By Tom Rohrer
A world championship in a team sport takes a combination of talent, teamwork and a little luck.
Whatever the combination was for the Bully’s Ballin’ women’s slow-pitch team, it worked, as they were crowned the United States Specialty Sports Association class-B World Champions for their victory over the Minnesota Thunderbolts on Sunday, Sept. 23, in Orlando, Fla.
Comprised of 12 women from the Puget Sound area (most of the team resides in the Olympia area), the Bully’s roster included Amanda Scott, Lindsey Gerheim, Jeannie Cowell, Cindy Wimberly, Ashely Doolen, Nicole Hadley, Kelli Sorsdahl, Theresa Williams, Amanda Randall, Julie Pollastro, Lisa Bull, Amy Scholl Streavel, Leslie Ann Baker, Kerri Ladines, Jessica Klein and Vanessa Trimble.
Coached by Tim Streavel and Steve Bull, the Bully’s were able to overcome a second round defeat to the Thunderbolts in the 8 team bracket and won an astounding five consecutive games to win the championship. The two final victories came over the Thunderbolts, as it was a double elimination tournament. Outscoring their opponent 23-9 in the final two games, the Bully’s used a combination of strong hitting, reliable pitching and impeccable fielding to take bring the championship back to Washington.
“We’ve tried to win it every year for at least the last eight years with the same core of players,” said coach Steve Bull. “It was an exciting victory for all of us and all our supporters. Everyone had the same common goal to win it, and it certainly was a challenge.”
“It was kind of unreal at first. We played and played and played back to back games and all of a sudden it was over,” Bull continued. “The tears were flowing and all the emotions, it was pretty incredible.”
Amy Scholl was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player while Steve’s wife Lisa Bull took home offensive MVP honors. Kelli Sorsdahl, Ashley Doolen, Julie Pollastro, Nicole Hadley, Amanda Randall and Theresa Williams each were named to the all-tournament team as well.
“I think this team showed it had a lot of depth and talent,” Steve Bull said. “It took every single person to make (the championship) happen. Everyone was out there for each other.”
The Bully’s played three games on Friday, Sept. 21, before their four consecutive victories on Sunday, all of which were in the hot and humid conditions associated with central Florida.
“It’s one thing that’s difficult to prepare for,” Steve Bull said of the humidity and heat. “It never gets that hot or humid around Washington so it was very draining for the team. When you play multiple games a day, you have to rest and sub appropriately. Tim Streavel was instrumental on preparing for that all year long and made sure we could make a lot of substitutions to get players rest and to keep fresh bodies out there.”
The championship victory for Steve Bull was even more special, as he got to witness his wife trouble opposing defenses all tournament long en route to the offensive MVP honors. However, Lisa’s performance was not surprising to her husband.
“She’s one of the more powerful hitters in the state and she hits the ball out of the park consistently which isn’t common for most female players,” Steve Bull said. “We call her the ‘X-factor’ because there is no one like her.”
The Bull’s share another honor within the sport, as they’re the only husband and wife combination to both be inducted into the USSSA Washington softball hall-of-fame. Steve is part of the class of 2006, while Lisa received the honor in 2010. It should be of no surprise then that Steve and Lisa met while playing on a co-ed team in 1994.
“It’s really special to share something like that,” Steve Bull said. “I would say I was more proud when Lisa was inducted. It’s a huge achievement for women to be honored at the state level.”
Hall of fame honors and world championships aside, the Bully’s will soon be preparing for a shot at a championship repeat, and the head coach likes the team’s odds.
“We’re going to have a team get together in December and begin planning for the season and the process all over again and go for repeat next year,” Bull said. “With the team we’ve got in place and the way they all get along, I think there is a good chance we can do it.”
