December 14, 2006
2006 Toys 4 Tots Tournament:
Heat to Defend 2005 Crown

The HEAT are back in action this weekend (December 16-17, 2006) to participate in the annual Toys 4 Tots Tournament held in Beaumont, CA.  LATIN HEAT return to Beaumont, CA to defend their 2005 Championship against a field of 14 teams, but the tournament motivation makes it obvious there are more lofty causes than the Heat’s finish.  In addition to the entry fee, all players are requested to bring toys for donation to the Toys 4 Tots Foundation.  The HEAT aim to contribute to the Holiday Cheer promoted by the tournament as well as bring about a few cheers when HEAT runners cross the plate.

In recent tournament action, LATIN HEAT finished 4th out of 14 teams at the Phoenix Winter Invitational Tournament.  The HEAT offense burned opposing pitchers averaging 9.5 runs a game (38 Runs/ 4 Games).  Championship hopes were eventually squashed by Utah Fastpitch (ASA “A” Classified Team), but not before the HEAT became the 1st team of the tournament to post a run against Utah’s Steve Morgan, the eventual Championship winning pitcher.

Recent Team News:

1. #6 – Mario Ramsey (3B/SS): Unavailable for the Phoenix Winter Invitational, Ramsey will rejoin the HEAT in Toys 4 Tots Tournament play.
2. #22 – Eddie Gonzalez (1B/DH):  Gonzalez has been on a 3-month long hiatus from team play (Absent since September 2006).  Unconfirmed reports suggest he may be in uniform for the upcoming weekend.  His agent, Tonya Gonzalez, was unavailable for comment.
3. #28 – Ned Waters (1B/2B/3B/SS):  #2 Hitter Ned Waters, known for years as one of the craftiest bats in Southern California, has recently expanded upon his arsenal.  Waters is smashing the ball for power, totaling 2 HRs and 2 Triples over the last two tournaments, while maintaining his always-high On-Base %.    

 
  
SCHEDULE: Double-Elimination Format

Saturday, December 16, 2006:

9:30 am     Latin Heat vs. Pala Casino

Subsequent game times will be determined by Winner’s/Loser’s bracket position.  Stay tuned for more news on the HEAT and tournament results from the Toys 4 Tots Tournament. 

December 07, 2006
2006 Phoenix Winter Invitational:
Heat to turn up the temperature in Phoenix, AZ

In continued training and preparation for the 2007 season, LATIN HEAT will participate this upcoming weekend in the 2006 Phoenix Winter Invitational Tournament hosted by Los Apaches (Peoria, AZ).  Tournament play will start on Saturday, December 09, 2006 and Play-off rounds will be complete by Sunday, December 10, 2006.  A total of 14 teams, most hailing from the hosting state of Arizona, are committed to participate.

The HEAT are coming off of back-to-back 2nd place finishes in “Open” (Unsanctioned) 2006 winter tournaments including Panteras Winter Tournament (Norwalk, CA) and Young Bucks Tournament (Santa Barbara, CA).  While 2nd place is never the target for this squad, the HEAT are proud of their strong performances against upper level teams.  Establishing a consistent level of play is the key as the team has been playing to the level of their competition, raising the bar against top talent and falling off versus lesser teams. 
 
Despite a heavy winter schedule and the looming holidays, the HEAT has determined to continue chasing the best competition, out-of-state if need be.  The Phoenix Invitational will feature top pitchers including Sonny Perkins (USA National Team) and reputed, veteran Arizona pitchers.

Open tournaments have afforded the opportunity to develop younger talent and establish the team foundation for the 2007 season.  Top news includes:

• # 10 - Jospeh Herrera (C/OF): Young stand-out Joseph Herrera has been a prime story this off-season.  Herrera has accelerated his developmental path at the Catcher’s position and sent many “would-be” base stealers back to the bench.
• # 9 – Cecil Smalling, Jr. (OF):  The eldest son of HEAT Ace Cecilio Smalling, Cecil Smalling, Jr. returns home after defending our country as a member of the U.S. Navy.  His speed and hard fought at-bats have already impressed HEAT teammates.
• # 8 – Jeremy Rodgers (P): The strong arm of Jeremy Rodgers (previously Palm Springs Express) has joined the HEAT.  Rodgers’ positive attitude, mound presence, and veteran knowledge are expected to fortify the center circle. 

  
SCHEDULE:

Saturday, December 09, 2006:

9:00 am     Latin Heat vs. Yung Guns
1:00  pm    Latin Heat vs. Old Apaches

Stay tuned for more news on the HEAT and tournament results from the Phoenix Winter Invitational. 

SANTA FE SPRINGS IV CHAMPIONS:
Heat turn it up in Santa Fe to secure 2006 “C” ASA Alliance Championship 

July 23, 2006
As promised, the HEAT bats were on fire in the Santa Fe Springs IV tournament of the 2006 Men’s Fastpitch “C” ASA Alliance season.  LATIN HEAT outscored its opponents 40-20 en route to their second tournament win of 2006.  The performance also captured LATIN HEAT’s first ever Regular Season Championship of the Southern California “C” ASA Alliance Tournament Series.   

The HEAT entered Santa Fe Springs IV tied with So. Cal Hustlers for the 1st place spot.  So. Cal Hustlers were riding momentum generated 2 weeks earlier when they earned their first 2006 tournament win in Santa Fe Springs III.  So. Cal Hustlers went undefeated in Santa Fe Springs III and it became evident that there would be a battle for the Alliance Crown.  Each team would first have to fight their way through their respective pools.

Saturday, July 22, 2006:

1. Latin Heat (7) -  Level One (0)
2. Latin Heat (7) -  Palm Springs (5)
3. Latin Heat (8) - Beernuts (6)

Notes from Saturday’s game: 

1. Cecilio Smalling pitched every inning of Saturday competition to lead the HEAT with his 3 Wins, 3 Complete Games, and 1 Shut-out.
2. Petey Bodan, a new HEAT addition and natural Shortstop, made an immediate impact as he made several spectacular plays on defense.  Bodan made the difficult adjustment from “Modified” to “Fastpitch” softball and contributed key hits.
3. Martin Joiner blasted 2 HRs on Saturday and anchored the HEAT outfield.

Quarter-Final Game: So. Cal Rebels Forfeit:

The HEAT arrived bright and early for the 9:30 AM Quarter Final game, but their opponents never showed.  In a surprising turn of events, So. Cal Rebels forfeited the game when only 1 player showed.  The forfeit granted the HEAT an automatic bye to the next round.

Semi-Final Game: HEAT (4) – Palm Springs Express (0):

Palm Springs Express (#3 Seed Alliance Standings) and LATIN HEAT are no strangers.  Most games between the teams have been decided by low margins.  This game would be no different and would pit HEAT Ace Cecilio Smalling and Palm Springs Hurler Graham Balog, the 2 premier pitchers of the “C” ASA Alliance, against each other for the final time of the season.  Cecilio Smalling hit his groove immediately and put up his best performance of 2006 at a time when the team needed it most.  The shut-out was Smalling’s 2nd of Santa Fe Springs IV. 

The HEAT scored early in the game off of a Palm Springs error.  Eric Smalling, son of Cecilio, later added to the tally in support of his father’s cause when he hit a solo HR to left-center off Balog.  Petey Bodan jumped in on the action when he hit his first HR as a member of the HEAT with a line drive, solo shot to left-center. 

Championship Game: HEAT (14) – RAS (9):

RAS Construction pulled off an upset of So. Cal Hustlers in the Semi-final game to spoil a championship play-off between the HEAT and So. Cal Hustlers.  RAS has been a strong team throughout the 2006 campaign and has been most dangerous when they are fighting from the underdog position.  RAS would not be taken lightly.

RAS made an immediate statement posting 7 runs in the first 2 innings.  Fatigue seemed to finally be setting in on Smalling, who had pitched every inning of the weekend for the HEAT.  Smalling dug deep into the tank to extinguish the RAS momentum.  Smalling did not allow another earned run to RAS after the 2nd inning.

HEAT bats responded to the 7-run deficit and unleashed an offensive explosion of their own highlighted by HRs from Eric Smalling and Drew Perez.  Hits seemed to be comings in buckets as the HEAT offense prompted 3 RAS pitching changes.  The offensive bursts were reminiscent of Lancaster I where RAS beat the HEAT in the championship game by a score of 8-7.  The HEAT ensured a different outcome this time around.  Sonny Draughan capped of the victory pitching the final 1 2/3 innings in relief of Smalling.

Sunday, July 23, 2006:

1. Latin Heat (W) – So. Cal Rebels (Forfeit)
2. Latin Heat (4) – Palm Springs Express (0)
3. Latin Heat (14) – RAS Construction (9)

LATIN HEAT look forward to Marietta, GA for the 2006 National Championship.  The HEAT take great pride and confidence in joining Palm Springs Express and So. Cal Hustlers in representing Southern California for the 2006 ASA National Championship.

Santa Fe Springs IV

Santa Fe Springs IV:
Heat Looking to Come Back with a Vengeance

July 19, 2006

The weekend of July 22-23, 2006 brings LATIN HEAT back to Santa Fe Springs, CA for the 6th tournament of the 2006 ASA “C” Alliance schedule.  The HEAT are coming off of a disappointing 3rd place finish at Santa Fe Springs III, where the team went 2-2 and never really unleashed their potent offense. 

One opposing player even commented, “What happened to those HEAT bats?! I didn’t want to say anything because I was worried you guys might wake up.”  When the dust settled, the message was loud and clear.  You can bank on the fact that the HEAT won’t be silent again.  HEAT players are anxious to get back on the field and prove why they’re the team that no pitcher wants to face.

LATIN HEAT is known for being a team that is most dangerous with its back against the wall.  The HEAT will have to turn it up a notch for Santa Fe Springs IV as they will be subject to some line-up shuffling.  David Carrillo, converted to SS after the 1st Alliance Tournament, will be sitting this tournament out with a strained AC ligament in his shoulder.  LATIN HEAT, which boasts gifted and versatile infielders such as Ned Waters, Martin Borgen, Reyes Herrera, Joe Herrera and Mario Ramsey, will not miss a beat.  There is also more than enough pop in the bats of Martin Joiner, Mario Ramirez, Drew Perez and Erick Smalling to ruin any pitcher’s day.

LATIN HEAT enters Santa Fe Springs IV tied with So. Cal Hustlers for 1st place in ASA Alliance standings.  The two teams, each with 42 points, stand at the front of the pack.  It has yet to be determined if the there will be any more tournaments in the 2006 season so this tournament may very well decide the victor of the Alliance Season.

Saturday, July 22, 2006:

12:30 pm      Latin Heat vs. Level One
4:00  pm    Latin Heat vs. Palm Springs Express
5:45  pm    Latin Heat vs. Beer Nuts

The HEAT look to aggressively attack the ball and let it fly in the final stand of the Alliance season.  Plenty of excitement lies ahead.

Santa Fe Springs III (July 8-9, 2006): Heat Look to Stay Hot
July 06, 2006

Santa Fe Springs III tournament of the 2006 Men’s Fastpitch “C” ASA Alliance season looks to kick off on July 8 & 9.  The previous two Santa Fe Springs tournaments were cancelled due to poor weather.  All signs; however, point to sunny conditions for this upcoming weekend.  The HEAT, playing on home turf for the 1st time this season, aim to prove that the weather isn’t the only hot obstacle for fast-pitch teams making the trek to Santa Fe Springs, CA.

LATIN HEAT are coming off their 1st ASA Alliance tournament win (Lancaster II) of 2006.  The tournament victory moves the HEAT into sole possession of 1st place in Southern California Alliance standings.  Now the HEAT are focused on maintaining the momentum of Lancaster II to fuel the team to Nationals in Marietta/Cobb County, GA.  The team is committed to improving on each outing.  A look at the 2006 tournament schedule would suggest the team is doing just that:

Date                                Tournament                           Finish
March 25-26                         Palm Springs I                          5th
April 22-23                           Palm Springs II                         3rd
May 20-21                            Lancaster I                               2nd
May 27-29                            National Qualifier                      2nd
June 24-25                            Lancaster II                           Champion

Despite recent success, HEAT players and management feel the team hasn’t even begun to achieve its potential.  The return of Drew Perez (OF) and the recent addition of Eric Smalling (OF) make the HEAT a force to be reckoned with.  Adding to a lineup that is already feared, the duo contributes offensive power and speed as well as extended defensive range and arm strength.

Santa Fe Springs III will have only 5 Alliance teams on display including*:

Latin Heat (#1)
So Cal Hustlers (#2)
Palm Springs Express (#3)
Level One (#5)
RAS Construction (#6)

*Note: ASA Alliance rank in parenthesis

On Saturday, July 08, 2006 the HEAT will play the following schedule:    

12:30 pm      Latin Heat vs. So. Cal Hustlers
4:00  pm    Latin Heat vs. RAS Construction
5:45  pm    Latin Heat vs. Level One

LANCASTER II CHAMPIONS:
Latin Heat go a Perfect 6-0

June 25, 2006
The Lancaster II tournament of the 2006 Men’s Fastpitch “C” ASA Alliance season turned out to be the best showing of LATIN HEAT to date in 2006.  The HEAT went a perfect 6-0 in tournament play including a nail-biting championship win against the local Lancaster team Goodfellas. 

The HEAT were positioned in Pool “A”, which included Silverhawks, RAS Construction (Champions of Lancaster I tournament) and Beernuts.  The HEAT called on 3 veteran pitchers, Sonny Draughan, Armando Smalling, and Cesar Castillo, to secure a strong seeding for Sunday’s single-elimination play-off format.  The veterans did not disappoint as the HEAT went 3-0 to earn the #1 seed.  HEAT bats sent the competition an early message as they posted 33 runs in the 3 Saturday contests.

Saturday, June 24, 2006:

1. Latin Heat (11) -  Silverhawks(4)
2. Latin Heat (7) -  RAS Contractors (3)
3. Latin Heat (15) - Beernuts (14)

Notes from Saturday’s game: 

1. Newcomer Eric Smalling, son of Heat ace Cecilio Smalling, made an immediate impression with a HR blast to centerfield in his first at-bat againt Silverhawks.
2. Drew Perez returned to the HEAT to anchor the outfield.  Perez tallied 5 RBI’s to lead the way against RAS Contruction.
3. Martin Joiner, fighting a leg injury, came off the bench to hit a deep triple in the late innings to spark a much needed comeback rally against Beernuts.
4. Claudio Basto made back-to-back “over the shoulder” grabs to shut down sure-fire HR’s off the bats of Beernuts hitters.   
5. Mario Ramirez hit a walk-off, 2-run HR in the bottom half of the final inning against Beernuts to preserve the HEAT’s perfect record.

Single-elimination Play-offs began on Sunday, June 25, 2006.  The HEAT have been no strangers to the #1 seed after Saturdays, but they still had no Tournament Championships to show for their efforts.  Day 1 of Lancaster II proved the HEAT could come back from a deficit, if necessary.  The HEAT game plan; however, was to focus more on getting ahead and staying ahead.  As the #1 seed, the HEAT rested with “Bye” for Round 1 of play-offs.

Quarter-Final Game: Heat (8) – Level One (1):
Martin Borgen opened the first frame with a line-drive double that sent the HEAT on their way.  Ned Waters promptly moved him over with a well executed bunt and David Carrillo, quiet for most of Saturday, cleaned up with a 2-run HR.  Like clockwork, the HEAT offense hit the ground running.  HEAT bats never looked back as they continued to add to the lead, knowing full well that at any given point Level One is capable of coming alive.  Workhorse Cecilio Smalling kept the pressure on and allowed only 1 run on his way to a complete game victory.

Semi-Final Game:Heat (3) – Palm Springs Express (1):      
Palm Springs Express has been the HEAT’s toughest competition of the 2006 campaign.  The two teams are always in the mix and seem to draw the best out of each other.  The HEAT got ahead early tallying 1 run in the 1st inning on a Palm Springs Express error.  That was all the run support Cecilio Smalling needed as he held the Express scoreless for much of the game, while HEAT bats continued producing.  In the 5th inning, the HEAT defense had a brief let down returning the favor of an unearned run.  C.Smalling showed why he is the team leader as he put the team on his back and led them through to the Championship game. 

Championship Game: Heat (16) – Goodfellas (15):
Goodfellas, representing their hometown of Lancaster, made use of the home field advantage and had their own victory parade going as they entered the Championship Game with a 4-1 record.  Goodfellas’ offense was producing having outscored opponents on Sunday by a clip of 14-8, but no one would have expected the offensive outbursts that would ensue.

The last time these teams met in the Palm Springs II tournament, LATIN HEAT beat up on Goodfellas (12-3) in Day 1 only to have Goodfellas come back on Day 2 and inflict some punishment of their own against the HEAT (8-0).  In each of the previous meetings, the score was lopsided.  This was not the case in Lancaster II.  Like a good heavyweight fight, each team took turns throwing their power shots at the other.

                        Goodfellas              HEAT
Inning 1:                    1                         5
Inning 2:                    3                         0
Inning 3:                    2                         2
Inning 4:                    4                         7
Inning 5:                    0                         0
Inning 6:                    2                         0
Inning 7:                    2                         0
Inning 8:                    1                         1
Inning 9:                    0                         1__
Total                        15                    16                               

After a gutsy Goodfellas comeback, the international tie-breaker format started in the 8th inning.  The international tie-breaker format consists of each team starting with a runner on 2nd base with 0 outs.  It provides an excellent opportunity to manufacture runs and imposes almost certain death for the team that fails to score in their offensive half inning.  Goodfellas and the HEAT traded runs in the first frame of extra innings.

As he has done so many times before, Cecilio Smalling reached deep into the tank to pull the team out a difficult situation and shut down Goodfellas in what was to be the 9th and final inning.  After letting the game get away and failing to put the game away in the 5th – 8th innings, the HEAT offense returned to form in the bottom half of the 9th with the top of its lineup.  Martin Borgen laid a beautiful bunt down the 1st base line to put runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs.  Fearing the bat of Ned Waters and in an attempt to create a force at homeplate, Goodfellas elected to walk #2 hitter Ned Waters and load the bases for David Carrillo.  Carrillo responded with a walk-off line-drive to left-center that brought home the winning run and the Lancaster II Tournament championship.    

Sunday, June 25, 2006:

1. Latin Heat (8) - Level One (1)
2. Latin Heat (3) – Palm Springs Express (1)
3. Latin Heat (16) -  Goodfellas (15)

The Lancaster II tournament resulted not only in LATIN HEAT’s first ASA “C” Alliance Tournament victory of 2006, but also moves the HEAT into sole possession of 1st place in Alliance standings.  Stay tuned for more team news.

June 20, 2006
Lancaster II (June 23-24, 2006): The Heat is On

The 2nd Lancaster, CA tournament of the 2006 Men’s Fastpitch “C” ASA Alliance season will be played on June 23 & 24.  Teams have been split into 2 pools:

POOL A*                                              POOL B*
Latin Heat (#1)                                       So. Cal Hustlers (#1)
RAS Construction (#6)                           Palm Springs Express (#3)
Beernuts (#11)                                       Level One (#4)
Silverhawks (Not Ranked)                      Goodfellas (#5)
                                                              Deadbolts (Not Ranked)
*Note: ASA Alliance rank in parenthesis

LATIN HEAT (25 pts) is currently tied with So. Cal Hustlers (25 pts) for 1st place in ASA Tournament standings.  Both teams recently secured ASA “C” National Championship berths at the Qualifier Tournament held in Palm Springs, CA on May 27-26, 2006.  While the HEAT were pleased in securing their place to battle for a National Championship, the team does not feel it played to its potential.  On a bright note, the HEAT closed the day with 3 consecutive wins and aim to ride the momentum into Lancaster this coming weekend. 

Saturday, June 23, 2006 will pit the HEAT against the following opponents:    

9:00 am     Latin Heat vs. Silverhawks
12:30 pm      Latin Heat vs. RAS Construction
4:00 pm     Latin Heat vs. Level One

Opponent Backgrounds:

Silverhawks:
Team Notes:
The HEAT have not yet faced off with the Silverhawks in the 2006 campaign.  This first match-up will serve as a “getting to know you contest.”
Player to Watch:     Unknown
Record vs HEAT:   0-0-0

Level One:
Team Notes:
Level One (Raymar) has performed well behind the crafty pitching of “Papa” Joe Salcido.  The HEAT recently defeated Level One in a hard fought contest with huge momentum shifts in each team’s direction, including 7 HEAT runs in the final frame to secure the victory.  Level One is best known for its speed and ability to manufacture runs.
Player to Watch:     Danny Cotto
Record vs HEAT:   1-3-0

RAS Construction:
Team Notes:
In their last contest vs LATIN HEAT, RAS Construction emerged from the underdog position to beat the HEAT in the championship game for Lancaster I (May 20-21, 2006).  RAS Construction, formerly known as Santana Concrete, has undergone substantial change throughout the season including a name change and a variety of player swings.  Now that final rosters are near set, it is yet to be seen what faces will make up RAS Construction.  The HEAT are anxiously awaiting this contest to have another shot at RAS.
Player to Watch:     Bryan Villareal
Record vs HEAT:   1-2-0

A Tale of Two Teams:
Latin Heat Come Back to Win a National Berth after a Disappointing Start

May 27-28, 2006
LATIN HEAT displayed the biggest Jekyll/Hyde performance of the season at the Palm Springs National Qualifier on May 27-28, 2006.  At times the HEAT appeared unstoppable.  Other times…not so much.  In a National Qualifier field that included only 5 teams with 2 National Berths up for grabs, the numbers alone created an excellent chance for any of the participating teams to gain admission to Nationals (Marietta/Cobb County, GA).

Saturday’s round-robin games would determine the seedings for Sunday’s double-elimination play-off format.  The HEAT opened against their toughest opponent of the 2006 campaign Palm Springs Express.  Battling injuries from the previous week of competition, Sonny Draughan delivered a solid outing picking up the first HEAT victory of the season against Palm Springs Express.  Living up to the hype, the HEAT offense came through with 3 runs in the bottom half of the final inning to rally for the win.  This game would be the only bright spot of the day for the HEAT on Saturday. Following the emotional victory, the HEAT were iced by “Papa” Joe Salcido (Level One) and Kenny Shaw (So. Cal. Hustlers)

Saturday, May 27, 2006:

Double-elimination Play-offs began on Sunday, May 28, 2006.  The HEAT looked to avenge poor performances of the previous day.  Sunday morning’s onset; however, appeared to be more of the same as the HEAT again came out flat.

Game I: Heat (4) – Gamecocks (6):
Despite their uninspired play, the HEAT had an opportunity to win the game in the final frame.  The game appeared to be in hand when the HEAT induced a run-down between 3rd base and Home with 2 outs.  The HEAT’s failure to execute the play resulted in a huge momentum tilt in the favor of the Gamecocks, who went on to plate 2 more runs before the inning was over.  The loss sent LATIN HEAT into the Loser’s Bracket.  At this point, the HEAT would have to travel the hardest possible road to earn a Nationals qualification

Game II: Heat (14) – Level One (13):      
Prior to the game, HEAT Manager and Ace Pitcher Cecilio Smalling gathered the team for a heated (no pun intended) speech.  The HEAT responded in the first inning as the first 3 hitters all scored.  Martin Borgen hit a lead-off triple.  Ned Waters knocked him in with a line-drive and David Carrillo followed with a 2-run HR over the left-center fence.  Level One returned the favor in the bottom half of the 1st inning with 3 runs of their own and later jumped out to a substantial lead with a well executed offense including bunts, slap hits and line drives. (continued next column)

It appeared the HEAT would have an early exit from Palm Springs as they trailed 13-7 heading into the final inning.  A new HEAT team emerged in the top half of the 7th inning.  The Sleeping Giant came alive as batter after batter hammered away at the 6-run deficit.  The turning point came when Martin Joiner blasted a triple to deep right-center to bring the HEAT within 1 run.  Mario Ramirez broke out with a single down the 3rd base line to tie the game and later scored on his own aggressive base-running to give the HEAT a 1-run lead.  Claudio Basto set the pace with a game saving diving catch to start the HEAT defensive effort in the 7th.  After that, it was smooth sailing for Cecilio Smalling, who pitched a shut-out 7th inning to preserve the victory and keep the HEAT alive.

Game III: Heat (9) – Gamecocks (1):
The newly inspired HEAT team faced off with the Gamecocks for the 2nd time in the day.  Gamecocks jumped out to an early lead, but then it was all HEAT as they posted 9 unanswered runs.  The Gamecocks proved earlier in the day that they can play with any team and the HEAT didn’t want to allow any opportunities for a repeat upset.

Game IV (Loser’s Bracket Championship): Heat (7) – Palm Springs Express (3):
With a National Berth on the line, the HEAT again faced their 2006 nemesis Palm Springs Express.  Palm Springs Express has a diverse line-up with good speed at the top of the order and strong RBI guys in the middle.  The HEAT knew they would have to be firing on all cylinders if they expected to beat Palm Springs Express.  Cecilio Smalling led the way as he nicely mixed his pitches and battled through the Palm Springs order.  Defying fatigue, Smalling’s effectiveness increased as the day progressed.  LATIN HEAT bats, in the meantime, stayed hot.  Table setters Martin Borgen and Ned Waters were on-base throughout the game, which allowed the HEAT to manufacture runs and keep the pressure on Palm Springs Express.  The middle of the HEAT order (David Carrillo, Martin Joiner, and Mario Ramirez) produced with runners in scoring position.  Claudio Basto again anchored the HEAT defense as he gunned down a Palm Springs Express runner from his knees in Left Field and flagged down “would-be” hits.

Sunday, May 28, 2006:

Albeit the “long-way around”, the HEAT emerged from almost certain defeat in Palm Springs to earn a 2006 National Berth.  The right team showed up at the right time and the HEAT will be on their way Marietta/Cobb County, GA come September 2006.

Breaking News:

Eddie Gonzalez (left) adds power to Latin Heat

Eddie Gonzalez, born in Glendale, CA of Cuban parents, joins Latin Heat for the 2006 season.  Eddie (pictured above with fellow Cuban descendant David Carrillo) is the 2nd player of Cuban ancestry to play for the Heat.  During Palm Springs II Alliance Tournament, Eddie awed Latin Heat fans with a bomb to left center that cleared the fence with room to spare.  It just so happens that it was Eddie’s first experience at Fastpitch Softball.  Latin Heat welcomes Eddie Gonzalez to the team.  We are confident that his “team first” mentality will be a nice addition to the foundation the team is trying to build upon.  

May 17, 2006
Lancaster I (May 20-21, 2006): Field is Set

The HEAT will be competing in Men’s Fastpitch “C” ASA Alliance Tournament on  May 20-21, 2006 in Lancaster, CA.  The schedule is set and looks to be an exciting weekend:

9:00 am     Latin Heat vs. RAS Construction (formerly Santana Concrete)
10:45 am      Latin Heat vs. Palm Springs Express
2:15 pm     Latin Heat vs. So. Cal. Hustlers
5:45 pm     Latin Heat vs. Beernuts

LATIN HEAT (16 pts) is currently ranked #3 in ASA Tournament standings.  Lancaster I will afford the HEAT an opportunity to face the two teams currently ranked above them; #1 ranked So. Cal. Hustlers (19 pts) and #2 ranked Palm Spring Express (18 pts).

When asked about the upcoming challenges, Latin Heat Founder Cecilio Smalling said, “You always want a chance to play against the teams ranked above you.  Obviously, [So. Cal. Hustlers and Palm Springs Express] are ranked where they are because they’re good teams.  Until we reach the top spot, those are the teams we want to face.”

After the 2006 season’s first tournaments (Palm Springs I & II), the HEAT have shown great signs of promise; however, consistency has been lacking.  Smalling commented, “We have not yet played to our potential.  We feel that this will be our breakout weekend.”  The HEAT look forward to building upon their 6-3 record and aggressively making their charge for the top spot in the standings.