Police squad climbing in rankings

      Local ballclubs that have faced Metro-DeMarini the past three seasons have not been happy as three straight league titles have gone to the men in blue.
      Don't get fooled, this is not your typical beer-league ballclub, these guys are loaded. Four of their starters, Richie Davis, Rick Bass, Mike Mauntel and Chris Whatley are four of the city's best. Davis and Bass both hit home runs and Mauntel and Whatley are .700 hitters who also play serious defense.
      Bill Reed and Tony Scott add stability to this well-rounded ballclub. Every member is a police official in either Las Vegas or North Las Vegas.
      Bass said the team has been a top-15 nationally ranked police team the past two years and were endorsed by Grover. This season they hooked up with the legendary Ray DeMarini and his amazing double-wall bats and the team jumped to a top-five ranking, winning two tourneys and finishing fourth in the Police Olympics in Phoenix.
      DIAMOND NOTES -- ASA will hold its NFL Jacket Tournament on Sept. 26 at Shadow Rock. Sweatshirts and pro hats to second-, third- and fourth-place finishers. ASA T-shirts and pro hats to fifth- through eighth-place teams. The tourney is for D division teams only with no C or B players. Teams interested can call 320-8580.
      -- Sansones finished third in USSSA Regionals in Reno. MVP went to pitcher Phil Platko and all-tourneys went to Gain Curry, Jerry Moller, Steve DeAngelis and Vic Sanchez.
      -- Red Sox finished sixth in the ASA Southwest Nationals in Lancaster, Calif. Firstbaseman Ira Ross was amazing, turning seven double plays and went 20-for-30 with six triples. Red Sox entire infield of Jay Wieslander, Mitch Stahl, Chachi Bellagursai and Ross all hit .650 plus. Jeff Parks, Ron Heikes, Jeff Traylor, Jim Dirk and Eric Kirkbride also had strong tourneys.
      Time To Mash went 4-2 in Lancaster and finished eighth. Joshuas, Smokin' and B&H Radiator also made the trip to California.
      TOURNEY UPDATE -- USSSA B-C-D division tournament set for Saturday and Sunday at Arroyo Grande. Teams interested can call 457-1348.
      -- An ASA D and E division tournament is set for Saturday in Mesquite. The format will be a four-game round robin with shirts and hats going to the top five teams. Entry fee is $200 and teams interested can call 260-7803.
     
     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.