The annual Desert Classic was held this past weekend at the Big League Dreams facility in the Palm Springs region of Southern California. This event used to be hosted by the Newport Beach Softball Team but a few years ago was handed over to former SD Gray players, Steve Margetts and Darin Reis. Steve & Darin came up with a unique format where from the onset teams were divided into 3 divisions: A, B, C.
Each division only played teams within their own division and all advanced to the single elimination playoff. The A-flight used USSSA pitching while B & C went with SCMAF (6’- 12’ high arc with plate and mat being a strike).
On this weekend the LAPD Blue cruised through their opponents with relentless hitting and solid defense to earn the championship. The LAPD Blue also won this event last year and seem to be peaking at the right time, less than a month from the World Series.
MVP was Robert Roque, his pitching kept hitters off balance and displayed a solid glove up the middle. He started a couple clutch inning ending on more than one occasion and also
Hit .750 from the lead-off spot.
ALL TOURNEYS
Todd Patino hit .818 with 10 dingers and was solid at SS
David Braun hit .833 with 3 dingers in center field.
The Cal-Quake finished in 2nd place while the SoCal Alliance and DEA Combo tied for 3rd. Tied for 5th in the A-Flight was Southwest Elite, Nitro2Go, San Diego Excessive force and RSD Red.
In the B-Flight the SoCal Dawgz notched an impressive weekend by winning the ship in a nice game over a tough as nails Hawthorne Yard Dogs team.
The C-Flight was claimed by Cathedral City Lawmen while the LA School Police finished in 2nd place.
Thanks to Todd Waymire for contributing to the article.
Photo: Hall of Famer Tim Morris was one of many hot hitters for the LAPD Blue this past weekend.
