SOFTBALL: REUBER

LVDC Softball club rewarded its generous new sponsor John Gaughn with an NASF NIT championship in Mesquite on April 7. LVDC defeated Tallon 5-star Painting of Odgen, Utah in the finals.

LVDC was led by co-MVP's, pitcher Sammy Crachiola and multi-talented outfielder Ray Swaggerty. Teammates Joel Herd, Lucci Smith, Brandon Polier, Darel Brohm and Jay Austin made the all-tourney team.

These sluggers from LVDC pounded out more than 100 runs in five games and dominated this very strong field in NIT action.

Third place went to Dave Williams' Aardvarks-Sportco team that played its best ball of the year. After dropping its first game 19-18, Aardvarks-Sportco proceeded to win six straight games in the losers' bracket. All-tourneys went to Rick Charles, Steve Camara, Phil Platko, Ron Castillo and Bill Kephart.

Team Revenge had a great tourney and finished fourth. All-tourneys went to John Blanchard who hit .750.

The Mesquite home-run contest was dominated by Andrew Borgna, Keith Taylor and Gavin Abolania.

• Larsens Enterprise traveled to Palm Springs, Calif., April 14 for the NASF Spring Nationals and played outstanding. They made it to the winners' bracket final against Crisis, the eventual champion.

All-world honors went to Rocky Steel, Scot Fenn and Guy Beckwith. Honorable mention went to Hondo Berg, John Oliver and Gleno Evans.

Artillery placed fourth in the lower division after losing its first game. Al Moller and Chachi Bellaurgusti made the all-world team.

• Total Sports Report won the upper-division tourney at Shadow Rock on April 14. The team defeated Mark Glasers' Desert Dawgs in the finals. RT's Sandbaggers won the lower division.

DIAMOND NOTES -- Beginning this past Tuesday, Arroyo Grande became host to the city's only true B division league night. It is a showcase event with games being announced in big-league fashion.

All of the area's premier players are participating. Teams entered include Drai's After Hours, TG Auto, Larsens, Nevada Sport, Scorpions, Sin City Metro, Shonk's Zonks and Alley Gators Lounge.

TOURNAMENT UPDATE -- The California-Nevada NASF NIT is slated for May 5 and 6 with competition in the C and D divisions. Jackets will be awarded to the first-place team.

The State One-Pitch Tournament is scheduled for May 12 with competition in the D and E divisions. Each team is guaranteed three games. Every player in the tournament will receive a T-shirt.

A Sunday Round-Robin event is slated for Shadow Rock on May 20. Competition in the D and E division and a free barbecue is scheduled for all players and families.

Teams interested in any tournament should 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 NASF in Southern Nevada. He can be reached at 260-7803.