Shoot for 'Three-Peat'; Belle Tire Michigan Lawmen Receive National Trophy From Senator Burton Leland

LANSING, Mich., April 27 -- Michigan Senator Burton Leland today presented the Belle Tire Michigan Lawmen softball team the national championship trophy for winning the 2004 USSSA National Police Softball Championship. Sponsored by Belle Tire since 2000, the team has won the national championship twice in a row and is vying for a "three-peat" in 2005.

The Belle Tire Michigan Lawmen, who play in charity law enforcement tournaments across the country, raise money for the families of police officers who are killed or injured in the line of duty. The team won the national championship in 2004 by defeating the Cleveland Police Softball Association in the title game at Liberty Park in Sterling Heights, Mich., by a score of 23-12. Leland presented this year's trophy on the floor of the Michigan Senate.

"Belle Tire is proud to be the sponsor of this great team of champions," said Don Barnes, president of Belle Tire. "They are making an enormous difference through these tournaments in the lives of the families of so many who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our society. It's fitting that they are recognized for their contributions -- both on the field and off."

The Belle Tire Michigan Lawmen have a long history of bringing home the honors to Michigan in police softball tournaments. In addition to their national championships, the team has won the 2003 National Cleveland Police Memorial Softball Championship; the Detroit International Police Softball World Championship (three-time champions); the Ft. Worth, Texas, Law Enforcement USSSA Championship; the Las Vegas International Police Olympics Championship; Houston, Texas, Law Enforcement National Championship; and the Capitol Classic Washington D.C./Maryland Law Enforcement Championship.

The team has been in existence for more than 30 years, beginning as the Eastside Lawmen, around the time when police softball charity tournaments got their start. It transitioned over the years into the Troy Police Softball Club, Southeast Michigan Lawmen, Wayne/Oakland Police Softball Club, and in 2000 became the Belle Tire Michigan Lawmen.

Privately owned Belle Tire, which has 75 stores in Michigan and Ohio, is based in Allen Park, Mich. For more information visit the web site at http://www.belletire.com/ .