De Marini is the signature sponsor of the Rose Cup host team, the Portland DeMarini Merchants. To understand the rise of the DeMarini Dynasty, you need to know Ray DeMarini. A cult hero among avid players, Ray DeMarini emerged on the professional softball scene at the age of 40, a veritable geriatric among younger players. With a scientific approach to training, a batting speed of 96 miles-per-hour and a bombastic attitude, DeMarini fast earned a reputation as a savage competitor. In June of 1987, ESPN launched a nationwide search for a hardcore player to advise on a series of instructional softball videos. When approached by producer Erich Lytle, the biggest boys in softball repeatedly spoke of a five-foot-seven softball giant—Ray DeMarini. DeMarini had mastered reflex hitting, a technique that drops the ball squarely between the infield and outfield. Impressed with DeMarini's knowledge and scientific approach to training, Lytle not only hired Ray as an advisor—he hired him as the host. Together, they produced Ray DeMarini's Reflex Hitting System, ESPN's most successful home video to date. Having garnered national recognition through ESPN, Ray turned his efforts toward designing a high-performance bat for the masses. To accomplish this, he needed an engineer. "Not just an engineer," he said, "but a boot-strapping rocket scientist who could build an empire with pocket change." Ray's call was answered by Mike Eggiman. Having grown up on a farm, Eggiman was adept at making the most of a situation. Case in point: the company's first piece of automated bat-making equipment had the heart of an abandoned washing machine.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (click logo at right for their website) PORTLAND-JANTZEN BEACH 2300 N Hayden Island PORTLAND, OR 97217 UNITED STATES Tel: 1-503-283-8000 Fax: 1-503-286-1226 Email: hiexjb@integraonline.com

THE OXFORD SUITES  GRAND SLAM SAVINGS! 12226 N. Jantzen Drive Portland, Oregon 97217 (800) 548-7848                        Be sure to ask for the "Rose Cup" special  team rates.  Free Continental Breakfast, free evening appetizers and beverages, close to Delta Park, Indoor pool, sauna, suites, microwave and refrigerator in each room.  Laundry facilities on site.  Click logo to visit website for Oxford Suites

Thrifty Car Rental is the official car rental agency for the Rose Cup Tournament, and is providing a special rate for Rose cup players, families and fans.  Call 503-254-6563, and ask for code "Port 11".

1712 N. Hayden Island Portland, OR 97217 503-283-3800 (fax) 503-283-3377   Damon's, is just around the corner from the host hotels, and hosts a Friday and Saturday night banquet room for all teams and coaches.

The Cleaner Alternative to Pine Tar - Get a pine tar feel without a pine tar mess; Use it on hands, gloves, wood or aluminum bats; Doesn’t gunk up your bat; It doesn't get gooey or sticky as the weather gets hotter.  Dissipates quickly so there’s no lingering sticky feel Doesn’t stain your clothes like pine tar, so uniforms stay cleaner and last longer; Catchers and fielders use it on their glove hands to obtain a better feel for their glove or mitt; On the field, touch up your fingers for better ball control, especially if the field is wet or your hands are sweaty; Keeps hitters from over-gripping; Approved for play by Major League Baseball.

The Portland Rose Festival, Oregon’s premier civic celebration, has been a Northwest tradition for 97 years. This unique festival bursts into bloom each spring to celebrate the City of Roses with events, excitement and entertainment for all ages. More than two million spectators are in the know. Now here’s your chance to get in on the fun! With the theme Discover the Wonders, the 2004 Portland Rose Festival kicks off June 3, 2004.  Visit their Event Calendar to see a listing of the current Rose Festival highlighted events -- including the "Portland DeMarini Rose Cup Men's Fastpitch Tournament."

Clackamas Blueprint 10788 SE Hwy 212 P.O. Box 706 Clackamas, OR  97015-7136 (503)657-0353 Fax:  (503)657-7163 Clackamas Blueprint graciously provides the printing services for the printed "Portland DeMarini Rose Cup Tournament' program.

Winks Sports Pub & Pizza Address: 3240 S Troutdale Rd, Troutdale, OR 97060 Phone: (503) 667-8188 Winks Sports Pub & Pizza is a generous supporter of the Portland DeMarini Merchants team and the Portland DeMarini Rose Cup Tournament. Fastpitchwest is the Official Website of the Portland DeMarini Rose Cup Tournament and provides complete coverage of the tournament, including scores, game updates, photos, and internet (streaming audio) radio broadcasts of selected games. Fastpitchwest, where "It's All About the Game".