NAFA World Series Heads into Final Two Days
The NAFA “A” World Series in Des Moines, Iowa managed to overcome several rain delays and play back towards the original schedule, thanks to some fine work by the Des Moines grounds crew and patience and reworking of the schedule by Benjie Hedgecock and company. Hedgecock got high marks from team managers and players alike for use of a toll-free “Weather Hotline” that was updated every 30 minutes during the rain delays, keeping teams apprised of the latest field conditions at both complexes, as well as the latest rescheduling to keep the tournament moving forward. Des Moines, IA boast two of the nicer facilities that the editor has seen, one at Racoon River and another in Central Des Moines. Both were engineered to handle wet weather conditions.
The three Southern California entries in the “A” Division are still alive in the loser’s bracket, needing 8 or so wins to claim the title amongst 51 teams. The So Cal Hustlers and Panteras are 2-1, while Palm Springs is 1-1, having earned a first round bye.
The Panteras have a longer road, having dropped their second game, and will have to win two more games to get to the spot in the bracket occupied at present by the Hustlers and Palm Springs.
So Cal Hustlers
The Hustlers won their first game, 8-6 over Point Blank Tatoo of Wisconsin, with Joe Salcido picking up the win and Bobby Cole the save. It was a game of “3’s”, with Larry Watts, Jr. getting 3 hits, David Hess scoring three runs and young-just-turned 21 Casey Shaw hitting a 3 run home run over the right centerfield fence, his first of the year.
In their second game, the Hustlers had their finest offensive outpouring of the year, banging out 22 hits in the 4 inning, rain delayed, 18-0 win over Mac-O-Chee of Ohio. The Hustlers led 12-0 after two innings Thursday night when the rains came and halted play. The game resume the following morning and the Hustlers picked up where they left off, with seemingly everything they hit falling in. Ken Shaw led the barrage with 5 hits, while Daniel Roth, Steve Profitt and Luis Saldana had three hits each. Roth had a single, double and triple. Player-manager-relief pitcher Bobby Cole had a double and the Hustler’s second home run of the tournament.
In their third game, “Papa Joe” Salcido was spinning another gem, nursing a 1-0 lead into the 5th before a pair of home runs by a strong hitting USB Pirates team from Minnesota turned the tide, and sending the Hustlers to the loser’s bracket. The Hustlers suffered a bit of controversy early in the game, when Bobby Cole came flying around third, on the heels of Doug Shaw scoring the first run of the game. The plate umpire was retrieving a bat from the basepath and collided with Cole, who would otherwise have scored easily. In the end, the controversy forgotten when the Pirates padded their lead.
The Hustlers will return to play today at 1:15pm Central time, in hopes of winning four games to make it to Sunday.
Palm Springs
Graham Balog tossed a 2-0 shutout for Express’ first win, before they were dispatched to the loser’s bracket by Grumpy’s Bar of Iowa. More details as they become available. (Sorry, they were at the other complex) Palm Springs will play at 1:15pm today and need four wins to get to Sunday.
Panteras II
With hard-throwing Anthony Martinez and veteran Joe Edwards, the Panteras began their battle back from “level one” (aka the Long road) of the NAFA “A” bracket. After knocking off Hollywood Sports of Minnesota in their opener, the Panteras held a 3-1 lead when play was halted Thursday night due to rain. Clark Construction of Indiana ralled for 3 and the win, sending the Panteras to the loser’s bracket. The Panteras responded well, though, notching an 8-3 win over Cougar Lanes, Wisconsin, as Joe Edwards’ change-up kept hitters off balance all game long. Jay Obregon turned in several defensive gems to anchor the Panteras defense. The Panteras play The Bar of Appleton at 8am, and need six wins on “Survival Saturday” to make it to the final day.
(Editor’s note: No slight intended by not covering other teams in the NAFA World Series. I’m playing in this one, so just passing along a few notes for the local So Cal fans at home as time and internet connection permit. NAFA doing their own fine coverage of the tournament, so we recommend you click the logo to visit their website for all scores, updates and more.)