18th Annual Quad Cities Classic Dodges Tornadoes

Sept. 1, 2013

The threat of tornados, storms and heavy rains did not deter 37 teams from going to bat in the 18th Quad Cities Classic, Illinois/Iowa’s oldest continuous senior softball tournament.

Up first, were the 75’s and 70’s. In the 75 bracket, Bill Doell’s Chicago Geezers defeated Bill Klinkenberg’s Antiques of Kansas City, 18-16, in a 10-inning slugfest, and 13-5 in the finals to claim the 75 crown.

The game may have been the tournament’s most exciting. It was well played on both ends, a see-saw affair, with great sportsmanship exhibited by both teams.

In the 70’s division, six teams laced up their old spikes to do battle.

Tom Spear’s Central 70’s, opened with a win over Lowell Tompson’s Minnesota Masters 26-16. Central slipped in its second game vs. Lenny Suess’s Silver Sneaker team from St. Louis 14-12.

Central regained its hitting shoes and reeled off three consecutive victories: over Oshkosh 18-15, over Rudy Pribble’s Mid State 70’s 18-11, and finally over Silver Sneakers 14-0 to win the AAA title.

The AA title went to Jerry Diemel’s, Oshkosh 70’s.

Dave Raymond’s Oshkosh Ambassadors 65 team proved to be tough competition for their five rivals. The Oshkosh-Bigosh men claimed the AAA gold crown going 5-0.

After going 0-2, Charlie Byrum’s Chicago Gray Sox put it together to win the silver AAA crown, defeating Ed Tworek’s Midwest Express team 19-18 in a thriller.

The silver AA title went to Mike Sabatino’s Chicago Hitmen.

In the 60s division, Dan Umbach’s, Chicago Prime 60’s, played great defense and received timely hitting to go 5-0 and claim the AAA crown.

In the 60 AA, Wes Kehl’s Badger Classics took home the prize.

In the 55 division, John Miranda’s Chicago Classic Panthers proved tough competition for the eight-team field. The Panther-men won the gold AAA going 5-0.

Lorne Ring’s Illinois Central Chiefs suffered a first-round loss to Gil Stephens’ Integrity Builders, but put it all together, and played some outstanding softball, including a game-ending double play that gave them the 55 silver AAA title.

For the first time in the 18-year history of the Quad Cities Classic, a team was shut out. Gene Meyer’s 55 Fossils lost 17-0, but bounced back and played some great softball, before losing to Merle Hicks’ 1st Interiors for the AA title.

The 50s put on an exciting show as four division titles were determined. Perennial powerhouse, Pope/Roberts Construction, although 55, took home a major 50 title.

Q.C. director, Gus Linke said, “Roberts/Pope has an excellent team, they are solid in all facets of the game, they are also an outstanding group of men, they will be a force at the nationals.” The other major 50 title went to J & J Sports from Iowa.

The AAA 50s proved to be most exciting and the title wasn’t determined until the last game. Bob Kenney’s W.C. Thunder defeated Kenny Chard’s Steve’s Old Time Tap 18-16 to claim the title.

The AA 50s title went to Steve Paulsen’s Iowa City Antiques and a major highlight for the Iowa City team was defeating rival J & J Sports of Des Moines a major team, 19-12.

The 2013 Sportsmanship award went to the Mid-State Senior group 60’s, 65’s and 70’s. Congratulations to managers Dave Wallace, John Collins and Rudy Pribble.