Thanks to Tournament Director David Blackburn for his timely reporting throughout the weekend.
Topseeded Innovative Communications team from Utah capped a perfectweekend with a 13-5 win over second seed Panteras of SouthernCalifornia, running their record to 5-0 on the weekend, and claimingthe 2007 Best of the West title in Santa Barbara, CA. The win byInnovative Communications marked the second year in a row the championhas come from Utah, with last year's title being captured by the HighDesert Dawgs.
Steve Black was the winning pitcher in the titlegame, with the Panteras Ron Rupp suffering the loss. The Utah squadmounted a well balanced offensive attack to score 13 runs, aided by anumber of defensive miscues by the Panteras.
Innovative'sJason Littledyke was 3-5 in the championship game, while teammate RyanBriggs was 3-3. Jason Littledyke of Innovative Communications, wasnamed the tournament's Most Valuable Player, winning an Easton CNTStealth bat, while the championship game starter Steve Black wonOutstanding Pitcher honors. Each member of the championship team won aLocker bag embroidered with "2007 Best of the West Champions", geargenerously donated by AIS/ Sportsrobe.
The Best of the Westis the longest running open tournament in California, 17 years andcounting. It has been headed up for most of them by the ISC's streamingmedia maven, David Blackburn, with plans already underway for year 18.
