"Once again, our team had a blast! Eight years now I've been coming, and I don't see myself retiring anytime soon.  I'll go for as long as I'm able to play."

Eddie Rivera, Team Cocktails NYC

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Destination unknown. Guests are usually transported via motorcoach,  although last year's wheels turned out to be stretch limos, some equipped for pole dancin' players who showed better moves on the field. 
 

Then the show really begins - exceptional food, cold drinks, the competition rocks, the entertainment hops.  

In Vegas, the upscale Artisan played host. Elvis, the Rat Pack, a photo booth, a psychic, magician, masseuses', and the ever-famous Flip Cup Tournament provided plenty of entertainment.   

Visit our web site for additional photos and past ASWS history:

Player / Team Options: 

A. Enter your own team;  

B. Bring a few teammates, and we'll place you on the same team best suited to your desired level of play;  

C. The ASWS has been known to merge teams that can only bring 4-7 players;  

D. Come by yourself and meet new friends. 

For more 2011 ASWS details including estimated entry fees, contact: 

Michael Meiches

(310) 574-2800 OR 

Who Won OFF the Field in Las Vegas?

The Opening Night party kicked off with the "Minute To Win It" team competition that included a series of semi-challenging relays. The Baltimore Crabs & Beer team clawed its way to a rousing "W" sending an early message they had talent on and off the field. 

Instant "cred" before the first pitch? It wasn't that Todd Twohey (Burbank, CA) craftily managed his chip stack on the way to winning the Blackjack championship. And certainly it was more than a little coincidental that his girl friend, Jessica Chiu, avoided going  "all-in" to capture the No Limit Hold 'Em championship. Both won prize money that significantly offset event registration fees. But the real surprise here is that both were ASWS rookies (Coast 2 Coast), and the couple earned "instant star status prior to playing a single inning.

  Dannyboy's two Irish teams neatly choreographed its way to Jersey Parade honors. 

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS: OC Monster's co-ed and men's teams captured "Best in Show" with an eye-catching array of jersey designs and ensembles. 

Team Cocktails NYC sipped its way to the Flip Cup Championship, while the Mad Cows (London) showed off its promotional flair designing the "Best Team Section" in the Tournament Program.

Championship teams earn hardware for its stellar performance on-field, but the ASWS also goes one step beyond the diamond to recognize players that have made the game and this event so memorable. Jen Ball (Detroit) and Lenny Steren (Pasadena, CA) were named this year's Character of the Game recipients.

Since 1986, outstanding players and event contributors have been inducted into the ASWS Hall of Fame. Hallmarks for entry include a combination of talent, leadership, and at least five years participation. Tony Bolding (Austin) and Brian Jakubiak (Baltimore) were among eight inductees enshrined in Las Vegas.

New York's Kristi Womack and Northern Virginia's John Hutton.

Helen Fisher (Vancouver) and the Mad Cows' (London) three charismatic leaders: Paul "Rocket" Riley, Michael "Pie" Lee, and Dan Spinks.

SERIOUSLY, IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT THE BALL! Players all staying together under one roof, partying, and networking separates us from all other softball tournaments, but our ultimate goal is to stage a tournament filled with equally personable, competitive and recreational teams, and guarantee them more games than they'll play anywhere else. How did some get here?
 

A) When not wearing their trademark blue and gold the Krushgroovers are a group of legal, medical, and business professionals now spread out up and down the eastern seaboard and extending to Detroit, Dallas, and Southern California. The original team members started playing decades ago during law school in Boston. They've made the ASWS trip an annual reunion and without any practice have captured two men's division titles since 2007.
 

B) The Toro team (upper right) out of Calgary made its ASWS debut in Vegas. This family-oriented roster is no stranger playing in out of town tournaments including appearances in the Dominican Republic and Mexico. They first heard about us via local word of mouth, and was no doubt were attracted by the ASWS guaranteed 12-game schedule.
   C) How does a franchise get started? Sometimes it only takes a single player to declare this is the tournament to enter, and teammates will fall into place. Such was the case with the Dallas Hazmats (above), a fun-loving group that has competed in the ASWS since 2006. The team is able to secure some sponsor funding and creates lots of community fund-raising buzz every Spring staging a massive March Mayhem college basketball pool.
 

D) Sometimes it's all about what you call yourselves. A tight knit group of friends and business associates representing several teams from the New York Ad Softball League have introduced rather unique team names. This group started as "Rookies & Cream", moved in with "Your Mom", and last year proudly wore the "Sofa King" banner.
 

E) Irish team leadership (upper right) is outstanding, and their play in Las Vegas backed that up. With 15 rookies gracing the Benchwarmer's and Wolfhounds' rosters, the two teams combined to finish third overall in the Division I city championship standings.

F) All the Dallas-based teams add plenty of Southwestern charm and style to ASWS gatherings. Big D teams have competed in all 28 tournaments, and its 60+ player contingent is always searching for new players and teams. (Above: the first year Dallas Shockers' surround Pete Rose hoping he'll come out to DH for them.)

Battle of the Mascots: Seafood or Beef? The Baltimore Crabs & Beer and the London Mad Cows match up well on the field, and have become fast friends off the field, too. But who has the better mascot? Then there's the story of Drew (not pictured for security reasons), the lovable Vancouver "gnome" assigned to Eh Team rookies, who, for years, has been the repeated target of friendly abductors. 
 

Getting to Know: Two of the ASWS' most visible personalities: Niekko, a former cirque acrobat and dancer has been the master of World Series music, dance, and entertainment since 2003. The ever so popular Ms. Kitty entertains all with her daily dose of kitty litter gossip about everything not related to the actual game of softball. Kitty could write novels about "what really happens at the Ad World Series stays at the Ad World Series" ranging from successful business networking tales to how 46 couples first met at the tournament and later married.

So there you have it...

The ASWS - a tasteful blend of "Spring Break for adults and a large family reunion", mixed in with a whole lot of ball played in very nice destinations. As Ms. Kitty fittingly describes it:
 

"We are united here on and off the field for one noble purpose: to compete, to make new friends, to reacquaint with old friends, to escape from our sometimes drab adult lives, to dance, to drink, win, lose, play more ball than anyone can imagine, and party our butts off. Now, let's get dirty together, shall we?" 
 
Hope you've enjoyed learning more about the ASWS and reminiscing about Las Vegas. A new season is just around the corner, so maybe you'll want to forward this round of newsletters and our website link to potential recruits and team sponsors... and stir up a little interest for October in... ?
 

The Final Piece of the '11 Puzzle:

- A WORLD-CLASS CITY

- TOURNEY HEADQUARTERS (pretty nice digs and gearing up for us)

- BALL FIELDS (passes the eye test)

Until Friday...