Seven openings left for Aunt Rosie's tournaments

Only seven openings remain for the 19th annual Aunt Rosie's International Girls'/Women's Fast Pitch Softball tournament which gets underway the weekend of June 22-24 at the Audubon Recreation Center in Amherst.

Three of the openings remain in the 12 and under division and four remain in the women's major (unlimited age) division. The 14 and under, 16 and under, and 18 and under divisions are full.

Aunt Rosie's Tournament chairman Bob Nowak said he expected that the 12 and under division would be late to fill up but was surprised that the women's major division was close to filling up this early in the registration process. The women's major division tournament, scheduled to be played July 13-15, drew a field of 12 last year. Fourteen teams are already registered this year. The limit will be 18.

"Last year was the first time we tried a women's major division in the Aunt Rosie's," said Nowak. "We did it to compliment the ASA women's major national championship which we also hosted last year. We were among the pioneers of the 23 and under division when it was established as a recognized ASA age group several years ago. Moving to the major division leaves the former 23 and under players still eligible to play but opens the competition to older players as well."

The women's major division is the highest level of competition in ASA women's fast pitch play. Teams are eligible to compete in tournament play with legendary teams like the Stratford Brakettes, who won their 27th national title at last year's ASA national championships in Amherst.

"We're really trying to develop women's major division softball in Western New York," said Nowak. "Our goal has been to bring the ASA national championships in the 23 and under and women's major divisions to Amherst on a regular basis. So far we've been successful in doing that."

Although Amherst lost out on the 23 and under division nationals this year, it has already hosted ASA nationals in the 23 and under and women's major divisions in 2003 (23 under), 2005 (23 under) and 2006 (women's major) and will again be hosting the women's major in 2008.

The 12 and under division is Aunt Rosie's youngest age group. Some teams at this entry level are late to organize. Until last year the Aunt Rosie's also hosted a tournament in the ASA 10 and under division on the same weekend as the 12 and under tournament but discontinued it because of a lack of interest and the desire to give more 12 and under teams an opportunity to play. This year's 12 and under division tournament will be played July 6-8.

Registrations for the Aunt Rosie's women's major division tournament will be accepted until June 13. It is a five-game guarantee format. The registration fee is $400 per team.

Registrations for the Aunt Rosie's 12 and under division tournament will be accepted until June 6. It is also a five-game guarantee format. The registration fee is $380 per team.

In addition to the Aunt Rosie's, the Amherst Girls' Softball Complex will host a combined ASA 14 and under and 16 and under national qualifying tournament from May 27 to 29. The tournaments will be played simultaneously. Each is a four-game guarantee format with a $325 per team registration fee. Registrations will be accepted until May 17.

For more information, contact ASA Metro Buffalo Junior Olympic Commissioner Phil Augustino at 691-3598 (work), 634-8283 (home) or e-mail PA55@yahoo.com. You can also contact Peter Ruppar at 462-4849.

The Aunt Rosie's 2007 schedule is as follows:

+ June 22-24; 16 and under division; local teams - Amherst Lightning Blue; Amherst Lightning Silver, Amherst Lightning Kerr, WNY Sting Extreme, WNY Sting Gold, Lady Express Red, Lady Express Blue, Buffalo Bisons, Bolivar Richburg Rage, Cayuga Gamblers Silver and Galassi's Elite.

+ June 30-July 2; 14 and under division; local teams - Amherst Lightning Gold, Amherst Lightning White, Amherst Lightning Elite, WNY Diamond Girls Red, New Era Diamond Girls, WNY Sting Blue, Galassi's Elite.

+ July 6-8; 12 and under division; local teams - Amherst Lightning Gold, WNY Diamond Girls Red, WNY Diamond Girls Black, WNY Sting, West Seneca Magic Blue.

+ July 19-22; 18 and under division; local teams - Amherst Lightning Gold, Amherst Lightning White, Amherst Lightning Blue, Lady Mustangs White, Lady Mustangs Blue, WNY Diamond Girls.

Game time schedules remain pending. Food is available at the Amherst Girls' Softball concession stand. Admission and parking are free.