(July 23, 2003 - San Jacinto, CA)

The 13th Annual Best of the West Men's Fastpitch Tournament will be held Saturday July 26 and Sunday July 27. The Tournament returns to the Soboba Sports Complex located about 1 mile from The Soboba Casino.

Roy Stout is the Best of The West Umpire-in-Chief. Easton Sports is sponsoring the MVP Award. AIS Custom Athletic Uniforms is sponsoring the Championship Team Individual Awards.

There is an Olympic size Swimming Pool located between the two fields, and it is open for use by Tournament players, their families, and fastpitch fans. It is a great way to beat the heat, during a break in the action.   Jim Flanagan's FastpitchWest.com Web Site has a portion of the site dedicated to the Best of The West Tournament, and it's recent history over the last 5 years. There is a button linking to Driving Directions to the Soboba Sports Complex.

  http://www.fastpitchwest.com/bow.htm

 

 "Once again I am pleased to bring the 2003 Best of The West Tournament back to the Soboba Sports Complex, and the wonderful people at the Reservation", said Tournament Director Dave Blackburn. "This year's 8 team field is evenly balanced, and should make for some great fastpitch match-ups, all the way through the Championship game at 1:45 PM Sunday".  

 POOL A - PREVIEW OF TEAMS

Team Rainey defends it's championship from the 2002 Best of The West Tournament. This will be their final games prior to making their first trip to the ISC World Tournament in August. Team Rainey features a pitching staff of 2002 Best of The West Most Valuable Pitcher Travis Price, and seasoned veteran hurler Tony Hunhoff. Team Rainey's Offense is lead by hard hitting shortstop Rod Rainey, Outfielder Roy Guinaldo, and 2002 Best of the West MVP Jesse Duncan. Rainey is Managed by Dale Lopes. Currently ranked 27th in the World by the ISC.

 Manager Clyde Bennet's SoCal Bucks are lead by veteran Pitchers Mark Bennett and Mark Higgins. The Bucks will be making their final tune-up prior to embarking on their 4th Consecutive ISC World Tournament appearance in Kimberly. Lead-off hitter Dan Winnick was MVP at the recently completed Ron Ortega Memorial Tournament, won by the Bucks. Seasoned Major Fastpitch veterans Aaron Owens, Jeff Coughran, and John Pruneda anchor the Bucks Offensive attack. The Bucks are currently ranked 29th in the World by the ISC.

 The BlackHawks will be riding the Hot Hand of Pitcher Phil "Sonny" Perkins, who has thrown exceptionally well during the 2003 season. Perkins will strengthen The Bucks staff as a pick-up player for the 2003 ISC World Tournament. Manager Craig Peter's Blackhawks Squad is probably the most improved team in Southern California from 2002 to 2003. The BlackHawks Fastpitch team features some of the best Native American players in the Western USA.

 Sponsor Ralph Trejo Sr.'s SoCal Bombers will have the services of former USA National Team Pitcher Bill Hillhouse for the 2003 Best of The West. Leading Hitters for the Bombers include Outfielder Tony Beeson, Second Baseman Ralphie "Valladares" Roybal, and young Mexican Power Hitting First Baseman Raimundo Parra. Veteran Pitcher Randy Clay will also be on hand to help with the Bombers pitching chores.  

POOL B - PREVIEW OF TEAMS

 Last year's Best of The West Runner-up Captain Dan's is a Family Affair with the Father and Son pitching staff of Dennis and Ryan Webb, and the hard hitting Brother combination of Dwayne and Brian Fowler. Manager Don Didion also relies on Bruce Wilber and Dewey Thompson, for offensive punch and Veteran leadership. As Quest Fastpitch, this team finished tied for 5th at 2002 ASA B National Championships. In 2002, they had an excellent campaign in the Central California Men's Softball League, finishing in a first place tie with Fresno Team Lyons, who went on to capture the ASA A National Crown in 2002.

The SunDevils Fastpitch Club has stepped up their schedule in 2003, and showed they can play with some of the biggest names in the game. Their 4-2 upset victory at the Portland DeMarini Classic over ISC 18th Ranked Vancouver Grey Sox, proved that this SunDevils Club can play some great ball, against top competition. Pitcher Greg "Spud" Barker anchors a staff that also could include veteran Rob Davis and Rob Epp. The Offensive attack is Powered by hard hitting Outfielder Nate Devine, lead-off man Tommy Gonzalez, and Slugging Shortstop Mark Vail. 

Casa Trejo is Sponsor Ralph Trejo's second entry in the Tournament, and is primarily made up of his 40-Over Squad. Casa Trejo is Managed by Frank "Harpo" Jimenez, and the team will compete for the 40-Over ASA Masters National Championship in Minot, North Dakota. Lonnie Brooks leads the pitching staff, and will get some help from Dave Blackburn. The Offense is lead by Center Fielder Frank "Paco" Jimenez, First Baseman Frank Mestes, Cheto Aldama, and Robert "MeatHooks" Renteria.

 Adding an International flavor to the 8 team field from South of the Border in Mexico, is the Aguilas de Tijuana, or in English they would be known as the Tijuana Eagles. As a new entry in the Best of The West, this marks the Aguilas second trip to the USA, after debuting in the Ron Ortega Memorial Tournament in Oceanside, CA. This is fine young squad of players in their 20's, lead by General Manager Toufic Hourani. They are interested in upgrading their competition, and are looking to play more Tournaments in the states. These youngsters hone their fastpitch skills in the very competitive 10 team Tijuana City league.