Each team would play all others in round robin play, then be seeded for the single elimination bracketed portion of the tourney. The competition level appeared very balanced when the Tourney was all drawn up, but 3 teams emerged as potential Champs after pool play was said and done. Santa Fe Springs CHP, OC Sheriff “Hitmen”, and Ontario PD “Force” all finished with a 3-1 record and the seeding had to be determined by run differential. The scrappy co-ed team of the “10 Ringers” PD Combo looked better then ever as they ended pool play with a 1-3 record. The ladies on this team can straight out hit and when they get on base and one of their guys comes to the plate, they can be absolutely dangerous! East LA CHP “Morningwood” had a lot of rust to shake off since they hadn’t played any tourney ball since last September. This team has a lot of young talent that just needs some more game time and they will be a true force to be reckoned with on the Guns & Hoses circuit. Despite some close games, they finished 0-4 during round robin play.

Bracket play was opened up with the #5 seed East LA “Morningwood” taking on the #4 seed, the ever solid co-edders of the “10 Ringers” PD Combo. The game was all knotted up at 7 after the first couple of innings of play. The “Ringers” found several more runs with some clutch hitting and “Morningwood” couldn’t keep pace. Final count 17-10, Ringers move on and East LA CHP packed their bags to fight another day. Next up was Ontario PD “Force” facing off against Santa Fe Springs CHP. In an earlier pool play game, Ontario PD handily took care of Springs CHP 19-8. Springs was seeking revenge and vengeance they received. The hot bats of the “Force” went cold and “The Force” was not with them during this game as they could only muster up 4 runs. Springs CHP put on a hitting clinic and scored in almost every inning. Final score 15-4 Springs CHP moves into the finals. The other semi final game was even more lopsided as the OC “Hitmen” broke out the high caliber weapons and acted like real life “Hitmen” with a whopping “16” runs in their half of the third inning. The “10 Ringers” couldn’t find the mark and stay in the 10 ring as they could only produce 2 runs. Final death toll for the “Hitmen” was 24-2.

The Championship game pitted the OC Hitmen against Springs CHP, which was the only team to beat the OC Sheriff team during pool play. The “Hitmen” continued the body count right where they left off in the previous game and busted out a 9 run first inning. Springs CHP fought valiantly and surged back within striking distance, but the “Hitmen” continued to re-load their sniper rifles and when the bullets finally stopped flying, it was the OC Sheriff “Hitmen” looking to get paid for a “taking care” of the competition 15-7.

Congratulations to the “Drinko De Mayo” Champs OC Sheriff “Hitmen” for their hard earned victory and to Springs CHP for yet another 2nd place finish. Springs CHP coach Phil Rogers could only shake his head as Springs CHP finished in 2nd place yet again in a G & H Tournament. Springs CHP has finished in the #2 spot 5 times at G & H events. But, Rogers vowed they will be back in June and will be seeking the “Bride’s” place during the big day, instead of being one of the “Bridesmaids” yet again.

For the earning the 2008 “Drinko De Mayo” Championship the OC Hitmen received the 1st Place team plaque and each player received a “24 pack” collection of the “Beers of Mexico”, which included “Dos Equis Amber”, “Tecate’s”, “Cerveza Importada Sol”, and “Dos Equis Lager Especial”.

G & H wants to thank all of the teams that participated. Next up on the G & H schedule is the “Summer Slugfest” which will be held on Saturday June 7th in the cool coastal cities of Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa. We have “5” fenced fields at these two locations which are only a few miles apart. The Costa Mesa fields are newly redone and very nice! This tourney is co-sponsored by the LA Avengers Arena Football team and the “Black Bull” of HB, which is Huntington Beach’s newest night-club in downtown HB near the pier! The top team in each division will receive 30 tickets to the Avengers season finale at the Staples Center on June 15th. For more info and to enter your team please visit www.gunsandhosessoftball.com.