Stratford Softball Tournaments Inc. board member Pat Patusky sent this release out at 10 o’clock Sunday night. Apparently she feels the Brakettes are at fault for only two teams registering for the ASA tournament.
I’m sure Brakettes GM Bob Baird will have a response at some point.
Anyway, here’s the release.
The Stratford Softball Tournament Inc regrets to announce the cancellation of the 2010 ASA National Major Women’s Fast Pitch Championship to be held at DeLuca Field August 5-8. Frank DeLuca, National ASA Hall of Famer, and president of Stratford Softball Tournaments Inc (SSTI) announced today. We have been working on this tournament since November 2008 and spent $5,000 to obtain the bid and get ready to host the tournament. At that time we requested the Town to co-host the tournament and allow SSTI the use of the field offered Frank Deluca who emphasized “we are Stratford volunteers who simply won the bid for the tournament from the (ASA) Amateur Softball Association”. The tournament brings in approx $900,000 in revenue to area business. Up until Thursday July 21 we had 4 teams and unfortunately 2 teams dropped out. As a result, SSTI planned a 2 team tournament between the 2008 defending champions California Hurricanes and the Brakettes, the two best teams in women’s’ softball. The Hurricanes already purchased $7,000 in airfare and were definitely coming to Stratford even with the 2 team tournament format but the Brakettes decided to withdraw their participation commitment.
Tournament Coordinator Pat Patusky said “I do not understand how any competitor could pass up the opportunity to play the defending ASA national champions. The fans from all over would have loved to see the best two women’s softball teams in the country square off face to face. It would have been a great series, it is a shame.” SSTI supported the Brakettes with an $18,000 contribution 2 years ago; and the Town of Stratford gave them $25,000 this year, the concession stand proceeds, and absorbs the overtime cost for field maintenance during their games.
Stratford Softball Tournaments Inc Treasurer, Carl Alber and Secretary Cathy Ralston have attempted to sit down with General Manager Bob Baird since last August to work out a compromise. Cathy Ralston expressed disappointment ”unfortunately because of Bob Baird’s feud with the National ASA organization, he refused to talk to us, we could have made both tournaments happen if we could have worked together.”
Stratford Softball Tournaments Inc. was aware of Bob Baird’s disagreements with the ASA but they also share a rich history that should have worked out. Bob Baird is upset with the ASA when 2 years ago at the ASA National tournament in Buffalo, games were cut short due to rain and the tournament was awarded to the unbeaten team California Hurricanes. The year before the Brakettes won the tournament in Indiana in a similar situation. Several years ago Bob Baird withdrew the Brakettes from the Pro League because the final game was played under questionable field conditions against Mr. Baird’s preference. Pat Patusky said “SSTI felt that the Brakettes may have had a raw deal so we decided to obtain the tournament with the confidence we could do a better job.”
The Stratford Softball Tournaments Inc is planning to sponsor a Junior Olympic Tournament next year and has submitted a bid for the 2012 ASA Junior Olympic Territorial National Tournament for 10 and unders and 12 and unders.
