WESTERN NATIONALS- RECORD 104 TEAMS COMPETE IN 40S THROUGH 80S; CANADA CLAIMS 2 TITLES

Sept. 1, 2013

Softball News Report

SACRAMENTO – The 13th annual Western Nationals turned out to be lucky for senior softball players here in August, with a record number of teams competing in beautiful weather.

California’s Capital drew 104 teams from seven western states and Canada to determine the top teams in the West.

The Western Nationals is the first step toward one of the most coveted prize in senior softball -- the Triple Grand Slam.

Winners of the Western Nationals receive a berth in the US National Game (against the winner of the Eastern Nationals, which was played in Raleigh, N.C.). Teams that win the US National Game, the World Masters Championships in Las Vegas this fall win the Triple Grand Slam.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, fresh from his victory in keeping NBA’s Kings in Sacramento, welcomed senior softball players to the Western Nationals: “Thank you for bringing your tournament to Sacramento and the best of luck to all of you….”

As in all tournaments, some teams had more luck than others, although several divisions had sharp – and close – games.

The youngest and oldest divisions set the tone for the tournament, with California teams beating Washington teams in both finals.

Four 80-year-old men’s teams competed for the Western crown, with Arizona Prospectors defeating Joseppi’s of Washington 12-8 in the finals for the Western title. The Redwood City Chiefs will represent the 80 AAA division for the West.

And in the 40 Women’s AA division, B.O.O.B.s of California squeaked by Northwest Intensity of Washington 7-6 for the Western championship. Steel Runnin will represent the West in 40 AAA division.

In the largest division, the 60 Men’s AAA, it was North versus South. The Bay Supporters of Northern California withstood a drive by OTE of Southern California, who emerged from the loser’s bracket to beat Bay Supporters 25-17 and force an IF game. The Bay Supporters came back in the IF game to narrowly defeat OTE 14-12 to take the title.

In the first of two remarkable upsets, 1st American Title of Washington defeated powerhouse Streamline Circuits of California in two out of three games to win the 70 Major-Plus Championships.

In the second upset, the Old Dawgs double-dipped Joe Brown’s All Stars to win the 60 Major-Plus title.

There was no upset in the women’s 60 division, with California Spirit sweeping competitors in a perfect 5-0 tournament and defeating California Express / Timberworks 22-8 in the finals.

In men’s divisions:

Prestige/Premier defeated All World 40s in the finals 24-12 to win the 40 Major-Plus Western title.

The six-team 40 Major division went to the IF game, with NorCal Stars double-dipping Needle Madness (8-7 and 15-2) for the championship.

In the 50 Major-Plus division, the top seeded Arizona Elite beat MTC 50s 14-3 for the title.

In the large 11-team 50 Major division, the NorCal Warriors squeaked through the bracket, winning two of the games by only a single run, and beat the Oregon Flatliners 14-10 in the finals.

In another close finish in the 50 AAA, Sonoma County Crush was forced to the IF game by losing to the Stanislaus Sluggers (19-9). The Crush came back in the IF game to defeat the Sluggers 16-13.

In the mixed 55 Platinum division, Goodman Racing of Washington topped the 55 Major teams, while MTC 55s took the 55 Major-Plus Western title and won the bracket.

Git-R-Done beat Mountain Mike’s Pizza in the 55 AAA finals 11-4 to win the division.

In AA action, Scrap Iron Coyotes beat the Scrap Iron Rockies (both teams are from Colorado) in two close finals (14-13 and 16-15) to win the 55 AA title and the Sacramento Islanders Gold of California edged Northwest Silver of Washington 11-10 to take the 60 AA crown.

Canada roared to victory in the 60 Major division, with Enviro-Vac Marauders of British Columbia double-dipping Top Gun 60s of California 10-9 and 15-14.

In the 65 Majors, another British Columbia team, the Master Marauders defeated Ponchos of Arizona 12-11 to win the Western title. Omen of California will represent the West 65 Major-Plus division and the Mustangs of California will represent the West in the 60- AA division.

In the five-team 65AA division, the Lincoln Hills Coyotes beast the Sacramento Buds 22-13 in the finals for the title.

In the mixed 70/75 Major division, the San Francisco Seals 75 Major team double-dipped the Lincoln Hills Coyotes 70 Majors to win the bracket and the 75 Western berth. The Coyotes were the top-finishing 70 Major team and will represent the West in that division.

In the 70 AAA, the Raptors beat Triple Play for the Western title and in the 75 AAA, State Roofing Systems defeated the Lincoln Hills Coyotes 75s (7-3) to take the championships.

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