Well, Mr.D's showed they are human by losing their 1st game at 6's Wild, however, they came all the way back to double dip BBS/Bud/Miken to take 1st. Nordkap Construction had a great run at 6's in Tier II, holding off Defiant who seemed to find their hitting sticks and finish an impressive 2nd. Transamerica continued their impressive run this season with a 3rd place finish. This is Shako Lions week, a tournament that seems to be getting bigger and better every year. Skeeter and Pat do a great job and this year should be the same, with a new and improved HR derby, voted on by the rubes. Skeeter has also added a stage behind the main field and MCing will be Pfeff and yours truly. Kenny Fry has no chance of getting a hit with us on the mic. I will post the D brackets on Wed, those guys have emails flying in and I need to sort through them. Anyways, here we go......

Tier 1:

First Round:

Sioux Nation vs. Stagecoach.
Sioux Nation's new squad this year seems to pick it up after losing the 1st game in every tournament. They will eventually get the first game blues off their backs and show up and play. Well, that brings us to the hometown Stagecoach. They are peppering the ranking director to get ranked in the C Top 20. Well, going 0-2 every weekend isn't going to get them in there. They do have a solid team, they need to find a way to get it done so that Smooth B can finally get a full nights sleep...the guy hasn't slept in months. They will have all of Scott county on hand for this one and unfortunately, they will fall short again, 15-10.

Viessman Trucking/Promolink vs. CA Longhorns.
This should be a great match-up. I'm still waiting for Viessman to really get rolling. They have the team to do, but maybe its good they aren't peaking early. One thing about Viessman....for people that haven't seen Ryan Plonsky (SS) play yet, worth your time to fill up your pitcher of beer and see this guy play, and I'm not talking about his hitting. The kid continues to get better and better in the field, and single handedly, helped turn 5-6 double plays in 6 innings against BBS/Jonny's on Sunday at 6's wild. The kid can play, he may be traveling soon if someone gets an eye on him. Have heard that the Longhorns have been struggling and there is talk of an implosion. Boys, stick with it, you have a solid team and things will turn around. Lots of former Homes Unlimited players in this one, but it will be Viessman pulling out game, 26-20.

Death Grip Reapers vs. BBS/Bud/Miken/Pearsons.
DGR has had some nice tournaments so far this year. They seem to win the games this year that they have lost in the past. It will be interesting to see if they can keep it going. However, they are playing the big boys now, different game. BBS/Bud seems to be playing some great ball right now, in the battle with Viessman to see who is the 2nd best team in Minnesota. They had a solid 4th at Corky’s and a 2nd place finish at 6’s. Their line-up is as strong as ever and Flip had major back surgery and miraculously came back to pitch at 6’s after the incident at Corky’s. I like BBS real big in this one, 24-14.

Team Diesel vs. BBS/Jonny’s.
Well, Diesel seems to get rolling early in tournaments and fizzle in the middle and end. Maybe they run out of gas or hit the booze too hard, not sure, jury is still out. If they get rolling in a game, they can pound it. With their roster of 63 guys, you never know who will be there. BBS/Jonny’s is starting to find it and put some nice games together, including their season highlight win at 6’s over Mr. D’s. I think they will get the best of Diesel in this one, 22-16.

Hooters/Sun Opta vs. MN Jazz.
It’s nice to see Hooters/Sun Opta make the treck to Shako. I think they will be happy with the show that Skeeter and his crew put on, only attracting more Dakotans next year. Only seen Jazz once this year, in a loss down at Corky’s. They are traditionally a slow starting team and were missing their main guy Todd Hambrecht. Jason Stoffel has been added to play third base and seems to be a great fit….quick, smart, and great defensively. I’m going to go with Hooters/Sun Opta in this one, 18-14.

KJ Construction vs. American Roofing.
KJ has struggled a bit this year in their first year up at B. They have been rolling everyone in the Owatonna Open League from all reports. Coach Aaron Grubisch of Next Gen thinks they will be the team to beat all year in that league and no one will come close to touching them. Cory 77 is on his 4th team of the year and quickly has jumped up to take C&A’s spot after there is some serious panic in their camp about not getting a world berth and has elected to play at BeBops. It will be interesting to see how he does with this crew and get an idea who they are, all reports are they are future of softball. I’m hoping they pull the upset over KJ, Geno would have a field day with these guys. I don’t see it happening though, big lights might be a bit scary and KJ wins it, 16-10.

Quarterfinals:
Sperle Construction vs. Sioux Nation.
Sperle had a nice weekend at 6’s Wild and looks like they will be heard from all year and are now the best North Dakota team. Sioux Nation will give them all they can handle, but I see Sperle winning this one, 21-14.
Viessman vs. BBS/Bud/Miken/Pearson.
This is a great match-up, both teams want to show they are the 2nd best team in the state at this point. I see a tight, back and forth battle, but Viessman’s defense wins it for them in the 7th, 22-20.
BBS/Jonny’s vs. Hooters/Sun Opta.
Sun will start out big early, but BBS/ Jonny’s veterans have been down before and they look to the rematch in the semi finals…..Jonny’s 23-15.
KJ Construction vs. Mr. D’s/CA/Miken.
This could get ugly fast….If D’s comes out guns a blazing and is ready to go, they will run em in 5. They have as solid a team as this state has seen, between their great IF, solid OF’s, and one a great catcher. I see D’s big, 22-7.

Semifinals:
Sperle vs. Viessman.
Viessman shows they are ready to face D’s, winning 24-18.
Geno gets his wish and gets another shot at BBS/Jonny’s. Again, if you are around, load up on your Shako taco, dull pitcher of beer, and get a seat behind homeplate, it makes for some solid entertainment. I like Mr. D’s, 21-18.
Undefeated game:
Viessman vs. Mr. D’s.
Can Viessman take that next step in this game? Unfortunately, no is the answer. I like D’s winning it, 25-17.

Championship:
Viessman vs. Mr. D’s.
Viessman comes back to win the loser’s bracket final after beating a tight game against BBS/Bud/Miken. The guys will be a bit tired and lose to a rested Mr. D’s, 19-14.
Final Order:
1) Mr. D’s/CA/Miken
2) Viessman Trucking
3) BBS/Bud/Miken/Pearsons
4) Sperle
5) 5/6) BBS/Jonny’s and CA Longhorns

Offensive MVP: Andy Hanson, Mr. D’s
Defensive MVP: Ryan Plonsky, Viessman Trucking

Tier 2:
First Round:
Mississippi Pub/Laserbax vs. Anarchy.
Miss Pub finally put some runs together and was able to win one down in 6’s. They do have some solid players, they are also a team that needs that extra spark and get the ball rolling. Anarchy is a little upset that one of their guys didn’t get in the HR derby, but hopefully they are ready to play this weekend. I like Tommy, Birdie, and Shaves over Anarchy 16-9.
South Metro Sports vs. Next Generation/Isaacson Implementation.
South Metro puts some solid tournaments together last year and can play solid when they need to. It will be interesting to see who they added after losing a few guys. Next Gen is another team that has been surprising, moving up to D. They finished 4th at Mound, 7th at Corky’s and 4th at 6’s Wild. They seem to lose early in tournaments, but then finally run out of gas on Sunday. They will be a team to watch down the road if they can get hot at the right time and get their main coach, Mike Klein there….Reports were that Coach Grubisch was too nervous to take the coin flip and had to delegate to one of the players. Sir, if you want to run with the Rusty’s of the world, you need to be able to do a coin toss at the C level against the Bashers in the loser’s bracket. I like South Metro in this one, 24-11.
Korson Farms vs. Excel Homes.
This could be an interesting game if both teams bring their hitting sticks. Korson has been a major disappointment this year….Not sure what their issue is so far this year, but don’t forget about them…..they will jump up and get somebody at some point. Excel’s line-up is as solid as anyone at the C level. Every guy can absolutely pound it, led by catching vet Mickey Rowland. You need to get up early and keep putting up runs to beat these guys, because they will always hits. I’m going to have to go against Korson until they put up some wins…Excel 22-12.
Jonny’s Saloon vs. Buster’s Hartle Farms.
Haven’t had a chance to see Buster’s yet, but Jonny’s is always solid. I like Rochester over Owatonna, 17-6.

DP’s vs. Transamerica Construction.
No clue who DP’s is, unfortunately. Transamerica looks really solid. Matty Hanson is great up the middle and no hat guy can hit a mile. I like Transamerica a lot and they will pound, 22-5.
Bass Bombers vs. Dogg Pound.
Dogg Pound is another baffling team. Solid line-up top to bottom, just can’t get over the edge right now. Be patient boys, it will come eventually if you have the proper leadership. DP in this one, 19-10.
Biltz/Miken vs. College City Beverage.
Blitz has put some nice games together, but also some very disappointing ones as well. They have turned a few heads and should do so all summer. College City is making their season debut and reports are they may be a bit rusty. I hate going against my Bud distributors, but I’m going with Blitz to cover and win 17-9.
Sterling Entertainment vs. North Shore Whalers.
North Shore jumps in to take Bashers spot in this one. Not sure on Sterling, so I’m going with North Shore to win 10-4.
Quarterfinals:
Mississippi Pub vs. South Metro Sports.
Old South St. Paul league rivals battle in this one. I’m sure Rak and Fish will be sitting hand in hand behind home player and proud of their youngsters that they are playing well. I like Miss Pub to win a tight one, 17-14.
Excel Homes vs. Jonny’s Saloon.
These guys have seen a lot of each other over the years. I like Excel in a barn burner, 22-18.
Transamerica Construction vs. Dogg Pound.
Transamerica will keep it rolling, edging out a gritty Dogg Pound Team, 18-14.
Blitz/Miken vs . North Shore Whalers.
Blitz wins this one, 15-9.
Semifinals:
Mississippi Pub/Laserbax vs. Excel Homes.
Excel ends MS Pubs run, 21-12.
Transamerica vs. Blitz.
Blitz runs out of gas, losing 19-9.

Undefeated:
Excel vs. Transamerica.
This should be a great battle of the 2 best teams of the tournament. I like excel in a tight one 17-15.
Champ:
Excel vs. Transamerica.
Trans heads back to the champ after beating Blitz in the loser’s bracket final. I like excel again though, 17-10.

Final Order:
1) Excel Homes
2) Transamerica Construction
3) Blitz/miken
4) Mississippi Pub
5/6) Dogg pound and Next Generation

Offensive MVP: Mickey Rowland, Excel Homes
Defensive MVP: Matt Hanson, Transamerica Construction