MSBL Las Vegas Kickoff Classic

San Diego Knights 5, Tijuana 2 Submitted by Britton Scheibe, Knights manager The San Diego Knights returned to the Las Vegas Kick Off Classic after a six-year hiatus. In four previous appearances the Knights captured three championships, in 2011 (35+ National), in 2012 (25+ National), and in 2013 (25+).   With an average age of 37…

Tri Valley 45’s 21, Las Vegas Rattlers 10 ‘Tri-Valley Forties Back in the Winners Circle’ Submitted by Mark Murray/David Matthiesen The Tri-Valley 45’s, known by all around the MSBL as “The Forties”, won the 2021 MSBL Las Vegas Kickoff Classic 45+ National Division with a perfect 5-0 record for their first MSBL tournament championship since…

Sacramento Tribe 20, Paladin 10 Submitted by Pat Kelly We lost our first game of the tournament to the San Diego Mudcats 2-1, as both starting pitchers threw all nine innings. We had eight hits and the Mudcats had four. Kevin Hagan pitched for the Tribe and Bill Howard pitched for the Mudcats. Not an…

Houston Gamblers 10, Montebello Angels 5 Submitted by Pedro Rivera, Gambler’s manager First of all, we’d like to thank everyone involved to put the tournament together. It was a pleasure being a part of it even after all the changes made last minute and parks being in short stock. I also want to thank our…

Boston Wolfpack 11, Sacramento Blue Jays 1 ‘Championship Dedicated to Fallen Teammate Jeff Fox‘ Submitted By Sterling Endicott The Boston Wolfpack won the 2021 MSBL Las Vegas Kickoff Classic 55+ Division but it was with a heavy heart.  Four days before the tournament, one of their brothers and teammate, Jeff Fox passed away from Covid-19 that he…

Montebello Angels 27, Utah Dodgers 3 Submitted by Robert Oskin, Angels manager The Montebello Angels came out to its usual participation in the MSBL Las Vegas Kickoff Classic. They finished 2-1 in the round robin after losing their first game to the Las Vegas Rattlers 9-8 after being up 8-3. It was a big disappointment…

OC Rays 11, Albuquerque Sox 3 ‘Rodriguez Takes Control on the Bump’ Submitted by Andres Velarde, Rays manager Last year around thanksgiving, our coach Daniel Cardenas gave the idea of going to Las Vegas and playing in the Las Vegas Kickoff tournament in March 2020. We were playing on a Sunday afternoon and one of…

Inland Angels 9, Paladin 3 ‘Ironman Sallo Takes Charge on the Bump’ Submitted by Ted Poleto, Angels manager This was our first entry into the 65+ division of the Kickoff Classic, as we have been specifically playing in the 60’s.  Half of the team consisted of new guys that have not played with the Inland Angels before…

Boston Wolfpack 14, Diamond Dream Mustangs 1 ‘Mike Smith Throws Complete Game Victory’ Submitted by Sterling Endicott The Boston Wolfpack won the 55+ MSBL Kickoff Classic tournament going 5-0 with a 14-1 win in the final over the Diamond Dream Mustangs.  The Pack got solid pitching and defense all weekend and were led in the…

Texas Redbirds 9, Diamond Dream Mustangs 8 ‘Redbirds Go 5-0 to Win 50+ American; Cite Complete Team Effort’ Submitted by Brian McGilvary, Redbirds manager The Redbirds played from a deficit all tournament, falling behind in four of the five games but battled back and found ways to win. Ralph Rodriguez was an offensive force going…