2019 Women's Major Softball
National Championship
August 1-4, Stratford, CT


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It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

By Bob Baird
WMS Tournament Director

It's the most wonderful time of the year, as the popular holiday song recorded by Andy Wiliams says. Well, maybe second best behind Christmas!

When August rolls around you know that tournament softball can't be far behind. Here it is again, the 11th annual Women's Major Softball National Championship tournament at Stratford's iconic Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field and the Short Beach Rec Complex on August 1-4.

Nine teams, 26 games, exciting plays, plenty of fans, and memories of past years. Since 2009 all the softball memories have been from the WMS as it has replaced the once legendary ASA Women's Major tournament as the post-season softball destination of choice.

“We're excited to host this great event,” said WMS Tournament Director Bob Baird. “We've been working all year to make this experience a memorable one for players, coaches, and spectators alike.”

With the exception of three games at Short Beach, all the action will be at DeLuca Field. And helping to chronicle the action will be the Brakettes webcast staff which will stream all those games, along with post and pre-game interviews and features. In the past 10 years thousands of fans who could not make it to Stratford have witnessed the action, including those in 21 foreign countries.

It will be impossible to duplicate the tension, drama, and excitement from the 2018 event, when the Stratford Brakettes came storming out of the loser's bracket to win three straight games, including a doubleheader sweep over the 2017 champion St. Louis Saints. It marked the eighth time the Brakettes have captured the title and it was their 36th national championship overall since 1947.

While the Saints couldn't make it back this year, veteran Manager Ed Martz sends everyone his best and has vowed to return in 2020. The Saints had a veteran ballclub with seven players graduating from college this past spring. “The players weren't able to commit to the tournament because many were starting jobs fresh out of college and they weren't certain if they could get the time off.” When St. Louis comes to Stratford they make it a week-long journey.

One of the returning teams from last year's field is the veteran-laden Lyons, PA, Spirit, led by their outstanding player/coach Elaine Bedell. Elaine will be turning 50 in the near future and is finally calling it a career, after playing the game she dearly loves for 38 years! The Spirit and Bedell have participated in every WMS event to date.

“In recognition of her contributions to softball and for keeping it going in Pennsylvania, we are dedicating the 2019 WMS championship tournament in her honor,” added Baird.
Bedell and three of her friends formed the Spirit Softball Team in 1995 and they've built quite an impressive resume over the past 23 years. Last year they finished third in the tournament, which equaled their finishes in both 2013 and 2014.

Bedell, one of the game's best centerfielders ever, has been an annual participant in national tournaments at every level. She was a Class A first-team All-America in 2001, 2003, and 2006, and a third teamer in 1997. Playing in every WMS to date, she was a WMS All-America in 2013, 2014, and 2017 when she also received the Allyson Rioux Defensive Player Award.

Let's hope that someone follows Bedell's lead and keep the Spirit going.

This year marks the first in WMS play for the Junior Brakettes, who compiled a 22-11-1 overall record in their inaugural season under Coach Mary Sciglimpaglia Brainard, a former catcher with the Stratford Brakettes. Some will be moving up to the Stratford Brakettes next year as Manager John Stratton expects several of his veterans to call it a career because of professional conflicts. “It's not like the old days when players would go on for 10 to 15 years.”

One of those players who will be leaving is 15-year right fielder Denise Denis, the Brakettes all-time career leader in home runs and doubles. She is ranked in the top 10 in all offensive career categories. But don't be surprised if Denise should make a comeback.

Completing the tournament field are the Nook 23 Gold and Stripes & Strikes, two talented Pennsylvania combines, the Tanner Pride of Woburn, MA, the Connecticut Eliminators 23U, CT Eliminators 18 Gold, and the Ridgefield Rebels 23U teams.

“At one point it appeared as though we could have a 15-team field,” added Baird. “Three teams had to withdraw because of a rash of injuries and three others did not comply with the tournament criteria of relying on an established roster and playing a set regular-season schedule. We didn't leave the ASA and start the WMS just to continue allowing pick-up all-star teams to participate.”

This year will mark the first time during the Team Social (5-6 p.m. on August 1) that fans and players will be able to relax and enjoy the musical treats from the “Magnificent Brass” from 5:15-5:45 p.m. followed by the Coastal Chordsmen vocal group from 5:45-6 p.m. The “Magnificent Brass consists of 10 former drum and bugle corps members who specialize in Patriotic songs and a medley of Frank Sinatra's well-known hits.