Oklahoma City, OK---Fourteen of the country's top men's and women’s slow pitch teams - two each from the Men's Class A, B, C & D division and Women’s Class C, D & Open division - will gather at ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, OK, October 17-19, to compete in the Hooters Championship Series.
The Hooters Championship Series brings together the East and West champions in each division of play, and allows them to determine a true national champion by playing each other in a best three out of five series.
For the next seven days we will preview each division of play beginning with Men’s Class A and allow you to get to know the teams just a little bit better.
MEN
Class A East - Over Labor Day weekend, Berardi’s/TPS/Tek Serve recorded a 7-1 record en route to capturing the ASA East National Championship and advancing the Lexington, KY team to Oklahoma City for the Hooters National Championship Series. It wasn’t easy as Berardi’s battled its way through the loser’s bracket after losing its third game of the tournament, 35-32, to Aubrey’s/TPS. Once in the loser’s bracket, Berardi’s mounted a charge winning three consecutive to reach the finals where it had to defeat Central Paving twice to make it to Oklahoma City. A 28-27 win in the first game pushed the finals into the “if” game where Berardi’s captured a 13-11 win and a trip to the Hooter Championship Finals. Players named to the first team All-American roster included Lou Mongelli (first base), Fred Ditto (second base), Shawn Harkins (utility), Kirby Puckett (utility) and Joey Resing (utility).
“Obviously everyone is very excited to travel and head to Oklahoma City. We just happened to peak at the right time this year. We always knew we had the team and talent to accomplish what we did and we finally put it together around August and here we are looking at a National Championship title. To be honest I wish it would hurry up and get here.”
Berardi’s/TPS/Tek-Serve Team Manager Neill Sapp
Class A West –Meridian Softball of Houston, TX earned its trip to Oklahoma City as the West representative after a 4-1 finish at the West National Championship in McAllen, TX in October. Meridian did battle with Long Haul/Miken of Caledonia, MN to earn the title of West Champion. Meridian defeated Long Haul 20-19 in the winners’ bracket final but Long Haul forced the “if” game with a 33-32 win in the finals. A determined Meridian team, with their sights set on Oklahoma City rebounded in the final game with a 19-15 decision.
Set to battle Berardi’s/TPS/Tek Serve, Meridian will look to ASA first team All-Americans and three-time Championship Series participant Bud Weathers (pitcher) to lead the way. ASA first-team All-Americans Steve Hall (first base), Victor Broussard (outfield), Mark Cerny (outfield), and Kenny Seymour (utility) will also play a vital part if Meridian is to bring home the title.
“ASA ball is what we play to win every year. It is the best association there is
out there and we build our team to work hard and win. The East/West competition is so good because it gives you a lot of incentive knowing where you can end up. One of our pitchers, Bud Weathers, has been here a number of years and he is an Oklahoma City native so it will be a nice homecoming for him. This is a really big deal, we start our season out with this goal and here we are.”
Meridian Team Manager Randy Risher
< Back to previous page