Tuesday March 19th, 2024
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2016 USSSA Major World Series tournament report!

 

 

 

2016 USSSA Major World Series

 

Kissimmee, FL

 

September 21-24

 

Championship game beteen Smash It Sports and Backman

 

Link to Softballcenter.com picture album of the Major

 

2016 Major World Series bracket link

 

2016 Major World Series stat leaders

 

2016 Major World Series box scores

 

Here are the Day by Day Recaps

with the boxscores, pictures, and description of what happened in each

Day 1 recap (Wednesday at the Major)

Day 2 recap (Thursday at the Major)

Day 3 recap (Friday at the Major)

Day 4 recap (Saturday at the Major)

 

2016 USSSA Major archived games on USSSA-Slowpitch Facebook page

there will be more archived games coming soon on the USSSA youtube


 

Winner's bracket and final day recaps!

Wednesday, September 21st (Day One)

Game #1 Recap

Miltia/4The Fallen the USSSA Military World champions came out of the gate with a nice 4 run top of the first inning all on base hits but Vivid a AA team out of Texas and the #15 seed tied the game on an Isaac Gonzalez grand slam that went over the scoreboard!  In the bottom of the 2nd the Militia team opened the door with a 3 run error and Vivids Ken Hare added a 3 run homer and Vivid went up 14-4.  It was Vivid the rest of the way as Chris Larsen, Trey Gillilland, and Keith Martin all hit multi run homers and Vivid won easily 25-4.



Game #2 Recap

The second "play in" game started with JBL/Tailgaters from Ohio jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead on a 2 run homer by Charles Cunningham.  Ryan McCrory answered in the top of the 2nd inning with a 2 run homer for Adiktiv but JBL middle man Aaron Sandoval made a great over the shoulder running catch to end the inning.  JBL slowly took control of the game offensively though and capped it with an amazing 13 run bottom of the 6th that ended with homers by Matt Rogers and a walk off run rule homer by Jamie Simpson.

JBL's Jamie Simpson hits a walk off run rule homer



Game #3 Recap

Xtreme a AA team from Minnesota took on the #1 seeded AA team in the nation TG/Reds.  Both team had offense early as Cory Boothe and Lossen White traded 3 run homers.  Chad Mullins for TG/Reds hit a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 2nd to tie the game at 10-10.  In the 4th inning Xtremes Lyf Nimmo hit a 3 run line drive homer and Lossen White hit another 2 runner to give Xtreme a 9 run innings and a 21-12 lead.  It was all Xtreme after that as Joe Skyles and Ben Dunn homered some more in the top of the 7th when they scored 9 runs and won easily 32-16.

 

TG/Reds came up short on the fence but not for lack of effort


 

Game #4 Recap

#14 BHR and #3 Scene had the game of the day in the night cap.  Scene center fielder Cory Newman made a spectacular catch on the fence in the first inning and teammate Brandon Dillon and Ketih Laski followed that up with a 2 run homers to make it 11-2 Scene after 2 innings.  BHR answered with two Tim Bowser 2 run bombs and a Sean Boldt 2 run double to take a 13-11 lead in the top of the 4th.  It would have been worse but for a Brandon Dillon home run rob.  In the bottom of the 4th Scene tied it with a 2 run homer by Brungardt and got the lead with a 2 runner by Laski.  In the bottom of the 5th Scene went up 18-13 on a Whaley 3 run homer.  BHR was not done though as they batted around in the top of the 7th scoring 9 runs to take a 1 run lead, Tim "bye bye" Bowser with another homer in the inning.  In the bottom of the 7th Erik Kanaby hit a no doubter to tie it and Brandon Dillon hit a walk off homer to win it 26-25. 

 

Bowser ties and Ferguson gives a 7th inning lead for BHR


 

Game #7 Recap

Line Drive came out flat with a 1-2-3 top of the first.  Combat set the tone for the game in the bottom half with 9 runs.  In the 2nd Line Drive scored 7 to get back in it but Combat put up 12 in the bottom of the 2nd and Line Drive went 1-2-3 again and Kyle Pearson for Combat hit 2 home runs in the bottom of the 3rd to give Combat a 20 run rule victory in a 12 run inning.  Combat with 3 huge innings and a promising start to the tournament.

Combats Dennis Rulli with his 4th straight hit vs Line Drive Sportz



Game #8 Recap

Smash It Sports jumped out to a 7-3 lead on TM Sports but it could have been worse but for two great catches by left fielder Steele Lewis.  In the bottom of the 3rd Brett Helmer set the all time world series record for homers with a bomb to right field his 121st homer taking the lead from the Crusher Rick Scherr and Smash It had an 11-4 lead.  In the top of the 5th TM Sports outfielder John Zorich brought them to wihin 2 runs but Smash It left fielder Mike Umschied made a nice catch to end the inning and SIS got 6 runs in the bottom of the 6th to win 21-16.  TM Sports Steele Lewis also robbed a homer in the 5th.

Brett Helmer sets the all time Major World Series record for Home Runs with this BOMB!



Game #9 Recap

Vivid who won the play in game earlier vs #2 seed Resmondo.  Luis Reyna and Howie Krause hit 2 run doubles in the bottom of the 1st and Greg Connell hit one into the "flags" in left field for a 9-3 Resmondo lead.  In the 2nd Vivid grabbed a 10-9 lead on a Keith Martin 2 run homer and a Chris Smith RBI single.  In the 4th Resmondo left fielder Andrew Collins made a nice catch and Andy Purcell snapped off two hard grounders and the momentum shifted to Resmondo and Bubba Mack hit a 3 run homer and Connell a grand slam to make it 24-17.  Vivid hung tough for 4.5 innings but ended up in a run rule loss 32-17.

Resmondos Luis Reyna bats against Vivid pitcher Donald "Buckshot" Plaisance



Game #10 Recap

#1 Backman jumped out to a 7-2 lead on the #16 seeded JBL who had won big earlier in the day.  Ryan Stovall with a 1st inning grand slam.  They increased the domination in the bottom of the 3rd with a 13 run outburst as Castillo, Powers (grand slam), and Harvey (homer through the flags) all hit bombs to make it 20-4.  Castillo and Yates made great plays to end it in the top of the 5th with a 21-5 run rule.

Backman left fielder Jeremy Yates ends the game with a diving catch to preserve the mercy rule win



Thursday, September 22nd (Day Two)

Game #5 Recap

Newbreed dug a hole in their opener by walking the first 4 batters prompting a pitching change.  And it was all 3rd Street early on as they had a 7-2 lead on a Tommie Melton homer and a Jason Matusick diving catch to hold Newbreed down.  In the 3rd the Street added 10 runs on a Bobby Noeth Jr double and a Matusik homer and a number of Newbreed miscues.  Newbreed came back though with homers by Victor Cordova and Adam Rockoff and a great catch in right field by Nick Mangannaro and after blanking 3rd Street in the top of the 6th Newbreed scored 6 runs in both the 6th and 7th inning but came up a swing short 26-24 with two runners on in the bottom of the 7th.

Magnum and 3rd Street celebrate another homer



Game #6 Recap

Racks scored 13 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning on Kirkwood and Snell homers and made Precision pay for 2 errors.  Frank Yeilding hit a homer off the scoreboard in the 3rd and Snell added another homer in the 4th.  Precision offense was no where to be found in this one and Jason Kreider hit a walk off run rule single for Racks to win it 21-6.

 



Game #17 Recap

Xtreme continued their hot hitting early against Scene as they took a 7-2 lead after 2 innings on homers by Matt McGowan, Bremer, and a 2 run double by Palm.  Scene cut the lead to 1 on a 2 run homer by leadoff man Jason Branch.  Branch struck again with another 2 run homer and Keith Laski added a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 4th up 14-9 but went 1-2-3 in the 5th and Xtreme cut the lead to 14-11.  In the 6th Scene separated and won with 6 runs and a 2 run homer by Dale Brungardt and sent Xtreme to the loser's bracket.

 

Laski connects on a big homer

 



Game #18 Recap

3rd Street jumped all over Resmondo with homers by Tabler, Kessler, Magnum (over the scoreboard), Matusik again, Magnum again, and Evans in the first two innings and led Resmondo 13-2 after Resmondo went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 2nd.  3rd Street increased the lead to 21-9 after 4 innings and Kesller, Evans, Melton, and Kessler again hit homers in the top of the 5th to score a whopping 17 runs in the inning and beat a stunned Resmondo team 38-11 in 5 innings.



Game #19 Recap

Racks and Backman was a big winners bracket game and Racks had beaten Backman a couple times during the year.  But Backman got Racks to hit into a DP early in the game and Kennington, Stovall, and Kennington again homered in the bottom of the first and they led 12-1.  The homers continued especially from Kennington who had 3 HR and 9 RBI and Stovall who had 4 HR.  Stovall actually was hit by pop fly during the game and it knocked out his tooth and they found it and Doc the umpire who is a dentist apparently glued it back in and Ryan stayed in the game…

Backmans Neil Haglund homers



Game #20 Recap

Combat jumped out of the gate with homers by Greinert and Maggard and played solid ball offensively and defensively but Smash It Sports power was just too much.  Smash It hit homers from top to bottom in the lineup, 24 homers in all, a tournament high, and Kyle Pearson hit one estimated on Flight Scope at 492 feet!   The Smash It home run barrage led to a 36-21 win and Combat who played almost didn't even deserve to lose.  Helmer had 4 HR in the game.

Helmer had 4 HR



Friday, September 23rd (Day Three)

Game #25 Recap

Top 1st – 3rd Streets Kessler 2 run HR.  up 3-0
Bot 1st – Kanaby 2 run homer for Scene.  3-3

Top 2nd – Kesslery GRAND SLAM up 9-3
Bot 2nd – Granados 2 out single gives Scene a 10-9 lead

Top 3rd – Byars 2 run triple 12-10
Bot 3rd – Brungardt 2 run HR 14-13 Scene

Top 4th – Branch makes a great play at 3rd to get Tabler.  3rd Street puts up zero.
Bot 4th – Kanaby 2 run HR 21-13 Scene

Top 5th – Granados at SS for Scene makes a leaping catch holding 3rd Street to 1 run

Top 6th – 3rd Street goes down in order



Game #26 Recap

Top 1st – SIS Scott Kirby and Kyle Pearson hit 2 run HR's.  Kirby hits another 3 run HR.  SIS leads 12-0
Bot 1st – Haglund and Logan 2 run doubles.  Vitcak 2 run single.  Backman down 7-12

Top 2nd – Wolf 2 run HR
Bot 2nd – Stovall 3 run HR.  14-14 after 2 innings

Bot 5th – Put up a zero

Top 6th – Wegman 2 run HR gives SIS a 24-18 lead
Bot 6th – Powers and Yates each with 2 run HR.  Backman down 22-24

Top 7th – Filby, Umschied, Wegman, Helmer, Clark all homer!  SIS up 36-22
Bot 7th – Schulte 2 run single.  Kennington 3 run HR.  Backman loses 36-28

Helmer adds another homer to his all time Major World Series record!



Championship Saturday, September 24th (Day Four)

Game #29 Recap – 5th Place Game

Top 1st – Tabler 2 run homer for 3rd Street up 3-0
Bot 1st – Greinert 3 run homer for Combat.  John Williams 2 run homer also.  Combat up 6-3

Top 2nd – 3rd Street puts up a zero
Bot 2nd – Billy Maggard hits a GRAND SLAM Combat up 11-3

Bot 3rd – 3rd Street shortstop Tommie Melton makes a great play on LC Watson

Top 4th – J Williams makes 2 nice plays at 3rd for Combat.  Combat up 11-5
Bot 4th – Rogowski 2 run homer, Combat up 15-5

Top 5th – Evans 2 run double.  Folsom 2 run bloop double.  8 Run inning.  3rd Street down 15-13
Bot 5th – Rulli 2 run single. Greinert 2 run homer.  Up 19-13

Top 6th – Magnum hits a 3 run homer to tie 19-19
Bot 6th – Washington hits the flags with a grand slam.  Williams 2 run homer.  10 run inning for Combat up 29-19

Top 7th – 3rd Street puts up a zero

Greinert 2 homers and 6 RBI



Game #30 Recap – 5th Place Game

Top 1st – Resmondo goes down 1-2-3
Bot 1st – Backmans Kennington and Yates hit 2 run homers.  Resmondo gets a bases loaded doubleplay.  Backman up 5-0

Top 2nd – Reyna hits 2 run homer.  Sanchez a 3 run homer.  Santana a 2 run single.  Resmondo with a 10 run inning up 10-5
Bot 2nd – Haglund 2 run single.  Resmondo's Payne robs Yates in right field.  Schulte 2 run single.  Lloyd and Kennington hit 3 run homers.  Backman up 16-10 on 11 run inning

Top 3rd – Resmondo puts up a zero
Bot 3rd – Logan hits a 2 run single.  Powers a 2 run homer.  22-10 Backman

Top 4th – Collins hits a 2 run triple.  Resmondo down 10
Bot 4th – Backman puts up a zero

Top 5th – Logan makes a nice long running catch.  Resmondo down 22-18
Bot 5th – Backman puts up a zero.  Nobody wants this game.

Top 6th – Resmondo adds 4 runs to tie it at 22
Bot 6th – Harvey hits a pinch hit 2 run homer.  Backman 4 runs but Logan thrown out at 3rd as Purcell blocks the base nicely.  Backman up 26-22

Top 7th – Resmondo goes down 1-2-3 and is eliminated

Harvey celebrates a homer



Game #31 Recap – Winner's Bracket Championship Game!

Top 1st – Wegman 2 run homer.
Bot 1st – Wegman makes a great catch.  Granados 2 run triple.  7-3 Scene up

Top 2nd – SIS goes down 1-2-3
Bot 2nd – Guill makes a great catch in CF and Scene leads 8-3 after 2 innings.

Top 3rd – Scene gets a doubleplay and holds SIS scoreless
Bot 3rd – Branch doubled off 2nd on what the replay shows could be a bad call.  Scene up 10-3

Top 4th – Whaley robs Reckart on another great play.  Kirby hits a 3 run homer.  Pearson a 2 run homer.  Clark is thrown out at 2nd trying for a double.  11 run 4th for SIS they are up 14-10
Bot 4th – Laski 2 run homer.  Scene down 1

Top 5th – Bryson Baker 2 run single.  Wolf pinch hit RBI double.  Kirby a 3 run homer.  SIS scores 9 and up 24-13
Bot 5th – Dillon 3 run homer.  Scene down 8

Top 6th – Umschied 3 run triple.  SIS up 30-16
Bot 6th – Whaley, Branch, Brungardt all homer but SIS CF Westy Guill makes an unbelievable catch on Dillon.  Costantino hits a 3 run homer.  Scene down 30-25

Top 7th – Williams 2 run single and Clark a 2 run homer.  SIS up 35-25
Bot 7th – Wegman in LF robs Brungardt of a homer to end the game.



Game #32 Recap – Loser's semifinal

Combat up 2-1 after two innings.

Top 3rd – Washington 2 run homer.  Combat up 4-1
Bot 3rd – Kennington hit a GRAND SLAM.  Stovall a 3 run homer.  And Kennington hit a 3 run homer in the same inning.  13 runs in the inning for Backman who leads 14-6

Top 4th – Washington hit a 3 run homer.  Combat down 11-14

Bot 5th – Backman hits 4 home runs up 19-12

Top 6th – Logan makes a great catch against the wall.  Pearson 2 run triple ties the game at 19-19.  Backman gets a DP and are down 20-19 to Combat.
Bot 6th – Yates homer ties the game and Backman leads 21-20 after 6 complete innings.

Top 7th – Greinert hits it to the wall with 2 on but it is caught and Backman wins 21-20.



Game #33 Recap – Loser's bracket final

Top 1st – Dillon hit a solo.  Scene up 2-0
Bot 1st – Yates 3 run homer for the lead.  Whaley made a great play in the middle to end the 1st inning.  Backman up 4-2

Top 2nd – Kendrick hit a 2 run homer.  Branch a 2 run double.  Scene up 6-4
Bot 2nd – Haglund fouls out as wind pushes his second ball foul again.  Yates hit a 3 run homer to give Backman a 8-7 lead

Top 3rd – Scene put up a zero.
Bot 3rd – Haglund 3 run homer.  Backman up 15-7.

Top 4th – Scene puts up another zero.
Bot 4th – Powers 2 run triple.  Haglund 2 run homer.  Castillo 3 run inside the park homer.  Kennington a walk off run rule single 27-7.

Haglund grabs one at the fence



Game #34 Recap – Championship Game

Top 1st – SIS goes down 1-2-3
Bot 1st – Bazat robs Kennington of hit, Haglund 2 run homer.  Yates Solo.  Castillo 2 run homer.  5-0 Backman

Top 2nd – Pearson 2 run HR.  Clark double but thrown out at 3rd base.  Wolf 2 run homer.  SIS down 4-5.
Bot 2nd – Backman doesn't score.

Top 3rd – Helmer 2 run homer.  Clark 2 run homer.  Filby Solo.  Haglund robs Bazat in RF to end inning.  SIS up 10-5
Bot 3rd – Harvey 2 run homer.  SIS up 10-7.

Top 4th – Kyle Pearson hit a GRAND SLAM.  Clark hit a solo.  Wolf inside the park 2 RBI.  SIS up 19-7
Bot 4th – Powers and Kennington hit solos to cut the SIS lead to 19-10.

Top 5th – Helmer hit a 2 run homer, Pearson a solo, and Bazat hit a GRAND SLAM.  SIS up 26-10
Bot 5th – Backman went 1-2-3.

Smash It Sports is your 2016 USSSA Major World Series Champions!!!


 

The tournament was well played with so many great infield plays and outfielder plays on the fence.  There were 8 of the top conference umpires who did a great job particularly on the strike zone I thought.  There were probably 20 close calls that the livestream showed replays on and the umpires were correct on about 17 of them which is incredible.  Smash It won from the #4 seed, The Scene as the #3 seed was so close in that winner's final but just couldn't quite get the bounces and Smash It made 4 incredible plays on the fence to win it.  Congratulations to Smash It Sports on their performance in overpowering their opponents on the biggest stage but also making big defensive plays when needed.  The livestream set records.  One game was watched by over 54,000 viewers and had a facebook "reach" of over 1.1 million.  Bernie and the livestream crew did a great job, the tournament was well ran, it didn't rain for any of the world tournaments this year and the competition was top notch.  Will the Major ever return to Disney or will it move to the new USSSA complex in Viera, Florida?  We don't know but lets enjoy this years tournaments and worry about that next year.

 

Team Breakdown:
18 Teams Overall
17 Nationwide Conference USSSA Teams
5 Major Teams
10 'AA' Teams
2 'A' Teams
1 Military Champion

 

Filip Washington of Combat hits one past Backman pitcher Andy Vitcak in the loser's semi final

Resmondo pitcher Andy Purcell tags out Backman runner Brian Logan in the 5th place game

3rd Streets Dave Kessler hits against combat pitcher LC Watson in the 5th place game

Scenes Jason Branch hits against 3rd Streets Cam Byars in the winner's semi finals

Smash It Sports MVP Kyle Pearson hits against Backman in the winner's bracket semi finals

Xtreme hits against Line Drive back on Field #5

Resmondos BJ Fulk hits against Line Drive in one of the best games of the tournament

The largest crowd was for the Home Run Derby Friday night

They used the Dudley Thunder Heat ball this year

Bat testing was in full effect and bats that failed or broke were cut open

 


 

Oldscout pollers only had Smash It Sports at 12% to win

 


 

Video Highlites brought to you by:

Day One BHR vs Scene video clips

Day One video clips

Day Two video clips

Day Three video clips

Day Four video clips

 


 

Long Bombers of the Week

There are a number of Long Bombers of the week.

1st is Brett Helmer who set the all time record for Homer's at the Major World Series with his 121st pictured here.

He went on to hit 10 more during the tournament and was Offensive MVP

 

The 2nd Long Bomber award goes to Jeremy Yates who hit the most homers in the tournament (14) and won the $1,000 for the Home Run Derby,

defeating Bubba Mack who was 2nd, Davis Bilardello was 3rd, and Ryan Harvey was 4th.  In his first round Harvey also hit 2 over the scoreboard.

 

And the 3rd Long Bomber award goes to Vivids Isaac Gonzalez and 3rd Streets Jason Magnum who were the only two to hit it over the Scoreboard during a game this year that I am aware of.

 


 

 Major Awards and Final Standings

Player Tournament Awards Players Name Plays For
Tournament MVP Kyle Pearson Smash it Sports/ASP/H.Auto/Mr.Wiggl
Offensive Tournament MVP Brett Helmer Smash it Sports/ASP/H.Auto/Mr.Wiggl
Defensive Tournament MVP Brian Logan Backman Louisville Slugger
All Tournament Team Dennis Rulli TEAM COMBAT/BAUGHFORD.COM
All Tournament Team Brett Helmer Smash it Sports/ASP/H.Auto/Mr.Wiggl
All Tournament Team Chris Greinert TEAM COMBAT/BAUGHFORD.COM
All Tournament Team Brian Zirkle TEAM COMBAT/BAUGHFORD.COM
All Tournament Team Kevin Filby Smash it Sports/ASP/H.Auto/Mr.Wiggl
All Tournament Team Brian Wegman Smash it Sports/ASP/H.Auto/Mr.Wiggl
All Tournament Team Bryson Baker Smash it Sports/ASP/H.Auto/Mr.Wiggl
All Tournament Team Greg Connell Resmondo Specialty Tank Worth
All Tournament Team Jeremy Yates Backman Louisville Slugger
All Tournament Team Travis Clark Smash it Sports/ASP/H.Auto/Mr.Wiggl
All Tournament Team Keith Laski Scene/Albicocco/Worth/Miken/Monsta
All Tournament Team Kevin Kennington Backman Louisville Slugger
All Tournament Team Scott Kirby Smash it Sports/ASP/H.Auto/Mr.Wiggl
All Tournament Team Dale Brungardt Scene/Albicocco/Worth/Miken/Monsta
All Tournament Team Brian Logan Backman Louisville Slugger
All Tournament Team Kyle Pearson Smash it Sports/ASP/H.Auto/Mr.Wiggl
All Tournament Team Erik Kanaby Scene/Albicocco/Worth/Miken/Monsta
All Tournament Team Brandon Dillon Scene/Albicocco/Worth/Miken/Monsta
All Tournament Team Lee Powers Backman Louisville Slugger
All Tournament Team Tommy Melton 3rd Street/Louisville Slugger
All Tournament Team Ryan Stovall Backman Louisville Slugger
All Tournament Manager Billy Messina Smash it Sports/ASP/H.Auto/Mr.Wiggl
Place State Team Team
Class
Wins Losses Ties Runs
Scored
Runs
Allow
Avg
Runs
Avg
Allow
Avg
Diff
Max
Runs
USSSA
Points
1 NY – Cicero smash it sports/asp/h.auto/mr.wiggl USSSA-SPMensMajor 5 0 0 155 99 31 19.8 11.2 36 650
2 IN – Aurora backman louisville slugger USSSA-SPMensMajor 5 2 0 160 134 22.8 19.1 3.71 28 350
3 NY – Commack scene/albicocco/worth/miken/monsta USSSA-SPMensMajor 3 2 0 109 116 21.8 23.2 -1.4 29 300
4 WA – Kent TEAM COMBAT/BAUGHFORD.COM USSSA-SPMensMajor 4 2 0 151 107 25.1 17.8 7.33 32 250
5 FLS – Winter Haven resmondo specialty tank worth USSSA-SPMensMajor 3 2 0 114 123 22.8 24.6 -1.8 32 200
5 OH – West Chester 3rd street/louisville slugger USSSA-Mens-AA 2 2 0 97 93 24.2 23.2 1 38 200
7 MI – Warren Line Drive Sportz/Easton USSSA-Mens-AA 3 2 0 94 86 18.8 17.2 1.6 26 150
7 WA – Bothell newbreed/gts/beus excavation/dirtys USSSA-Mens-AA 2 2 0 81 66 20.2 16.5 3.75 27 150
9 OH – Cincinnati OH & /Indianapolis IN tg/red's astros/headlines/k&g/worth USSSA-Mens-AA 2 2 0 84 94 21 23.5 -2.5 31 110
9 IL – Chicago Precision USSSA-Mens-AA 1 2 0 37 53 12.3 17.6 -5.3 16 110
9 WY – Casper Team Racks/Miken/Sonny's USSSA-Mens-AA 1 2 0 46 55 15.3 18.3 -3 21 110
9 MN – Medina Xtreme/Miken USSSA-Mens-AA 1 2 0 61 62 20.3 20.6 -0.3 32 110
13 OH – Kent JBL/Tailgaters/B&E/Worth USSSA-Mens-A 1 2 0 40 43 13.3 14.3 -1 24 70
13 TXN – Frisco Vivid/Worth/Klutch USSSA-Mens-AA 1 2 0 54 63 18 21 -3 25 70
13 TXN – Gladewater bhr/coppermine lodge/asp/worth USSSA-Mens-A 0 2 0 50 57 25 28.5 -3.5 25 70
13 NC – Wilmington TM Sports/Mizuno USSSA-Mens-AA 0 2 0 23 34 11.5 17 -5.5 16 70
17 FLN – Jacksonville Militia/4TheFallen frozen SPMnAFA 0 2 0 10 49 5 24.5 -19. 6 40
17 FLP – Pace team adiktiv/energy system/worth USSSA-Mens-B 0 2 0 14 46 7 23 -16 7 40

Smash It Sports MVP Kyle Pearson

Smash It Sports Offensive MVP Brett Helmer

Backman Defensive MVP Brian Logan

The All World tournament team

 


 

Team by team notes brought to you by:

 

1st Place Smash It Sports/ASP/H.Auto/MrWiggles/RDD/Easton

Major from NY  5-0 Record

What a great 4 days for Smash It Sports who dismantled the competition with pure power averaging over 13 home runs per game when many teams didn't hit 13 for the tournament.  They also turned up the defense a notch especially in that winner's bracket finals against Scene where they made 4 spectacular plays, 2 by Wegman in left field, and 2 by Westy Guill in center field, and the team made no errors in the game which was the difference.  Clark pitched to his defense and hit 10 HR.  Filby turned it up a notch, Pearson was a deserving MVP at .909 with 12 HR, and Helmer had a huge weekend earning Offensive MVP and setting the all time home run record for the World Series.  The role players chipped in and the team averaged 30 runs a game which is amazing.  Everyone turned it up a notch and they finished the season the way they started it in Las Vegas, with a huge win.

Wegman robs a homer to end the game against Scene

Had to get all the team pictures with the different sponsors

Travis Clark and some good defense shut down Backman in the finals and Scene in the winner's finals

 


 

2nd Place Backman Louisville Slugger

Major from IN  5-2 Record

 

Backman came up short of the finish they worked so hard to get.  They didn't score or hit for the power that Smash It did and didn't match their energy when they got down in the championship game.  But one subpar 24 hour stretch shouldn't tarnish a season that witnessed Backman rise to the #1 spot in points, the HOF Classic, Columbus, the Dudley, Cincinnati, and the Conference Championships.  Yates completed an unbelievable MVP season with the most homer's at the major (14) and won the $1,000 for winning the HR Derby.  Kennington had 12 HR and 30 RBI, Harvey at one point had a huge pinch hit homer during their run in the loser's bracket, and Ryan Stovall who at one point got his tooth knocked out showed that he may be the best all around shortstop in the game today.  Backman has a lot to be proud of and maybe some incentive to come back in 2017 even more hungry…

Sponsors Jerry Backman and Scott Sunderland accept the 2nd place trophy

SS Ryan Stovall had a tooth knocked out during the event but had an incredible first full season at Major

His entire front tooth was knocked out and was found (needle in a haystack) cleaned and reimplanted into place.

He wore a mouth guard the rest of the game and visited a 24 hour dentist to have the tooth stabilized later that night. 

 


 

3rd Place Scene/Albicocco/Worth/Miken/Monsta

Major from NY  3-2 Record

 

The Scene was SO CLOSE to shocking the softball world…again.  They took care of business and made it to the winner's bracket finals where Smash It basically played a near perfect defensive game against them and those 4 balls robbed on the fence, 3 of which could have been homers, was probably the difference.  Scene almost capped an amazing season with a true storybook ending and got solid performances from most everyone.  I'm sure the players will get many offers and be pulled in many directions for 2017 but it would be great if most can stick together and fill any holes they need and come back stronger next year.

 

Bill Pinkham and Erik Kanaby in action

Dillon robs a homer

Kendrick the manager of the year with the troops

CF Cory Newman makes another great catch

 


 

4th Place Team Combat/BaughFord.com

Major from WA  4-2 Record

 

Combat had one of their best tournaments of the season sporting a nice .615 average and over 24 runs per game.  The offense was strong led by Chris Greinert who looked like he did back a few years ago with Nordkap.  Rogowski provided the left handed power and in their game with Smash It Sports they actually played well enough to win but that was the game Smash It hit a tournament high 24 homers in so no one was going to beat them that game.  Rulli added to some of his Major World Series career numbers and the team ended the USSSA season with a nice 4th place finish.  We say goodbye to Combat as a softball bat company and thank them for all the great years, memories, and sacrifices they made for this game.  Rumors have some of their players keeping a Major team together with an old sponsor or two returning to the game.  I hope that works out.

Dennis Rulli just keeps on getting hits at the Major

 

 


 

Tied 5th Place Resmondo Specialty Tank Worth

Major from FL  3-2 Record

Resmondo had a rough end to the 2016 season with the two losses in a row in the Conference championship followed by a 5th place finish here at the Major.  It could have been worse if not for the comeback win of the tournament over Line Drive that went to extra innings.  Mack replaced Salas at third base.  Dan Sanchez had a tremendous performance playing 1st base and hitting 5 homers in 11 at bats.  And Dedonatis and Salas among others got banged up towards the end of the season which didn't help them in a year it turns out everyone needed to be healthy and on their game to beat Backman, Scene, and Smash It Sports on the big stage.  Look for Resmondo to rebound and give it at least one more go around at a final title in 2017.

Backup pitcher Dan Sanchez hit some clutch homers and moved into starting first base

 

BJ Fulk hits a walkoff to beat Line Drive after being down 9 runs

 


 

Tied 5th Place 3rd Street/Louisville Slugger

'AA' from OH  2-2 Record

3rd Street shocked the softball world with a huge win over Resmondo in the quarterfinals after knocking off Newbreed in their first game.  The game against Resmondo may have been the best game a lower class team has ever played against Resmondo in the history of the Major World Series.  After they got Resmondo down early they never let up and finished the game in an adrenaline rushed offensive blowout of epic proportions.  A true memory for these players and the epic homers hit by Kessler, Magnum, and Justin Evans and the clutch hits by almost everyone in the lineup will be etched in our minds for years to come.  They beat Resmondo 38-11 and pitcher Cam Byars had 4 huge hits in that game.

I have removed 3rd Streets team stats as they are being reviewed for errors

3rd Baseman Chad Folsom stabs a liner to preserve a big early win over Newbreed

Both teams congratulate the retiring Bobby Noeth who threw out a sort of ceremonial first pitch.

He was injured towards the end of the season.  He has played upper ball since the late 1980's and made all conference 2 years ago in his 50's

Yes, that just happened.  One of those is a 17

 


 

Other top finishing Conference teams

 


 

Tied 7th Place – Line Drive Sportz/Easton

'AA' from MI  3-2 Record

Line Drive should have finished 5th.  They somehow gave up a huge lead over Resmondo in a game that will go down as one of the strangest finishes in World Series history with all the chances Line Drive had to close out the game but came up short.  On the bright side Line Drive got a couple wins at the major and they won and lost as a team.  I don't know what will happen to this team in the offseason but it would be great to see them re-emerge at the top of the AA division. 

 


 

Tied 7th Place – Newbreed/GTS/Beus Excavation/DirtySports/Worth

'AA' from WA  2-2 Record

Gastineau had 4 homers against 3rd Street

Newbreed was upset by 3rd Street in their opener and they never quite got it going all week.  Rockoff and Gastineau powered the offense at times but the team only scored 9 runs against Combat in their final game and had the bats in their hands in the 3rd Street loss by two runs.  There are lots of rumors swirling around Newbreed and what direction (Major or AA) they will go in in the offseason.  Any way they go they should still be a top 8 team.

Newbreeds stats are being reviewed

 


 

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Send corrections to dw@softballcenter.com

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Link to all 2009 to 2016 Tournament Reports and Previews

Nationwide Conference USSSA Points Link

 


 

Some more pictures for you:

 

Xtreme finished tied for 9th at 1-2


TG/Red's Astros finished tied for 9th at 2-2


Team Racks was tied for 9th at 1-2


Precision was 1-2 and tied for 9th.  Played Resmondo tough


JBL/Tailgaters finished tied for 13th at 1-2


Vivid was tied for 13th at 1-2


Adiktiv was last at 0-2.  Still a great story even qualifying for the Major


Militia/4TheFallen was last at 0-2.  Still represented the Military as champs well.


BHR's Matt Schrage made this incredible catch against the Scene.  

BHR went 0-2 but had Scene on the ropes!

'

BHR finished tied for 13th at 0-2 but gave Scene all they could handle with that dramatic 9 run 7th!


A nice pano of the stadium


TM Sports went 0-2, my apologies I forgot to get a team picture

 

Militia 1B Scott Martins dad was Mike Martin from the famed Bell Corp team.  Mike was a professional hitter.

Rick Robertson UIC and the Conference Umpires

Tournament directors Elliot Clark and Stro Kennison

Don Cooper and Bernie Guenther call the game on MLB.com

The war room where the livestream is created

The USSSA regional directors give out the awards

The Major Managers meeting kicked things off

Will the Major ever be back at Disney?  We don't know

Zirkle tries to win a bet by sliding all the way down the grassy knoll

Now thats a way to celebrate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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