Fantastic Complex and Field Crew Defeat the Weather at 2025 Atlantic Coast Champs

May 1, 2025

By Donna McGuire
Softball News Report

Sixty-five teams from 18 states descended on North Carolina in mid-May to battle for top honors at SSUSA’s Atlantic Coast Championships.

Fifteen of those teams captured berths to the 2026 Tournament of Champions in Polk County, Fla., by winning their divisions during May 13-18 competition at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex in Raleigh.

In many cases, triumph did not come easy. Seven championship games were decided by just one or two runs.

Originally built in 1992, Walnut Creek Softball Complex was renovated in 2019 with 9 fields and underground irrigation.

Teams playing in the 65+ and older session dealt with rain delays caused by a major storm that battered the East Coast early in the week. In the end, however, softball defeated Mother Nature – thanks largely to the expertise of park staff.

After more than three inches of rain that fell late Monday night washed out all Tuesday play, the grounds crew hustled to get fields ready in time for Wednesday morning games to begin on schedule.

Additional rain halted play mid-afternoon Wednesday. But “more hard work by the staff allowed the first session to continue and wrap up in a modified format,” Director Tim McElroy said.

“With the storm behind us, Session 2 went off without any real issues,” he said. “Many players commented favorably on the park, feeling that Walnut Creek is one of the best complexes on the East Coast. Having directed tournaments from Florida to Connecticut, I would have to agree. Walnut Creek is fantastic.”

Walnut Creek Softball Complex is comprised of two wheels, one with 5 fieilds and the other with 4, connected by a woodsy pathway.

Results:

Men's 40+ Major: Top-seeded and unbeaten Sake of Maryland (photo below) averaged 25 runs a game, including a 23-21 championship victory over third-seeded Turn 2 Electric 40 of North Carolina. Second-seeded PA Legends/BFI finished third in the five-team bracket.

Men's 40+ AAA: After surviving two one-run games to open bracket play, top-seeded Lead Foot Grays of Maryland (photo below) defeated second-seeded Y'All Next of Maryland 16-11 to claim the title of the four-team division. Third-seeded Smokin Aces/American Legion Post No. 327 of Virginia captured third place.

Men's 50+ AAA: After going 1-1 in seeding games, third-seeded Warpath 50 of Maryland streaked through bracket play unbeaten, including a 14-12 championship victory over fourth-seeded Strictly Business of Virginia. Second-seeded That 50's Show of Pennsylvania finished third in the six-team division.

Men's 50/55+ Platinum: After averaging 29 runs a game heading into the title tilt, the top-seeded 55+ Major Plus team BPA/Miken/Worth/Easton of Pennsylvania was held to just 19 runs – but still won handily. BPA defeated second-seeded Automotive Triage of North Carolina 19-12 for the title. Third-seeded HRS/OSS Apparel/Fat Chops of Rhode Island finished third in the six-team division.

Men's 55+ Major: The division’s top two finishers played three times in the bracket, with only three runs separating the teams when all scores were added together. Sixth-seeded Skid Daddy/C3 Skids of Florida (photo below) survived the challenge, winning the winner’s final 17-16, losing the first title game 24-21 and prevailing in a tight finale, 24-19, during which Skid Daddy held eighth-seeded WALKOFF 55 of Maryland scoreless in the final two innings. Fourth-seeded Caterbone Realty Group of Connecticut captured third in the nine-team division, which was the tournament’s largest.

Men's 55+ AAA: Top-seeded and undefeated Ryan Steel/Renegades of Georgia (photo below) averaged 25 runs a game, including a 21-15 championship victory over second-seeded Alliance/Scrap Iron 55 of Colorado. Third-seeded Maryland Classic / Office Bar & Grill finished third in the three-team division.

Men's 55+ AA: Playing a best-of-three format, Longshoremen 55 of Virginia swept Detroit Pride 14-12 and 21-20 to claim the crown.

Men's 60+ Major: In this eight-team division, six teams were 1-1 after seeding games. The only 0-2 team, Howe Creative Design/The Bank of Delaware, lost both seeding games by just one run. It reversed that misfortunate in bracket play, where it won two games by one run, including a thrilling 31-30 title game victory over third-seeded Carolina A's/LBV of North Carolina. Second-seeded Hard Hat Cafe/Lateila's of Connecticut earned third place.

Men's 60+ AAA: Second-seeded Gaithersburg Rentals/TC Backer of Maryland (photo below) finished 4-1 overall and as division champs after defeating runner-up and top-seeded Holy City Hitmen of South Carolina 27-24. Fifth-seeded VA Journeymen placed third in the eight-team bracket.

Men's 65+ Major Plus: Playing a best-of-three format, Texas Crush Sixty Fives (photo below) roared back from a 14-10 game-one loss to claim 20-12 and 11-8 victories over TRT of Florida. Both teams had gone unbeaten in seeding games.

Men's 65+ Major: Top-seeded The Ockers Company of Massachusetts (photo below) finished 3-1 overall, including a 9-7 title-game victory over second-seeded Talaga Construction 65 of Connecticut. Old Skool/Extra Innings of Virginia finished third in the three-team division.

Men's 65+ AAA: Playing a best-of-three format, Disturbing Elements of North Carolina (photo below) swept the Great Lakes Tornadoes of Michigan 24-9 and 18-17.

Men's 70+ Major: Top-seeded REI 70s of North Carolina (photo below) went 5-0, won its games by a 12-run average, and dispatched second-seeded DEEP PURPLE of Massachusetts 16-11 in the title game. Third-seeded Pill & Pill 70 of West Virginia finished third in the four-team division.

Men's 70+ Silver: The top-seeded Syracuse Cyclones of New York (photo below) capped a 5-0 tournament with a 29-16 championship victory over third-seeded Scrap Iron Peak Softball of Colorado. Second-seeded S. Wake Shockers of North Carolina took third in the four-team division.

Men's 75+ Major Plus: In a best-of-three format, Venom 75s of Florida (photo below) swept Northern Virginia Force 75 7-0, 7-0.