YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – He’s won Marine Corps East and West Coast and Far East regional tournaments as well as open tournaments with his Singapore-based Fattboyz softball club in such diverse locales as Bangkok, Jakarta, Taipei and Manila.
Armando Delsi on Monday added Yokota to that list. The three-time All-Marine and former All-Armed Forces shortstop homered twice and drove in three runs as the Fattboyz held off host Yokota 26-24 in the 6th Kanto Kup Interservice Softball Tournament championship game.
“It always feels good to win, especially with this group,” Delsi, 38, a major based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., said of the Fattboys, comprised of players from Japan, Singapore, Dubai and even a handful from the States, including Pendleton teammate Joshua Rumey.
“These are my friends from literally all over the world,” said Delsi, who hails from Hacienda Heights, Calif. “It’s good to come play with friends and come to tournaments and win.”
Monday’s slugfest featured 16 home runs, 10 by the Fattboyz. Tournament organizers, who had imposed a home-run cap, mercy rules and a 60-minute time limit on earlier games, removed them all and let the teams “cut loose,” Yokota fitness and sports director Patrick Coleman said.
Fattboyz’ Brian Henderson, a civilian from Jacksonville, Fla., led the hit parade, belting five home runs in five at bats with 11 RBI. Rumey pitched in with a pair of long balls and six RBI, while Sean Schlowss went 4-for-5 for the Fattboyz. Ryan Thompson just missed the cycle, going 3-for-3 with two walks, a double, triple and homer.
After falling behind 7-0 in the top of the first inning, Fattboyz rallied to outscore Yokota 6-1 in the second inning to lead 11-8; they never trailed again.
But the host Warriors stayed on the Fattboyz’ heels the rest of the way. Chad Baldini feted his birthday by ripping two solo homers. Marcus Meeks was 4-for-4 with two homers and seven RBIs, Preston Bolen went 2-for-3 with two sacrifice flies and four RBIs and Ty Bandy went 3-for-4 with a sacrifice fly and four RBIs.
It was the first championship in two tries at the Kanto Kup for the Fattboyz. Yokota won the tournament the first three years it was held, at old Wilkins Park; the Warriors have since lost twice in the last three finals.
