Information courtesy of Fred Hanker:
The Burbank Storm led by manager Terry Richardson won the ASA Men’s 45 and over Nationals this past weekend at Fresno Regional Park. The Storm cruised to a 4-0 record in the double elimination tournament. They outscored their opponents 34-4 in the span of 4 games. The Storm defeated a very tired and injured Santa Barbara Fast Pitch team 9-2 in the championship game. The Storm is composed of several players from the Burbank city league. Richardson has proven to be an effective general manager as well as a field manager.
The Storm in game 1 defeated the Savala Painters and ISC legendary pitcher Peter Meredith 6-0. Ed Gaspar went the distance for the complete game shutout and win. In game 2 Matt Barnes went the distance and shutout Bay City 7-0 in 5 innings. In the winners bracket game The Storm faced off against Santa Barbara Fast Pitch and Mark Bennett. Ed Gaspar took the ball for the storm. The game was a pitching duel for the 1st 3 innings than Craig Budrick singled with the bases loaded driving in 2 runs to open the game up. Gaspar would finish the game allowing 2 runs in the win. In the championship game The Storm faced Santa Barbara Fastpitch and this time they were banged up. The Storm took advantage and cruised to a 9-2 win.
The Storm landed 6 players on the All-American team. The Storm’s first 4 hitters were all selected. Keith Barker hitting leadoff batted well over .500 and was the catalyst all weekend. Craig Budrick hitting second had several clutch hits and was in the middle of every rally. The great Todd Budke well rested after an 8 month layoff led the tournament with 13 hits. Budke also reached base in 15 of his 16 plate appearances. He was voted tournament MVP. Fred Hanker batting 4th hit .788 with 11 RBI. He was awarded as the batting champion. Hanker reached base safely in 13 of his 15 plate appearances. Ed Gaspar was 2-0 in allowing only 2 runs with 2 complete games one of them being a shutout. Matt Barnes was also 2-0 allowing only 2 runs also. Barnes also had a complete game shutout.
The very courageous Santa Barbara Fast Pitch team playing undermanned placed several players on the All American team. Joe Vigil closing in on the magic mark of 3,000 hits was selected. The “Greek God of Hitting†Phil Hiromerides was also selected to the team. The durable Mark Bennett who threw most of the innings for Santa Barbara was also selected. Mickey Ventura a name from the past made the team although he was forced out of the final game with an injury.
The Storm in their last 2 tournaments (Santa Barbara last November and this weekend are 10-0 scoring 78 runs and allowing only 7). The Storm finished 3rd in the 45 and over last year. Terry Richardson is quickly taking his place among the elite managers in the game of fast pitch softball. Richardson’s style has produced a national championship for The Storm and he hopes to repeat next year.