WORTH's Greg Connell
in Mansfield March 3-4

The #1 Power Hitter in America, WORTH's Greg Connell, will be at Big League Dreams in Mansfield, TX on March 3-4, 2012 for the GREG CONNELL SHOOTOUT. Connell has won the Conference USSSA Home Run Title 4 years in a row, including 2011 when he hit 119 Home Runs. He also won 1st Place at the 2011 Long Haul Bombers Power Tour Finals at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. In Mansfield, Connell will meet with players, perform a hitting exhibition, show his techniques and even hit against the winner of a WORTH 454 Home Run Derby. Limited spaces are available for teams to enter this tournament. To enter, click on the "Online Registration" link on the front page or send an e-mail to: Info@LoneStarSoftball.com

NTX Winter Worlds
Attracts 140 Teams

One-hundred forty teams came to Big League Dreams in Mansfield on Jan. 21-22 weekend for the Lone Star North Texas Winter Worlds. The top 24 teams in each division received National-Level USSSA Points to get their seasons started with a bang. In the Men's B/C Division, Who (Garland) won 1st Place with L.C. Watson and Kevin Ballard playing for them. New Conference USSSA team Miken/Mafia/ASPNation.com (Dallas) finished 2nd. In the Men's D Bracket, AM/PM Softball (Houston) made the four-hour trip up Interstate 45 and went undefeated to win the title, while War Party/Garcia Inc. (Allen) were runnerups. In the Men's E Division, North Texas Takeover (Waxahachie) won 1st Place, with Texas Chaos (Flint) finishing 2nd. In the Women's C/D Bracket, Lady Terror Squad (Bryan) kept their hot steak going by winning the championship, and HarmsWay (Ft. Worth) were runnerups. In the Mixed C/D Division, a pair of out-of-state teams took top honors. 2-And-Que (Haughton, LA) came in 1st, and Legendz Sports (Tulsa, OK) finished 2nd. The next tournament at Big League Dreams in Mansfield will be the North Texas Early Bird Shootout on Feb. 11-12. Registration is already underway.

Teams get fast start in 2012 at
South Texas Winter Worlds

The 2012 season got started with a bang at the Lone Star South Texas Winter Worlds on Jan. 14-15 at Big League Dreams in League City. Over 100 teams came out and competed in unseasonably warm weather for National Level USSSA Points. In the Men's B/C Division, a pair of C teams came out on top as Disturbed Softball (Baytown) went undefeated to win 1st place, and recently bumped D team Texas Bombers (Houston) made an impressive showing by coming in 2nd. The Men's D Bracket was dominated by teams who were recently bumped from E to D. Bad Decisions (San Antonio) was the champion, while Team Worth It (Orange) was runnerup. In the Men's E Division, Dirty Sox (Conroe) held off a late challenge to win 1st place, and B&N Sportsbar/Texas Crooks (San Antonio) settled for 2nd. In the Mixed C/D Bracket, Whut It Dew (San Antonio) was the champion, while Angels & Demons (Round Rock) finished 2nd. The next Lone Star Tournament at BLD-League City will be the Lone Star Shootout Kickoff Classic on Feb. 4-5.

North Texas Toy Drive
delivers for needy kids

The North Texas Holiday Toy Drive Shootout was held December 17-18 at Big League Dreams in Mansfield. Over 90 teams from 5 states turned out and delivered big time for needy children in North Texas. Members of the Mansfield Fire Department came out and collected the toys and will distribute them to local families. In the Men's B/C Division, Who (Garland) won 1st Place, while D team playing up Sinister/Reyes Logistics (Breckenridge) came in 2nd. In the Men's D Bracket, Archie's Sports Bar & Grill (Bossier City, LA) was the champion, and Pro Rated (Rowlett) was the runnerup. In the Men's E Division, North Texas Takeover (Waxahachie) wrapped up a great year by winning 1st Place, while Hard Knox/Texas Shock (Burleson) finished 2nd. In the Women's C/D Bracket, Texoma Craze/Mizuno (Rattan, OK) was the champion, while Texas Queens (Mesquite) were runnerups. In the Mixed C/D Division, Co-ed Connection (San Antonio) made their long trip worthwhile by winning 1st Place, and High Octane (Carrollton) came in 2nd. The next tournament at Big League Dreams in Mansfield will be the New Year's CA$H BA$H on January 7, 2012, to be followed closely by the North Texas Winter Worlds on January 22-23, 2012.

STX Holiday Toy Drive benefits local children

The Lone Star Softball South Texas Holiday Toy Drive Shootout was held Dec. 1-11 at Big League Dreams in League City. Over 70 teams turned out for the event and showed their holiday spirit by more than than tripling the number of toys donated last year. In the Men's C/D bracket, Disturbed Softball (Baytown) rolled through the tournament undefeated to win 1st Place, while Homies (Houston) captured 2nd Place. In the Men's E Division, local favorite Hit and Run Softball (League City) was the champion, and Dynasty (Bryan) was runnerup. In the Women's bracket, Lady Ego (Houston) went undefeated to win it all, with WNF/Ahdunno (New Orelans, LA) making the long trip to take second. And in the Mixed Division, Team Oops (Houston) came through the loser's bracket to double-dip DGKoed (Houston). The next tournament at Big League Dreams in League City will be the South Texas Winter Worlds on Jan. 14-15, 2012.

Holiday Toy Drive
to benefit needy kids

STX Fall Budfest Winners

The South Texas Fall Budweiser Festival was held Nov. 12-13 in Bryan-College Station, as 170 teams gathered for the event. In the Men's B/C Division, Zamora's All-Out/TPS (Rosenburg) won 1st place, while Disturbed Softball (Baytown) finished 2nd. In the Men's D Bracket, the Texas Bombers (Houston) were the champions, and Twisted/Specialty Metal Products (Magnolia) came in 2nd. There were 71 teams in the Men's E Division and the DC Outlaws (Houston) went undefeated to claim 1st place, while the Devilz Rejects (Richmond) finished 2nd. In the Women's Bracket, hometown favorite Lady Terror Squad was the champion, and Team Bring It (Pearsall) came in 2nd. Finally, in the MIxed Division, The Show (Belton) went undefeated to capture 1st Place, while 100 Proof (Waco) came in 2nd.  

NTX Fall Budfest

The North Texas Fall Budwesier Festival was held Nov. 5-6 at Big League Dreams in Mansfield. There were 128 team entered, making it the largest tournament ever held at the Mansfield facility. In the Men's B/C Division, Protoype/Sagnasty/TP (Saginaw) won 1st place in the 17-team bracket, while Escobar (DeSoto) showed they are ready for Upper ball in 2012 by finishing 2nd. In the 33-team Men's D Bracket, X-Rated (Tulsa, OK) made the long trip from northeastern Oklahoma and won the championship, while Shockers Softball (Abilene) from West Texas made their second straight strong showing at BLD as runnerups. In the Men's E Division, hometown favorite Standard2Outer (Mansfield) swept through the 50-team team field to take 1st place, and WTX Pitbull Sports (Midland) came in 2nd. In the Women's C/D Bracket, Lady Canes II (Cedar Hill) was the only C team entered and they won 1st place despite having to spot 3 runs per game, and PHS/ASPNation (Dallas) was the top D team by finishing 2nd. Finally, in the Mixed Division, Texas T's/ASPNation (Rowlett) was the champion, and UTI (Dallas) was the runnerup. The next tournament at Big League Dreams in Mansfield will be the Holiday Toy Drive Shootout on Dec. 17-18.  

Hooters Halloween Shootout

The Hooters Halloween Shootout was held October 29 at Big League Dreams in League City. In the Men's C/D Division, Team AIM (Rosenburg) rallied from the loser's bracket to double-dip H-Town Softball/DPS (Houston) in the championship game. In the Men's E Bracket, the DC Outlaws (Houston) went wire-to-wire to win 1st Place, while the Goons made a nice run through the loser's bracket to earn 2nd Place. The next tournament at Big League Dreams in League City will be the Holiday Toy Drive Shootout on December 10-11. 

Mansfield Music Festival

The Mansfield Music Festival Shootout was held October 15-16 at Big League Dreams in Mansfield. Eighty teams from across Texas, plus Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas and Ohio gathered for the event, which was held in conjunction with the Mansfield Music Festival in downtown Mansfield. In the Men's C Division, Jokers/ASPNation.com (Ft. Worth) won 1st Place, while Team TPS/Sagnasty (Saginaw) came in 2nd Place. In the Men's D Bracket, Shockers Softball (Abilene) came in for West Texas and won the championship, and Famous Freaks (Edinburg) made an ever longer trip from the Rio Grande Valley and was runnerups. In the Men's E Division, the TC Warriors (Tipton, OK) won 1st Place, and TCB Softball (Abilene) finished 2nd. In the Women's Bracket, Lady Terror Squad (Bryan) was the champion, and Texas Queens (Mesquite) was runnerup. In the Mixed Division, Hugh Jass Stick (Grand Prairie) won 1st place, while Aftermath (Tolar) finished 2nd. The next tournament at Big League Dreams in Mansfield will be the North Texas Fall Budweiser Festival on Nov. 5-6.

Hooters October Shootout

The Hooters October Shootout was held Oct. 1-2 at Big League Dreams in League City. In the Men's B/C Division, Disturbed Softball (Baytown) won 1st Place, while ill featuring AYS (Houston) came in 2nd Place. In the Men's D Bracket, Dream Street (Nederland) made the trip over from the Golden Triangle and was champions, and H-Town Softball.DPS (Houston) was runnerups. In the Men's E Division, hometown favorite Head First (League City) captured 1st Place, while Worth It (Orange) took 2nd Place. In the Mixed Bracket, Bad Intentions (Kemah) was the champion, and Team Oops (Houston) was runnerup. The next tournament at Big League Dreams in League City will be the Halloween Shootout on Oct. 29-30.

Mansfield

While other teams were battling it out in Florida, 65 teams from four different states came Big League Dreams in Mansfield for the Wish It Was Worlds Shootout on Sept. 24-25. In the Men's C/D Division, F.T.P. (Andrews) made the long trip from West Texas and won 1st Place, while Slugfest (Weatherford) took 2nd Place. In the Men's E Bracket,hometown favorite Texas Crew/T.S.G.H. (Mansfield) was the Champion, and H&H from nearby Waxahachie was the Runnerup. In the Women's C/D Division, Lady Terror Squad (Bryan) won 1st PLace, and PHS/ASPNation (Dallas) finished 2nd. And in the Mixed Bracket, Spivey Construction (Arlington) captured 1st Place, while Southern Attitude/House of Pain (Mesquite) came in 2nd. The next tournament at Big League Dreams will be the Mansfield Music Festival Shootout on Oct. 15-16 and registration are now underway.

League City

The South Texas version of the "Support Our Troops" Shootout was held Sept. 10 at Big League Dreams in League City. The first picture in the rotation is the Lone Star Shootout Staff along with the equipment that was generously donated by Texas ballplayers from both North Texas and South Texas. The equipment will be donated to U.S. Army personnel in Fort Hood to accompany troops headed to Afghanistan in October so they can establish a softball league at their base. In the Men's B/C Division, Team Odyssey Group (Tomball) was the champion. In the Men's D Bracket, Tribe Del Rio (Del Rio) won 1st place, while Brewskies/Worth (Katy) took 2nd place. In the Men's E Division, Team Worth It (Beaumont) was the champion. And in the Women's C/D Bracket, Lookouts/Mizuno (Deer Park) came in 1st place, while the Killer B's (Baytown) came in 2nd. Special Thanks to all the softball players in Texas, and other states, who donated equipment so the courageous men and women of our Armed Forces can enjoy the sport of softball in their spare time.

San Antonio

The Lone Star Softball Labor Day Shootout was held Sept. 3-4 at Time Warner Park in San Antonio. In the Men's C/D Division, Tribe Del Rio (Del Rio) won 1st Place, while Manny's Electric from the Valley (Weslaco) took 2nd. In the Men's E Bracket, the Bandera Rottens (Bandera) were Champions, and Did That (Gonzalez) was Runnerups. In the Women's Division, Tema Bring It (Pearsall) won 1st Place, while the Unknowns (San Antonio) came in 2nd. And in the Co-ed Bracket, Brown Pride (San Marcos) won 1st Place, and Constant Runs (San Antonio) came in 2nd.

Mansfield

Temperatures that reached 113 degrees were not enough to stop the softball community from coming out to Big League Dreams in Mansfield on August 27 for the SUPPORT OUT TROOPS SHOOTOUT. Players donated used equipment to held start softball leagues for U.S. Military Troops serving in the Middle East. In the Men's C/D Division, Team TPS/Sagnasty (Saginaw) won 1st place while Slugfest (Weatherford) finished a surprising 2nd. In the Men's E Bracket, H&H (Waxhachie) was the Champion by double-dipping cross-town rival North Texas Takeover (Waxahachie) who was Runnerup. In the Women's C/D Division, Class D Fully Loaded (Dallas) won 1st Place, while Jolt (Mesquite) came in 2nd. In the Mixed Bracket, Sluggers (Houston) made the long trip and went undefeated to take 1st, and the Dirty Dozen (Carrollton) finished 2nd. Thanks to all those who came out to Support Our Troops.

The Lone Star Shootout Grand Championship "Battle for the Rings" was held July 30-31 at Big League Dreams in Mansfield. The Top 100 teams from across Texas (and Louisiana) gathered for the event by invitation only, as the only way to get into the tournament was by a strict qualification process. In the Men's B division, Zamora's All-Out Sports/TPS (Houston) won 1st place, while Texas Miken Softball Club (Pearland) came in 2nd. In the Men's C bracket, Team TPS/Sagnasty/ASPNation (Saginaw) was the champion, and Slapaho (Dickinson) was runnerup. In Men's D, DGK (Houston) captured 1st place, and Call Your Shot (Round Rock) finished 2nd. In the Men's E division, Wharton's Worst Nightmares (Wharton) were champions, while Free Agents (Rosenburg) were runnerups. In the Women's bracket, Louisiana's Finest (Bossier City, LA) won 1st place, and Team Dallas Women (Dallas) came in 2nd. In the Mixed division, No Chance (Ft. Worth) was c hampion, while Smack That (Arlington) was runnerup

The Lone Star Shootout Series State Championship Finals were held at three different sites on July 2-3 weekend. The North Texas State Finals were held at Big League Dreams in Mansfield; the South Texas State Finals (Men's D & Co-ed) were held at Big League Dreams in League City; and the Southwest State Finals were held at Time Warner Park in San Antonio. The South Texas State Finals for Men's B/C, Men's E and Co-ed will be held July 9-10 in League City. In South Texas Men's D, DGK (Houston) won 1st and Brewskies/Worth (Katy) took 2nd. In South Texas Co-ed, Does It Matter/Whut It Dew (San Antonio) won 1st, and Bad Intentions (Kemah) took 2nd. In Southwest Men's B/C, Steel Softball (Corpus Christi) won 1st, and Brown Pride (San Marcos) took 2nd. In Southwest Men's D, Call Your Shot (Round Rock) won 1st, and Dirty Habits (Weslaco) took 2nd. In Men's E, Free Agents (Rosenburg) won 1st, and BN Sportsbar/TX Crooks (San Antonio) took 2nd. In Southwest Co-ed, Tu Abuela (San Antonio) won 1st, and Brown Pride Co-ed (San Marcos) took 2nd. In Southwest Women, Unknowns (San Antonio) won 1st, and Team Bring It (Pearsall) took 2nd. In North Texas Men's C, Absolut (Oklahoma City, OK) won 1st, and Clutch/SaveSecond (Euless) took 2nd. In North Texas Men's D, Gamecocks (Temple) won 1st, and Wallbangers (Shreveport, LA) took 2nd. In North Texas Men's E, Weekend Warriors (Dallas) won 1st, and Routine Reloaded (Dallas) took 2nd. In North Texas Co-ed, 100 Proof (Waco) won 1st, and Wicked Moose Knuckles (Temple) took 2nd. In North Texas Women, Team Dallas Women (Dallas) won 1st, and Joly (Irving) took 2nd. Photos by Brian Ragan, Phillip Wheeler and Ben Templeton.

The last three Qualifiers of the Lone Star Shootout State Championship Series were held June 18-19. The Mansfield N.I.T. was held at Big League Dreams in Mansfield, Texas and in the Men's D Division, the Jokers (Tulsa, OK) won 1st place and Sinister/Reyes Logistics (Breckenridge) took 2nd; while in the Men's E Division, Royal Pride (Johnson County) won 1st and Weekend Warriors (Allen) finished 2nd. The Last Chance Shootout was held at PJ's Softball Park in Spring. In the Men's C/D Division, Disturbed Softball (Baytown) was the champion and H-Town/DPS (Houston) was the runnerup; while in the Men's E Division, Rack Em Up (Houston) won 1st place and Lone Star Crooks (Hempstead) finished 2nd. No photos were available from the Sixth Street Shootout in Austin.

The 5th Annual Space City Classic Conference USSSA N.I.T. was held June 3-5 at Big League Dreams in League City. An all-time Conference USSSA record 64 teams participated in the tournament. In the Main Event bracket, defending world Champion Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth from Winter Haven, Florida went 7-0 to win first place. Gold's Gym from Dallas, Texas went 8-2 to finish as runnerup. Darkside/TYJA/Easton made the long trip from New Britain, Connecticut and came in third with a 5-2 record. BWW/Team Bade/Buzini Sports from Jackson, Mississippi came in fourth also with a 5-2 record. In the Consolation B/C bracket, Ambush (Houma, La.) won 1st and Team Specialist/Worth (Biloxi, Ms.) came in 2nd. In the Consolation D bracket, Twisted/Specialty Metal Products (Magnolia, Tx.) was champion, and Ozone:Rebirth/The Recession (Carencro, La.) was runnerup. In the Consolation E bracket, Rack Em Up (Houston, Tx.) won 1st, while the Scrappers (College Station, Tx.) took 2nd.

Over 100 teams gathered at Time Warner Park in San Antonio over the Memorial Day weekend for the 9th Annual Bud Light Memorial Day Shootout. In the Men's B/C Division, Terror Squad (C team from Bryan) won 1st place, while Power House (San Antonio) came in 2nd. In the Men's D Bracket, Tribe Del Rio (Del Rio) was the Champion, and C.C. Hurricanes (Corpus Christi) were the Runnerups. Men's E was the largest division with 48 teams, and the Bandera Rottens (Bandera) shocked the field by winning 1st Place over favored Bad Decisions (San Antonio) who took 2nd. In the Women's C/D Division, Lady Guzzlers (C team from Arizona) made their trip to Texas worthwhile by taking 1st Place, and the Unknowns (San Antonio) came in 2nd. In the Mixed Bracket, Team Sumofist (San Antonio) continued their dominating year by winning 1st, and Co-ed Connection (San Antonio) cam in 2nd. (Photos by Scott Duffy and David Ramirez).

Lone Star Softball hosted USSSA N.I.T.'s in both North Texas and South Texas on May 14-15. The South Texas N.I.T. was held at Big League Dreams in League City. In the Men's B/C Division, Zamora's All-Out Sports/TPS (Rosenburg) won the championship, while the LA Chargers (Baton Rouge, La.) were runnerups. In the Men's D Division, DGK (Houston) won 1st place when the SA Wizards (San Antonio) had to head back home early. In the Men's E Bracket, the Free Agents (Houston) won 1st Place by holding off a challenge from runnerup Head First (League City). The North Texas N.I.T. was held at Big League Dreams in Mansfield. In the Men's C Division, Clutch Apparel/Savesecond.com (Dallas) was the champion, and FKA Worldwide (Ft. Benning, Georgia) was runnerup. In the Mixed C/D Bracket, Smack That (Euless) won 1st Place and No Chance (Ft. Worth) settled for 2nd Place. In the Women's C/D Division, BTY (Oklahoma City, Ok.) was the champion, and RUNVS (Arlington) was runnerup. The Men's D and Men's E Divisions of the NTX N.I.T. were moved to June 18 due to having only 4 fields available May 14-15 with the Artificial Turf project in progress.

The largest softball tournament in the history of Texas was held April 30 & May 1, when 314 teams gathered in Bryan-College Station for the 26th Annual Budweiser Softball Festival. In the Men's B/C Division, Sagnasty/ASPNation.com (Saginaw) won 1st place, while Cash Money (Harlingen) came in 2nd. In the Men's D Division, the Woodpeckers (Galveston) were the Champions and DFL Construction (West Monroe, La.) was the Runnerup. In the Men's E Division, Bad Decisions (San Antonio) brought home 1st Place, while TX RIP (Humble) finished 2nd. In the Men's 35 & Over Division, All-Out (Rosenburg) was the Champion, while Spurs/ASPNation.com (Longview) was the Runnerup. In the Women's C Division, the Lady Canes II (Cedar Hill) captured 1st Place, and Lady Top Dog (Beaumont) came in 2nd Place. In the Women's D Bracket, Fully Loaded (Dallas) was the Champion, while J.F.F. (Spring) was the Runnerup. Photos from the Co-ed park did not come out. If anyone can send those in, they will be added to this rotation. (Photos provided by USSSA Today, Phillip Wheeler, Rene Hinojosa, Lyf Nimmo, Scott Duffy)

HOOTERS Shootout II Winners

The Hooters Shootout II was held March 26-27 at Big League Dreams in League City, TX. In the Men's B/C Division, Texas Miken (Pearland) won 1st Place, and Fidelity Medical (League City) captured 2nd Place. In the Men's D Division, the Woodpeckers (Galveston) were Champions, and DGK (Houston) were Runnerups. In the Men's E Division, Head First captured 1st Place, while Dirty Sox (Conroe) took 2nd. Finally, in the Women's C/D Division, Unknowns (San Antonio) was the Champion, and Lookouts/Mizuno (Deer Park) were Runnerups. In the Worth 454 Home Run Derby, Argen Dodds won 1st Place and received a new bat, and Brian Bohannon finished 2nd and received a Worth Back Pack. The next tournament at Big League Dreams in League City will be the Hooters Shootout III on April 16-17.

St. Patrick's Day Shootout

Lone Star Softball hosted the St. Patrick's Day Shootout on March 12-13 at Time Warner Park in San Antonio. In the Men's B/C/D Division, Power House (not pictured) won 1st place, while Texas VFW/Drash (not pictured) finished 2nd. In the Men's E Division, Bad Decisions was the Champion, and the Sabinal Tigers were Runnerups. In the Co-ed Bracket, Team Sumofist captured 1st place, and Does It Matter/Whut It Dew came in 2nd. On Friday night, a WORTH 454 Home Run Derby has held at Time Warner. The 42 contestants were hitting directly into a strong wind blowing in from left-field. Mando Alejandro was the eventual winner and received a brand new WORTH 454 Bat. Brack Herrington was the runnerup and he received a new WORTH Back Pack. (Photos courtesy of USSSA Today).