PHOENIX, AZ - Triple digits was the theme for the tradition rich City of Phoenix Firecracker Sports Festival June 25-27. One hundred teams played in triple digit high temps in the 36th annual Firecracker at the Rose Mofford, Papago, Desert West and Cesar Chavez Softball Complexes.

The 2004 version of Arizona’s longest running softball tournament was once again highlighted by opening ceremonies and a fireworks display on opening night at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex.

"We had no complaints even though tempers could flair when it’s hot out on the field, but everybody was happy," said tournament director Jerry Gass. "We had one hundred teams in many divisions. We had a pretty even split of adult slowpitch and girls youth fastpitch teams. The highlights this year included a great men’s upper division championship game that went nine innings and a women’s division final that also went extra innings."

The nine-inning thriller that Gass spoke of was for the Men’s Upper division crown as Line X out-slugged the Dogg Pound 22-21 in a thriller. The largest bracket, the 23 team Men’s Lower D, saw Express Mail edge Desmarais West USA Reality 10-8 for the title.

In the Women’s Upper division, Bad Influence and Okaki called it a truce and were co-champions. Another exciting championship game saw Harrison Farms hold on for a 12-10 victory over Thrown Together for the women’s lower honors.

The Coed Open saw KNIX play the hits on the way to a win over the Perfect Strangers in the championship.

Going into the Firecracker record books, as champions in the girls youth fastpitch divisions, were the Vipers in 18U, Storm in 16U, Silver Bullets in 14U, Hot Shots-Keith in the 12U and the Heatwave in 10U.

After a run of nine straight years hosting an ASA National, the City of Phoenix will once again host the ASA Coed Major National in September of next year.