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One of the top club events of the Fall season kicks off four weeks from today, the 6th annual PGF Ultimate Challenge, which runs from Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26, 2021.
After not being help in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, Event Director Bill Sparrey explains that the return of the Challenge has been highly anticipated.
“Everyone is excited that we finally get to play the event again after missing it last year,” he begins.
What makes the event so popular, Sparrey is asked?
“The Salinas Storm organization, with Armando Barragan and Warren Wyland, do such a great job of putting the event together,” he continues, “and each division winner receives their paid entry fee to the 2022 PGF Nationals along with each player receiving championship rings. They also provide a hospitality area where the coaches are provided food Friday and Saturday.”
The invite-only event is held at the Salinas Sports Complex in Salinas, California—the hometown of softball legend Monica Abbott who played for the Storm—and features just a dozen teams for each of the 18U, 16U and 14U age divisions.
It is, however, truly a case of quality versus quantity as top teams from the West love to compete in the event.
“There’s not a lot of tournaments in the recruiting window, mostly showcases, so in this way the Ultimate Challenge stands out,” explains Lindsey Ziegenhirt-Munoz who heads one of the favored 18U teams along with her husband Ernie Munoz, the Lady Magic. “With the great team list and recruiting opportunites, college coaches will get to see players and teams playing to win games rather than just showcase uncommitted talent.”
Bret Denio, a co-head coach with Donnie Hagberg of the 18U Explosion team traveling up the coast from So Cal, agrees that the PGF Ultimate Challenge is attractive because teams are playing for something.
“The event gives you a chance to see the Nor Cal teams and also gives you a chance to put your team in an elimination format early in the Fall,” Denio says. “We also love the setup and facilities, and the Storm program always takes good care of you.”
Another attractive feature says many club coaches is the caliber of competition they’ll be facing and, a feature loved by the college coaches—all the age groups compete in close proximity to each other on the six-field complex.
“I am excited to take our team to the PGF Ultimate Challenge this year,” adds Mike McNair, who coaches the California Grapettes 06 team. “This tournament is invite-only, ensuring strong competition in each and every game and the fact that we will have a chance to face off against legendary coaches and programs like Rob Weil and his new Wildcats organization or maybe Joe Henderson and his strong LTG Lions squad, makes it really fun to play at.”
Coach James Kim of the So Cal Athletics enjoys playing teams from other parts of the state.
“Being from SoCal, we jumped at the opportunity to compete against some of the top teams NorCal had to offer in an event where the prize was a paid entry into PGF Nationals,” he says. “The field of competition and the championship prize being significant are enough to motivate each player to bring their best efforts to the field.”
The Challenge, held in the beautiful Monterey Bay area of Northern California is also hosted by Abbott’s former club team, the Salinas Storm, and the hometown team as well as the others in the 36-team field are all competing for the same prize: a paid entry into the 2022 PGF National Championship in Huntington Beach, California.
Coach Bryan Merrida, who leads the All American Sports Academy 18U team, agrees that the location and all the event has to offer, makes is attractive.
“I just think that it’s a fun event,” he explains. “The competition has always been good and the tournament has always been well run. The fact that it’s in the Monterey area certainly adds to the flavor and it will be a strong field of teams as usual.”
The format is simple: three pool games spread over Friday evening and early Saturday with single elimination beginning Saturday evening through Sunday with championships held a 2 pm.
So who are the favorites? It’s a balanced field and a lot can happen in less than 48 hours. Here’s who some feel will be ones to watch:
“It’s hard to say which team is the top team. It’s very early in the fall, but I wouldn’t bet against the So Cal A’s and their long winning tradition.” – Coach Merrida
“I’m a fan of Karen Yoder and her Sorcerer team; they will be one followed closely by mine!” – Coach Kim
“Northwest Bullets – Campos 18U has a very talented team with two very strong pitchers.” – Coach Ziegenhirt-Munoz
“I would say when it comes to hitting the Lady Magic and So Cal Athletics are strong and with pitching the NW Bullets and LTB both have a strong as does All American Sports Academy and the A’s. We will see… that’s what makes early tournaments in the Fall so much fun—you get to see who got better!” – Coach Denio
The event has one other thing going for it that Coach McNair reveals… the secret weapon that makes the PGF Ultimate Challenge one not to miss.
“If the truck is there with the loaded baked potatoes, don’t miss out,” he concludes. “They are delicious!”
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
Here are the details of the 2021 PGF Ultimate Challenge:
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
- Friday, October 22nd – All teams will play one pool play game (Game times: 5:00, 6:30, 8:00pm)
- Saturday, October 23rd – All teams will play two more pool play games (Last Pool Play games are at 3:30pm)
- Saturday, October 23rd – Single Elimination bracket will begin at 6pm.
- Sunday, October 24th – Single Elimination continues, all Championship Games are at 2pm.
*****
TEAMS COMPETING:
18U
- Explosion Hagberg/Denio
- NW Bullets Campos
- Salinas Storm
- So Cal A’s Richardson
- So Cal Wildcats Weil
- Cal Nuggets Woods
- Lady Magic Munoz
- Universal Fastpitch Gold
- LTG Lions Lively
- CA Grapettes Gold
- AASA Merrida
- Sorcerer Gables/Rodriguez
16U
- Salinas Storm
- NW Bullets Muir
- So Cal Wildcats Weil
- LTG Lions Henderson
- Cal Nuggets Woods
- CA Grapettes McNair
- Universal Fastpitch Daniels
- Lady Magic Boykin
- Powersurge Armas
- CA Breeze Warren
- Dirtdogs Close
- Sorcerer Bigley/Everett
14U
- So Cal A’s Kim/Adame
- NW Bullets
- AASA Bryson
- LTG Lions Henderson
- Cal Nuggets Woods
- CA Grapettes Kapp
- Universal Fastpitch Macias
- Sorcerer Yoder
- Salinas Storm
- Powersurge Worley
- Lady Magic
- Dirtdogs Vasquez
*****
PAST CHAMPIONS:
2020 Ultimate Challenge Champions
- Event cancelled due to COVID
2019 ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS
- 14U – Universal Fastpitch Faulstich
- 16U – CA Breeze Birch
- 18U – NW Bullets Campos
2018 ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS
- 14U – CA Breeze Fernald
- 16U – Athletics Mercado/Greg
- 18U – CA Suncats & NW Bullets
2017 ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS
- 14U – Corona Angels Tyson
- 16U – CA Breeze Warren
- 18U – Corona Angels Tyson
2016 ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS
- 14U – OC Batbusters Campbell
- 16U – Explosion Greg
- 18U – All American Sports Academy
2015 ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS
- 14U – So Cal Choppers-Fausett
- 16U – So Cal A’s-McNee
- 18U – So Cal Choppers-Fausett