After missing several years in Winnemucca, the 44-Hour Softball Tournament was held at the Winnemucca Sports Complex starting on Friday, July 19 at midnight. They only took a quick break for a “Backyard Bash” at the Model T Casino on Saturday night in between playing for 44 consecutive hours to crown a co-ed and a men’s team champion on Sunday, July 21.
Brothers Craig and Lyle Walters from Sparks were the tournament directors for this rejuvenated event and Craig had many good things to say about this year’s event.
“We had 40 teams this year, with 14 playing co-ed,” Walters said. “We spent over $10,000 on awards, and most of the teams here told us that they are coming back next year because they had a lot of fun. All of the teams brought their own music into the dugouts. They did not have that in the past, and we are looking to put in an over-the-line tournament for next year also.”
After decades of the tournament being held in Winnemucca, the 44 was abandoned a couple of years ago due to a lack of teams participating that chose to play in other tournaments.
Chance May from Lovelock played in the tournament and said, “I am here to play some softball, have some fun, and drink some beers. The 44 is great softball and a wild time.”
FBL took down the co-ed title 14-13 over the Local Legends, while ZFG from Sacramento, Calif., won two hard fought games in a row over Wade Distributing to grab the men’s championship.
Walters concluded, “Our main goal in bringing this tournament back was to help fill the hotels and support the city. We appreciate them giving us the opportunity to bring it back to Winnemucca. Next year hopefully we can double the number of teams that come to the 44.”
