The Miami Herald from Miami, Florida • 45

SPORTS Dade Softball teams excelled nationally in '91 Despite a general money pinch emblematic of the country's woes it has been a distinctive year for Dade softball Five local teams won national championships And Jerry Pendergast who gave Miami a national identity through his Jerry's Caterers teams was deservedly voted into the Amateur Softball Association's elite Hall of Honor Locally we saw the creation of a Dade Hall of Fame and an annual banquet where mbhmmb the sport's each year With any kind of luck softball in 1992 promises to be every bit as successful as it was this year Now for a few resolutions: Curtis Houston: "I promise to quit pitching like it's my cousin up there hitting" Bruce Terrell Houston's longtime teammate: "He should also promise for a change to mix in a strike every once in a while My resolution now that I'll be 45 soon is simply to play-one more year" Cliff Keats who rarely played this year after a long career in modified and slow-pitch: "Instead of just hearing about the scores I plan to do something about the scores help influence them I'm definitely going to play more softball in '92" Doc Brownholtz a high-average hitter accused on occasion of having purchased his glove at a foundry instead of a sporting goods store: "I promise to work on my fielding" Dr Freddy Dumenigo whose Red Heat team has won a national title in each of the past two seasons: "I resolve to have the determination to win another national Orchids talked third baseman Alvaro Mesias into leaving the Pharmed Sales team then found catcher-designated hitter Alex Rav-ello (who hit 13 home runs in one six-game span) and veteran pitcher Morgan Bays Perhaps best of all he roped in outfielder Alex Ferran the former Coral Park High baseball whiz almost as soon as Ferran was released by the Cleveland Indians "Everybody's asking about him" Stefano said "They all want him now that they see how good he is He's pretty special He had one tournament where he hit nearly 900 He made two outs and one of those came on a home run" Quick hits Deadline for the Dudley Winter Classic a Jan 10-12 tournament being held to help John Creech defray some of his bills in fighting cancer is Jan 5 Call Angel Elizalde at 687-2670 or Steve Grant at 665-3837 for information Write to Charlie Nobles with your softball notes and anecdotes at 87 1 2 SW 103rd Ave Miami 33173 Charlie Gonzalez frequent tournament traveler: "I promise to get to know my wife again by taking her to some of the tournaments" And this final message from Ricky Paules one of Dade Softball's most beloved people: "Every day we have the opportunity to enrich our lives by enjoying this country's No 1 team sport softball and by doing so creating a camaraderie and a bond like no other This bond is fused with love and caring for your fellow teammates and softens the horror and sadness that exist in our world This bond must not be forgotten on the playing field or off" Focus on local play The big-money sponsor that Gonzalez and cohorts thought would be forthcoming in '92 has abruptly bowed out leaving Gonzalez Freddie Gasca and Dave Moose to concentrate more on local play than they have in four years JC Batista the fourth member of that previously inseparable combo will still be playing most of his tournaments outside Florida as the shortstop for Stottler-Stagg an established Cocoa-based national-circuit team The other three will play for the Miami Amigos a Class or team depending on the association According to Gonzalez it'll be reminiscent of the days when they played for Sunshine Cab a company Gonzalez co-owns Gasca calls it "the sequel" Says Gonzalez "We're thinking of putting on our jerseys 'We're It should be a lot of fun" The Amigos plan mostly to play in Florida in various ASA NSA ISA and USSSA tournaments But they expect to take four trips outside the state including visits to the Hispanic world tournament in Arizona and to the Triple Crown Series nationals in Colorado New recruits American Beeper a Class CD team sponsored by Juan Stefano has had a major face lift "For the first time since I've been in softball I went out and recruited" Stefano acknowledges "And we've got a heckuva team" He picked up outfielder Eddie Cruz and shortstop Ralph Ropa from RF many achievers can be recognized Yes there is much to be done much of it involving money League fees are generally too high quality sponsors too few But clearly there is CHARLIE NOBLES SOFTBALL a wealth of talented players here with the high school and college baseball programs cranking out more candidates Three-under-par 67 wins Cuban American tourney stroke Benjl Farkas three ribbons Andrea Soloman first in breast stroke Renee Forque three ribbons Michael Sumberg two ribbons Michael Newman first in freestyle Sara Marks first in four events Racquetball DAVE MARY ALPER JCC Dec 15 tournament results A class: 1 Alan Trupkin 2 Frank Jacobs 3 Jay Rossin class: 1 Shelly Jacoby 2 Susan Suid 3 Bruce Shpinar class: 1 Joseph Forer 2 Lorn Leitman Age 8-10 class: 1 Elizabeth Villa- Ice hockey AMATEUR ADULT HOCKEY LEAGUE Ice Castle Skating Arena Dec 17 result Bandits 5 Dominators 2 Dec 19 results Sports Page Sharks 8 Screaming Eagles 5 Outlanders 11 Ice Pirates 7 League standings (as of Dec 19): Screaming Eagles 12-2 Dominators 9-5 Blake's Blazers 5-4 Hot Shots 3-2 Bandits 8-7 Outlanders 7-7 Sports Page Sharks 7-7 Patriots 4-5 Polar Bears 2-3 Ice Pirates 1-13 Basketball DAVE MARY ALPER JCC Teen League Dec 12 results Ballhogs 62 Warriors 52 Don't Quit 61 Braves 50 Duschkies 67 Warriors 53 Tarheels 71 Red Devils 43 Division A standings: Don't Quit 8-1 Tarheels 6-3 Braves 3-6 Red Devils 1-8 Division standings: Duschkies 7-5 Ballhogs 7-5 Warriors 4-8 Swimming DAVE A MARY ALPER JCC Blue Jays swim team results At Boca Raton JCC meet (Dec 15) Team standings: Boca Raton 305 points Blue Jays 1 15 MAR 105 Blue Jay individuals: David Farkas four ribbons Felipe Chor first place in kick board Daniel Chor first in breast Luis Arteaga and Mickey Martinez combined for a three-under-par 67 to take first place in the third Cuban American Golfers Association golf tournament Dec 21 at the Golf Club of Miami's east course Armando Llano and Jack Dor-ano combined for a 69 to take second place in the two-man scramble event Eddie Wilken and Chris O'Connor shot a 70 and finished third The next tournament which is open to the public will be in March For information call Emilio Alvarez at 594-9535 between 5 and 11 pm can 2 Eugene Villacian Age 13-15 class: 1 Jason Staple 2 Justin Forer 3 Barry Lauger Sports Vfeekend has the line-up of major sports events and local South Florida events so you can pick the winners TEAR WITH START THE NEW AUTOFAST TWO DINNERS FOR 1 LOW PRICE Any Two Free i Diagnosis (with this ad) Two Chicken Dinners $749 Served with french fries I Two I Beef or Pork Sandwiches I $499 I Served with Tune Up Batteries Diagnosis Alternators Starter General Repair Carb Overhaul Air Conditioning mm AEROBICS iffiv BODY M7 SCULPTING LOW IMPACT UVAn AEROBICS Jf 1 ftaBGHUa pubckase of io get io free classes i SPECIAL RATES FOR JUNGLE GYmC Dinners For $999 A real value! Served with french fries Shorty's creamy cole slaw bread 00 35 french fries I I Shorty's creamy I cole slaw bread I I I I Exp I 11592 QUICK OIL We'll take care of your car or truck! Value wm Sft2 Free i Emission i Test i (with this ad) I Excluding Baby Back Rib Plate Exp 1 1592 MHZ 2-7 Not valid with any other oMei 01 special OPEN 1 1AM-10PM 7 DAYS A WEEK 12120 SW 131 AVENUE 254-1677 CHANGE AND I LUBE I Miller Rd SW 55 St AUTOFAST PIm PrsMrt Coupon Wtwn Ordering $QKOO Corner oi University 6700 SW 1 1 7th Ave Decorate your home or apartment with tips from Home and Design' in Sunday's Herald 9200 Dixie Hwy I Stirling Rd 630-9900 Vol tie swtih SWT? St 596-9757 596-5549 665-5732 TAKE OUT AVAILABLE.