When it comes to power hitting, no one can launch bombs quite like Denny Crine. The 6-foot-6-inch, 300-pounder has a sweet swing and the physique of a cleanup hitter.

But he's not a coveted New York Yankees prospect, and he has no future as a major leaguer.

Crine, 34, is a teacher at Mannion Middle School in Henderson.

In late September, Crine won the LongHaul Bombers competition -- a slow-pitch softball home run derby -- and was crowned the national home run king.

A 1992 graduate of Basic High School, Crine advanced through qualifying rounds at major league parks in New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and St. Petersburg, Fla. He hit nine homers in 15 swings and then survived a sudden-death round to win the finals at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

The finals were staged before a Chicago White Sox-Minnesota Twins game, and Crine said his last homer was "pushing 500 feet." The proof can be seen on YouTube videos and at softball360.com.

"We got good crowds, and th......