U.S. MEN’S TEAM PERFECT IN WINNING FIRST-EVER SLOW PITCH WORLD CUP

The day began with play in the MEN’S bracket.

Coincidentally, in what was actually the U.S. Batters Choice/Mizuno team’s “closest” game, the highest run total by far to that point in the SPWC was recorded as they outscored the Bahamas Junkanoos, 43-20. The game had actually begun on Saturday, but was suspended when the rainstorm came in. The teams were tied 17-17 after three innings, but a three-run homer by U.S. catcher Robert Gwinn changed that. The towering shot was estimated at over 400 feet (the fences are 310 all the way around). By the time it was 22-18, play had to be called, and the resumption this morning was a 21-2 drubbing by the U.S., for a game total of 43 runs on 46 hits. They scored all but one of the 21 runs in the sixth and seventh innings, when they crossed the plate nine and eleven times, respectively.

Meanwhile, a one-run game was playing out in more MEN’S action. Great Britain I rallied to victory with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, a 12-11 win over the Bahamas Lucayans. After the first two batters were retired to start the final half inning, second baseman Paul Bullock tripled. Centerfielder Andy Simpson then stepped to the plate and singled, scoring Bullock. Shortstop Steve Patterson, the leadoff hitter, singled as well, advancing Simpson to second. When left fielder Bruce Saunders walked to load the bases, it set the stage for right fielder Shaun Findlay to step up and single in the winning run (Simpson). The winners had a 7-2 lead after two, but were outscored 9-3 over the next 41⁄2 innings to necessitate the comeback.

As MEN’S play continued, the above was reversed as a Bahamas team this time was the winner in a game against one from Great Britain. The Bahamas Junkanoo never gave up after giving up 12 runs in the top of the first inning, slowly working their way to a 17-13 win over Great Britain I. The Junkanoos tallied six times in the bottom of the third and added five more in the bottom of the fifth. The six-run stanza was fueled by four extra base hits. Van Johnson led the winners with a 4-for-4 performance at the plate. In a complete reversal of the offensive outburst to start the game, the top of the fourth and sixth innings saw Great Britain go three-and-out. The loss gave Great Britain I a third place finish in the tournament. The Junkanoos advanced to the Championship Game.

The action marched on, with a COED game that saw the Bahamas Arawaks down the Bahamas Sunshine, 15-9. The Arawaks were already up 11-2 after 21⁄2 innings. The Sunshine remained winless throughout the tournament with the loss.

The Bahamas Goombay came from behind to defeat Great Britain I, 10-9 in COED play. The winners overcame a 7-1 deficit to post the victory, despite just 13 hits. Shortstop Michael Hanna and catcher Reno Williams each hit home runs for the Goombay.

The MEN’S Championship Game finally took center stage. The Junkanoos came in looking to put the first blemish on the U.S. Batters Choice/Mizuno team’s record. The matchup featured the opponent who had come closest to the U.S. Batters Choice/Mizuno – for about 3⁄4 of the two games they’d played against one another. These two teams had played Friday morning in the U.S. team’s opening game of the SPWC, which Batters Choice/Mizuno won 21-17. And, they met each other earlier in the day, completing a game suspended last night by rain. That game – though won by the U.S. 43-20 – was tied at 17 at one point.

This one was even closer as the U.S. had to rally in the top of the seventh to beat the Junkanoos for the World Cup. The Junkanoos took an 18-15 lead after six, but watched Batters Choice/Mizuno score eight times in the seventh and weren’t able to respond, being shutout in the bottom half of the inning for a 23-18 Batters Choice/Mizuno win. The turning point had seemed as though it was going to be the fourth and fifth innings, when the Junkanoos outscored the U.S. team 11-6, giving them a 17-14 lead. The dramatics in the top of the seventh started when the first two batters singled but the next two were outs. The next seven batters all had hits, including a home run by Alec “Icky” Sorrel – his third of the game – to secure the title.

Immediately after the game, in an on-field ceremony, ISF President Don Porter and ISF 1st Vice-President Clovis Lodewijks presented the Slow Pitch World Cup trophy to U.S. Batters Choice/Mizuno Coach Gordon W. Haab, Jr. In addition, each player on the team was presented with a gold medal. The ceremony had begun with Great Britain I being given their bronze medals and the Bahamas Junkanoos their silvers before the U.S. team had their moment in the spotlight.

Then it was time to settle things in the COED division.

Great Britain II exploded for 12 runs in the sixth inning to outlast the Bahamas Goombay, 16-11. It had entered that inning trailing 11-4. There were 17 plate appearances in that top half of the sixth, with the first ten batters in a row reaching base. Right fielder Alma Neville went 3-for-4 at the plate.

The Bahamas Arawaks, meanwhile, edged Great Britain I, 7-6. The Arawaks never trailed, though Great Britain sure fought its way back. Despite having only scored one run (in the second) through six innings, Great Britain scored five times in the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t finish off a comeback. Each of their first five batters that inning got on base, but the Arawaks cracked down defensively and recorded outs from three of the next four hitters.

The Bahamas Goombay took the field and started putting it to the Bahamas Arawaks. They were leading 10-1, but then came a rain delay. During that long waiting period, the Arawaks announced that they were forfeiting, which gave them third place and bronze medals, and the Goombay a trip to the Championship Game. By 6:30 p.m., the rain had stopped and it was finally time for the COED Championship Game.

Despite the wet conditions, Great Britain II found a way to claim the World Cup, defeating the Goombay 9-5 in an entertaining affair. The winners never trailed, taking a 4-0 lead in the top of the second, but it was close. The score was tied at four after five innings and at five after six. The top of the seventh saw Great Britain score four times though, while the Goombay were shutout in the bottom half of the inning, setting off a glove-tossing celebration on the field. Great Britain had reason to cheer because its first four batters had reached base to start the top of the seventh, and their defense held the Goombay in five plate appearances at the bottom of the seventh.

ISF President Don Porter presented the Slow Pitch World Cup for the COED division to Great Britain immediately after the game. Each player on the winning team also received gold medals. The Goombay players received silver medals for second place.

FINAL STANDINGS FOR THE ISF SLOW PITCH WORLD CUP

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