Meadows Takes 5th Straight Softball Title
Jun 09, 2019 10:06PM ● By Mb News Staff
After 13 years of the Parents' Softball Classic tournament, there were two school-based teams sharing the mantle for most titles: Pennekamp and Meadows, with 4 each.
On Sunday, in Year 14, Meadows leapt ahead, with its parent team notching an unprecedented 5th straight tournament championship. They took home a new golden-glove tournament trophy inscribed with the names of all past winning teams.
To do so, Meadows barely held off a forceful challenge in the final from a team called the Founders. The challengers were coached by Ross Kay, who founded the tournament in 2006, and who put together a dream team of players whose children, by and large, had long since graduated out of Manhattan Beach schools.
Meadows gave up only 3 runs in its first four games, but surrendered 6 to the veterans in the final. The Founders even put runners at 2nd and 3rd with a chance to score in the last inning, but fell 7-6 in the end.
DigMB.com sponsored this year's tournament, along with the real estate practice of Dave Fratello, now known as Edge Real Estate Agency, and Dave's local real estate website, MB Confidential. Fratello served as director of the tournament for the fourth year.
The annual event is a benefit for the MBX Foundation, which among its many projects offers support to the Mira Costa softball team. (The girls went to the 3rd round of playoffs this year for the first time since 2012. See "Costa Softball Goes Deeper in CIF Playoffs.")
The setting on Sunday was just another day in paradise.
In what seemed like only the second sunny day in weeks, temps were mild in the 60s and low 70s, with cool ocean breezes keeping players and fans happy. Music played while hot dogs and (donated) Manhattan Meats bacon burgers grilled, with the snack stand doing a brisk business. Kids played soccer, baseball and frisbee in unused areas of the park at the Marine Sports Complex while, for once, their parents were the ones playing the games on the field.
Teams representing all local elementaries participated: Pennekamp, Pacific, Robinson, Grand View, American Martyrs and, of course, Meadows, which brought both an A and a B team. Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) joined with DaVinci Schools to form a squad.
Mira Costa High School fielded a very strong team that was among three that were undefeated going into the playoff round. Costa lost its playoff to the Founders 15-14, on a wild 6-run bottom of the 6th that propelled the Founders to the final. American Martyrs held Meadows to its lowest run total of the tournament in a 3-1 playoff loss that sent the Mustang parents to the final and, ultimately, that 5th straight championship.
The tournament raised approximately $20,000 for the MBX Foundation this year.
On Sunday, in Year 14, Meadows leapt ahead, with its parent team notching an unprecedented 5th straight tournament championship. They took home a new golden-glove tournament trophy inscribed with the names of all past winning teams.
To do so, Meadows barely held off a forceful challenge in the final from a team called the Founders. The challengers were coached by Ross Kay, who founded the tournament in 2006, and who put together a dream team of players whose children, by and large, had long since graduated out of Manhattan Beach schools.
Meadows gave up only 3 runs in its first four games, but surrendered 6 to the veterans in the final. The Founders even put runners at 2nd and 3rd with a chance to score in the last inning, but fell 7-6 in the end.
DigMB.com sponsored this year's tournament, along with the real estate practice of Dave Fratello, now known as Edge Real Estate Agency, and Dave's local real estate website, MB Confidential. Fratello served as director of the tournament for the fourth year.
The annual event is a benefit for the MBX Foundation, which among its many projects offers support to the Mira Costa softball team. (The girls went to the 3rd round of playoffs this year for the first time since 2012. See "Costa Softball Goes Deeper in CIF Playoffs.")
The setting on Sunday was just another day in paradise.
In what seemed like only the second sunny day in weeks, temps were mild in the 60s and low 70s, with cool ocean breezes keeping players and fans happy. Music played while hot dogs and (donated) Manhattan Meats bacon burgers grilled, with the snack stand doing a brisk business. Kids played soccer, baseball and frisbee in unused areas of the park at the Marine Sports Complex while, for once, their parents were the ones playing the games on the field.
Teams representing all local elementaries participated: Pennekamp, Pacific, Robinson, Grand View, American Martyrs and, of course, Meadows, which brought both an A and a B team. Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) joined with DaVinci Schools to form a squad.
Mira Costa High School fielded a very strong team that was among three that were undefeated going into the playoff round. Costa lost its playoff to the Founders 15-14, on a wild 6-run bottom of the 6th that propelled the Founders to the final. American Martyrs held Meadows to its lowest run total of the tournament in a 3-1 playoff loss that sent the Mustang parents to the final and, ultimately, that 5th straight championship.
The tournament raised approximately $20,000 for the MBX Foundation this year.
MBX Softball 2019 [7 Images]
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