Larsens garners USSSA state crown

     By Ralph Reuber
     View columnist
      Score one for the good guys.
      Larsens Enterprise took on the state's best Aug. 5 at Arroyo Grande and when the smoke cleared, Larsens was crowned USSSA state champions.
      Bruce Larsen, one of Las Vegas' top managers, attributes the team's success to a tough schedule (they are the only local C division team to play all three associations), tremendous team chemistry and new team members adapting to the Larsen way.
      Larsens picked a great time to peak and get ready for two possible world berths in Michigan (USSSA) and Texas (NSA) in September.
      Larsens defeated a rugged Sportco/JCP team in the finals, 20-16.
      Jimmy Larsen, last year's Softball News Player of the Year, was voted MVP of the tournament. Larsens' all-tourney honors went to Hondo Berg, brothers Scot and Troy Fenn, Mike Verso, Bryan Larsen, Dave Molinaro and two key new additions, Tommy Freimuth and Tom Clements, two of the area's best all-around players.
      The state champs also got big contributions from Logan Heckathorn and Jerry Larsen.
      n Bellagio Frontrunners won the Sunset Park tourney Aug. 6. Bellagio used a powerful offense to subdue all opponents, and only a loss to Skuds kept Bellagio from going undefeated.
      MVP went to Jason Pimentel. Veteran Max Sanchez was the home run leader, and all-tourney honors went to Wade Williams and Hector Nunez. Mike Martel, John Black, John Wichert, Brent Williams, Greg Stone and Sergio Castillo also contributed.
      In lower-division play, Nicky Lee's got its first tourney championship, beating a solid Underdog squad in the finals. Pedro Zapata won MVP honors, and Jason Hall, Paul Essayian, Eric Castro and Butchy Kohler were named all-tourney.
      DIAMOND NOTES -- Am-Com Last Chance World Series qualifier is set for Sept. 9 in Mesquite. Teams interested can call 260-7803.
      n Doc's LV 60s won the SPA World Qualifier in St. George, Utah. Billy Bansak hit.863 and joined teammates Bob Warke, Barry Roberts and Vinny Rudd on the all-tourney team.
      This quality senior team is looking for sponsors. Those interested can call 735-3518.Las Vegas' 10 best slow-pitch umpires begins with state umpire-in-chief, and Nevada's best, Danny McMahon. The rest of the top-10 umpires include Al Wayne, Boomer Morrow, Ernie Ono, Roger Classon, Howard Loosebrook, Art Gomez, James Reynolds, Jerry Raymond and Leon Doss.
     
     Ralph Reuber has more than 25 years of experience as a softball player, sponsor, umpire and manager. He is district commissioner for the NASF in Southern Nevada. He can be reached at 260-7803.