Saturday morning broke early for Burbank's California Crushers. The high school level girl's softball team arrived at McCambridge Park to begin their three-game quest for the ASA Fall Ball Championship. The Crushers had already won the league title the previous Saturday, but were now setting their sights on being the tournament champion.

First up for the Crushers (14-4), winners of the Major Division, were the California Flames (9-8), winners of the Minor Division. The Crushers' Maddy Long took the mound at 8:25a.m. to lead the defense. After one complete inning of play, the Crushers were leading 3-1. The 2nd inning was scoreless for both teams as they headed into the 3rd. The Flames sent four batters to the plate at the top of the 4th, pushing across a single run. The Crushers did not fair so well as they sent five batters to the plate without scoring a run, ending the inning with a one run lead: 3-2. The 4th inning created drama for the fans as the Flames were able to tie the score at 3-3. Seven batters faced the Flames in the bottom of the 4th, allowing Angela Parker and Nicole Molin to score for the Crushers. With time running out on them, the Flames began the 5th inning behind 5-3. Long faced four batters, striking out three (Long had four K's in the game). At 9:55, the plate umpire called game, sending the Crushers to the semi finals.

The semi final game saw the California Crushers play the Lady Hawks of Sylmar. The game went five innings with the Lady Hawks defeating the Crushers 3-2. Now given how much information was devoted to game one above, it may seem strange that only two sentences were devoted to the second game. As it turns out, drama unfolded in the championship game between Burbank Heat and the Lady Hawks that may affect the final tournament results. Based on information provided to the Burbank sports office by the Heat, a formal protest was made alleging player fraud on the part of the Lady Hawks' coaches. Specifically, it has been alleged that two players on the Hawks team were ineligible to play, as they had not signed the original roster. If these allegations prove true, then the Lady Hawks would have to forfeit the win against the Crushers as well as their 8-5 defeat of the Burbank Heat in the championship game.

Adults talk about the "me" generation and how people began to think of themselves ahead of others. Basically, it was a time when ego and self was the most important thing in life. What I wanted was more important than what you needed. Well, it would seem this self-centered attitude has spilled over to the sports world. We call it, "Win at any price." If the charges of using ineligible players by the Lady Hawks are true, then what was done to insure victory was more than a mistake. As of this writing, the California Crushers and the Burbank Heat are not sure where they ended in the championship tournament. ASA and the Burbank sports office must investigate the protested game. If the complaint is true, then a decision must be made on how to resolve the winner of the championship tournament: Should the Burbank Heat be named the winners and the California Crushers the 2nd place team? Or should a "new" championship game be scheduled next week? Well, we should know later this week. Stay tuned....