The annual ASANA (Amateur Sports Alliance of North America) World Series, held Aug. 23-27 in Philadelphia, certainly was a memorable one—as much off the field as it was on it.
The event "started with a shake and ended with a blast," said Bob Lenahan, co-chairman of the annual women's softball extravaganza that featured five teams from Chicago. "Despite starting with an earthquake and ending with a hurricane, we were able to complete all of the championship games with the exception of the C-Division.
"The Philadelphia Sunday Hangovers and the Atlanta Gamma teams showed some great competition and great softball that forced the 'if' game. Unfortunately, Mother Nature won out and Hurricane Irene caused the cancellation of the final game and the two teams were crowned co-champs."
The Philadelphia NJ Gems captured the B-Division title, defeating the Fort Lauderdale New Moon Pride in the championship game.
The Philadelphia Simon 369ers defeated the Philadelphia Foul Play to win the D-Division title.
"It was a Series that clearly will be remembered for the great times, great events and great competition," Lenahan said. "The Opening Ceremonies and Series were one of the largest to date, and everyone went home not only filled with cheesesteaks but great memories."
None of the Chicago teams advanced far in the tournament. In fact, all five Chicago teams lost their first pool-play games. The Chicago Nubians and the Chicago Moodswings each lost its first game in the double-elimination portion of the B-Division of the Series.
The Chicago Breeze lost to the Los Angeles Nemesis in its first pool play game in C-Division.
The Chicago Raw Energy Minors and Chicago Raw Energy Majors also fell into the loser's bracket immediately.
—In other softball news, here are the results from the season-ending playoffs from the predominantly male open division of Sunday softball, run by the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA):
B-Division:
Champions: Spin Cougars
Runner-up: Downtown Bar & Lounge
C1-Division:
Champions: Sidetrack Blues
Runner-up: Halsted's Chargers
C2-Division:
Champions: Jackhammer Pamas
Runner-up: Crew Litening
C3-Division:
Champions: Roadhouse 66 Lucky Charmers
Runner-up: Downtown Wicked
D1 Division:
Champion: SoFo
D2 Division:
Champions: Blueberry Moon Salon
Runner-up: Hamburger Mary's Rec Room Wreckers
