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After 20 years in the game, David has retired to coach his two sons and work on his golf game.  (Tiger, Mickelson beware) Not to worry though, he'll still be hosting 3 Vegas fastpitch tournaments in March, June, and October.  Retired for good? Was Roger Clemens? Another in the long line of good hitting pitchers, watch the pick-up list come August.

Have arm, will travel. The Big Man will pitch with the Portland Merchants in the West Coast tournaments  and the ISC World, and with his old Instant Reply crew in the So Cal A/B league, 40+ and the ASA "A" Nationals in Lancaster.   Mark will give Portland added depth to try to improve on their Sweet 16 finish at the ISC World  last year.   A strikeout pitcher, Bennett seems to save his best for the ISC World Tournaments. 

Nice addition to PS, will keep the Express loose in the clubhouse to boot.  Marcel came on strong the final two weekends of 2003, finishing with a cool .437 average.

Nine years managing Decatur Pride, two more with St. Joe's Frontier Casino Players and a stint as coach of the USA Softball team, Denny brings multiple national championships, and record as proven winner that few can match.  The trio of St. Joe's players coming with him (LaLonde, Milijac, and Montgomery) will certainly take it up a notch in Denmark, Wisconsin, but Bruckert might have the most impact on CT's goal of reaching the promised land.

OK, OK, I'm just kidding.  Had to see if you were really reading this.  Well, he did hit .538 for the Sox in Norwalk :-)  Some say the best hitter in the game, we see him in So Cal but once a year, in Norwalk.

Off the ASA "B" list, inked by Fred Hanker.  Great addition to the Sox, and league.   Randy went 3-0 with 16 K's in the Panteras Valentine tournament in February, making Fred look like Brian Cashman.

When the news got out that Cole was available on the free agent market, we didn't expect to see him last long.  Well it didn't.  Long Beach Black Sox manager Fred Hanker inked Bobby to a deal and add a talented outfielder to his roster.  The multi-talented Cole also pitches, so comes in as a "2-for-1" package for the Sox.  Cole has already proved his worth, running down some doubles over the weekend in Palm Springs and turning them into outs.

The rich get richer.  Big time player, key addition. 2002 NAFA  World Series Most Valuable Player and Outstanding Hitter, clutch as they come. 

The rumor of Garcia to The Farm had been swirling for a couple of weeks, but we have it on good source that they signed him yesterday (March 3rd).   He'll join fellow Californian Todd Budke to give those of us in So Cal more of a reason to pay attention to those tournaments east of us.  Garcia among the best "big game" players around. Todd hit .412 in recent ISF World Championships in New Zealand to rank among the top hitters in the world.  In 2002, he led Team USA to the gold medal in the Pan Am Qualifiers, hitting .484, with 6 homers and 17 RBI, which earned him a spot in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd".   The Garcia trophy case holds multiple National Championship and first team All American awards, including a NAFA "AAA" crown from last year. In that one, Garcia had the biggest hit of the event, a 12th inning game winning homer over RWP, MN.  When asked for his Team USA bio what personal item he would take if he were on the TV show survivor, he said "My bat".  Give you three guesses who the last man on that island would be.

Damian Guerrero

Jared (of/c) was the 23-under ISC MVP last year for the ATMI 23&under World Champions.

Coming off shoulder surgery, but when healthy, adds yet another good bat to that lineup.  Raymar front office giving the Yankees a run for their money.

A "young veteran", Jason has been pitching since age 18, now seeks to step beyond the 23-and-under competition to an ISC level program.  Like Adrian Beltre, lots of raw talent, looking to establish consistency and step his game up a notch.

Adam La Londe

One of four acquisitions by Circle Tap, which finished 2nd in the ASA Major last year, making a concerted effort to win both the ASA Major and ISC World.  Only 29, but plenty of ISC World and international competition under his belt.   Was a starter for Team USA at the recent ISFs.  His USA bio says "Sportscenter" is his favorite TV show - but this guy belongs on Sportcenter.  Big time addition.

With the cross-town rival the Fargo IS Knights inking Michael White for this year's ISC World Tournament in Fargo, North Dakota, these Knights (Kegel Black) have upgraded their staff as well, adding to their staff of Darcy Byrne and Chad Klassen.   Steve has pitched with Dolan & Murphy & Manitoba Alliance at the last two ISC World tournaments, compiling a 6 & 1 record with 2 shutouts and impressive era of 1.14

Spent winter pitching with the Lakewood Jets, many of whom are former Kanakas.  Doesn't matter what the team name is, these guys among the best in league. Lara only getting better.

Midwestern transplant finds a home with the Rounders, via free agency. Can play multiple positions. His Wisconsin team finished 5th at the NAFA WS last year.

From the manager's seat back onto the playing field. They're still talking about that .917 batting average at the November tournament...oh, and that modeling photo ;-) All kidding aside, a vital part of the Black Sox quick success.

This entry almost merits its own page.  Most stories about Peter start with the word "Legendary".  After Larry Miller folded a couple of years ago, Peter retired, and left the record books to speak for his accomplishments.  Hats off to CT for convincing him to return to the playing field.  He jokingly said that he would be "bringing up the rear" on Circle Tap's four man staff.   Uh-huh.  I had the privilege to see him at the '89 and '90 ISC Worlds.  Circle Tap is not on the list of teams for the Red Rock tournament in May, but rumor is that Peter will be in a So Cal Bombers uniform in St. George.  Buy a ticket, climb the fence, drive a few hours, whatever you need to do -- but take advantage of an opportunity to see him pitch in 2004.

Another of the trio from St. Joe's, Miljavac, like LaLonde has international playing experience for Team USA, including the recent ISFs in New Zealand.  Like his favorite baseball team, the NY Yankees, Circle Tap has loaded up in the off season.  Hard to believe it was 10 years ago when Miljavac was playing on a 23-and-under National champion.  A long history in the winner's circle, he's likely to repeat the experience, though away from his St. Joe home this year.

The third of the St. Joe's trio, Montgomery has spent the last several years, competing on the best teams in the game.  In 2000, it was an ISC World title with Decatur.  Then County Classics and St. Joe.  Like his two St. Joe teammates, Montgomery also played for Team USA and is a two-time All World player.

Yet another player from Team Lyons has landed at Team Rainey.  Outfielder Troy Morrison is their most recent addition.  Morrison led off for Lyons, but is one of the rare players that combines good power to go with it.  Morrison may be best remembered for two highlight reel moments at the 2002 NAFA "AAA" World Series.  In a semi-final game, Morrison led off the ninth inning with a game-winning walk off home run blast to straightaway centerfield against the Junkers of Minnesota that put Lyons into the championship game.  He also turned in what some in attendance (myself included) called the greatest catch they have ever seen, going deep into the gap, and going horizontal to kill a certain triple. Morrison has plenty of National Tournament experience, which will help with the ambitious, big time schedule that Team Rainey will be playing in 2004.

As a catcher for the Long Beach Painters and California Painters (Masters), Gary made plenty of trips to the pitcher's circle to counsel his pitchers.  This summer, he'll stay there -- as a pitcher for Ernie Marez's So Cal Rebels in the So Cal Alliance league.   Gary will continue to catch for the California Painters Masters team, who always seem to find themselves in the hunt for a National championship, not to mention running a pitching school and somehow finding time to coach the USA Jr. Men's team.  Great addition by Ernie: he gets a  pitcher, catcher, and experienced veteran capable of providing leadership for the good young talent on the Rebel Squad.

Tim Murphy moves up a class, after earning honors as the Most Valuable Player for National Champions Geraldines at the NAFA "A" World Series in Chippewa Falls last summer, posting a 4-0 record and 0.26 ERA along the way.  Murph has the tools to step up in classification, putting up good numbers in the "AA" division as well.  A big, strong workhorse ace, Tim can do some damage at the plate as well.

The note on his locker said "Retired, gone golfing.  Don't call me, if I change my mind, I'll call you."  Wait 'til he bumps into David Bell on the golf course and they get to talking. Eddie's playing days date back to....mine.  In '87, he moved from shortstop to catcher in the midst of a National tournament when our regular catcher broke a thumb.   Never did see him play much shortstop after that. as he went on to become one of the game's best catchers.  We'll miss you, Eddie.

From one "Team" to another.  Lyons out. Rainey in.  Best pitching staff in California. Could turn their Top 20 ranking into Top 10.  Already with a couple of National championship rings, and Team USA experience,  Peeps a proven winner.  Like the Yankees adding Kevin Brown.

Yet another piece of the Genesis nucleus, Dan adds a solid bat with power to an already loaded Edge team.   From last year's So Cal State Champs to a top team in 2004.  The rich get richer again.

Another key piece from the Lyons championship squad joins Team Rainey.  If the addition of Tony Peeples was a "Kevin Brown" signing, then label this one "Alex Rodriguez." Porto will add another dimension (long ball) to the TR attack. And like A-Rod, it won't matter what position he plays, just so long as you get his bat in the order.  (Porto played both infield and outfield at the NAFA AAA World Series last year.) 

Yes, that was Robert in the photo holding the Bombers runner up hardware in Norwalk.  But the word is that the Bombers will play tournaments, so he'll play league with Raymar, giving Raymar more left handed power. (Yogi, you've been busy!)

Spent much of last year playing at A/B level, lends top talent to new team. A-Rod to the Yankees, C-Rod to the Sox.

"Papa Joe" among the leagues most consistent starters, will lend veteran leadership to dramatically improved Raymar.

Well, it's official now (3/8/04). Santillano will join former Team Lyons teammate Dino Waltier with the Portland Merchants.  Rumors were circulating that Team Rainey was in the mix for this top player, but Santillano, who lives in Northern California, will be heading further north to play during the 2004 season.  Santillano is coming off one of his best seasons, posting some absolutely gaudy numbers in Hodgie's A/B league last year.  Mark was #1 in the league in three major categories: average (.520), slugging (1.160) and OBP (.625).  It won't matter if he loses another bet to dye his hair like in this photo, as it's his bat that opposing pitchers need to worry about.

With Squamish (British Columbia) out of the picture in 2004, Kevin Schellenberg has signed with the Vancouver Grey Sox.  Only 23, Kevin is a quick, right-handed middle infielder/outfielder, coming off his last season of Junior eligibility, "Shelly" has already made the Canadian National Team.

The Shaws-to-Raymar deal might be biggest blockbuster of the off season in So Cal Alliance.

Matt among the best young talent around. Also the answer to a trivia question: Who was the first father-son duo to hit back-to-back homers in a NAFA World Series? (Salem, 2002 with, ironically, Raymar)

Has played for Rounders in past, incl. Vegas tourneys, will join club full-time this year.  Gets his own number now, deservedly so.

It's Cal, not Cat.  Former Kanakas pitcher has hooked up with Primos, providing them with a solid arm and experience. 

Gamecocks fold, Sox get a solid veteran pitcher, with as much experience as anyone in the league (that includes me, Chuck :-)

Another example of "you can go home".  Finished season on crutches for NAFA AAA WS champions Team Lyons, look for big season from Dino, playing at home again.

White, an Oregon resident, was rumored to be headed to the Portland Merchants.  But with the ISC World Tournament in Fargo, North Dakota for the first time, not surprising that one of the two Fargo teams, Fargo Imaging Systems (IS) Knights would try to secure the services of a pitcher the caliber of Michael White.   White, the senior statesman on the Team USA staff has garnered nearly every accolade that a pitcher can, and has been a top performer in ISC World Tournaments for over a decade.  White brings class AND talent to their staff, a top drawer addition for the local guys looking to make a big splash in their own pool.

Semi-retired, will play with the Fresno Shockers in Las Vegas only, CA

Another member of the Team Lyons National Championship team in 2003, but no  nationals for Ybarra this year, as Mr. and Mrs. Dude are expecting a baby in September.  What are they putting in the water in Fresno these days?  Babies arrived this past year for  Peeples and Hiromerides, due shortly for Porto and Ybarra.  Dude says it wasn't the water - - just the end of the softball season :-)   By the way, how long a drive is it to Lancaster?

(Semi-retired)

Retired to ride motorcycles, or so he says.  Hey, we saw you pitching in winter in Artesia.  Hampered by leg injury the last half of 2003, the Z-man appears healthy and pitching well again.  (Well, except for those 3 hit batters when you faced us)

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