Wishy-Washy Weather Can't Stop the 2026 40th Annual Rock 'N' Reno Challenge Cup

June 1, 2026

By Donna McGuire
Softball News Report

Teams from eight states captured championships in SSUSA’s 40^th Annual Rock ‘n’ Reno Challenge Cup tournament, which concluded May 31 in Nevada.

California delivered the most entries and the most champions. Eighteen teams from the Golden State took home first-place trophies, championship shirts and berths to the 2027 Tournament of Champions.

Acme 60s vs. Tough Monkey/Onyx/Elite of the Men's 60+ Major Plus division, both from California, playing their first game in the best two out of three bracket.

Oregon and Washington finished a distant second with three champions apiece. Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, Utah and North Carolina also produced title winners.

The May 22-31 tournament drew 199 teams to ballparks in Carson City, Sparks and Reno. As usual, women’s teams produced a strong contingent with 36 entries. The men’s 40 Masters Division earned the title of largest age group with 32 teams participating.

"To misquote a classic, the 2026 Rock 'n' Reno Championships had the best of weather and the worst of weather," said Terry Hennessy, SSUSA's chief executive officer.

"The second session of 65-85 divisions saw rain, hail, cold temperatures and wind thrown in for good measure. The third session was beautiful blue skies, little wind and perfect temperatures," he said.  "But the competition was close, with a number of one-run games."

Results:

Women's 40+ Major: After splitting two close seeding games, the fifth-seeded Redz/Ikonic/Cali Bat Co./PT of North Carolina (photo below) got on a roll in bracket play, capped by a 21-15 championship victory over seventh-seeded Royal-T Real Estate of Washington. Sixth-seeded I.S.S.U.E. of California nabbed third in the seven-team division.

Women's 40+ Silver: Top-seeded Mood Swings, a 40 AAA team from California, won five games in a row before losing the first championship game 17-14 to second-seeded Pest Seniors of California. Mood Swings turned the table in the if-need title game by winning 17-14 to claim the 11-team division. Fourth-seeded POP- Past Our Prime of California earned third place.

Women's 50+ Major: Top-seeded OnFire/Afoa Insurance of California blazed through the tournament unbeaten in five games, including a 4-2 championship victory over fourth-seeded GBA of California. That proved to be the lowest-scoring game among 17 played in the five-team division. Second-seeded TWB of California placed third.

Women's 50+ AAA: After starting 1-2 overall, the third-seeded Idaho Spirit 50s (photo below, orange abd blue jerseys) won three in a row, including 17-14 and 21-17 championship victories over second-seeded Mood Swings 50 of California (photo below, black and white jerseys). Top-seeded Vintage 208 50s of Idaho finished third in the three-team division.

Women's 55+ Gold: Top-seeded Takin’ Chances, a 55+ AAA team from California, dominated this four-team division. It capped a 6-0 tournament with a 17-2 title-game triumph over second-seeded Old Nasty Curves of California. Third-seeded Bomb Threats of North Carolina took third.

Women's 60+ Gold: Top-seeded Castawaz, a AAA team from Nevada, lost its unbeaten streak in the first title game, which the Lady Scorpions of Arizona won. The Scorpions forfeited the if-needed game, which gave Castawaz a 5-1 overall record and the division championship. The fourth-seeded Scrubs of California took third in the six-team division.

Men's 40+ Major Plus: Playing a best-of-three format, Supreme Athletics/Anarchy Bats of California swept Cheap Suits/Republic Realty of California 39-25 and 32-30. Supreme finished 5-0 overall.

Men's 40+ Major: This 19-team division – the tournament’s largest – was captured by the fifth-seeded BT Bombers/Six Pac of California, which defeated seventh-seeded Throwdown Softball of California 26-22 in the title tilt. The Bombers averaged 26 runs per game in bracket play. Throwdown won five elimination games to reach the finals. Seeded 15^th, Yellow Dragon/Expert Auto Care/AG Construction of California reached the third-place game before being eliminated 28-27 by Throwdown.

Unloaded 40s (CA) vs. Sudden Impact NM, Saturday morning of the Men's 40+ Major division, the largest division at the 2026 Reno Cup.

Men's 40+ AAA: Seeded ninth entering bracket play, Ol Dirty Ballerz of California lost one bracket game by one run before double-dipping 11^th-seeded T.N.T. 40s of California 22-18 and 20-16 to claim the crown in this 11-team division. Fourth-seeded War Pigs of Washington nabbed third.

Men's 50+ Major: Fourth-seeded No Excuses 50 of California capped a 5-1 tournament with a 26-20 championship victory over third-seeded A&B Plumbing 50 of California. Fifth-seeded PRMI of Idaho won three elimination games to finish third in the seven-team division.

Men's 50+ AAA: Seeded ninth of 13 teams following pool play, the Garbage Pail Kids of Nevada won all five of their bracket games, including a 24-23 nail-bitter over fifth-seeded Band of Brothers 50 of Utah. It marked the Kids’ third one-run victory in the bracket. Band of Brothers won three elimination games to reach the finals. Third-seeded CaliGold 50 earned third place.

Men's 50/55+ Major Plus: Playing a best-of-three format, the 50+ Major Plus team Gold Nation Hustle 50s of California swept its 55+ Major Plus counterpart, Battleborn of Nevada, 16-4 and 9-8 to finish as unbeaten champions.

Men's 55+ Major: The third-seeded NW Jokers of Washington played two thrilling title games against top-seeded A-1 Pavement Marking 55s of California, with A-1 capturing the first game 21-19 before the Jokers triumphed 28-27 in the finale. Second-seeded Factory DeMarini of Washington nabbed third in the six-team division.

Men's 55+ AAA: Seeded fourth of 14 teams, Cali Gold 55 went 5-1 in bracket play, where it lost the first title game 24-16 before subduing Team Imperial of Idaho 21-18 in the if-needed championship bout. Sixth-seeded Khaos of California finished third.

Men's 55+ AA: Emerald City of Washington (photo below) lost the first game in a best-of-three bracket format 25-24 before capturing 34-29 and 24-17 championship victories over Bob Basher's/Big Dawg 55 of California.

Men's 60+ Major Plus: Playing a best-of-three format, Tough Monkey/Onyx/Elite of California (photo below) blew away Acme 60s of California 42-24 and 24-9. Tough Monkey finished 4-1 overall.

Men's 60+ Major: Top-seeded and unbeaten Jayco 60 of Idaho dispatched all comers, including runner-up North Valley Seniors of California 28-15 in the title game. Second-seeded Chelu 60s of Oregon finished third in the five-team division.

Men's 60+ Silver: The second-seeded and unbeaten AAA team Sacramento Flash (photo below) won its final two games by a total of three runs, including a 24-23 title triumph over the fourth-seeded Warriors 60 of California. The third-seeded Six Five O's of California took third in the 10-team bracket.

Men's 65+ Major Plus: Top-seeded and unbeaten Cal Energy 65 averaged 30 runs per game, outscored its competition 150-108, and claimed the championship with a 25-23 victory over second-seeded Texas Crush Sixty Fives. Third-seeded Samurai 65 of California finished third in the four-team division.

Men's 65+ Major: Top-seeded New Dawn Awning 65 of California averaged 28 runs per game and capped a 5-0 tournament with a 26-24 title-game triumph over second-seeded Arizona Old School 65. Third-seeded Vegas Elite/ Vault took third in the four-team division.

Men's 65+ AAA: Top-seeded Chelu 65s of Oregon won all six games it played, including a 26-10 runaway in the championship game against the second-seeded SportStan/Islanders 65s of California. Chelu’s average margin of victory was 10 runs. Sixth-seeded QC Rebel's/Hopkins Financial of Idaho captured third in the nine-team division.

Men's 65+ AA: Playing a best-of-three format, Ranalls Realty 65 of Arizona swept Classics 65 of Utah 24-21 and 17-15.

Men's 70+ Platinum: Fourth-seeded NorthWest Stampede of Oregon won its five bracket games by a total of eight runs (23-22, 22-18, 19-18 and 11-9) to claim this eight-team mixed division and earn the 70+ Major Plus TOC berth. Third-seeded Cal Energy 70 finished second and received the 70+ Major TOC berth. Top-seeded Last Call 70 of Nevada grabbed third.

Men's 70+ AAA: The top-seeded and unbeaten Utah Coyotes (photo below) held opponents to single digits three times, including a 15-5 championship victory over 11^th-seeded Kona Lawa Kua Nui of Hawaii. The second-seeded Playmakers 70 of Wisconsin captured third in the 13-team bracket.

Men's 70+ AA: The second-seeded Cascade Thunder of Oregon capped a 5-0 tournament by edging fifth-seeded East-West Aircraft Sales 70 of Idaho 15-14 in the title game. The top-seeded Scrap Iron Diamonds 70 of Colorado finished third in the five-team division.

Men's 75+ Major Plus: Top-seeded Omen 75 of California convincingly won all its games and finished unbeaten in capturing this three-team division. Third-seeded Enviro-Vac Marauders of British Columbia, Canada, took second. The Animals 75s of California finished third.

Men's 75+ AAA: Undefeated Please Don't Bug Me of California swept Triple Play 75 of California 17-2 and 19-9 to win this best-of-three bracket contest.

Men's 75+ AA: Top-seeded Northwest Sage of Washington captured this three-team division by winning bracket games 29-17 and 7-0. The Sacramento Buds placed second, and the California Oaks 75s took third.

Men's 75/80+ Platinum: Third-seeded Omen 80, a Major Plus team from California, won all four of its bracket games to capture the title of this seven-team division. The second-place Oregon Crabs earned the 75+ Major TOC berth. Top-seeded Texas Express 75s placed third.

Men's 80/85+ Platinum: Second-seeded Omen 85 of California captured the 85+ Major Plus TOC berth when it knocked off top-seeded Sidewinders 80s of Arizona 26-18 in the title game. The Sidewinders grabbed the 80+ Major TOC berth. Fifth-seeded Last Call 80 of Nevada finished third in the five-team division.

Men's 80/85+ Gold: The five teams in this division played a full round-robin, after which the top four teams played for first, second, third and fourth. Git-R-Done 80 AAA of California edged Balance of Nature 80s of Utah 18-17 in the title game. The Top Gun Blue Angels 85 team from California won the third-place game against the Jaguars of California.