ASA YOUNG MEN’S FASTPITCH NATIONALS

August 1-2, 2014

Heritage Park, St. Joseph Missouri

 

 

 

8...NW Royals

0...NW Implement

Game notes-

This was a 0-0 game going into the B6 when the Royals

tied together several hits for the 8 run inning

Winning pitcher-Craig Lewis-1 hit, 5 K, 1 walk (Royals, Missouri)

Losing pitcher-Ben Jermain-4 K, 3 walks, 11 hits (NWI, Missouri)

 

7...NW Implement

6...Key City Juniors

Game notes-

NWI had had an early 4 run inning that helped them win

this close game....time limit ended it in the 6th

Winning pitcher-Ben Jermain (NWI, Missouri)

Losing Pitcher-Jeffrey Lewis (Key City, Minnesota)

 

10...NW Royals

2.....Key City Juniors

Game Notes-

An early Royals lead led to both teams bringing their #2 pitchers

in the last 2 innings.

Winning pitcher-Craig Lewis...3 hits, 2 walks (Royals, Missouri)

No decision-Jacob Lewis...6 batters-6 outs (Royals, Missouri)

Losing pitcher-Jeffrey Lewis... 4 hits, 9 walks (Key City, Minnesota)

No decision-Jared Moore (Key City, Minnesota)

 

 

 

12...NW Implement

4...Key City

Winning Pitcher-Ben Jermain (NWI)

Losing Pitcher-Jeff Lewis (Key City)

 

8...NW Royals from Winston Missouri

3...NW Implement from Conception Jct. Missouri

Game Notes-

The Royals scored 5 runs in the 5th and 6th inning to give them a

working lead for pitcher Craig Lewis.

(and Winston catcher Kristchon Hisel....they never get recognized do they?)

Winning Pitcher-Craig Lewis...6  hits, 3 runs, 0 walks, 9 K... (Royals)

Losing Pitcher-Ben Jermain...8 hits, 8 runs, 5 walks, 3 K... (NWI)

 

The NW Royals have won youth titles in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014

(No age division in 2010 or 2012).

 

St Joseph Tournament director Chuck Kempf went out of his way trying to make the 3 teams

who signed up for this tournament have a positive experience.

It would have been easy to cancel this event due to lack of participation....

The gate personnel, concession stand workers and the grounds crew were personable and did a great job.

 

Minnesota’s Key City traveled well....bringing a large group of parents and siblings.

They had a fun morning visiting the Chiefs training camp and word has it that they have foresworn the Vikings!!!

Their coaches and dads....Brian, Kevin, Jon.....were friendly and great ambassadors of the games.

Watch them play in Quad City in a couple weeks at the NAFA World Series.

Key City’s pitcher Jeff Lewis.....has a brother named Michael who played for Team USA at Argentina a couple years ago.

His uncle is named Eric Lewis (from Minnesota)....he is a much better fastpitch player than the Missouri Fastpitch player Eric Lewis.

Their Men’s softball sponsor....Pub 500.....welcomed us in Mankato a few years ago.  Their owner talked with us at dinner

and actually came to watch us play the next day.  We need more men like him (sorry I don’t his the name on my tongue now).

 

Local fastpitch legends John Younger (Missouri Fastpitch Hall of Fame) and Leo Blakely (2013 inductee into the NAFA Hall of Fame)

both showed up to sign autographs and support the boys.  These two men still coach fastpitch teams in city league and

are always looking for new young players to bring into the game.  John still hits with the best of them and Leo is always ready

to warm up a pitcher, try and get his 3000 hit or run a foot race.

(note-St Joseph City league has a men’s league title on the line this week as Howard Wesson toes the rubber for Herzog Fastpitch against

ISC MVP Chris “Mook” Miljavik’s team.....inside sources say Jason Smith’s play at SS is the key to this game)

 

Perhaps ASA should consider some cheaper, regional type of tournaments for the younger age groups?

Teams and parents are clearly not willing to travel 8+ hours for the younger age groups...10, 12, 14.

Harder financial times and a lack of younger boy fastpitch leagues make long trips impractical.

If we had more participants in those age groups....perhaps we would have more participation at a National event involving 16, 18, 23 age.

NAFA has introduced some East/West Master’s type of events....would this idea work for the younger ages?

 

Michigan hosted a 13-23 year old tournament this weekend....glad to hear adults there are working together to keep

the sport alive.  I hope that next year some of those young men and the St. Joe participants can get together to

compete.  Don Petro....we missed your crew. Next year!!!

 

Best wishes my fastpitch comrades. 

Eric Lewis-declining old fastpitch player....but happy to be a fastpitch dad

See everyone at Quad Cities next weekend for NAFA (Herzog Fastpitch).

 

 

SJ Tournament Director-Chuck Kempf....what a great fastpitch family. 

UIC-Jack Walker....”Morning Jack” from KAAN radio

Key City Juniors-Minnesota.....Coach Brian Swanson....FASTPITCH PLAYER AND DAD

NW Implement- Conception Jct., Missouri.....Coach Tim Jermain....FASTPITCH PLAYER AND DAD

NW Royals-Winston, Missouri....Coach Eric Lewis...FASTPITCH PLAYER AND DAD