Spring Worlds Kicks Off With 88 Teams

April 1, 2015 – Joe Ruggiero SSUSA staff

Softball News Report

By Joseph Ruggiero

MESQUITE, Nev. and ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Spring World Championships returned here to host 88 teams from all over the western United States.

The dry desert valley surrounded by mountainous regions and canyons provided a scenic milieu for players itching to play some ball.

According to Tournament Director Don Brooks, several players remarked that the 30 minute drive through the Virgin River Gorge on their way up to the Canyon’s Complex “was absolutely beautiful.”

“It was a great tournament with great weather,” said Brooks. “The fields were impeccable. Players loved the facilities and the maintenance staff was on top of it, prepping the fields, lickety split, in between games.”

With a few more teams attending than last year, the tournament went off smoothly and featured some highly competitive bracket play.

The 50 Major division pitted Code Blue against SoCal Knights. The bracket took place March 28 at the Canyons Complex in St. George. The opener could have gone either way as the Knights eked out a 21-20 win over Code Blue. With the win the Knights found their bats and swept Code Blue 30-19 for the division title.

In a crowded and experienced field, 13 teams vied for the 50 Silver division championship. Top seed, Phoenix Bulldawgz, bulldozed the opposition going undefeated all the way to the championship game leaving second seed McU Sports and the third seeded Never Say Never to pick at the scraps. Never Say Never started strong defeating AZ O.S. 13-11, and McU Sports 19-11.

Unable to muster enough runs to halt Bulldawgz’ winning momentum, losing 17-14, Never Say Never fell to the elimination bracket to face off against McU Sports. In a fun rematch, McU Sports avenged their first loss outscoring Never Say Never 20-10 to find a seat at the championship table. Hungry for the win, Bulldawgz triumphed over McU Sports 33-18 to earn the division title.

The 55 Major division saw SoCal 55 pull off an amazing feat competing with seven teams for the title. Sent to the elimination bracket by Old Dawgs in a tough loss 12-5 early on, SoCal 55 remained steadfast winning four games in a row to claw their way out of the doghouse. Beating S.I. Thunder 27-20, Doubleplay, Top Gun 55’s 18-13, and a strong Old Dawgs squad 16-13, SoCal 55 went on to play Tucson Bandits in the championship game. In a decisive win, SoCal overwhelmed Tucson Bandits 19-11 to force the first “If” game of the tournament. The only team to successfully double dip their opponent, SoCal Gusto vanquished Tucson Bandits 15-14 in a thrilling match to grasp the division championship.

With only three teams facing off in the 60 Major division, Top Gun III took the division by storm. Handedly defeating Christensen 27-5 in their first match-up, Top Gun III prevailed again against Christensen 17-11 to gain the division title.

Braves, a relatively new California team, seized the 55 AAA division title. The Braves easily swept bracket play mowing down their opponents one by one defeating LVSSA Hitmen 16-6 and Mountain Men 17-8. Despite Mountain Men’s rebound out of the elimination bracket with a strong win against Rocky Mountain Extreme 16-7, the squad couldn’t defend the Braves’ offensive firepower falling 21-14.

The 60 AAA division showcased an exciting and competitive set of teams. Results Realty, despite their low seeding, commanded respect early on beating Grant’s Posse 31-15, Git-R-Done 19-8 and Last Call 13-7. Facing off against a stout War Eagles squad in their next match-up, Results Realty lost a close one 18-17 to fall into the elimination bracket to face the Scrap Iron Diamonds. In a thrilling semi-championship bout, Scrap Iron Diamonds fought hard to hold off Results Realty but ultimately fell short losing 20-19. In a well-deserved rematch, Results Realty just couldn’t keep up with War Eagles who won 11-6 to take the division.

Scrap Iron Coyotes proved victorious in the 55/60 AA division. Despite losing to Scrap Iron Freedom 22-11 in the first game of bracket play, the Coyotes regained their footing. Overcoming New Mexico Warriors 17-13 and Copper Gang, Scrap Iron Coyotes avenged their first loss by outscoring Scrap Iron Freedom 20-18 to force the second “If” game of the tournament. With a strong offensive resurgence, Scrap Iron Coyotes defeated Scrap Iron Freedom 22-17 to take the 55 AA championship. Despite the rough loss, Scrap Iron Freedom earned the 60 AA championship.

Eight teams competed in the 65 Major division with SoCal Gusto and Ryan’s Way vying for supremacy. After losing to SoCal Gusto 21-7, Ryan’s Way swiftly climbed their way up the elimination bracket by outscoring Old Dawgs 28-17, R&R 21-20 and Scrap Iron Phiten 17-6. Unable to combat SoCal Gusto’s offensive drive, Ryan’s Way fell 17-13 surrendering the crown to SoCal Gusto.

The 65 AAA division saw Arizona Ancients doing their best to upset OC-Mustangs. In a close first contest, OC-Mustangs pulled through defeating Arizona Ancients 17-16. Despite the loss, Arizona Ancients persevered 26-21 over the formidable Fountain Valley Outlaws to get a shot at the title. In a turnabout, Arizona Ancients managed a slim win over OC-Mustangs to compel the third “if” game of the tournament. OC-Mustangs, however, proved victories managing a 15-12 win to seize the division title.

Scrap Iron Legacy seemed poised to easily sweep the 70/75 Platinum division if not for the handiwork of Omen 70. Losing to Scrap Iron Legacy 13-10 in their first meeting, Omen 70 pulled off a key win over Tharaldson 12-10 to earn another crack at Scrap Iron Legacy. This time around, Omen 70 captured the win 15-14 damaging Scrap Iron Legacy’s confidence. Forcing the fourth “If” game of the tournament, Omen 70 put it all out on the field but came up short 17-12 and Scrap Iron Legacy snatched the division championship.

The 65/70 Silver division saw Scrap Iron 70 Red dominate the competition and gain the division crown. Finding only a little resistance from Top Gun 70, Scrap Iron 70 Red quickly disposed their opponents beating California Oaks 19-14, Sons of Pitches 21-11 and Top Gun 70’s 21-19 respectively. After achieving a solid victory over Sons of Pitches 14-10, Top Gun 70 attempted to unseat Scrap Iron Red in the championship game only to fall short 16-4.

Six teams competed for the 70/75/80 division title, but only Top Gun Silver remained after the dust settled. Gold Coast 75’s attempted a rousing comeback after losing their first bracket game 11-10 against Git-R-Done 70’s. Eliminating Slammers 9-5, Fairway Ford 18-14 and Git-R-Done 70’s 23-16 in a stunning rematch, Gold Coast 75’s survived to get a shot at the title. Unfortunately, Top Gun Silver proved too strong a squad and outmuscled Gold Coast 15-2 to win the division.

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