DECATUR - A long, hot summer of men's fast-pitch softball is grinding toward the finish line for the Decatur Pride.
Three events remain on the Pride's schedule, including this weekend's Illinois Amateur Softball Association Open tournament in Altamont. The tournament, with eight teams competing Saturday and Sunday, will run in conjunction with the ASA Class C state tournament.
The Pride's portion of the tournament is not a qualifier. Decatur (37-5) is already assured of a spot in the ASA Men's Major Fast-pitch National Tournament beginning next Thursday in South Bend, Ind. A total of 14 teams are entered in that, including one Canadian team.
Then there's the International Softball Congress World Tournament from Aug. 13-21 in Midland, Mich. That's a 48-team extravaganza with Jarvis, Ontario, currently ranked No. 1 in the world.
First, though, is this weekend's warm-up in Altamont, and Pride manager Scott Standerfer said he believes his team is ready.
"There will be some pretty good teams entered, and we'll see some good pitching," Standerfer said. He said Pete's Blues from Mascoutah, with a young Czech Republic pitcher who just arrived in the United States within the past month, will be one of the threats, along with Pinckneyville and a couple of teams from Rockford.
The Pride seems to have settled two health issues. All-America shortstop David Boys, who has yet to play with a shoulder injury, will miss the entire season. That was not shocking news, but it's a blow for Boys, who has enjoyed a long and storied career.
"I'm not sure what David is going to do," Standerfer said. "If he wants to continue to play, he'll probably need surgery. But I'm not sure if he wants to keep playing."
Robbie Tirpak, who has been out following knee surgery, returns to the team this weekend.
"We'll put him out there," Standerfer said. "He still hasn't tested the knee like he needs to going into the nationals. He just wants to contribute. The big thing for him this weekend is testing the knee - the first time you slide, the first time you go back on a ball and cut, that's when you get confidence in your knee again."
Standerfer said the team's pitching has been good, despite an occasional hiccup. He said pitchers Brent Stevenson, Karl Gollan and Jim Hartman are all healthy, and the pitching depth could be a factor if this weekend's weather continues to be scalding hot.
As for the hitting, it's been solid, too, especially in the absence of Boys.
"Camden Decker is hitting very well now," Standerfer said. "Ty Morganthaler is on a tear of late. Drew Minton is starting to hit like he's capable of. Karl Gollan is swinging the bat like he should. And Dean Lambert has been a nice surprise all year. He's hitting about .370 and has had a great year."
Standerfer said he has the parings for ASA Men's Major tournament, and Decatur will open up next Thursday against Ashland (Ohio) Stockpack. Teams will play Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The two finalists compete for the national title on Sunday, Aug. 8.
mtupper@herald-review.com|421-7983
