AFA National Tournament

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Beaumont Blast Gold's Melissa Verde pitches as Colleen Carerra (No. 2, left) prepares to run and Janie Juarez (No. 9, right) is at bat during the American Fastpitch Association National Tournament at Ford Park in Beaumont on Tuesday, August 1, 2006.


Beaumont Blast Gold's Melissa Verde dives to first base during the American Fastpitch Association National Tournament against the Texas Tigers of Seguin, Texas at Ford Park. Although the Beaumont Blast fielded several teams this year, the Gold team won the tournament last year.

We selected these two images before we checked the jersey numbers and realized both images are of the same person. Good job Melissa. :-)

I've also updated the "How to shoot baseball and softball" post. Thanks to Gatorbait for the info.

The rule in softball is the players can't lead off the base, however they can run and potentially steal bases as soon as the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.