BANDITS COME UP SHORT

Playing their best softball of the entire year, the Tucson Bandits came up a couple of runs short, and finished second in the Winter Worlds in Las Vegas last weekend.

Friday morning saw the team beating newly refurbished LAF, then nipping Four Seasons and earning the number two seed. This allowed DC to attend the Santana concert without feeling guilty for missing a game.

Saturday morning the Bandits came out sluggish and only scored only 8 runs in losing to the Barcelona Bandits 11-8. This would mean a long road back through the losers bracket, something that the team was more than up to.

Starting with a whipping of Wong's, the Bandits proceeded to roll through Wilson Trophies and the Las Vegas 50's.

Sunday morning was a rematch with the Barcelona Bandits. No contest this time around. After crushing Barcelona, it was another rematch with LAF who was also on a roll. Again, no contest. 34-10 Bandits.

A nail biting one run extra inning win over Doubleplay was next. Highlighted by a super relay throw to the plate by Mike Swank to Mike Gerber cut down the lead run! The Bandits then scored one in the bottom of the 8th for the win.

Next up was undefeated Texas Barracudas. Two evenly matched teams battled it out. Deja Vu all over again as the lead run was once again cut down at the plate. The Bandits again scored one in the bottom of the inning for the win.

It was now time for the "if" game. All other teams had left the complex. It was dark and cold. Only the two best teams remained. Another great game with home runs disappearing into the darkness. Line drive doubles off the 30' tall fence. Once again it came down to the bottom of the 7th inning and the Barracudas scored one to win it all. The Bandits had come up short.

But it was a fantastic weekend. The Bandits welcomed new players, Kenny "Smooth Operator" Hill, Jeff "Two Words" Marine, and Jim Riley. Also, Ricky "Bobby" Lee joined us for his second tournament of the year.

I see very good things for 2010. Happy Holidays to all.

WINTER WORLD STATS

Steve Marshall   1.000
Dave Niles         .830
Rick Lee            .805
Mike Gerber      .781
Randy Robison  .700
Jeff Marine        .683
Dan DeAnda      .682
Mark Reagin      .644
Ken Hill             .636
Mike Swank      .608
Dave Clark       .574
Jim Riley         .400

Team Average .681


Home Runs

Dave Niles 12
Mike Gerber 6
Mark Reagin 5
Mike Swank 4
Rick Lee 4
Randy Robison 2
Dan DeAnda 2
Ken Hill 2
Dave Clark 1

Base on Balls

Randy Robison 6
Dave Clark 6
Dan DeAnda 5
Rick Lee 5
Dave Niles 4
Mark Reagin 4
Ken Hill 4
Mike Gerber 3
Mike Swank 2

All Tourney>>>Dave Niles, Rick Lee and Mike Gerber>>>>>>>>>certainly wish it could have been more. A great team effort, just 2 runs short.

We outscored our opponents 245-165.

This man wants #13. Give it to him!!

BANDITS WELCOME NEW PLAYERS IN VEGAS

The Bandits have added three new players for the Winter Worlds in Vegas next weekend. Jeff Marine out of Phoenix, Jim Riley, from Colorado, and Kenny Hill, out of Southen Cal. Hopefully they will immediately see what a great group of guys we are and elect to stay on through the 2010 season.

If you three could please get with me prior to having any contact with our pitcher, Mark "Psycho" Reagin, and I will attempt to explain him to you.

Welcome aboard.

WORLD STATISTICS

Mark Reagin .864
Dave Niles .818
Skip Stephenson .737
Dave Clark .720
Brendan Dillon .700
Dan DeAnda .696
Rip Cortes .619
Steve Gobrecht .591
Mike Swank .565
Mike Gerber .545
Randy Robison .500
Dave Quenzler .471
Wade Schneider .429

Team Average .646


Homeruns

Mark Reagin 5
Dave Niles 5
Steve Gobrecht 3
Dave Clark 2
Mike Gerber 2
Randy Robison 1
Brendan Dillon 1
Dan DeAnda 1
Rip Cortes 1

Only 1 hit separated Mark and Dave, they were a combined 37 for 44 with a combined 10 HRs.

WTF???

WORLD RESULTS

The Bandits finished in the middle of the pack in the 2009 Worlds last weekend in Phoenix. They went 3-3 overall and this was much improved over their 2008 appearance where they were the first team eliminated.

Losing to Gubiotti Insurance on Friday morning, the Bandits then faced J & J Sports, formerly Bagbey's out of Iowa. Down by 11 in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Bandits scored 12 to win!

Their first game in the double elimination brackets was against Kan-Do from Wisconsin. An uninspired performance sent the Bandits into the losers bracket. Another 7th inning rally fell short and they lost by 2.

Saturday morning the Bandits beat up on an overmatched Minnesota team.
Then at 2 p.m. they thumped the Las Vegas 50's. This set up a 5 p.m. game against East Coast Softball Club out of New York. The game went back and forth and the Bandits were down by 4 going into the bottom of the 7th. We failed to score and were eliminated from the tournament.

This was the last tournament with the Bandits for Skip Stephenson and Brendan "Leon" Dillon. Both are moving on to other teams. Good luck guys and if we ever meet on the field, we will kick your asses.

LVSSA WORLDS

The Bandits lost all three games on Friday in the seeding brackets. Losing to the Milwaukee Merchants and DeClaire Insurance out of Ohio. Both games were lost by one run and decided in the 7th inning. They were then "thumped" by Windy City, out of Chicago, 30-20.

Saturday morning,expectations were still high, and they won their first game over Southern Cal Smashers. They then defeated the Motown Stars out of Detroit. The game ended when Mike Swank intentionally threw the ball into a sliding runner approaching second base. The runner was called out for interference and the Stars rally fell short.

This brought on a rematch with Windy City. Once again they showed what a good team they were. Poor defense and lack of timely hitting, lead to another Windy City win.

Sunday morning the Bandits faced an elimination game against Team Demolition out of Southern Cal. With winds blowing 25 to 30 miles an hour, conditions sucked. So did the 5 inch deep outfield grass. This didn't seem to affect Demolition, as they crushed the ball and hit several homeruns into the teeth of the wind. The Bandits were run ruled!

Demolition and Windy City, played in the finals with Windy City taking the crown. So we wound up losing to the top two teams.

Next up are the Worlds, at the piece of crap complex known as Caesar Chavez in south Phoenix.

Congrats to Brendan "Leon" Dillon on a great hitting tournament. Also thanks to Joey Cruz for helping us out at third base. He made some unbelievable plays and hit the crap out of the ball. Good to see the return of Mike Gerber, playing in his first tournament since undergoing knee surgery. He hasn't slowed down a bit! (That would not be possible).


Averages:

Brendan Dillon .846
Joey Cruz .690

Dave Niles .667
Dan DeAnda .607
Randy Robison .600
Mike Swank .600
Mark Reagin .577
Mike Gerber .577
Dave Clark .571
Dave Quenzler .542

Walks

Dave Clark 4
Randy Robison 3
Mark Reagin 3
Dave Niles 2
Mike Swank 1
Mike Gerber 1

Homeruns

Mark Reagin 6
Brendan Dillon 5
Mike Gerber 5
Dave Niles 4
Joey Cruz 4
Dave Clark 2
Mike Swank 2
Dan DeAnda 2

We hit .628 as a team.

SOUTHWEST STATS

Steve Gobrecht .824 * All Tourney
Mike Swank .824 *
Mark Reagin .688 *
Dave Clark .667 *
Dave Niles .667 *
Skip Stephenson .643
Wade Schneider .636
Dave Quenzler .600
Randy Robison .529
Brendan Dillon .500
Steve Marshall .333
Keith Wilson .333
Rip Cortes .235

HOMERUNS
Mike Swank 3
Mark Reagin 2
Dave Niles 1
Steve Gobrecht 1
Brendan Dillon 1


WALKS
Randy Robison 5
Skip Stephenson 4
Wade Schneider 3
Mark Reagin 3
Dave Quenzler 3
Mark Reagin 2
Dave Clark 2
Mike Swank 2
Dave Niles 2
Steve Gobrecht 2
Brendan Dillon 2
Keith Wilson 1

SOUTHWEST CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Bandits stepped it up when they needed it most, going undefeated in the double elimination portion of the tournament and winning the Southwest Championships in Tucson. Along with rivals, Mudhens and Fangrabbers, the Bandits were awarded the top seed based on runs given up, as all three teams finished 1 and 1 in the seeding games.

On Saturday night, under some really crappy lights, the Bandits edged out the Mudhens to advance to the finals. The game was decided when Randy Robison hit a high fly ball to right field which was misplayed for a four bag error.

On Sunday morning, the Bandits waited for the Mudhens and Fangrabbers to fight it out. With the Fangrabbers, Joe Cruz hitting some massive home runs, with a terrible ball, the Fangrabbers held on to a 20-19 win.

The Fangrabbers needed to beat the Bandits twice, but it was not to be. A late rally fell short, and the Bandits held on to a 4 run victory.

Stats to follow. Next up is the LVSSA World Masters in Las Vegas. The Bandits will add shortstop Joe Cruz to their roster for this one.

THREE STOOGES

WESTERN NATIONALS STATS

WADE SCHNEIDER   .813
MIKE SWANK            .762
DAVE NILES               .684
DAN DeANDA             .667
DAVE QUENZLER      .667
DAVE CLARK             .625
BRENDAN DILLON     .583
ABE DeANDA              .524
EDDIE DeANDA          .500
MARK REAGIN          .476
RANDY ROBISON      .400

HOME RUNS
MIKE SWANK     5
DAVE NILES       3
MARK REAGIN   2
BRENDAN DILLON   2
ABE DeANDA      1


BASE ON BALLS
DAVE NILES 4
DAVE QUENZLER 3
MIKE SWANK 2
RANDY ROBISON 1
DAVE CLARK 1
MARK REAGIN 1
ABE DeANDA 1
WADE SCHNEIDER 1

Team hit .602 for all games, including .739 in the last one

PINETOP STATS

Dave Q. .867 Didn't make an out until Sunday, then no hit on Sunday.

Dave N. .867

Mark R. .813

Steve G. .733

Paul R. .727

Mike S. .688

Rich C. .571

Keith W. .462

Randy R. .438

Dave C. DNP

Steve M. .308


HOMERUNS:

Mark R. 3 plus a lot of long singles

Dave C. DNP

Steve G. 1

Mike S. 1

Dave N. 1

TAKE A BREAK

Unfortunately Menifee will be a no go. Not enough commitments for a competative team. Sorry Skip. July will be a break for us. Get to know your families again. Next up, after Pinetop, will be The Western Nationals in Salt Lake City on August 7th, 8th and 9th.
The bar-b-q at the Thurston Howell III mansion is scheduled for Saturday night.

PINETOP

Friday  5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
Saturday   12 noon and 2:30 p.m.
Sunday  TBD

RENO STATS

Dave Clark .826
Mike Swank .818
Randy Robison .792
Dave Niles  .750
Brendan Dillon .714
Rick Lee .688
Danny DeAnda .682
Wade Schneider .667
Skip Stephenson .636
Dave Quenzler .609
Mark Reagin .500

HOME RUNS
Dave Niles 4
Mark Reagin 3
Rick Lee 3
Mike Swank 2
Dave Clark 2
Randy Robison 1
Skip Stephenson 1
Brendan Dillon 1

TEAM AVERAGE  .699

RENO RESULTS

Though we let a sure win get away in the semi-finals against the Colorado Mudhens, the question was, "Did we have a good time?" HELL YES!!!!! Stats to come this evening.

BANDITS WELCOME NEW 3RD BASEMAN

PRESCOTT RESULTS

Another very competative tournament and tune up for Reno. The Bandits were the number one seed Sunday morning and faced the always tough Major+ Fangrabbers. Danny DeAnda hits a walk off 3 run home run to win the game! This set up a rematch with the Rogues, who the Bandits beat a couple of weeks earlier in Tucson. This time the Rogues got their revenge, winning the game and the tournament. Next up is biggest tournament of the year in Reno.

Top 5 hitters

Mark Reagin .867

Dan DeAnda .688

Dave Niles .688

Steve Gobrecht .688

Brendan Dillon .600



Homeruns

Mark Reagin 4

Dave Niles 3

Randy Robison 1

Dave Clark 1

Steve Gobrecht 1


Team average .588 Not near what it normally is.

NEW BANDIT 3RD BASEMAN IN PRESCOTT

TUCSON RESULTS

After yet another slow Saturday start, the Bandits rebounded nicely on Sunday and won  the tournament. The Bandits went 1 and 2 on Saturday losing to the Rogues (the new Fangrabbers 55 team) and Los Vatos Viejos who seem to have our number lately. They beat CJ & S Express in a tight game. The 3 home run rule and then outs did not do us any favors.

Sunday morning, the wind was gone and we opened with the Viejos, who had beaten us the last two times. Things did not change as they won once again. What was going on here? Straight to the losers bracket against  the Chicano Cubs. After defeating the Cubs, it set up yet another game with the Viejos. This was the 3rd time we played them this weekend and they were confident. Well this game was never close, as we blew them off the diamond!

We now andvanced into the finals against the Rogues who had not lost a game all weekend. Brendan had to leave for the airport, so we flew in Danny to take his place. In a tight game, the Bandits found themselves down by one run in the bottom of the 7th inning. Mark Reagin hits a two run walk off dinger! Game over. The Rogues elected not to play the second game, and the Bandits were awarded the championship. Stats below.......

Top hitters:


Mike Swank .793

Wade Schneider .765

Mike Gerber .741

Dave Niles .733

Rip Cortes .708

Steve Gobrecht .704

Mark Reagin .679

Dan DeAnda .667

Dave Clark .630

Brendan Dillon .619

Randy Robison .600



Homeruns

Mike Swank 7

Mike Gerber 6

Steve Gobrecht 6

Dave Niles 4

Mark Reagin 4

Randy Robison 2

Brendan Dillon 1

Dave Clark 1

Dave Quenzler 1



Walks

Dave Clark 4

5 more w/2

3 more w/1



11  homerun/outs    1   4base/error       Total of 44 over the fence

Team B/A .663

Next up Prescott!

MISSING PANTIES SHOW UP!

2009 SCHEDULE

The Bandits 2009 schedule is now available near the bottom of this blog.

CASA GRANDE RESULTS

After an absolutely pathetic Saturday, the Bandits rebounded nicely on Sunday, only to be beaten in the the bottom of the 7th inning by Los Vatos Viejos by one run in the championship game.

On Saturday, the team went 3-1, even though they failed to show up. The low lights included being run ruled by CJ&S Express. The game included errors, lack of hitting, more errors and bickering amongst ourselves. It was ugly. We then got it together for the night cap, beating Los Vatos in extra innings.

Sunday was a new day. The Bandits run ruled the Buzzards, then crushed CJ&S in the rematch. This set up the championship against Los Vatos, a AAA team with quite a few new players to the senior circuit. The game once again was back and forth with the Bandits scoring 4 runs in the top of the 7th inning to tie the score. In the bottom of the 7th, we got the first two outs, but Vatos rallied for a one run victory.

The top hitters for the weekend were...........

Mike Gerber .739
Steve Gobrecht .708
Mark Reagin .692
Brendan Dillon .688
Dave Niles .667

Next up is Tucson.

RANDY'S BIIIIIG ADVENTURE

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SPRING WORLDS MESQUITE

Mark's pic sums Sunday up.


SPRING WORLDS ALL TOURNEY

Mike Swank   .727
Mike Gerber   .632
Randy Robison  .632

GOLDEN GLOVE STATS

After going 0 and 3 on Saturday, the Bandits bounced back and go 3 and 0 on Sunday. Warming up with a one run win against the Chicano Cubs, The Bandits faced undefeated LAF, a Major+ team out of southern California. LAF suffered their first loss of the tournament as the Bandits hit well and played stellar defense. The game ended on a spectacular catch by Danny DeAnda in center field.

Next up was arch nemesis Fangrabbers. Fangrabbers had eliminated LAF in a wild extra inning game and had beaten the Bandits by 5 on Saturday. In a back and forth game, the Bandits were down by 1 going into the open 7th inning. Fangrabbers failed to score. Two runs would win it for the Bandits. The first four hitters got hits. Game over. Bandits are Golden Glove Champions.

The Bandits welcomed infielder Skip Stephenson, from San Diego aboard. Next up, Mesquite, Nevada. Spring Worlds.


Top 5 hitters:

Mike Gerber .762
Mark Reagin .720
Randy Robison .706
Dave Niles .667
Dave Clark .625

Top HRs

Mark Reagin 7
Mike Gerber 5
Dave Niles 4
Steve Gobrecht 2
Dan DeAnda 2
Dave Clark 1
Rip Cortes 1

Base on Balls

7 guys w/ 2 ea.
3 guys w/ 1 ea.

PHOENIX GOLDEN GLOVE

WTF?????

TUNE UP TOP HITTERS

Rip Cortes .833 3 games only

Steve Gobrecht .789

Wade Schneider .762

Mike Swank .682

Mike Gerber .650

Charley Reagin .000


Team .592

CELEBRATE

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Click on pic for larger view.

BANDITS TAKE TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS!!

Second time was a charm for the Bandits as they cruised through the 2009 Tournament of Champions, losing only one game by one run. Defense was the name of the game this weekend. The Bandits turned double plays, threw out runners at the plate and made several sparkling plays on the field.

The other factor was team speed. Time and time again, Bandit baserunners took the extra base and ran runner up Kayson's Grill into the ground.

Steve Gobrecht was named a most deserving MVP. He received a gold special edition Miken Ultra. The following players also made the All-Tourney Team:

Dave Quenzler
Dave Clark
Mike Gerber
Randy Robison
Steve Gobrecht MVP

All in all it was a great trip with good friends and teammates.

Bandits 17 Fredericks Chevrolet (PA) 11
Bandits 15 Kayson's Grill (Ga) 9
Bandits 18 Mt. Mikes (Ca) 10
Bandits 14 Bagbey's (Ia) 9
Bandits Bandits 27 Kayson's Grill 20
Kayson's Grill 15 Bandits 14
Bandits 24 Kayson's Grill 10

TOC VICTORY DANCE

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TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

We play Friday at 1100 hrs. and immediately after at 1230 hrs.
Saturday game times to be determined.
Uniforms:Friday White shirt / Gray pants

Friday evening banquet at 7 p.m.





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