For Immediate Release – SPORTS
From: Sharon Mitchell, City of Prescott Parks and Recreation, 777-1556
ASA MEN’S 50 AND OVER FAST-PITCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
THREE LOCAL TEAMS TO COMPETE
The ASA Men’s 50 and Over Fast-Pitch National Championship tournament will be conducted July 7, 8 and 9 at Ken Lindley, Roughrider and Pioneer Park diamonds. Action will commence Friday at 6 P.M. with the championship scheduled for Sunday 3 P.M. July 9, 2006 at Ken Lindley Field.
Prescott was awarded the rights for this national championship during the Amateur Softball Association National Conference by outbidding Killeen Texas and Cedar Rapid Iowa. Teams from Arizona, Montana, California, Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, Tennessee, Oregon and Texas will be competing in this tournament.
Last year’s champion Prescott Badger Roofing will enter this years contest as the number one seed. Manager Lonnie Brooks has assembled what he considers a competitive club for this tournament. Brooks who won last years Most Valuable Pitcher award is one of three pitchers along with Mark Blair from Tucson and Russ Martin out of Oklahoma, other local players include Mike Fisher, Paul Ruben, Albert Mendibles Sr. and Skip Black. Badger opens the tournament on Friday night July 7th, at 8 PM at Ken Lindley Field against Montana Big Sky from Helena, Montana, Galpin Ford is one of two host teams to be representing Prescott in this tournament. Manager Rocky Annecchini feels this could be Galpin Ford’s best year with Chris Burkhart starting at pitcher and other locals Larry Stephan and Ted Blake playing. Galpin’s first game will be on Friday night July 7th, 6 PM against Northwest Oldgrowth of Portland Oregon. Yavapai Casino is the third local entry in the tournament with their opening game being played at Bill Vallely (Roughrider park) on Friday night, July 7th, 6 PM against Southern California Masters of Lancaster Ca. Steve Hardesty of Bullhead City will be sharing pitching duties with Dale Weinhold and John Hanna Sr. Other teams entering the tournament include the Texas Stars who last year were known as Clearwater Pride and finished second in last years contest and will enter this year as the number two seed. Houston Stars who will have Billy Montana and Sam Banegas pitching. Sam won the MVP for this tournament in 2003. Berry’s Eagles from San Diego Ca. will have Barry Roberts throwing for them. Barry has seen a lot of action in Prescott when he threw for the Las Vegas Aces.
Games will be scheduled every two hours at Ken Lindley, Roughrider and Pioneer ball fields, beginning Friday evening July 7th, 6 P.M., all day Saturday July 8th beginning at 9 A.M. and Sunday July 9th. Championship play will conclude at Ken Lindley Field on Sunday July 9th beginning at 9:00 A.M. with the “championship†game being played at 3:00 P.M and the possible “if†game scheduled at 5 P.M.
Opening ceremonies will take place on Friday at Ken Lindley field at 4 P.M., with first pitch of the tournament happening at 6 P.M… All games are open to the public with no admission charge.
The Arizona Softball Hall of Fame has relocated to the Grace Sparkes Activity Center (Old Armory) 824 E. Gurley Street in Prescott. Weekend hours for the Hall of Fame will be Friday July 7 from 3 PM to 7 PM, Saturday July 8 from Noon to 5 PM and Sunday July 9 from Noon to 5 PM.
ARIZONA AMATEUR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
A.C. WILLIAMS, COMMISSIONER
P.O. BOX 1850, PRESCOTT ARIZONA 86302
PHONE: 928-445-5725
EMAIL: azasa@earthlink.net
STATE WEBSITE: www.azasa.org
NATIONAL WEBSITE: www.softball.org
A R I Z O N A