The Senior Softball Capital of the World, Manassas, VA, was the site for the ISSA World Championships. The 15th Annual ISSA championships were held over the weekend of August 14-16, 2009. Competition ranged from the senior men at age 50+, 55+, 60+ and 70+, as well as the Master's divisions for the 35+, 40+ and 45+ men's teams. The men's Master 35+ division crowned Benfield Electric/Dan Smith/Menosse - Team Combat the 2009 World Champions. Paul Dressler of Manassas, VA managed and assembled the team with help from Brad Camp, Pat Dalsanders and Hector Pagan. Paul put together a team of local players that mixed well with the few out of town players from his major travel team.
The Benfield Electric team played well and made it to the Sunday Championship final versus CIA/Bass Gloves Co. It was a winner take all final between the two teams for the ISSA 35+ Masters World Championship. The CIA/Bass Gloves team (Richmond, VA) was led by big-time player Jeff Hall and they quickly jumped out to a 21-2 lead. Having a lot of heart and led by big-time players like Rusty Bumgardner, Johnny McCraw, Scott Brown, Dal Beggs, JD Genter, Ryan Robbins and Jason Kendrick, the Benfield Electric/Dan Smith/Menosse team clawed their way back into the game. After getting the game close, Benfield Electric soon found themselves down big again. With the score 37-17 in the third inning, CIA/Bass Gloves out of Richmond, VA looked like they would be celebrating a World Championship. Timely hitting, a never say die attitude and the pitching of Mark Urbain and Scott Brown brought Paul Dressler's team back again. After four complete innings, CIA/Bass Gloves led by only two runs and they failed to score in the top of the fifth inning. Benfield Electric then scored twelve more runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 49-39 lead. After a five run top of the sixth for CIA, Benfield Electric/Dan Smith/Menosse Team Combat scored seven runs on one out to finish the scoring via run-rule for a 56-44 final championship score. The championship victory was a team effort and showed the true meaning of "TEAM". Ever player tried to do the right thing and conserve the homeruns. Individual efforts in the final game included Combat Advisory Player, Rusty Bumgardner, going 7 for 8 on his way to being named the Offensive MVP. Another Combat player, Jason Kendrick went 8 for 8 and was named Most Valuable Player of the World Championship. The amazing part of the win and the fifty-six runs scored, it was all done with a ten homerun limit. All of the players on the team made a big difference as the bottom of the lineup rolled it back to the top again and again.
Here is a team breakdown of the championship weekend for Benfield Electric/Dan Smith/Menosse Team Combat:
Dal Beggs: .760 average with 7 HRs
Scott Brown: .808 average with 5 HRs and great pitching
Rusty Bumgardner: .897 average with 7 HRs and Offensive MVP
JD Genter: .724 average and team leading 23 RBIs
Jason Kendrick: .840 average and Tournament MVP
Johnny McCraw: .724 average and team leading 9 HRs
Ryan Robbins: .852 average with 7 HRs
Steve Smith: .629 average with 3 HRs and great pitching
Mark Urbain: .875 average with 3 HRs and great pitching
Darrell Hardman: .800 average
Chris Sweatt: .750 average with 3 HRs
Justin Viar: .750 average with 2 HRs and amazing right field defense
All World Team Selections were as follows: Scott Brown, Rusty Bumgardner, Jason Kendrick, Ryan Robbins and Mark Urbain
When interviewed after the awards ceremony, MVP Jason Kendrick had this to say, “a special thanks goes out to Paul Dressler, Dan Smith, Eddie Menosse, Brad Camp and Don Cooper of Combat Sports for making it all happen. Without these special men, their time and sponsorship, no championship would have been achieved. In addition, thanks to our coaching staff of Pat Dalsanders, Hector Pagan and help from Paul Dressler and Dave McDonald for making the right moves all weekend. It doesn't always work, but the coaching staff and Paul Dressler found a way to pick several local players that played great and formed a good chemistry with the out of town big-time players to win a World Championship. All 35+, 40+, 45+ and senior teams that play should make plans to attend future ISSA events and World Championships. The association led by Executive Director, RB Thomas, Jr., is first class and they provided great fields, umpires and awards. They even had a Jostens rep on site with information on championship rings. Go to their website (www.seniorsoftball.org) for more information on the International Senior Softball Association.”