From the prolific pen of Bob Otto:
Written by Bob Otto on June 3rd, 2010

Story by Bob Otto/OttoinFocus

(click banner for original news story at OttoinFocus)

“This summer (2005) we had very rewarding experiences in the northern part of the United States, the home of softball. Playing on that stage and enjoying it thoroughly was like the fulfillment of a dream…” – Yuma Arai, captain, School of Human Sciences, (Waseda University) fourth year

DES MOINES, IOWA- With 14 teams committed to date, the North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) Age-23 Under Tournament is shaping up as an outstanding tournament for young men’s teams.

And the team at the top of the list should be a crowd attraction.

According to news reports coming from NAFA headquarters, Waseda University in Japan is sending a young men’s team to Des Moines to compete in the 23-Under World Series championship.

Now this has to be considered a big boost for the 23-Under division – and the NAFA World Series in general – and an incentive for other U.S. and international teams to possibly enter as well.

The 14 teams committed outpaces last year’s 10, a 29-percent increase. Men’s fastpitch dying? Not if these numbers keep going up.

Show this list to other young fastballers (and baseball players) and it’s sure to light a fire under their competitive spirit.

For more information about the Age 23-Under Division and other NAFA men’s fastpitch divisions, visit the NAFA website at: NAFA FASTPITCH

To read about Waseda University fastpitch softball and their first journey to the U.S., visit this link:

Go! Go! Waseda Sports: Men’s Softball – (2005) World Champions!

The 14 Age 23-Under teams currently committed.
1) Waseda University, Japan
2) Hartford Explosion, South Dakota
3) Young Buck’s, California
4) Page Break, Utah
5) Warsaw Stagboys, Illinois
6) Ramsey Financial, Illinois
7) Kegel Knights, Minnesota
Northwest Implements, Kansas
9) Preston Merchants, Minnesota
10) Main Street FP, Wisconsin
11) Sibley Electric, Minnesota
12) Kenosha 23U, Wisconsin
13) Westerville Capitals, Ohio
14) Duluth 23U, Minnesota

This entry was posted on Friday, June 4th, 2010 at 11:02 am and is filed under NAFA, Youth. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.