It’s not superstars, not big power that wins for Rainey. Rather, the well-worn cliché of “play as a team” really does apply, says Lopes.

His players know they belong, know they can compete with the best teams in the sport. Although, he does admit it’s been a frustrating year.

For one, it’s a return trip to familiar territory. For the other, it’s off to a strange, new world.  

On Thursday, The So Cal Bucks of Santa Barbara board a plane for a return trip to the ISC World Tournament in Kimberly, Wisc. No big deal. As three-year ISC veterans, the Bucks know what to expect. Been there, done that.  

On the other hand, Team Rainey of Whittier, sets sail on its maiden voyage to ISC land. Jitters? Sure, some. It’s to be expected. But far outweighing those jitters is the excitement of facing the best competition men’s fastpitch softball has to offer, said Team Rainey’s manager, Dale Lopes. “This is our first ISC. I can’t wait, we’re real excited,” said Lopes. “I’ve been told that the host city is the best, that the fields are wonderful, the crowd is great, that it’s an exciting place to play ball. It doesn’t get any better than this.” 

Team Rainey has jettisoned up the fastpitch ranks both in California and nationally. Since starting as “C” team in 1998, Rainey finished fifth in the ASA Class B national tournament in 2000. The following year, they took fourth in the NAFA AA World Series. But 2002 stands out as their break out year: The Best of The West Open tournament title, second in the NAFA AA World Series, and fifth in the ASA Class A national tournament. 

If the first four years were the fast rising cake, then 2003 is Rainey’s icing. By ratcheting up this year’s competition, they finished #23 in the ISC’s final team rankings. They started May hot by finishing second to highly ranked Circle Tap of Wisconsin in the Las Vegas International Classic. Then came an 18-2 record and number one slot in the So. Calif. ASA A/B travel league. And in the best California has to offer, they won the So. Calif. ISC state tournament with a 5-0 record, which raised their season record to a sparkling 51-15.  

It’s not superstars, not big power that wins for Rainey. Rather, the well-worn cliché of “play as a team” really does apply, says Lopes. “We don’t have any big boppers,” he said. “We don’t play for the big inning. For us to win, we have to execute, throw strikes and play hard. Our philosophy is, ‘get on, get him over, get him in.’” 

Not one to gush about the virtues of anyone player, Lopes does admit that one player clearly has had a superior year. Pitcher Travis Price. “No doubt, Travis is an integral part of our team,” said Lopes. “He’s got the same good velocity, same good movement, but the big change this year is his confidence.” In Rainey’s last three tournaments, Price earned the most valuable pitcher awards. Most recently at the Best of The West where he earned his second consecutive MVP, leading Rainey to back-to-back titles. 

Team Rainey’s pool (A) includes #7 ranked Owen Sound Selects, #10 H.I.S. Construction, the Winterset A’s and Esencias Castilla Guatemala. A distinguished group that Rainey belongs in, said Lopes. And, he added, no one has high expectations for his ISC rookies. “This is a different situation for us,” he said. “We have no ISC experience, this is our first time. We’re not the one’s favored. We’re not expected to win, so the pressure isn’t on us.” 

But that doesn’t mean Lopes doesn’t expect to win. “We have outstanding pitching, solid defense, and when we get some hitting we’re tough to beat,” he said. “When you draw two of the top ten teams it means it’s a tough bracket. But this is an opportunity to further prove ourselves. Each year we’ve progressed to now competing at the ISC level. We’ve earned it. No one handed it to us.

And that got them just what they deserve: Handed a spot in the ISC World Tournament.

Clyde Bennett, owner and manager of the Bucks, says his team is excited to get back to its fourth World Tournament. But the newness has worn off. His players know they belong, know they can compete with the best teams in the sport. Although, he does admit it’s been a frustrating year. There was a shortstop gap to fill, a debilitating injury to a key player, and having to fill the shoes of three players that retired unexpectedly. And like most top fastpitch teams, his players are spread out, which has made it difficult to get them all together for league play and tournaments.

And that spreading out – from San Francisco to San Diego - has led to a misleading 23 –23 record. “It’s been hard getting everybody together at one time,” said Bennett. Adding to his woes, his son Mark, the team’s top pitcher, suffered an injured Achilles that sidelined him for most of the season. But that’s in the past. The Bucks are at full strength now, said Bennett.

And they’ve got a nucleus that makes them a contender to advance out of their pool. A pool that includes #8 ranked Washington DC Fedlock and #9 Frontier Casino Players. To advance into the playoffs, Bennett says the #24 ranked Bucks must defeat at least one of those clubs. But he takes no one lightly. “We can’t take anyone lightly in our bracket,” he said. “I don’t know much about El Toro / Townline, but the Australian team isn’t their national team, it’s a club team, I heard.”

Now that their shortstop problem is solved, the Bucks’ defense is solid. “Two of our long time Bucks, Dong Clegg and shortstop John Silacci retired, but we’ve added Tony Gabriel at shortstop,” said Bennett. “Tony was our leading hitter in the World Tournament last year with a .325 batting average. He’s real sound, good range and quick. He takes care of a shortstop problem we’ve had all year.”

Leading the Bucks offensively is 10-year ISC World Tournament veteran Aaron Owen who bats third and catches. “He makes the offense go,” said Bennett. Batting lead off is first-year Buck, Dan Winnick. “He’s really quick, but for a little guy has power. He hit four doubles, a triple and two inside the park home runs. His on base percentage is real high. He causes lots of infield errors with his speed.”

The versatile Steve Gritts, a 10-year Buck, plays first base, designated hitter and back up catcher and led the team with a .346 average. John Prunada bats clean up, led the team with 3 home runs, along with 15 RBI and 6 doubles.

The Bucks finished 2-2 in pool play each of the past two years and have been on the cusp of advancing into the playoffs. “We’ve lost close games,” said Bennett. “In Eau Claire (2001) we lost 1-0 to Darren Zack. Had we won that game we would have been in the playoffs.”

Mark Bennett and Mark Higgins man the pitching staff. Now fully recovered from his Achilles injury, Bennett has come on strong of late. “Last weekend in the Best of the West tournament Mark threw 13 innings and struck out 30,” said Bennett. “I think he’s fully recovered now. When we were without him we were lost. With him we go.” That and a full team boarding the plane for Kimberly gives Bennett confidence. “With everybody there, we are capable of beating anybody,” he said.