SANTA FE SPRINGS III

HITMEN AND MACABBI USA ARE CO-CHAMPS IN THE WOOD BAT

The SCIFL has its first ever Wood Bat Tournament on June 27-28, 2015 at Los Nietos Park, Santa Fe Springs, CA.  Saturday seemed overcast with temperatures hitting around 76’ degrees. At one point we all felt rain drops but not enough to stop playing ball. Sunday was hot with a small breeze; temperatures hit around 93’ degrees.

There were eight (8) teams that entered the tournament and after the round robin was complete the Coyotes from Beaumont, CA took the number one seed winning 3 games and no losses. They allowed three (3) runs to score and scored twenty-nine (29) themselves. The Hitmen from Morongo, CA took the second seed winning 3 games and no losses. They allowed three (3) runs to score and scored sixteen (16) themselves. Balboa took the third seed followed by Budmen, A1 Rockies, Brew Crew, Bandits, and Maccabi.

On field one, single elimination day, the game started with Balboa facing Brew Crew. In the circle for Balboa would be Randy Clay and Brew Crew would have Rogelio Leal. Balboa lead 3 to 0 through the third inning, but Brew Crew did not give up and came from behind to win 5 to 3. The second game the Hitmen would face the Bandits. In the circle for Hitmen would be Anthony Loza and the Bandits would have Greg Wertz. The game went seven innings and it was scoreless through the second. In the third inning Hitmen scored two runs and that would be it to win the game 2 to 0. The third game was a semi-final which Hitmen would face Brew Crew. In the circle for Hitmen would be Rob Schweyer and Brew Crew would start Delroy Waters and Francisco Cruz would enter the game in the second inning. The Hitmen scored two in the first inning, two in the second, and five in the forth and allowed zero runs to win the game 9 to 0 and would head to the Championship game.

On field two, single elimination day, the game started with Budmen facing A1 Rockies. In the circle for Budmen would be Gilbert Joiner and A1 Rockies would have Jesse Duncan. A1 Rockies scored four in the first inning, one in the second, and three in the fourth and allowed zero runs to win the game 8 to 0. The second game the number one seed Coyotes would face Maccabi. In the Circle for Coyotes would be Debbie Day and Maccabi would have Jason Gluckmen. It would be scoreless through six innings and would head to a tie-breaker. In the extra inning Maccabi would score one run to win the game. The third game was a semi-final game which Maccabi would face A1 Rockies. Jason Gluckmen would stay in the circle for Maccabi and A1 Rockies would start Doug Rooney and Jesse Duncan would enter the game in the sixth inning. This game would also be scoreless through six innings and would head to a tie-breaker. In the extra inning A1 Rockies would score one run and Maccabi would answer back by scoring two to win the game and head to the Championship game.

In a turn of events, the Championship game would not be played. Hitmen and Maccabi both agreed to finish the day as co-Champions.

Overall, the tournament went well and received positive feedback from players and coaches. Wood Bats changes the game from the regular composite bats and makes it safer for all players. Hitters realized that the feel was different and had to adjust in order to hit the ball. Teams also realized they had to make adjustments in defense to stay in the game. Once all the adjustments were made games became competitive and scores were close.

HITMEN	MACCABI USA