The PoliceSoftball.com/Easton Summer Classic started with most of the top teams in the west to go along with hot and muggy temperatures. The tournament was divided into Platinum and Gold divisions from the outset. The opening games were not set up in the traditional bracket format. Essentially all 10 teams in each division played two games with the seeding being based on wins, head to head, least runs allowed and then run differential.

The Policesoftball.com/Easton Summer Classic was played on July 31-Aug 1 at the Big League Dreams venue in Mira Loma, Ca. The Inland Empire area of Southern California is usually very hot this time of the year, but as luck would have it, the conditions were fairly mild. This facility boasts 7 softball fields with a variety of dimensions ranging from the monster Pawtucket field (330-340-330) to the cozy Vero Beach (265-270-265). This tournament was one of two California World Series qualifiers which meant team rosters were strictly adhered to. Teams had to win or lose with their roster players and not ringers brought specifically to win a berth. And, once again this was a provided bat tournament courtesy of Easton Sports and Real Skilz president Armando Acosta. Once again, the provided bats meant there would be no allegations of shenanigans and everyone had the proverbial level playing field.

The 2nd Annual Policesoftball.Com/Easton Summer Classic was once again held at the West Covina, Ca. Big League Dreams facility. Bring Ur Skilz C.E.O. Armando Acosta supplied dozens of 2010 Easton bats for the provided bat event. Unlike most tournaments, there were no allegations of “hot” bats because everyone used what was provided…stock Easton bats. Even though the 90 degree heat took its toll on the players, the bats and balls held up well. There were plenty of home runs hit and plenty of runs scored. There was a lot on the line for this event as it was the last point qualifier before the World Series. And there was an “at large” berth available for any non-top-15 team who placed highest. The round robin was critical because in each 3 team bracket only 2 would advance to the A-flight double elimination playoff. The 3rd place team would advance to the B-flight double elimination playoff. Here is how the round robin went down: