Come From Behind Victories Decide Winners at Session 3 of Worlds

Sept. 1, 2023

By Donna McGuire
Softball News Report

Teams that battled during the 40+ Masters session at the 2023 SSUSA World Championships found unbeaten runs through pool and bracket play hard to achieve.

Only two of the 127 entrants succeeded during the Sept. 23-24-25 session played at parks in and near Las Vegas.

Photos by Clover Schultz.
Blue Pill Mafia/QOS Networks (AZ), 40+ Major at 2023 Worlds.

Legends Sports of Nevada triumphed in two one-run Sunday games during men’s 40+ Major bracket play en route to an 8-0 tournament and World Championship.

Gigantes O.C. of Maryland scored six times in the bottom of the open inning in the men’s 40+ AAA title game to run its record to 7-0 and also earn a World Championship.

In all, six division champions emerged during a 40s session highlighted by the speed, power and enthusiasm that SSUSA’s youngest players possess. Some teams proved to be scoring machines while others showed a knack for never giving up despite the score. Seventh-inning rallies abounded.

World Champions received a trophy and free Jostens rings for all participating players.

 
Players from Get Nutz (HI - Left) and Redz/California Bat Company (NC - Right), Session 3 of 2023 Worlds.

Results:

Women’s 40+ Major: Second-seeded Redz/California Bat Company scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to win the title 14-13 over the sixth-seeded St. Louis Storm of Missouri. Redz, which lost the USA National Championship game 14-12 to TABU of California, finished 6-1 overall. Vintage of New Jersey nabbed third place in the 15-team bracket. HTS-Here To Smash of California took fourth.

Women’s 40+ AAA: Third-seeded Pro Moves 40 of California (photo below) lost the first championship game 12-9 but rebounded to win the “if” game 17-13 over Dynasty Sisters Mood Swings of California. That prevented a Triple Grand Slam for Dynasty, which won the USA National Championship game 18-2 over Fireballs of Massachusetts during pool play. Not Today of Nevada won four elimination games and finished third in the 22-team bracket. Custom Truck of Nevada won three elimination games and finished fourth.

Women’s 40+ AA: The top-seeded FIGO Islanders of Guam (photo below, with family) lost their first bracket game but rebounded to double dip Arizona Desert Belles 9-8 and 17-3 for the crown. Guam Team SOTTA finished third in the three-team bracket.

Men’s 40+ Major Plus: In a title game that featured 18 home runs, second-seeded JK Inc. Easton/Miken scored the winning run in the bottom of the open inning to defeat fifth-seeded Killman’s/Lewis Lawn of South Carolina 29-28. Suncoast Adidas 40s of Florida, which won the USA National Championship game 27-23 over JK, finished third in the 15-team bracket. Front Row/MVP Sports of Texas took fourth.

Men’s 40+ Major: Legends Sports of Nevada, which was seeded fifth in the National pod, scored four runs in the bottom of the opening inning to secure a 16-15 championship victory over First Capital of New York, which had been seeded third in the American pod. Smash It Sports NW of Washington earned third in the 48-team bracket, the session’s largest. Blue Pill Mafia/QOS Networks of Arizona finished fourth.

Men’s 40+ AAA: Sixth-seeded Gigantes O.C. (photo below), which averaged 22 runs a game, won the title 21-20 over second-seeded GTR of Oregon. GTR won five elimination games to reach the finals. G2G of California placed third in the 24-team bracket. Sindalun Guahan of Guam took fourth.