There were no real upsets this year in the pool play games, but I-80 Cartel showed early they were going to be a tough battle for anyone they faced, when they beat the defending Show Me Classic Champs San Antonio Law (17-8). When pool play concluded, Great Lakes came out as the top seed, followed by I-80 Cartel at the two seed.
Kentucky Blue beat Midwest Heat(12-6), before getting knocked to the loser’s bracket by I-80 Cartel in a close game(20-19). Close games, decided by one or two runs, seemed to be a theme for the tournament.

Great Lakes made their way to the undefeated game against Minnesota Lawmen, after coming out on top of a close one with the San Antonio Law(13-11). Great Lakes came out the last undefeated team, after they squeaked out the victory against Minnesota Lawmen(11-9).

In the loser’s bracket, after two tough walk off losses on the day, to Minnesota(11-10) and Missouri(19-18), Code 3 pulled off a win against United KC(31-30), before being sent to the drop down bracket by Kentucky Blue(34-24). Kentucky then ended San Antonio’s tournament with another close win(19-18). I-80 rattled off wins against Missouri(20-14), and Kentucky, before getting ten runned by Minnesota.

This set up the Championship game between Great Lakes and Minnesota. Great Lakes dominated the game from beginning to end, becoming the first two time St. Louis Show Me Classic Champions, and leaving Minnesota with there second 2nd place finish in as many years.

The first five teams that were eliminated from the double elimination bracket were moved to the Elle Management drop down bracket. Dayton, NorCal and KC were all eliminated, leaving Code 3 and Midwest Heat to meet in the Final. The veteran squad Code 3 proved too strong shutting down the Heat (15-10), to win Elle Management bracket and keeping this title in Cali for another year.

I would like to thank the staff at the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex, especially the grounds crew, for all their hard work throughout the weekend to help make sure we had an event. There were several others who helped make this tournament a success, and who deserve big thanks… Corny with Demarini/Louisville Slugger, Terri with Elle Management, Greg with Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group, Todd with LHM, Doug with Grey Eagle Distributors, Dan with Dynamac Sports Gear, all of our sponsors, and Skylar Monnig.

Also, thank you to all the coaches who brought your teams to the St. Louis Show Me Classic for a great stress free weekend of softball, in this crazy year we are going through. I know how hard it is to get players together to travel, add covid and the protesting around the country, it becomes near impossible, and without you guys this tournament could not have happened. AND finally, congrats to the entire Great Lakes team for their dominant weekend!

Final Standings:
1st – Great Lakes
2nd - Minnesota Lawmen
3rd – I-80 Cartel
4th - Kentucky Blue
T5th - San Antonio Law/Shields For Kids
T5th – Missouri/NACSF.INC/TPJS
T7th – Code 3 Inc
T7th - Midwest Heat
T9th – NorCal Reloaded
T9th – Dayton Metro
T9th - United KC

Elle Management Bracket:
1st – Code 3 Inc
2nd – Midwest Heat
3rd – United KC
4th – NorCal Reloaded
5th – Dayton Metro

All-Tournament Team:
Jeff Graus (Tournament MVP) – Great Lakes
John Zintak - Great Lakes
Adam Orozco - Great Lakes
Jerod Powell (Defensive MVP) – Minnesota Lawmen
Jeremy Whaley - Minnesota Lawmen
Bobby Lambert - Minnesota Lawmen
Tim Tefft - I-80 Cartel
Ryan Keele - I-80 Cartel
Hignio Riviera - Kentucky Blue
Shawn White – Kentucky Blue