WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. June 13, 2004: Total Kaos of Harrison outduelled White Plains Explosion Orange, 3-0, to win championship of the First Annual Explosion 12-and-Under Spring Blast Fast Pitch Softball Tournament at Ridgeway Field today, but the real winners were the girls of White Plains who will be playing fastpitch softball in the years to come for the Explosion organization. Another  "professional" Fast Pitch organization has established itself in White Plains with a tournament competition featuring 2 White Plains Explosion teams, Scarsdale, Harrison, Taconic, Mount Pleasant,  Yorktown and Chappaqua that Harrison's coach Neil Marino said was "fantastic,  good play, good competition and good sportsmanship."

CHAMPIONS AND RUNNERS UP HANG OUT: Total Kaos of Harrison coached by  Neil Marino, upper left back, in powder blue and White Plains Orange, coached by Larry Giordano second row, far right mingle after the tense 3-0 final today. Photo by WPCNR Sports

Larry Giordano, Coach of White Plains Explosion Orange, said the Explosion's first tournament was "extremely successful, we had about 300 to 400 people attending." Many White Plains local businesses supported the tournament with donations of food, soda and services.

CROWDS HANG OUT AFTER THE GAME: Sponsors donated foods and services, making the tournament a financial success for the Explosion. Snack bar was handled by many Explosion parents and parents attending the action in a great community softball effort. Photo by WPCNR Sports

THE BRAIN TRUST: Looking like those old shots of Casey Stengel and his coaching staff in the 1950s, the White Plains Explosion coaches pose after the successful Tournament.  Photo by WPCNR Sports.

Kaos Coach, Neil Marino, talks about the action with White Plains Explosion's Joe Pizzarello. Marino complimented his pitcher, 11- year-old Ashley Marino,  who pitched 14 innings in the Tournament, who has mastered a fastball, drop, curve and "the beginnings of a riseball." Ashley, named the MVP of the Tournament struck out 8 White Plains batters in the championship, in the 3-0 win and 6   White Plains Black batters in the first Semi-Finalm where she beat the Black, 7-1. Marino praised his entire team for their "team defensive effort" in the final game. Larry Giordano, White Plains Orange Coach,  said "The play of the White Plains Orange defense was excellent, superb. This was a learning experience." He singled out Charlotte Zietel for great play at the hot corner (third base), and praised the efforts of Lauren Sputo, whom he said pitched "superbly"  giving up only 3 runs on the day. Photo by WPCNR Sports

GET BEHIND THE EXPLOSION WHEN YOU GET AN EXPLOSION BUMPER STICKER: Gabriella Durante's Mom, Lorraine, designed the distinctive White Plains Explosion Bumber Sticker that stylish bumper chutes will be sporting this summer. To get one or find out more about playing with White Plains own travel-team organization next year, call 288-9526. The organization sponsors, 1-unders, 12-unders, and 14-under teams. The Explosion 12-and-unders start a 25 game WPBA Schedule next week, and will play another tournament this summer. Photo by WPCNR Sports

WHITE PLAINS BUSINESSES LOVE THE WHITE PLAINS EXPLOSION! White Plains merchants and services who supported the Spring Blast Tournament and the Explosion organization made the success of the tournament possible. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. White Plains Business! Photo by WPCNR Sports