Conference USSSA Hits Mid-Season

By Robert Campbell

CONCORD, CALIFORNIA—The 22nd annual Mike Davis Memorial featured a very strong field. It was highlighted by the Best of the West. Early wins by Dan Smith/Menosse/Chaney’s, GTL Cartel/Worth, Desert Falls, and Famous Sports.Com/Easton, set the pace for the tournament.
A rare occurrence in today’s Conference softball was a second round no-hitter delivered by Dan Smith’s pitcher Geno Buck in a 30-0 victory. Dan Smith/Menosse/ Chaney’s continued its dominance with six run-ruled games at this event and closed out the tournament with consecutive run-rules over “A” division power GTL Cartel/Worth.
The tournament MVP was Dan Smith’s Brett Helmer and JD Genter was defensive MVP. GTL’S Jimmy Salas was the Offensive MVP. Dan Smith/Menosse/Chaney’s would now move-on to Illinois.

HOUSTON, TEXAS—The Space City Classic had this season’s largest field of teams at 42. The strength of this field shined through with Albicocco's/The Scene/Worth, Fence Brokers/Gametime supply/Worth, and Wood Law/Miken shining through on a hot-tempered weekend in Houston.
Wood Law/Miken beat Albicocco in a true Texas barn burner 26-25. It set up a true revenge match for the finals. Albicocco's/The Scene/Worth did exact their revenge as they proceeded with a double dip of Wood Law/Milken.
It was Albicocco's first tournament win this season. Albicocco's Rick Sills was tournament MVP and Tony Mack was the defensive MVP. Woodlaw’s Matt Arlett was the offensive MVP. Albicocco's next stop will be the Dudley.

JOLIET, ILLINOIS—The Windy City Busch Light NIT was possibly the season’s toughest field to date. The tournament was lead by Conference USSSA powers Resmondo, Dan Smith, and GTL Cartel/Worth.
Resmondo rolled through the winner’s bracket with wins over EWS, and Dan Smith on their way to the Championship round. The loser bracket final featured Dan Smith/Menosse/Chaney’s facing off against the red hot GTL Cartel/Worth. GTL outlasted Dan Smith in an early morning battle.
Resmondo and GTL would square off in the Windy City finals. Resmondo/SpecialtyTank/ Phonemasters did not take long to dispatch with GTL and run-ruled them in the finals by a score of 37-19.
GTL has truly hit a winning stride and definitely stands out among the ‘A’ programs. They should make an impact at next week’s 28th Annual Dudley Easton Budweiser. The tournament MVP was Andy Purcell and Defensive MVP was Greg Connell of Resmondo. GTL’S Jimmy Salas was the Offensive Tournament MVP and Dan Smith’s Brett Helmer received honors.

BROOKLYN CENTER, MINNESOTA—The toughest field of the Conference USSSA season assembled for the 28th annual Dudley Easton Budweiser. It’s a venue with a rich softball tradition. The 2010 event showcased some very familiar front runners—Resmondo, Dan Smith/Menosse/Chaney’s, GTL Cartel/Worth, Aubrey’s, and AJS/Easton/ Supreme/Mojo.
Resmondo, once again, continued its dominance of the winner’s bracket by outlasting GTL with a 36-32 win and sending GTL to the loser bracket final to face Dan Smith/Menosse/Chaney’s. The loser bracket saw some impressive performances that just fell short of the top 3 positions. Solid showings were had by Aubreys/Taylormade/ Mizuno 5-2, AJS/Easton/Supreme/Mojo 6-2, and Northwest Combat 4-2.
Sunday morning would lead off with a battle of familiar semi-finalists this year—GTL Cartel Worth and Dan Smith/Menosse/Chaney’s. The two have posted some of the best Conference USSSA games this season. This game was very close and both defenses would show
their might.
Dan Smith/Menosse/Chaney’s would be the walk-off winner in a tight bout by a score of 27-26. Dan Smith would avenge their earlier loss. The two Major titans would now meet in the finals of the 28th Dudley as many predicted.
Resmondo/SpecialtyTank/Phonemasters would struggle early as Dan Smith/Menosse/Chaney’s had the upper hand. The game tightened up midway as Resmondo offense started to roll. Resmondo would outlast Dan Smith by a score of 35-25 and take the 28th Annual Dudley
Easton Budweiser.
Resmondo now has five and Dan Smith has four Conference USSSA tournament titles this season. Resmondo was lead by MVP Greg Connell. Dan Smith/Menosse/Chaney’s Geno Buck was the Offensive MVP and Rick Baker was the Defensive MVP. The series now heads to Connecticut, Arkansas, Washington, and
Tennessee respectively.

Conference USSSA Top 20

1. ResmondoSpecialtyTankPhoneMasters
2. Dan Smith/Menosse/Chaney
3. GTL CARTEL/WORTH
4. Northwest Combat/ CJ Financial
5. Sinister/Line Drive/Worth/Mojo
6. EWS/SHIRTS and LOGOS
7. Fence Brokers/Gametime Supply/Worth
8. Albicocco's/The Scene/Worth
9. AJS/Easton/Supreme/Mike Foulks/Mojo
10. Aubrey's/TaylorMade/Mizuno
11. Wood Law/Miken
12. Logo Express
13. Hub's Pub
14. Jean Shoppe-Easton-Down2EarthSports
15. Blitz/Watanabe/Weller/Minges/Easton
16. FamousSports.com/Easton
17. Elite Sports U.S.A./Combat
18. TEAM COMBAT/LASER VISION
19. Pipac/TCP/Easton
20. Suncoast/Reebok