Lackawanna Tourney

For teams that can't get into Au Sable but are still interested in a Northern New York road tour on the second weekend in July, the Lackawanna Mickey Brennan Memorial is an interesting option. Lackawanna is near Buffalo, and coincidentally not that far from Darien Lake.

This year's double knock out event had 13 teams (not including one late withdrawal) and included the champs Ashland Stockpack, the New York Bombers and Niagara Snappers. Other decent teams included Dunkirk Fastpitch (who had Bill Hillhouse throwing), Lackawanna LA Lounge (Barry Van Hooser) and Lackawanna Big John's Orange (Gord Scott).

Things are a little spread out as they have three diamonds in three different locations but Junior Rodriguez and the gang put on a good event. No beer garden, but BYOB was not a problem as spectators had their own fully stocked coolers, including at least one cooler full of duty-free 50.

Bud Hanlon, Jon Daley and yours truly attended with the Elkland ESA Thunderbellys (finished 1-2) and thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and facing some decent teams and good pitching.

Speaking of Elkland, they still have room in the Labour Day tournament - see this earlier posting for more info. Great guys that put on a classic tourney in an outstanding venue.