Cal Purp’s infielder James Kaul makes the play. Smedes photo.

SPARKS, NV – On April 4th promoter Armando Acosta brought some of the top home run hitters in the nation to the Golden Eagle Regional Park in Sparks, NV and they put on quite a show. The home run contest was held on a bone-chillingly cold night with temperatures near freezing. The fans that braved the cold witnessed quite a power display with softballs sailing not only over the fences but often far above the top of the lights.

Brett Helmer (Easton Sports), Denny Crine (Miken Sports), Johnny McCraw & Cooper (Combat Sports), Bryson Baker (Worth Sports ), Dan “Dirty” Sanchez and Willie Brown (DeMarini Sports) were the “hired guns” who participated in the home run contest facing off against the top placing individuals who had to earn their way into the showcase. Showcase participants were led by local player Rusty Kawachi (with 17 homers) along with Kevin Trikey, Kyle Vacklan, Nick Larsen, Scott Dangel and Chris Larsen. The Manufacturer Reps beat the Showcase Players by out homering them 73-57 in a great show. Players earned a shot to hit against the manufacturer reps by seeing how many home runs they could hit out of 20 pitches. “Every player that entered hit at least one home run,” said Acosta.

The Brett Helmer/Easton “Real Skilz” Manufacturer Challenge combined the home run contest and a Men’s E and Men’s D tournament. Bat manufacturer’s provided all the bats for the weekend with one manufacturer represented at each field. The teams that played on a specific field used only bats from that manufacturer.

The Bad Guys from Reno, NV defeated Those Guys from Atwater, CA 25-23 to win the E division. Under Achievers also from Reno finished third.

In the Men’s D division Susanville, CA’s Team Sandlot pushed it to an if game defeating Cali Purp from Redwood City, CA 38-30. Aftermath/DSS from Carson City, NV placed third.