Red Sox claim No. 1 ranking, win Mesquite tourney

      The Red Sox, with two straight tournament championships, have vaulted to the No. 1 ranking in the D division in the Las Vegas area.
      The Red Sox won the ASA Mesquite Tournament on June 6 and also claimed top honors at Shadow Rock on May 16.
      In Mesquite, Red Sox defeated Max Riggs 18-17 in the championship game. It took a five run, bottom of the seventh to close out a talented Max Riggs ballclub.
      MVP went to newcomer pitcher Pat Russum and all-tourneys went to Jimmy Dirk, Chachi Bellargurshi, Eric Kirkbride and Jim Kelly.
      Riggs named pitcher Jim Laughlin its MVP and all-tourneys went to Raoul Machin, Corey Gearlin, Mike Ponienice and Landy Urqina.
      Third place in the tourney went to Campbell Concrete followed by Turn-N-Two in fourth. The two favored teams, Yard Dogs and Smokin, went home early.
      Ron Heikes' Red Sox team got rolling on May 16 with a hard fought tourney title over Andy Capz in another strong tourney. Great efforts from Bobby Keys, Jeff Traylor and Heikes.
      The No. 1 ranking was cemented in Lake Havasu, Ariz., on June 13 when the Red Sox earned a split with Las Vegas' No. 1 C ballclub, the Aardvarks.
      The new class D rankings are 1. Red Sox, 2. Styxx, 3. Auto Magic, 4. Yard Dogs, 5. Andy Capz, 6. Max Riggs, 7. Shot Callers, 8. Mixed Up, 9. Nevada Co-Gen and 10. Michael's Pub.
      DIAMOND NOTES -- Local teams beware, if a tournament is not USSSA, NSA or ASA sanctioned, you may be disappointed.
      Aardvarks and Red Sox both traveled to Lake Havasu, Ariz., to play in an eight-team tourney, but after arriving they found out five of the eight teams had dropped out, this is disgraceful.
      -- ASA is inviting all local ballclubs to participate in its July 4 tournament at Shadow Rock. A three-game guarantee and a $1,000 gift package to the first-place team and a $500 package to the second-place squad. A set of ASA team shirts or pro hats goes to every team.
     
     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.