 | 118 | 75 | 19.6 | 12.5 | 7.16 | 23 | 70 |
13 | CAS – Los Angeles | Magz Premier | USSSA-Mens-C | 3 | 2 | 0 | 121 | 82 | 24.2 | 16.4 | 7.8 | 34 | 70 |
13 | LA – Baton Rouge | P4J/J'S JOINT | USSSA-Mens-C | 3 | 2 | 0 | 66 | 89 | 13.2 | 17.8 | -4.6 | 25 | 70 |
17 | TXN – Arlington | farmclub/blackjackjerky/madhatter | USSSA-Mens-C | 3 | 2 | 0 | 123 | 117 | 24.6 | 23.4 | 1.2 | 29 | 40 |
17 | TXS – Conroe | TMT/TI Sports/A&A Utility | USSSA-Mens-C | 3 | 2 | 0 | 83 | 92 | 16.6 | 18.4 | -1.8 | 26 | 40 |
17 | IL – CHICAGO | COMPOUND ATHLETICS/EASTON | USSSA-Mens-C | 3 | 2 | 0 | 121 | 69 | 24.2 | 13.8 | 10.4 | 31 | 40 |
17 | TXS – Spring | old school/diamond kingz sports | USSSA-Mens-C | 3 | 2 | 0 | 89 | 74 | 17.8 | 14.8 | 3 | 22 | 40 |
17 | LA – Houma | CARBOLINE/TEAM TRIPP | USSSA-Mens-C | 3 | 2 | 0 | 95 | 76 | 19 | 15.2 | 3.8 | 27 | 40 |
17 | AR – Arkansas | Mayhem/J&R Logistics/ASP | USSSA-Mens-C | 2 | 2 | 0 | 86 | 68 | 21.5 | 17 | 4.5 | 30 | 40 |
17 | MS – Jackson | progutter/hemphill/prod/worth | USSSA-Mens-C | 2 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 60 | 11.2 | 15 | -3.7 | 21 | 40 |
17 | TXS – Olmito | olmitoheat/diamondkingz/miken | USSSA-Mens-C | 2 | 2 | 0 | 66 | 109 | 16.5 | 27.2 | -10. | 21 | 40 |
25 | LA – LAFAYETTE | STROKERS SOFTBALL | USSSA-Mens-C | 2 | 2 | 0 | 76 | 59 | 19 | 14.7 | 4.25 | 22 | 40 |
25 | TXS – Houston | Goons/LDC/GSGSportswear | USSSA-Mens-C | 2 | 2 | 0 | 64 | 51 | 16 | 12.7 | 3.25 | 23 | 40 |
25 | TXS – Houston | ThunderCats | USSSA-Mens-D | 2 | 2 | 0 | 64 | 58 | 16 | 14.5 | 1.5 | 23 | 40 |
25 | LA – Roanoke | athlon athletics / aspnation | USSSA-Mens-D | 2 | 2 | 0 | 59 | 54 | 14.7 | 13.5 | 1.25 | 22 | 40 |
25 | TXS – Beaumont | BTX | USSSA-Mens-C | 2 | 2 | 0 | 74 | 58 | 18.5 | 14.5 | 4 | 26 | 40 |
25 | TXS – Sugar Land | Onslaught/Pro Delivery | USSSA-Mens-C | 2 | 2 | 0 | 55 | 80 | 13.7 | 20 | -6.2 | 25 | 40 |
25 | CO – Denver | stars/ dh global logistics | USSSA-Mens-C | 2 | 2 | 0 | 87 | 83 | 21.7 | 20.7 | 1 | 44 | 40 |
25 | TXS – Houston | sellout sports / 24/7 softball | USSSA-Mens-C | 2 | 2 | 0 | 72 | 72 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 27 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Houston | STL/South Texas Locos | USSSA-Mens-E | 1 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 48 | 6 | 16 | -10 | 7 | 40 |
33 | OK – Oklahoma City | IzzySports/TKO/Miken | USSSA-Mens-C | 1 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 66 | 16.3 | 22 | -5.6 | 28 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Lufkin | ETX Desperados | USSSA-Mens-C | 1 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 47 | 15.3 | 15.6 | -0.3 | 22 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Houston | Houston Thunder | USSSA-Mens-D | 1 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 50 | 8 | 16.6 | -8.6 | 17 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Houston | Team THC | USSSA-Mens-E | 1 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 51 | 7.66 | 17 | -9.3 | 13 | 0 |
33 | TXS – Dickinson | Hi 5 | USSSA-Mens-E | 1 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 45 | 4.66 | 15 | -10. | 6 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Houston | maniacs / killer bees / mvp sports | USSSA-Mens-D | 1 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 69 | 8.66 | 23 | -14. | 18 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Houston | TI Sports | USSSA-Mens-D | 1 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 52 | 10.6 | 17.3 | -6.6 | 13 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Houston | TVSA Combat Warriors | USSSA-Mens-D | 1 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 50 | 13.3 | 16.6 | -3.3 | 22 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Texas City | Mob/FSU | USSSA-Mens-D | 1 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 39 | 13.3 | 13 | 0.33 | 22 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Houston | Baseball Washouts | USSSA-Mens-D | 1 | 2 | 0 | 73 | 64 | 24.3 | 21.3 | 3 | 29 | 40 |
33 | LA – Lafayette | SD/L2 Logistics/Klutch | USSSA-Mens-D | 1 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 72 | 11.6 | 24 | -12. | 20 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Edinburg | Team MTS | USSSA-Mens-D | 1 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 44 | 8.33 | 14.6 | -6.3 | 17 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Spring | Lonestar Miken | USSSA-Mens-D | 1 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 59 | 11.6 | 19.6 | -8 | 21 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Pearland | EGO | USSSA-Mens-D | 1 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 67 | 11.3 | 22.3 | -11 | 13 | 40 |
33 | TXS – Beaumont | SETX Unknowns | USSSA-Mens-E | 1 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 46 | 6 | 15.3 | -9.3 | 9 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Spring | Texas Scorpions | USSSA-Mens-E | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 38 | 2.5 | 19 | -16. | 4 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Houston | C.P.S. | USSSA-Mens-D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 40 | 8 | 20 | -12 | 8 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Killeen | Psycho Softball | USSSA-Mens-E | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 42 | 8 | 21 | -13 | 9 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Houston | Southern Connection | USSSA-Mens-E | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 41 | 6 | 20.5 | -14. | 10 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Houston | STX Nightmares/ASP Nation | USSSA-Mens-D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 27 | 43 | 13.5 | 21.5 | -8 | 17 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Houston | Adrenaline/WalkOffSports | USSSA-Mens-D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 57 | 10 | 28.5 | -18. | 13 | 40 |
49 | TXS – La Porte | CGR | USSSA-Mens-D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 47 | 15 | 23.5 | -8.5 | 23 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Houston | Softball Fanatics | USSSA-Mens-D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 31 | 8 | 15.5 | -7.5 | 11 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Sweeny | We Dem Boyz | USSSA-Mens-D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 42 | 6 | 21 | -15 | 7 | 40 |
49 | TXS – San Antonio | Smoking Guns | USSSA-Mens-E | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 35 | 9 | 17.5 | -8.5 | 12 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Galveston | 409ers | USSSA-Mens-D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 32 | 8 | 16 | -8 | 10 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Magnolia | PN Excellence | USSSA-Mens-D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 38 | 4.5 | 19 | -14. | 9 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Edinburg | Texas Soldiers | USSSA-Mens-D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 39 | 17.5 | 19.5 | -2 | 19 | 40 |
49 | TXS – San Antonio | Untouchables/Phenoms | USSSA-Mens-D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 27 | 38 | 13.5 | 19 | -5.5 | 16 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Round Rock | Call Your Shot | USSSA-Mens-C | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7 | -7 | 0 | 40 |
49 | TXS – Texas City | They Gone! | USSSA-Mens-E | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 30 | 3.5 | 15 | -11. | 7 | 40 |
CA Sports pitcher Geno Buck was the Defensive MVP
Team by team notes brought to you by:
1st Place VCH Worth
Conf 'B' from TX 7-0 Record
Vivid/Cash House/Worth with many of their players from Texas won the tournament. They have players that came from Vivd, Cash House, B&B Drywall, 4 The Fallen, and Cooper Auto. All younger players with just a few years of conference experience, but every one of these guys stepped up their game and played hard and learned to win together. It has to be a great feeling for Jon Kilburn and Rob Whitehouse who had less than stellar seasons their first two years in the conference. When you see the success they had in Houston it has to be very gratifying.
VCH cruised through their two wins on Friday night by a combined score of 62-20. On Saturday morning they struggled but pulled off a 16-15 win over HGC on Fenway field. Then they came from behind to beat TG Brand 21-16 on Crosley field with some great defense from the Trammell brothers in left field and middle infield. They beat "cinderella" Chill Sports easily 18-8 on Saturday night, then the before mentioned come from behind win over the Major team and heavy favorite Albicocco 34-31. The culmination of a long weekend of great softball and possibly more quality wins in one weekend then either Vivid or Cash House had won in the past two seasons! Isaac Gonzalez was on 6-6 with 3 homers in the final game. Dodds was on 5-6 with 2 HR.
Timely hitting, good power when needed from the "Donkey's", and a defense that didn't give much away like past versions of the teams, combined with a work horse on the mound in MVP Wes Newell was a winning combination. VCH will be tested when they play the Major team Backman bright and early at 8 AM this Wednesday on the stadium field at the dual. Bring it!!!
Trending Way Up!
Championship game lineup:
MI Jason Trammell
2B Isaac Gonzalez
3B Ryan Roppel
LF Zane Trammell
P Wes Newell
C Argen Dodds
EH Spencer Foley
1B Steve Zemanek
RF Bryan Daniel
SS Jesse Solomon
CF Josh Kirsten
Pitcher Wes Newell was MVP. Middle man Jason Trammell also could have been MVP or Defensive MVP
Isaac Gonzalez
3B Ryan Roppel and 1B Steve Zemanek
Foley and CF Daniel
CF Josh Kirsten making a great catch (also in the highlite video)
Zane Trammell in left field and with the stick had it going good in his home state
Tied 2nd Place – Albicocco/The Scene/Easton
Conf 'M' from NY 6-2 Record
Defensive MVP Albicoccos second baseman Brian Faria who made a lot of great plays and had a clutch pinch hit double on Friday night to help beat Colorado Stars.
Albicocco comes up short in Houston after poor home run management led to a 34-31 winner's bracket final loss to VCH. They nearly got derailed on Friday night when they were down 17-0 to Colorado Stars but they persevered and somehow pulled out a 48-44 win. Albicocco on Saturday cruised through 2 'C' teams and Above All Landscaping before their Sunday morning loss.
Larsen looked to be on his game blasting homers and gap shots. Large, Payne, and Parfitt in the outfield have as much or more range than any other outfield in the game. Justin Mucciarelli and TJ Thompson held down the pitching. Phil White played a lot of third base. And Brian Faria was flashing the leather at 2nd. It will be fun to see this team at the dual with a good seed and a possible run at one of the two tournaments.
Trending Even
Lee Payne hits a 3 run homer to run rule Above All Landscaping
Ballard about to blow one out!
Tied 2nd Place – CA Sports/Buzini/LockDown/Powerhouse/Miken
Conf 'A' from MS 8-2 Record
CA Sports outscored their opponents 249-125 but only managed a tie for 2nd. They nearly lost to BTX on Friday night but pulled out a 17-16 win on a bases loaded infield dribbler in the bottom of the 7th. Then a sluggish CA Sports team lost 22-21 to a good Chill Sports team on Saturday morning. In the losers bracket they took out their frustration on Farm Club beating them 50-29 and rattled off 6 straight wins in the loser's bracket to finish in a tie for 2nd with Albicocco.
Bascle, Stuart or Hughes, and Stephany played the outfield. Buck did the majority of the pitching and was a workhorse. Jason Williams and Jeff Payton shared third base. Crawford played shortstop, Cordova was the middle man, and Maggard and Pearson were on the right side.
The team has all the pieces, they just need to work out a more efficient batting order and solidify a rotation of some sort with playing time.
Trending Even
CA Sports outfielder Michael Stephany hits a walk off run rule homer Sunday to beat TG Brand
Yes, Matt Crawford is one of the top shortstops in the game! I had the guy on my prospect list in 2009 and he has gotten better every year.
Look who is back after winning 'A' Worlds with Nordkap and taking a year off – Victor Cordova!
Cordova MI, Maggard 2B, Pearson 1B
Nordkap reunion photo, Stephany, Crawford, and Cordova
4th Place – TG Brand
Conf 'A' from MI 6-2 Record
TG Brand played 8 games. They won their first 3 fairly easily. Then they blew a lead to VCH Worth and lost 21-16. Then they knocked off 3 straight Conference 'B' teams in the loser's bracket after midnight Saturday – FBI, Bear Hollow, and Above All Landscaping. Then lost on Sunday morning to CA Sports 26-11.
Just not quite enough offense this weekend for TG although the lineup has been extended with the addition of Whaley, Hoffer, and Disbennet. I see bigger things coming from TG soon.
Trending Even
John Radich was mashing
TG Brand brain trust, Mike Cruea (left), Justin Green (center), Dale Dorton (right)
Tied 5th Place – Above All Landscaping/Evo9x
Conf 'B' from NJ 4-2 Record
Four nice solid wins to start the tournament including wins over Mayhem from Arkansas and Nightmare. They didn't play well in the wet letting Albicocco get away with an easy win and then they lost to TG Brand 13-12 well after midnight when I was cutting zzz's at the hotel.
One of Above All's lineups:
SS Jesse Campanelli
C Mike Dill
5 Clint Murray
1B Tim Mickey
RF Brad Blankenship
3B #16 Bobby Mcminn
Mi #24 Billy Aker
P Tony Elrod
2B Chris Kirian
LF #19 Chris Stamper
CF #1 Jason Hoynowsky
3B Chris Montenegro
Trending Even
Heard shortstop Jesse Campanelli crouches because he was a catcher
Awesome blue uniforms by Evo9x!
Remembering the late Russ Banasiak in the Abov All Landscaping dugout
Veteran pitcher Jeff Graus (above) and Tony Elrod make for a good one/two punch on the mound
Tied 5th Place – Chill Sports Bar & Grill
'B' from TX 4-2 Record
Chill was the story of the tournament for awhile as they knocked off Old School, upset CA Sports 22-21, and beat upstart L/S Glass 20-18. They seemed to tire out in their last two games as they only scored 19 runs combined in losses to VCH and CA Sports. Doug Wood put together another nice 'B' team with some raw talent and veteran leadership. Doug said he wants to get back into the conference but the current points system is too hard for a Texas team to overcome. A simple capping of the maximum points would solve this problem in my opinion.
Trending Up!
Chill Sports had some great up and coming talent and the middle of their defense made some athletic plays
Infielder Pedro Hernandez is looking to play some Conference ball in his future
Chill Sports pitcher Danny Evans puts the finishing touches on CA Sports
More pictures below
Other top finishing teams and Conference teams
Tied 7th – Bear Hollow Ranch/CL/Buzini/Easton (AR-B) 5-2
Lost to Fat Pats in a close one in the third round. 52-8 total score in their two wins over Big Ten and L/S Glass. Didn't do much to stand out though.
Trending Incomplete
Tied 7th – HGC/BWW (MS-C) 5-2
HGC was athletic, had timely power, and did not give in to anyone. Great team!
Yes, this fired up HGC dude made it on SoftballCenter.com (he wasted his 15 minutes of fame) 🙂
Tied 9th – Fence Brokers Inc/Buzini/Worth (AR-B) 5-2
The battle of Arkansas teams, FBI came back to beat JR Logistics
Upset by that California 'D' team on Friday night. Had to win two games in the loser's bracket at a different complex before returning to the BLD to post a come from behind win against in State Arkansas rival Mayhem, and beat P4J's before TG Brand sent them home after midnight 38-26.
One of FBI's lineups:
CF Tim Howard
C Mike Cervantes
EH Alex Henry
1B Tim Bowser
LF BJ Thomas
MI Chris Smith
3B Ricky Robbins
2B Jake Mays
SS Pat Burton
RF Gavan McCauley
P Jason Bridges
Trending down some
Ryan Robbins returned to upper level softball with FBI
Tied 9th – Nightmare/Miken (MO-B) 3-2
Won three in a row with a Saturday morning start. Dropped an uneventful final 8 game to Above All Landscaping and HGC sent them packing 27-17 after the late Saturday night rain delay. Nightmare in my opinion didn't ever really get going but they have a nice team. I feel that center fielder Josh Charlton had the best diving catch of the tournament that I witnessed.
One of Nightmare's Lineups:
2b Nolan Fogle
#42 Toby Letak
#55 EH Mike Brown
C Clay Smitherman
1B Trey Gothard
LF #17 Corey Tapp
3B #50 Terrin Thrash
MI Reb Smith
CF #8 Josh Charlton
P Corie Waldrep
Rf Noah Wethington
Trending Even
Tied 9th – L/S Glass (CA-D) 3-2
I had to get a team picture of L/S Glass after their great run!
This team came out of nowhere to beat FBI, Magz Premier, and had the bats in their hands with a chance to beat Chill Sports to make the final 4 but came up just short.
L/S Glass finishes off FBI on Friday night!
Tied 9th – Fat Pat's (LA-C) 3-2
I didn't see a lot of Fat Pat's but add them to the list of great regional 'C' teams.
Tied 13th – Big Ten / Team Wager (CO-C) 4-2
Smoked by HGC on Friday night and Bear Hollow on Saturday. Tough weekend to start the season. They did beat Olmito Heat.
Trending Even, maybe Down?
Tied 13th – Steel (TX-C) 4-2
Lost to Fat Pats by 1 on Friday night, beat some C and D teams in the loser's bracket. Some nice talent and speed on this teame mixed with the veteran pitcher Rodney Fail and hitter Mark Dennis. They also have some other guys with conference experience like Cridland, Lapoint, Lobb, Mitschke, Prahm, Riddle, and Stuckly. They needed a signature win on their home turf though.
Trending Even
Tied 13th – Magz Premier (CA-C) 3-2
Had a soft spot in the bracket but lost to L/S Glass on a walk off in the battle of California teams. In the loser's bracket in the wee hours of the morning they lost to CA Sports who were rolling through. They are the only team to play both Las Vegas and Houston. A fun team to watch, if I haven't said that already…
Trending Even
Tied 17th – Compound Athletics/Easton (IL-C) 3-2
SS Grant Grimmett and middle infielder Zack Messer
Beat some lower level locals, lost to very good 'C' teams Olmito Heat and HGC. Have to learn to find ways to win those. Lots of talent and a fun team. Heard one fan say SS Grimmett and MI Messer were "making a lot of great plays."
Trending down some after some success in offseason tournaments
Hot Links section brought to you by:
I would like to thank all of my sponsors, USSSA, the SoftballCenter and Oldscout advertisers!
I would also like to thank Huch for the hospitality and thank all of the great softball die hards that came out to talk softball with me!
USSSA Houston tournament info link
Link to Softballcenter.com pictures of the Houston Major
Send corrections to dw@softballcenter.com
Link to the SoftballCenter.com Youtube channel
Link to the 2015 Tournament Reports
Link to the 2014 Tournament Reports
Link to the 2013 Tournament Reports
Link to the 2012 Tournament Reports
Nationwide Conference USSSA Points Link
Some more pictures for you:
I wonder what these 'A' World champs sporting their rings are up to?
Former NFL wide receiver Ray Butler calling the Bear Hollow game
Eventhough there were no conference umpires in Houston, I thought they did well.
Two of the best sponsors in Texas squared off in the semi-finals, Jon Kilburn (left) and Doug Wood (right)
Jay Hill's long lost brother
J&R Logistics always a tough team to play early in a Houston or Arkansas tourny
"Softball Guy" of the week is between these two. 🙂
I do like the throwback Expos look though.
Shannon Smith got picked up by Xtreme today
Mizuno now makes a softball bat without an end cap…just because they were told they couldn't do it.
This should be the future of bats in my opinion.
Rain Sunday morning before the loser's final finally ended the event, possibly prematurely…
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Leave a Reply