The first tournament in the 65+ age division is in the books. . . the Joseph team participated in the ISF World Tournament in Salem, VA in June. We played well against "major" teams in both 65 and 60 age brackets. However, the tournament director pitted the "65 major" teams against a tough "major+" team, the Florida Legends. The "Legends" prevailed as they ran the table in the eliminations on Day 2 of the tournament. The Joseph team finished 2nd to the FL Legends.
All tournament players were Frank Krawczyk, Bob Bosse, Roy Hern, and Dave Gratwohl. Gratwohl is one of three new players on the retooled Joseph "65" roster. Several other younger players were left behind in the "60's" age bracket this year.
Next tournament for the Joseph 65's is the ISSA World Tournament, Manassas, VA in August. That tournament is followed by the SPA Nationals in GA in September, then ISSA Winternationals in VA Beach in October.
Joseph manager, Roy Hern, will be inducted into the National Sr. Softball Hall of Fame at the SPA Nationals in September.
More news later as the 2010 season unfolds.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Joseph Chevy Moves to 65+ Division
Tournament plans and the roster for the team is now set for 2010. Two new players, Roger Lane and Dave Gratwohl have been added to the roster for this, our first year in the 65+ age division. Both Roger and Dave are veteran tournament players, who will add depth to our infield. Dave Beamer, 64, is not eligible for 65+ tournaments until the ISSA Winter Nationals in October this year. We look forward to his return to the team at that time.
We anticipate doing well in this, our first year in the 65 age division, with (12) core players returning from the 60+ team last year. These (12) guys have won five national championships in the past five years, most of which have played together since 2005. The roster has several Hall of Fame Players from both southern and northern Ohio.
The Joseph 65+ team begins tournament play in Salem, VA in early June. Additional tournaments every month, include Columbus, OH (July), Manassas, VA (Aug.), Dalton, GA (Sept.) and VA Beach (Oct.). All tournaments except Columbus are "national, ring tournaments". The VA tournaments are directed by R B Thomas, International Senior Softball Association (ISSA). The Columbus and Dalton tournaments are directed by Ridge Hooks, Softball Players Association (SPA).
The Joseph 65+ team has been dropped by the SS-USA national team ratings because the team no longer participates in SS-USA sanctioned tournaments. The team will be competing in the "major" division in ISSA and hopefully, the same division in SPA.
Player/coach Roy Hern and sponsor Dave Neiheisel continue to lead and sponsor this great team. Neiheisel, Joseph Chevrolet, has sponsored multiple senior teams over the past (18) years. Hern has played on and/or managed Joseph teams off and on since 1993.
We anticipate doing well in this, our first year in the 65 age division, with (12) core players returning from the 60+ team last year. These (12) guys have won five national championships in the past five years, most of which have played together since 2005. The roster has several Hall of Fame Players from both southern and northern Ohio.
The Joseph 65+ team begins tournament play in Salem, VA in early June. Additional tournaments every month, include Columbus, OH (July), Manassas, VA (Aug.), Dalton, GA (Sept.) and VA Beach (Oct.). All tournaments except Columbus are "national, ring tournaments". The VA tournaments are directed by R B Thomas, International Senior Softball Association (ISSA). The Columbus and Dalton tournaments are directed by Ridge Hooks, Softball Players Association (SPA).
The Joseph 65+ team has been dropped by the SS-USA national team ratings because the team no longer participates in SS-USA sanctioned tournaments. The team will be competing in the "major" division in ISSA and hopefully, the same division in SPA.
Player/coach Roy Hern and sponsor Dave Neiheisel continue to lead and sponsor this great team. Neiheisel, Joseph Chevrolet, has sponsored multiple senior teams over the past (18) years. Hern has played on and/or managed Joseph teams off and on since 1993.
Friday, October 23, 2009
2009--Transition Year for Joseph Chevy
After winning the ISF tournament in June, the Joseph 60 team played in only one more tournament in 2009--World Championships in Manassas, VA. The team finished third in this tournament, losing to a Michigan team and a North Carolina team. The low point was giving up 12 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning in the semi-finals, losing 28-27. The team's normally strong pitching and defense evaporated during this melt down.
Injuries, health issues and aging of the team have resulted in canceling of additional tournament appearances in 2009 in the 60 major division. Currently the Joseph roster consists of 12 active players who are 65+ years of age. Two additional players, 65+, have been inactive over the past couple of years.
Plans for 2010 are currently underway. . . the team plans to move to the 65 major division next year. The VA ISSA tournaments will be the primary tournaments for the Joseph team in 2010, along with perhaps a couple of tournaments in SPA, Softball Players Asssociation. The team has no plans to compete in SS-USA because of the team rating dispute with that association.
Therefore, the team will require a few new 65+ players in 2010 to fill out the roster. We leave behind in the 60 division several players who will play for other 60 teams in 2010. After 2010, we're hoping to re-unite all the current roster players as they turn 65 down the road.
This blog site will be updated in late winter or early spring, after the new roster is solidified and the 2010 tournament schedule is in place.
Injuries, health issues and aging of the team have resulted in canceling of additional tournament appearances in 2009 in the 60 major division. Currently the Joseph roster consists of 12 active players who are 65+ years of age. Two additional players, 65+, have been inactive over the past couple of years.
Plans for 2010 are currently underway. . . the team plans to move to the 65 major division next year. The VA ISSA tournaments will be the primary tournaments for the Joseph team in 2010, along with perhaps a couple of tournaments in SPA, Softball Players Asssociation. The team has no plans to compete in SS-USA because of the team rating dispute with that association.
Therefore, the team will require a few new 65+ players in 2010 to fill out the roster. We leave behind in the 60 division several players who will play for other 60 teams in 2010. After 2010, we're hoping to re-unite all the current roster players as they turn 65 down the road.
This blog site will be updated in late winter or early spring, after the new roster is solidified and the 2010 tournament schedule is in place.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Joseph Wins ISF World Cup, 60 Major Title
The Joseph Chevrolet 60+ Major Division team won the championship in their division at the ISF (International Softball Federation) World Cup Championships, Salem, VA in June, 2009.
This is the team's first tournament of the year. The team traveled to beautiful Roanoke Valley, VA and competed with four other strong 60 Major teams, mainly from the NE USA.
The tournament came down to a "scratch & claw" match between the tough Spicer (MD) team and the men from Joseph Chevy. The Spicer team had beaten Joseph in two of three games at the Winter Nationals, Ft. Myers, Fl in November, 2008.
In the ISF tournament in Salem, VA, the Joseph team drew Spicer in the round robin game the first day. The Spicer team prevailed and actually "run-ruled" Joseph in the first game. As luck would have it, Joseph drew the Spicer team in the first round of the eliminations. However, the Joseph men prevailed, turning the tables and "run-ruling" Spicer, knocking them into the loser's bracket. Subsequently, the Spicer team played themselves back to the championship game on Sunday at high noon.
The championship game was indeed like the "battle of the Titans", with both teams scratching and clawing, both offensively and defensively throughout the game. In the bottom of the 7th, with the game on the line, Joseph holding a tenuous lead, 24-22, Spicer was threatening to win the game. Their 3, 4, and 5 hitters were due up with only one out, runners at first and second base. Spicer had the Joseph team "on the ropes". However, their No. 3 hitter, hit a one hopper back to the pitcher who wheeled and threw to 2nd, then the relay to first base nailed the runner for a game ending double play. . . heart stopping softball.
MVP Frank Krawczyk led the Joseph team, hitting over .900, with (4) HR's and a 2.400 slugging average for five games. All of Frank's hits during the tournament were for extra bases. . . one of the finest offensive performances ever seen in senior softball. Other Joseph players named to the "All World" team were, Billy Winar (.890), Roy Hern (.820), Bob Bosse (.710) and Vince Melograno (.680). Vince had game winning extra base hits in both the semi-final and championship games.
Next up for the Joseph team are ISSA tournaments in Manassas and VA Beach. This abbreviated schedule was precipitated by the fact that the team is in transition this year from 60 year age division to 65. In VA Beach, the Joseph team will compete in the 65 age division.
This is the team's first tournament of the year. The team traveled to beautiful Roanoke Valley, VA and competed with four other strong 60 Major teams, mainly from the NE USA.
The tournament came down to a "scratch & claw" match between the tough Spicer (MD) team and the men from Joseph Chevy. The Spicer team had beaten Joseph in two of three games at the Winter Nationals, Ft. Myers, Fl in November, 2008.
In the ISF tournament in Salem, VA, the Joseph team drew Spicer in the round robin game the first day. The Spicer team prevailed and actually "run-ruled" Joseph in the first game. As luck would have it, Joseph drew the Spicer team in the first round of the eliminations. However, the Joseph men prevailed, turning the tables and "run-ruling" Spicer, knocking them into the loser's bracket. Subsequently, the Spicer team played themselves back to the championship game on Sunday at high noon.
The championship game was indeed like the "battle of the Titans", with both teams scratching and clawing, both offensively and defensively throughout the game. In the bottom of the 7th, with the game on the line, Joseph holding a tenuous lead, 24-22, Spicer was threatening to win the game. Their 3, 4, and 5 hitters were due up with only one out, runners at first and second base. Spicer had the Joseph team "on the ropes". However, their No. 3 hitter, hit a one hopper back to the pitcher who wheeled and threw to 2nd, then the relay to first base nailed the runner for a game ending double play. . . heart stopping softball.
MVP Frank Krawczyk led the Joseph team, hitting over .900, with (4) HR's and a 2.400 slugging average for five games. All of Frank's hits during the tournament were for extra bases. . . one of the finest offensive performances ever seen in senior softball. Other Joseph players named to the "All World" team were, Billy Winar (.890), Roy Hern (.820), Bob Bosse (.710) and Vince Melograno (.680). Vince had game winning extra base hits in both the semi-final and championship games.
Next up for the Joseph team are ISSA tournaments in Manassas and VA Beach. This abbreviated schedule was precipitated by the fact that the team is in transition this year from 60 year age division to 65. In VA Beach, the Joseph team will compete in the 65 age division.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
2009 Tournament Planning, Team Ratings
Joseph Chevrolet's 60 year old senior softball team is in transition in 2009. Ten of the (18) roster players are now eligible for 65+ age division. In 2010, five additional players on the current roster will be eligible for 65+.
So. . . in 2009, the plan is to play in (3) 60+ national tournaments and (3) 65+ tournaments, including two nationals, SPA and ISSA Winter Nationals.
Player/Manager Roy Hern has managed to keep virtually the same roster of Ohio/KY based players together for the past four years, dating back to their first tournament in November, 2005. Only a handful of guys have been replaced since then, but the core of the team remains the same. Those core players, still with the team today are: Bob Bostick, Marty Emerman, Dave Neiheisel, Dewey McVicker, Bob Bosse, Tom Snyder, Evan Francis, Dave Beamer, Rey Moore, Larry Oliver, and Joe Mazie. Other key players, added since 2005 include Frank Krawzyk, Vince Melograno, Billy Winar, Bob Williams, and Wayne Wightman. Six of these Joseph Chevy players are in various Halls of Fame. Two more have been nominated.
In 2009, the Joseph team starts the season in Salem, VA in the ISF National Tournament on June 12th. After traveling later to Columbus, OH, Detroit, Manassas, VA, Dalton, GA, and finally VA Beach, the team hopes to wrap up another successful senior softball season with several tournament victories. To date, since 2005, this team has won nine national "ring" titles which is an amazing accomplishment for any single team.
In 2008, the Joseph 60+ team was elevated to the highest division in senior softball, major plus. However, the team in 2008 only participated in one major+ tournament, the SS-USA Winter Nationals, Ft. Myers, FL. The team finished dead last in a strong field of major+ teams.
The Joseph team has protested this higher rating after playing its first three years in the lower "major" division. So far, the team rating committee has denied the protest, but the Joseph team is hopeful that individual tournament directors will recognize that the rightful team rating for this Joseph team is "major", not "major plus". At the core of the Joseph protest is the fact that some senior softball sponsors spend a lot of money recruiting players and paying their premier players' living and travel expenses. Naturally, these teams employ the best players in the country, taking unfair advantage of those legitimate amatuer senior teams. The Joseph management does not subscribe to this "play for pay" policy, and therefore cannot and will not compete at this level. More news later in the year . . .
So. . . in 2009, the plan is to play in (3) 60+ national tournaments and (3) 65+ tournaments, including two nationals, SPA and ISSA Winter Nationals.
Player/Manager Roy Hern has managed to keep virtually the same roster of Ohio/KY based players together for the past four years, dating back to their first tournament in November, 2005. Only a handful of guys have been replaced since then, but the core of the team remains the same. Those core players, still with the team today are: Bob Bostick, Marty Emerman, Dave Neiheisel, Dewey McVicker, Bob Bosse, Tom Snyder, Evan Francis, Dave Beamer, Rey Moore, Larry Oliver, and Joe Mazie. Other key players, added since 2005 include Frank Krawzyk, Vince Melograno, Billy Winar, Bob Williams, and Wayne Wightman. Six of these Joseph Chevy players are in various Halls of Fame. Two more have been nominated.
In 2009, the Joseph team starts the season in Salem, VA in the ISF National Tournament on June 12th. After traveling later to Columbus, OH, Detroit, Manassas, VA, Dalton, GA, and finally VA Beach, the team hopes to wrap up another successful senior softball season with several tournament victories. To date, since 2005, this team has won nine national "ring" titles which is an amazing accomplishment for any single team.
In 2008, the Joseph 60+ team was elevated to the highest division in senior softball, major plus. However, the team in 2008 only participated in one major+ tournament, the SS-USA Winter Nationals, Ft. Myers, FL. The team finished dead last in a strong field of major+ teams.
The Joseph team has protested this higher rating after playing its first three years in the lower "major" division. So far, the team rating committee has denied the protest, but the Joseph team is hopeful that individual tournament directors will recognize that the rightful team rating for this Joseph team is "major", not "major plus". At the core of the Joseph protest is the fact that some senior softball sponsors spend a lot of money recruiting players and paying their premier players' living and travel expenses. Naturally, these teams employ the best players in the country, taking unfair advantage of those legitimate amatuer senior teams. The Joseph management does not subscribe to this "play for pay" policy, and therefore cannot and will not compete at this level. More news later in the year . . .
Friday, November 21, 2008
2008 Summary
The Joseph Chevrolet 60+ year old senior softball team completed its 2008 season on Nov. 15th. Competing at the highest level, major+, the team lost four of five games at the Winter National Tournament, Naples, FL.
The team exhausted all its appeals to Senior Softball-USA to de-rate the team rating from major+ back to "major" where we competed in 2005, -06, and 07. During this three year time period, the Joseph team amassed (8) national "ring" tournaments.
In August, 2008, the International Senior Softball Assn. allowed the Joseph team to play as a "major" team. In Manassas, VA the team beat a tough NJ team 19-18 in the finals to win the World Championship in 60 Major. Timely hitting and team defense were the keys to victory, including a 5-4-3 double play in the last inning of the final game, with the tying run at 2nd base. Four players were named to the "All World" team, including Bob Bosse, MVP, Dave Beamer, Larry Oliver, and player/manager Roy Hern. Collectively, this foursome hit over .700 and played awesome defense.
In summary, the Joseph 60+ team competed in four "major" tournaments in 2008, winning (3) and finishing 2nd in the Tournament of Champions. Then, in November, 2008, the team finished dead last in a strong "major+" field of six teams.
The team exhausted all its appeals to Senior Softball-USA to de-rate the team rating from major+ back to "major" where we competed in 2005, -06, and 07. During this three year time period, the Joseph team amassed (8) national "ring" tournaments.
In August, 2008, the International Senior Softball Assn. allowed the Joseph team to play as a "major" team. In Manassas, VA the team beat a tough NJ team 19-18 in the finals to win the World Championship in 60 Major. Timely hitting and team defense were the keys to victory, including a 5-4-3 double play in the last inning of the final game, with the tying run at 2nd base. Four players were named to the "All World" team, including Bob Bosse, MVP, Dave Beamer, Larry Oliver, and player/manager Roy Hern. Collectively, this foursome hit over .700 and played awesome defense.
In summary, the Joseph 60+ team competed in four "major" tournaments in 2008, winning (3) and finishing 2nd in the Tournament of Champions. Then, in November, 2008, the team finished dead last in a strong "major+" field of six teams.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
2008 Tournament Results & Schedule
After opening the year at the Tournament of Champions in February, the Joseph team in June competed in the Akron/Barberton Qualifier Tournament. Three other AAA rated teams competed and the Joseph team prevailed against all three, winning the tournament.
Then in July, the Joseph team competed in another qualifier tournament in Columbus, OH. Once again, no major or major+ teams attended, so we competed against several AAA teams. Many of the AAA teams refused to play against Joseph or any major+ team. Therefore, the Joseph team was excluded from the elimination bracket on the 2nd and 3rd days of the tournament. The team played four "round robin" games and went 3-1. Joseph Chevrolet Major+ Team was awarded the "Major+" championship trophy by default.
Because of the team rating (major+), we appealed to the director of International Sr. Softball Assn. He granted our request to be "de-rated" to major status for the ISSA tournaments this year. Therefore, the team decided to attend two ISSA tournaments, one in Manassas, one in Virginia Beach later this year. The Manassas tournament is Aug. 15-17 and it's a World Championship Tournament with all the best teams in the USA, or at least eastern USA.
The Joseph team will continue the appeal process, asking to be de-rated from major+ back to "major" status where the team belongs. In the meantime, we will not be attending SS-USA sanctioned tournaments as a protest against the team rating process, essentially sponsored by SS-USA. The only exception to this will be the Winter National Tournament in Ft. Myers, FL in November, where the current Joseph team played and won its first national championship in 2005. This has become a traditional, season ending tournament for Joseph and we'll be there.
Then in July, the Joseph team competed in another qualifier tournament in Columbus, OH. Once again, no major or major+ teams attended, so we competed against several AAA teams. Many of the AAA teams refused to play against Joseph or any major+ team. Therefore, the Joseph team was excluded from the elimination bracket on the 2nd and 3rd days of the tournament. The team played four "round robin" games and went 3-1. Joseph Chevrolet Major+ Team was awarded the "Major+" championship trophy by default.
Because of the team rating (major+), we appealed to the director of International Sr. Softball Assn. He granted our request to be "de-rated" to major status for the ISSA tournaments this year. Therefore, the team decided to attend two ISSA tournaments, one in Manassas, one in Virginia Beach later this year. The Manassas tournament is Aug. 15-17 and it's a World Championship Tournament with all the best teams in the USA, or at least eastern USA.
The Joseph team will continue the appeal process, asking to be de-rated from major+ back to "major" status where the team belongs. In the meantime, we will not be attending SS-USA sanctioned tournaments as a protest against the team rating process, essentially sponsored by SS-USA. The only exception to this will be the Winter National Tournament in Ft. Myers, FL in November, where the current Joseph team played and won its first national championship in 2005. This has become a traditional, season ending tournament for Joseph and we'll be there.
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