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2017 USSSA ‘AA’ World Tournament preview!

 
 

 

USSSA 'AA' World Tournament

 

September 16-17

 

Tournament Preview

 

 


2017 USSSA 'AA' World Bracket Link

The 2017 USSSA 'AA' World Tournament will be played this coming Saturday and Sunday, September 16-17 and has been moved to the Osceola Softball Complex because of damage at the Fortune Road Athletic Complex in Kissimmee, Florida due to hurricane Irma.  10 of the best non-major teams in the nation will battle it out double elimination style to crown a deserving champion.  The tournament starts at 3 PM Eastern time on Saturday with the majority of the tournament played throughout the day into early evening and just 4 teams coming back on Sunday.  

The past 3 seasons the 'AA' champ has come from the #4 seed or lower with #5 Linedrive winning in 2014, Fence Brokers in 2015 who was even lower than #5, and #4 seeded Precision a year ago.  The favorites are #3 Precision who has been hot of late winning the Conference Championships and finishing 2nd in Cincinnati, #1 Worth Astros who have been the top 'AA' team all year, and #2 Nightmare who came on strong in the 2nd half of the season.  

Livestreaming has been cancelled for the Women's Major and 'AA' Worlds this weekend due to lack of internet and power problems.   

I will probably fire up my internet radio in the chat room and maybe announce the 'AA' Winner's final Saturday and the Championship on Sunday.  We will have to play that by ear and see if there is enough bandwidth.  

And of course the chat room here at SoftballCenter.com will be up as well to discuss the games live.


  10 Teams Overall
  10 Nationwide Conference USSSA Teams
   8 'AA' Teams
   2 'A' Teams

The USSSA 'AA' World Tournament is played with Conference rules – no floating rubber, foul on second strike is out, and an 12 home run limit.    

When you think of Worlds in Florida, one guy that always comes to mind is manager Fred Budnarowski who's teams performed in the post season and he won championships with Line Drive and Bud Light in recent years.

This year Fred is battling cancer and I just want him to know the softball world is thinking about him.

 


 

The Teams!

#1 IN – Worth Astros/K&G/Klutch – 14-6 vs 'AA' teams this year.  Astros won the Circle City Classic back in April and were the highest finishing 'AA' team at both Hall of Fame Classic tournaments and the Dudley.  Second baseman Steve Edwards leads the team in hitting and Chad Mullins is one of the premier power hitters in the game.  Bill Pinkham who had huge success as a Conference rookie pitcher in 2016 with Albicocco anchors the middle of the defense, and the smooth gloves of Conference rookie shortstop Ricardo Lizcano and Troy Krider up the middle complement the fence climbing center fielder Josh Kirsten.  You throw in some veteran hitters like Stephany, Ortiz, Oneal, and Roop to go with the late addition of infielder Dal Beggs and you have all the pieces to be successful.  As we have stated in the past when a team going to worlds has twice as many in division wins as losses, they usually have a good chance to win the tournament.  Astros is 1-2 vs Xtreme who is the next highest seed in their part of the bracket.  All 3 were close games.

 


 

#2 MO – Nightmare/Miken – 3-9 vs 'AA' teams this year.  Nightmare had a rough start to the season although they finished 2nd at the Space City Classic.  With their season in flux and looking on the outside in at making the Major World Series, they began a big second half run winning 5 games at the Dudley, finishing 4th at the Smoky Mountain Classic (highest AA team), and following that up with a 4th place finish in Columbus (again highest AA team).  That run catapulted them to 8th in the Conference points standings and the #2 seed at the 'AA' world.  They did recently lose left fielder Zane Trammell to a season ending injury but before Columbus picked up middle infielder Tommie Melton who has been a spark.  The Nightmare offense is led by power hitters Billy Maggard (96 homers) and 3rd baseman Charlie Hinojosa (80 HR) and center fielder Ben Dunn who has 138 extra base hits out of 199 hits!  The defense is led by all conference pitcher Wes Newell.


 


 

#3 IL – Precision/3rd Street/GBrand/Easton – 13-5 vs 'AA' teams this year.  Precision got off to a slow start this year posting a lot of 2-2 and 3-2 weekends.  Then they scored 5 wins at the Dudley and in Cincinnati went 8-2 and finished 2nd while knocking off 3 major teams in a row (Newbreed, Dan Smith, and Resmondo).  Then two weeks ago they went 4-0 to win the Conference Championships last chance qualifier tournament.  Precision is again peaking at the right time but have a much different team than their 'AA' team that won 'AA' Worlds a year ago.  Pitching is now lefty veterans Dan Bean and Lossen White.  Their defense is led by middle man Jeff Keske.  And their offense is led by veteran sluggers Brad Tabler, Brett McCollum, Dave Kessler, and the return of 3rd baseman Matt Rear.  The rookie center fielder Travis Houseman has a great motor.  They added Kyle Cowart to the outfield late in the year, and they have some more veteran bats in Keith Anderson and Frank Fracek.  This team is deep and you have to like the 13-5 record vs 'AA' teams.

 



#4 MN – Xtreme/Miken/ASP/Athlon – 8-10 vs 'AA' teams this year.  Xtreme never did get over that hump of making it to Sunday of a tournament or beating those top Major teams which they came so close to doing on multiple occassions.  Is it possible that means they saved their best for last?  Absolutely.  They never had a losing record on any weekend and played all of the top tournaments.  They are 6-1 vs 'A' teams but start with the top 'A' team in the tournament Baugh Ford.  Xtreme is led by 3rd baseman Shannon Smith (.711, 52 HR), and the lefty outfielders Patrick Ellwanger (.708, 60 HR) and Colin Baartman (.688, 45 HR).  The team picked up veteran pitcher Danny Evans to help their regular lefty Dirk Updike and recently got injured outfielder Cole Campbell back.  If there ever was a time for this team to roll, it is now.

 



#5 GA – Baugh Ford/Adiktiv/Worth/Miken – Just 2-9 vs 'AA' teams this year, Baugh Ford is the highest ranked 'A' team in the nation.  Rumor has it they are missing a few key players like shortstop Jonathan Rasberry which could slow them down.  After a poor showing at the 'A' World this team should be hungry to play the upset role at the 'AA' and Major over the next 10 days!  Keep an eye on 3rd baseman Chad Folsom who is having a monster year (.753, 60 HR).
 

 


 

#6 TX – OA Apparel/Broughton/KBI/Easton – OA is 6-11 vs 'AA' teams this year.  They got off to a pretty good early season start points wise, especially after their 7 wins and 3rd place finish at the Choo Choo Classic in Tennessee back in early May.  They also finished as the highest 'AA' team at the Seattle Dual #2 when they made it to the championship game.  The lineup may be as good as any in 'AA' with Filip Washington at .828 and outfielders Brad Lunda and Steele Lewis and shortstop Zach Messer not far behind.  Then you throw in Tim Bowser who is one of the best career power hitters at Fortune Road and guys like Curtis Stewart and you quickly see that offense shouldn't be an issue this weekend.  Their opening game against Precision is a bit of a grudge match since both sponsors are from Illinois and know each other well.  OA is just 1-4 vs Precision this year.

 



#7 The Scene/HDLNS/BHR/Easton

#7 OH – The Scene/HDLNS/BHR/Easton – 7-7 vs 'AA' teams this year.  Scene/HDLNS is an interesting team.  They have played Worth/Astros very well this year.  They finished 2nd at the Hoosier Classic and an impressive 3rd at the Windy City Major.  They had a 13-6 record in the middle of the season in Conference play but then closed out the year 4-4.  And they were the 3rd highest AA team in the SoftballCenter.com computer rankings.  The team is capable of a run at 'AA' Worlds but starts out with the play in game so extra games are not going to help.

 



#8 NC – TDB/TMSports/MidwestWhiteTail/Miken – 7-7 vs 'AA' teams.  TDB has tweaked on the roster all year long adding players like MI Orlando Castillo, Catcher Chitty Baggs, pitcher Aaron Lewicki, and infielders Jesse Campanelli and Jeff Roxby.  They had some good tournaments at the Peach State classic, Windy City Major, 5 wins at the Smoky, and went 6-2 and finished 2nd at the Conference Championships to earn the last berth to the Major World Series.  The team can get hot in the loser's bracket but what about the winner's bracket?  They are 1-0 against their first round opponent Classic Glass.

 



#9 CA – Classic Glass/Easton – Classic is just 1-5 vs 'AA' teams this year.  Classic had 4 wins in Las Vegas to start the year and finished 3rd in Euless, Texas where they won 7 games and was the highest finishing 'AA' team.  But its been a tough road the rest of the way.  There is a lot of talent on this team though and especially offensively they can be strong.  They also added pitcher Tyson Steele before the roster deadline.

 



#10 Primetime/Easton

#10 GA Primetime/Easton – Primetime is 2-7 vs 'AA' teams this year and only had a good tournament at the Peach State where they were 4-2 and sent home Worth Astros.  Primetime made a run in the 'AA' Worlds last year though after a tough season so don't take them lightly.

 


 

 

2017 'AA' World picks brought to you by ASPNation.com!

 

Shea Nations picks:

This weekend the AA World Tournament will take place in Kissimmee, FL with 10 teams in attendance with all 10 from the Nationwide Conference USSSA.  The #1 overall seed Worth Astros will try to win and gain momentum for next weekend's Major World Series.  The other teams looking to upset the favorite are: Nightmare/Miken, Precision/3rd Street and Xtreme/Miken/ASP/Athlon.

Predictions:  The final 4 undefeated should be: Precision versus Nightmare and Worth Astros versus Xtreme.  Any 4 of the final four teams is capable of winning the tournament.  I predict the hottest team to end the season Nightmare to beat Precision and Xtreme in the undefeated game.  It will be exciting tournament to watch in anticipation of which teams will get upset.

Shea Nation's Final Picks for the AA World Tournament are:
1st Xtreme/Miken
2nd Nightmare/Miken
3rd Worth Astros
4th Precision/3rd Street
5th The Scene/HDLN
5th TDB/TMSports/Mizuno

 


2017 'AA' World Poll Results:

The oldscout pollers have gone with Precision 26% to 23% over Worth Astros

 


 

Osceola Softball Complex 
1900 Ball Park Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Fences are 300 feet

 

 


 

Weekend Weather

 

The extended track of Hurrican Jose shows it going north up into the New York area.

But you never know if Jose's outer bands of wind and rain will reach Kissimmee this weekend.

The actual forecast looks like a typical Florida weekend with a chance of thunderstorms.

 


 

Past USSSA 'AA' World Champs

(Note: this tournament changed from 'A' Worlds to 'AA' in 2016)

 

2016 Winner – Precision

2016 USSSA 'AA' World tournament report link

 


 

2015 Winner – Fence Brokers Inc/Buzini/Worth

2015 USSSA 'A' World tournament report link

 


 

2014 Winner – Line Drive Sportz/R&M Metals/Easton

2014 USSSA 'A' World tournament report link

 


2013 Winner – Nordkap/Suncoast Reebok

2013 USSSA 'A' World tournament report link

 


 

2012 Winner – R&M Metals/Troupe/Pipac/S&R/Easton

2012 USSSA 'A' World tournament report link

2011 USSSA 'A' World tournament report link

2010 USSSA 'A' World tournament report link


 

Past tournament results

2016 Results
1 IL-AA Precision
2 WA-AA Newbreed/GTS/Beus Excavation/Dirtysportswear/Worth
3 MI-AA Line Drive Sportz/Easton
4 MN-AA Xtreme/Miken

2015 Results
1 AR-A Fence Brokers Inc/Buzini/Worth
2 IL-A Precision/Easton/DO
3 NY-A Albicocco/The Scene/Easton
4 WA-A Combat/Northwest Athletics

2014 Results
1 MI-A Line Drive Sportz/R&M Metals/Easton
2 IL-B Precision/Easton
3 IN-A Red's Astros/Louisville Slugger
4 AL-A Baugh Doerflinger National-Pawn/Easton

2013 Results
1 MN-A Nordkap/Suncoast Reebok
2 IN-A Red's Astros/Slugger/Stucco/Dirty
3 NY-A Albicocco/The Scene/Easton
4 MI-A Line Drive Sportz/SSS/Miken

2012 Results
1 IA-A R&M Metals/troupe/pipac/s&r/easton
2 VA-A Taylormade/tm sports/mizuno
3 MI-B Line Drive sportz/sss softball
4 NY-A TYJA – Suncoast Reebok

2011 Results
1 VA-A Team 454 Emerald/Worth
2 IA-A R&M Metals/troupe/tcp/easton
3 TX-A Wood law/mizuno/famous/easton
4 IL-A EWS/shirtsandlogos/drgraphx/easton 

2010 Results
1 WA-A GTL CARTEL/WORTH
2 WA-A Team Combat / laser vision
3 VA-A Aubrey's/taylormade/mizuno
4 FL-A Suncoast / Reebok 

2009 Results
1 WA-A GTL Cartel/stucco/worth/elite
2 TN-A JeanShoppe/chaneys/easton/sports55
3 FL-A T&R Stucco/Worth
4 WA-A Combat USA/Elite 

2008 Results
1 TN-A Jean Shoppe/Easton
2 WA-A GTL/Creative Stucco/Worth
3 FL-A Suncoast/RBK
4 WI-A Combat USA/elite/pytch blakk 

2007 Results
1 TN-A JEAN SHOPPE / WORTH
2 CA-A KME/CHANEY'S/EASTON
3 AR-A Wood Law/quick roofing/worth
4 GA-A Aubrey's/elite sports/phone masters  

2006 Results
1 MI-A Northwest Pipe/bud light/3n2/easton
2 TN-A Jean Shoppe/team mayhem/worth
3 OH-A Watanabe/katt/ttp/b&a/sup/tps
4 GA-A Aubrey's/MIT/Worth 

2005 Results
1 OH-A Team Stucco/TPS
2 VA-A AMLasVegas/benfield/reece/belcher
3 AR-A Barnes Logging/Worth
4 KY-A BERARDI'S/TEAM LTP/TPS 

2004 Results
1 OH-A Creative Stucco/TPS
2 GA-A AUBREY'S/TPS
3 MN-A O & S /Matheson/ Mizuno
4 MI-A MOUNTAIN TOP/WORTH 

2003 Results
1 MI-A MOUNTAIN TOP/USA CASH/TPS
2 MI-A Northwest Pipe/bud light/3n2/easton
3 GA-A Aubreys/TPS
4 AL-A C&M Sporting Goods/TPS 

2002 Results
1 FL-A FL Heat/nave plbg/joe blach/worth
2 MI-A Mountain Top/Advanced/TPS
3 OH-A Creative Stucco/Easton
4 MI-A NW Pipe/ldj/varsity/bud/easton

2001 Results
1 MI-A MOUNTAIN TOP/TPS
2 MI-A Wartrom / Worth
3 FL-A Team Mizuno
4 KS-A Hooters/B&B/Rew/Easton

2000 Results
1 PA-A Maroadi/frank-n-stein/nike
2 MI-A MOUNTAIN TOP
3 MN-A Kevitt/J&H/Easton
4 KS-A HOOTERS/B&B/EASTON

 


 

 

 

 

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