Young Bucks Tournament Results
Upper Division
Saturday
SoCal Bucks 2-1 3 runs allowed
Mark Bennett no hit Carribbean
Silver Hawks 2-1
Spud Barker 2 wins
Macabee 1-2
Carribbean 1-2
Sunday
SoCal Bucks 4 Carribbean 0
W M.Bennett L G.Joiner
SilverHawks 5 Macabee 3
W S.Barker L . Blackburn
Finals
Silverhawks 3 SoCal Bucks 2(10 innings)
W. S.Barker L M. Bennett
Lower Division
Sat
Young Bucks 3-0
Banana Slugs 2-1
Palmdale Masters 1-2
Kickin Chickens 1-2
Cana De Flor 1-2
Those Guys 1-2
Semi Finals
Young Bucks 8 Cana De Flor 7
Banana Slugs 5 Kickin Chickens 1
Finals
Banana Slugs 14 Young Bucks 8
W Bob Vandenburg L C. Armijo
Editor’s notes:
Banana Slugs? I know — I had the same reaction, a la Butch Cassidy….”Who are those guys?”. Well, one name jumps off the page of this tournament recap – pitcher Bob Vandeburg, the winner in the championship game. Bob was one of two pick-ups for my old Vista Bomber team of 1991, runner-up at the ASA “A” Nationals in Boulder, Colorado. Bob teamed up with Russ Snow and Cary Weiler, sort of a Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz of their day, and combined to pitch 11 games at Coors Field altitude, coupled with the then-new high compression Dudley Thunder.
Those of my generation will remember Bobby as the mainstay of the Burbank Raymax team during the 1980’s, including a trip to the ASA “A” Nationals in 1985 at Bakersfield, California. Six foot eight David Gray was the other ace on that staff. Good to see your name in a box score again, Bobby.
Looks like Mark Bennett had a good weekend, tossing a no-no, while Spud Barker pitched well — as he did all year, including the NAFA A Major championship at Des Moines. Keep an eye on the Rude Pac again in 2008. Little known fact, but pitching is not Spud’s only talent….I got a sneak preview at some of his handiwork on a new Rude Pac logo. Slick.
And while I’ve got the floor, let me put in a plug for Clyde Bennett and the Young Bucks, who hosted this past weekend’s tournament as a fund raiser for the 2008 campaign. Clyde works tirelessly to keep that program going for the 23-and-under crowd, with the likes of Team USA Jr. Men’s Kevin Castillo, pitcher Anthony Martinez, and many other fine young ballplayers over the past several years. The Young Bucks are a fixture at the 23-and-under Nationals, winning the national title in 2006 after finishing second in 2005.
Clyde gets help from son Mark Bennett, and some local community folks, but it’s a self-financed effort, with the expenses always running far ahead of the income. If you are still working on your Christmas list, you might consider a small donation to the Young Bucks 23-and-under program. It’s a great gift to the future of the game, and I’m sure it would be appreciated by Clyde. (He didn’t ask for this plug, but is deserving of any assistance given.)
Send to:
Clyde Bennett
6600 Stagecoach Rd
Santa Barbara, Ca. 93105
You can contact him at:
805-964-2114 805-895-9007
clydebennett13@yahoo.com
OK, just about time to turn the page to 2008. What are you and your team up to in the coming new year? Drop us a line. info (at) fastpitchwest.com
