As any So Cal pitcher will tell you, Team Rainey can score runs in handfuls.  Because of that fact, their defense is sometimes overlooked.  These guys have a lot of experience and it shows in the way they throw the leather.  Though he would be the last guy to tell you, shortstop Rod Rainey is acknowledged by many to be among the best fastpitch players in Southern California.

This team doesn't just carry his name, but its personality is reflected in his hustle and all out play.  You'd be hard put to find a clean uniform among them.   Jesse Duncan is another highly regarded player, and can play several positions. 

In 2002, Jesse was the Best of the West MVP)  In terms of "taking them to the next level",  Travis Price has been their go-to guy in the circle.    He is still young, but progressing in leaps and bounds.  In the 2002 NAFA "AA" World Series, he was unbeaten entering the championship game of the tournament, and carried the laboring oar for the team and earning First Team All World honors.   In 2003 in Las Vegas, he outdueled veteran (and sometimes teammate) Tony Hunoff, with a 3-1, 4 hit victory over Team Lyons that put Team Rainey into the finals against Circle Tap.

Catcher Tony Acedo is the on the field leader. while manager Dale Lopes has been the steady, professional hand that guided the squad since its inception. Dale has stepped down from his managerial duties in 2003 due to family commitments, but it remains to be seen who will guide the team down the stretch in 2004.  It would not surprise us to see Dale back in at the helm. 

Team Rainey has steadily improved by seeming to add just the right piece to their puzzle each year.  A couple years ago, it was Jason Aceves and Roy Guinaldo who have proven the can hit even the best pitching.  When the Ringers team played themselves out of the "C" division a year later, it was the Hunt brothers, Chris and Tim that Rainey added to the roster.  Last year, when the San Jose Sharks ceased operations, Team Rainey added Chris Wright to add yet another big bat, when longtime all star Stan Grebeck decided to retire.   Last year's roster also added Damian Guerrero one of So Cal's rising young stars.

In 2003, they captured the So Cal A/B league, with an 18-2 record, with two of their players garnering individual award, with shortstop Rod Rainey named the league's MVP, and pitcher Travis Price the Most Valuable Pitcher.    The team finished  2nd to nationally ranked Circle Tap Wisconsin in the California Las Vegas International Classic in May over the Memorial Day weekend, then 2nd to reigning ISC and ASA Major World Champion St. Joe Frontier Casino at the prestigous Rose Cup tournament in Portland Oregon in June. Team Rainey was one of only four teams at the Rose Cup to have players named to the All tournament team: Travis Price, Mike Butler, Jesse Duncan and Roy Guinaldo.

The squad from Orange County, California capped the season by winning the ISC State Tournament, and with it, a ISC World Tournament in Kimberly, Wisconsin, where they made their biggest jump to major level fastpitch. In its first ever ISC World Tournament, the team went 3-1 in pool play, and notching what many described as the biggest upset of the tournament, knocking off the eventual #4 team in the World, the Owen Sound Selects.  Normally, a 3-1 record would qualify a team for a spot in the "Sweet 16" championship round (amongst 40 teams).  However, due to ties within their pool, they were forced to a one-game playoff against the only team that had beaten them, and narrowly missed the championship round. 

The team's remarkable rise in 2003 was marked by individual achievement, most notably young pitcher Travis Price, who won no less than three (3) Most Valuable Pitcher awards, first at the prestigioius Rose Cup tournament with the likes of Team USA pitchers Michael White and Doug Middleton also in the field.  A few weeks later, it was the Neil Leard Tournament in British Columbia, and finally, at the Best of the West tournament in Southern California.  His achievments did not go unnoticed, and earned him a spot on Team USA, and gave Travis the opportunity to pitch in international competition in the ISF World Championships held in New Zealand this past January.