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.