2010 LONG BEACH BLACK SOX HOME PAGE: Dale Lopes Tribute Page
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ASA NATIONAL QUALIFIER VS RAW 7/10/05
This game has been the topic of conversation in the fast pitch area of Southern California due to the controversy in the game between The Long Beach Black Sox and Raw on July 10,2005 for the final berth to the ASA C Nationals in Stockton. I am here to clarify exactly what took place and set the record straight since I was directly involved.
John Otte who was on third base was called out in the bottom of the 9th with no outs and the Black Sox trailing by 2 runs by a score of 11-9. Fred Hanker went out to get an explanation on why Otte was called out. The third base umpire stated it was a circle violation and that Otte was off the base when the pitcher Jerome Clark had the ball in the circle while the catcher was not behind the plate and the home plate umpire had not even put his mask on. When Hanker asked the 3rd base umpire where Otte was standing he literally walked over and stood about 3-4 inches from the bag.
As Otte was on second the ball got away from the catcher Otte went to 3rd and rounded the bag and stopped. He is in a neutral position where the play is still alive because the catcher and the umpire were not in their position. He can either go toward the plate or back to third. Being that he did neither the umpire assumed and called him out. He should only be called out if he is in the position while a pitch is being delivered and this is not the case here. The umpire made a decision which was wrong in calling Otte out because he said he counted to 5 seconds and the home plate umpire informed me during our discussion and debate that the 3rd base umpire told him he counted to 10 seconds. So the discussion I had with the 2 umpires after they had their meeting were 2 different stories. Last I checked there is no time clock in softball or baseball. It’s the only major sport without a clock.
This is why I didn’t leave the field right away because I didn’t receive a straight answer. A call made of this magnitude in this type of championship caliber game deserves a clear cut explanation. The umpires response was “that’s enough”. I responded “enough of what 2 different responses from 2 different umpires”. The argument continued and I still was never provided with a legitimate reason. As I was walking off the field I approached the home plate umpire and told him “your stories don’t match up.” He replied,”that’s enough coach”. “I said enough of what not getting a straight answer. You guys cant seem to get things straight here.” At that point I was ejected from the game. At no time was profanity used by Fred Hanker or myself.
In response to the ASA write up of the game on the ASA web site. I was asked to go out to find out what had happened. When the umpires asked for only 1 person to speak, manager Fred Hanker turned it over to me being I have experience coaching at the highest levels in the ISC the last 2 years. I have a great deal of respect for umpires. I have always treated them with respect but I expect that in return from them. I have noticed over the years umpires have limited coaches to go out and talk to them in questioning a call. They seem to have this stigma of not wanting coaches to come out and discuss any call. If so you are subject to being thrown out right away. The umpire that threw out John Otte, Fred Hanker and myself wasn’t even the same umpire who made the call in this particular game. Players have a duty for proper sportsmanship, but that does not give umpires the right to confront players. In the letter it states I was asked repeatedly by my team to leave the field and that was not the case at all. They as I do deserve to know why the call was made and a proper explanation of the call and we got neither. In my opinion if you are going to hold players to a certain standard of conduct than the umpires in return should be held to that same standard. To whoever wrote this article, if you are going to call out names of players involved in this incident, and you are using their names in a negative aspect, you should also name the umpires involved and sign your name to this article.
Dale Lopes
Long Beach Black Sox
SOX ANNOUNCE ALL-TIME TEAMS
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SOX MANAGER FRED HANKER TODAY ANNOUNCED THE SOX ALL TIME ROSTERS AS WELL AS HIS SELECTIONS FOR HIS ALL TIME TEAMS. THE ROSTERS INCLUDE EVERYONE WHO HAS APPEARED IN AT LEAST 1 GAME FOR THE SOX SINCE THEY STARTED OUT AS THE LOPES BRIGADE IN ARTESIA IN 2003. THE ROSTERS AND TEAMS ARE DIVIDED INTO THE ARTESIA LEAGUE AND THE TOURNAMENT TEAMS AND ROSTERS. THE SOX SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED THEIR 2ND FULL SEASON WITH 5 WINS IN 2005.
ALL TIME LONG BEACH BLACK SOX ROSTER ARTESIA LEAGUE
TERRY FROGIE LUIS GARCIA DAN FLEMING DAVE HANKER JR
DAVE HANKER SR DALE SCHLEGEL TIM SUEHIRO JAIRO MONTES
CESAR RODRIGUEZ SEAN RAYBURN JUAN ALVAREZ MIKE MC CLOUD
LES OSER RALPH ANTHONY THE DOG EMIR SAFFIR
DERRICK HARLEY KEN HARLEY MIKE TACKETT WOODY
CALVIN DELGADO STEVE JONES RAY GUTIERREZ KEN SHAW
YOGI SAUCEDO ANDY DE LA ROSA RAY GONZALEZ DANNY VILLEGAS
DALE LOPES JEFF ODELL JIM FLANAGAN RANDY CLAY
JOHN OTTE JOHN MEDINA FRED HANKER ROBERT RENTERIA
AARON WHITE BRETT SEMANS ANDY MARTINEZ CHRIS MINOGUE
DAMO GUERRERO BENNY GUERRERO JIM BUENTELLO ART CASAS
MARIO ECHEVERRIA
ARTESIA LEAGUE ALL TIME ALL STAR TEAMS
1ST TEAM 2ND TEAM 3RD TEAM
1B- DAMO GUERRERO 1B- DAVE HANKER 1B- STEVE JONES
2B- JIMMY BUENTELLO 2B- JOHN MEDINA 2B- SEAN RAYBURN
SS- ANDY MARTINEZ SS- DAN FLEMING SS- RALPH ANTHONY
3B- ROBERT RENTERIA 3B- YOGI SAUCEDO 3B- ART CASAS
C- FRED HANKER C- AARON WHITE C-BRETT SEMANS
LF- DALE LOPES LF- EMIR SAFFIR LF- MIKE MC CLOUD
CF- JOHN OTTE CF- DERRICK HARLEY CF- JAIRO MONTES
RF- KEN HARLEY RF- ANDY DE LA ROSA RF- MARIO ECHEVERRIA
DH- BENNY GUERRERO DH- CESAR RODRIGUEZ DH- JEFF ODELL
P- RANDY CLAY P- JIM FLANAGAN P- DALE LOPES
LONG BEACH BLACK SOX ALL TIME TOURNAMENT ROSTERS
FRED HANKER JR FRED HANKER SR DAVE HANKER JR DAVE HANKER SR
DALE LOPES BRETT SEMANS MARCEL BERNAL CHRIS MINOGUE
DAMO GUERRERO BENNY GUERRERO DAN FLEMING JOHN OTTE
ANDY DE LA ROSA ANDY MARTINEZ CHUCK CHAPLE JR YOGI SAUCEDO
RANDY CLAY CHUCK VRANICH ROBERT RENTERIA TODD BUDKE
DAVID VALDIVIA BOBBY COLE EMIR SAFFIR KEN HARLEY
DERRICK HARLEY CESAR RODRIGUEZ RAY GUTIERREZ DON DIDION
DWAYNE FOWLER ART CASAS NEIL SAUERBRAUN TC MYERS
LT THOMPSON JOHN MEDINA JOHN ASHPAUGH JEFF ODELL
JIM FLANAGAN GERALD PYLE MARK VILLALOBOS MITCH MENDENHALL
JASON OBREGON STEVE TOLLINGTON ROY GUINALDO DAVE HESS
SPANKY THOMAS
MARIO ECHEVERRIA.jpg)
SOX ALL TIME TOURNAMENT TEAMS
1ST TEAM 2ND TEAM 3RD TEAM
1B- CHRIS MINOGUE 1B- DAMO GUERRERO 1B-DAVE HANKER
2B- CHUCK CHAPLE JR 2B- JOHN MEDINA 2B- JOHN ASHPAUGH
SS- ANDY MARTINEZ SS- JASON OBREGON SS- DAN FLEMING
3B- TODD BUDKE 3B- DAVID VALDIVIA 3B- YOGI SAUCEDO
C- BRETT SEMANS C- MARCEL BERNAL C- DALE LOPES
LF- FRED HANKER LF- BENNY GUERRERO LF- CESAR RODRIGUEZ
CF- JOHN OTTE CF- BOBBY COLE CF- STEVE TOLLINGTON
RF- DALE LOPES RF- ROY GUINALDO RF- MARIO ECHEVERRIA
DH- DAMO GUERRERO DH- GERALD PYLE DH- KEN HARLEY
UTIL- DAN FLEMING UTIL- MARK VILLALOBOS UTIL- ROBERT RENTERIA
P- RANDY CLAY P- MITCH MENDENHALL P- DAMO GUERRERO
P- CHUCK VRANICH P- JIM FLANAGAN P- JEFF ODELL
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CONGRATS TO ALL THE SOX PLAYERS WHO HELPED MAKE THIS A SPECIAL YEAR!!!!
SOX HAVE TEAM PARTY AND ANNOUNCE AWARD WINNERS
THE LONG BEACH BLACK SOX HAD A SUCCESSFUL PARTY ON SATURDAY AND ALSO GAVE OUT THEIR ANNUAL PLAYER AWARDS. HERE IS A BREAKDOWN OF WHO WON WHAT IN 2005!!! PLEASE ALSO VISIT THE PARTY PHOTO GALLERY TO SEE THE PARTY PICS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS: ANDY MARTINEZ
DAMO GUERRERO
BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER: CHRIS MINOGUE
GOLD GLOVE AWARD: ANDY MARTINEZ
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: CHUCK CHAPLE
COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR: BRETT SEMANS
CY YOUNG AWARD: CHUCK VRANICH
(PITCHER WITH MOST WINS)
BOB GIBSON AWARD: RANDY CLAY
(PITCHER WITH BEST E.R.A.)
GEORGE PATTON AWARD: MARCEL BERNAL
(LEADERSHIP)
BEST ALL AROUND PLAYER: JOHN OTTE
( PLAYER WITH THE MOST TOOLS)
GEORGE BRETT AWARD: DALE LOPES
(BEST VETERAN HITTER)
MANNY MOTA AWARD: BENNY GUERRERO
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(BEST HITTER OFF THE BENCH)
COACH'S AWARD: DAVE HANKER
(MOST HELPFUL PLAYER)
MOST VERSITILE PLAYER: DAN FLEMING
(PLAYED THE MOST POSITIONS)
THANKS FOR A GREAT SEASON GUYS
SOX CROWNED CHAMPS IN BEAUMONT
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THE LONG BEACH BLACK SOX WENT A PERFECT 4-0 AND WON THE 28TH ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY TOURNEY IN BEAUMONT. RANDY CLAY WENT THE DISTANCE FOR THE WIN AS THE SOX HELD ON FOR A 5-3 WIN OVER THE HOST TEAM THE BEAUMONT COYOTES. DALE LOPES HIT A HUGE 3 RUN HOME RUN THAT PUT THE SOX AHEAD FOR GOOD. THE GAME WAS TIED 0-0 AFTER 2. IN THE LONG BEACH 3RD BRETT SEMANS WALKED AND DAVIE HANKER PINCH RAN.CHUCK CHAPLE THAN SINGLED TO LEFT. DALE LOPES THAN FOLLOWED WITH A HOME RUN TO LEFT CENTER FIELD MAKING THE SCORE 3-0. IN THE BEAUMONT 4TH DAVE VALDIVIA SINGLED AS DID JASON OBREGON. 2 OUTS LATER YOGI SINGLED TO LEFT SCORING BOTH RUNNERS. THE COYOTES WOULD TIE THE SCORE IN THE 6TH ON A DAVE VALDIVIA HOME RUN TO LEFT FIELD. IN THE SOX 6TH FRED HANKER LEAD OFF WITH A SINGLE AND WENT TO SECOND ON A WILD PITCH. DAMO GUERRERO THAN DOUBLED TO RIGHT SCORING HANKER. JOHN OTTE THAN LINED A SINGLE TO LEFT SCORING DAMO. THE SCORE NOW STOOD AT 5-3. RANDY CLAY WOULD THROW A 1-2-3 7TH AND THE LONG BEACH BLACK SOX ARE 2005 BEAUMONT 4TH OF JULY CHAMPIONS. THIS IS THE 4TH TOURNEY THE SOX HAVE WON THIS YEAR A TEAM RECORD. DALE LOPES LEAD THE SOX WITH 2 HITS AND A KEY 3 RUN HOME RUN. FRED HANKER HAD 2 HITS AND SCORED THE GAME WINNING RUN. CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR SOX TOURNEY PHOTOS AS I HAVE A BUNCH OF THEM. RANDY CLAY WAS VOTED MOST VALUABLE PITCHER AND DALE LOPES,BRETT SEMANS AND CHUCK VRANICH WERE VOTED TO THE ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM. JASON OBREGON OF THE COYOTES WAS VOTED THE MVP OF THE TOURNEY.
* R CLAY 7 IP CG WIN
* D LOPES 2-3 HR 3 RBI RUN
* F HANKER 2-3 RUN
* J OTTE 1-3 RBI
* D GUERRERO 1-3 2B RBI RUN GWRBI
* B SEMANS 1-2 RUN
LOPES ERA BALLONS TO 45.00 IN 15-1 LOSS
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*D LOPES 1 IP 10 ER 4 BB'S 12 HITS
*F HANKER 2 IP 2 ER 4 HITS 3 BB'S
*A MARTINEZ 1-3 RUN
*F HANKER 1-1 BB
*C MINOGUE 1-2 2B RBI
"IM BACK" 
DUO GIVES UP 15 RUNSSOX CAPTAIN LOPES PUT ON HOT SEAT!!!!
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I RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH SOX CAPTAIN DALE LOPES AND PUT HIM ON THE HOT SEAT
1) WHAT GOT YOU STARTED IN FAST PITCH? I started playing in a summer league program and I progressed to various city leagues. This eventually lead to travel leagues, national and world competition.
2) WHO WERE YOU IDOLS GROWING UP? Being athletic my whole life I grew up idolizing Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente and George Brett. I was fortunate enough to see how they played the game. My biggest idol has to be my mother. After losing my dad at the age of 1, my mom has always been there for me despite all the setbacks she has encountered. (3 bouts with cancer and currently bone cancer). She continues to battle everyday and she has taught me to do the same.
3) WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT IN FAST PITCH? Winning the 1995 NAFA World Tournament at the B level. Most recently hitting a walk off 2 run home run in the bottom of the 7th with the score tied to win the game in the Beaumont 4th of July tournament.
WORST MOMENT? Losing the 2002 NAFA World Tournament from the winners bracket with Team Rainey.
FUNNIEST MOMENT? In a game I was catching years ago the runner on 1st was stealing. Randy Clay our pitcher turned and bent down trying to get out of the way. I hit Randy in the butt with the throw. The umpire asked Randy if he was alright. Randy responded, ” ask him”. I told Randy to never wear his bulls eye underwear again.
4) HOW DID YOU GET UR START IN MODELING? My photographer back in 1980 was shooting for a magazine. The magazine people saw my photos and hired me to be in their magazine.
5) TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR MODELING SUCCESSES? I did mostly print work, magazines, catalogs, C&R Clothiers, and live runway and fashion shows.
6) WHICH PITCHERS GIVE YOU THE MOST TROUBLE? My modeling pictures Fred put on the internet. This space is too small to list all the pitchers.
WHICH PITCHERS HAVE YOU HAD SUCCESS AGAINST? This space is too big not very many.
7) YOU RECENTLY GOT ENGAGED DESCRIBE HOW THAT WENT? It was awesome. I took Tammy to the Grand Canyon which she thought was for her birthday. I proposed to her the next day at Hopi Point overlooking the canyon. You can’t describe in one word the experience. I see why it is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
8) HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE LONG BEACH BLACK SOX? Fred Hanker talked to be about getting a team together. He asked me to help out and I agreed to join him. At the time we both had taken a 6 year sabbatical from playing. I was getting the itch to play again. I had just completed my 4th year as Team Rainey’s head coach. There were rumors that they might fold. I never heard from them about coming back so I told Fred I was 100% in with the Sox and let’s do it.
9) WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR RESPONSIBLITIES AS CAPTAIN OF THE SOX? I have been very fortunate to have some great baseball coaches in the past. I have learned from the best. I have made a mold from what I have learned with, my knowledge of the game, and have offered to teach and demonstrate to the younger players. I take pride in working with the younger guys on how to prepare and how to handle certain situations. I also help Fred with decision making and anything related to on field management.
10) WHAT ARE YOUR SOFTBALL GOALS FOR 2005? My main goal is to win a National Championship in Stockton. My softball goals are to be a productive player, a good teammate and to help the team win.
11) I AM GOING TO ASK YOU A SERIES OF QUESTIONS RELATING TO YOUR SOX TEAMMATES. SOME ARE FOR FUN AND SOME ARE SERIOUS. ANSWER WITH THE 1 NAME WHO YOU BEST THINK FITS THE QUESTION. SINCE I HAVE KNOWN YOU A LONG TIME YOU CANNOT USE ME AS ANY OF THE ANSWERS.
• WHICH PLAYER IS MOST LIKELY TO MAKE YOU LAUGH? John Otte
• WHICH PLAYER WOULD YOU WANT ON YOUR SIDE IN A FIGHT? Benny Guerrero (I have to stick with us old guys and it doesn’t hurt to have a black belt either)
• WHICH PLAYER HAS THE BEST WORK ETHIC? Brett Semans
• WHICH PLAYER COULD YOU BEAT IN A RACE? Anyone with a broken leg
• WHICH PLAYER’S PERSONALITY IS MOST LIKE YOURS? Dan Fleming and Brett Semans
• IF THE GAME IS ON THE LINE WHICH PLAYER WOULD YOU WANT AT THE PLATE? Chris Minogue
• WHICH PLAYER DO YOU HAVE THE MOST RESPECT FOR? Chuck Vranich ( I have to stick with another old guy who has been around the game a long time)
• IN A CRISIS SITUATION WHICH PLAYER IS MOST CALM? Dave Hanker ( Need I say more)
• WHICH PLAYERS YOU THINK RESPECT YOU MOST? Damian Guerrero, Andy Martinez and Chuck Chaple I think younger players respond to me well and I hope they can benefit from my experience.
• WHICH PLAYER IS MOST LIKELY TO MISS A SIGN? This team this year hasn’t had that problem. It was a bigger problem last year and I hope were over it.
• WHICH PLAYER IS MOST LIKELY TO WEAR THE WRONG UNIFORM? Cesar from last year but he isn’t with us anymore. John Otte wears the wrong hat sometimes.
• WHICH PLAYER IS MOST LIKELY TO BE LATE TO A GAME, PRACTICE OR MEETING? Marcel Bernal but I know he has to come from Corona so he has a good excuse.
• WHICH PLAYER IS MOST LIKELY TO HAVE A DIRTY UNIFORM AFTER A GAME? John Otte he is always tumbling.
• WHICH PLAYER IS MOST LIKELY TO THROW HIS BAT? Brett Semans He plays with so much intensity he hates to fail if he does heads up!!!!
• WHICH PLAYER IS MOST LIKELY TO ARGUE WITH THE UMPIRE? Excluding Fred and myself this is a tough one. We have a good group of guys. Maybe Randy Clay if he felt his strike zone was getting pinched
• WHICH PLAYER IS LEAST LIKEY TO ARGUE WITH THE UMPIRE? Andy Martinez
• IF YOU STARTED A TEAM AND COULD TAKE 1 PLAYER WHO WOULD IT BE? Damian Guerrero He is up and coming and in his prime and can pitch if needed.
• WHICH PLAYER IS MOST WILLING TO HELP OTHER PLAYERS? Dan Fleming Dan has accepted a lesser role and has been more than willing to help out other players. He is also great at reading defenses ( that’s an inside joke)
12) I AM GOING TO ASK YOU A SERIES OF QUESTIONS DIRECTLY RELATING TO YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE?
• FAVORITE FOODS? Tammy’s Organic cooking / Italian
• FAVORITE MUSIC GROUPS? The Doors / Chicago / The Guess Who
• FAVORITE DRINKS? Vitamin Water / Wine
• FAVORITE ACTORS/ACTRESSES? Al Pacino / Robert De Niro / Raquel Welch / Halle Berry
• FAVORITE VACATION SPOT? Hawaii and Banff, Canada
• FAVORITE THING TO DO IN SPARE TIME? Spend time with Tammy
• IF YOU COULD MEET 1 PERSON PAST OR PRESENT? George Patton
• IF YOU COULD HAVE A DREAM JOB WHAT WOULD IT BE? Professional Athlete
• IF YOU COULD HAVE A DREAM CAR WHAT WOULD IT BE? Ferrari Convertable
• IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD IT BE? Australia
13) HOW MUCH LONGER TO YOU ANTICIPATE PLAYING FAST PITCH? As long as I can help contribute to my team’s success. That’s assuming they want me back.
14) AFTER YOUR DONE PLAYING FAST PITCH DO YOU WANT TO STAY INVOLVED IF SO WHAT CAPACITY? I would like to be a head or an assistant coach with Team USA, an ISC team, and men’s or girl’s fastpitch.
DALE LOPES YOUR OFFICIALLY OFF THE HOT SEAT!!!!!
INTERVIEW BY
FRED HANKER
THE LONG BEACH BLACK SOX 2004 CAL CUP CHAMPS!!
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THE LONG BEACH BLACK SOX CLAIMED THE 1ST EVER CALIFORNIA CUP WITH A EXCITING 9-8 VICTORY OVER THE TRIBE IN TEMPERATURES REACHING 105 DEGREES. THE FINAL GAME MARKED THE END OF A GREAT WEEKEND FOR LONG BEACH BRINGING THE CUP HOME TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. LONG BEACH HAD A 7-0 LEAD AND HUNG ON FOR THE VICTORY. LONG BEACH STRUCK EARLY AGAIN WITH 3 IN THE 1ST. DALE LOPES HIT A TRIPLE AND FRED HANKER SINGLED HIM HOME. MARK VILLALOBOS SINGLED THAN GERALD PYLE SINGLED HIM HOME. THE SOX SCORED THEIR 3RD RUN ON AN ERROR. IN THE 2ND LONG BEACH SCORED 2 MORE ON A JASON OBREGON TRIPLE FOLLOWED BY A DALE LOPES TRIPLE HIS 3RD OF THE TOURNEY SCORING OBREGON. FRED HANKER FOLLOWED WITH A RUN SCORING DOUBLE. THE SOX LEAD 5-0 AFTER 3 INNINGS. MITCH MENDENHALL UP TO THIS POINT HAD SHUT DOWN THE TRIBE. IN THE 4TH LONG BEACH WOULD SCORE 2 MORE RUNS ON A JASON OBREGON HIT BY PITCH AND A DALE LOPES HIT AND RUN FIELDERS CHOICE MOVING OBREGON TO 2ND. FRED HANKER THAN DELIVERED ANOTHER RBI SINGLE SCORING OBREGON. DAMIAN GUERRERO THAN ALSO SINGLED SCORING HANKER. THE SCORE NOW STOOD BLACK SOX 7 TRIBE 0 GOING TO THE TOP OF THE 5TH. THE TRIBE WOULD STRIKE FOR 5 IN THE 5TH ON 7 HITS TIGHTENING THE GAME TO 7-5 IN FAVOR OF THE SOX. IN THE SOX HALF OF THE 5TH LONG BEACH SCORED 2 MORE WHEN STEVE TOLLINGTON SINGLED AND MARCEL BERNAL SINGLED. BRETT SEMANS THAN DELIVERED AN RBI SINGLE. JASON OBREGON FOLLOWED WITH ANOTHER RBI SINGLE. THE SCORE NOW STOOD SOX 9 TRIBE 5 AND STAYED THAT WAY UNTIL THE TOP OF THE 7TH. THE TRIBE SCORED 3 ON 2 HOMERUNS AND HAD THE TYING RUN ON 3RD WITH 2 OUTS AND MITCH MENDENHALL INDUCED A GROUND BALL OUT AND THE SOX WERE CALIFORNIA CUP CHAMPIONS FOR 2004. JASON OBREGON, DALE LOPES STEVE TOLLINGTON AND MARK VILLALOBOS EACH HAD 2 HITS. FRED HANKER HAD 3 HITS AND 3 RBI. MITCH MENDENHALL PITCHED A GUTTY GAME AND WENT THE DISTANCE FOR THE WIN. THE CUP WILL BE ENGRAVED WITH THE LONG BEACH BLACK SOX NAME AND WILL STAY IN LONG BEACH FOR 1 YEAR UNTIL THE SOX DEFEND IT NEXT YEAR.
*JASON OBREGON 2-4 2 RUNS 3B
*DALE LOPES 2-4 2 3B'S
*FRED HANKER 3-4 3 RBI 2 RUNS
*MARK VILLALOBOS 2-4
*STEVE TOLLINGTON 2-3 RUN
*MITCH MENDENHALL 7 IP WIN
SOX TAKE TURKEY SHOOTOUT WITH 12-2 WIN IN FINAL
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THE LONG BEACH BLACK SOX GOT THEIR FILL OF TURKEY ON THANKSGIVING AND ATE SOME THIS WEEKEND AS THEY CONTINUTED THEIR TORRID HITTING WITH A 12-2 WIN IN THE FINAL GAME. LONG BEACH JUMPED OUT EARLY SCORING A WHOPPING 11 RUNS IN THE 1ST INNING. DAN FLEMING LEAD OFF THE GAME WITH A WALK AND CHUCK CHAPLE SINGLED HIM TO 3RD.FRED HANKER THAN FOLLOWED WITH A BOOMING 2 RUN TRIPLE. DALE LOPES FOLLOWED WITH A RBI DOUBLE AND CHRIS MINOGUE SINGLED HIM HOME. MARCEL BERNAL FOLLOWED WITH A RBI TRIPLE AND ANDY DE LA ROSA SINGLED HIM HOME. DAN FLEMING WOULD THAN WALK AND PHENOM CHUCK CHAPLE WOULD FOLLOW WITH A GRAND SLAM HOME RUN HIS 2ND GRAND SLAM OF THE TOURNAMENT AND HIS 4TH HR. FRED HANKER AND CHRIS MINOGUE WOULD BOTH SINGLE AND DALE LOPES WOULD SINGLE HANKER HOME. THE SOX HAD FINISHED OFF A 11 RUN 1ST INNING. IN THE 2ND ANDY DE LA ROSA SINGLED AND CHUCK CHAPLE WOULD SINGLE HIM HOME AND THE FINAL SCORE WOULD BE 12-2. CHUCK CHAPLE HAD 3 HITS A HR AND 5 RBI. FRED HANKER, DALE LOPES, CHRIS MINOGUE AND ANDY DE LA ROSA EACH HAD 2 HITS. CHUCK VRANCIH PITCHED 5 STRONG INNINGS FOR THE WIN. LONG BEACH WINS THE 2004 TURKEY SHOOTOUT THE FINAL TOURNEY OF THE YEAR FOR THE SOX.
*CHAPLE 3-3 HR 5 RBI 3 RUNS
*HANKER 2-3 2 RUNS 3B 2 RBI
*LOPES 2-3 RBI
*MINOGUE 2-3 2 RBI
*DE LA ROSA 2-2 2 RUNS RBI
*VRANICH 5 IP WIN 2 ER
SOX MVP DALE LOPES ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED!!!
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THE LONG BEACH BLACK SOX WERE HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE TODAY THAT SOX SUPERSTAR DALE LOPES IS ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED TO HIS GIRLFRIEND TAMMY FIGUEROA. NO DATE HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED YET. DALE PROPOSED OVER THE LAST WEEKEND WHILE ON VACATION AT THE GRAND CANYON AND SUPRISINGLY TAMMY SAID YES. ON BEHALF OF THE LONG BEACH BLACK SOX FAMILY I WOULD LIKE TO WISH DALE AND TAMMY ALL THE BEST IN THE FUTURE AND OUR SINCERE CONGRATS ON A HAPPY MARRIAGE. I HAVE KNOW DALE FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS AND HE IS A GREAT FREIND AND I KNOW HE IS VERY HAPPY WITH TAMMY. I GOT TO KNOW TAMMY WITHIN THE PAST YEAR AND SHE REALLY IS A QUALITY PERSON AND SOMEONE WHO I KNOW WILL MAKE DALE HAPPY.
FRED HANKER
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IN A MEETING OF 2 GREATS 1 A SOFTBALL LEGEND AND THE OTHER A GREAT ATHLETE OUT OF NEBRASKA AND MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER DARRIN ERSTAD MEET HIS LONG TIME IDOL DALE LOPES AT THE ESPN ZONE IN ANAHEIM ON TUESDAY JAN 25TH. THE MEETING HAPPENED BY PURE CHANCE AS ERSTAD WAS THERE TO DO A RADIO SHOW AND LOPES WAS THERE HAVING DINNER. ERSTAD IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED LOPES AND APPROACHED HIS TABLE AND STARTED A CONVERSATION ON HITTING. THE 2 TALKED FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE HOURS. THE LONG BEACH BLACK SOX STAR GAVE DARRIN SOME POINTERS ON HOW TO PLAY 1ST BASE AND THE ART OF HITTING IN THE CLUTCH. AFTER THEY CHATED LOPES WAS OVERWHELMED WITH AUTOGRAPH REQUESTS AS ERSTAD LOOKED ON. THE NIGHT TURNED OUT TO BE A VERY SPECIAL 1 FOR BOTH GUYS. LOPES WILL BE BACK IN ACTION FEBRUARY 19TH IN THE NORWALK VALENTINES TOURNAMENT.DARRIN WILL BE IN SPRING TRAINING IN 3 WEEKS AS A MEMBER OF THE LOS ANGELES ANGELS.
Friday, June 27
LOPES LEADS SOX INTO BEAUMONT THIS WEEKEND
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Dale Lopes will make his first appearance for Long Beach since January as he leads The Black Sox into Beaumont for the weekend of July 1-2. The Sox won the tournament last year as Brett Semans was named most valuable player and Chuck Vranich most valuable pitcher. Lopes recently married and with a new job has only played 1 tournament this year. Lopes was the MVP in the 2004 Beaumont tourney as a member of The host team The Beaumont Coyotes. Chuck Vranich also playing with Beaumont was the Most Valuable Pitcher in that same tournament.
David Valdivia Sr has put together this tournament for many years and it is by far the funest tournament of the season. The food is great and the crowds are large which makes it a great atmosphere for the players and fans. Here is a breakdown of the park and the Sox schedule.
SOX VS CORONA REBELS SAT JULY 1 9:30 AM
if they win Sox come back at 6:30/a loss they come back at 3:30
Rangel Park
4th and B st
Beaumont, Ca 92223
(From Los Angeles take the 60 east which turns into 10 east) ( You will come to sign that says Beaumont next 4 exits) (Take the exit after Oak Valley Parkway and go under the overpass and make a right on Veili St) ( Go over the railroad tracks and make a left on B St and the park is on he corner of 4th and B St)
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The Star Spangled Banner by Sequenced By Gary Wachtel
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SOX WIN 9TH TOURNAMENT IN HISTORY TAKING BEAUMONT AGAIN
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The Long Beach Black Sox won their 2nd consecutive Beaumont tournament and 9th in their history winning 6-5 over the host Beaumont Coyotes in front a huge partisian crowd. Dale Lopes blooped a 2 out run scoring single in the top of the 7th to give the Sox the win. Randy Clay went the distance for the win and retired the Coyotes 1-2-3 in the 7th. The game went late into the night and the Sox didnt leave the park until 10:00 PM. The Sox finished the tournament 4-0 and they are now 8-0 in 2 years in the Beaumont tournament. Randy Clay was voted the Most Valuable Pitcher. Dale Lopes, Chris Martinez, Ron Rupp and Chris Minogue all were voted all tournament.
The Sox jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Fred Hanker led off with a double. Chris Minogue than doubled him home. The Coyotes countered with 2 in the bottom of the 2nd. The Sox took a 3-2 lead in the 4th when Chris Minogue singled and John Otte hit a long home run to left center. The Coyoted regained the lead in the 5th 5-3. In the Sox 6th Dale Lopes singled as did Ron Rupp scoring Lopes. John Otte than doubled home Rupp making the score 5-5. In the top of the 7th Chuck Vranich led off with a walk. Fred Hanker advanced the runner to third on a ground ball to second. With 2 outs Chris Minogue was intentionally walked bringing up Dale Lopes. Lopes hit a blooper to shallow right just hitting the chalk driving in the winning run and giving The Sox the championship. Fred Hanker, Chris Minogue and Chris Martinez each had 2 hits. John Otte was 2-3 with a HR and a double with 2 RBI. The Sox played the final game with 10 players and Chuck Vranich was the designated hitter reaching base twice and scoring the winning run.
Sox Highlights
* F Hanker 2-4 run
* C Minogue 2-3 run RBI
* D Lopes 2-4 run GW RBI
* R Rupp 1-4 RBI run
* J Otte 2-3 HR double 3 RBI
* C Martinez 2-3
* C Vranich 0-1 2 BB's GW RUN
* R Clay 7 Ip CG Win
ALL TOURNAMENT
*Dale Lopes .467 average 5 RBI GW RBI in finals
*Chris Minogue .533 average 8 RBI 6 runs
*Chris Martinez .500 average
*Ron Rupp .500 average HR 7 RBI 5 runs
*Randy Clay Most Valuable Pitcher
3-0 2.88 ERA
SOX NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE WEEKEND
* Fred Hanker hit .417 with 6 runs, 4 doubles and 4 walks and a .562 on base %
* Chuck Chaple .333 average 3 doubles
* John Otte .300 average 5 RBI
* Brett Semans 2-2
* Dave Hanker was placed on the physically unable to perform list
* Ron Rupp has appeared in 2 tourneys for the Sox making all tourney and also having The Sox win both.
*Long Beach hit .381 with 14 doubles and 37 runs scored in 4 games
*Long Beach also had a .437 on base % and a .576 slugging %
*Long Beach pitchers had a 3.37 ERA with 4 walks and 16 K's
*Chuck Vranich was 0-1 with 2 walks and scored the winning run
Chris Martinez sparkles at 2nd base
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ON BEHALF OF ALL THE PLAYERS THE LONG BEACH BLACK SOX WOULD LIKE TO THANK EDDIE YBARRA AND THE CITY OF FRESNO FOR HOSTING SUCH A GREAT TOURNAMENT WITH GREAT FIELDS AND EXCELLENT GROUNDS CREW WORKERS. WE ALL ENJOYED OUR STAY IN FRESNO AND REALLY APPRECIATED THE HOSPITALITY SHOWN BY ALL.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT I WILL REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THIS MOST MEMORABLE WEEKEND.
*THE LONG DRIVE TO FRESNO IN THE LA TRAFFIC
*MEETING ALL THE GUYS FOR THE 1ST TIME AT THE 10 AM GAME
*GERALD PYLE'S TAPE MEASURE AND LASER BEAM HR'S
*BRETT SEMANS CATCHING 4 OF 5 GAMES WHEN WE HAD BROUGHT 5 CATCHERS TO HELP HIM OUT
*DALE LOPES HITTING 3 TRIPLES IN THE TOURNEY
*DAMO GUERRERO ALWAYS WANTING TO WARM UP AND PITCH BETWEEN GAMES IN 105 DEGREE HEAT WITH NOBODY WILLING TO CATCH HIM.
*SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MENDENHALL FAMILY FOR DOING THE TEAM LAUNDRY
*SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE WIVES AND GIRLFRIENDS FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS
*TRYING TO FIND JIM FLANAGAN TO WARM UP AT LEAST AN HOUR BEFORE HIS GAME TO PITCH AND THROW HIS USUAL 500 WARMUP PITCHES
*MARK VILLALOBOS PLAYED ON THE 1992 PEPPERDINE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM I NEVER KNEW THAT
*MARCEL BERNAL LEAKING OIL ROUNDING 3RD AFTER HIS INSIDE THE PARK HR
*DALE LOPES AND HIS TEXTBOOK SLIDE AT 2ND BASE.
*MITCH MENDENHALL AND HIS CELL PHONE RINGING NON STOP
*GERALD PYLE AND HIS PUT THE BALL IN PLAY SWING.
*JASON OBREGON AND HIS BRILLIANT PLAY AT SHORT AND STEADY BAT IN THE LEADOFF SPOT
*MITCH MENDENHALL FOR TELLING ME HE CAN HIT AND PLAY FIRST BASE
*STEVE TOLLINGTON WANTING A LARGE CHAMPIONSHIP SHIRT WHEN HE IS A XL ALL THE WAY.
THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES GUYS
2004 LONG BEACH BLACK SOX CAL CUP STATS
| PLAYER | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG | SLUG % | ONBASE% |
| JASON OBREGON |
18 |
5 |
9 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
.500 |
.722 |
.526 |
| DALE LOPES | 16 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | .500 |
.875 |
.579 |
| FRED HANKER | 17 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .414 |
.706 |
.444 |
| MARK VILLALOBOS | 18 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .444 |
.722 |
.444 |
| GERALD PYLE | 16 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | .250 |
.812 |
.294 |
| DAMO GUERRERO | 15 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .267 |
.533 |
.389 |
| STEVE TOLLINGTON | 15 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .533 |
.600 |
.562 |
| MARCEL BERNAL | 13 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | .385 |
.615 |
.429 |
| BRETT SEMANS | 14 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .143 |
.214 |
.143 |
TEAM BATTING AVERAGE: 387
TEAM SLUGGING % .655
TEAM ON BASE % .431
HOME RUNS 6
RBI 38
| PLAYER | G | IP | H | K'S | BB | W | L | ERA |
| MITCH MENDENHALL | 4 | 20.2 | 27 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3.05 |
| JIM FLANAGAN | 2 | 11.1 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4.32 |
TEAM ERA 3.56
STRIKEOUT TO WALK RATIO 7 TO 1
WINS 4
