OKLAHOMA CITY – The USA Softball Men’s National Team will travel to Altamonte Springs, Fla. this week to compete in the International Men’s Fast Pitch softball tournament conducted by the International Sports Group Union (ISGU), the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced today. The USA Men are using the event as a tune up for the International Softball Federation (ISF) XIII Men’s World Championship that will be held in New Zealand in March.
![USASoftball](http://www.fastpitchwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/USASoftball2.jpg)
“It is extremely important that we utilize this weekend to understand rotations and playing responsibilities,” said USA Head Coach Pete Turner. “I look forward to this first step in our journey.”
Team USA will begin the 28-team tournament in Pool A along with three other teams; Sopotocientos, Padres and Braves. Pool play games will take place on Thursday and Friday with teams seeded into a single-elimination bracket scheduled to begin on Saturday. The semifinals will take place at 10 a.m. ET(I’m assuming Eastern time) on Sunday with the Championship slated for noon. All games will take place at the Seminole Softball Complex and Merrill Park in Altamonte Springs.
Among the 28 teams competing in this weekend’s tournament are the National Teams from Venezuela, Panama and Puerto Rico as well as teams from around the United States.
This tournament will be the final opportunity for the USA Men to prepare as a group before leaving for Auckland, New Zealand on February 22.
Athletes competing for the USA Softball Men’s National Team in 2013: Tommy Crouch (DeKalb, Ill.), Frank E. DeGroat Jr. (Ringwood, N.J.), Roman Foore (Rosemount, N.J.), Jaime Cruz Garcia Jr. (Kansas City, Kan), Josh Johnson (Brooklyn, Wis.), Trevor Kelly (Marshall, Mich.), Eddy Ketelhut (Frankenmuth, Mich.), Adam LaLonde (Ashland, Ky.), Dave Lohman (Lindenhurst, N.Y.), Gerald Muizelaar (Grand Forks, N.D.), Matt Palazzo (Des Moines, Iowa), Travis Price (Orange, Calif.), Robert Rosthenhausler (Tucson, Ariz.), Todd Schultz (Williamston, Mich.), Marcus Tan (Union City, Calif.), Chase Turner (San Jose, Calif.) and Derrick Zechman (Watsontown, Pa.).
Pete Turner (Stockton, Calif.) leads the way in his twelfth year as the head coach and is joined by assistant coaches Avon Meacham (Upper Marlboro, Md.) and Jason Porto (Elk Grove, Calif.).
Follow ASA Softball on FB, www.facebook.com/ASAUSASoftball, for in-game updates as well as ASAUSA Softball on Twitter, www.twitter.com/ASAUSASoftball. Following the games, photos and re-caps will be available at www.USASoftball.com.
Click here for schedule for January International 2013 Tournament
IS THAT A MISS PRINT ????? Jason Porto asst. coach ????