'99 ASA runner-up starts well

By JOHN SCHWARB

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 13, 2000

CLEARWATER -- Appropriately, a team named Storm is having the most success at the ASA National Softball Championship.

The Phoenix-based team, which finished second last year in the women's fast-pitch tournament, stood unbeaten through the first three days of play at Bomber Stadium.

Its game against Team Texas, however, was delayed Saturday by rain and rescheduled for later in the evening along with three other games.

The tournament will continue at 9 a.m. today with semifinal games, with the championship game scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

The host Clearwater Bombers and Clearwater Bullets were eliminated early from the 23-team, double-elimination event, each finishing 1-2 and ending their weeks with losses to the Yuengling A's of Pottsville, Pa.

Two other Florida teams, the Boca Pacemakers from Boca Raton and the Sun Sox of Winter Garden, remained alive through Saturday morning's play.

Last year's champions, the California Commotion, sent nine players to the U.S. Olympic team. Most of the teams in the ASA National Championship are elite-level clubs with top college players.

Tickets for today's play are $5 for adults 16 and older and $2.50 for children age 10-15. Children 9 and younger are free.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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