We knew this was going to be a very tough Midwestern tournament and were very pleased with how the team played on both offense, defense and most certainly, the outcome. We also welcome our two new players Duane Meth, who moved from Henderson, Nevada to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and Mark Peter who moved from Mesa, Arizona to Rhinelander, Wisconsin.”

The Wisconsin Northerners Senior Softball 65AAA team traveled to compete in the Senior Softball USA Northern Championships tournament at the Sand Creek Athletic Complex in Coon Rapids, MN on April 30-May 2, 2024. This tournament was a qualifier for the TOC (Tournament of Champions) which will be held in Polk County, Florida on January 22-26, 2025.

The highlights of the tournament included the Northerners facing their arch rival, the Minnesota Road Warriors in fierce 30 mph windy conditions. Both teams struggled in pitching by giving up numerous walks. The Northerners were down 20-18 in the 6th inning and responded by scoring 10 runs in the 7th inning and won 28-21. In the brackets the Northerners faced the Minnesota Road Warriors again in windy conditions. With good defense and an offensive team batting average .667, the Northerners won 17-10. In the final game of the tournament the Northerners played outstanding defense and offense by defeating the Milwaukee Playmakers 12-6 and finished in first place.

Manager Steve Favorite stated “We knew this was going to be a very tough Midwestern tournament and were very pleased with how the team played on both offense, defense and most certainly, the outcome. We also welcome our two new players Duane Meth, who moved from Henderson, Nevada to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and Mark Peter who moved from Mesa, Arizona to Rhinelander, Wisconsin.”

By winning the tournament the Wisconsin Northerners are invited to attend the Tournament of Champions in Florida on January 22-26, 2025. Five Northerners were voted on and selected as SSUSA All Tournament Players: Jeff Bobst from Waverly, IA, Steve Favorite and Greg Olson from Eagle River, WI, Ken Sullivan from Mispah, MN and Mark Peter from Rhinelander, WI.

The Tournament of Champions is only for those teams that have been previously crowned winners at a Senior Softball USA sanctioned tournament during the 2024 season. “The TOC here offers the most elite event in the sport to celebrate winners of the top tournaments in the country,” said Terry Hennessy, chief executive officer of SSUSA. “No one offers a tournament that even comes close. It’s a battle of tournament champions taking on tournament champions to determine which team is truly the top team of the year,” he said.

The Wisconsin Northerners remaining scheduled tournaments for the summer are: May 16-17 in Waterloo, IA, May 30-31 in Little Canada, MN, July 25-26 in Milwaukee, WI, August 3-4 in Rantoul, IL and August 9-10 in Rochester, MN. 

The Northerners will also be coordinating pickup softball practice and scrimmages with any adult softball players in the area and open to the public. This will be held at softball fields in either St. Germain or Sugar Camp, WI on Tuesday mornings 9 a.m. to noon throughout the summer months. If interested in playing contact Steve Favorite by phone or text at (715)891-1785. Anyone wishing to sponsor the Wisconsin Northerners for a tournament and for more information may also contact Favorite.