SPRING NATIONALS A SET FOR TV PILOT

June 1, 2011 – Senior Softball-USA

AUBURNDALE, Fla. – A television filming crew turned the Spring Nationals here in April into a stage spotlighting inspirational senior athletes.

The television crew spent three solid days interviewing players and capturing the excitement of senior softball.

“The pilot is called Top of the Game and we expect to be finished in three or four months,” said Megan McCracken, who is the star of the show. “After it is finished, we will be pitching it to different networks, from the new Oprah channel to the AARP channel and see where we strike a deal.”

McCracken, who has appeared on a number of television shows and commercials, and is also a certified fitness instructor, said after the shooting, “I feel like it is going to be really good.”

On the field, teams from nine states competed in 11 divisions for berths to the Tournament of Champions.

Rain washed out the first day of the first session, but competition picked up quickly on the second and third days.

Three teams fought out of the loser’s bracket to double-dip winner’s bracket teams and clinch their division championships.

In the 65 Platinum division, Florida Thunder defeated the strong Florida Legends 31-19 and forced an “IF” game, winning 23-18.

In the 65 AAA division, Senior Moments of Florida beat Lakeland Canadians of Ontario twice, 11-10 and 23-17, to win the division. And in the mixed 65/70 Silver division, the Bucs & Bulls 65 knocked off their older brothers, the Bucs & Bulls 70s in two games by identical margins, 17-7 and 17-7.

In the oldest group, the 75/80 division, Joseph Chevrolet of Kentucky beat Southern Pride of Alabama 20-9 in the championship game. And in the 70 Platinum division, two Florida teams battled it out, with Agility Physical Therapy defeating Premium Seats 18-13.

Weather was beautiful for all three days of the second, younger group, which played Friday-Sunday – and competition was tight. Two divisions were decided by a single run and a third division went to an “IF” game.

Pat’s Sports defeated Host.net 22-21 to win the 55 Silver division and Double LL Roofing beat Rose Enterprises 16-15 to take the 60 Platinum division.

In the 60 AA, Acousti came out of the loser’s bracket to beat Sound Realty 18-17 and force an “IF” game. Acousti then double-dipped Sound Realty 13-11 to win the division.

In the 60 AAA, the Georgia-Alabama Masters learned on the night before the championships that one of their players, J. W. “Dub” Austin, had died following complications from an earlier surgery (See story on Page X). The Masters went on to beat South Florida Heat 14-9 to win the tournament.

Hollis Appraisals won the large eight-team 50 Major division, winning four straight bracket games, capped with their championship victory over Morgan-Keegan 15-10.

In the 50 AAA, the Brotherhood defeated Team Florida in the finals 23-17 to win the division.

For complete game results, see www.seniorsoftball.com, go to Tournaments, then click on SPRING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.