ARKANSAS WELCOMES MIDWEST CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 1, 2016

ROGERS, Ark. – The 2016 Midwest Championships, previously held in Kansas and Illinois, moved to Arkansas for the first time at Rogers Regional Sports Park. Forty-six teams competed, with the 65 and over divisions starting off the championships, July 12-14, and the 50-60 age divisions concluding the championships, July 15-17.

Mother Nature reared its ugly head in Rogers causing delays and postponements; however, hard work by the grounds crew at Rogers Regional Sports Park allowed the tournament to continue without a hitch. 

In the four-team 50 Major division, KC Classics (MO) took down WC Thunder/ASP Nation (IL) in the championship game, 21-19. KC Classics previously defeated WC Thunder earlier in the bracket in their first game. Top seed 50 Caliber/Dudley St. Louis (MO) finished third.

The six-team 50 AAA division saw top seed Iowa Demons 50 bounce back from an upset in its first game in bracket play against Midwest Connection, 9-8, to roll off six straight wins, including five straight on Sunday to win the championship. Iowa Demons would double-dip previously unbeaten Texas Elite, 12-10, in the championship game, and 9-6 in the “if” game.

In the 55 Major division, MW Driving School 55 (IA) claimed the top spot, defeating Iowa Demons, 10-9, before eliminating 50 Caliber Plus – St. Louis (MO), 22-17, in the championship game.

After falling to top seed Central Illinois Chiefs, 17-6, in championship game of the 55 AAA division, No. 2 seed Mayhem (OK) bounced back with a 25-13 victory in the “if” game. Mayhem defeated Central Illinois Chiefs earlier in the bracket, 15-13. No. 6 seed KC Renegages 55’s (MO) finished in third place.

Bouncing back from a 0-2 showing in seeding play, KC Renegades 60’s (MO) won three straight games in bracket play to win the 60 Major division. KC Renegades defeated Integrity Builders (IA) and Tuby’s Pub & Grub (MO), before knocking off Integrity Builders for a second time, 15-13, in the championship game.

In the 60 AAA division, No. 2 seed Carriage Homes (AR) went 3-0 in bracket play to win the four-team division. Carriage Homes defeated Oklahoma Mudcats, 9-8, before going on to defeat top seed KC Thunder (MO) twice, including a 13-8 win in the championship game.

Bags Softball 60 (IA) posted a perfect record in the 60 AA division, going 3-0 in seeding play, before winning two straight in bracket play, knocking off Minnesota Blizzard and Chicago Hitmen 60’s to win the championship.

The 65 AAA division would feature co-champions, as the “if” game was cancelled due to lightning in the area.  Minnesota Masters 65’s defeated previously unbeaten and No. 2 seed, Texas Legends, 11-8, in the championship game to force the “if” game. Minnesota Masters won four straight games on Thursday to force the “if”. After going 0-2 in seeding play, No. 9 seed R & D Leverage (MO) won three straight to open bracket play and eventually finish in third place.

Top seed Bank of Rison proved worthy of its high billing, going 3-0 in bracket play to win the 70 AAA division.  Bank of Rison knocked off Chicago Gray Sox, 20-11, in the championship game. After losing its first game in the bracket, Chicago Gray Sox won two straight games to reach the championship game.

Following its loss to Mid-American Patriots (MO), 17-7, in the championship game, top seed Harris Auction (AR) bounced back with a 14-7 win in the “if” game to win the three-team 70/75 Gold division.