Millennium Sunday - A perspective on the USA Softball Class E District 6 Championship Tournament

By Anthony SanFilippo


To All Millennium Sunday Teams -

I wrote this post for the message board to ask you to consider participating in the USA Softball Class E District 6 Championship Tournament on June 3 in Kennett Square PA.

We are at a time of transition in slow pitch softball with most, if not all of the teams who would normally participate in this tournament either having been moved to a higher classification or have dissolved with players dispersed onto a variety of teams.

As it stands, only one team from last year's District Tournament (mine) will be returning for this season, and as many of you know, we are just an average team, and have been for a long time.

So, the opportunity now exists for new teams to come on board and have a chance to win a district championship and win a free paid berth to the state championships in Drifton, PA in July.

In the past, teams from the lower divisions of Millennium have shied away from participating in this tournament because of a perceived talent gap.

However, I should point out the following:

1. B Division teams have already won seven games against A Division teams this season, showing the gap has closed significantly from the top division on down.

2. The District Tournament does not allow home runs over the 300-foot fence on the fields in Kennett Square. It ends the half inning if someone hits it over (Yes, a leadoff hitter can hit the first pitch over the fence and it counts as three outs). So, it's really the great equalizer between teams and most games are close and low scoring.

3. You can pick up a maximum of three players from another USA Softball-registered team (Class E) to play with your team at the tournament. The only rule there is that their regular team is not participating in the District Tournament or another advance play tournament in the state if from outside District 6, so you can bolster your team a bit too.

4. All participating teams qualify for the state championship tournament (only the winner gets a free paid berth), so any team can choose to go away to states as well, which is a really cool experience (we're going for the ninth straight year this year) where you get to play ball against dozens of teams from across the state.

On the whole it's always a really fun event. Teams bring tents and chairs and bag-o or horseshoes and hang out like a good tailgate when they aren't playing on one of the fields and there's always good camaraderie between the teams. There's a snack bar with good food and drinks as well.

I would encourage all off you to participate in this tournament if you can in some way. And, if you are interested, email USA Softball of PA District 6 Commissioner Joe Organek at millpres2000@verizon.net and tell him to get your team into the tournament.

Also, if you have any questions about logistics for either the District or the state tournament (putting rosters together, fees, travel questions, tournament questions, etc.) feel free to email me at sligocoach37@gmail.com and I'll be happy to share the info with you.

It'd be nice to see a tournament of 6-8 (or more) mostly new teams trying to win the Class E District championship this year.

Hope to see you there. Thanks for your time.

Anthony SanFilippo - Stephen's on State