Record 43 Teams Compete in Return of Music City Classic

April 1, 2021

NASHVILLE – The Music City Classic returned here in 2021 with a record 43 teams, following a year hiatus due to the COVID-19 shutdowns during the 2020 season. The inaugural 2019 Music City Classic featured 31 teams.

Champions were crowed in nine divisions, with teams playing at Cane Ridge Park and Cedar Hills Softball Facilities, April 17-18.

In the three-team Men’s 65 Gold Division, (By) Grace Redeemed (TN) went undefeated on the weekend, going 2-0 in seeding, and 3-0 in bracket play, including a 35-27 win over Chicago Prime in the championship game.

TAG (TN) finished in third place.

In the four-team Men’s 60 AAA Division, Champaign Softball (IL) ran the gauntlet through the elimination side of the bracket with four straight wins. The team capped the run with a double-dip of Midwest Eclipse (IL) in a pair of one-run nail-biters, winning the championship game (16-15) and “if” game (25-24).

TN Connection finished in third place.

In the six-team Men’s 60 Platinum Division, Suncoast/Adidas (KY) survived bracket play unscathed with a perfect 4-0 mark, including a 28-20 win over Windy City Softball (IL) in the championship game.

Dudley Lightning (MO) finished in third place after winning a pair of elimination games.

In the four-team Men’s 55 AAA Division, top seed United Printers (TN) had an impressive SSUSA debut, going 2-0 in seeding and 3-0 in bracket play, including a 28-19 win over Derby City Masters (KY) in the championship game.

Derby City Masters won a pair of elimination games to punch their ticket into the championship game.

MN Lumberjacks finished in third place.

The three-team Men’s 55 Major Division came down to the “if” game.

After falling to top seed Aurora Tap House (IL) in the championship game, 29-17; K & I (IN) bounced back with a 22-14 victory in the winner-take-all “if” game, avoiding the dreaded double-dip.

Bond 124/OSS/Phil’s Painting (MA) finished in third place.

The nine-team Men’s 50 AAA Division would also come down to the deciding “if” game.

After dropping a heartbreaker in the championship game, 17-16, against Brotherhood Sports/Michigan Old School; Dayton Legends/Tilton Trucking (OH) rebounded with a 24-12 win in the “if” game.

Brotherhood Sports/Michigan Old School went 0-2 in seeding, and regrouped in the bracket with a 4-2 mark en route to their runner-up finish.

Action Sports (KY) won three straight elimination games to eventually finish in third place.

In the eight-team Men’s 50/55 Platinum Division, top seed Lighthouse Lookouts/Athletic Shop (GA) ran the table, going 2-0 in seeding, and 4-0 in bracket play, including a 25-6 win over 50 Degrees (MO) in the championship game.

50 Degrees had previously won three straight elimination games to reach the championship game.

Team Arkansas Miken/Worth finished in third place.

The Men’s 50 Major Plus Division featured a best of three game series, as Dudley Lightning (MO) swept Midwest Titans (IN) by scores of 34-28 and 28-25, respectively.

In the four-team Men’s 40 Major Division, top seed DDA Nation (FL) completed the perfect weekend, going 2-0 in seeding and 3-0 in bracket play, including a 24-15 win over STL Ultra (MO) in the championship game.

Dudley Lighting IL finished in third place.