Battle Of The Burgh Pools and Pool Schedules Posted:
103 teams are currently lining up to do battle in the 2009 Battle Of The Burgh tournament sponsored by Pittsburgh Power Softball.
Click here for team pools, pool schedules and field directions.
Power In The Press: Anne Marie Brnardic:
Power Colton’s Anne Marie Brnardic was chosen as one of 4 local athletes up for this week's Army Athlete of the Week honors.
You can vote for Anne Marie at the following link:
http://stations.espn.go.com/stations/espnradio1250/story?id=3479608
There is no registration or logging in. Just click on the link and select Anne Marie. Voting ends Thursday, May 7th at 2:50pm.
Anne Marie also made the news earlier this week with the announcement of her selection to represent the United States next January in the Indoor Cup 2010 in Paris and the Netherlands. Congratulations Anne Marie!
Click here to read Anne Marie's story in the Valley News Dispatch
2009 Power Banquet Bigger Than Ever:
Over 600 players, family members, college coaches, umpires and other special guests convened Sunday, March 22 at the Four Points Sheraton in Cranberry, PA for the largest Pittsburgh Power "Meet the Teams" Banquet to date. For most, it is the only time of the year to see the full size and scope of the Power organization which is entering its 11th year as the largest Junior Olympic level fastpitch softball organization in Western Pennsylvania.
There was plenty to do prior to the banquet as there was a large variety of Power merchandise on sale as well as a 50/50 raffle for the Greater Pittsburgh Girls Softball League Umpire Association's scholarship fund, a Make-a-wish basket auction, a drawing for a Nate McClouth autographed jersey and team Chinese auction baskets. Master of Ceremonies and Power President Warren Pirring remarked "I remember the first Power banquet where we had only one Chinese auction basket." Sunday's banquet had 21 team baskets as well as baskets donated by The Four Points Sheraton, Superstar Sports and Chuck Fickter. Representatives from Mizuno were also on hand with shoes, bats, gloves and other softball gear. Guests also had the opportunity to view memory boards for last season's teams and the trophies (including an ASA state championship and a runner-up ASA Eastern National) they collected along the way.
The guest speaker at this year's banquet was Nikki Kaschauer. Nikki is a former South Park High School and Power standout now playing at AMCC Champion Penn State Berand where she comes into this season following a team-leading .405 batting average and 34 RBI junior year. Nikki spoke about the importance of softball in her life, the lessons learned while playing with the Power and about the move to playing at the collegiate level.
Three scholarships were awarded at the banquet. The Myer Family Scholarship, now in its fourth year, is awarded to the senior Power player who completes the best essay on how softball has affected her life. This year's winner of the Myer scholarship is Hampton's Amy Zeis. Amy plays for the Falk 18U Power team.
The second scholarship, the sixth annual Pittsburgh Power Scholarship, is presented by the Greater Pittsburgh Girls Softball League Umpire Association. This honor is awarded to the high school senior Power player who completes the best essay on how the Pittsburgh Power has affected their life. This year's award was presented by Dave Neikum to Hopewell High's Stephanie McConnell. Stephanie plays for the Tritinger 18U Power team.
The third scholarship awarded was the Amy Anderson Memorial Scholarship presented by Power Coach Linda Dobson on behalf of her family in memory of her niece, Amy. This is the second year for the scholarship which rewards service to others. This years winner is Morgan Robinson from Slippery Rock High School. Morgan plays for the Becker 18U Power team.
The banquet also gave everyone a chance to meet the Power teams for 2009. The Power is fielding 21 teams this year including 2 teams at the 10 and under level, 3 teams at the 12 and under level, 5 teams at 14 and under, 6 teams at 16 and under and 5 teams at the 18 and under level. This is the largest number of teams ever fielded by the Power and brings the organization up to 234 players strong.
The afternoon continued with the picking of winners for the many prizes and contests available. The banquet concluded with special thanks to the Power board members, especially banquet coordinator Sue Rectenwald for making it all possible.
Click here for more banquet photos
Night At The Races Set For April 4th:
Pittsburgh Power's Night at the Races will be held April 4th at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Wexford. See the Upcoming Events page for more details.