Players From Each 2026 TOC Team Competed in Tight All-Star Game

Feb. 1, 2026

By Donna McGuire
Softball News Report

     As Dominic Martinez’ high fly ball sailed into deep right-centerfield late on a January evening, participants in the SSUSA Original Tournament of Champions' All-Star game watched anxiously to see where it would land.

     The game’s outcome hung in the balance.

     The National All-Stars (photo below), led by co-managers Irene Fry of Mood Swings 40s and Terry Hennessy of SSUSA, were protecting a two-run lead with two outs and a runner at third base in the bottom of the ninth inning at the Auburndale Softball Complex.

     The American All-Stars (photo below), led by co-managers John Karagiannes of Alliance/Scrap Iron 60s and Joel Reich of the Long Island Jaguars 80s, had a five-run rally going – and already had plated two runs after two outs.

     Unable to get a good read under the lights, right-centerfielder Keri Sulonen initially broke in on the ball. Then she heard a teammate yell, “Back! Back! Back!”

     Sulonen reversed direction and sprinted toward the outfield fence. As the ball sailed over her head, she stretched out her arm, glove open to the sky.

     Plop.

     An over-the-shoulder, running catch to end the game!

     National players cheered. They had won 24-22.

     “That was fun,” Sulonen said afterward. “It was really cool to play with these great guys.”

Keri Sulonen, the National All-Star Team's MVP after the game winning catch, up to bat earlier in the game.

     Teammate John Tinkler of Wongs 60s congratulated her on a great game. Sulonen, who plays for Mood Swings, also had singled, doubled, walked and driven in a run.

     “You can come play with Wongs any time you want,” Tinkler told her.

     Another player walking past added: “She’s the MVP.”

     Every team that plays in the Tournament of Champions gets to enter a player on the All-Star rosters.

     The oldest players competed for the first three innings. The next younger group plays the middle three innings. The youngest players draw the final three innings.

     The game featured five lead changes, with neither team able to pull more than five runs ahead at a given time. Batters bashed 58 hits, including six home runs.

     “It was an exciting game right to the end,” Karagiannes said. “I am not happy we lost, but everyone left healthy.”

48 players from 48 different teams and 4 managers took part in the 2026 All-Star Game.