HIGHLIGHTS.
Clearly the highlight of the 1997 tournament season was our 13-15 Year Old All-Star team successively captured the District VI, Virginia State, and South-Eastern Regional Championships without a loss. As the SE Regional Champion, the team progressed to the Babe Ruth World Series where they finished 5th in the United States. Congratulations go to Ralph Di Bari, his coaching staff, the players, and the parents associated with this team.
Springfield was well represented at all levels of tournament play winning the Virginia District VI 13 YO Prep Championship, the 13 YO Prep Runners-Up Title (we field two Prep All-Star teams), the 14 YO District Championship and Virginia State Runners-Up, and the 16 YO District Championship.
Rosters, team photos, and other tournament information will be posted as it is received.
District VI Runner Up: Front row/left to right: Matt Fiorino, Travis Kerstetter, Adam Baxter, Matt Johnson (bat boy), Matt Stratton, Nick Little. 2nd row/left to right: Justin Warren, Shon Klegin, Chad Humphrey, Matt Small, Charlie Johnson, David Luff, David Webster. Last row/left to right: Ray Johnson, Reid Sassman, Trey Jordan, Manager Ron Kerstetter, Coach Jim Warren, Joey Bianchetta, Coach Alan Little.
The Springfield American Prep All Stars thought they could win the District 6 tournament. Despite some nice pitching performances by Joey Bianchetta and Charlie Johnson, and strong hitting by Justin Warren (.538), Matt Stratton (.533), and Matt Small (several long blasts) it was not to be. Early on they looked like they would. They got off to a good start winning their first 3 games against Alexandria 6-4, Fairfax West 7-0, and Springfield National 14-1. It was not to be. But then, doing it the hard way, Springfield National came back from the losers bracket to beat Springfield American twice in a row, 11-8, and 14-1!
District VI Champs: Back Row (L-R): Coach Jeff Nase -- John Kunzman -- Mike Chunta -- Brian Kee -- AJ Broadbent -- Manager Les Fettig -- Matt Coleman -- Kai Beasley -- Eric Womack -- Steve Nase -- Coach Toren Beasley Front Row (L-R): Coach Malcom Coleman -- Steve Fabela -- Will Altherr -- Matt Waddon -- Mike Sfiligoj -- Jon Barcklow -- Zach Fettig -- Adam Calderone -- Chad Horn -- Coach Dave Kunzman
The Springfield National All-Stars went through a marathon of baseball, winning the District Championship then finishing 2nd runner up in the State Finals behind Richmond (Glen Allen) and Charlottesville (Lane)-- all within 10 days. With just a week of 6am dawn to dusk practices to get together, to win the District, the Nats had to come out of the loser's bracket and beat rival Springfield American twice, winning two games in one night including a back-to-back routes of the American squad. At State, the Dirty Bunch knocked off Shenandoah Valley (Augusta) 9-2, lost a squeaker to Lane 6-5, then battled out of the loser's bracket again, trouncing Winchester 20-10, neighbor McLean 7-5, then running out of poop and pitchers, dropping a finale to Lane who lost to Glen Allen. Team strength was Spirit -- Speed -- great D -- explosive hitting -- and and overworked and strung out pitching staff.
INTERNATIONAL.
For a full account of the 14 YO Tournament season go to the tournament continuation page
The 15 YO Majors All Star Team was a source of league and community pride. Winning a tournament is difficult. Winning three tournaments without a loss is like climbing Mt. Everest. To play in a Babe Ruth World Series - a dream come true! To read about this experience in Coach DiBari's own words - go to The Quest For The Series
16 YO SENIORS.
16 - 18 YO SENIORS.
Other SBRL Information:
E-mail: bdelmore@iteq.com
Created 10 March 1998,
Last Updated 28 March 1998