2004 Softball-n-Hawaii Dream Tour Story

2004 Softball-n-Hawaii Dream Tour
Dan Sports/Hollis/Bell Corp/Miken Capture Maui Invitational with 6-0 Record

(click on images and links throughout to see full size pictures or more details)

This years FSSA Softball-n-Hawaii participants want to pass along a very special “Thank You” to Miken Sports, Pat & Woody Bell (Bell Corp.), Walter Hock (Dan’s Sports), Audie Hollis (Hollis Appraisals), and Central Florida Insurance for their sponsoring the many activities that were enjoyed by everyone. Also thank you to Cheryl Rose and Kathy Streling for their coordination of the FSSA Cookout and to Mrs. Sterling for her Potato Casserole, which was a very special treat.

Ed Rose, Executive Director, FSSA and a venteran of the 2002 trip to the islands believes that the FSSA has found the perfect formula for those people who dream of somehow combining a great family vacation with playing softball. "I have virturally traveled the world playing softball with peaking engagements" Rose stated. The way the FSSA has orgainized this annual event is an excellent balance of site seeing and softball for all. This years trip was a great event and it was echoed by all on the way home.

We cannot say thank you enough to great people like Woody Bell and Walter Houck for what they do for slow-pitch softball. Pat & Woody Bell and Walter Houck are special people to the softball world and we are especially thankful for their help this year. The Bell Corp. and Dan Sports shirts are very valable trading items on the islands.

The Dan Sports/Hollis/Bell Corp/Miken teams were comprised mostly of players from Florida with one player from Arkansas, one from Missouri and four players from Hawaii who helped fill-out the FSSA two team roster. And even though it was a 40+ tournament the Dan Sports/Hollis/Bell Corp/Miken teams had players ranging in ages from 45-71.

The Dan Sports/Hollis/Bell Corp/Miken teams played an exhibition double-header Tuesday night prior to the tournament. The Maui 40’s team won the first game defeating the Dan Sports/Hollis/Bell Corp/Miken team 15–5 with a heavy wind blowing in off the Pacific Ocean. However, the Dan Sports/Hollis/Bell Corp/Miken team rebounded in the second game to win 18–10.

Tournament play began Friday night and started up again early Saturday morning with a very inspirational traditional Hawaiian blessing delivered by the honorable Kimokeo (Bully) Kapahulehua along with six of his assistants who opened the tournament by sounding the "pu" (chonk shell) and performing traditional Hawaiian chants.

Tournament Opening Ceremonies

Symbolic Canoe Paddles were presented to the two coaches of the Dan Sports/Hollis/Bell Corp/Miken teams by Hawaii
Recreation & Parks Association State President Bob Straub & 2003-04 Vice
President George McElravey

Sharing the values and culture of Maui & Hawaii was a highlight for all the 40+ and women's
softball teams which was sponsored by the Maui branch of the Hawaii Recreation & Parks
Association, an organization of recreation professionals in Maui.

Nine teams participated in the tournament overall with 808 Hawaii from Oahu closely beating Team ‘Opio of Maui in the women's division and Dan Sports/Hollis/Bell Corp/Miken of Florida defeating Wasabi of Maui in the 40+ division.

In addition to 808 Hawaii, Dugout Softball from Oahu joined Team 'Opio and Moving Violations from Maui in the women's division. Rookies & Hailama softball from Maui added to the FUN in the 40+ division along with the Dan Sports/Hollis/Bell Corp/Miken and Wasabi teams.

At the conclusion of competition on Sunday, a wonderful “hilite” (celebration) was provided by Hawaii Recording Artist Richard Ho'opii and his two grand daughters who danced several hulas. A plate lunch was served to all participants as a Mahalo (Thank you) for the sportsmanship shown over the course of the weekend. During lunch, Ed Rose, Executive Director FSSA and Bob Straub, Hawaii USSSA State Director presented several awards to the winning teams and players.

Jerome (Killer) McCoy was named the tournament MVP for his pitching duties and the way he placed the ball where ever he wanted to while hitting in the leadoff position. Tom McGill was on fire all weekend with many key hits and by hitting .739 he was named to the All Tourney team. Fred Branch who started slow but finished strong by hitting .722 for the weekend was also selected for the All Tourney team.

Angel Farinas was a solid player and he received the “Tough Guy” award based on his not missing a single moment of play after taking a hard bad-hop shot in the mouth early in the tournament that badly split his lip. What a stud!

Awards were also given for “Million Dollar” attitudes to John Lewis a 71 year old who had his share of big hits while playing second base against much younger players and doing a great job along with Harold Burton from Arkansas who also played very well against the much younger guys, both John and Harold were the embodiment of what being a team player is all about!

Tournament coordinator Bob Straub (pictured right) in conjunction with Ed Rose (pictured left) developed a memory of a lifetime event for the Dan Sports/Hollis/Bell Corp/Miken players and definitely created a desire for all participants to "Play It Again" over Memorial Weekend in 2005.

Coach Rose shared a humorous situation that occurred while they where taking batting practice one day. Terry Stratten was batting with a Miken 2004 Miken VelocitE II bat and Trump softballs supplied by Anaconda Sports, hit several balls over the 320 foot, 10 feet high, right field fence onto the main road and as luck would have it he hit a brand new BMW.

Needless to say a very irate driver pulled up and called the police. When the officer arrived Coach Rose thought he would handle the situation because he had some experience with hitting cars in batting practice himself. Unfortunately, he started the conversation off the wrong way by stating “back on the main land we just let the Insurance company take care of it”.

As you can imagine that is the last thing you say to a police officer in Maui, because they hear that all the time from tourist who get in trouble there. Well inspite of Coach Rose’s help the officer didn't arrest Terry, in fact the word spread all over the island about Babe Ruth’s Brother was playing at the local field. Terry was a little nervous at first but he made it back with the rest of the group.

The FSSA plans on making this an annual event so anyone interested in attending next years Softball-n-Hawaii Memorial Day weekend tournament should contact Ed Rose, Executive Director FSSA 321-254-1495 email: edrose@cfl,rr.com or Mike Walker, email: tcadmw1@hotmail.com or by checking their website: http://www.floridassa.com

They are looking for individuals and/or teams who wish to participate in next year’s event which will include men’s 40 plus, men’s open, women's open and co-ed teams. Rose pointed out that this years teams had only three players under the age of 50 on them so everyone is welcome to join in the fun and softball next year regardless of your age! Aloha!

2004 Softball-n-Hawaii Dream Tour Sponsors:

Anaconda Sports
Central Florida Insurance
Florida Senior Sports Association
Hawaii Recreation & Parks Association
Maui Parks & Recreation Association
Miken Sports
Pat & Woody Bell (Bell Corp) -Tampa, Florida
Walter Houck (Dan Sports) - Tampa, Florida