Wildhorse Showdown co-ed tourney a big hit
Carson Lilja rounded third bsae headed for home plate to secure a run for the Printery team during the softball tournament. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Keaton Jones from Off in the Woods gets a solid single securing her spot on first base. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Tanner Ovitt from The Printery team hits a homer over the left field fence. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Jessica Thompson from The Printery team gets the out at third base. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Softball enthusiast Keaton Jones was all smiles as she hedaed back to right field. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Kirk Fry for Off in the Woods team secures a base hit. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Jay VonHeeder gets a good spin on the ball as he hits it out of the park for another home run for the Off in the Woods team Saturday morning. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Kim Earhart of Plains rounding first base played for the Super Heros in Town team at the weekend’s tournament. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
The Off in the Woods team posed for a photo at home plate after their win on Saturday. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Lucy Orr from Troy tried her best to make it to first base for the Noxon Limp Noodles team during their second game on Saturday against Missoula team Super Heroes in Town. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Thompson Falls player Nate Pavlik from Off in the Woods hits one over the fence during their second game helping the team grab the win. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Missoula player for Kyndra’s Corner Nathan Chapman was all smiles at the plate before hitting a double. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Keaton Jones gets a high five as she gets to first base. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
The Fourth Annual Wildhorse Showdown Softball Tournament in Plains was a huge hit for local organizers over the weekend.
The Amundson Sports Complex was full of softball players from around the northwest part of the state — all vying for a championship.
The co-ed tournament is now in its fourth year, and has grown with team numbers coming to Plains to compete during the two-day event.
Saturday morning saw 10 teams take to two fields to begin the order of the seeding for the tournament knockout competition, which stared in the late afternoon after a home run derby competition.
Among the teams that competed, there were two from Plains that took to the fields, Off in the Woods and the Printery team. Other teams that played during the tournament where: The Ranch, Limp Noodles from Noxon, Baum Squad, The Other Team, Kyndra’s Corner, Lei Out, Super Heroes in Town, and Major Left Bench.
As well as the Plains teams, Noxon residents were also able to once again bring together a team with some players coming down from Lincoln County. Missoula also turned out with a couple of teams.
The atmosphere, though considerably light-hearted for the fun, relaxed tournament, turned fierce as players took to the field in hopes of making their way up the ladder.
Local softball player Keaton Jones, was one of many ladies that took to the fields to enjoy a weekend of fun with friends as her team ‘Off in the Woods’ did their best to stay in the game.
Jones not only plays, but coaches Little League softball in the spring alongside ‘Off in the Woods’ teammate Holly Blood.
“I usually start the softball season coaching in early January. Last year, I coached the U-12 team alongside Rose Wagner, and this year I coached alongside Holly Blood with the U-10 team before I began playing myself at the start of the season,” said Jones.
Jones plays on four teams
Jones not only coaches, but this year has played on four separate teams — both in Plains and Missoula.
She has played since her freshman year in high school, then a Plains Trotter, and had found that there was some level of natural ability that accompanied her love of the game.
“I really enjoy all aspects of softball, though I never played on a college team. I have played every season on a team since I began in high school,” she explained.
Her team, ‘Off in the Woods,’ unfortunately didn’t fare so well in the local tournament. Her Missoula co-ed team, ‘Sucker Punch,’ will be traveling to Great Falls later in the month for the state competition.
“This was my last tournament for the year (with the Plains team), but I am excited to be heading to Great Falls with the team I play for in Missoula towards the end of the month,” explained Jones.
“I didn’t plan on playing in Missoula this year, but a friend had called and asked if I would like to play. So every week I would drive in to play the game, and as we get ready to go to Great Falls, our team is currently tied for the number-one seed, which is great,” explained Jones.
Over the weekend’s event in Plains, Jones mostly played in right field, and was able to secure a couple of great plays with some outstanding catches. She also was able to hit a few singles and doubles when up to bat, helping her team stay in the game.
Looking for bragging rights
Although the softball showdown is still young in its conceptions, the teams that do arrive to fields each year are not only looking for the ultimate win, but its also the bragging rights that come with that.
“We try and have a relaxed, fun competition here, and there are a few prizes that are up for grabs for the winning team. But its really the bragging rights that everyone wants,”s aid Blood, one of the event’s organizers.
“We do have entry fees, and the concessions here on the grounds for people. With all the money raised we put it right back into the complex for upkeep and improvements,” explained Blood.
The weather proved to be most favorable for the weekend with only one small shower of rain late Saturday night. The sun was out most all the weekend — making it a true summer softball showdown.
Though by the end of Sunday afternoon, it was the Noxon team ‘Limp Noodles’ that earned their third championship in the four years of the Wildhorse Showdown Softball Tournament.
“We hope that the competition continues to grow as there were plenty of close games the were only one- or two-point differences,” said Kim Bergstrom, one of the organizers of the tournament. “The weekend proved to be fun for everyone, which is what we aim to achieve.”