Omaha, NE. The 2009 Omaha SlumpBuster Tournament began with a slow start due to rain delays but quickly lived up to it’s reputation. TravelBallSelect.com favorites Banditos Black, Banditos Black South, Houston Angels all from Texas and Team Phenom (an up and coming team from Southern California) were all making a run for the number one seeding. When the day ended Team Phenom was able to hold off the hard charging Houston Angels who finished 2nd, followed by the Banditos Black finishing 3rd,Team Mizuno Houston 4th, and the Banditos Black South finishing 5th.  Championship Sunday had all the makings for an epic battle with Texas well represented.

Weather once again played a roll in delaying games, but it was going to take more than a few raindrops to prevent these 9U titans from clashing. In the battle of the Texas teams Team Mizuno-Houston faced off against the Banditos Black South. This hard fought battle went back and forth with the Banditos Black South winning a nail biter 8-6.  With the victory, the Banditos Black South were set to face Team Phenom, the pride of Southern California Baseball in the semifinal game. The game started off with the Banditos Black South taking an early 1-0 lead, but the boys from Southern California would not go down easy and fought back taking the game down to the wire and winning 4-3.

The other semifinal game was for Texas bragging rights pitting the Houston Angels against the Banditos Black. This Texas battle went back and forth and down to the wire.  Both teams utilized great hitting and pitching to help them stay in the game, but when the dust settled the Banditos Black pulled out the 9 -6 victory moving them into the finals to face Team Phenom.

The Championship game of the tournament featured TBS #2 ranked Team Phenom vs. TBS #5 ranked the Banditos Black.  This game was a true battle of the best and a reason why so many teams travel to Omaha to be a part of the SlumpBuster Tournament.  Both teams opened the game with unbelievable pitchers that were focused and on a mission.  The Banditos took an early lead with some well placed hits and skilled base running, but Team Phenom put together their own string of hits and crafty base running to knot up the score.  Team Phenom continued their timely hitting and scoring and when the final out of the tournament was recorded Team Phenom took the trophy with a 5-2 win.

Team Phenom General Manager Joe Killer was elated following the teams victory, he stated "two months prior to the tournament the boys set a goal to win the SlumpBuster Tournament.  It's through their hard work and dedication that this was possible, I have a special group of young men who have the ability to accomplish anything that they set their minds to on and off the field".  He went on to further state how impressed he was with the level of baseball talent that was at the tournament. He was especially impressed with the advanced baseball skills and ability of the Texas teams.

Team Phenom is the first team from California to capture the 9U title at the SlumpBuster National Tournament.

TravelBallSelect.com would like to congratulate both teams for an exciting final game on father’s day that was one for the record books.

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