New York Tourney Is A Must Attend
Nassau Blues Defend Their Home Turf
The Tournament kicked off Friday, July 7th, with a classic NYPD Ceremony. At 0930 we had a Department Chaplin say a prayer followed by the National Anthem and a flyover to commence the 1st Annual Empire State Classic.
Both days of the tournament was a scorching 85-90 degrees. At the end of pool play in the Major Bracket the top three teams were the Nassau Blues, Missouri Lawmen, and NYPD Finest at 3-0 respectively. Nassau had a run differential of +42, Missouri at +40, and Finest at +30. In the Gold Bracket the top three teams were Chicago Metro, Suffolk Lawmen, and Necessary Force. Pool play started directly after the opening ceremony at 1000 and was concluded by 1800. Pool Play was able to run smooth and fast thanks to the umpires, time-limits, and a bunch of run rules. The wait time between games for all teams were kept to a minimum.
Into elimination, in the gold bracket, Suffolk Lawmen steamrolled through the bracket taking down Necessary Force, and Metro Detroit Finest two times to win. The final standings for the gold bracket:
1- Suffolk Lawmen (MVPs Alex Portillo, Anthony Russo)
2- Metro Detroit Finest ( MVPs Joe Saunders, Darren Sech)
3- Necessary Force (MVPs Dave Castellano, Jon Tait)
4- Chicago Metro
5- Pennsylvania Enforcers
The Major Bracket and Tournament was dominated by the undefeated Nassau Blues. The Nassau Blues defeated Empire, Missouri Lawmen, and Max Elite in succession to win the majors. Max Elite had a strong tournament defeating Empire, and Missouri Lawmen to have a chance to double dip Nassau in the finals but Nassau was too strong this weekend. The final standings for the Majors Bracket:
1- Nassau Blues (MVPs Luke Noone, Jimmy Postiglione)
2- Maximum Elite (MVPs Craig Sears, Shawn McCormick)
3- Missouri Lawmen ( MVPs Andy Sides, Joey Gardner)
4- New York Empire
T5- NYPD Finest
T5- Maryland Outlaws
On Behalf of NYPD Finest we want to thank everyone for coming and making the Inaugural Empire State Classic a successful tournament. The tournament was put together rather quickly with the help many people. Special thanks to our sponsors Miller and Caggiano Lawfirm and the NYC PBA. Please be on the lookout for information to next years tournament coming out soon. Hope to see you all again.
