Home of the Long Haul Bombers
Meet the Long Haul Bombers and “Softball 360” host Timi Leighton Friday at Target Field.
Free autographs from 5:30 to 6:30pm at Gate 29 on the Target Plaza.
Stadium Power Tour Home Run Derby following the Twins & Astro’s Game.
Long Haul Bomber Atlanta Preview, Meet the fans, McQuade, Fireman’s and the Long Haul Bombers from Atlanta.
Seattle, WA – July 26, 2013 – Easton’s Brett Helmer and DeMarini’s Chris Larsen went toe to toe Friday night at Safeco Field in Seattle. And when the show bombs settled, they tied with 11 points each. Helmer was impressed with the performance, the park and his gear. “I love Safeco and the energy of the show we put on tonight, everyone hit well. My Easton bat was on fire and 
watching my team mates send ‘em sailing out of the park was also pretty darn cool .” Helmer was referring to Easton’s Scott Kirby and Brian Wegman who both sent Evil Softballs completely out of Safeco Field and into downtown Seattle. The battle to make the Top 6 and the finals is close and combative. DeMarini’s Chris Larsen knows this is one of the most competitive seasons ever on the Stadium Power Tour. “This year it’s going down to the wire, a super tight points battle to make the top 6 and the Finals, but trust me DeMarini will be there.”
For season standing, log on to www.Softball360.com
Final Results from Safeco Field in Seattle:
Brett Helmer, Easton: 11
Chris Larsen, DeMarini: 11
Kevin “Flip“ Filby, Easton: 10
Brian Wegman, Easton: 9
Scott Kirby, Easton: 9
Ed Vega, Miken: 9
Denny Crine, Miken: 8
“Bubba“ Brungardt, DeMarini: 7
Next stop on the Stadium Power Tour, Friday Night August 2 at Target Field in Minneapolis. The Long Haul Bombers are a collection of the world’s greatest softball homer run hitters. They stage one of kind home run derbies at Major League ball parks across North America. Each Bomber gets 15 swings, each home run is worth one point, except the last pitch, known as the money ball, worth 2 points and can be the tie-breaker. 6 Long Haul Bombers qualify for the finals of the Stadium Power Tour, scheduled for Sunday, Friday night August 23 in St. Paul at Midway Stadium, home of the St. Paul Saints.
The Stadium Power Tour features the top sporting brands in the world: DeMarini, Easton, Miken, BP Athletics, Evil Sports and Suncoast Reebok.
Fans can follow the Bombers on the national TV show, “Softball 360″, available on more than 93 million households on TV stations and cable networks across North America.
Fans can follow the Bombers on the national TV show, ” Softball 360 “, available on more than 93 million households on TV stations and cable networks across North America.
“Softball 360” also covers the grass roots of softball, including WSL tournaments across North America. www.worldsoftballeague.com It all happens at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach Florida.www.visitpanamacitybeach.com
Next stop: Seattle Friday night.
July 23, St Louis, MO – Kevin “Flip“ Filby likes St. Louis. “It’s a softball town, they have great fans and a cool stadium.” Flip’s love of the STL, was reflected in a show topping 10 point performance before the Cards and Phillies game. “Flip” sent Evil softballs flying deep into right field at Busch Stadium. His Miken teammates Denny Crine and Ed Vega also chipped in with 8 points.
DeMarini’s Chris Larsen was and his DeMarini teammate Bubba Brungardt both scored 9 points. Bubba sent out a massive upper deck blast off the “Big Mac” sign in left field.
Final Standings From Busch Stadium, St. Louis:
Kevin Filby – Team Miken 10 Points
Chris Larsen – Team DeMarini 9 Points
*Dale Brungardt – Team DeMarini 9 Points
Denny Crine – Team Miken 8 Points
Ed Vega – Team Miken 8 Points
Donovan Pokraka – Team DeMarini 7 Points
*Dale Brungardt hit for Adam Rockoff
Next stop on the Stadium Power Tour is Friday night in Seattle at Safeco FIeld as Easton takes on Miken.
The Long Haul Bombers are a collection of the world’s greatest softball homer run hitters. They stage one of kind home run derbies at Major League ball parks across North America. Each Bomber gets 15 swings, each home run is worth one point, except the last pitch, known as the money ball, worth 2 points and can be the tie-breaker. 6 Long Haul Bombers qualify for the finals of the Stadium Power Tour, scheduled for Sunday, Friday night August 23 in St. Paul at Midway Stadium, home of the St. Paul Saints.
The Stadium Power Tour features the top sporting brands in the world: DeMarini, Easton, Miken, BP Athletics, Evil Sports and Suncoast Reebok.
Fans can follow the Bombers on the national TV show, “Softball 360”, available on more than 93 million households on TV stations and cable networks across North America.
“Softball 360” also covers the grass roots of softball, including WSL tournaments across North America. www.worldsoftballeague.com It all happens at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach Florida. www.visitpanamacitybeach.com
DeMarini takes the roof off at Minute Maid Park.
July 19, 2013 – Houston Texas – Chris Larsen and Team DeMarini are back in a huge way on the Stadium Power Tour. Larsen, Donovan Pokraka and Adam Rockoff tied with 12 points each, many spectacular blasts, that completely left Minute Maid Park. Larsen led off and never looked back, sending several massive show bombs into the streets. “The ball was flying tonight, my Demo bat was on fire, I had goose bumps when the first softball left the park.
Reebok’s Chris Greinert also sent several Evil softballs out of the park. At 6 foot 6 and close to 300 pounds, he made a big impression on the Astro’s fans, when he sent Evil softballs into downtown Houston. The Long Haul Bombers hit after the Astro’s and Mariners game, before a fireworks show as the Astro’s rolled back the roof at Minute Maid Park for the show.
Final Results from Houston and Minute Maid Park.
Chris Larsen, DeMarini: 12 points
Donovan Pokraka, DeMarini: 12 Points
Adam Rockoff, DeMarini :12 Points
Chris Greinert,Reebok: 8 Points
Next stop on the Stadium Power Tour, Tuesday night in St. Louis at Busch Stadium before the Cards game.
The Long Haul Bombers are a collection of the world’s greatest softball homer run hitters. They stage one of kind home run derbies at Major League ball parks across North America. Each Bomber gets 15 swings, each home run is worth one point, except the last pitch, known as the money ball, worth 2 points and can be the tie-breaker. 6 Long Haul Bombers qualify for the finals of the Stadium Power Tour, scheduled for Sunday, Friday night August 23 in St. Paul at Midway Stadium, home of the St. Paul Saints.
The Stadium Power Tour features the top sporting brands in the world: DeMarini, Easton, Miken, BP Athletics, Evil Sports and Suncoast Reebok.
Fans can follow the Bombers on the national TV show, “Softball 360”, available on more than 93 million households on TV stations and cable networks across North America.
“Softball 360” also covers the grass roots of softball, including WSL tournaments across North America. www.worldsoftballeague.com It all happens at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach Florida. www.visitpanamacitybeach.com
Detroit, July 11, 2013 – Comerica Park home of the Detroit Tigers is a new stop on the Stadium Power Tour. But the result were predictable, massive show bombs during another great home run derby. Donovan “ Devo” Pokraka was the top cat in Tiger Town with 10 points. “Devo” cranked out many blast in the 450 foot range.
Donavan Pokraka
Before the contest he got a chance to talk with Tigers Manager Jim Leyland. “He was curious about my swing and DeMarini bat, he wished me luck and apparently it worked. Miken’s Denny Crine finished second with 9 points and was impressed with the venue. “It was our first time to hit at Comerica Park and it’s an outstanding ballpark, sure it’s a big park, but we were able to knock the Evil softballs out.”
Final Results From Comerica Park in Detroit.
1.) Donovan Pokraka, DeMarini 10
2.) Denny Crine, Miken 9
3.) Ed Vega, Miken 6
4.) Dale Brungardt, DeMarini 2
The points battle is getting tight in the battle for the manufactures cup, and for points and early leaders, log on to www.softball360.tv
The Long Haul Bombers are a collection of the world’s greatest softball homer run hitters. They stage one of kind home run derbies at Major League ball parks across North America. Each Bomber gets 15 swings, each home run is worth one point, except the last pitch, known as the money ball, worth 2 points and can be the tie-breaker. 6 Long Haul Bombers qualify for the finals of the Stadium Power Tour, scheduled for Sunday, Friday night August 23 in St. Paul at Midway Stadium, home of the St. Paul Saints.
The Stadium Power Tour features the top sporting brands in the world: DeMarini, Easton, Miken, BP Athletics, Evil Sports and Suncoast Reebok.
Fans can follow the Bombers on the national TV show, ” Softball 360 “, available on more than 93 million households on TV stations and cable networks across North America.
“Softball 360” also covers the grass roots of softball, including WSL tournaments across North America. www.worldsoftballeague.com It all happens at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach Florida.www.visitpanamacitybeach.com
Miken and DeMarini ready for Thursday battle in Detroit at Comerica Park.
Miken’s Denny Crine likes the park and knows this is an important event. “Detroit is a big opportunity to pick up some points and work towards our goal of the Manufacturers Cup. It’s the first time we will hit at Comerica Park and we are excited to test the limits, it’s known as a pitcher’s park, we’ll see”.
Long Haul Bombers Hitting Pre Game at Comerica Park, Home of the Detroit Tigers
Bombers hitting at 12:20pm EDT
First Pitch at 1:05pm EDT, Tigers vs White Sox
Autograph’s in Tiger Fan Den, 1st – 3rd Inning
Buy Tickets HERE
Team Wrath Catcher, Raygan Snyder
The Texas Wrath will be traveling to Chattanooga, TN this year for ASA Softball Nationals. In order to play in this tournament, your team must qualify. To qualify, your team must play in a local ASA National Qualifier and place 1st or 2nd in this tournament, which they did. They played in Deer Park on the weekend of June 21-23 going undefeated allowing them to place 1st.
This is a team that does not quit. In one of their games, they were down 5-1 and had last at bat with time expired. To continue to another inning, they had to score at least 4 runs to tie the game. The Wrath did even better than that! The girls came out with big bats winning the game 6-5 with only one out. They play to the end no matter what.
Birthdate: 4/9/1970
Birthplace: Asheboro, NC
Played for: Sunbelt Plastics, Dan Smith/Menosee, Team Combat
Accomplishments: 2010 USSSA National Hall of Fame; 2009 ASA Male Athlete of the Year; 2008 USSSA World Series MVP; Team USA 2009-2013
For those who are unfamiliar, can you tell us about your hitting style?
I would say my hitting style is still “old school”. I continue using the conventional grip while the game has changed to more of an overlap grip. A predominately pull hitter by trade with great power to all fields. I use my lower body to generate most of my power by getting more linear through the zone as opposed to more rotational.
Choose Your Weapon: Two-piece or one-piece bat and why?
Without a doubt I prefer the one-piece bat. I use the heaviest bat we make and the two-piece bat has entirely too much flex for my liking. I want to feel the ball come off the bat and know when I hit it well but also want to feel it when I miss too.
You’ve had a chance to represent your country 4 times as part of the USA Boarder Battle Team. What does it mean to you to where the red/white/blue?
Representing the red, white and blue has been the highlight of my career. You grow up watching the Olympics and when you have the opportunity to represent your sport and compete against other countries on a national stage, nothing else compares.
You are a two time “Long Haul Bomber Tour” winner. What was your favorite MLB park to hit in on the tour and why?
I would say there is a tie between two MLB parks, those being Cincinnati Reds and the Texas Rangers. Reason being is that those two clubs really support the Bombers and allowed us to hit after the game just before the fireworks show and there was 40,000 fans watching. That makes for one hell of an event. At other stadiums, we hit before the game and there might be 500 people in the stands.
How about favorite city on the Tour and why?
I would say Arlington, TX because of the event they put on but also for the things you can do around the area. I’m a huge Dallas Cowboys fan and I got to go see their new stadium across the street from the baseball stadium. The food is incredible as well. I love steak and what better place to find a steak than in Texas.
Other then softball, what other sports, hobbies or past times occupy your days off?
I love playing golf and going fishing on my days off.
Tell us how you became involved with the Combat family?
I was playing softball for an Easton team for years, and one year I was introduced to the Combat products and have been using them ever since. Then it turned into a full time career when I went to work for Combat in 2006 doing sales and promotions.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career in softball and why?
Don Cooper has been most influential in my softball career because he gave me the opportunity to use Combat products, provided me a team to play for every year and provided a career in the industry. Altogether it has been very rewarding and it would not have happened if it were not for him.
Do you have any crazy superstitions or pre-game rituals?
In my younger days I was superstitious but have since grown out of it. I would have to wear a certain pair of socks with each uniform and I had to put the same sock on the same foot each time. I would also wear wristbands for one game and then discard them but that became expensive.
What’s your go-to meal when preparing for a softball game?
I eat a Kit-Kat candy bar and drink a Monster Energy drink before games. Not much of a meal but that is what I eat.
If you had to pick 1 all time Combat bat to go to war with, which would it be?
Derby Boys SP1 – by far the best bat we ever made at Combat.
