Wayne Gilmore Session 2 Pushes Through Bad Weather

May 1, 2023

Softball News Report

WESTMINSTER, MD – 50 teams representing nine states competed in the annual 2023 Wayne Gilmore Memorial, April 20-23.

The tournament’s namesake, Wayne Gilmore, succumbed to a heart attack while playing in a 40s division in 2018. In the years since, Senior Softball USA has held the Wayne Gilmore Memorial tournament to honor the life of a husband, father, friend and veteran. 

Fifteen teams (age 65-75) kicked things off on Thursday morning while the other 35 teams in the younger age groups hit the field on the weekend.  

The weekend caused a few issues, as “play was suspended on Saturday after thunder, lightning and heavy rain soaked the fields,” said Tournament Director Tim McElroy. “Parks staff pumped water overnight and prepared fields as the sun rose allowing the tournament to continue Sunday. The parks staff and umpiring at the Wayne Gilmore Memorial tournament were fantastic,” he said.

Results:

Women’s 40+ Major: Inclement weather limited the seeding games for this bracket, both teams winning their seeding game. In the bracket games, Vintage (NJ - photo below) defeated DCG/Golden Girls (MD) twice, 4-1 and 14-12 respectfully, avoiding an IF game.

Women’s 40/50+ AAA: Inclement weather also limited the seeding games for this bracket, but that didn’t stop third seeded Cherry Bombs (MD - photo below) from climbing out of the elimination bracket to double dip Lew’s Crew/Exceeding Expectations (MD).

Men’s 40+ AAA: Each of the three teams in this bracket were only able to play one seeding game due to the weather. First seeded Gigantes O.C. (MD) took first after double dipping Autism Pride (MD). Gigantes ended up in the elimination bracket after losing their first game to Autism Pride.

Men’s 40+ Major: As in the AAA division, each of the five teams were only able to play one seeding game; however, that did not stop New Holland Legion (PA) from winning in all 4 games. The finalists, Certified Ground Breakers (MD), a higher seeded team than the champions, lost their first bracket game to New Holland, only to be defeated again by New Holland in the Championship game.

Men’s 50+ AAA: Old Skool/GTS Sports (PA) went undefeated for all five games (photo below), seeding and bracket, to win. They are the only team in the tournament to do so. Third seeded Warpath 50 (MD) lost their first bracket game against Old Skool and survived the elimination bracket to battle them again in the championship, losing 6-13.

Men’s 50/55+ Platinum: Inclement weather effect both the seeding and bracket games in this five-team bracket. BPA/Rawlings (PA) was the sole team in the championship bracket and took first place. They were due to play DLB/Tyler Trucking (PA) from the elimination bracket in the championship game, and therefore DLB is the second place team.

Men’s 55+ AAA: Xtreme Home Improvements (NY) defeated GOATS (MD - photo below) twice in a row, taking first and avoiding an IF game in the two-team bracket.

Men’s 55+ Major: In another two-team bracket, MFP Thunder (NY) defeated Finance of America (NJ) twice in a row to take first place and avoid an IF game.

Men’s 60+ Silver: This four-team division had two champions due to inclement weather on Saturday. New England Vipers (CT) worked their way through the elimination bracket to win the Championship game, 10-4, against Gaithersburg Rental/TC Backer (MD), which was undefeated in the bracket. The IF game was able to be played later that day.

Men’s 60+ Major: Second seeded Building Innovation Group/TJ Plumbing (NY) swept their bracket, including the championship and the game before against top seeded, The Bank (DE).

Men’s 65+ AAA: Long Island Jaguars won the three- team division after winning all 3 bracket games, including the championship game against Spring Ford (PA), 19-4. Spring Ford and Northern Virginia Force 65s took second and third place, respectfully.

Men’s 65+ Major: Talaga Construction (CT), first seed team, lost its first bracket game to High Street Bucs (MD). Talaga then won the elimination game and the Championship game against High Street Bucs, triggering an IF game where Talaga double dipped High Street for the win.

Men’s 70+ Gold: Northern Virginia Force’s 70s (photo below) team went undefeated until the championship game against Spring Ford (PA). Northern Virginia Force emerged victorious, winning the IF game, 11-10.

Men’s 75+ Gold: First seeded High Street Bucs (MD) took first place (photo below), sweeping the bracket and only losing one seeding game. The Delaware Legends and Northern Virginia Force took second and third, respectfully.