BANDITS TAKE SPRING WORLDS

The Tucson Bandits posted a 5-1 record enroute to winning the Spring Worlds in Palm Springs, and became the first 50 AAA team to qualify for the 2009 Tournament of Champions.

Defense was the name of the game for the Bandits this weekend. The addition of Dave "Q" Quenzler, at second base solidified an already tough infield. The infield turned 8 double plays and 2 triple play! Oops, make that 1 triple play. (sorry Big D). Outstanding glove work by Mark "Psycho" Reagin, Paul "Baby" Paul Rosthenhausler, shortstop Mike Swank, Q, and Dave Niles kept the Bandits in every game. The team also welcomed another big hitter, Mike Gerber.

Their only loss was on day one to Top Gun III by one run. Going into Sunday the Bandits faced Arizona rival C,J & S Express with the winner advancing to the championship game. The game was a classic with the lead changing hands several times. The Bandits prevailed 21-20 in a game that will be remembered. It was then on to face Top Gun again in a winner take all format.

The Bandits bats quickly came alive, jumping on Top Gun for a 17-8 lead going into the open inning. But Top Gun would not quit, rallying for seven runs, before finally losing 17-15. The Bandits had won the tourney and were excited about qualifying again for the TOC in Winterhaven.

The following players were selected to the All-Tournament team. Keith wanted to point out that the entire team played great and we were only allowed 5 selections.

Denny Bailey .750
Dave Clark .684
Dave Niles ,684
Mark Reagin .667
Steve Gobrecht .667

Kudos to Mike and Rip who both hit .600. Kudos also to Wade and Rip who came up with huge pinch hits in the Express game. As a team we hit .600. Way to go guys!

Be sure to check the new link on the left, Terry's pics!

See ya in Casa Grande. And Nogales is a no go.

SCORES:

Bandits 9 Full Count (Ca.) 8
Top Gun III (Ca.) 15 Bandits 14

Bandits 17 Barcelona (Ca.) 12
Bandits 16 Wilson Trophy (Ca.) 8

Bandits 21 C,J & S Express 20

Bandits 17 Top Gun III 15

CASA GRANDE APRIL 5TH AND 6TH

GAME TIMES
Sat. 0915 / 1145 / 1300
Sun. 0915 / Single elimination starts at 1030

DIRECTIONS:
Directions: from PHX, I-10 East to exit 185, first exit past the rest area. Turn right toward CG, the airport will be on your right side. Continue south(you're on Pinal Ave). The rodeo grounds/softball fields are south of the airport on the same side. If you see a Walgreen's you missed it.

From Tucson, I-10 West to McCartney Rd, exit 190. Turn left across the fwy, past the HS. Turn left on Pinal Ave (there may be a signal there now, but only a stop sign two years ago. Heads up if it's still a stop sign, the cross traffic doesn't stop or slow down. You're already south of the airport, the rodeo grounds/softball fields are on the right side. If you see a Walgreen's, you missed it.

UNIFORMS:
Keith won't give up that info yet!

MAP TO FIELDS:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=32.929166,-111.757565&spn=0.025575,0.085316&z=14

Tournament of Champions 2008

The first big test of the year was the Tournament of Champions in Winterhaven, Florida, in February of 2008. The team earned the right to attend by winning the Southwest Classic in Tucson in December of 2007.

Expectations were high, and the team was the #1 seed going into the double elimination on Saturday morning. But the normally high scoring club had their bats go silent and wound up finishing a disappointing 4th.

Bandits 20 Bagbeys (Iowa) 11
Bandits 13 Indiana Classics 12

Double Play (Ca.) 17 Bandits 8
Dominics (Fl.) 7 Bandits 3

Bandits 18 Indiana Classics 8
Dominics 19 Bandits 18