2008 -- Men's D-Blue, Visalia City League (spring): Steve Stafford
                   (24 total points; by team ballot vote; no team award)

          2008 -- Men's D-Blue, Visalia City League (summer): Frank Fletcher
                   (84 offensive/defensive points; no team award)

          2009 -- Thursday Men's, Tulare City League (spring): Steve Stafford
              (29 total points; by team ballot vote; team received 1st place shirts)


It is my wish that this ongoing list of individual player achievement be maintained for the life of our softball organization, when, on that sad but inevitable future date, we all decide to hang up our worn cleats, store away our favorite bats, and pass along our venerable gloves to a much younger generation. May they enjoy the game, as well as the friendship bonds created, as much as our much older generation expresses these now.

Past And Present Tournament Most Valuable Players -- Real Boys Of Bang!


    Heavy Metal Softball Tourney MVP Sizzlin' Stick miniature bat recipients:

          2002 -- Sox Summer Scorcher (July): Frank Fletcher (43 points)
          2003 -- Crimson Tide's Summer Invasion (July): Gene Hitt (83 points)
                   -- October Bash (October): Wes Avery (75 points; Championship!)
          2004 -- October Bash (October): Wes Avery (32 points)
          2005 -- CCASA Rec Series #1 (April): Frank Fletcher (28 points)
                   -- CCASA Rec Series #2 (May): Steve Stafford (57 points)
                   -- CCASA Rec Series #3 (June): Wes Avery (32 points)
                   -- CCASA Rec Series #4 (July): Frank Fletcher (39 points; 3rd place!)
                   -- CCASA Rec Series #5 (August): Wes Avery (24 points; Series 5th place!)   
          2006 -- ASA Umpires Softball Tourney (March): Steve Stafford (38 points)
                   -- Setters Easter Classic XI (April): Art Tabacco (44 points)
                   -- CCASA Rec Series #1 (April): Mike Lujan (25 points)
                   -- Bud Light Cinco de Mayo Tourney (May): Paul Lawrence (50 points; 2nd place!)
                   -- CCASA Rec Series #2 (May): Wes Avery (17 points)
                   -- CCASA Rec Series #3 (June): Wes Avery (20 points)
                   -- CCASA Rec Series #4 (July): Frank Fletcher (19 points)
                   -- CCASA Rec Series #5 (July): Gene Hitt (26 points)
                   -- Valley Softball Extreme Classic (August): Frank Fletcher (40 points)
                   -- Knuckle Up Fall Showdown (September): Wes Avery (38 points)
                   -- Twisted Softball Tourney (October): Wes Avery (33 points)
          2007 -- CCASA Rec Series #1 (March): Steve Stafford (13 points)
                   -- CCASA Rec Series #2 (April): Paul Lawrence (37 points)
                   -- Knuckle Up Extreme Challenge (May): Aaron Dawes (24 points)
                   -- Armed & Dangerous Summer Bash (July): Steve Stafford (31 points)
                   -- Budweiser Extravaganza (July): Frank Fletcher (39 points) 
                   -- NASF Fall Classic (September): Wes Avery (53 points)
                   -- October Bash (October): Mike Lujan (35 points)
          2008 -- Bash-4-Cash (April): Steve Stafford (14 points)
                   -- Bud Light Cinco de Mayo Tourney (May): Joaquin Perez (23 points)
                   -- Team Clutch Softball Tournament (May): Joaquin Perez (28 points)
                   -- Budweiser Extravaganza (June): Joaquin Perez (28 points)
                   -- Die Hard NSA Tournament (July): Frank Fletcher (23 points)
                   -- Jesus Banuelos Tribute Tournament (August): Frank Fletcher (29 points)
          2009 -- Slugfest Super 7 Series, Tourney #1 (April): Donny Aguiar (26 points)
                   -- Slugfest Super 7 Series, Tourney #2 (April): Lucio Cobos (33 points)
                   -- Bud Light Cinco de Mayo Tourney (May): Wes Avery (36 points)
                   -- Slugfest Super 7 Series, Tourney #3 (May): Steve Stafford (51 points)
                   -- Killer Bees Softball Tournament (July): Frank Fletcher (20 points)
   

And so, there you have it -- another list of Heavy Metal Softball history, another match I'm trying to light under my players' feet -- whatever works. In addition to a player receiving the miniature bat -- symbol of hitting prowess -- during the course of the softball year for being a tourney MVP, he can also look forward to hopefully seeing his name engraved on a full-sized, wooden Batting Champions: Metal Men bat, which will be awarded after the very last tournament played to the player with the highest individual batting average (minimum 50 at-bats or 5 tournaments -- whichever qualifies first) at year's end. The Sizzlin' Stick miniature bat can -- and should -- be displayed proudly in the tournament dugout after being awarded, after which, it must be returned to the manager, who will award it to the next deserving player at the beginning of the following tournament. However, the full-sized, engraved Batting Champions: Metal Men bat can be taken home until the start of the next year's softball season -- similar to the way we do with our leage MVP Circle of Honor perpetual plaque -- only it will be awarded just once a year, making it a true annual tradition. All these incentives, mind you, are given in the spirit of fun and recognition, so I hope no one minds too many flashbulbs going off in his vicinity and sincerely gets into the spirit himself, without too much competitive posturing being shown. That, to me, is what team is all about, and so it is, with fellowship in mind and lightness in heart, that I take pleasue in recogizing some of my teammates -- who, over the years, are people I've come to truly call friends....

First, as always, I want to thank all of the players who represented Heavy Metal Softball this weekend for their effort, help, and cooperation in making our fifth tournament of the year a somewhat successful effort -- in the sense that we were very competitive against some roughly comparable teams.  Here are some final tournament statistics for those who actually visit our website and are truly interested in such things.  I would like to state here again that unlike previous seasons a couple of years ago -- when I published an extensive summary of each tournament regardless of the outcome -- I will only do so if we achieve playoff status or have a winning record, with just a bare-bones tournament rundown for those events of little distinction.  So, without further adieu, I present some facts from this particular contest:

Killer Bees Softball Tournament Summary --

Tournament Record:  1-2 (second game a tough loss!)
                                1st game:  Lost 2-11 vs. Bad Boys
                                2nd game:  Lost 5-6 vs. It's All Good
                                3rd game:  Won 16-9 vs. Warriors  

Team Statistics (alphabetically):

Donny Aguiar -- 7 for 11; .636 BA; 15 points. 
Vern Amaro -- 3 for 7; .429 BA; 11 points.
Rich Avery -- 1 for 9; .111 BA; 5 points.
Wes Avery -- 3 for 10; .300 BA; 13 points.
Frank Fletcher -- 6 for 10; .600 BA; 20 points.
Lee Garcia -- 3 for 8; .375 BA; 10 points.
Gene Hitt -- 3 for 8; .375 BA; 11 points.
Brian Hollingshead -- 4 for 7; .571 BA; 13 points.
Mike Lujan -- 4 for 10; .400 BA; 16 points.
Steve McElmoyl -- 4 for 6; .667 BA; 10 points.
Joaquin Perez -- 2 for 9; .222 BA; 3 points. 

Team Batting Average:  .421 (40 for 95; we averaged 7.7 runs/game for the whole tournament.  We need to definitely improve our team batting average, as this current one won't win games, much less tournaments....)

Tournament MVP:  Frank Fletcher (20 points -- Sizzlin' Stick award!)

Manager's Award:  I would like to take this time now to recognize a few other players who shined just as brightly this weekend with their contributions to the team:  Donny Aguiar, Brian Hollingshead, and Steve McElmoyl. Their stats above speak for themselves, but their consistency throughout the tournament is what I noticed most and appreciated greatly -- here's a "hats-off" to all three of you!  

2009 Season Statistics (alphabetically; all players):

Donny Aguiar -- 25 for 45; .556 BA; 88 points (4 tournaments)
Vern Amaro -- 21 for 52; .404 BA; 65 points (5 tournaments)
Rich Avery -- 15 for 57; .263 BA; 61 points (5 tournaments)
Wes Avery -- 32 for 63; .508 BA; 105 points (5 tournaments)
Lucio Cobos -- 25 for 42; .595 BA; 82 points (4 tournaments)
Frank Fletcher -- 6 for 10; .600 BA; 20 points (1 tournament)
Lee Garcia -- 19 for 44; .432 BA; 52 points (4 tournaments)
Gene Hitt -- 5 for 17; .294 BA; 19 points (2 tournaments)
Brian Hollingshead -- 14 for 38; .368 BA; 33 points (4 tournaments)
Paul Lawrence -- 7 for 26; .269 BA; 36 points (3 tournaments)
Mike Lujan -- 30 for 64; .469 BA; 91 points (5 tournaments)
Lencho Martinez -- 3 for 8; .375 BA; 13 points (1 tournament)
Steve McElmoyl -- 4 for 6; .667 BA; 10 points (1 tournament)
Joaquin Perez -- 2 for 9; .222 BA; 3 points (1 tournament)
John Rodriguez -- 4 for 12; .333 BA; 12 points (1 tournament)
Devin Stafford -- 1 for 10; .100 BA; 10 points (1 tournament)
Steve Stafford -- 26 for 46; .565 BA; 122 points (4 tournaments)
Mike Vanaalst -- 16 for 33; .485 BA; 86 points (3 tournaments) 

Year-End Award Progress:  Steve McElmoyl now leads the race for the Batting Champions: Metal Men perpetual award bat, based on his one-tournament batting average of .667 -- but Frank Fletcher has made his move during this 2009 tournament tour with his own one-tournament batting average of .600 (Lucio "Bubba" Cobos is third with a four-tournament batting average of .595). Please remember -- just in case everyone forgets -- a player must have played in a minimum of 5 tournaments to earn this recognition, which is something to think about when I ask everyone next time if they want to play some more ball in an upcoming tournament....

And, once again, that's all, folks!!!

Our Team's Highest Award Couldn't Have Gone To A More Deserving Guy!!!

After the Tulare Spring 2009 league campaign, Steve Stafford made it a repeat to the upper echelon of Heavy Metal elite by capturing his third league MVP award. In the near future, he will be presented with the coveted Heavy Metal Softball league MVP Circle of Honor plaque by team manager, Vern Amaro. MVP! MVP! MVP! -- you deserve it, my friend!     

Finally, here are the results, in short summary, of the MVP balloting that took place recently in which most of you participated. A special thanks to everyone who voted by replying to my repeated e-mail messages (remember, tournament MVPs will still be selected using our time-honored offensive points system). Fourteen Heavy Metal Softball regular members were eligible to vote this time, having participated in the Tulare City, Thursday Men's, spring 2009 league. In order of highest cumulative point total, with adjoining number of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place votes, here is this league's MVP and the rest of the worthy contenders:

League MVP: Steve Stafford (29 total points -- 5 first place votes, 1 second place vote, 1 third place vote. Great offensive effort!)

1st Runner-Up: Joaquin Perez (28 total points -- 5 first place votes, 1 second place vote. Your effort is always really appreciated!)

2nd Runner-Up: Lencho Martinez (13 total points -- 1 first place vote, 2 second place votes, 2 third place votes. Good job, buddy!)

3rd Runner-Up: Brian Hollingshead (9 total points -- 1 first place vote, 1 second place vote, 1 third place vote. Take a bow!)

4th Runner-Up: Mike Lujan (8 total points -- 2 second place votes, 2 third place votes.  Somebody loves you!)

5th Runner-Up: Lee Garcia (7 total points -- 1 second place vote, 4 third place votes. Somebody, I know, we can count on!)

6th Runner-Up: Donny Aguiar (6 total points -- 2 second place votes. Always showing how consistent batters do it!)

7th Runner-Up: Lucio Cobos (4 total points -- 1 second place vote, 1 third place vote.  Make room for the youth movement!)

8th Runner-Up: Wes Avery (3 total points -- 1 second place vote.  Good league effort!)

9th Runner-Up: Frank Fletcher (1 total point -- 1 third place vote.  Always in consideration!)

In the interest of integrity and not wanting to violate any trust, I kept meticulous records of all the oral and online ballots that I received from the 12 regular members who decided to vote. As it turned out, this was as close an MVP race as we've ever had. Lucio Cobos and Lencho Martinez were asked to vote, but for reasons of their own -- whether technical or philosophical -- both did not choose to do so this time around. Once again, let these words be of warning: Rule #1 -- If a player decides not to participate in the balloting to determine our league MVP, he will remain unqualified to receive this honor, despite perhaps receiving the most cumulative points (the honor will be bestowed upon the next eligible player in line). This rule has been instituted to enforce fairness with the outcome of the voting -- in other words, as you give, so shall you receive. Two other rules also affect a player's MVP eligibility: Rule #2 -- At least half the games of a league/tournament must be played; and Rule #3 -- The agreed-upon league/tournament participation fee must be paid. I'm sure everyone can see the need for such rules. I, myself, voted for who I thought were three deserving men. Because I am the ballot collector and, also, because the results could possibly hinge upon my final selections, I always believe it is wise to make clear my own personal choices for MVP, hopefully without offending any of my other close friends on the team, who already know that only three choices can be given. My votes, in order, were: Joaquin Perez (1st place vote); Donny Aguiar (2nd place vote); and Lencho Martinez (3rd place vote). I will not give any specific reasons for my choices (none of us have to), but I will say that I really appreciated these men for the contributions they made during this league. In all actuality, everyone on this team is deemed valuable, both on and off the field. I hope all of you will understand this personal feeling of mine, and why I have such a difficult time revealing my selections. But I feel I must. No other selections from specific team members will be revealed unless one of you is curious and wants to inquire, in which case, I'll gladly let you know. And, once again, a sincere thanks to all of you.

And that's another league MVP wrap for now, folks....