On Thursday, December 11, 2014, Fire Station 92 hosted the finals of the LAFD Fall Singles Handball Tournament. Due to an all chiefs meeting, I didn’t have the opportunity to watch every match. This article was prepared with the assistance of Joe Castro.
This year “A” finals for the Department handball championship was a glimpse of the future of LAFD Handball. Engineer Chris Yokoyama from FS-92 (now captain at FS-82) defended his title with a hard fought two-game victory over A/O Alex Garcia from FS-66. The first game was give and take with Garcia charging out to an early lead with his strong natural serve down the right side and aggressive frontcourt play. The two were tied at 17 when Chris’s high percentage handball strategy of deep court passes and ceiling balls began to pay off. Yokoyama won the final two points to take game one, then turned up the heat in game two to drive out to a substantial early lead that he would never relinquish. With Silvera retired, Vilaubi and Castro old, Libby hurt (and old), Yokoyama figures to dominate for a while. That being said, Garcia is playing a lot of outside handball and improving every day. With his fearless shooting style and athletic ability he can beat anyone. Ryan Chance from Fire Station 82, took Yokoyama to a tiebreaker in the semis and also figures prominently in any discussion regarding the next LAFD handball champion.
Richard Ramirez from FS-66 defeated Jack Baham FS-33 in the “B” Division. Battalion 13 players, mainly from FS-66 made at least the semi-finals in every division. Michael Vitar, FS-98 defeated Dustin Carson, FS-66 in the “C” finals. Shane Hirsch, FS-61 defeated Alfred Balestra, FS-26 in the “D” final. In keeping with an annual tradition, Jesus Pasos (retired) defeated Joe Castro (BES) in the Master’s final to extend Castro’s record of the most losses to Pasos in tournament play.
All players received nice pullovers with LAFD HANDBALL displayed on the back, and lunch prepared by the crew at FS-92. Champions and finalists received embroidered bags as prizes.
From the looks of the LAFD Ladder, FS-82 will be the “Top Station” very soon!
The Royal Flush Singles and Doubles Handball Tournament is in Las Vegas, February 6-8, 2015. Come on out and represent LAFD Handball. Call Joe Harris at (702)348-4209 to sign up.
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There current LAFD Handball Ladder is as follows:
Chris Yokoyama (82)
Alex Garcia (66)
John Libby (3)
Ryan Carlos (92)
Ryan Chance (82)
Joe Castro (BES)
Jared Cooper (82)
Trevor Ensley (66)
Mario Rueda (BES)
Eddie Marez (60)
Gary Maga (69)
Rex Villaubi (63)
Ladd Stilson (95)
Colin Smith (4)
Branden Silverman (92)
Paul Croghan (40)
Richard Ramirez (66)
David Diaz (26)
Jack Baham (33)
Danny Beltran (82)
By Roy Harvey
