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So Cal’s 2008 Season Kicks Off Today

Saturday, February 16th, 2008

The 2008 men’s fastpitch season gets underway today at Holifield Park in Norwalk as Fernie Ramirez and his Panteras team host the 19th Annual “Ace” Memorial tournament. Among the teams competing in the upper division is Rude Pac, the reigning NAFA A-Major champions from 2007. The Pac, headed up by Rudy Montanez, Jr. has improved its roster for 2008, and is gearing up the NAFA World Series, and perhaps its first foray into the ISC II Tournament of Champions, set for August 10-13, 2008 in Appelton, Wisconsin.

Games start at 8am, and will run late into the evening, with today’s final set due to start at 8:15pm. Sunday’s schedule has three sets of games slated starting at 8:30am, with the uppper and lower division championship games set for 1:15pm. For map and driving directions to Holifield Park, see our earlier post on the tournament.

Click here for the schedule posted at the SCIFL website. The schedule was revised, so be sure to note changes.

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Norwalk 2008 Panteras Tournament Schedule

Thursday, February 14th, 2008

Thursday night update: Due to a team dropping out, won’t be using Artesia Park after all. All games at Holifield Park in Norwalk. Click link below for revised schedule.

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The 19th edition of the Panteras St. Valentines “Ace” memorial tournament will be held the weekend of February 16 & 17 at Holifield Park in Norwalk.

Click for the Norwalk 2008 Panteras Tournament Schedule

Editor’s notes: Nineteen years and running for this tournament, thanks to the efforts of Fernie Ramirez and company. For Fastpitchwest’s coverage of the tournament since 2003, click here. (including some photos from the 2004 tournament)

The SCIFL’s Robert Hernandez will help head things up this year, with good size field of teams for So Cal’s first tournament of the 2008 season. For map and directions, see below. Note that you can click the link at bottom of maps to “View Larger Map”, and also click the “x” and zoom to view the small one.

Holifield Park, Norwalk, CA


View Larger Map

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Panteras Tournament – Schedule Due Up Soon

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

From the SCIFL website:

Norwalk 2008 Panteras Tournament Round-Up

The 19th edition of the Panteras St. Valentines “Ace” memorial tournament will be held the weekend of February 16 & 17 at Holifield Park in Norwalk. As of Saturday, February 9th, the following teams have entered the tournament:
AA/A-Major

A Major

Amigos
Grillos
Long Beach Black Sox
Panteras
Rude-Pac
San Diego Primetime

A

Banana Slugs
Beer Nuts
Caribbeans
Flor de Cana
Mud Dogs
Palm Springs Express

Panteras II
Silverhawks
So Cal Hustlers
So Cal Rebels
Young Bucks

Monday, 2/11 – As of 6:00 PM on Monday night we are still looking for an additional field to accommodate the amount of teams we have in this tournament, which is not a bad thing. We are doing our best to avoid having any teams playing on Friday night. This should be wrapped up by tomorrow evening and the brackets posted later in the night. Thank you in advance for your patience.

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Dale Lopes to Manage LB Black Sox in ’08

Sunday, February 3rd, 2008

What has been rumored for weeks has become reality as Dale Lopes, Long Beach Black Sox Hall of Famer as a player, will now become the manager of the 2008 Long Beach Black Sox. The announcement was made today by Fred Hanker Black Sox owner. Lopes will work with Hanker on all roster moves and lineups. Dale will also coach third base and run the offense. When needed Lopes will fill in as a player. Lopes last managed Team Rainey to a to 3-2 finish in the ISC in 2005 just missing the elimination round. Lopes is well respected in the fast pitch community and will take over a Sox team that finished 31-7-1 in the SCIFL. Virtually the entire 2007 roster returns in tact for Lopes as he tries to defend the SCIFL crown. Lopes will be in attendance for the first Sox practice at Biscailuz Park in Lakewood Sunday February 10 from 12-2 PM.

Fred Hanker had this to say of the Lopes hiring.

“I needed someone to help me run the team so I can concentrate more on playing.”.”It has become more difficult to do everything and play as I get older.” “Dale will do a good job and he and I think along the same lines when it comes to strategy.” “I have known Dale for a long time and its good to have him back in the game.”

Dale Lopes is in the top 5 in every career Black Sox hitting category. He was inducted into the Sox Hall of Fame in 2007 along with Chuck Vranich. Lopes is a career .385 hitter with Long Beach and drove in exactly 100 runs in his illustrious run with the Black Sox. He is one of the original Black Sox players when Fred Hanker started the team in 2003 in the Artesia League. He is first team all time catcher for Long Beach’s tournament teams where he also was selected all tournament 8 different times. Lopes will take over the managing duties for the first time ever with Long Beach. Fred Hanker has been the only manager The Black Sox have ever had.

Lopes had this to say about the opportunity,

” It’s great to be back in fast pitch especially with the Black Sox. After a two year sabbatical, I got the itch to get back.This is a great opportunity for all of us to have a successful season. A manager is only as good as his talent and we definitely have talent. My objective is take the individual effort and mold it into a team concept.This is something I have always taught. I believe in doing things right and will continue to expect the same from my players.”

“The 2008 Sox roster is loaded with flexibility and veteran leadership. I am familiar with every player on this roster. I have either played against, played with or coached all of them. Most of them already know what to expect from me. The toughest part of my job will be to figure out whats best for the team. There is going to be a quality player at every position, and each player will have the opportunity to contribute. I will be looking foward to the 2008 season and the challenges that it may bring.”

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After the AAU, What’s Next ?

Tuesday, January 29th, 2008

Panteras Valentine Tournament, Norwalk CA – February 16-17

With the 2008 AAU International Tournament in the books, many fastpitch players and fans are asking “What’s Next?” The answer in Southern California, is the Panteras Valentine tournament, which traditionally kicks off the California fastball season around the Valentine’s weekend.

The Panteras St. Valentine’s tournament will be held at Holifield Park the weekend of February 16-17. Teams should contact Fernie Ramirez directly at 562-762-8397 to enter the tournament. The teams will be divided in separate divisions with the A-Major and AA teams in the same division.

As anyone watching the TV news knows, California has been getting plenty of rain of late, with more on the way. Hopefully it will clear the way for good weather for Fernie’s tournament, though Fernie is adept at working around the weather, a reality of putting on an early season tournament. Even the AAU in Orlando was a little wet this year, with rain falling on Thursday and Saturday before giving way to the expected Florida sunshine.

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First Tournament of the Year – So Cal – Feb. 16-17

Monday, January 7th, 2008

From the SCIFL website:

FIRST TOURNAMENT OF THE YEAR

The Panteras St. Valentine’s tournament will be the first of 8 tournaments scheduled for this year. It will be held at Holifield Park the weekend of February 16-17. Teams should contact Fernie Ramirez directly at 562-762-8397 to enter the tournament. The teams will be divided in separate divisions with the A-Major and AA teams in the same division.

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SCIFL Manager’s Meeting – Jan 12

Monday, January 7th, 2008

From the SCIFL website:

MANAGER’S MEETING 2008

As we prepare for the second season of SCIFL play, the next managers meeting will be held on January 12, 2008 in Whittier. The location is Fernie’s house located 8748 Nogal, Whittier.

The meeting will start promptly at 10:00 AM. We will have a full slate of information to discuss so please be on time. You can RSVP to rmh323 ( at ) roadrunner.com. This meeting is open to all managers and players of the league.

The minutes from the previous meeting can be located here and the tentative schedule for the 2008 season can be located here.

2007 proved to be an exciting year and the league was able to exceed the goals that of the Executive Board. In 2008 there will be new goals to achieve and hopefully surpass as we lose the restraints of being new and taken charge of our future.

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Taylor Farms Lumberkings Lose Darren Strang in 2008 to Injury

Friday, December 28th, 2007

With great regret the Taylor Farms LumberKings announce that due to an undisclosed injury Darren Strang will not be able to throw for the LumberKings in the 2008 season.

Darren Strang has pitched for the California LumberKings the past 2 years and has been very successful. Darren helped the LumberKings to a 2nd place finish at the 2007 ISCII ToC. We would like to wish Darren a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in the circle in 2009.

The Taylor Farm LumberKings are now looking to fill their pitching void to their already solid staff. If any pitcher is interested you can contact the LumberKings at the following email address: coorsman25@aol.com

David Weldin

Taylor Farms LumberKings

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Silverhawks, Banana Slugs Reign at Santa Barbara

Monday, December 10th, 2007

Young Bucks Tournament Results

Upper Division

Saturday

SoCal Bucks 2-1 3 runs allowed
Mark Bennett no hit Carribbean
Silver Hawks 2-1
Spud Barker 2 wins
Macabee 1-2
Carribbean 1-2

Sunday

SoCal Bucks 4 Carribbean 0
W M.Bennett L G.Joiner
SilverHawks 5 Macabee 3
W S.Barker L . Blackburn
Finals
Silverhawks 3 SoCal Bucks 2(10 innings)
W. S.Barker L M. Bennett

Lower Division
Sat
Young Bucks 3-0
Banana Slugs 2-1
Palmdale Masters 1-2
Kickin Chickens 1-2
Cana De Flor 1-2
Those Guys 1-2

Semi Finals
Young Bucks 8 Cana De Flor 7
Banana Slugs 5 Kickin Chickens 1

Finals
Banana Slugs 14 Young Bucks 8
W Bob Vandenburg L C. Armijo

Editor’s notes:

Banana Slugs? I know — I had the same reaction, a la Butch Cassidy….”Who are those guys?”. Well, one name jumps off the page of this tournament recap – pitcher Bob Vandeburg, the winner in the championship game. Bob was one of two pick-ups for my old Vista Bomber team of 1991, runner-up at the ASA “A” Nationals in Boulder, Colorado. Bob teamed up with Russ Snow and Cary Weiler, sort of a Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz of their day, and combined to pitch 11 games at Coors Field altitude, coupled with the then-new high compression Dudley Thunder.

Those of my generation will remember Bobby as the mainstay of the Burbank Raymax team during the 1980’s, including a trip to the ASA “A” Nationals in 1985 at Bakersfield, California. Six foot eight David Gray was the other ace on that staff. Good to see your name in a box score again, Bobby.

Looks like Mark Bennett had a good weekend, tossing a no-no, while Spud Barker pitched well — as he did all year, including the NAFA A Major championship at Des Moines. Keep an eye on the Rude Pac again in 2008. Little known fact, but pitching is not Spud’s only talent….I got a sneak preview at some of his handiwork on a new Rude Pac logo. Slick.

And while I’ve got the floor, let me put in a plug for Clyde Bennett and the Young Bucks, who hosted this past weekend’s tournament as a fund raiser for the 2008 campaign. Clyde works tirelessly to keep that program going for the 23-and-under crowd, with the likes of Team USA Jr. Men’s Kevin Castillo, pitcher Anthony Martinez, and many other fine young ballplayers over the past several years. The Young Bucks are a fixture at the 23-and-under Nationals, winning the national title in 2006 after finishing second in 2005.

Clyde gets help from son Mark Bennett, and some local community folks, but it’s a self-financed effort, with the expenses always running far ahead of the income. If you are still working on your Christmas list, you might consider a small donation to the Young Bucks 23-and-under program. It’s a great gift to the future of the game, and I’m sure it would be appreciated by Clyde. (He didn’t ask for this plug, but is deserving of any assistance given.)

Send to:

Clyde Bennett
6600 Stagecoach Rd
Santa Barbara, Ca. 93105

You can contact him at:
805-964-2114 805-895-9007
clydebennett13@yahoo.com

OK, just about time to turn the page to 2008. What are you and your team up to in the coming new year? Drop us a line. info (at) fastpitchwest.com

Posted in General, So Cal, Teams, Tournaments | No Comments »

AAU Roster 7 – Tijuana, Mexico

Wednesday, November 21st, 2007


(click logo for our AAU website)

AAU Roster – Tijuana, Mexico
Courtesy of Gonzalo Peña Martinez

Gabriel Marquez P
Gabriel Melendrez P
Panfilo Valdez P
Raymundo Parra 1b/Of
Jose Aguila C
Rodolfo Sandez Of
Mario Perez If
Willy Echave If
Adrian Vargas Of
Carlos Rosales 1b/Of
Marcos Diaz 1b
Roberto Castillo 1b/Of
Antonio Gonzalez If
Antonio Gonzalez Jr. Of
Ramon Pacheco If
Abel Amolitos If/C
Cesar Corona Of
Ivan Avena If
Carlos Verdugo If
Guillermo Quintana Utility

Gerardo Araujo Coach
Ulises Romo Coach
Gonzalo Peña Manager

Editor’s notes: Some familiar names on this squad, including a number of players from Mexicali’s AAU runner-up team of 2004: Gabriel Marquez, Panfilo Valdez, Raymundo Parra (So Cal Bombers) and Jose Aguila, to name a few. Mexicali finished second that year, to Los Socios, Venezuela, and third in 2005, being eliminated, ironically, in a title game rematch in the semis with Los Socios, Venezuela.

Tijuana, Mexico is located just south of San Diego, across the USA/Mexico border. The San Diego red trolley runs all the way from the downtown area (near the Padres Petco Park), through Chula Vista (home of Team USA’s Olympic training facility), and drops you off right near the border crossing.

Seven rosters received and posted so far, with 25 to go.

Visit the “teams” section of our AAU International Tournament website.

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