OCTOBER 9 UPDATE
COMMITMENTS
Melissa Kail, Frankfort, LHP for 16u Cincy Storm 2004 to Miami University (Ohio).
Amber Smith, P-1B, Sorcerer Softball Gold, to Illinois State
Jessica Everhart, Shamrocks, to Virginia Tech
Monica Wright (P) Heartland Havoc - Moline, IL to Northern Iowa
Davie Power-Black Commitments:
Kelley Montalvo- U. Of Alabama
Charisse Mariconda- Virginia Tech.
Kendall Miller- U. Of N. Alabama
Megan Niesel-U. Of N. Alabama
RISING STAR SHOWCASE
The Rising Stars annual fall showcase will be held in Davie, FL, October 29-31 The tournament has grown so large – the web site shows 204 teams from 29 States and Canada – that it now uses two parks and a third for the JC tournament.
http://www.risingstarsevents.com/teamsfall04.htm
NEW COACHING ASSIGNMENTS
(thanks to NFCA for this update)
Cari Boe, head coach, Adams State
Carissa Miller, head coach, Biola University
Mandy Cole, assistant coach, Tulsa
Linda Garza, assistant coach, Tulsa
Jean Rivett, Wisconsin-Green Bay (Susan Beeck resigned)
Cindy Harris, head coach, Napa Valley College
Amber Joyner, assistant coach, North Carolina-Greensboro
Ginger Miller, assistant coach, Georgia College and State Univ.
Becky Norris, head coach, Indiana Tech
Brenda James, head coach, Concordia-Ann Arbor
Kristy Norten, assistant coach, James Madison
Jaime Rose, head coach, Hutchinson Community College
Marty McDaniel, assistant coach, Tennessee
Jaime Forman-Lau, head coach, Santa Clara
Della Mitchell, assistant coach, Chandler Gilbert Comm College
Thomas Macera, head coach, Lynn University
Stephanie Stapleton, assistant coach, Akron
Gerice Olsen, head coach, Dakota State
Heidi Freitager, assistant coach, Nova Southeastern
AlAimola, head coach, Emmanuel College
Michelle Manning, head coach, Albion
Lisa Barbaro, head coach, Southern Connecticut
Cindy Suess, head coach, Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Jack Byerley, assistant coach, Auburn
Jenny Parsons, interim head coach, Nicholls State
Al Sciangula, head coach, St Joseph’s NY
Cori Van Dusen, assistant coach, Boston College
DREAM TEAMS OF YORE
The USA dominated international softball long before the Dream Team moniker came into vogue (USA basketball 1992 Olympiad). Moreover, the excellence of some of those teams helped build the case for adding softball to the Olympic venues.
Taking nothing away from the truly fabulous 2004 Gold Medalists, we need to pause once in a while to remember the exploits (and excellence) of teams who controlled the world stage before there was an ESPN, a Leno or Letterman.
Case in point: The 1978 team which took the Gold Medal at the IV World Championship in San Salvador with a record of 10-0. Kathy Arendsen threw four no-hitters and was with a dropped third strike of a perfect game against Chinese Taipei. Kathy missed another perfect game on her own throwing error. Barbara Reinalda also had a no-hitter. They outscored their opponents 60-1. No homers but Marilyn Rau (.346) had 10 rbi and Sue Enquist 7 (.329). Team also included Diane Schumacher, Kathy Strahan, Joan Van Ness, Doreen Denmon, Gina Vecchione, Beth Quesnel, Connie Clabby, Barbara Clark, Pat Dufficy, Lana Svec, and Pat Fernandes.
The 1986 team took Gold at the VI World Championship in New Zealand (13-0) and the VII at Normal 10-0 (Sheila Cornell hit .536 and Dot Richardson .500), and 10-0 to take Gold at Newfoundland at VIII World’s (Karen Sanchelli hit.400, Lisa Fernandex .394).
PROFESSIONAL SOFTBALL ENTERTAINMENT
For Immediate Release For more information
Contact Charlotte Sanger at 970-472-1000
NEW SHOW OFFERS
PROFESSIONAL SOFTBALL ENTERTAINMENT
Harlem Diamonds to begin play in May 2005
Take one part of the passion for the game of the women in “A League of their Own.” Add the wholesome Americana of our National Pastime that’s seen in minor league baseball parks throughout the land. Mix in five parts of the best-in-the-world athletic dominance displayed by the U.S. Olympic gold medal winning women’s softball team. Stir in an abundance of the family fun comedy of the Harlem Ambassadors basketball show. Season with a touch of the age old, men versus women, Battle of the Sexes. Finally, for flavor and color add some of the spirit and showmanship of the old Negro League baseball teams. Shake to a soulful rhythm and blues beat and you have the recipe for a sports entertainment product that appeals to all ages, all races, and both genders in communities throughout America. You have the recipe for the Harlem Diamonds softball show.
Beginning in May 2005, the Harlem Diamonds will tour throughout the United States with a softball entertainment show that features a five player squad of top women performers competing against local community All-Star teams. The Harlem Diamonds are the brainchild of Dale Moss, the principal owner and general manager of the Harlem Ambassadors basketball shows. Now in its seventh season of operation, the Harlem Ambassadors have two touring teams performing over 200 events annually as fund raising benefits for community youth and social service organizations. The team is also the largest provider of entertainment to the United States military worldwide, having performed at over 110 different bases in all services branches. Perhaps most significantly, the Ambassadors feature women players as the central performers on each of their two touring teams.
“With the basketball shows, fans see our women players as quality athletes and quality people in a very fan-friendly kind of presentation,” Moss said. “That’s also our objective in launching the Harlem Diamonds,” he added. But unlike the Harlem Ambassadors, which have co-ed teams of men and women, the Harlem Diamonds will be an all-women team . . . a five-player all-women team. “With just a pitcher, catcher, and only three other fielders, the athleticism of our players is going to have to shine through in order for us to be competitive,” Moss observed.
Interactive games involving youngsters from the audience and hilarious comedy routines involving the Harlem Diamonds players and members of the challenging team will also be part of the presentation. “This will be like no other softball presentation,” Moss said, adding that “something will be happening throughout the event, fans will be participants, not just observers.”
The Harlem Diamonds are scheduled to begin play on Memorial Day weekend and are expected to play nearly 60 games during the first season. Like the Harlem Ambassadors, the Harlem Diamonds will play events for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs, Girl Scouts, Police Athletic Leagues, Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, Jaycees, etc. These groups assemble local all-star teams to compete against the Harlem Diamonds and these all-star teams will be comprised largely of men players. Moss noted that while in basketball, women compete on the playground or in pick up games against men all the time, in softball such competition is almost non-existent. “Most elite level softball players haven’t faced males since back when they would beat the boys in Tee Ball,” Moss said laughing. “I’m betting that these women can still beat the boys,” he added.
In addition to the organizations mentioned, the Harlem Diamonds also plan to perform their services for girl’s softball travel teams seeking a unique new way to raise funds and to raise awareness of their teams. Like the Harlem Ambassadors, the Harlem Diamonds appear on a flat-fee basis. Groups have raised in excess of $20,000 utilizing the fundraising program that includes a Promotional Guide, tickets, posters, press materials, and a tremendous level of marketing support.
For more information about the Harlem Diamonds, call 970-472-1000 or log onto www.harlemdiamonds.com
NOSTALGIA
Once upon a time, the Catskill Mountains in New York teemed with summer resorts, much like those depicted in Dirty Dancing and earlier in Marjorie Morningstar. To New Yorkers, especially the city’s large Jewish population, these resorts, from the rudimentary to the grande, were more than just an escape from the heat – they were entertainment. The resorts competed for talent on what became known as the Borscht Belt. Over time, the likes of Jerry Lewis, Danny Kaye, Alan King succeeded the ground-breakers like Milton Berle. None were funnier, nor more beloved than Rodney Dangerfield who made an art form of self effacement.
The world also lost Richard Avedon. Hopefully, a great many people will see exhibits, not just of fis unique fashion photos, but his black and white photos of thw world and its people – truly among the outstanding e4xamples of photography as an art form.
Found a number of items ruminating through boxes in my study.
My aviator sunglasses brought back memories of a time when I didn’t need trifocals. I haven’t piloted a plane since 1973, but, like the verses in the pilot’s prayer, I can still recall slipping the surly bonds of earth, flying where not even eagles flew, and feeling that I could put out my hand and touch the face of God.
Found my scoring from the 2001 College World Series game between Stanford (1-0) and California: a true duel between a quartet of pitchers – Dana Sorensen and Jaime Forman-Lau for the Cardinal, and Nicole DiSalvio and Jocelyn Forest for the Bears. Pinch runner Jessica Draemel scored on a two-out throwing error in the 2nd. Robin Walker’s single in the 1st was the only hit off the Bears. DiSalvio took the loss. Truly exciting game.
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