SPA GIVES BACK TO PLAYERS AND WIVES AT MUSTANG TOURNAMENT

MUSTANG, OKLAHOMA – Add OKLAHOMA hospitality to Southern Hospitality and mix in a little bit of TEXAS “Howdy” and you will end up with a couple of great “Thank You “ hospitality events. Such was the case at the recent SPA MUSTANG CLASSIC.

SPA provided a warm welcome to the players and wives who were attending the tournament at MUSTANG, OKLAHOMA'S WILD HORSE PARK,with not one but two hospitality parties.

“ Sometimes people get so wrapped up in playing the games, we tend to forget some of the more important things in life,”RIDGE HOOKS, President and CEO of SPA said, “ Family is a major part of what we try to emphasis and this tournament offered us (SPA) the opportunity to say “thank you” to the wives who play a huge role in supporting their husbands in senior softball.”

Aided by his “adopted sons” KIP MEEK and SHANNON TAYLR, HOOKS was able to arrange a THURSDAY party for the 65, 70 and 75's and a SATURDAY event for the 50, 55 and 60's. Both functions were held at the MUSTANG SENIOR CENTER.

Thursday night saw MEEK, the Regional Marketing Director for SWADLEY'S BAR-BQUE handle the catering and set-up for the 65, 70 and 75's players and wives. Saturday night TAYLOR, the Marketing Manager for CHICKEN EXPRESS, took his turn at the catering “wheel” for the 50, 55 and 60's husbands and wives.

“The food was outstanding both nights, “HOOKS said, “I was proud of both my sons, they did a great job in setting everything up and following it through to the finish.”

“It was just a great time both nights, “ HOOKS said, “We put softball games on the back burner for a few hours and everyone got to mingle with the players and wives form the other teams. It just made us  all so much more appreciative for the time we get to share with each other because of softball”. 

WILD HORSE PARK IN MUSTANG OKLAHOMA HOSTS SPA NATIONAL QUALIFIER

MUSTANG, OKLAHOMA – According to SPA Assistant National Director LAYLA BRYAN the SPA MUSTANG QUALIFIER turned into a great week-end of exciting softball.

“It was a great tournament,” BRYAN said, “ There were great competitive games in all the divisions and the weather co-operated pretty much which led to an enjoyable tournament for players and fans alike.”

Twenty-five teams squared off at MUSTANG, OKLAHOMA's WILD HORSE PARK ending in the crowning of nine division champions. Both the nine champs and the nine runner-ups also punched their qualifying tickets to the inaugural SPA WORLD SERIES in JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA OCTOBER 31, NOVEMBER 1,2 and 3.

LONE STAR SOFTBALL CLUB took the title in the high scoring 50 PLUS DIVISION beating the K.C. BARONS 19-14 in the championship game. It was one of the lowest run outputs of the tournament for the runner-up BARONS, who earlier had beaten TEAM ARKANSAS 51-21 on the way to scoring 112 runs in their four bracket games.

TEAM ARKANSAS ended up third in the five-team group ahead of 2ND WIND TOUCH OF GRAY and the MAYHEM.

MWC rallied after losing the first game 18-23 in the best two-out-of three to GONZALES INSULATION for the 55 PLUS crown, sweeping the final two games 15-8 and 26-25 to win the championship.

The 60 MAJOR DIVISION also had a best two-out-of-three battle for a championship but the TEXAS MAKULI'S made short work of the K.C. KIDS winning in two straight with 41-26 and 47-24 scores.

The U.S. PATRIOTS had a battle on its hands to win the 60 GOLD crown, hanging on for a 23-20 white knuckle victory over the runner-up DALLAS SPURS. The NATURALS 60's finished third with the K.C. THUNDER taking fourth.

It was hard-luck tournament for fifth place TEAM #454 when after grabbing the second seed for the double-elimination bracket, they went two-and-out losing two close games by 28-26 to the SPURS and 22-20 to the THUNDER.

In another two-out-of three championship decider, the CRACKERBOX beat the TEXAS GRAYHOUNDS 65's 15-12 and 15-0 to win the 65 PLUS DIVISION.

SCRAP IRON LEGACY was crowned champ in the GOLD 70's DIVISION, while the RANGERS of NORTH TEXAS took the 70's SILVER TITLE. Also in the SILVER DIVISION, SMITH FIRE took the runner-up slot followed by the SAN ANTONIO CRACKERS II and MID-AMERICAN PATRIOTS.

The 75's Crown went to the TEXAS GRAYHOUNDS 75's who beat the KANSAS CITY ANTIQUES 15-14 and 24-16 in the best two-out-of three battle,

The TEXAS CLASSICS beat the ROADRUNNERS 20-10 and 20-14 for the 80's title.

All teams who finished first and/or second in the 2012 SPA MUSTANG CLASSIC NATIONAL QUALIFIER earned spots in the inaugural SPA 2012 WORLD SERIES in JACKSONVILLE,FLORIDA October 31 and November 1,2 and 3.

SPA TOURNAMENTS still on the MAY AGENDA with team openings are OHIO FIRST FLIGHT, DAYTON,OHIO 5/17-5/20; MOSQUITO CLASSIC, LITTLE CANADA,MINN 5/17-5/18; SOUTHERN NATIONALS, PENSACOLA, FLA, 5/18-5/20; SPA ROUTE 66 NATIONALS, SPRINGFIELD,MO 5/17-5/20 and the SPA NEBRASKA HALF-CENTURY, OMAHA, NEB, 5/19-5/20 and 5/30-5/31. Information on these and other 2012 SPA events can be found at the SPA tournament web site:

http://www.softball-spa.com/spadata/CalendarPrint.aspx

TED LAWSON'S TOURNAMENT AGAIN TOPS 40 TEAMS

GLEN BURNIE, MARYLAND – Despite three competing tournaments (Brickyard, Raleigh National and ISSA's Spring National) run the same week, the SPA GELN BURNIE CLASSIC outdrew all three with FORTY-FOUR teams competing in the May 3-6 Maryland event.

The key words in the tournament were “what if” as four of the nine divisions went to an “if” game.

In the seven team 50 MAJOR GROUP it was ENR downing the METRO STARS 29-14 in an “IF GAME” after the METRO STARS edged ENR 15-14 to set up the extra game. MID-ATLANTIC finished third followed by the N.E. STORM; ESB RENOVATION; CONECTICUT SPORTS and OMEGA CONSTRUCTION.

The 50 AAA saw RENDA ROAD out duel 1ST NATIONAL BANK 20-19 in the “IF” game after losing to the BANKERS 18-17 to force the extra game. RENDA ROAD also had beaten 1ST NATIONAL 15-11 in the opening round of the three-team grouping. Taking third place was B&H MAINTENANCE.

The “IF”S continued into the 55 MAJORS with HIGH STREET BUC'S to beat SWEET CONSTRUCTION twice, 18-17 and again 20-19 in the “IF” game to win the four-team title. In was a little bit of revenge involved since it was SWEET CONSTRUCTION who sent the BUC'S into the loser's bracket 25-17 earlier in the tournament. OMEGA QSE QUEST finished third with the N.J. HITMEN fourth.

In the six-team 55 AAA bracket PILL& PILL disposed of FAT NANCY/CUBIOTTI 16-12 to claim the championship. BAYDA HEALTH took third place followed by ROADHOUSE BLUES, ROC CITY and FREDDIE'S SHOOTERS.

ROMANS 60'S were good as GOLD taking the seven-team 60+ GOLD DIVISION with a 17-13 win over CENTRAL PA MILLER TIME in the championship game. CENTRAL PA MILLER TIME came up with a herculean effort when after losing their opening game, won four straight coming out of the loser's bracket before running out of gas in the title match with ROMANS.

JERSEY METRO finished third with the VIRGINIA CAVALIERS in fourth. HAWKS NEST, JERSEY MASTERS and CENTRAL PA rounded out the field.

SPICERS PROPERTIES bested the JERSEY MASTERS for the crown in the eight-team 65 + GROUP. STAHL POST #30 was third ahead of HAMEL BUILDERS, MONKEY JOE'S, HAWKS NEST, ANCIENT MARINERS and VIRGINIA CAVALIERS.

It was like the battle of the “HATFIELDS and MCCOYS” in the 70's two-team MAJOR showdown as the HAMEL 70's swept the HAMEL CAVALIERS 19-8 and 20-2 for the title.

PITTSBURGH GOLD got the “monkey off it's back” knocking off MONKEY JOE”S BIG NUT

8-4 in the championship game. The GOLD had also beaten MONKEY JOE's 16-9 in the second round of bracket play, leaving no doubts as to who the better team was..Rounding out the four-team group were PEACHTREE RESTAURANT and the RICHMOND CLASSICS.

MARYLAND BAY SOX may their return to SENIOR SOFTBALL an enjoyable one beating HAMEL'S 75's in another “IF” game by a 17-6 score. HAMEL'S 75'S had taken the BAY SOX to the extra game by beating them 9-3 in the previous game. NAMI CONSTRUCTION was the third team in the 75's group.

“It was a great tournament all the way around,” Tournament Director Ted Lawson said, “Anytime you draw over forty teams to a tournament when there are three other senior tournaments being held at the same time and drawing from the same group of teams, you have had a good tournament,”

“Next year we plan on starting promoting the tournament earlier and get on board with the other SPA tournaments like COLUMBUS, DAYTON and BARBERTON/AKRON in concentrating on making the 70's and 75's divisions bigger,” Lawson said, “Senior 70's and 75's teams are now beginning to recognize that SPA tournaments are where the 70's and 75's teams go to play and we want to join the other SPA tournaments in emphasizing that point to not just the 70's and 75's but to all age groups and all ability divisions.”

All teams who finished first and/or second in the SPA 2012 GLEN BURNIE CLASSIC earned spots in the inaugural SPA 2012 WORLD SERIES in JACKSONVILLE,FLORIDA October 31 and November 1,2 and 3.

SPA TOURNAMENTS still on the MAY AGENDA with team openings are OHIO FIRST FLIGHT, DAYTON,OHIO 5/17-5/20; MOSQUITO CLASSIC, LITTLE CANADA,MINN 5/17-5/18; SOUTHERN NATIONALS, PENSACOLA, FLA, 5/18-5/20; SPA ROUTE 66 NATIONALS, SPRINGFIELD,MO 5/17-5/20 and the SPA NEBRASKA HALF-CENTURY, OMAHA, NEB, 5/19-5/20 and 5/30-5/31. Information on these and other 2012 SPA events can be found at the SPA tournament web site:

http://www.softball-spa.com/spadata/CalendarPrint.aspx

SOUTH CAROLINA TOURNAMENT in 15^th YEAR

NORTH CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – Westvaco Park in North Charleston was the site for the 2012 SPA APRIL'S FINEST TOURNAMENT as the event celebrated its 15^th year of SPA involvement with 16 teams from the 60,65 and 70 age group taking part.

“It is always a pleasure hosting this prestigious Senior Tournament,” North Charleston Recreation Department Tournament Director CINDY DAMBAUGH said, “In our 15^th year of affiliation with SPA we are as excited as year one.”

The SIXTEEN TEAMS were divided into four divisions according to age groups which saw EIGHT TEAMS (first and second place) qualify for the SPA WORLD SERIES of champions in JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA October 31 and November 1,2,3.

'The level of competition continues to be the topic among players and spectators,” DAMBAUGH said, “With only one team going undefeated through the entire tournament , there were many exciting games,.”

Florida's SENIOR MOMENTS 60's claimed the 60's DIVISION title followed by the NORTH CHARLESTON PATRIOTS; Georgia's HUFFMAN ELECTRIC 65's and the VIRGINIA CAVALIERS.

LEVIN FINANCIAL of Florida, North Carolina's FLIP DOW BONDING and SPORTS LETTERING from TENNESSEE finished 1-2-3 in the 65 GOLD DIVISION.

Four teams went at it in the 65 SILVER DIVISION with CUSTOM GRAPHICS II of Georgia coming out on top. The MYRTLE BEACH SENIORS earned the runner-up spot followed by the HAMEL CAVALIERS 70's from Virginia and the TRIUMPHS, also from Georgia,.

RICHMOND CLASSIC won the 70 DIVISION crown with the GA NUGGETS II in the runner-up spot. The CAROLINA CRDINALS from North Carolina; Tennessee's TRI-CITY 70's and LEIDEN'S LEGENDS of Georgia rounding out the field.

The month of MAY will be a busy month for SPA tournaments with ELEVEN scheduled in MARYLAND, GEORGIA, OKLAHOMA, VIRGINIA, OHIO, FLORIDA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, MINNESOTA and NORTH CAROLINA.

Detailed information on these events plus all 2012 SPA tournaments can be found on the SPA TOURNAMENT CALANDAR SITE. ::

http://www.softball-spa.com/SPAData/CalendarPrint.aspx

REMEMBER, PLAY WHERE THE OTHER TEAMS PLAY AND PLAY SPA TOURNAMENTS.

PENSACOLA EVENT DRAWS THIRTY-ONE TEAMS

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – “Three years ago the SPRING NATIONALS had 11 teams and last year we had 21,” SPA NATIONAL WOMEN'S DIRECTOR JUDY LEE SCHREIBER said, “This year we reached 31 teams. It just shows me the SPA WOMEN'S SENIOR SOFTBALL program has really taken off and is continuing to grow.”

The Pensacola tournament at Exchange Park had thirty-one teams compete in eight divisions. SPA also had it's first 35-year young team, the ARKANSAS SYNERGY/REEBOK team enter a SPA tournament.

“We are finally reaching the dream we at SPA have had,” SPA PRESIDENT RIDGE HOOKS said, “JUDY LEE and I have always envisioned making the women's program the most player friendly and respected women's program in senior softball.”

“With people like JUDY LEE, PEGGY O'NEILL, LAYLA BRYAN, BUDDY CONNELLY and Tournament Director MIKE DESORBO being involved, we have shown the women's teams we listen to their concerns and opinions and act accordingly to make the SPA program the way they (women) would like it to be.”, HOOKS continued, “Senior Softball men's and women's both should be for the player's first and that is what SPA strives to do.”

The SPA approach is apparently working as the past two years, the women's program has seen increases in players, teams and tournament attendance.”

“The SPA program is really growing, “ SCHREIBER said, “All tournaments are expecting an increase in entries. I just hear COLUMBUS, OHIO is expecting over forty teams and I am looking for between 50 and 60 teams at the SPA WORLDS in DALTON, GEORGIA”

The biggest age group at PENSECOLA was the “65” DIVISION with the Village's GOLDEN GALS taking the title. The KY FILLIES; DREAM CATCHERS from Albaquergue: GOLDEN GIRLS of Virginia; CHATTANOOGA CHARGERS and the West Virginia MOUNTAIN MAMA 65'S also competed in the six-team field.

Paced by the play of their tournament MVP, the GOLDEN GALS beat Ontario's SPORTACULARS 65/70 in the “IF” game to take the five-team division crown. Third place went to the FREEDOM SPIRIT OF FLORIDA 70 II. The GOLDEN GIRLS 70's and the TENNESSEE SENIOR STARS 70's were also part of the competitive 70's group.

It was a GOLDEN time in the 60's PAIRINGS as the Virginia GOLDEN GIRLS 60's took the Gold ring with the Missouri FUN BUNCH in the second spot and the Buckeye State OHIO CARDINALS third. Michigan's JOLICO SENIORS and the “Show Me State's” MISSOURI FLASHBACKS completing the five-team bracket.

The Michigan JOLICO SENIOR 50's captured the five-team 50's DIVISION finishing ahead of second place TENNESSEE SENIOR STARS and the third place Chattanooga LADY LOOKOUTS. Louisiana's LA SPORTS and SERIOUS FUN from Tennessee completed the field.

In the 55's DIVISION the MARYLAND ROADRUNNERS raced away from the second place VILLAGE VIXONS and the third place JOLICO SENIOR 55's of Michigan.

The South Carolina CAROLINA SNIPERS out dueled the PENSACOLA LADIES in the two-team 45's DIVISION.

KRYPTONITE from Florida bested Maryland's LADIES FIRST for the 40's TITLE with the Tennessee CHICKS WITH STICKS squad coming in third.

The 35 DIVISION crown went to ARKANSAS SNYERGY/REEBOK 35's.

All teams who finished first and/or second in the SPA GSPRING NATIONALS earned spots in the inaugural SPA 2012 WORLD SERIES in JACKSONVILLE,FLORIDA October 31 and November 1,2 and 3.

The next SPA WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT is the COLUMBUS, OHIO HEART OF OHIO tournament JULY 11-15. Information on this and other women's 2012 SPA events can be found at the SPA women's web site:

http://softball-spa.com/spadata/Women.aspx