KHAMIS MUSHAYT , 4 January — Al-Rabie team captured Khamis Softball League Tournament crown in a thrilling encounter which required extra innings. It was finally decided in the last half of the 8th inning when Sean Shannon crushed a 2-strike, 3-run homer over the outer wall in left field to lift Al-Rabie to a 22-21 victory against a gallant Al-Jazeera Paints squad. This led to Sean’s unanimous selection as tournament MVP after his 5-5, 3 homer, 7-RBI.
Mando Martinez, "Gold Glove" winner, earlier had preserved the game for Al-Rabie with a Derek Jeter-like diving catch of a bases-loaded smash off the bat of Sam Young which was destined for extra bases.
Earlier, Mando had been selected near unanimously as the league’s MVP, due to his consistently high level of play. Tom Shrine had received the remaining votes.
Anchoring the outfield for Al-Rabie in left-center was Steve Davenport, perennial All Star and proud father of a new baby boy.
Earlier the Express had won a hard fought victory, 14-12 over the Camels. This was earned mostly on the strength of Clay Brass, the current "Oldest Softball Player in the Kingdom". Trailing by 2 runs with 2 outs in the last half of the 7th inning, the old fella actually struck out, but was awarded first base on the seldom called "catcher’s interference" rule. Oddly enough, this seemed to spark his team’s rally. The Fair Play Award was given to Sal Manila after he accidentally broke the second baseman’s leg with a hard slide, but then was tagged out while seeing if he was OK before time was called.
