Softball game big draw
Tickets for today’s USA National Team versus Spokane Area All-Stars softball game are going fast.
Fuzzy Buckenberger said that roughly two-thirds of the 3,200 available tickets have been sold.
“Tickets are going like crazy and the phone’s ringing off the hook,” Buckenberger said Wednesday morning. “If people haven’t got a ticket, they’ll want to arrive at 5 and stand in line.”
Prices are $20-$30 for adults, $15-$25 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at the Spokane ASA office at Franklin Park (Queen Avenue and North Division), or by calling 328-2131 or 993-8888.
The game begins at 7:30 p.m. following opening ceremonies that include team introductions and the arrival of four skydivers. The Olympians will sign autographs following the nine-inning game.
Following a 10-day break, the USA team on Tuesday beat the Portland All-Stars 19-0 to run their tour record to 52-1. Monica Abbott pitched a 15-strikeout no-hitter. The only Portland runner reached base on an error. Kelly Kretschman was 3 for 4, scored three runs and was one of four players to homer. Jessica Mendoza, one of six others with two hits, drove in four and Stacey Nuveman hit a home run and drove in three.
They’ll play a team that includes area collegiate players and seven from this year’s Greater Spokane League, most of whom will play in college next year.
The coaching staff for the area team is made of former Whitworth coach and longtime Amateur Softball Association commissioner Buckenberger, Spokane Falls Community College’s Janet Skaife, Shadle Park and Spokane Sliders club coach George Lynn, Mead HS coach John Barrington, pitching instructor Steve Fountain, Larry Chatterton, Bob West, Laura Romag and Scott Kine.