Rain Pounds Midwest; But Sunday Sunny

Sept. 1, 2009 – Dave Dowell National Director

SCHAUMBURG, IL – The 2009 Midwest Regional Championships moved to a new location this year and drew 58 teams vying for Championships and an invitation to the 2010 Tournament of Champions in Florida.

The first session, for ages 65+ and above, went largely according to plan, with some intermittent rain showers juggling the schedule a bit, but not causing any missed games.

By Thursday afternoon, Champions had been crowned for the 65+-Gold (Libby’s, in the “If game”), 65-AA (Chicago Classics Gray Sox over a bracket weary, but game, Quad Cities Old Stars), 70-Majors (Doc’s Sports) and 70/75-Silver Division (Chicago Geezers).

The remaining 40 teams in the tournament arrived for Friday play as games expanded to two facilities for the weekend. Unknown to all who were there, one more ‘player’ was waiting in the wings, as Mother Nature made ready for a forceful Saturday appearance. Friday play went off without a hitch as all teams played their first two games.

But on Saturday, 60 of the 63 scheduled games for the day were lost due to the rains. As tournament officials re-drafted the entire schedule, twice, teams awaited a City clearance to resume play, one that never came. This led to a very busy Sunday at both facilities.

Sunday play was spirited, with almost every game taking on a “win or go home” character, but most teams made the most of their chances. Sunday winners, all in abbreviated bracket formats, appear below.

MEN’S 50-MAJOR+ 1. Gekle Builders (MI) 2. OKI Players (OH) 3t. (Coors Light (IL) 3t. Windy City Softball (IL)

MEN’S 50-MAJOR 1. Can-Do Metals (IL) 2. Milwaukee Merchants (WI) 3t. DeClaire Insurance (OH) 3t. Motown Stars (MI)

MEN’S 50-AAA 1. St. Louis Sting (MO) 2. Chicago Prime (IL) 3t. Detroit Jags (MI) 3t. Softball Dads (IL)

MEN’S 55-MAJOR+ 1. Minnesota Grayhounds 2. Travelodge 55’s (IN)

MEN’S 55-MAJOR 1. Roberts Construction (WI) 2. Simmons • Cooper Rhinos (MO)

MEN’S 55-AAA 1. Chicago Prime (IL) 2. Chicago Classics Panthers (IL)

MEN’S 55-AA 1. Blue Chips (IL) 2. Oshkosh Ambassadors (WI) 3t. Badger Cooney Classics (WI) 3t. Ohio Silverados

MEN’S 60-MAJOR+ 1. Kansas City Bombers (MO) 2. Handeland Flooring (WI) 3. AMR 60’s (MI)

MEN’S 60-MAJOR 1. Michigan Express 2. Midwest Fossils (IL) 3t. Minnesota Masters 3t. Williams Food Service (KY)

MEN’S 60-AAA 1. Oshkosh Ambassadors (WI) 2. Chicago Hitmen (IL) 3t. Chicago Classics Bobcats (IL) 3t. U.S. Pallet 60’s (IL)

MEN’S 60-AA 1. KFC of Champaign (IL) 2. Drift Inn • Bilba’s Pub (WI)

MEN’S 65-GOLD 1. Libby’s (WI) 2. Indianapolis Classics (IN) 3. Michael’s 65 (IL)

MEN’S 65-AA 1. Chicago Classics Gray Sox (IL) 2. Quad City Old Stars (IA) 3. KFC of Champaign (IL)

MEN’S 70-MAJOR 1. Doc’s Sports Retreat (MI) 2. Dan Pfeiffer Auto (MI)

MEN’S 70/75-SILVER 1. Chicago Geezers (IL) 2. ProHealth Care (WI) 3. Pfeiffer Gray Sox (MI)