Raiders Wins ASA 45 & Over Sixteen Inch

No Glove Event Held with At The Sixteen Inch Major Nationals

Raiders ASA 45 & Over 16" National 'No Glove' Champions

Photo By Jack Stout

MT PROSPECT: The Raiders won the inaugural men's 45 & Over No Glove Sixteen Inch National Tournament held in conjunction with the ASA Men's Major Sixteen Inch National Championship tournament at the Majewski Softball Complex in Mt Prospect on August 27th though September 4th. This was a no glove tournament that was sanctioned by the ASA with a single elimination with a consolation bracket format being used. Eight teams participated with Magic (2-1) taking home second place, with the Kings and George's tying for third place. In the consolation bracket it was the Laborers defeating Still Cruisin (no score was reported) in the consolation championship game
In the first round of play the Raiders defeating Wally Pecs Still Cruisin by the score of 5 to 1 on Saturday the 27th advancing the Raiders into the final four at this inaugural event of the ASA Men's 45 & Over Sixteen Inch National Tournament.
Other first round action saw the Kings defeating Kenny Flaws team 11 to 7, George's from La Grange pounded out a 15-5 win over Jim Matlock's Laborers ball club and Pat Harrity's Magic team defeating Mudville, the four winning teams went on to play on the Thursday evening September 1st along with the opening night's All Star games for the Major National tourney. Play than was concluded on that Saturday September 4th with the consolation bracket being played to conclusion with the Laborers beating Still Cruisin to win the consolation side of the tourney.
In the second round of play on Thursday evening the Raiders put on a clinic both offensively and defensively in the semifinal as they destroyed the Kings 24-0 to put them into the championship game. The Kings had beaten Ken Flaws team (no score was reported) in the first round of play to advance into this semifinal game with the Raiders.
In the other semifinal contest it was the Magic defeating George's 18 to 8 to set up the final championship game on Sunday evening.
In the championship game on Saturday evening it was the Raiders and Magic squaring off with one another and the Raiders scored two runs in the first inning to grab a quick lead. In the second inning the Raiders hung a seven up onto the score board to take a commanding lead of 9-0, From there the Raiders continued to play stellar defense as they held off the Magic ball club to win 11 to 5 as the Raiders became the first ever ASA Men's 45 & Over No Glove National Champions.
The Magic squad that included Pat Harrity, Tim Decker, Frank Mioni, Larry Ellerbee made it to the title game by opening play with a first round win over Mudville (no score was reported) to advance into the semifinals where they met and defeated George's 18-8 to put them into the championship game against the Raiders on Saturday night.
Raider's manager Ted Sherman said, "The Raiders scored a combined forty runs while holding their opponents to just six runs during this tournament." Sherman continued by saying, "While the national tourney is being played with gloves the Legends Champions, the Raiders showed everyone how the game was meant to be played without the gloves. In fact during our three games we committed only one fielding error."
Sherman than took the time to name the players on his squad by saying, "Pitcher Dan (the Sheik) Carmody, Joe Morgan at short, Barry Marks in left, Danny (Reggie) Relaz at 2nd all came up with huge defensive plays for the Raiders as we also got key offensive contributions from Legends Art Lurie, Jerry Rotter & all tourney long two-out Teddy (Zim) Sherman. Other contributors for the Champion Raiders were John (Chooch) Tamrez, John Miller, Matt Thompson, Mike (Ruby) Rubenstien, Tim Gibson, & Joe Moreale. My team is a group of guys who have either played together or against one another at Mather Park over the years."
Sherman concluded by saying, "As the Raiders manager I would also like to thank the team's main sponsor Linda Sherman & LWoods Pine & Tap in Lincolnwood for their continued support through the years."
In the consolation semifinal it was The Laborers over Mudville (no score was reported) and Still Cruisin over Ken Flaws team to put those two teams into the consolation championship game.