Schaller named area's manager of the year

      Twelve championships in five different states -- Nevada, California, Arizona, North Dakota and Utah -- and four different associations --USSSA, ASA, Am-Com and Triple Crown -- made for an easy decision in the manager of the year category.
      When you consider the talent level Fred Schaller had to work with, it was an amazing feat. No superstars were on the board. He mainly had some hard-working, blue-collar guys who loved to play and who were coachable.
      Congratulations on a tremendous year to Schaller and his Quick Silver Hill ballclub.
      Second place in the voting went to Larry Quaney and Mike Carrasco.
      Styxx finished up strong and won top honors at the ASA Christmas Bash. Shortstop Mike Perini was named MVP and all-tourneys went to Troy Hibler, Jeff Cox, Freddy Oddo, Mike Roberts and Jerry Bauman.
      In the lower division, R.T. Plastics won their first tourney and played outstanding. They defeated a game B&H Radiator in the finals. R.T.'s hard-hitting Larry Long was MVP. Look for the men of R.T. Plastics to have a big year in 1998.
      Big Daddys/Shot Callers closed out the USSSA season with a title at Arroyo Grande. Rick Charles was voted MVP and all-tourneys went to Al Molina, Bill Wilson and Robert Carrington.
      DIAMOND NOTES -- Dave Growden was selected umpire of the year and second place went to Bruce Duhadaway.
      Art Orosco has put together a solid ballclub in Malfunction Junction. They played very well at the Christmas Bash. Rick Cadawallder finished up the year with a bang, going 15-for-16 in his last tourney.
     
     Ralph Reuber has more than 25 years of experience as a softball player, sponsor, umpire and manager. He is district commissioner for the ASA in Southern Nevada. He can be reached at 260-7803.