The seventh annual Litchfield Fire Department Watercade men’s slow pitch softball tournament continued its yearly growth in 2017.
Thirty-four teams came from five Midwestern states for the two-day weekend tournament spanning 59 games at the VFW and Civic fields. The tournament was sanctioned by the American Softball Association.
Team Comatose/S2N/Monsta from Beloit, Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, claimed the top prize of $2,250 by going 5-0 in the double elimination tournament.
Taking $1,650 for second place was First Source National, followed by All-American/Better Business Solutions/Monsta ($1,150), Chanticlear Pizza ($750) and Chuck’s Promolink/Pearson and Hassan Sand/Midstate who tied for fifth ($375 each).
Local teams didn’t leave empty handed. They comprised the top three of the 0-2 consolation bracket.
Sons of Pitches won first place and $500, Wave Armor second ($300) and Hilltop/Rodshop third ($200).
Other teams with local players included B&G Plumbing, Heating and A/C & Pest Pro II; Towmaster, Bonniwell Electric, Chasers Trucking/Red Goat, Bohica, Litchfield Fire Department, West Central Electric Supply, Riverside Tavern and Hicks Trucking/Yellow Jackets.
Matt Kadelbach, event organizer along with Steve Kotzer and Todd Kuechle, said “This years tournament was a huge success. We grew in size for the sixth consecutive year.”
Most recently, the tournament grew from 28 teams in 2015 to 32 in 2016. Kadelbach expects more growth in 2018.
He thanked on behalf of the Litchfield Fire Department the players, coaches and fans who attended, as well as the city of Litchfield staff. “Without their help, support and hard work we couldn’t pull this off, and we wouldn’t receive near the amount of compliments that we do.”
Copyright 2017 Litchfield Independent Review/Crow River Media/Media News Group.