Teams From 6 States, Canada Vie For North Titles

Dec. 1, 2014 – Joe Ruggiero SSUSA staff

LANSING, MICH. – Forty-one teams returned here to compete for the Northern Championships and a berth in the Tournament of Champions in Florida. In its 8th year running, the Northern Championships fielded teams from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada.

Tournament Director Tim McElroy said the tournament “didn’t miss a beat” despite rain earlier in the week and well into the manager’s meeting the night before play began.

McElroy emphasized that the maintenance staff at the both East Lansing Sports Complex and Lake Alliance Sports Complex “were spectacular and took care of the fields despite the bad weather.”

Aided by the Greater Housing Sports Authority (GHSA), McElroy remarked that representatives were on-site throughout the tournament to “help out and to answer player’s questions about restaurants and hotels in the surrounding area.” McElroy explained that players greatly appreciated GHSA’s assistance.

Featuring 10 divisions, the Northern Championships hosted talented teams with the 50/55 Platinum division leading off with some strong performances by DLB Softball and Doug & Don’s.

With five teams competing, Doug & Don’s was the first team to fall to the mighty bats of DLB Softball 20-17. Mowing down the competitors in the elimination bracket, Doug & Don’s defeated CPOA/CLE 25-16 and Big Ten 22-10 to gain a spot in the semifinals.

Meanwhile DLB Softball outmuscled Big Ten 25-17 to face off again with Doug & Don’s. In a close offensive fight, DLB prevailed over Doug & Don’s 21-18 to earn the division title.

The 50 AAA division showcased a crowded field of eight teams, but PDC quickly reduced the competition going undefeated into the championship game.

Beating a stout Pony Express squad in a close match up 17-16, they went on to stomp Lansing 14-6. Pony Express took their first loss in stride to climb out of the elimination bracket by disposing of Fly Time 22-6 and JJ Financial 30-21. Facing a formidable Lansing team, Pony Express triumphed 20-17 to face off against PDC in the finals.

PDC proved victorious in a lopsided offensive victory 26-16 to seize the division title.

Despite some talented competition, Kinnco swept the 55 Major division. Surviving against Banker Mann 21-18 in their first match-up, they decisively sealed the title by defeating Banker Mann again 14- 11.

With only four teams competing in the 55 AAA division, Milwaukee Merchants proved they were the team to beat. They beat MI Smash 19-16 and Old Stars 15-13 to reach the finals with ease.

MI Smash however faced seemingly insurmountable odds in the elimination bracket needing to win four straight games to clinch the division title. After narrowly defeating BSN/DeClaire 17-16 and showing up the Old Stars 13-6, MI Smash almost pulled it off only to lose to Milwaukee Merchants in the final game 15-14. .

Only two teams faced off for the 60 Major division title. In some exciting back and forth championship bracket play, CC Bobcats and Motown/Shon’s Corner forced an “If” game to determine the champion.

With Motown/Shon’s Corner winning their first match 11-5, CC Bobcats responded with an 18 -14 victory. Building on their win, CC Bobcats went on to take the division title by outscoring Motown/Shon’s Corner 12-9.

Roc City 55 easily swept Shannon 22- 9 and 15-11 respectively to earn the 55/60 AA division title.

Six teams faced off in the 60 AAA division with Pepco/CSFS and Chicago Prime vying for supremacy. PepCo/SFS seemed the likely champion as the top seed easily defeating Blue Chips 25-10.

Chicago Prime had other plans however, upsetting Pepco/CSFS 16-15. Falling to the elimination bracket, Pepco/SFS managed an easy win against Silver Stix 17-2 to make it to the finals. Firing all offensive cylinders, Pepco/CSFS topped Chicago Prim 18-13 to force an “If” game. Unable to defend Pepco/CSFS’s impressive offensive performance, Chicago Prime fell 26-11 for the title.

The 65 Major division showcased two outstanding performances by DeClaire Knee & Ortho. and Michigan Express. The Express remained triumphant however, beating DeClair Knee & Ortho 16-10 in their first match up to gain the advantage.

With the pressure on, DeClaire Knee & Ortho started swinging, but were ultimately outgunned by the Express 16-15.

The 70/75 Silver division saw Columbus Silver Stix sweep the division. Powering over Silver Foxes 19-1 and Pfeiffer Gray 19-11, they reached the finals in good position.

Despite Pfeiffer Gray putting up a good fight, Silver Stix took the division title in a 22-16 win.

With several one-run games, the 65 AAA division featured some fierce ball play. Doc Martens kicked it off, overwhelming Strikers 23-9 and Michigan Lakers 19-14.

The Windsor Chiefs however, coming off a big win against Rush Truck 20-19, stopped Doc Martens in their tracks 23-20. Not undone by the loss,

Doc Martens persevered over Pepco NE/OH 13-9 only to lose to the Windsor Chiefs 13-7 who took the division title.

For complete game results, please visit Senior Softball USA’s Northern Championships’ tournament page at: www.seniorsoftball.com.

Northern All Tournament Players Listed

2014 Northern Championships All Tournament Players selected:

Men’s 50/55 Platinum - Doug & Don’s Auto Care: Sammy Greskowiak, Ed Lehnertz, Bobbie Stone

Men’s 55 Major – Kinnco Services: Terry Lee, John Kotzelnick, George Roberts, Bill Osborn Jr, Ron Fewins

Men’s 55 AAA – Milwaukee Merchants: Bill Bishop, Ed Rampacek, Bill Scasny, Brad Stallings, Dan Ciano

Men’s 55/60 AA – Roc City 55: Dave Hanna, Tony Delvecchio, Steve Keating, Tom Cavalieve, Dave Zona; Shannon Fence: Vic St Hilaire, Spark Sankal, Jeff Baker

Men’s 60 AAA – Minutemen/Pepco/SFS: Al Attewell, Ron Sevffert, Phil Biondo, Dennis Forman, Rich Butler; Chicago Prime: Hal Adkins, Bill Sheridan, Gary Reid

Men’s 65 Major – Michigan Express: Ed Sparkman, Gary Nicolay, Joe Miscavish, Jim Kahn, Jim Morgan

Men’s 65 AAA – Windsor Chiefs: Ernie Holden, Bob Poulin, John McLaughlin, Wayne Dupuis, Mike Markham; Doc Martens Ropes Courses: Jim Vetter, Wilber Uhl, Gerry Lyster

Men’s 70/75 Silver – Columbus Silver Sticks: Don Cohron, Daryl McClearn, Joe Andrew, Jim Ogilvie, Dave Adwell; Pfeiffer Gray Sox: Dennis Schrier, Chuck Lindstrom, Dick Fox; Indiana Silver Foxes: Walter Pluchinsky, Jerry Shively