Bono signals Number One.	Commissioner displays tournie brackets.	Occassionally the older team prevails.

Based on a spotty .500 record during the season, this club was the #5 seed out of 9 entrants going into the big playoff weekend. But the old boys (average age 42) put it all together when it mattered as the Woodbangers knocked off first the Goodwoods 8-4 in the 9am game, then Da Pigs 11-1 at noon then the top seeded Sushi Spot 18-5 in the nightcap. In the championship tussle at 4:15 in the afternoon, the Woodbangers were a big underdog to the heavily sponsored Sushi Spot squad who sported uniforms, top-of-the-line equipment and, most importantly, an average age of 30-ish. (There were also rumors of possible ringers swirling around the confines of Perigot Park.) None of this mattered however as the “Bangers” opened up a 7-0 lead by spraying line drives all over the field. Meanwhile the Sushis were hitting harmless pop-ups as they could not solve the offerings of MVP twirler Johnny S who issued no walks and fielded his position like an all-star. On the slugging side, none contributed more than Banger shortstop lanky Lane B who, at 6-4, 210, can crush that ball like few can. In addition, outfielder Mark S went 7 for 9 on the day to help power the victors. It was a “long day at the office” for sure but worth every minute of it.

Expanding on the softball get-together, five NSAAers enjoyed a backpacking trip up to Granite Lake, just north of Weaverville.

L to R

"The picture was taken at the campsite at Granite Lake in the Trinity Alps. It was about a 3 hour drive for JoJo and Joe Cato from Ashland and a similar trek for Jill G, Tommy, and Jason, from Eureka to the trailhead. The campsite was literally in the middle of nowhere, being 5 miles in with a 2,000 feet elevation gain."