The image above is from an old T-shirt from the 2nd Best of the West in 1992, in the days when the “Bombers” were from Vista 😉 Recognize any of those other teams?

The tournament was started by Al Ruegsegger and originally played at Joe Rodgers Field in Long Beach, and now enters its 16th year in a row, the longest running tournament in California. For many years now, the tournament has been headed up for years by the ISC’s streaming media maven, David Blackburn. It’s been played at Palmdate, Soboba, Winchester, and this year will be in beautiful Santa Barbara, this coming weekend, July 29-30, 2006.

The ballpark is a few blocks from the ocean. Something tells me that the ocean breezes will be appreciated by the players who have been suffering triple digit temps of late. Want to go to the tournament but don’t feel like driving? Catch Amtrak. . Union Station in downtown LA is an easy drive on the weekend, and you can enjoy a cold one enroute, and snooze on the way home. The Sunday morning trains will get you there in time for the semis and finals. The train station is just .7 of a mile from the fields. .Click here to see the ballpark. .

DRIVING DIRECTIONS
Coming South on Hwy 101, from Northern California, exit at Castillo. Go right on Castillo two blocks. The two fields at Pershing Park are on the right.

Coming North on Hwy 101, from Southern California, exit at the Garden Street off ramp. Go left to Cabrillo. Go right on Cabrillo about a half mile. At Castillo, go right, about 1 block, and the two fields at Pershing Park are on the left.

Editor’s note: Speaking of David Blackburn, watch the Morning Brief this week for some exciting news about Dave’s latest project for this year’s ISC World Tournament. We got a sneak preview last night and can’t wait to see it put into play. You’re going to like this one……

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Sixteen years. It’s the longest running men’s open level fastball tournament in the Western USA, the “Best of the West”, headed up for most of that run by David Blackburn, the Streaming Media maven of the ISC. How often do we get to play at picturesque ballfields like this one? . Want to see the tournament, but don’t want to drive? Take the train. Amtrak has a station only .7 mi from the ballpark.

16th Annual Best of The West Tourney – July 29 – 30
Santa Barbara, CA

TOURNAMENT DATES: Sat July 29 & Sun July 30,2006
CLASSES: All Players and Classes are welcome to participate; no players are ineligible
PARK(S) Pershing Park- 2 Fields
& Cabrillo Park – 1 field (if 12 teams)

PITCHINGRULE: InternationalSoftball Congress (ISC)
SANCTIONING: Amateur Softball Association (SO-CAL ASA)
ENTRYFEE: $400
ENTRY DEADLINE: 8 Teams (Possibly 12) Send in check to reserve your spot ASAP
FORMAT: RoundRobin Pool Play into a single elimination 8 team Championship bracket. The Tournament will include a 4 team consolation bracket (if there are 12teams)
GAMESGUARANTEED: Four
ENTRYCHECKS: Make check payable to: Dave Blackburn
Mail checks to:

Dave Blackburn
Tournament Director
–Best of The West
1720 Pacific Ave. #106
Venice, CA 90291
310-266-7803
daveb(at)virtvent.com

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From Al’s Fastball:

May 20/21 in Palm Springs, CA

The CR/Portland squad would like to thank Ralph Trejo and the SoCal Bombers for a great weekend of ball in beautiful Palm Springs, CA. The fields, hotel, pool and scenery were very nice. I would recommend any teams looking to get out of the cold and play some early and stiff competition to plan for Palm Springs in ’07.

Relying on solid pitching from Mike Piechnik, Mark Bennett and Roberto Bahler, the team managed to win all 3 games Saturday, earning a bye in the first round of Sundays elimination. Saturday scores:

CR/Portland………2
Lumberkings………1
W-Mike Piechnik
L-Sonny Perkins

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