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……
16th Annual
Best of The West
Men’s Fastpitch Softball Tournament
Fields 1 & 2 at Pershing Park
Santa Barbara, CA
July 29 – 30, 2006
6 Participating Teams
Team Rainey – Whittier, CA
FSR High Desert Dawgs – UT / AZ
Panteras – Whittier, CA
Taylor Farms – Salinas, CA
Young Bucks – SOCAL
United Sports Academy – Stockton, CA
GAME SCHEDULE
Saturday July 29
9:00 AM Field #1 Team Rainey Vs FSR Hi-Desert Dawgs
9:00 AM Field #2 Panteras Vs Taylor Farms
10:45 AM Field #1 FSR Hi-Desert Dawgs Vs United Sports Academy
10:45 AM Field #2 Panteras Vs Young Bucks
12:30 PM Field #1Team Rainey Vs Taylor Farms
12:30 PM Field #2 Young Bucks Vs United Sports Academy
2:15 PM Field #1 FSR High Desert Dawgs Vs Panteras
4:00 PM Field #1 Taylor Farms Vs Young Bucks
5:45 PM Field #1 Team Rainey Vs United Sports Academy
Sunday July 30
9:00 AM Field #1 3rd Place Vs 5th Place
9:00 AM Field #2 4th Place Vs 6th Place
10:45 AM – Winner of 9:00 AM game on Field 1 Vs 2nd Place
10:45 AM – Winner of 9:00 AM game on Field 2 Vs 1st Place
12:30 PM Winners of the 10:45 AM games play in the Championship Game