THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 18, 1994 TAG: 9409160279
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 28 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOHN GORDON, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
GUZZLERS SOFTBALL team is playing the in the National Softball Association Class D World Series at Rock Hill, S.C., this weekend after finishing eighth out of 52 teams in the regional tourney at Burlington, N.C., Labor Day weekend.
The Guzzlers team will be one of 165 teams from around the United States competing in the series, according to coach-owner Jim Clark.
In last Sunday's issue, the Guzzlers were misidentified as Suffolk Land and Timber. It was the Guzzlers who had a 4-2 record in the regional event before being eliminated by DJ's of Burlington in the regional.
Robbie Brooks of Guzzlers batted .619 in the tourney and pitcher Kenny Davis registered a 3-1 record.
Guzzlers sponsored a softball tournament at Cypress Field on Airport Road last weekend to raise money for the world series trip. Virginia Beach's High Tides slugged 27 home runs to capture the one-day, double elimination tourney with a 4-0 record, and the Fun Bunch of Franklin placed second.
Two Suffolk teams - World Bound and Village Drug - came in third and fourth respectively.
Ronnie Norton of the High Tides hit .900 and was named most valuable players. Charlie Hubbard, also of the Virginia Beach squad, won the sportsmanship award.
SOFTBALL TOURNEY SET: Suffolk Land and Timber is sponsoring its inaugural fall classic slow pitch softball tournament Sept. 24-25 at Monogram Field on Sleepy Hole Road in the Driver area, and at Peanut Park on Carolina Road in Suffolk.
Entry fee is $110 per team. For further information, call Jerry Clark at 461-4312 (work) or 934-3655 (home).
BALDWIN WINS AWARD: Cathy Baldwin captured the most spirited award at the conclusion of the Bennett's Creek Women's Softball League this season, it was announced this week.
All players from the seven-team league voted for the award that goes to the person who exemplifies the best spirit. Baldwin plays for the Slam-Hers, which is sponsored by Al Smith's Body Shop. It was the only individual award presented.
The Gamblers, sponsored by West Service Center, won both the regular season and the end of season tournament, according to Debra Wilburn, the league's president. To take the regular season title, the Gamblers had to win a playoff game from the Generics, sponsored by Bennett's Creek Pharmacy.
In the two-day double elimination tourney, the Stackers, sponsored by Coastal Lumber Co., placed second to the Gamblers.
``We had a shortened season this year,'' Wilburn said. ``First the District 6 Little League tournament was at our ball field and that delayed the start of the season, and then we had to quit early for fall ball.
``Next year, we hope to start around July 12.''
GWALTNEY PITCHER PICKED: Jeff Sorenson, former pitcher with G.P. Gwaltney Contractors' fast-pitch softball team, has been selected to play for a USA team that will travel to New Zealand in January for a series of games in February.
Sorenson, 24, is from Minnesota, but played for the Suffolk team while stationed at Fort Eustis. After his discharge a year ago, he stayed in the area, but pitched for a Minnesota team earlier this summer.
The International Softball Congress of California selected Sorenson along with 17 other players from around the United States to play on the national team.
A righthander with a windmill delivery, Sorenson also has been working with young softball players in the Bennett's Creek area. by CNB