The Wisconsin Northerners 70s Senior softball team competed in Phoenix, AZ for the SSUSA’s Winter World Championships, finishing 3rd place in a double elimination tournament. There were 197 teams in all age groups 50+ to 85+, 14 of which competed in the 70+ AAA Division. The three day tournament was held on November 14-16, 2024, which marked the beginning of the 2025 season.
On the first day the Northerners beat Arizona Full Throttle 70s, 26-15 and lost to AZ Road Brawlers 19-10, placing them in #8 seeded position. In the brackets they beat three teams in a row, Colorado Peak Softball 19-11, Colorado Scrap Iron 5280’, 28-22 and Texas Good Times Trucking 21-12. At the end of the second day they were undefeated in the winners bracket. On day three the Northerners lost to the other undefeated team in the winners bracket Team Texas-San Antonio by a score of 18-3. They then lost to the winners of the losers bracket, Arizona Old School 70s, by a score of 19-10. In the Championship game Team Texas remained undefeated, beating Arizona Old School 20-19.
Three players from the Northerners were voted on as All Tournament Team players for outstanding defensive play and offensive contributions. They were Mike Ruzic from Lake Tomahawk, WI, Steve Maley from Waverly, IA and Larry Bartels from Baldwin, IA. The Northerners finished with a .646 team batting average.
The next winter tournament that the Northerners will be competing in will be held in Phoenix, AZ on January 16-17, 2025. The spring tournament season begins in the Midwest in Waterloo, IA on May 15-16, 2025.