BFC team leader Ben Ross touches third to start a double play. Smedes photo.

RENO, NV - Ben Ross is a busy man. He runs a successful business. He’s the player/manager of, what many consider to be, the number one ‘D’ division softball team (BFC) in Northern Nevada. Ross has a family that includes six children and a wife of twenty years that gives him the green light to pursue the passion of running a tournament softball team. "After I started BFC up again in 2002, (BFC had not played competitively for the prior 3 years) my wife said to go five years with this effort and after that we’ll re-evaluate."

Just like BFC’s first five years, when they were a highly successful championship tournament team, the second five-year plan is rapidly becoming another story of multiple accomplishments. Ross started BFC in 1994 and his team won the Nevada ‘D’ state championship in their first year. More championships and top finishes would follow, as Ross’ BFC team would win the Nevada ‘D’ state twice more in 1996 and 1998. In 1998, at the ASA Nationals in Lancaster, CA BFC would record a third place finish in a field of ninety-eight teams. In 1999, BFC moved up to the men’s ‘C’ and proceeded to win the Nevada USSSA ‘C’ state title.

Ross then shut down BFC for three years. After his wife Elena agreed to the new "5-year deal", Ross called upon his teammates and reorganized his BFC squad. Bringing back with him to the current version of BFC were several of his original players including, Chris Baker and Brandon Noonkester. "Chris and Brandon are great players. Brandon is probably the best first baseman I’ve seen and Chris is a fantastic second baseman."

Ross gushes praise for his team, "It is a great group of guys, they are the most talented team I’ve had and have tons of heart_they just never quit." Ross also was quick to recognize the competition in Northern Nevada as a reason for the success of his BFC team. "Nevada has the best competition, several teams play at a national level. Teams like D-12, Nevada Fitness, CDM and Smoke all push us to be our best!"

Already having won three tournaments this year and playing two tournaments a month, BFC will be looking for more as Ross plans to take his team to the ASA Nationals in Midland, Texas later this summer.

With the history of success that Ross has achieved, he’ll probably need to make room on his trophy case at home for some more tournament hardware.