Northern Championships Boom, Rebound From Nasty Storm

Sept. 1, 2009 – Steve Simmons New England & North Regional Director, Clubs & Leagues

LANSING, Mich. – The SSWC Northern Championships held here in August got a good soaking as Friday’s games were rained out. But the Lansing Sports Authority, in the person of Mike Price, came to the rescue.

Price was able to reserve another softball facility and make arrangements to play the 65+, 70+ and 75+ games at these fields on Saturday. This was a tournament saver as it allowed all divisions to play a full and complete championship round, a preferred approach when playing for a Tournament of Champions berth.

Among the tournament highlights were:

Gekle Builders won the 50 Platinum Division by going undefeated in all five of their games. They beat the Motown Stars 23-17 in the championship game. Motown had worked their way through the loser’s bracket with three straight wins before losing to Gekle in the finals. Both teams earned TOC berths, Gekle as a 50 Major Plus team and Motown as a 50 Major team.

Doug & Don’s Auto Care reached the finals of the 50 AAA Division without a loss. In the finals they were beaten by the Detroit Jags 9-7 before bouncing back with a 13-9 win over the Jags to take the title.

Roberts Construction went 4 & 0, with two of those wins coming against the Minnesota Masters 55’s, to claim the 55 Major crown.

The Zeppelin Softball team squeaked by both Banker Builders 50’s 17-16 in the winner’s bracket finals and then the Dayton Legends 55’s 19-18 in the championship game to finish at the top of the 50/55 AA Division.

Jim & Joe’s / Williams Food Service rolled through the 60 Platinum Division with a 5 & 0 record, including three wins over the Michigan Express, to be named the 60 Platinum champion.

All division winners earned TOC berths. Listed are the top finishers in each division.

50 Platinum

1. Gekle Builders (MI)

2. Motown Stars (MI)

3. Can-Do Metals (IL)

50 AAA

1. Doug & Don's Auto Care (MI)

2. Detroit Jaguars (MI)

3. Chicago Prime 50's (IL)

55 Major

1. Roberts Construction (WI)

2. Minnesota Masters 55’s (MN)

3. Magellan Investment Group (MI)

55 AAA

1. Chicago Classics Panthers (IL)

2. Brickyard Fiddy-5 (IN)

3. Chicago Prime 55's (IL)

50/55 AA

1. Zeppelin Softball (KY)

2. Dayton Legends 55's (OH)

3. Banker Builders 50's (MI)

60 Platinum

1. Jim & Joes•Williams Food Service (KY)

2. Michigan Express (MI)

3. HMR 60's (PA)

60 AAA

1. Chicago Classics Bobcats (IL)

2. Doc Martens (MI)

3. Firehouse Grille & Pub•Flanagan's (OH)

60 AA

1. Indy 60's (IN)

2. Dayton Legends 60's (OH)

3. Drift Inn•Bilba's Pub (WI)

65 AAA

1. Michaels 65's (IL)

2. Akron Silver Masters (OH)

3. Indianapolis Classics (IN)

65 AA

1. Olde D's (MI)

2. Chicago Seniors (IL)

3. Michigan Spirit (MI)

70 Major

1. Dan Pfeiffer Auto (MI)

2. Michigan Lakers (MI)

70/75 Gold

1. W. Tailgaterz (MI)

2. Pfeiffer Gray Sox 75's (MI)