The money award package ballooned as 86 teams played for the opportunity to win a berth to the Triple Grand Slam Championships. The Triple Grand Slam Championships will be held on September 9 & 10 at both Victory Lane and Papago parks. The 2009 awards are on track to pay out the largest awards ever in returned entry fees to the championship winners. The last chance to qualify is Leg IV of the Triple Grand Slam will be held on August 15 & 16 at Victory Lane. Register your team early as these tournaments always are sold out.

Thanks to all the teams that played.

The Tournament Sports Schedule in 2009 offers additions to the most successful tournaments along with new innovations based on current conditions.

Since Tournament Sports recently signed a major contract with Worth Sports, more bat tournaments will be on the 2009 Schedule.

Also this year, in a nod to the economy, Tournament Sports will offer a Recession Buster Series of tournaments with reduced entry fees. The first scheduled tournament is January 17th at Desert West.

Again in 2009, Tournament Sports, in partnership with Victory Lane and Crown Imports, will hold the Hispanic & Minority Championships at Victory Lane on October 9 -11, 2009. The Championships drew 119 teams in 2008 and feature custom rings as award for all champions. The Championships have expanded the minority requirement to allow for 6 "nons" in the lineup in the Men's division and to ALL Coed and Women's teams.

The Triple Grand Slam Series, the original MONEY tournament, also will be back with 4 legs in 2009 to increase the qualified teams and cash awards. Mark your calendar for these legs as they always fill up early.

Triple Grand Slam I 		March 21 & 22		Victory Lane & Papago 
Triple Grand Slam II		April 18 & 19		Victory Lane & Desert West 
Triple Grand Slam III		June 6 & 7		Victory Lane & Papago
Triple Grand Slam IV		August 15 & 16		Victory Lane & Rose Mofford

The Triple Grand Slam Championships will be held on September 19 & 20 at Victory Lane & Papago parks. All teams must qualify to play in the Championships. In 2008 over $13,000 was paid to the winners.

ASA/Tournament Sports is always looking for new directors and umpires to help with the program. In 2008, Steve Cochran, Tammy Williams, Terri Seimer and Michael Smythe were added to the tournament team. If you have an interest in softball tournaments and would like a position, stop by the director's table, call or e-mail, as we would like to talk to you.

See you on the field

Larry Fitzgerald, 2009 All Pro Bowl MVP, with Leon and Steve in Flagstaff, 2008.