Team Worth/Vanguard of Hollister is one of 14 slow pitch teams
across the country that will be competing in Oklahoma City for the
2004 Hooters Championship Series.
Oklahoma City, Okla. – Team Worth/Vanguard of Hollister is one of 14 slow pitch teams across the country that will be competing in Oklahoma City for the 2004 Hooters Championship Series.
Team Worth earned its spot in the Hooters Championship Series by winning the ASA Men’s Class D West Slow Pitch National Championship on Sept. 26.
Teams competed in Salem, Ore. for the right to represent the West in the Men’s Class D Slow Pitch division of the ASA Championship Series.
Seven consecutive wins placed Team Worth in the finals of the championship.
Team Nitro of Highland, Calif. who had lost to Team Worth in the fifth round, came back to against matchup in the championship.
In the first game of the final games, Team Worth was overmatched as Team Nitro soundly won 15-0 to force a second championship game.
In the “if” game, defense was a premium. Both teams battled back and forth until Team Worth was able to squeak out the 7-6 victory.
Three players from Team Worth received recognition as members of the All-Tournament first-team, including first baseman A.J. Ribero, outfielder Ronnie Martinez and utility player Tim Uhls.
“Advancing to Oklahoma City is a dream come true for all of us,” said Mike Nicholls, manager of Team Worth. “We have a core of veterans that have been playing together for a number of years, and our younger players also understand that this type of opportunity comes only once in a lifetime. Qualifying for the series was our number one goal this season, and we got it done.”
This event, which is held today through Saturday at Don E. Porter Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, is the pinnacle of championship play for teams in Men’s Class D slow pitch.
“Advancing to the ASA Hooters Championship Series has become a goal of teams across the country,” said Ron Radigonda, ASA Executive Director. “This event has grown over the past few years and is now the one event that all teams in these divisions are aiming for.”
Team Worth will take the field on Friday at 2:30pm against Men’s Class D East National Champion, Coors Light of Morris Plains, N.J.
The teams will play a best of five series over the weekend to decide the true national champion in Men’s Class D slow pitch.
Special to the Free Lance
