Capital City Labor Day Tourney in Sacramento a Huge Success

Submitted by Alan Van Ness, Sacramento MSBL League President

This was the fourth year we have held the Labor Day Tournament. This event was formerly known as the “Best of the West.”  In 2022, we decided that it was time to put on our own Labor Day Tournament, and we renamed it “Capital City.”

The great city of Sacramento has given us 20 acres of property, and Sacramento State University paid $10 million to build us our own baseball complex. The city gave us a 10-year lease, and outlined that it is our responsibility to operate, pay the bills, and upkeep this park. It was built in the same area as the California National Guard, the US Army Reserves, the USMC Reserves, and the USN Reserves.

We felt it was appropriate to name the park Army Depot Park. So, after a few years playing here, beginning in 2019, the players in the SMSBL pressured me to make our own Labor Day Tournament!

This year’s tourney had teams from Fresno, San Jose, Oakland, Las Vegas, and also included the Sacramento, Redwood Empire, and Tri-Valley MSBL leagues. There were teams from other areas and other leagues that had such a great experience, they said they will join our MSBL Sunday League in 2026!

The temperatures were 100+ during many games on the field. We had tubs of drinks, water, small sodas, sandwiches, and chips for players, AND their families. We had enough that we also had extra for Sunday. All six Championship games were exciting.

The 25+ National was 5-4 in extra innings, the 25+ American went to the bottom of the ninth, the 40+ National ended 15-14 in extras, the 50+ National was 14-10, also in extra innings, the 55+ National ended 8-5 with the tying run at plate in the ninth, and the 63+ National ended at 4-3 with the tying run at third base in the ninth.

I’d like to congratulate all the teams who came to Sacramento to participate in SMSBL’s new Capital City Charity Labor Day Tournament. I especially want to thank my wife, Teena, who spent two months arranging the Charity efforts. She found great prizes and made beautiful baskets for the raffle. She also coordinated with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation for the donations, where we were able to raise $3,572 for them.  Much of SMSBL’s success comes from Teena.

“I just want to extend a HUGE gratitude to the Sacramento Men’s Senior Baseball League for its incredible fundraising efforts at their recent Labor Day Tournament.  Bravo! What an amazing display of support – we are so very grateful.”

Elizabeth Murphy, Associate Vice President, Development, Tunnel to Towers Foundation

My kids and grandkids all helped like they do every year. There are also many players who go far above and beyond what anyone would expect to keep this league as successful as it is. I am personally blessed to lead such an amazing league.

Below is the 2025 Gallery of Champions!