The highly popular Pioneer Days Men’s Fastpitch softball tournament will return to Salt Lake July 12 – 14 after an 11-year absence.
Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation and local promoters have organized the tournament which was last held in 2002. It is being re-named the Larry H. Miller Memorial Pioneer Days Tournament to honor the individual who was instrumental in having the tournament here since 1974 and making it one of the country’s best and most popular men’s fastpitch tournaments.
It is a part of a 3-event plan all held within the same week.
Argentina Exhibition Series
In 2012, the Argentina 18U Junior Men’s team won the World Championship in the quadrennial ISF World Championships. On July 6 & 7, they will be traveling to Salt Lake to play a 6-game exhibition series against the 3-local teams who will participate in the Pioneer Days Tournament the following weekend. The local teams are Granite Bakery of Salt Lake, Page Brake and Wasatch Properties. The actual schedule and location of games will be announced later.
The Argentina team is coached by Julio Gamarci who many fans will remember from the 1990’s when he played locally for both of the Larry Miller sponsored teams. In 1995, Julio was the first Argentine player to ever play competitive men’s softball in the US. Since then more than 50-different Argentine’s have come to the US to play.
Utah Softball Hall of Fame Inductions
On Friday, July 12, preceding the start of the tournament, the Utah Softball Hall of Fame will induct 14-new members beginning at 4 PM at the Larry H Miller Softball Complex – 4400 South 13th East. This year’s honorees are:
Tommy Bahan – Park City
Mark Baldwin – Wellsville
Debbie Butler – Erda
Arnold “AJ” Christensen – Wellsville
Ivan Christensen – Providence
Lynn Christensen – Washington
Terry Jordan – Price
Leonard “Odell” Kirk – Layton
Mel Moon – Salt Lake City
Ron Nelson – Willard
Lisa Parker – Murray
Jim Peacock – St. George
Sharon Seppi – Taylorsville
This year’s inductions bring the total members of the Utah Softball Hall of Fame to 180 who have been inducted since 1984.
The Utah Softball Hall of Fame Committee is chaired by Fred Tamagawa and Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation Dept oversees the function and permanently displays the master plaque of all inductee names at the Sports Office – 5201 S. Murray Park Lane.
Larry H. Miller Memorial Pioneer Days Tournament
In keeping with past tradition, the 8-team tournament has attracted some of the country’s top rated men’s fastpitch teams including the California A’s who finished the 2012 ISC World Tournament in 8th place and feature the ISC’s Outstanding Pitcher recipient, Lucas Mata. Other top teams include Pueblo (CO) Bandits who are currently ranked #10 in the ISC’s pre-season rankings and Cal State Builders who are pre-season ranked at #16.
Other entered out of state teams are Lacey (WA) A’s and Boise (ID) River Dogs. Local teams include Granite Bakery of Salt Lake, Page Brake and Wasatch Properties.
Teams begin play Friday, July 12 at 6 PM with 2-more games on tap at 8 PM. Play continues Saturday with 2-games each at 1, 3, 5 and 7 PM. The single elimination play-off begins Sunday at 9 AM with 4-scheduled games followed by the semi-finals at 1 PM and the championship game at 3 PM. All games are at the Larry H. Miller Softball Complex. There is no admission charge.
For more information contact Ken Hackmeister 801-447-8808 or iscken [at] comcast.net