57 Teams Return to the Diamond in Missouri

June 1, 2020

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Following a three-month shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 senior softball season officially resumed with 57 teams competing in the Missouri Open here at Rainbow Softball Complex.

The tournament began June 4-5 with the Men’s 65 – 70 age divisions.

The 65 Major Division featured a best-of-three series that would go the distance.

In the opening game, BlueSpeed AV (MO) struck first with a 21-19 win over KC Kids (KS). KC Kids evened the series with a thrilling 21-20 win in game two; while BlueSpeed AV took the rubber match with a 14-10 victory.

In the four-team Men’s 65 AAA Division, Chicago Prime (IL) knocked off 50 Caliber (MO) by a score of 19-15 in the decisive “if” game.

After dropping their first game in the bracket, 22-20, against top seed Carriage Homes (AR), 50 Caliber rattled off three straight wins en route to the their runner up finish.

Carriage Homes finished in third place.

In the three-team Men’s 65 AA Division, top seed Oklahoma Street Outlaws (OK) defeated Redwings (MO) 22-11 in the championship game. NSC Chets (NE) rounded out the three-team division.

The winner of the Men’s 70 Major Division was determined by best of three series between OK-ARK (OK) and KC Kids (KS). The teams split the first two games, as OK-ARK took game one, 16-13, while KC Kids won game two, 14-8.

The decisive third game was won by OK-ARK, 14-10.

In the five-team Men’s 70 AAA/AA Division, top seed Mid-State Seniors (IL) went 3-0 in bracket play, including a 26-12 win over USA Patriots (OK) in the championship game.

After dropping their opening bracket game, 21-20, against St. Louis Vision (MO), USA Patriots won three straight elimination games before running out of steam in the championship game.

St. Louis Vision finished in third place.

The tournament continued June 6-7 with the Men’s 55 and 60 age divisions in action.

In the five-team Men’s 55 Major Division, top seed Iowa Demons came back to win the “if” game, 27-20, over Dudley Lightning (MO), after dropping the championship game, 24-10.

American Mortgage Pro’s (OK) finished in third place.

In the eight-team Men’s 55 AAA Division, top seed KC Vintage (MO) went 4-0 in bracket play, including an 18-15win over STL Road Dogs (MO) in the championship game.

STL Road Dogs won three straight elimination games to reach the championship game.

MN Lumberjacks finished in third place, while Omaha Silver Bullets (NE) rounded out the top four finishers.

In the five-team Men’s 60 Major Division, No. 4 seeded Dudley Lightning Midwest (MO) went 4-0 in bracket play, including a 22-9 win over top seed Louisville Aces/Miken (KY) in the championship game.

Dudley Lightning (MO) finished in third place.

In the six-team Men’s 60 AAA Division, No. 1 seed Big Daddy’s Donuts (MO) won a nail-biter in the championship game, 16-15, over 50 Caliber Silver St. Louis (MO). 50 Caliber Silver St. Louis had previously won three straight elimination games to reach the championship game.

Antiques of Iowa City (IA) was the third place finisher.

In the Men’s 60 AA Division, Buck’s Run Farms (NE) swept OKC RedHawks (OK) in a best of three series by scores of 11-4 and 21-10.

The tournament officially concluded the following weekend, June 13-14, with the Men’s 50 age divisions in play.

The eight-team Men’s 50 Major Plus/Major Division saw 50 Degrees (MO) go 4-0 in bracket play, including a 21-14 win over Dudley Lightning in the championship game. Dudley Lightning had won three straight elimination games to advance to the championship game.

Big Hurt Softball/Draft Picks (IL) finished in third place.

In the seven-team Men’s 50 AAA Division, Senior Dogs (MO) went 4-0 in bracket play, including three one-run victories. One of those one-run thrillers occurred in the championship game that saw Senior Dogs down KC Monarchs, 10-9, (MO).

Top seed Maher Homes Nebraska Elite finished in third place.