By LISA COLONNO
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
August 23, 2007Tom Owen and his Elkhart-based fastpitch softball team competed in Canada last week, several players have competed for the USA Softball men’s national team and now they will play in their home state of Iowa.
Albaugh Inc. is one of 64 teams in three divisions competing in the Des Moines area on the final weekend of the North American Fastpitch Association World Series.
“We travel quite a bit,” team manager Owen said. “We’re your typical weekend warriors.”
Players from the second-highest level of softball, to everyday athletes, will compete at the Raccoon River Park Softball Complex and Des Moines Softball Complex today through Sunday. Seven of the teams are based in Iowa.
Albaugh Inc., consisting of players ages 24-40 and mainly from the Des Moines area, is considered the favorite in the triple-A division, the highest level of play.
“It’s not your beer league,” Owen said.
Albaugh Inc. finished fifth in the International Softball Congress World Tournament Aug. 10-18 in Kitchener, Ontario. Pitcher Karl Gollan was named most valuable player.
Albaugh Inc. players Sonny Perkins, Matt Palazzo and Terry Luster are listed on the USA Softball men’s national team roster. Owen, Matt Darling and Ben Fjelland also have played for the United States.
The Des Moines Metros and Midwest Stampede from Bondurant also are in the triple-A division.
“Fans can expect to see some exciting, fast-paced, high- scoring, great-pitching, men’s fastpitch softball,” said Benjie Hedgecock, NAFA executive director.
The ‘A’ division is largest with 50 teams and players Hedgecock describes as “normal, everyday athletes.” Iowa-based teams the Des Moines Metro 45s, Grumpy’s Bar, Spencer Bud and Barnes City Fastpitch are in the division.
Metro 45s manager Mike Clark said his team is made up of older players from several states.
“Fans will be able to see all different levels of play,” Clark said of the weekend.
Hedgecock described the 23-and-under division as “a developmental division with some of the best players in the world, pitchers in particular.”
Included in the list of pitchers is B.J. Hunoff from the 2007 men’s national team.
Tourney info
WHAT: North American Fastpitch Association World Series final weekend
WHEN: Today through Sunday
WHERE: Raccoon River Park Softball Complex, 2500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines; Des Moines Softball Complex, 4980 N.E. 46th St., Des Moines.
TICKETS: A one-day pass costs $8 for spectators ages 13 and up, or a weekend pass is $20. Children ages 12 and younger get in free.
IOWA-BASED TEAMS: Players from Iowa are dispersed throughout the rosters of the 64 teams in three divisions competing this weekend, and seven teams are based in Iowa. In the triple-A division: Albaugh Inc., Des Moines Metros and Midwest Stampede. In the ‘A’ division: Des Moines Metro 45s, Grumpy’s Bar, Spencer Bud and Barnes City Fastpitch.
CHAMPIONSHIPS: Triple-A division – 6 p.m. Saturday at Raccoon River Park Softball Complex; ‘A’ and 23-and-under divisions – 1 p.m. Sunday at Raccoon River Park Softball Complex.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Log on to: www.nafafastpitch.com