Softball Leagues End

With both my men's softball leagues coming to an end its time to look back on the seasons. One league ending well and the other league coming to a rough end.

In the Mauston league we ended up finishing the regular season tied in first place having split our four games with Harmony. Then for some reason we needed to have a one game playoff in order to determine which team would have the higher seed in the playoffs. We only had nine players and for some reason we decided to have our number two pitcher pitch and then have our number one play the field. Harmony ended up hitting us hard and taking the win. In the first game of the playoffs we played Randalls with our number one pitching. Had a slow start and had to finish with eight players, as one of our guys had to work that night, and still managed to win by four runs. In the championship game we played Harmony again of course and had to play them with eight players. We jumped out early and were able to hang on to a three run lead.

My Predictions
1. Harmony- Won the tournament last year and are even more stacked as they added a couple guys from Harmony 2 who were unable to put a team together.
2. Anjeros- My team won the regular season title last year but, fell to Harmony in the championship and will be missing arguably are best player from last year.
3. Randalls- Has a few players that have played a decent amount of softball and should be able to beat the bottom two teams.
4. Dream Sports- Bunch of young guys that just haven't played enough softball.
5. Wonderlys- Not a lot of experience on this team and will probably struggle to win a game.

Actual Finish
1. Anjeros
2. Harmony
3. Randalls
4. Dream Sports
5. Wonderlys

After having a great regular season in the Dells league, it ended one game too early. In the regular season we finished in second place, with Sand Bar taking first. Stroede Bros and Monks finished up tied in third. Playoffs things changed a bit. The top four teams all had byes and the second group of four all won their games, with Ducks receiving a forfeit due to Wilderness bringing in some "ringers". The second round ourselves, Mt Olympus, Stroede bros, and Sand Bar moved on. Knuckleheads upset Monks in dominating fashion winning 17-1. In the semi finals we did not come to hit and ended up loosing to Stroedes 10-3 while Sand Bar beat Knuckleheads easily. In the championship Stroedes came out hot and beat Sand Bar 19-9.

My Predictions
Contenders
Stroede Bros- Won 9-1 and have a good amount of guys from my tournament team.
Moosejaw- Didn't see them play but, have heard their always towards the top of the league.
Knuckleheads- Lost in 10 innings but, are a young athletic team that should win a decent amount of games.
Sandbar- Last years champs that beat Knuckleheads.
Mt Olympus- Gotta put our own team and we did put up the most runs of the night.
Middle of the Pack
Scott Construction- Didn't see them play but, they have some big hitters and some guys that have played a decent amount of ball.
Edge O Dells- Lots of young guys that can hit the ball. Won their first game but, their D is suspect.
Monks- Lost their first game to Edge O Dells but, they have a lot of guys that have played a ton of ball and should rebound and give a lot of teams some trouble.
Ducks- Won their first game and were winning 9-3 when I left but, have a lot of players and a good portion of them haven't played a lot of ball.
Bottom Dwellers
Wilderness- Didn't see them play but, heard they lost 9-1 and that they weren't too good.
Royal Excavating- Lost their first game and didn't look to impressive.
Marleys- Lets just say that they are in for a long year.

Actual Regular Season Finish (tournament finish)
1. Sand Bar (2)
2. Mt. Olympus (tied 3rd)
3. Stroede Bros (1st)
Monks (tied 5th)
5. Moosejaw (tied 5th)
6. Knuckleheads (tied 3rd)
7. Edge O Dells (tied 5th)
8. Ducks (tied 5th)
9. Wilderness (tied 9th)
10. Scotts Construction (tied 9th)
11. Marleys (tied 9th)
12. Royal Excavating (tied 9)

Well with all my leagues done for the summer and only two tournaments left I may be going into hibernation. May be back tomorrow with ranking thoughts but, otherwise will probably be back after Labor day with tournament thoughts.