City of Miami ISPS Invitational Slow Pitch Softball Tournament
ISPS - 9/23/2013Slow Pitch Softball Invitational Event
The City of Miami, Commissioner Francis Suarez & ISPS have a big heart when it comes to the sport of Slow Pitch Softball.
A Complimentary Tournament in the City of Miami!?!?
“Never before has anything like this happened in Slow Pitch Softball that I can remember,,, let alone the City of Miami,” said Head Umpire & recently Inducted ISPS Hall of Famer David Sweet as he prepared to call a game at Douglas Park on Douglas Road (SW 37th Avenue) in Miami this past weekend.
The City of Miami and ISPS want to improve the programs currently offered to the Recreational Adult Community, and this tournament was born to accomplish just that.
ISPS CEO Manuel T. Ferrero III called it "unjust"; "...the City of Miami is where our World Headquarters is, our home.....and we didn't have any programs in the City of Miami for Adult Slow Pitch Softball." "Now, with the help of my good friend Commissioner Francis Suarez & the City of Miami we can change that."
“These people live active, healthy lifestyles...”, Manuel said. “They just want a place to play”.
The tournament attracted 13 teams with more on a waiting list.
The tournament was completely Complimentary compliments of the City of Miami, Commissioner Francis Suarez & ISPS.
Manuel Ferrero isn’t exactly sure when the last "Real" Slow Pitch Softball Tournament in The City of Miami was, but he doesn’t think it was this century.
"This is the first time a Tournament of this style and complimentary has ever been done within the City Limits of the City of Miami" said Manuel.
The City of Miami resident has been living in the neighborhood of Silver Bluff Estates after just 2 weeks of being born in Naples, FL. Manuel started hosting adult slow pitch softball leagues and tournaments after his younger (and only) brother was killed in action in Baqubah, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Ferrero states that; "I didn't like the way leagues and tournaments were being ran by the current directors and associations that were hosting programs, so I decided to start my own leagues and tournaments to take my mind off the death of my brother and offer a better adult slow pitch softball program." "My background was in website design and my passion and hobby was Slow Pitch Softball and Baseball as a kid, so I just decided to put both of my skills to work."
"This is the first time a Tournament of this style and complimentary has ever been done within the City Limits of the City of Miami" said Manuel.
The City of Miami resident has been living in the neighborhood of Silver Bluff Estates after just 2 weeks of being born in Naples, FL. Manuel started hosting adult slow pitch softball leagues and tournaments after his younger (and only) brother was killed in action in Baqubah, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Ferrero states that; "I didn't like the way leagues and tournaments were being ran by the current directors and associations that were hosting programs, so I decided to start my own leagues and tournaments to take my mind off the death of my brother and offer a better adult slow pitch softball program." "My background was in website design and my passion and hobby was Slow Pitch Softball and Baseball as a kid, so I just decided to put both of my skills to work."
ISPS started as FAS (Florida Adult Softball) — But in January of 2012, ISPS was born after more and more Directors and Park Facilities all over the world got word of the Program that Ferrero was developing and offering to the Slow Pitch Softball Community.
Originally starting as a 6 Team ALL-MENS league in Miami-Dade County on June 29th 2008, has grown into an association representing over 125+ of the TOP Teams in the world and over 10,000+ players world-wide!
“Thanks to our City of Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez we have been able to host a quality event in the City of Miami” Ferrero said. “We all love the game of softball, and we’ve been playing for a long time, and we want to play in the City of Miami”
"With this one in Miami, our players & teams didn’t have to go far for the tournament, and able to finally find a local tournament in the City."
“Some are young, some are older....but they all play well,” said Gabe Caride, ISPS Florida State Director. “When they see an event like this put on by the City of Miami and ISPS AND it's FREE, the players really appreciate it and now they know the city parks can host quality events with the help of ISPS.”
“It wouldn't have been possible without the help of Commissioner Francis Suarez and the City of Miami” Manuel Ferrero said. “Impossible.”
The parks used in this event were Douglas Park on SW 37th Avenue and Gibson Park in Historic Overtown.
Men played for the first day at each respective divisional park location. Bronze Division played at Douglas Park for Bracket play on Saturday and the Silver Division played at the ALL-NEW Gibson Park on both Saturday and Sunday!
The parks used in this event were Douglas Park on SW 37th Avenue and Gibson Park in Historic Overtown.
Men played for the first day at each respective divisional park location. Bronze Division played at Douglas Park for Bracket play on Saturday and the Silver Division played at the ALL-NEW Gibson Park on both Saturday and Sunday!
The event was a surprise Invitational Tournament that was Open to the ISPS Sanctioned Teams just 5 Days before the Tournament.
"Sometimes special things like this just spurt up at any moment and you have to be ready for anything!" said Ferrero. "This is the start of a great partnership between the City of Miami and ISPS"
Slow-Pitch Softball is one of the fastest-growing recreational sports in the world. The City of Miami want to offer adult slow pitch softball programs for those citizens interested in participating in recreational leagues and tournaments, giving the opportunity to those adults that want to lead a healthy, active life-style.
In ISPS, players must be 18 years of age to participate. They currently offer 3 levels of competition for Men's; BRONZE, SILVER & GOLD, as well as CoED, Women's & Senior Divisions.
“I'm really happy the City of Miami and Commissioner Suarez hosted this event with ISPS, this is a quality event and the fields look great!!! Just wished there were more Fields!!!” Dirtbags Player Danny Villa said. “Most of the complexes out there may have more fields, but nothing compares to this” Villa said referring to the Astroturf field at Gibson Park in Miami.
ISPS CEO Manuel Ferrero admitted many people are surprised when he said the City of Miami will be hosting a complimentary slow-pitch softball tournament.
Not just because it was complimentary, but because it was inside the City of Miami.
Quality Slow Pitch Softball Tournaments were just not played in the City of Miami and the whole Slow Pitch Softball community knew this.
For ISPS & the City of Miami, this is about to rapidly change within the next few months.
“This is our ISPS home” Ferrero said. “We want to have a place to play at Home, and have a place to invite others to come play at our Home.”
The City of Miami and Commissioner Francis Suarez have big plans for recreational sports and adult slow pitch softball in the City of Miami.
“The City of Miami and Commissioner Suarez have Big Plans and ISPS will be there to help them in any way we can” Ferrero said. “ISPS will make the City of Miami the New Home of Slow Pitch Softball on the International Level”
For ISPS & the City of Miami, this is about to rapidly change within the next few months.
“This is our ISPS home” Ferrero said. “We want to have a place to play at Home, and have a place to invite others to come play at our Home.”
The City of Miami and Commissioner Francis Suarez have big plans for recreational sports and adult slow pitch softball in the City of Miami.
“The City of Miami and Commissioner Suarez have Big Plans and ISPS will be there to help them in any way we can” Ferrero said. “ISPS will make the City of Miami the New Home of Slow Pitch Softball on the International Level”
TOURNAMENT PICTURES ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
Tournament Results
Men's Bronze Division
Men's Bronze Division
1. DIAMOND DAWGS 6-1
2. DIRTBAGS 3-2
3. TEAM F.A.T. 2-2
4. THUNDER 2-2
5. SONS OF PITCHES 0-2
5. ONE BAD INNING 0-2
5. GRIM RIPPERS 0-2
Men's Silver Division
1. GOODBOYS 3-0
2. NEW Gs3-2
3. COSTA OIL 2-2
4. TREMENDO NEGOCIO 1-2
5. FALCON'S PUB 1-2
6. MAN DOWN 0-2
BRONZE INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
MVP - ALEX ALFONSO
OFFENSIVE PLAYER - GUILLERMO ARTEAGA
GOLD GLOVE - ANTHONY MESA
ALL-TOURNAMENT PLAYERS
ROBERT MAYA (DIAMOND DAWGS)
ALBERT GUASCH (DIAMOND DAWGS)
ROBERT FUENTE (DIAMOND DAWGS)
JESUS MENDEZ (DIAMOND DAWGS)
KEVIN HERNANDEZ (DIAMOND DAWGS)
LUIS HUERTAS (DIAMOND DAWGS)
DANNY VILLA (DIRTBAGS)
RAUL TAMBLADA (DIRTBAGS)
MATT CASTRO (DIRTBAGS)
LUISCA DONADO (DIRTBAGS)
SILVER INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
MVP - LUIS "TITI" BLANCO
OFFENSIVE PLAYER - EDDY OCHOA
GOLD GLOVE - OVY RAMIREZ
ALL TOURNAMENT PLAYERS
MAX SOTO (GOODBOYS)
ALEX CORUJO (GOODBOYS)
JOHN LAWRENCE (GOODBOYS)
RAY RODRIGUEZ (GOODBOYS)
GABY GARAY (GOODBOYS)
JOEL DELANUEZ (GOODBOYS)
DANNY NAVARRO (NEW Gs)
JOEY LABRIOLA (NEW Gs)
TOURNAMENT PICTURES ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
No comments:
Post a Comment