Thanks to Larry Silfen and Dave Blackburn for this info:

Welcome to the 1st Annual Maccabi USA Invitational fast pitch Tournament.

Many of us play on teams together in Burbank, Sherman Oaks and Tournaments throughout the year and have become close friends. This Tournament is to thank the participating teams for helping the U.S.A. “Open” and “Masters” teams prepare
for The 18th World Maccabiah Games in Israel this past July, and give you some background on the Maccabi USA program.

The Maccabiah games take place every 4 years in Israel and are the Jewish version of the Olympics. Players try out from all over the United States and two teams (“Open” and “Masters”) are selected to represent the United States in competition
versus teams from countries like Venezuela, Canada, Mexico and Israel. The Team USA rosters include many Division one baseball players from schools like Indiana (also played in “high” Minor Leagues) USC, Ohio State, Northwestern and the University of Hartford.

This past July in the 18th World Maccabi Games Team USA finished second to Canada in the “Open” competition, and beat Canada for the Gold in the “Master’s “ competition, which is a 35-and-over event.

The experience of representing the U.S.A. and getting to see Israel is something many of us will never forget. While we strive to win Gold medals, the Maccabi experience is as much about the journey as it is the final destination.

We plan on making this invitational tournament a yearly event, and hope that all of the teams we invited here today, will join us year after year.

Happy Holidays to all and best of luck to all of the Teams.

Larry Silfen
Tournament Organizer

Maccabi Fastpitch Invitational – December 5th, 2009 – El Dorado Park in Long Beach, CA

Group A Group B

Team 1 Flor de Cana Team 4 J&B
Team 2 Maccabi USA Team 5 Black Sox
Team 3 Panteras Team 6 Rude Pac

Game 1 – 8:30 AM Round Robin – Round 1 – FDC vs. Maccabi USA
Game 2 – 8:30 AM Round Robin – Round 1 – J&B vs. Black Sox

Game 3 – 10:15 AM Round Robin – Round 2 – FDC vs. Panteras
Game 4 – 10:15 AM Round Robin – Round 2 – J&B vs. Rude Pac

Game 5 – 12:00 PM Round Robin – Round 3 – Maccabi USA vs. Panteras
Game 6 – 12:00 PM Round Robin – Round 3 – Black Sox vs. Rude Pac

Playoffs – single elimination

Game 7 – 1:45 PM Playoffs – Round 1 – Group A 2nd Vs Group B 3rd
Game 8 – 1:45 PM Playoffs – Round 1 – Group A 3rd VS Group B 2nd

Game 9 – 3:30 PM Playoffs – Round 2 – Winner of Gm 7 Vs Group A 1st
Game 10 3:30 PM Playoffs – Round 2 – Winner of Gm 8 Vs Group B 1st

Game 11 5:15 PM Championship – Winner of Gm 9 Vs Winner of Gm 10

In the event that all 3 teams in a group end up with a win and a loss,
the tie-breaker” for seeding for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in a group is.

Criteria #1 Fewest Runs Allowed
Criteria #2 Most Runs Scored
Criteria #3 If 2 teams are still tied, use their head-to-head game

Below are the directions to the El Dorado Park Softball Fields in Long Beach, location of the first Maccabi USA Fastpitch Invitational Tournament, on Sat Dec 5.

Attached are two images from Google Earth of the Park and the surrounding area.

The park lies just north of the Intersection of the 405 and the 605 Freeways. It is a huge complex, that includes a
Golf course to the North and to the South of the Softball fields.

From the LA area…

TAKING THE 405 FWY SOUTHBOUND

If taking the 405 Fwy South, take it south to the 605 Fwy North. Take the first exit which is Katella Avenue / Willow Street.

Willow Street and Katella Avenue are the same road, but it is called Katella Avenue east of the 605, and Willow Street West of the 605.

Go West on Willow Street to Studebaker Road. Go right on Studebaker Road to the first right which is the driveway into the El Dorado Park complex.

When you come to a “T”, take a right, and then a quick left into the softball fields parking lot.

FROM THE 605 SOUTHBOUND

If taking the 605 south, exit at Spring Strret, and go right (West)

Go West on Spring Street to Studebaker Road. Go Left on Studebaker Road to the first left past Barrios Street,

That left is a driveway into the El Dorado Park complex. When you come to a “T”, take a right,
and then a quick left into the softball fields parking lot.

If coming from San Diego or anywhere south of Long Beach,

FROM THE 405 NORTHBOUND

If taking the 405 Fwy North, take it to the 605 Fwy North. Take the first exit which is Katella Avenue / Willow Street.

Willow Street and Katella Avenue are the same road, but it is called Katella Avenue east of the 605 Fwy, and Willow Street West of the 605 Fwy.

Go West on Willow Street to Studebaker Road. Go right on Studebaker Road to the first right which is the driveway into the El Dorado Park complex.

When you come to a “T”, take a right, and then a quick left into the softball fields parking lot.

View Larger Map

Editor’s note: El Dorado Park is a large regional park, but the ballfields are pretty much right smack in the middle. The section of the park that you want is bounded by Willow on the south, Spring on the North, Studebaker Road on the east and the 605 freeway on the west. Follow the little road in from the STUDEBAKER side, [the “A” on the Google map above] north of Willow. Zoom in on the map above and you’ll see the 4 diamond wagon wheel.

Nice to see a tournament so close to home again!

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