Extra Day of Play Saves the 2025 Music City Classic

March 1, 2025

By Donna McGuire
Softball News Report

Good planning, turf fields and newly installed LED lighting helped save the 2025 Music City Classic, which took place on one of the stormiest weekends the country has experienced in a long time.

Those tornadic storms killed 42 people across eight states – and also inundated Cane Ridge Park, where the 20-team Music City tournament took place March 14-16 in Antioch, Tenn.

High winds and more than three inches of rain washed out all Saturday competition. Yet all games got played.

“The Music City Classic is normally played over the weekend,” Tournament Director Tim McElroy said. “This year, SSUSA opted for a Friday start to attract more teams and allow for wiggle room in case of inclement weather. That decision paid off in a big way.”

Facing a dismal Saturday forecast, SSUSA added extra Friday games, which were played under newly installed LED lights. The recently installed turf fields and drainage system did their jobs, too, when the relentless rain arrived.

“After a full day of wind, rain and tornadoes in the region, I fully expected the fields to be unplayable on Sunday,” McElroy said. “The outfields were wet, but surprisingly firm. Games began on time (Sunday), and we were able to get them all in.”

Teams from 10 states participated.

“With a central location, access to an airport and a reasonable drive for regional teams, the Music City Classic has a bright future,” McElroy said. “I look forward to seeing it grow in the coming seasons.”

Results:

Men’s 40/50+ Platinum: BBQ 40s/Suncoast of Illinois (photo below) lost its first three games but rallied to reach the championship, where it double dipped the top-seeded 50+ Major Plus team MP/Primetime/Team Combat of Georgia 27-25 and 26-23. The Missouri Horsemen finished third in three-team division.

Men’s 40/50+ Gold: Top-seeded 615 Honored/Sumner Roofing/Shooter’s Sports Bar (photo below), a 50+ Major team from Tennessee, capped an undefeated weekend by subduing Torgi Trucking/UP Electric of Washington 21-19 in the title tilt. ABC 40s of Missouri finished third in the three-team bracket.

Men’s 50+ AAA: Third-seeded Our Dirt 50s of Kentucky (photo below) started slowly Friday, scoring only four runs in its opening game. After that, runs came in bunches. Our Dirt buried top-seeded M&J Precision/Twin States Softball of Alabama 21-17 in the winner’s final and 16-11 for the championship. Second-seeded Allnet Legacy of Ohio placed third in the four-team division.

Men’s 55/60+ Gold: The third-seeded 55+ AAA team Peacemakers/HomeRun Delivery of Alabama (photo below) found 27 to be the magic number on Sunday. After losing its first bracket game, Peacemakers won four in a row, including 27-20 and 27-24 championship game victories over Claremont Property Co., a 60+ Major team out of Ohio. The 55+ team Chitown Assault/T2Automotive of Indiana finished third in the four-team division.

Men’s 60+ AAA: Top-seeded Team Illinois (photo below) defended its 2024 title in style with an unbeaten run through pool and bracket play. It knocked off VersiFi of Tennessee 23-15 in the championship game. The Team Roper Bandits of Kentucky placed third in the three-team division.

Men’s 65/70+ Gold: The Power, a 65+ AAA team from Tennessee, easily won its two pool games and also captured its first bracket game on Friday. Unfortunately, Saturday’s weather and resultant travel issues caused a few teams to withdraw. The Power was awarded the title. Midwest Driving School/Dudley/KPI of Missouri finished second. Columbus LXX of Georgia took third.