Worlds Rage On With 303 Teams Battling During Second & Third Sessions; Four Teams Complete Triple Grand Slam

Sept. 1, 2021

LAS VEGAS – The Senior Softball World Championships, the granddaddy of them all, continued here with the Men’s 65 through 85 age divisions playing Sept. 20-23, and the Men’s and Women’s 40 age divisions taking the field Sept. 24-26.

The second session (Men’s 65 – 85) of the tournament featured 15 divisions, with 155 teams scheduled to play 506 games; while the third session (Men’s and Women’s 40) featured 148 teams scheduled for 482 games.

During the second session, California and Florida teams took home three championships each, while a pair of Minnesota teams took home titles as well. Other victorious states included Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, Montana, Colorado, Iowa, Texas and Arizona.

Six U.S. National Championship Games were held during the second session, with the West teams holding a 4-2 advantage.

Two teams would go on to earn the Triple Grand Slam – Timberworks/Suncoast 70 (CA) and Top Gun Blue Angels 85 (CA).

Two National Senior Softball Hall of Fame inductions also were held during the second session, as Dave Dowell, SSUSA National Director/Scheduling, and Lud Nordahl, a member of Timberworks/Suncoast 70 were each inducted.

Dowell was a member of the NSSHOF Class of 2020 in the Director category, while Nordahl was a member of the NSSHOF Class of 2021 in the Player category.

Session two began on a somber note, unfortunately, as Ron Smith, a player on Excessive Force (CA), a Men’s 65 AAA team, suffered a heart attack on the field and later died at the hospital.

SSUSA extends its deepest condolences to the Smith family.

During the third session, a pair of teams from Florida, as well as Washington, Kansas, California  and Utah all took home championships.

In the four U.S. National Games of session three, the East teams held the advantage, 3-1.

Two teams would go on to earn the Triple Grand Slam: DDA Nation (FL), Men’s 40 Major; and Still Grubbing (CA), Women’s 40 AAA.

The Men’s 55 and 60 age divisions began the tournament, Sept. 16-19. CLICK HERE to read the recap from the opening session.

Directors and umpires have earned a well-deserved break, as the first three sessions totaled 488 teams with 1,590 games scheduled over 11 straight days.

The tournament will conclude with the Men’s 50 (Sept. 30 – Oct. 3) and Women’s 50 (Oct. 1 – Oct. 3) age divisions.

Session 2 (Men’s 65 – 85)

Men’s 65/70 Major Plus Division (6 Teams)

Timberworks/Suncoast (CA) - Men's 70 Major Plus World Champs (Triple Grand Slam)

McDowell & Sons/Drobena Builders (IN) - Men's 65 Major Plus World Champs

The Men’s 65/70 Major Plus Division featured five 65-year-old teams and one 70-year-old team. All games were played under 65 age division rules with 10 defensive players.

The lone 70s team, Timberworks/Suncoast (CA), went 2-0 in seeding play to secure the top seed.

Timberworks/Suncoast continued its winning ways in the bracket, defeating MN Masters/Ancell 43-26 and McDowell & Sons/Drobena Builders (IN) 28-26 to punch its ticket into the championship game.

McDowell & Sons/Drobena Builders entered the bracket as the last seed, after going 0-2 in seeding play. However, the team won back-to-back bracket games, downing Top Gun Elite (CA), 21-17, and Texas Crush Sixty Fives, 29-17, before falling to Timberworks/Suncoast in the winner’s bracket final.

In the third-place game, McDowell & Sons/Drobena Builders again knocked off Texas Crush Sixty Fives, 36-23, to reach the championship game.

With McDowell & Sons/Drobena securing the championship for its respective age division (65 Major Plus), no championship game was held as agreed upon by both teams.

Timberworks/Suncoast would also go on to earn the Triple Grand Slam for the Men’s 70 Major Plus Division.

For Timberworks, this marks a remarkable sixth straight World title, and fifth straight Triple Grand Slam.

Men’s 65 Major (25 Teams)

Chicago Prime (IL) - Men's 65 Major World Champs

In the 25-team Men’s 65 Major Division, Via Citrus (FL) defeated Bulldogs (OR) in the U.S. National Championship Game.

Via Citrus would fall short of the Triple Grand Slam, as the team went 2-2 in bracket play, being eliminated in their first game on Championship Thursday.

Going undefeated on the week, Chicago Prime (IL) posted a perfect 7-0 record (2-0 in seeding and 5-0 in bracket play), including a 19-12 win in the Championship Game over Trachsel Auto Body (OR).

Trachsel Auto Body also entered bracket play with a 2-0 mark in seeding, and went 4-2 in the bracket, with both losses coming at the hands of Chicago Prime, en route to their runner-up finish.

After dropping their first bracket game against Nor Cal Reds, 25-18, Tasty Pizza (MN) rattled off a grueling seven straight victories, en route to their eventual third-place finish.

North Idaho Softball Club rounded out the top four finishers.

KC Kids (MO) and Arizona Scorpions tied for fifth place.

Men’s 65 AAA Division (27 Teams)

Pill & Pill (WV) - Men's 65 AAA World Champs

In a tournament first, a three-team full round robin was used to determine the U.S. National Champion in the 27-team Men’s 65 AAA Division, the largest division of the second session.

The trio included Pill & Pill (WV), Yeahoos (WA) and Cascade Thunder (OR).

Yeahoos came out on top as the U.S. National Champs, and locked up the No. 1 seed in bracket play with wins over both Pill & Pill (24-20) and Cascade Thunder (15-5).

Pill & Pill defeated Cascade Thunder 24-9 to earn the second-place finish, and No. 2 seed. Cascade Thunder entered bracket play as the No. 3 seed.

Yeahoos would fail to complete the Triple Grand Slam, as the team was upset in their opening bracket game against Utah Coyotes (29-17) and unable to recover. The team would eventually be eliminated on Wednesday afternoon.

Pill & Pill, the U.S. National runner-up, used a 5-0 run in the bracket, including a 16-6 win over MN Lumberjacks in the championship game.

MN Lumberjacks won three elimination games to reach the championship game.

Plainsmen (NE) and Last Call (NV) rounded out the top four teams, coming in third and fourth place, respectively.

Seattle65 (WA) ran the gauntlet through the elimination side of the bracket with five straight wins, to eventually finish in tie for fifth place along with Utah Coyotes.

Men’s 65 AA Division (14 Teams)

Montana Cutthroats - Men's 65 AA World Champions

In the 14-team Men’s 65 AA Division, Montana Cutthroats took the No. 1 seed following its 2-0 record in seeding games, and continued to roll with a 4-0 mark in bracket play. The team capped off its undefeated week with 20-18 win over Relentless (TX) in the championship game.

Relentless also went 2-0 in seeding, and 4-2 in bracket play, with both losses coming against the Montana Cutthroats.

Oklahoma Street Outlaws put forth a valiant effort in the elimination side of the bracket with five straight wins, en route to their third-place finish.

Northwest Silver (WA) rounded out the top four finishers.

Men’s 70 Major Division (13 Teams)

Minnesota Masters - Men's 70 Major World Champs

In the 13-team Men’s 70 Major Division, Minnesota Masters won five straight bracket games, including a 20-17 win over top seed AZ Ancient in the championship game.

After going 2-0 in seeding to lock up the No. 1, AZ Ancient posted a 3-2 record in bracket, with both losses against champion Minnesota Masters.

After dropping their first two bracket games, R & R (CA) rattled off four straight wins in elimination games to finish in third place.

Oregon Crabs rounded out the top four.

Men’s 70 AAA Division (17 Teams)

Valley Fog (CA) - Men's 70 AAA World Champs

In the 17-team Men’s 70 AAA Division, Valley Fog (CA) completed a flawless week, going 2-0 in seeding, and 5-0 in bracket play, including a 26-13 win over top seed, SoCal Gusto, in the championship game.

Both of SoCal Gusto’s losses in the tournament came against Valley Fog.

For Valley Fog, this is the team’s second straight World Championship title, as the team won the Men’s 70 AA Division in 2020.

Scrap Iron 5280 (CO) and Last Call (NV) finished in third and fourth place, respectively.

Men’s 70 AA Division (8 Teams)

Scrap Iron Diamonds (CO) - Men's 70 AA World Champs

In the eight-team Men’s 70 AA Division, Scrap Iron Diamonds (CO) took home the division following a 4-0 record in bracket play, including a 22-14 win over Chicago Hitmen (IL) in the championship game.

After dropping their opening bracket game, Chicago Hitmen ran off five straight victories en route to their eventual runner-up finish.

El Paso Nine-Elevens (TX) and Franklin Loan Center (CA) rounded out the top four, finishing third and fourth, respectively.

Men’s 75 Major Plus (2 Teams)

Venom (FL) - Men's 75 Major Plus World Champs

In the Men’s 75 Major Plus Division, Venom (FL) and OMEN (CA) played in a best of three-game series.

In the opening game, which was the U.S. National Championship Game, OMEN knocked off Venom, 21-5.

However, Venom would have the last word, as the team bounced back with two straight wins, 17-2 and 19-8, respectively, to complete the double-dip and claim the World title.

Men’s 75 Major (8 Teams)
A full seven-game round robin was used to determine the champion in the 8-team Men’s 75 Major Division.

The division also featured a U.S. National Championship Game, as State Roofing Systems (CA) knocked off AMR South (FL), 17-15.

The loss would be the lone lose for AMR South, as the team went 6-1, to take the top spot.

Tri-State Diamondbacks (NM) and Tharaldson’s (NV) each finished with identical 5-2 records.

Via its head-to-head win, 10-9, Tri-State Diamondbacks claimed second place, while Tharaldson’s finished third.

State Roofing Systems fell short of completing the Triple Grand Slam, finishing with an even 3-3 record. General Equipment (OR) also finished with an even 3-3 record, as the teams did not play each other in their scheduled game, the final game of the division.

Hooikaika Kinipopo (HI) finished in a 3-4 record, while Scrap Iron Legends (CO) and Sidewinders (AZ) finished with identical 1-6 marks. Sidewinders defeated Scrap Iron Legends, 17-8, in their head-to-head meeting.

Men’s 75 AAA (10 Teams)

Midwest Express (IA) - Men's 75 AAA World Champs

A modified single elimination bracket was used to crown the champion in the 10-team Men’s 75 AAA Division.

Midwest Express (IA) and Chicago Gray Sox (IL) each entered the bracket with a 3-0 record in seeding.

Midwest Express would go on to run the table in the bracket, with a 3-0 record, including a 10-8 win over Huberd Shoe Grease (AZ) in the championship game.

Chicago Gray Sox and Hill Contracting (TX) tied for third place.

Men’s 75 AA (4 Teams)

MN Lumnberjacks - Men's 75 AA World Champs

In the four-team Men’s 75 AA Division, top seed MN Lumberjacks completed an undefeated week, going 3-0 in seeding, and 3-0 in bracket play, including a 19-4 win over Triple Play (CA) in the championship game.

Silver City Brewers (WA) finished third, followed by Texas Knight Riders in fourth.

Men’s 80 Major Plus (2 Teams)

Florida Investment Properties - Men's 80 Major Plus World Champs

Florida Investment Properties swept Top Gun Gold (CA) in a best of three game series, by scores of 18-11 and 19-14, respectively, to capture the Men’s 80 Major Plus Division.

Top Gun Gold did not go home empty handed, as the team defeated Florida Investment Properties, 23-19, in the U.S. National Championship Game.

Men’s 80 Major (6 Teams)
A full five-game round robin was used to determine the champion in the six-team Men’s 80 Major Division.

With a 4-1 record, LOTA Softball (TX) took the top prize.

Minnesota Masters and Scrap Iron Gray Berets (CO) tied with identical 3-2 records, with Minnesota Masters earning the tie-breaker via its head-to-head win, 19-13.

New York Statesmen, the fourth-place finisher, took home the U.S. National Championship, via its 10-8 win over Git-R-Done Gold (OR).

Men’s 80 AAA (8 Teams)

Arizona Outlaws - Men's 80 AAA World Champs

The eight-team Men’s 80 AAA Division also used a full round robin to determine the champion, with teams playing seven games.

Arizona Outlaws and Scorpions (AZ) tied with identical 6-1 records.

Via its 20-18 head-to-head win, Arizona Outlaws took first place.

ProHealth Care (WI) finished third with a 5-2 record.

Gold Rush was the fourth-place finisher with a 3-4 record.

Men’s 85 Gold Division (5 Teams)
The five-team Men’s 85 Gold Division was determined with a modified single elimination bracket.

Top seed Top Gun Blue Angels (CA) completed a perfect week, going 4-0 in seeding and 2-0 in bracket play, including a 17-11 win over Center For Sight (FL).

The win also completed the Triple Grand Slam for Top Gun Blue Angels.

Arizona Prospectors and Team Rehabilitation (MN) tied for third, followed by Antiques (KS).

Session 3 (Men’s and Women’s 40)

Men’s 40 Major Plus (17 Teams)

Suncoast Adidas (FL) - Men's 40 Major Plus World Champs

In the 17-team Men’s 40 Major Plus Division, Spirits West/SMC (MD) knocked off LCP/DTA (CA), 26-23, for the U.S. National Championship.

Spirits West/SMC and LCP/DTA would eventually finished tied for fifth place in bracket play.

Suncoast Adidas (FL) took the top spot following its 5-0 performance in the bracket, including a 34-24 win over Proton (AZ) in the championship game.

Proton won three straight elimination games en route to their runner-up finish.

Onyx (CA) claimed third place, while GTS (ID) rounded out the top four finishers.

Men’s 40 Major (65 Teams)

DDA Nation (FL) - Men's 40 Major World Champs

In the 65-team Men’s 40 Major Division, the largest division of the third session, DDA Nation (FL) took down Hustle (CA) 16-13 in the U.S. National Championship Game.

12 teams would go on to advance to Championship Sunday, with eight teams in the elimination side of the bracket, and four teams in the driver’s seat in the championship side of the bracket.

Building off of the momentum of their U.S. National Championship, DDA Nation, one of the four teams to reach the championship side of the bracket, would advance all the way to the Championship game.

Dudley Lightning (MO), Evan Williams/CWI (CA) and First Capital (NY) rounded out the other four teams that entered the final day needing to lose twice to get bounced.

Eventually tying for fifth place were Evan Williams/CWI and Pony Tail Express (CA).

Asylum Ballers (CA) was the fourth-place finisher after winning their three straight elimination games on Sunday.

First Capital finished in third place, after going 1-2 on Sunday.

After dropping their first game of bracket play on Sunday 25-2 to DDA Nation, Dudley Lightning rattled off four straight wins, including a 29-26 victory in a revenge game over DDA Nation in the championship game.

In the winner-take-all “if” game, and rubber match, DDA Nation avoided the double-dip with a 23-20 win.

With their victory, DDA Nation completed the elusive Triple Grand Slam.

Men’s 40 AAA (23 Teams)

Hit N Solos: LC Merchants (WA) - Men's 40 AAA World Champions

In the 23-team Men’s 40 AAA Division, Autism Pride (MD) downed GTR (OR), 20-17, in the U.S. National Championship Game.

Autism Pride would be unable to complete the Triple Grand Slam, going 2-2 in bracket play, being eliminated on Sunday morning.

Hit N Solos: LC Merchants (WA) completed a perfect weekend, going 2-0 in seeding play, and 5-0 in bracket play, including a 25-13 win over Shut-D (HI) in the championship game.

Shut-D had won five straight elimination games en route to their eventual runner-up finish.

40 Cal Assault was the third place finisher, while Rough Ryders (MD) finished fourth.

Rough Ryders made a valiant run through the elimination side of the bracket with six straight wins.

Sicarios (CA) and Vintage Softball (AZ) tied for fifth place.

Women’s 40 Major (15 Teams)

Dudley Softball (KS) - Women's 40 Major World Champs

In the 15-team Women’s 40 Major Division, Dudley Softball (KS) ran the table in the bracket with a 5-0 mark, including a 16-8 win over top seed TABU (CA) in the championship game.

TABU had won three straight elimination games en route to their eventual runner-up finish.

HTS-Here To Smash (CA) finished in third place, followed by Hafta Play (CA) in fourth place.

Tharaldson Softball (NV) and Broken Dollz (CA) tied for fifth.

Women’s 40 AAA (25 Teams)

Still Grubbing (CA) - Women's 40 AAA World Champs

In the 25-team Women’s 40 AAA Division, Still Grubbing (CA) defeated Cherry Bomb (MD), 19-10, in the U.S. National Championship game.

Still Grubbing continued their winning ways in the bracket, going 5-0, including a 19-12 win over Shut-D XP (HI) in the championship game, to complete the Triple Grand Slam.

Shut-D XP won three straight elimination games en route to their runner-up finish.

Cherry Bomb finished in third place, while Pro Moves (CA) was the fourth-place finisher.

B Squared (AZ) and B.O.O.B.s (CA) tied for fifth.

Women’s 40 AA (3 Teams)

Still Got It (UT) - Women's 40 AA World Champs

In the three-team Women’s 40 AA Division, top seed Still Got It (UT) went 2-0 in the bracket, including an 8-6 win over Guam FIGO Islanders in the championship game.

Guam Team SOTTA finished in third place.