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2007 Softball-n-Hawaii Tour
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Story by Ed Rose & Mike Walker
2007 FSSA
Tour Players and Their Families
Over the 2007 Memorial Day weekend the Florida Senior Sports Association (FSSA) http://www.floridassa.com/
in conjunction with Hawaii USSSA and the Hawaii
Recreation & Parks Association (HRPA), Maui
Branch, hosted its 5th Annual Softball-n-Hawaii Dream Tour.
The FSSA is a non-profit organization
Chartered to promote Local and International tours for mature adults that
desire to enjoy both travel and sports competition with a focus on Softball. FSSA events provide organizations and
communities with economic development dollars that can be used to assist local
social programs, schools and senior citizen programs with badly needed funding.
This year’s tour included over forty travelers from the Main
Land and was a combination of attendees from all over including Georgia,
California, Washington, Missouri, and Florida.
The nine (9) day and eight (8) night trip featured two FSSA teams one from the East Coast and
another from the West Coast, stated Ed Rose, Executive Director,
FSSA. As in the past, this year’s
event was held on the beautiful island of Maui. USSSA Hawaii State Director,
Bob Straub organized the Men’s 40+ Tournament. The East Coast Team was sponsored
by Hollis Appraisals out of Jacksonville, FL
and the West Coast Team was sponsored by Paul and Anna Smit out of Southern,
CA. Paul manages the Double Play AAA
50+ Softball Club (2005
SS-USA World Champ's and 2005 SS-USA Triple Grand Slam).
Ed Rose, Executive
Director, FSSA believes that the FSSA has found the perfect formula for those who
dream of somehow combining a great family vacation with playing softball. The
way the FSSA has organized this annual event is an
excellent balance of site seeing and softball for all. All FSSA travelers quickly adopted the "Aloha" spirit, which is
the friendship trademark of the Islands.
Travelers from the West Coast arrived in Maui on Sunday
afternoon while those traveling from the East Coast arrived Sunday night. Now
it would be false to say that everyone enjoyed the long plane ride but it is safe
to say that once in Maui the trip was worth it. J When you arrive on this island
paradise you can’t help but notice the pure beauty that is the trademark for
this Oasis in the middle of the Pacific Ocean!
Just as with past trips our FSSA
travelers experienced what they like to call on the island the “ALOHA”
spirit. I can only explain it as the feeling of happiness and willingness to
share that happiness with everyone you meet! The FSSA fellowship is a significant part of
our program and the spiritual nature of the islands and the friendship shared
by the locals are a perfect match for what the FSSA is all about.
On Monday morning our FSSA
Travelers were given an orientation to help maximize their time on Maui and
allowed them to fully appreciate the Island's many breath taking adventures.
After orientation everyone went off to spend their first day exploring and
taking advantage of the many activities organized by the FSSA to include: Sunrise
Bike Ride down Mt. Haleakala, Snorkeling
adventures, Helicopter
tours, ATV
tours, Luau,
Horse
Back riding, Hiking,
Site-Seeing
adventures, Golf,
Day Trip to Oahu and the Arizona Memorial, Beach activities such as Surfing
and Swimming. That evening the FSSA
hosted a BBQ/meet-n-greet with a menu that included Steaks & Chicken and
the 1st every World “Wally Ball” championships!!! A sport invented by FSSA Executive Director Ed Rose. Now we can’t show you the pictures of the
games or describe them since we are working on copywriting the idea (just
kidding) but below are photos of this years champions; Mike and Tita Boatright
from San Diego, CA with Ed Rose who is making
the awards presentation. Everyone left the dinner having made new friends!
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FSSA Traveler
Orientation Monday Morning |
Wally
Ball Champions – Mike & Tita Boatright |
Tuesday morning came very, very early for some of our
travelers as they ventured out at 2 a.m. to experience what is one of the most
thrilling events that we have organized on the island. Sunrise over Mt. Haleakala and then Biking down the Mt.
for 32 miles of coasting from 10,000 feet to almost sea level. This thrilling
and inspirational adventure starts in the dark high above the clouds where the
scenery is unbelievable and cannot adequately be described with words or even
pictures.
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Spectacular
Views Above the Clouds at 10,000’ |
Biking
Down the Mountain |
Once the sun rises over the Pacific the bike ride begins
which is thrilling, a little scary, but mostly wonderfully mixed with changes
in elevation, flora and fona. Your first reaction to the idea of biking 32
miles is “what are you crazy” but really it is mostly just gliding down with
very little to no peddling. The trip really goes much quicker than you think
and if you really don’t like biking you can choose to ride down in the van that
brings you to the top where a cool guided tour can be experienced. At the
bottom you get a great breakfast, which probably tastes even better because you
feel like you earned this one! This is really a must for anyone going to Maui
even if it isn’t with us.
The Hollis Appraisals/Combat
and Ball's
Softball Club had an optional practice on Monday morning and played an
exhibition game Tuesday evening at War Memorial Softball Complex in Kahului. What a
location with a huge green mountain looking like Jurassic Park behind the
catcher and the port of Maui in the outfield. Several other practices were
undertaken prior to the tournament on an optional basis.
Tournament play began Saturday morning after a full week of FSSA traveler activities. Pool play
included a three game seeding followed by a single elimination tournament on
Sunday. After the 1st game Saturday morning our travelers were all
treated to a special event.
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Tournament Opening Ceremonies
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Opening ceremonies included a very inspirational
traditional Hawaiian blessing, chants and the sounding of the "pu"
shells. Sharing the values and
culture of Hawaii was a highlight for the FSSA
softball teams and their families. The ceremonies were sponsored by the Maui
branch of the Hawaii Recreation &
Parks Association, an organization of recreation professionals in Maui. |
During the opening ceremonies, the local Low
Key Team members presented the FSSA
wives and female travelers with traditional necklaces. It was a special treat
for the ladies and something they will always remember. Now you don’t get this
on the Main Land! J
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Low Key 40+ Maui, HI |
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FSSA East Coast Team |
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Players |
Team |
Stats |
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Scott Rose Ed Rose Mark Wadsworth Rudy Johnson Larry Lewis Winky Blackman Bobby Davis Kieth Gibbs Audie Hollis Kevin Speace Mike Walker |
League Player FL Miken 60’s FL League Player FL Hollis Appraisals FL Double L Roofing FL Miken 60’s GA Hollis Appraisals FL RailTrust FL Hollis Appraisals FL League Player HI Hollis Appraisals FL |
14-19 .789 6hr 12-19 .631 2hr 11-18 .611 9-15 .600 1 Hr |
Both FSSA teams met
in pool play with Ball's Softball Club getting the victory over the
Hollis/Combat team in what ended up as a “run rule” after the fifth inning. The
Ball's
Softball Club played well all weekend long putting together solid
defense and timely hitting to win all pool games. In the end it was the West
Coast Team that played for the championship against the local Maui favorites
(Team Rookies) with what ended up being one of the best final games in the
history of the event. The locals lead the whole game only to have the West
Coast team tie the game in the 7th inning on a two-run homer from
Pitcher “Mike Porcelli”. Then in the bottom of the 8th the West
Coast Team pushed across the game winning run. Wow, what a great game and what
great sports the local team was after such a tough loss. The final standings
were: 1) Ball's
Softball Club FSSA West Coast 2) Rookies, HI 3) Hollis
Appraisals/Combat FSSA East Coast 4) Low Key, HI.
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FSSA West Coast Team |
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Players |
Team |
Stats |
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Paul Smit Ken Bice Brett Krueger Jeff Gilbert John Cole Vince Joliff Mike Boatright Mike Porcelli Alex Diaz Pete Lesley Don Reddig Doug Hunt |
Doubleplay AAA CA Doubleplay AAA CA Monster WA Mavericks Major+ CA Top Gun III AAA CA Co-ed Player CA Doubleplay AAA CA Doubleplay AAA CA League Player CA Get-R-Done CA Get-R-Done CA Coach CA |
.818 .737 .833 .765 |
What
can I say? Our team never stopped Hitting, stated Paul Smit, Manager FSSA West Coast Team. The restful week in Paradise
prior to the tournament was the key. We had a very strong defensive team
this year. Our outfield was tough! A little bit of youth mixed in with the
"old guys" was a BIG Help.
Being able to play at this level of competition
with legends such as Ed Rose,
Mike Walker, and Winky Blackman is an honor. I can honestly say that
this year the locals out did last year. The Opening Ceremonies were
beautiful and the closing Luau was really enjoyable. What a Great
Group of people. (Excellent ball players as well.) They really know how to make
you feel welcome....
Speaking
for the California Group, from what I've heard, it looks like
a majority of the team wants to return for the 2008 Maui Dream Tour to defend
our title. Paul Smit, Doubleplay AAA Mgr, Men's 50+
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Bob
Straub Presenting Tournament Co-MVP Mike Porcelli, CA |
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Brett Kreuger (Co-MVP) What a
Hitter. One of the biggest hitters I've seen in many years He is Quick. Played very strong in the
outfield. Senior Softball Watch Out. This Guy will SHINE. |
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Mike Porcelli (Co-MVP) did and excellent job on the Mound
pitching all five games. Hitting a Homerun in the bottom of the 7th inning to
tie the game and force us to play another inning is what stands out most in
my mind. |
We at the FSSA
would like to say a great big Mahalo to Nick Poree, Manager,
Rookies 40+ Softball Team and Steve Jakubczak, Manager,
Low Key 40+ Softball Team for putting together two great teams for us to play
against in this year’s tournament. Steve has played on other teams in this
event in the past and was kind enough to put together his own team this year.
Mean while, our good friend Nick Poree, has put together a very strong team
every year since the beginning of this tournament. For that we are awarding
Nick the FSSA highest honors: FSSA
Humanitarian Winner! Nick now joins a select few who have been awarded this
honor for his dedication to helping the FSSA
and our travelers to enjoy the very best Aloha spirit. Thank you Nick
and we can’t wait to see you again next year! And thank you Bob Straub for
developing a memory of a lifetime event for the Hollis Appraisals and Balls Softball Club players and their families.
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Tournament
coordinator Bob Straub (pictured right) presenting team championship
plaque to Paul Smit (pictured left) |
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2007
FSSA Humanitarian Winner, Nick Poree |
At the conclusion of competition on Sunday, a wonderful
“hilite” (celebration) was provided by the Hawaii
Recreation & Parks Association and entertainment was provided by
Hawaiian Recording Artist Richard
Ho'opii and his three grand daughters who danced several hulas. A free
plate lunch was served to all participants as a Mahalo (Thank you) for the
sportsmanship shown over the course of the week. During lunch, Ed Rose, Executive
Director FSSA and Bob Straub, Hawaii
USSSA State Director presented team awards and the MVP awards. The Hawaii Recreation & Parks Association
Members on Maui volunteered their services to umpire, keep score, prepare and
serve the food. A huge mahalo for all your efforts.
The FSSA continues to make lasting
friendships with softball players and locals at these events. Next year the FSSA tour goes World Championship with
this event. This will be the FSSA 1st
ever offered World Championships and is what we believe will be the beginning
of the best event in Senior Softball. The 2008 tournament will include Men’s,
Women’s, Co-ed and Individual Players are welcome, so don’t miss this one! You
can find out more details at our website: http://www.floridassa.com
Anyone interested can contact Ed Rose, at 321-254-1495
or by email: edrose@cfl.rr.com as soon
as possible so we can plan your adventure!
You must not miss the opportunity to play softball on this
most magnificent location and to treat your family to a once-in-a-lifetime
adventure that they may never see again.
This is one tournament that all of the spouses will show up for and
where they will make new friendships while enjoying themselves on this
marvelous island.
Videos of
2007 Tour: Wally Ball,
Sunrise on
Haleakala, Feast at LeLe,
Opening
Ceremonies, Canoe Festival,
just click on link below http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B0266D136CDAAC57
Pictures of 2007 Tour: Various photos of landscape, luau, and much more.
Just click on link below and then click refresh to see next photo. Large photos
so it will take a while to load each and don’t even try them if you are using dialup!
You’ll fall asleep waiting for them… J
http://www.floridassa.com/maui2007/rotator.php
FSSA Softball-n-Hawaii wants to say
“Thank You” to Anaconda Sports and JJ Sports, who are our official Sporting
Goods Sponsors. Where you can shop online, get the best softball equipment
available, save money while doing it and get free shipping.
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Anacanoda donated batting gloves to the Maui teams, everyone
gets rewarded at the FSSA.... |
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