TCG infielders celebrate their Division 3 Championship. J. Carpenter photo.

HENDERSON, NV – A&V Tournaments held the annual Spring Nationals tournament for 2007 at Arroyo Grande Sports Park in Henderson, Nevada. 35 men teams came out to compete in three divisions, with prizes going to the top three teams in each division along with all tournaments for the top four teams. This was the second year the Spring Nationals have been held in Henderson. This gives the teams a chance not only to play some softball games but also have some fun in Las Vegas. Though owner of A&V Tournaments, Al Acosta thinks it will be even more exciting next year. “We have only used Arroyo Grande Sports Park for this tournament, but starting in 2008 we will now add Russell Road Park for this tournament.” This is because the tournament will be hosting more than the 35 teams that participated this year. “We will also be giving out Spring National Rings to the winners in 2008,” Acosta said.

What makes this tournament enjoyable to play in is every team has a fair chance; even a team going 0-2 or 1-2 on the first day still has a chance to make it into the following day’s Double Elimination.

One team did in fact do this, going 4-2 on Saturday, and finishing second in the double elimination tournament on Sunday to finish the weekend playing 11 games for a total record of 7-4. Acosta said, “If we can make 90 percent of all the teams happy, then we’ve done a good job.”

In division three, first place went to TCG from Covina, CA who went 6-1. TCG had to double dip Crunch Time to take their division. TCG had lost in the undefeated game to Crunch Time 11-6, but put it all together in the end with revenge by double dipping Crunch Time 10-6 and 23-13. Mark Ramirez was named MVP and All Tournaments went to Edwin Quesada, Charlie Whelcher, Richard Trujillo and Mitch Richardson.

Crunch Time from Pomona, CA took second place with a record of 4-2, only losing to TCG. Crunch Time named Adam Najera, Leo Gaytan, Shawn Baez and Chris Lecompte to the all tournament team. Anhder Realty from Las Vegas took third place by going 4-2. It named Brian Huff, Mike Verso and Jeff Troiler to the all tournament team. And fourth place went to Viejos from Mira Loma, CA, naming Eric White, Adrian Delatorre and Danny Ruelas to the all tournament team.

In Division four, first place went to Thugs from Riverside, CA, who went 6-1. The Thugs almost got double dipped by Mama Sayz but were able to pull themselves together again and play the way they had started the weekend. They lost the first championship game to Mama Sayz 22-18, but were able to defeat Mama Sayz in the “if” game 24-12. Julian Zendejas was named MVP for the Thugs, and All Tournament Honors went to Jesse Zendejas, Paulino Gomez, Brandon Medrano and J.J. Moreno.

Second place went to Mama Sayz from Santa Maria, CA by going 5-2 only losing to the Thugs. Mama Sayz named Adam Cole, Timo Estrada, Ryan Newcomb and Isaac Gomez to the all tournament team.

Third place went to Natural Freaks from Bakersfield, CA, by going 6-3 and named to the all tournament team were Joe Montelongo, Ryan Bumgarner and Bill Herrera.

From Redlands, CA, A.T.S. took fourth place going 4-3. Jonthan Ramirez, Ray Guillen and Michael were named to the all tournament team.

And in division five, first place went to the Hustlers from San Bernardino, CA. They went 5-0 by playing an almost perfect softball tournament. The Hustlers had a couple of mistakes during some games but were able to over come them and go undefeated in their division.

MVP honors went to David Paluzzi and George Escobar. Jeff Bowden, Bobby Serna and Ron Reyes were named to the all tournament team.

Second place went to Party Boyz from Santa Monica, CA, who went 7-4 for the tournament. Party Boyz had to play six games on Saturday to qualify for the double elimination tournament on Sunday. They were 1-2 and rolled off three wins in a row in the special loser’s bracket on Saturday. Party Boyz won seven games in the tournament, six of them by only one run. Three of their losing games were only by one run as well. They ran out of gas by the time they played the first championship game, as they lost 13-2. They did give the Hustlers a battle in the tight undefeated game in Sunday’s double elimination bracket losing by one run, 10-9. Party Boyz name Jessie Oronoz, Adrian Esquivias, Marcelino Barba and Kevin Gonzales to the all tournament team.

Third place went to Darkside from El Monte, CA who went 5-3. It named Steven Acosta, Danny Rodriquez and Louie Avalos to the all tournament team.

Fourth place went to Team Stupid from Riverside, CA, who went 4-2. Mike Donnelly, Eddie Ruiz and Josh McNeil made the all tournament team.