2024 Heart of Texas Successful Despite Hurricane Beryl

July 1, 2024

By Nic Francois
Softball News Report

     Despite Hurricane Beryl’s destruction southeast of Waco, 29 teams from Texas and Oklahoma managed to play through the bad weather for a successful Heart of Texas Tournament.

     Director Don Brooks recognized the resiliency and understanding of these teams. “The teams complimented the field conditions numerous times, especially after the tremendous late afternoon thunderstorms and the necessary realignment of the schedule,” said Brooks.

     “Teams on Sunday deserve a compliment for understanding the change in the schedule,” he said.

     Five teams, mostly from the Huston area, were unable to make the tournament after the hurricane hit the city and surrounding areas. Senior Softball USA was able to offer these teams credits.

     Of the 29 teams that played, all were from Texas except for NOP Softball 55+, hailing from Tulsa, OK.

     In four divisions, teams went undefeated in their brackets until losing the championship game, but then bounced back to win the division with victories in the IF game.

Results:

     Men’s 50+ AAA: After playing mixed pool play with 50/55+ Major teams, Team Creed and Outlaws and Outsiders split into a best 2-out-of-3 bracket. Team Creed defeated Outlaws and Outsiders twice, 18-15 on Saturday and 15-12 on Sunday, for the championship.

     Men’s 50/55+ Major: Top seeded Texas Steel/California Bat Co, the 50+ Major team, dominated the three-team bracket against two other 55+ Major teams. Texas Steel first defeated Texas Silverbacks 16-12 then narrowly defeated ETX 55s 28-27 to win the division. ETX 55s finished as finalists and Texas Silverbacks as third.

     Men’s 50/55+ AA: Top seeded Gulf Coast Hurricanes, one of two 50+ AA team out of three in the bracket, won both bracket games against Lobos 55, 29-28 and 20-10 in the championship game. The other 50+ AA team, Team Madness, took third.

     Men’s 55+ AAA: In this four-team bracket, the tournament’s only out of state team, NOP Softball of Oklahoma, went one-for-two in the seeding, but won every bracket game for the championship. Texas Freedom finished as finalists after losing the championship game 16-5 and Team Blast 55 took third.

     Men’s 60+ Major: Third-seeded Texas Impact went undefeated in the brackets before losing the championship game to Texas Threat, 21-19. Texas Impact was able to prevent the double-dip and pull out a win in the IF game, 20-13. Undisputed Truth finished third.

     Men’s 60+ Silver: Comprised of two AAA teams and one AA team, Texas Thunder (AAA - photo below) went undefeated in the bracket before losing the championship game to Lobos 60 (AA), 18-11. Texas Thunder was able to prevent the double-dip and pull out a win in the IF game, 17-9. The other AAA team, Bayou City Bombers 60 finished third.

     Men’s 65+ Gold: Second-seeded Tex Ark Legends (photo below) was undefeated in the bracket until losing the championship game, 18-13, to the other Major team, Houston Fire 65s. Houston Fire failed to successfully double-dip with Tex/Ark Legends winning the division and the IF game, 14-8. Texas Legends, a AAA team, finished third.

     Men’s 65/70+ AA: After mixed seeding play with the 70+ Gold division teams, Triple 2 (70s - photo below) and Robson Ranch Texans (65s) played the best 2 out of 3 in a series of close games. Triple 2 initially won game 1, 19-18, before losing game 2 by the opposite score, 19-18. Eventually Triple 2 came out on top during the IF, winning 16-14.

     Men’s 70+ Gold: After mixed seeding play with the 65/70+ AA teams, Texas Rattlers and Relentless 70s played the best 2 out of 3. Texas Rattlers initially lost their first game, 20-16, before successfully double-dipping Relentless 22-18 in the champion game and 18-17 in the IF game.

     Men’s 75+ AAA: Top seeded San Antonio Silver Streaks (photo below) went undefeated in both seeding and bracket games, winning by wide margins such as 23-8 against the Rangers in the championship game. Rangers finished as finalists after the loss and San Antonio Legends finished third.