McQaude's SP Tourney
 

Well ladies and gentleman, we're fast approaching one of the largest one weekend slow pitch tournaments in North America. Being held this weekend (June 23rd through the 25th) in Bismarck, North Dakota the Sam McQuade Sr. Budweiser Charity annual softball tournament will be held for the 31st time. All proceeds from this tournament go to help local charities. One of the great things about this tournament is that the umpires have the opportunity to donate their fee(s) back to the tournament. Last year, the umpires raised over $4500 in returned fees. Some umpires donated 100% of their fees but most give back 50%.

Any umps from this site going to be here for this tourney? I've got 13 games scheduled.

Are you saying you actually have your tournament schedule a week ahead ?

Yeah? Am I not supposed to?:confused:

In some areas, that is an issue. In mine, the tournament director will not "close" a tournament until the Wednesday before the tournament. That means that umpires do not get a schedule with more than 2-days notice, if that.

This tournament here will probably have well over 400 teams between all the divisions, men, women and old pro. The tournament is pretty much all filled by about the end of May I would say. I think the brackets for the tourney were sent out almost two weeks ago. Never got the chance to umpire in it because I am always playing in it.

http://www.mcquades.com/html/softball.html

You can go here to check out the history of the tourney. It is a great tournament and I'm really glad to see it getting some of the attention it deserves. I believe Softball 360 will be covering it along with some WSL players who will be there for a homerun contest.

NDblue,

Unfortunately, with me now living in Virginia, I have not had the privilege and honor in umpiring in this tournament since 1991. But I still have fond memories of being there. Me and a very good friend of mine (who now lives in PA), have always talked about going back there (I believe he actually did). It is truly a great tournament. And one where you as an umpire are treated great!

Have fun and good luck! Who knows, maybe someday I will return and umpire in this tournament.

Serg

I too have played and umpired in this tournament and have since moved away (my parents still live in Bismarck). I also hope to get back some day to participate again, either umpiring or playing or both. Oh well, maybe next year.

Just got done with my first day of the tourney. Did 9 games instead of the original 8 but who's counting. We had an hour and half rain delay in the second round. Rained almost an inch and the grounds crew did a pretty good job of getting the fields in playable conditions. It was kinda funny watching some players out there with brooms and squeegees trying to move the standing water around to get the ground to soak it up. After the delay, we went to 5 inning games with a 60 minute time limit which helped us get all games in. We also played with a 1 & 1 count (with courtesy foul on third strike) and the games moved along quite nicely. Got 5 more games tomorrow.

BTW, in the 31 years of this tournament, it's only been rained out once back in the mid '80s and that was on the Sunday. They did coin flips for trophy's.

Played in that tourney - Our team lost the first coin flip - No trophy

Here is a nice article from this year's tourney:

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/artic...cal/116834.txt

I was going to start another thread about that NJ umpire, but apparently you beat me to it.