The generosity of Arizona teams was on full display this December with a huge increase in toys donated to the Angel Kids Foundation. Many teams opted to donate a toy for every player instead of one toy per team. The policy in December is that for every team that donates a toy, Tournament Sports pays their 2009 ASA registration fee. Thanks to ASA teams, Angel Kids, a charity that adopts entire families during the Holiday season, received an entire truckload of toys.

Thanks to all the teams and players that donated.

The first weekend in January continued to be full weekend at Victory Lane for the LAF Benefit.

This January 50 teams with all players wearing yellow wristbands participated in the 5th Annual Cancer benefit.

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