Ira J. Spitzer / LJWorld.com

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Ira J. Spitzer

Recent stories

Softball Tourney a success for Lawrence: Hummers, Phenix Fyler come away with fifth-place finishes; By Ira J. Spitzer; July 27, 2005; The American Fastpitch Assn. National “B” Tournament came to a dramatic end Sunday at Clinton Lake Sports Complex. Each age division in the tournament crowned a champion after more than 300 games by upwards of 100 teams from around North America.
Phenix throws party for Hawaiian team: By Ira J. Spitzer; July 27, 2005; The island of Kauai in Hawaii is known for the good life - beachside luaus, a laid-back lifestyle and a friendly atmosphere. Lawrence might not have Kauai’s reputation as a popular tourist destination, but when the Kauai Kine came for the American Fastpitch Assn. National “B” Tournament held last week in Lawrence, the team was greeted with some island-style hospitality.
10-U All-Stars take second in tourney: By Ira J. Spitzer; July 27, 2005; An all-star team from the Douglas County Amateur Baseball Assn. 10-U league had a successful run in the National Baseball Congress Hap Dumont state tournament held July 9 though July 12 at the Hillsboro Sports Complex. The team, which took the name Lawrence Hawks for postseason play, placed second in the tournament, going 4-2 and coming very close to winning the event.
14-U Rebels getting used to big infield: team loses practice game to Cardinals in preparation for tourney; By Ira J. Spitzer; July 20, 2005; It didn’t take the 14-U Rebels long to get used to playing with a bigger infield. But they still had the Cardinals to contend with in a series of doubleheaders last week.
Rockers pitchers combine for shutout: By Ira J. Spitzer; July 20, 2005; The Soft Rockers kept rocking all the way to a shutout victory in their game against the Diamonds in a Lawrence Girls Fast Pitch Assn. 10-U game on July 12 at Lawrence High School.
Hurricanes break tie, get victory over Cobras on Turner’s heroics: By Ira J. Spitzer; July 20, 2005; There are times when a game, even a whole season, of baseball comes down to one swing of the bat. Friday’s Rec Baseball league showdown between the Hurricanes and the Cobras at Youth Sports Inc. was one of those times, as the teams played to a dead heat through 4 1/2 innings.
Falcons close out season with win over tough Mad Batters team: By Ira J. Spitzer; July 20, 2005; A long season of softball games ended on Thursday for two teams in the Lawrence Girls Fast Pitch Assn. 12-U league at Holcom. In scorching heat, the Falcons took on the Mad Batters, with the Falcons winning the game, 15-5.
GAME celebrates two years: By Ira J. Spitzer; July 20, 2005; Baseball and softball are unique sports, loved by many, yet truly understood by very few people. The intricacies of the games are vast, and it takes years of studying this deceptively slow exercise, whose decisive moments often come unexpectedly after hours of anticipation, to figure out why one team is able to succeed where another can’t. Maybe as a result, the people who do understand the game tend to be mildly eccentric, with the ability to see patterns no one else sees and anticipate developments well before they happen.
Lugnuts’ long day ends with win: By Ira J. Spitzer; July 13, 2005; Saturday was a long day at Holcom field for the Lugnuts, who played two afternoon games in 90-degree heat. First the Houk League team faced the first place Volcanoes. Then, after a short rest, the team took the field again against the Sidewinders.
Tournament Briefs: By Ellyn Angelotti & Ira J. Spitzer; July 13, 2005; Area teams began post-season tournament play. Look at how the DCABA select team, Rebels and Hummers fared in tournament play.

Recent photos

Diamonds pitcher Jae Richardson throws to the plate during a Lawrence Girls Fast Pitch game against the SoftRockers on Thursday at Lawrence High School. The SoftRockers won the game 10-0.

14-U Rebels second baseman Tyler Hatesohl warms up between innings of a game against the Eudora Cardinals on Thursday at Eudora High School. The Cardinals won the game 8-4.

Mad Batters base runner Erica Lignell runs to first base during a Lawrence Girls Fast Pitch Assn. game against the Falcons on Thursday at Holcom. The Falcons won the game 15-5.

Kauai Kine players, from left, Kanoy Carveiro and Kanani Matai help themselves to dessert at a party hosted by the 14-U Phenix team July 17 at Centennial Park. The Kine were in town for the American Fastpitch Assn. National "B" Tournament.

Members of the 16-U phenix fyler team pose with their fifth-place trophy Saturday night at Clinton Lake Sports Complex. The Phenix were eliminated by the Lightning from Church Hill, Md.

Full photo list