Rainball tourney crowns new champs
It was in with the new, out with the old in Sunday's title games of the 29th annual Rainball Invitational Softball Tournament.
New champions were crowned in each of the tourney's five divisions. The tournament, held Thursday through Sunday at Dimond and Savikko Parks, was played under sunny skies and in record heat.
In Men's Division C, Juneau's stereonorth.com team, led by division MVP James Johnson, beat Imperial of Juneau for the title. Taku Oil of Juneau took third, while Sitka House of Liquor - last year's champion - finished fourth.
Floors Galore of Juneau, led by MVP Rob Ridgeway, won Men's Division D by beating Stereo North-Bose of Sitka. Sitka's Allen Marine took third place and the Sitka Islanders were fourth. Anchor Electric of Juneau won last year's title.
MVP Todd Luck helped Juneau's Timberwolf team to the title in Men's Division E. Crusaders of Juneau claimed second place, Ward's Plumbing of Juneau - last year's champs - finished third and the First National Capitals of Juneau were fourth.
In Women's Division C, Imperial of Juneau, with MVP Myiia Whistler, won the title over Jovany's of Juneau. The Crew of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, finished third and Doak's of Juneau claimed fourth place. Last year's winner was Pat's Douglas Inn/Louie's.
Sitka's Diehards squad was the only non-Juneau winner, claiming the title in Women's Division D with MVP Manda Miller. Ballbusters of Juneau took second place, Sitka's Allen Marine finished third and Merchants Wharf of Juneau - last year's champion - finished fourth.
The Crusaders in Men's Division E won the first annual Ray Bradley Jr. Sportsmanship Award. Brandon Mahle of the Crusaders took first place in the Home Run Derby, winning $100, while Jeremy Ludeman of Juneau's Imperial and Karl Koch of the Sitka Islanders tied for second place.
All-tournament and best defensive player awards from the Juneau Sports Association's 29th annual Rainball Invitational Softball Tournament, held Thursday through Sunday at Dimond and Savikko Parks.
All-tournament teams
Men's Division C
MVP - James Johnson, stereonorth.com. All-tournament - stereonorth.com: Jamie Kissner, Ed Jones, Dave Gilday, Randy Quinto; Imperial: Al Tagaban, Frank Tompkins, Joe Adelmeyer; Taku Oil: Andy McCauley, Fred Tolbert; Sitka House of Liquor: Greg Bartolaba.
Men's Division D
MVP - Rob Ridgeway, Floors Galore. All tournament - Floors Galore: Andy Markovich, Tom Walls, Keaton Gaines, James McKnight; Stereo North-Bose: Brett Haavig, Wade Winger, Syd Eubanks; Allen Marine: Rich Ross, Bruce Christianson; Sitka Islanders: Mike Bartolaba.
Men's Division E
MVP - Todd Luck, Timberwolf. All-tournament - Timberwolf: Jamie Johns, Steve Rice, Craig Kitka, Dave Goade; Crusaders: Josh Mahle, Bryan Zepp, Gary Boster; Ward's Plumbing: Greg Cashen, Charles Matlock; First National Capitals: Greg Cole.
Women's Division C
MVP - Myiia Whistler, Imperial. All-tournament - Imperial: Heather Clark, Shelly Hurt, Danielle Larson, Kim Oglesbee; Jovany's: Carrie Cummings, Mary Tagaban, Kerin Wilson; The Crew: Teri Locke, Jean Poulin; Doak's: Tessa Wheeler.
Women's Division D
MVP - Manda Miller, Diehards. All-tournament - Diehards: Breanne Erickson, Jessica Perkins, Lauren Burkhart, Rachael Kirby; Ballbusters: Martha Utley, Laurie Dallas, Sue King; Allen Marine: Janet Swartz, Tracy Harang; Merchants Wharf: Nikki Saceda.
Best defensive players
Men's Division C
Sitka House of Liquor - Blake Hagerman
Imperial - Toby Staveland
Taku Oil - Jason Bavard
stereonorth.com - James Johnson
Stereo North - Jason Barnett
Men's Division D
Sitka Islanders - Chuck Miller
Canton House - Phil Millard
Anchor Electric - Delton Cummins
Floors Galore - Dan Nelson
Harri Plumbing - Jeff Duvernay
Stereo North-Bose - Greg Blankenship
Allen Marine - Mike Webb
Men's Division E
First National Capitals - John Grummett
Superior Builders - Arnold Villegas
Crusaders - Rob Parsons
Timberwolf - Dave Goade
Ward's Plumbing - Kris Knightlinger
Women's Division C
The Crew - Marie Cairns
Doak's - Lucy Potter
Imperial - Heather Clark
Pat's Douglas Inn/Louie's - Dee Swavely
Jovany's - Mary Meiners
Women's Division D
Gabriel's Angels - Jodie Pessolano
Ballbusters - Regan Tweedy
Diehards - Sandy Dull
Emblem Club - Paula Kitka
Merchants Wharf - Elaine Bell
Allen Marine - Laura Ramp