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I just wanted to send you a few pictures of my men's 12 inch softball team. We play in the Chicagoland area where softball is taken very seriously!
I also just wanted to say that we now only use Miken Bats. A few years ago we used a mix of Worth, Demarini, and Easton bats. All have fallen apart and cracked.
The only bats still in use and that we have bought more of are the Mikens! The bat that I use personally is the Miken Freak Plus. It's truly amazing how this bat performs.
It was just a few years ago when our team couldn't even make the playoffs, and just last week our team took second out of the whole league.
I can honestly say that the Miken bats hgave made that possible.
Thanks so much!
Jonathan Escondo
Hi, my name is Jason Roberts, I am the head coach of the U-10 Diamond Express from Parkersburg West Virginia. We used the new Miken Rain bat all year and loved it. The bats performed great and gives our girls more confidence in their hitting. We had 5 Miken Rains of different sizes, the Miken Halo, and the Icon, but our favorite was the Rain. The head coach of last years' U-12 but decided to split the girls and do both age groups. Being a first year team last year we had our ups and downs. The World Series tournament in Columbus, Ohio was unbelievable. We started the tournament getting beat 17 to 0 and 12 to 0. The team was just completely overwhelmed with intimidation. When Saturday came they started the same way but came back to play really good against a good team, this gave our girls confidence that they could play with the other teams in the tournament. The next day we beat the #2 seeded team in our bracket, we were the #8 seed. This game alone made all of us coaches proud of what our girls accomplished for the season. The team in the ASA tournament picture is the West Virginia Wild Ones (best team we played all year). We preach sportsmanship and respect and we got it from our girls on and off the field. This is just a small part of our story and we would love to have it shared with others in the softball world. Thank you for your time.
Jason Roberts
September 13, 2009 - San Diego, CA - The Long Haul Bombers paraded into Petco Park for the second time this season, but this time there were more nerves and the stakes were higher. This was the site for the 2009 Stadium Power Tour finals. Not only was the title of "Home Run Champion" on the line, but also the grand prize - a side-by-side Polaris Ranger RZR. The finals were the thirteenth stop for the top four Long Haul Bombers, who accumulated the most points during the previous twelve home run derbies.
The Bombers hit in the following order, as chosen by themselves:
1. Denny Crine, Team Miken
2. Jeff Hall, Team Worth
3. Brett Helmer, Team Easton
4. Brian Wegman, Team Easton
Three of the four manufacturers were present, making it a breeding ground for trash talking and game playing before the derby. "The big man has been dominating this season, but I'm ready," said Jeff Hall to Denny Crine. "I've had a good run lately. He had better watch out!" Crine was last year's champion and was looking for a repeat performance.
Brett Helmer recalled that scene from last season, as he was just one home run away from winning it himself. "Denny and I tied at the finals last year, and it came down to a hit-off," explained Helmer. Last year, both Bombers hit their first two pitches but not out of the park. Then Helmer hit a bomb into the stands behind right field. "I thought the title was mine, but the ball was called foul. It was heart breaking," said Helmer. Both each hit another, but neither were homeruns. Finally, Denny Crine smashed a ball into the stands and was instantly the 2008 champion. It was an exciting finish to last year, but Helmer was looking for first place and wouldn't settle for second.
As always, each hitter was given 15 swings to hit as many out of the park as possible. Crine started strong with a score of 11. He was followed by Hall who also started strong, hitting 9 home runs out of 10 swings. He had 5 swings remaining to hit 2 to tie or 3 to jump to the lead. Unfortunately, Hall choked and couldn't get the ball in the air. His finals score was 9 home runs. "I'm disappointed. I went 9 for 10 and thought I could do it. But I choked. I'm not upset, though. It was a great season, and I'm glad I was a part of it. You better bet you'll see me hitting here next year!"
Helmer stepped up to the plate next, looking to settle the score from last year. Unfortunately, he couldn't do it. He tallied 9 home runs, tying Jeff Hall for second. "I'm disappointed, but I gave a solid performance. Nine is a good score, but it wasn't enough to win it," said Brett.
Last up was Wegman who hit 6 of his first 8 into the stands. But Wegman couldn't catch Crine either. He accumulated 9 home runs total, tying Hall and Helmer for second. "We couldn't catch him!" said Wegman of Denny Crine, "But he deserves it. Denny led in scoring the whole season. The best man won."
There were many congratulations, laughs and more trash talking after the event wrapped. The Bombers are looking forward to an off-season, but already have their sights set on next year. "This year, the bar was raised yet again," said veteran Brett Helmer. "Every year the guys get better and better. This year, you had to consistently score in the double-digits in order to get in the finals. Next year it may take 13's and 14's to get you in there. It's amazing."
In addition to winning the title of "Home Run Champion, Denny Crine also won the Manufacturer's Cup along with his Team Miken teammate Geno Buck. The Manufacturer's Cup was awarded to the team with the most home runs during the regular season.
Team Miken Takes Home the Manufacturer's Cup
September 8, 2009 - Minneapolis, MN - The Long Haul Bombers finished their regular season on August 28th in Cincinnati, OH, the twelfth stop along the Stadium Power Tour. The final scores are as follows:
Denny Crine and Geno Buck were awarded the prized Manufacturer's Cup (the award for most combined team points) for the second consecutive season, making the Miken name proud. "I'm really glad that we were able to bring home the Manufacturer's Cup. It was a close battle with Easton. They really gave us a run for our money," said Team Miken's Geno Buck. Denny Crine, who also took home the top individual points for the regular season, shared the same sentiment as his teammate, "I wanted to win in overall points even more than the individual points. This is a big win for Miken and shows that it is a great brand."
Now, the top four Long Haul Bombers continue on to the finals in San Diego, CA on September 13, 2009. While the points are what got each of the hitters to the finals, they don't matter anymore. The slate is wiped clean, and everyone starts with an even zero. The Long Haul Bomber who hits the most bombs will be crowned the 2009 Stadium Power Tour champion.
The Bombers were able to choose their batting order for the finals based on their rank from the regular season. They chose the following order:
1. Denny Crine - Team Miken
2. Jeff Hall - Team Worth
3. Brett Helmer - Team Easton
4. Brian Wegman - Team Easton
Fans can follow the Long Haul Bombers on TV's Softball 360 or online at www.softball360.com.
From Greg Hartwick #17 -
LongHaul/Phonemasters/Miken
The 2009 Dudley was the coming out party for the LongHaul Bombers. Running through the tourney undefeated beating #1 Resmondo and defending USSSA champions Dan Smith twice along the way. They say the Dudley is when the season really starts, so maybe we are coming together at the right time. Awesome hitting and timely defense was a major recipe for success. Ryan Robbins has provided a huge base hitting spark at the top of the lineup. He is using the Psycho and putting together one of the best basehitting displays I have ever seen. Jeremy Isenhower has been steady all year and smashes the ball using the MV1. Brett McCollum hit the ball as far as anyone in the country using the MV1. I'm very impressed with Robert Blackburn's game. He works as hard as anyone and it shows. He always does the right thing and never misses a homerun opportunity. Geno Buck had a big weekend in front of the home crowd pitching brilliantly and smashing every pitch. Every single player was used in this victory and it was definitely a team win.
From Greg Hartwick #17 -
LongHaul/Phonemasters/Miken
The New MV-1 has surpassed all expectations. From the first swing in BP to the last in the tournament, every ball jumps. This is the first bat I have swung that I can tell a significant difference going through the infield. I would suggest going down an ounce from your normal bat to offset the endloaad. The MV-1 is not only the best looking bat, but the best performing bat I have swung.
From Greg Hartwick #17 -
LongHaul/Phonemasters/Miken
"Since the changes in ASA over the past few years I thought my days of playing were over. The Miken Vicious has changed everything for me. If you liked the Freak you will love the Vicious! Immediately out of the wrapper I was hitting balls 20 ft further than any other ASA bat. With the feel and sweet spot I've come to enjoy from Miken - there will NOT be another ASA bat on the market even close."
From Caleb McDowell - D Class Arkansas
"Just recently had the chance to preview the new Miken Vicious. This bat felt very solid and reminded me quite a bit of the original Miken Freak. The Vicious was hot just out of the wrapper and seemed to have a large "sweet spot" and quite a bit of room for error. I swung the 34" 27oz and liked it very much. Miken continues to put quality bats on the market that I have found to be superior to the competitors in its class. Very anxious to get this new bat in my bag!"
From Miken Hockey
(Caledonia MN, January 2009) - Composite equipment innovator Miken Sports moves to the ice with the introduction of the new MV-1 hockey stick. Miken's proprietary Multi-Layer Biaxial Technology merges continuous strands of high-performance carbon fiber to produce the consistent energy transfer that can only be achieved in a true one-piece stick. The MV-1 is engineered with 100% aerospace grade carbon fiber for unmatched performance and durability.
The sleek tapered shaft profile maximizes torsional control for increases velocity and precision. The MV-1's solid blade provides unsurpassed durability and optimizes puck feel for consistent release off the stick.
"We are excited to bring our technology to the game of hockey with the launch of the new MV-1. It was a natural progression, and our team of engineers has developed a stick that will generate a storm on the ice," stated Miken Sports Business Manager Jim Hoscheit. "This stick was developed by the nation's top composite engineers and elite players to ensure that it meets our standards for performance and durability." "When they hit the ice with the MV-1 it was explosive. We identified a void in the market for a high-performance stick that can deliver the durability that players are looking for. The MV-1 is that stick," stated Hoscheit.
The MV-1 is engineered and manufactured in the USA, supported by a full 60 day warranty. The MV-1 is available in three blade profiles (RH/LH) for a suggested retail of $249.95 at authorized Miken dealers.
To view the complete hockey lineup visit www.mikenhockey.com.
