Vipers, Still Young, Michelle's, Blue Chips Top Divisions in Northern Championships

Sept. 1, 2013 – Beth Hamilton

Softball News Report

LANSING, MICH.– Forty-three teams arrived here in late August to compete in the Northern Championships.

Tim McElroy, a director for Senior Softball USA said, “I don’t think the weather could have been any better. It was a great 73 to 75 degrees with a slight breeze.” With the weather in their favor, the tournament went off without a hitch.

Six teams competed in the 50 Major bracket, with Still Young prevailing over CPOA Cleveland/ Northern Ohio Printing in the championship game 22-6.

Because of some conflicts, two teams could not make the round robin games in the 50 AAA division. Therefore to make things even, they were penalized and placed in the last two seeds. Yet Michelle’s Boyz/Stansell from Ohio fought their way through eight games and ended up beating Detroit Elite 18-10 for the title.

In the 55 Major division, Pope Transport from Wisconsin was a team on a mission. After the first round of games, they were placed in the third seed. Going into the championship bracket they kicked it up and survived two close games. In the championship game against Kinnco Services, Pope Transport proved they had enough with a 19-17 win.

Seven teams competed in the 55/60 AAA Gold Division with the Golden Vipers of Michigan coming out on top by beating the Milwaukee Merchants 16-5 in the finals.

With three teams competing in the 60 AAA division, it was a race to the finish for the Northeast Ohio Seniors, The Bomb Squad and Windsor Chiefs 60. The No. 1 seed Northeast Ohio Seniors ended up taking home the title in a close match-up with the Windsor Chiefs 19-18.

In the 60 AA division, Blue Chips 60 of Illinois were feeling confident stepping into the championship round, after winning their first three games. In the title game, they met the No. 2 seeded Ohio Silverados, whom Blue Chips defeated 17-12.

The only team to compete in the 65 Gold Division as 65 Major was DeClaire Knee & Orthopedic. They shot to the top right off the bat and eventually landed in the championship game against the Windsor Chiefs, which DeClaire won 20-14.

All-In 50 and Milwaukee Magic 50, both 50AA teams met in a best two-out-of-three series with the Milwaukee Magic sweeping the series by scores of 10-8 and 20-6.

For complete scores, bracket results, and All Tournament Player lists, please visit the Northern Championships Tournament page at www.seniorsoftball.com.