'JERSEY SHORE' HOSTS 46-TEAM NORTHEAST CHAMPS

Feb. 1, 2010 – Dave Dowell National Director

CAPE MAY, NJ – The picturesque historic Cape May area was host to the 2nd annual Northeast Championships in late September as 46 teams competed for regional titles and coveted berths in the SSUSA Tournament of Champions.

The tournament brought the best of New England together for six days under balmy skies and light breezes for the last major event prior to the World Championships.

“Everything about the Northeast Championships is just comfortable. The Jersey Shore is beautiful and offers so many opportunities for great softball and an enjoyable time, and the local support is second to none,” said SSUSA’s Executive Director Fran Dowell, who was on site as the tournament director.

The tournament began on Tuesday with the 65+ and more senior groups competing for championships in four divisions of play at the Goshen-Davies Sports Complex, with only one team escaping the week unbeaten.

In the Men’s 65+ Major division, the Jersey Jaguars came all the way back from a first round bracket loss to defeat the top seeded Pittsburgh Gold for the title in the “If Game” (19-4). The Men’s 65-AAA also required the “If Game” as the Cape Cod Whalers (MA) avenged a winner’s bracket final loss to Maryland’s Tri-County Merchants by a thin 18-16 margin for the championship. The Long Island Jaguars (NY) took a more conventional route to the 65-AA trophy presentation with a sweep of their Best 2 of 3 over the Syracuse Cyclones (NY) by scores of 12-6 and 10-5. The first session concluded with the only unbeaten, Back Office Associates (MA) sweeping to the Men’s 70-Gold title over the field with a final’s win over Peach Tree Restaurant (15-5).

The weekend session, featuring the 60+ and younger divisions also featured close competition throughout with only two teams avoiding losses.

The six-team Men’s 50-Platinum division saw the Sweet Construction 50’s (NJ) avenge their winner’s bracket final loss to Deluxe Bakery (NJ) in both the championships game (18-17) and the “If Game” (7-5) to earn a hard fought championship. The Men’s 50-AAA saw the fourth seeded High Street Bucs (MD) defeat Eagle Tile (MD) to complete an unbeaten bracket run, 23-18, for their title.

In the Men’s 55/60-Platinum division, the only 60+ team in the bracket, the New York Statesmen/EPA Financial, showed the youngsters how it’s done with a championship game win (20-18) over the Sweet Construction 55’s (NJ). Both teams secured bids to the 2010 SSUSA Tournament of Champions. The Men’s 55-AAA trophy was earned by one of the unbeatens as the New Jersey Hitmen sealed the deal with close wins over Bathtub Billy’s (NY) in both the winner’s bracket final (10-9) and the Championship game (9-4).

The eight-team Men’s 60’s division was also highly competitive. The 60-Major championship was earned by the HMR 60’s (PA) with two one-run wins over Monkey Joe’s Big Nut Co. (NJ), 16-15, and then 10-9 in the “If Game.” The New York Streaks were awarded the 60-AAA championship after an overnight rain on Saturday left field conditions unsafe for play at Avalon. They were the last unbeaten team and were in the winner’s bracket finals victor on Saturday afternoon.

The Northeast Championships in 2010 promises to be even bigger and better as this event moves to its third year with prospects for another tournament record attendance.

Here is the list of winners:

MEN’S 50-PLATINUM

1. Sweet Construction 50’s (NJ)

2. Deluxe Bakery (NJ)

3. East Coast Softball Club (NY)

MEN’S 50-AAA

1. High Street Bucs (MD)

2. Eagle Tile / Who’s on First (MD)

3. Shark Sports (NY)

MEN’S 55/60-PLATINUM

1. New York Statesmen / EPA (NY)

2. Sweet Construction 55’s (NJ)

3. Tri-State Merchants (PA)

MEN’S 55-AAA

1. New Jersey Hitmen (NJ)

2. Bathtub Billy’s / Rally Time (NY)

3. Freddie’s Shooters (MD)

MEN’S 60-MAJOR

1. HMR 60’s (PA)

2. Monkey Joe’s Big Nut Co. 60’s (NJ)

MEN’S 60-AAA

1. New York Streaks (NY)

2. Stahl’s Post #30 (DE)

3. Jersey Masters (NJ)

MEN’S 65-MAJOR

1. Jersey Jaguars (NJ)

2. Pittsburgh Gold (PA)

3. Monkey Joe’s Big Nut Co. 65’s (NJ)

MEN’S 65-AAA

1. Cape Cod Whalers (MA)

2. Maryland Tri-County Office Equipment (MD)

3. Hamels 65’s (MD)

MEN’S 65-AA

1. Long Island Jaguars (NY)

2. Syracuse Cyclones (NY)

MEN’S 70-GOLD

1. Back Office Associates (MA)

2. Peach Tree Restaurant (PA)

3. Hamels Cavaliers (VA)