| I.S.C. From The Ballpark |
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The Bucks can play with those guys
By Bob Otto / Yucaipa, CA
After a baptism under fire in their first ISC World Tournament in St. Joseph, Missouri last year, the Santa Barbara, Calif. Bucks return to fastpitch softball's greatest show "ready to see what we can do," said Clyde Bennett, owner and manager of the team.
In spite of two close 2-1 losses in St. Joe, which Bennett says are games "we should have won," his team isn't awestruck by world-class teams or big-time names.
"Last year gave us the confidence," said Bennett. "We found out that we could actually play with those guys. Every time we played a top 10 team this season, we were right there."
And then some.
The Bucks made imprints in several major tournaments this season. They took Larry Miller Toyota and the Farm Tavern to task in the St. George Invitational with 3-0 and 8-5 wins respectively, placing third. And at the Salt Lake City Pioneer Days tourney, they finished fifth with a 3-3 record; losing 6-5 in extra innings to the New York Spirit, the tourney's eventual champion.
The Bucks also took second in the Best of the West tourney to Larry Miller Toyota, and gained entry to the 40-team 2001 ISC World Tournament in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (Aug. 10-19) by going undefeated in the California ISC state tournament.
Now with World Tournament savvy and mixing it up with top-10 ISC teams this season, the Bucks are optimistic, says Bennett. Even with a Pool that includes the Decatur Pride, County Concrete, All Seasons and DC Financial.
"We've got two top 10 teams (Decatur Pride and County Concrete) and one that should be (All Seasons) in our Pool," said Bennett. "A year a go I'd have said we didn't have a shot at teams like Decatur, but with wins over the Farm and Larry Miller, we're optimistic. Our pivotal games are with All Seasons and County Concrete."
And with a few key additions the Bucks have reason for their optimism. They landed hard throwing Canadian pitcher, Rick Smith along with catcher Aaron Owens, and outfielder, J.R. Hernandez. All three joined the Bucks from H.I.S. of Houston, Texas, after H.I.S. folded at the close of last season.
"We're really lucky to get Rick Smith," said Bennett. "Aaron adds leadership to our team, he's got World Tournament experience and he had a very good season for us hitting over .400. (And) J. R. is a solid outfielder replacing Larry Ybarra."
Ybarra, a powerful RBI man, left for the greener pastures of the Decatur Pride; leaving the Bucks with a huge hole to fill. But it's been filled, said Bennett.
"Don Clegg, our first baseman, is 'a sleeper,'" said Bennett. "He's a very solid hitter hits all levels of pitching and isn't intimidated by pitchers like Meredith."
Clegg, with a .400 average on the season, is supported in the RBI department by shortstop Dan Silacci. "Don didn't hit for a high average," said Bennett. But his eight home runs and 20 RBI's have eased the departure of Ybarra, he said.
Mark Bennett, Clyde's son, returns to the World Tournament after getting his first exposure to world-class hitters in St. Joe. And although he absorbed both 2-1 losses, his 0.59 ERA in 15.1 innings proves he belongs. Now with Smith aboard, this duo should keep the Bucks in the ball game, said Bennett.
"Last year gave Mark quite a bit of confidence that he belongs," said Bennett, "and he's pretty happy to have Rick along. (In the past) he's always been the lone pitcher.
Mark Bennett finished off last season pitching Verner Construction of Stockton to third place in the ASA Class A national tournament. His 3-0 record earned him second team All American honors.
"I think we're pretty solid," said Bennett. "It was hard to replace Larry (Ybarra), but Hernandez is better defensively. Defense is questionable in the outfield, but we might move Duane Fowler out there. He's a great athlete, and that will give us more speed."
When you add this up: World Tournament experience. Another quality pitcher. Key position players. That's an equation that makes the Bucks a dangerous team.
One of those unknowns that year in and year out sneak up on the "well knowns", and say, "we believe and we belong" in the ISC World Tournament.
Bob Otto
mailto:bobotto@gte.net