Competition at the 2024 Westerns Was Hotter Than the Triple-Digit Weather

Aug. 1, 2024

By Donna McGuire
Softball News Report

Nearly 150 teams battled through triple-digit heat while competing in the 2024 Western National Championships July 30 through Aug, 4 in the Sacramento area.

Few let that slow them down.

“We had outstanding sportsmanship by all teams, and hustle and determination by all the players, despite the hot weather,” Tournament Director Bill Hill said.

Participating teams came from 10 states and Canada. They played at five parks in four cities. And they left filled with memories of spirited battles, renewed rivalries and some nail-biting finishes.

Teams played through the heat in Elk Grove's 3-field Hal Bartholomew Softball Park

Overall, 28 teams earned berths to the 2025 Tournament of Champions in Polk County, Florida.

In addition, 33 teams captured the chance to play for a SSUSA National Championship in September in Las Vegas by winning their age and ratings divisions at the Westerns. If they win the East/West USA game during the World Championships, they can earn a Triple Grand Slam title by also winning their overall bracket. Only a few teams succeed each year.

2024 Western Nationals Championship trophy and finalist cap, as directors showcase awards on the final day

Western National Championship winners hailed from California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Nevada and Texas. The event drew 148 teams, slightly more than the 132 teams that competed in the Eastern National Championships in late July.

Results:

Women’s 40+ Masters Major: Top-seeded and unbeaten Royal-T Real Estate/The LaFlamme Group of Washington defeated fifth-seeded Firestarter Oldies of Washington 8-4 in the finale. Flash Mob of California took third in the six-team division.

Women’s 40+ AAA: Fifth-seeded TST of California (photo below) capped a 5-1 tournament with an 18-15 championship victory over the seventh-seeded Utah Relics. Top-seeded Dynasty Sisters Mood Swings of California finished third in the 10-team division.

Women’s 50+ Gold: Second-seeded Cali Gold Ladies earned the 50+ AAA title and USA game berth by avenging an earlier loss in pool play to 50+ Major champion and USA berth winner Snap, Crackle, Pop of Washington. Cali Gold won the title game 14-7 to finish 4-1 overall. Third-seeded Takin’ Chances of California earned third in the four-team division.

Men’s 40+ Masters Major Plus: Top-seeded Proton Sports/Legacy Glove Co. of California double-dipped second-seeded Johnny Blaze Easton/Miken/Worth of California 35-14 and 32-31 to win the four-team division and finish 6-2 overall. One run decided four of Proton’s games. Front Row/MVP Sports of Texas finished third.

Men’s 40+ Masters Major: Third-seeded Supreme 40s of California won a very competitive, 17-team division the hard way, losing the first title game 31-18 but winning the second 27-14 over the fifth-seeded Silverbacks 40 of California. Supreme finished 7-1 overall. Sixth-seeded Cheap Suits/Republic Realty of California won four elimination games to finish third.

Men’s 40+ Masters AAA: Playing a best-of-three format, GTR of Oregon swept T.N.T. (Tacos and Tequila) of California 16-8 and 21-16.

Men's 50+ Platinum: Fourth-seeded Fattboyz/Front Row of California (photo below) earned the 50+ Major Plus USA Game berth by going undefeated during bracket play. Runner-up Gold Nation Hustle of California, which had been seeded first, earned the 50+ Major USA berth.  C.B.C. of California finished third in the six-team division.

Men's 50+ Silver: Third-seeded Top Gun G-Force of California claimed the 50+ AAA USA berth and the overall bracket title by double-dipping the fourth-seeded Top Gun Renegades 24-8 and 23-11. EUV Tech of California finished third in the 11-team bracket. HCD of Oregon claimed the 50+ AA title and USA Game berth.

Men's 55+ Platinum: Third-seeded L.A.F. 55 of California earned the overall bracket title and the 55+ Major USA Game berth by defeating top-seeded A-1 Pavement Marking of California 26-25 in the title game. Fifth-seeded Pacific Reign/DeMarini or Oregon finished third in the eight-team bracket and earned the 55+ Major Plus berth to the USA Game.

Men's 55+ AAA: Fifth-seeded Supreme Athletics Outlaws of California capped a 6-1 tournament with a 20-5 title game victory over eighth-seeded Kamikaze 55 of California. Sixth-seeded Top Gun Storm took third in the 11-team bracket.

Men's 60+ Platinum: Sixth-seeded Sommerville Softball of California (photo below) earned the 60+ Major Plus USA Game berth and the overall bracket title by going unbeaten in bracket play and 4-1 overall. Fourth-seeded Sonoma County Crush 60 of California finished second and earned the 60+ Major USA Game berth. The second-seeded Washington Legends finished third in the 10-team division.

Men's 60+ AAA: The top-seeded North Valley Seniors of California fell into the elimination bracket after a two-run loss then proceeded to win five in a row, including 17-4 and 13-12 championship games over third-seeded The 60s Desperados of California. The Weekend Warriors of California took third in the 15-team bracket. 

Men's 60+ AA: Playing a best-of-three format, Tri City Legends/D-Bats of Washington swept Cut Loose 60s of California 21-9 and 14-13.

Men's 65+ Platinum: Top-seeded New Dawn Awning of California capped a 5-0 tournament with an 18-12 title game victory over the third-seeded NW Elite Hitmen of Washington. The Northwest Stampede of Oregon took third in the five-team division. Fourth-place Cal Energy, which suffered two one-run losses, received the 65+ Major Plus USA Game berth.

Men's 65+ AAA: Second-seeded Team Alaska double-dipped fourth-seeded Viejitos of California 21-13 and 26-15 for the title. The seventh-seeded Hustlers of California won three elimination games to finish third in the seven-team division.

Men's 70+ Platinum: Fifth-seeded New Dawn Awning Reds of California (photo below) nabbed the overall title and the 70+ Major USA Game berth by defeating Last Call 70 of Nevada 18-9 in the “if needed” championship game. Last Call won the first title game 10-3. The third-seeded Bulldogs of Oregon finished third in the five-team division. Timberworks/Suncoast received the 70+ Major Plus berth for the USA game.

Men's 70+ AAA: Second-seeded Team Fire/Spokane Grey Sox of Washington capped a 5-0 tournament with a 13-12 title game nailbiter over top-seeded Pacific Storm of California. Cut Loose 70s took third in the six-team bracket.

Men's 70/75+ AA: Top-seeded Proton/Spikes of Washington capped a 5-0 tournament and grabbed the 70+ AA USA Game berth by defeating the 75+ AA USA Game berth winner California Oaks 15-6 in the title game. Third-seeded Who of California took third in the three-team bracket.

Men's 75+ Major Plus: Playing a best-of-three format, unbeaten Omen 75 of California swept R&R 75s of California 17-2 and 13-7.

Men's 75+ Major: Second-seeded Last Call 75 of Nevada edged fourth-seeded Valley Fog of California 12-11 for the title and an overall 4-2 record. Top-seeded Al’s Sport Shop of California finished third in the four-team bracket.

Men's 75+ AAA: Fifth-seeded Triple Play of California won all four of its bracket games, including a 13-5 championship over second-seeded Please Don’t Bug Me of California. The third-seeded Lincoln Hill Coyotes 75s of California finished third in the five-team division.

Men's 80+ Major Plus: Playing a best-of-three format, Maverick Construction 80s of Texas swept Omen 80 of California 13-12 and 24-15.

Men's 80/85+ Gold: 80+ Major champs and USA Game berth winners Gold Rush of California split two close games with runner-up Top Gun Blue Angels 85 of California, which earned the 85+ Major USA Game berth. California Oaks 80s earned the 80+ AAA USA Game berth.