This email was received in January 2005, and offers a fan’s perspective on the AAU International Tournament. We thought it worthy of reprinting, as the 2007 tournament approaches:

Received: 1/26/05 2:02:27 PM
From: “DAN KARWOSKI” karwoski at ucnsb.net
Subject: AAU INTERNATIONL FASTPITCH TOURNAMENT
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The Seventh Annual AAU Invitational Fastpitch Tournament was
played 20-23 January at Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in
Kissimmee, Florida. Four beautiful, sunny days, ideal for fastpitch
players; twenty-four teams from eight different countries and
eight states competed on six manicured diamonds. This is the
fifth year I have attended this tournament and it gets better
each year. This tournament was far better than any of the ASA
major tournaments for the past ten years. Many of the top players
from Canada and the USA participated. Each year I am amazed
of how well the teams from the Caribbean, Central and South America
play. Most could easily compete in the ISC Major Championship.

This tournament has evolved into one of the better tournaments
played in North America and I am certain that the participants
and fans appreciate the TIME and EFFORT that Ken Hackmeister
and Alex Linares gave to create so successful and endeavor.

I stayed at the Howard Johnson Parkside several miles from the
ballfields, in an excellent, very quiet room costing $36.00 a
night, total, which included a large continental breakfast. A
tournament pass cost only $17.50 and the parking was free. Many
reasonably priced restaurants near the hotel.

Dan Karwoski
just an old fastpitch fan

Congratulations to the Utah Fastpitch, champions of the First Phoenix Winter Invitational with solid performances by Utah and runner-up Los Apaches. Utah beat the Los Apaches 6-1 in the championship game. The tournament was a great success. I want to extend my gratitude to everyone who was involved and thanks to all the team for participation. Let’s keep it going, and shoot for 16 teams in March. Good luck to everyone in their upcoming season.

Great 8 Championships W L

1st Utah Fastpitch 5 0
2nd Peoria Los Apaches 4 1
3rd Tucson Hurricanes 3 2
4th L.A. Latin Heat 3 1
5th San Francisco Bay Merchants 2 2
6th Tucson Hawks 2 2
7th Peoria Los Apaches Viejo’s 2 2
8th Prescott Badgers 2 2

Consolation Championship

1st Window rock Az Brewers 3 2
2nd Peoria Latin Rage “Young Guns” 3 2
3rd Prescott Barros 1 3
4th Peoria Bandits 0 3
5th AZ Gilas 0 3
6th Prescott Bat Attitude 0 3

Jllopes2@hotmail.com