CLEARFIELD – Pairings and starting times for the 16th annual Clearfield 40-and-Over “Past Your Prime” Modified Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament were set at a meeting of committee members and team representatives in Buster’s Sports Bar Monday night.
Nine teams, one less than last year, will vie for prestige and the traveling trophy Saturday and Sunday.
All games will be played at Bucky Strunk Memorial Field except for the first three elimination bracket contests, which are booked for the Lawrence Township Recreation Park Field Saturday afternoon.
A new champion is guaranteed since Aqua Specialists of Mechanicsburg will not return to defend its 2009 title because of a commitment to another tourney.
Four teams that have won or share top honors will be competing.
Potter’s Bricklayers of Philipsburg dominated the early years and own seven titles.
The Meatheads have reigned four times and Buster’s once, while Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub shared the 2008 title with Aqua Specialists.
The Meatheads and Buster’s/Siegel Engraving will meet in the 8 a.m. opener of the double-elimination tourney Saturday.
Quarterfinal pairings will pit Clearfield Electronics, formerly Krebs Moving & Storage, against the Bedford Over-The-Hillbillies at 9:30, Denny’s against Bob Boob’s Garage at 11, Potter’s against Drayer’s Physical Therapy at 12:30 p.m. and the Emporium Used-To-Be-Goods against the Game 1 winner at 2.
Drayer’s is a newcomer from the Philipsburg area.
Eleven games are on Saturday’s slate, and five teams still will be in contention when action resumes Sunday at 9 a.m. Barring any delays because of lengthy games or inclement weather, the championship will be decided Sunday afternoon at 3. A 17th game will follow at 4:30 if needed.
A 12-Run Mercy Rule will be in effect after 4-1/2 innings.
The main beneficiary of the proceeds, derived from entry fees, the Bucky Strunk Memorial Field concession stand, a 50/50 and other fund-raisers, will be the Clearfield-based William L. Dixon Detachment of the U.S. Marine Corps for its annual “Toys-for-Tots” program.
Donations from area merchants, businesses and individuals provide the menu for the concession stand and also the prizes for the fund-raisers.
The tourney schedule, with all games at Bucky Strunk Memorial Field unless noted:
Saturday, August 14
Championship Bracket First Round
Game 1 – Meatheads vs Buster’s Sports Bar/Siegel Engraving, 8 a.m.
Championship Bracket Quarterfinals
Game 2 – Bedford Over-The-Hillbillies vs Clearfield Electronics, 9:30 a.m.
Game 3 – Bob Boob’s Garage vs Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub, 11 a.m.
Game 4 – Potter’s Bricklayers vs Drayer’s Physical Therapy, 12:30 p.m.
Game 5 – Emporium Used-To-Be-Goods vs Game 1 Winner, 2 p.m.
Elimination Bracket First Round
Game 6 – Game 2 Loser vs Game 3 Loser, 2 p.m. at Lawrence Township Rec Park Field
Elimination Bracket Second Round
Game 7 – Game 4 Loser vs Game 5 Loser, 3:30 p.m. at Lawrence Township Rec Park Field
Game 8 – Game 1 Loser vs Game 6 Winner, 5 p.m. at Lawrence Township Rec Pak Field
Championship Bracket Semifinals
Game 9 – Game 2 Winner vs Game 5 Winner, 3:30 p.m.
Game 10 – Game 3 Winner vs Game 4 Winner, 5 p.m.
Elimination Bracket Quarterfinal
Game 11 – Game 9 Loser vs Game 7 Winner, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 15
Elimination Bracket Quarterfinal
Game 12 – Game 10 Loser vs Game 8 Winner, 9 a.m.
Championship Bracket Final
Game 13 – Game 9 Winner vs Game 10 Winner, 10:30 a.m.
Elimination Bracket Semifinal
Game 14 – Game 11 Winner vs Game 12 Winner, noon
Elimination Bracket Final
Game 15 – Game 13 Loser vs Game 14 Winner, 1:30 p.m.
Championship
Game 16 – Game 13 Winner vs Game 15 Winner, 3 p.m.
Game 17 (if necessary) – Game 16 Winner vs game 16 Loser, 4:30 p.m.
