The Neil Ess Memorial TCABT-VI is in the books. Twenty-three (23) teams took their chances on a beautiful Saturday morning in the Twin Cities on October 1st. Following introduction of all 1st time participants, a review of the tournament rules, and a group picture the dice began rolling at 8:45 am. With four (4) divisions, the top two from each division would advance to the Championship bracket. All remaining teams would enter a consolation bracket of play. Divisional play wrapped up by 3:00 pm with Bruce Tyler's 1930 Cardinals, Steve Ryan's 1998 Braves, Leroy Arnoldi's 1977 Phillies, Roy Langhan's 1985 Cardinals, Fred Johnson's 1953 Dodger's, Gary Borthwick's 1911 Giants, Darrell Skogen's 2014 Orioles, and Ben Lofgren's 1995 Indians all advancing to the Championship bracket. Championship Bracket play saw these eight teams fight it out in the best-of-three series. The Quarter-finals saw all series go 2 games to none, with the 1930 Cardinals, the 1977 Phillies, the 1911 Giants and the 1998 Braves advancing to the Semi-finals. In the only 3-game series of the Championship Bracket play, Bruce Tyler's 1930 Cardinals defeated Gary Borthwick's 1911 Giants, 2 games to 1 in a semi-final series. Game 3 of that series saw the 1911 Giants with a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the 9th, give up 3 runs as the 1930 Cardinals stormed back to win the game and the series. In the other semi-final series, Leroy Arnoldi's 1977 Phillies took care of Steve Ryan's 1998 Braves, 2 games to none. The TCABT-VI Championship came down to Bruce's 1930 Cardinals vs Leroy's 1977 Phillies. The 1930 Cardinals won in 2 games, by scores of 9-8 and 7-5. Bruce Tyler wins his 1st TCABT Championship, and the 1930 Cardinals are now eliminated from TCABT competition. Leroy's (called Mr. October) loss was the first time he did not bring the trophy home in October. Garth Anderson's 1930 Athletics won the Consolation one-and-done bracket, over John Kalous' 2015 Astros.
Some of the "Highlights" of the tournament included: 2 no-hitters broken up by the 1966 Astros (George Adams), after 8-2/3rds innings. Albert Belle from the 1995 Indians grounding into 2 triple-plays. Chick Hafey of the 1930 Cardinals going 6 for 6 in one game, hitting for the cycle. The 1930 Athletics turning 7 double-plays in 1 game vs the 1946 Red Sox. 19 runs scored in 1 game by the 1953 Dodgers (they also scored 18 runs in another game). 4 consecutive HR's by Evan Gattis of the 2015 Astros ending the last game of pool play with a 12th inning HR, then in his 1st game of the Consolation round, hitting 3 straight HR. In all, 135 games were rolled but the winner of the day was APBA brotherhood.
Each year, the TCABT is held on the first Saturday of April and the first Saturday of October. TCABT-VII will be held April 1st, 2017. TCABT-VIII will be held October 7th, 2017.
In other news, the remaining Fall 2016 tournaments are scheduled as follows:
October 22, 2016 - APBA Get Together/Tournament (Succasunna, New Jersey - Roxbury Township) - Contact: Charlie Sorce at
sorce4u@gmail.com
November 12, 2016 - Chicagoland Tournament (Chicago, Illinois) - Contact: Rob Spatz at
Robspatz@gmail.com
A newly announced baseball tournament is the APBA Get Together/Tournament in Succasunna, New Jersey mentioned above. Please contact Charlie Sorce at
sorce4u@gmail.com for detailed information.
Remember if you have a Regional Tournament not mentioned above please contact me at apba66nyslp@yahoo.com with tournament and contact information at and I will be sure to promote your event in APBA's company electronic newsletter. Remember all APBA game tournaments are welcome. Have a great week everyone and remember to roll those bones. May you all roll 66's
SOCCER NEWS
The APSL has begun its second annual incoming player draft. The league rosters are made up of 14 English Premier League teams selected by the members of the ASPL's inaugural season. Any carded player not protected or included on a roster in the previous season is eligible to be drafted. Each team currently has 18 players and will add 7 more through the draft. Potential first round picks include Dele Alli, Dmitri Payet, Kevin DeBruyne and Anthony Martial.
