Sportsmanship Blossoms at 2024 Spring Nationals

March 1, 2024

By Donna McGuire
Softball News Report

Teams from Florida, Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania captured crowns at the 2024 Spring National Championships/Horton & Wood Classic that concluded on St. Patrick’s Day in Polk County, Florida.

The Spring Nationals are honoring long-time Detroit Tigers players, Willie Horton and Jake Wood. Lakeland, Florida is home to the Tiger's off-season training location. 

Thirty-three teams from six states participated in the March 15-17 event at the Loyce Harp Sports Complex and Walker Road Softball Complex. They enjoyed sunshine, mild temperatures, and no rain interruptions.

“It was absolutely beautiful tournament weather for both the teams and the umpires,” Tournament Director Linda Weber said.

Lazy dog enjoys the great weather at the 2024 Spring Nationals in Polk County, Florida.

Eleven champions earned first-place prizes and berths to the 2025 Tournament of Champions scheduled for Polk County, Florida.

One run decided nip-and-tuck title games in three of the divisions. Meanwhile, only two teams compiled undefeated records: Dayton Legends/22Softball/Hudson Automotive of Ohio in the men’s 50+ AAA division, and Mitchells 55 of Florida in the men’s 55+ Major division.

Florida Titans double-dip to win the Men's 55+ AAA division.

Weber reporting seeing lots of supportive teammate interactions during games played at the Walker Road complex.

“The best games are the ones when every player replaces the word ‘me’ for ‘we,’ she said.

Results:

Men’s 40+ Masters Major Plus: Playing a best-of-three format, HEADBANGER SPORTS/SWBC of Florida (photo below) defeated Suncoast Adidas 40s of Florida 21-13, 33-36, 23-22 for the title.

Men’s 40+ Masters Major: RTT/Hysteria of Florida (photo below) swept OSS Apparel of Rhode Island 19-17 and 23-22 in a best-of-three format.

Men’s 50+ Major: In another best-of-three bracket, Showtime Elite of Michigan (photo below) went 4-1 overall while sweeping Yeager’s/Max Batz of Florida 20-12 and 22-16.

Men’s 50+ AAA: Top-seeded Dayton Legends/22Softball/Hudson Automotive of Ohio (photo below) capped a 5-0 tournament with a 20-16 championship victory over second-seeded Woodlawn Hitting Club 50 of Florida. That 50s Show of Pennsylvania finished third in the six-team division.

Men’s 50/55+ Major Plus: Suncoast/Adidas 50 of Florida lost the first championship game 36-24 but won the second 29-14 for the title and the 50+ Major Plus TOC berth. As the top finishing 55+ Major Plus team, BPA/Miken/Worth of Pennsylvania also earned a TOC berth. Suncoast/Adidas 55 of Florida finished third in the three-team division.

Men’s 55+ Major: Top-seeded Mitchells 55 of Florida capped a 6-0 tournament with a 26-22 title game victory over Skid Daddy/C3 Skids of Florida. HOTT Softball of Florida finished third in the four-team division.

Men’s 55+ AAA: The second-seeded Florida Titans (photo below) double-dipped McPhail Auto Sales of Florida 25-12 and 25-10 for the title. Detroit Pride of Michigan took third in the three-team division.

Men’s 60/65+ Major: Fourth-seeded Team Florida/Phoenix Tube 60s (photo below) lost the first title game 25-24 but won the second 15-11 to capture the six-team division. Third-seeded Ohio Elite 60s won four elimination games to finish second. Southwest Florida placed third.

Men’s 65/70+ AAA: Top-seeded Steve Levin Ameriprise (photo below), a 65+ team from Florida, capped a 5-1 tournament with a 20-19 title thriller over VAYA SPACE of Florida. Steven Levin Ameriprise 70s of Florida finished third in the three-team division.

Men’s 70/75+ Major Plus: In a best-of-three format, Venom 75s of Florida (photo below) defeated Hollis Appraisals 70s/Ted Todd 70s of Florida 14-15, 19-7, 18-14 to nab the title.