2025 bayside bash - June 27th - 29th, 2025

We knew it was going to rain.  We just knew it.  The TV weather forecasters said it was going to pour, and they're hardly ever wrong.  And it rained, right before the 2023 Bayside Bash crossed the finish line.  Rats.

Up until about 5 p.m. on Sunday, there was some terrific play on the field of Traverse City.  The "big girls" were in town--first time ever for an 18U division in Traverse City, with lots of high school stars and some young collegiate athletes battling it out for their respective teams.  The 16U group featured twenty-six teams competing for a tournament title, and another 22 teams in the 14U group slugged it out for a chance to compete for a championship.  All three of those divisions were in the final game when the skies darkened.  Thunderbolts and lightning--very, very frightening--chased the teams from the field and led to co-champions being crowned in three divisions.

In the 12U group, though, the Grosse Pointe Diamonds and Motor City Madness teams put together a masterpiece in the finals, with the Diamonds ekeing out a 1-0 win to earn a Bayside Bash title.  Bracket play featured the top four seeds in the semifinals--the #4 Madness team upset top-seeded Krash Latusek, 3-1, and the #2 Diamonds doubled up the #3 TC Thunder, 6-3.  Overall, it was an excellent division with good competition and good sportsmanship among teams.  Great job, ladies!

In the 14U group, B-45 Academy and Krash Peru went  undefeated in the tournament and were battling it out in the finals when the skies opened up.  Both teams were crowned co-champions.

That same situation occurred in the 16U division where the Classics Heat and Next Level Performance--the top two teams following pool play--proceeded on a crash course to the finals.  Congratulations to both squads who earned co-champion honors.

In the 18U division, Phil Meeker's Northern Michigan Elite team caught fire in bracket play.  NME upset the top-seeded Midland Lady Explorers in Round Two and went on to earn a spot in the finals.  They were leading 5-1 against Katie Smith's Turnin' 2 squad when the rains came.  Both teams had terrific Sunday runs to the title game and earned co-champion honors as well.

We hope all of the teams who participated in the 2023 Bayside Bash enjoyed their weekend in Traverse City.  It was refreshing to see all of the good sportsmanship that was on display--it made the weekend a lot more fun for everyone.  Best wishes to the Bayside Bash teams for a good rest-of-the-summer!

There were some REALLY talented players in town for the 2023 Bayside Bash--some of them caught the attention of Mel the Puppy, a big Northern Michigan Elite fan.   Here are the players who starred on the field--the All-Tournament Team!  (Coaches:  If your players are not listed here, please send us an email with your two nominations and we'll add add them to the team.)

12U Division

Aleigha Garms - Presque Isle Panthers

Lexi Berg - Presque Isle Panthers

Kara Lambert - Inter-Lakes Pride Elkins

Bailey Hill - Inter-Lakes Pride Elkins

Lydia Kosanke - NM Legends

Emma Murray - NM Legends

Sophia Husek - Grosse Pointe Dimaonds

Avery Lollar - Grosse Pointe Diamonds

Addison Moses - Grosse Pointe Diamonds

Sofia Brennan - Grosse Pointe Diamonds

Grace Klaver - Oxford Wildcats

Andie Candella - Oxford Wildcats

Lydia Slavic - Michigan Blasters

Harper Clark - Michigan Blasters

Ella Fox - Mt. Pleasant Drillers Canfield

Clara Whitman - Mt. Pleasant Drillers Canfield

Lyle Gearhart - Michigan Rage

Makanzie Aguirre - Michigan Rage

Ava Stasik - Mid-Michigan Heat

Addalyn Smith - Mid-Michigan Heat

Harley Lattimer - Mid-Michigan Heat

Tessa Cameron - Mid-Michigan Heat

14U Division

Adalyn Lucas - Grand Rapids Blaze

L.J. O'Brien - Grand Rapids Blaze

Cassidy Labeth - Valkyries 13U

Nat Dryer - Valkyries 13U

Miranda Tacey - Mid-Michigan Bolts

Ashlyn Frost - Mid-Michigan Bolts

Reese Jones - TC Thunder

Rhielynn Skrocki - TC Thunder

Olivia Szyrato - Goodrich Angels

Cailyn Cowgill - Goodrich Angels

Megan Nicholas - Arlington Heights Thunder

Kate Nowak - Arlington Heights Thunder

Elli Corneil - B-45 Academy 

Mackenzie Rohr - B-45 Academy

Eleanor Ruesink - B-45 Academy

Kylynn Schroeder - B-45 Academy

Carley Karsten - Presque Isle Panthers

Brook Linseman - Presque Isle Panthers

Cadence Smith - Petoskey Blaze Henninger

Destiny Belbot - Petoskey Blaze Henninger

Hadleigh Bellgraph - Grand Rapids Flames - Stein

Jola Novak - Grand Rapids Flames -  Stein

Maddie Farrand - Inter-Lakes Pride McCaffrey

Lily McCaffrey - Inter-Lakes Pride McCaffrey

Claire Lyon - Krash Peru

Haylee Awrey - Krash Peru

Gracelyn Rockey - Krash Peru

Harper Strouse - Krash Peru

Courtney Bigham - Inter-Lakes Pride Wilk

Melanie Bigham - Inter-Lakes Pride Wilk

Julia Brady - Michigan Sabercats Prout

Chloe Smith - Michigan Sabercats Prout

Kayla Noble - TC Waves

Anna Tabaczka - TC Waves

Lily Ryckman-Hall - TC Waves

Taryn Beamish - TC Waves

16U Division

Hayden Whitmore - Michigan Blasters

Ella Hagerman - Michigan Blasters

Kelsie George - Freedom Fastpitch Stacey

Emily Winn - Freedom Fastpitch Stacey

Kylie Boyd - Freedom Fastpitch Stacey

Kendra Koski - Freedom Fastpitch Stacey

Morgan Hamilton - Precision Patriors

Morgan Mitchell - Precision Patriots

Lola Abrams - Inter-Lakes Pride Abrams

Rachel McGowan - Inter-Lakes Pride Abrams

Layla Peralta - Freedom Fastpitch Asmar

Jacqueline Asmar - Freedom Fastpitch Asmar

Sage Allen - Jags Fastpitch

Elise Hiemstra - Jags Fastpitch

Katy Keller - Jags Fastpitch

Ella Richter - Next Level Performance

Grace Blanchard - Next Level Performance

Kennadi Killeen - Next Level Performance

Ella Luegge - Next Level Performance

Delaney Monroe - Next Level Performance

Jessie Pugh - Traverse City Waves

Adelynn Town - Traverse City Waves

Harley Lattimer - Mid-Michigan Heat

Tessa Cameron - Mid-Michigan Heat

Danielle Riggs - Classics Heat

Halle Swihart - Classics Heat

Abby Nieswender - Classics Heat

Jenna Ouellette - Classics Heat

Addyson Sturgis - Michigan Heat

Jaden Williamson - Michigan Heat

Jordan Ashley - Cheboygan Chaos

Dakota Friday - Cheboygan Chaos

Anna Photiou - Fenton Fastpitch

Alyssa Fults - Fenton Fastpitch

Lily Webb - Goodrich Angels

Liz Wogaman - Goodrich Angels

Brianna Stedman - Rockford Krush

Allison Owens - Rockford Krush

Abby Sheridan - Motor City Madness

Allie Nowak - Motor City Madness

18U Division

Grace Main - Jags Fastpitch

Catherine Hiemstra - Jags Fastpitch

Have you stayed up at night wishing upon a star that you knew the past champions of the Bayside Bash?  Well, now you can get a good night's sleep, but only if you study the list of champions below:

2024

12U - Michigan Rebels

14U - Warriors Fastpitch

16U - Great Lakes Renegades

18U - JAGS Fastpitch

2023

12U Division

Champion - Grosse Pointe Diamonds

Runner-Up - Motor City Madness

14U Division 

Co-Champions - B45 Academy and Krash Peru

16U Division

Co-Champions - Classics Heat and Next Level Performance '06

18U Division

Co-Champions - NME and Turnin' 2 Smith

2022

12U Division

Champion - Michigan Sabercats

Runner Up - Mid-Michigan Heat

14U Division

Champion - Finesse Davis

Runner Up - Traverse City Thunder

High School Division

Champion - Mid-Michigan Heat 18U

Runner Up - Krash 16U

2021

**Tournament was rained out after one day of games

2020

12U Division

Champion - Michigan Rebels

Runner Up - 231 Fusion Steimel

14U Division

Champion - GR Diamonds Tuttle

Runner Up - TC Waves Shepherd

High School Division

Champion - Elite Hardin/Flak

Runner Up - Petoskey Blaze

2019

12U Division

Champion - TC Waves

Runner Up - Alpena Thundercats

14U Division

Champion - Cadillac Express

Runner Up - Grand Rapids Diamonds

16U Division 

Champion - Top Prospects Pladies

Runner Up - South Farmington Wildcards

2018

12U Division

Champion - Michigan Outlaws

Runner Up - 231 Fusion Fastpitch

14U Division 

Champion - Cadillac Express

Runner Up - Lady Crusaders

 Waves Roll In 12U!!!  Express REPEATS As 14U Champs!!!  Top Prospects Pladies Win An Extra-Inning Nail-Biter In 16U!!!

Now THIS was a fun tournament!  The Thunderbirds treated participating teams to flyovers at all three game sites...the weather was pretty close to perfect, with temperatures in the low 80's and bluebird skies all weekend...rumors floated around that some teams threw caution to the wind and actually went for a swim in frigid Grand Traverse Bay, while others took a side trip to the Sleeping Bear Dunes and still others immersed themselves in the downtown action of the Cherry Festival.  All three divisions dripped with excitement and intriguing story lines as the Bayside Bash raced toward the finish line.  Where to start.....?

....How about with 12U?  Sixteen teams populated the 12U division, including a hefty dose of northern Michigan squads and a equal amount of visiting teams from all corners of the state.  After an exciting round of pool play with teams jockeying for position, and a frantic schedule of bracket play games on Sunday, Ryan Craig's 12U Waves team was left holding the championship hardware.  The Waves squad, after solid showings in earlier Traverse City Summer Series tournaments, dismantled an excellent Alpena Thundercats team, 12-0, to take home their first championship win.  Congratulations, ladies!!!

In the 12U consolation finals, the first-year Salt River Lady Bandits Red squad earned title honors with a 7-4 victory over Julie Mulder's West Michigan Riptide team.

Ben Lundquist's Cadillac Express team did something that hadn't been done since the 2013 Moran Iron Works Vulcans 16U team accomplished the feat in the Softball Spectacular tournament--the Express REPEATED as tournament champions!  Last year's 14U Bayside Bash champion was THIS year's 14U Bayside Bash champion, courtesy of a 5-0 victory over Tony Menard's Grand Rapids Diamonds.  The Express and the Diamonds put together sensational Sunday win streaks to reach the finals of a strong 20-team 14U division.  Way to go, girls!!!

In the 14U consolation title game, the Lisle Slammers (Illinois) defeated the Michigan Rebels.

But without question, the most exciting championship game happened in the 16U division where the Top Prospects Pladies team met the South Farmington Wildcards.  There were super-talented players all over the field...two evenly matched squads that battled back and forth for a rollicking eight innings before the Prospects pulled out a 13-12 walk-off win.  The game lurched one way, then another, with both teams clubbing balls off the fence, with daring baserunners challenging the opposing outfielders at every turn, and with both teams generally throwing haymaker after haymaker in their turns at bat.  It was as fun a game to watch as I can remember.  

Down 9-6 in the bottom of the sixth, the Prospects plated three runs to send the game to extra innings.  Each team scored a run in the seventh before the Wildcards took a two-run lead in the top of the eighth.  With two out, the Prospects pushed one, then two, then the third--and winning run--across the plate, triggering a wild celebration.  Trinity Westra, an All-Tournament Team selection, seemed to be in the middle of every Prospects rally.  Fittingly, she scored the winning run.  Sensational play by two tremendous, evenly matched teams...

We hope all of our participating teams and families enjoyed their weekend in Traverse City!  Thank you for coming to our tournament...

(Shown above are members of the Cadillac Express, 14U Champions)

Dang.  So they can do THAT!  Here's a list of the top performers in the 2019 Bayside Bash.  Presenting....the All-Tournament Team:

12U Division

Maya Boertman - Inter Lakes Pride

Sophie Sosnowski - Inter Lakes Pride

Grace Lewis - TC Thunder

Sarah Ream - TC Thunder

Peja Liles - TC Waves

Zoey Jetter - TC Waves

Hayden Boonstra - TC Waves

Evelyn Nowicki - TC Waves

Selena Hochendoner -  Hurricanes Fastpitch Robke

Katelyn Seeland - Hurricanes Fastpitch Robke

Allison Mohn - Salt River Bandits

Zola Smith - Salt River Bandits

Grace Cary - 231 Fusion

Addison Balentine - 231 Fusion

Adriana Sackett - 231 Fusion

Sydnee Kirk - Top Prospects 

McKenzie Gugins - Top Prospects

Kyleigh Bilek - West Michigan Riptide

Ahria Doornbos - West Michigan Riptide

Madison Babinec - West Michigan Riptide

Addi Huffman - West Michigan Riptide 

14U Division 

Ella Klimowicz - Oxford Wildcats

Kaylie Smith - Oxford Wildcats

Becca Allen - Lisle Slammers

Rhyan Hampton - Lisle Slammers

Emily Sweetland - Michigan Classics

Peyton Fether - Michigan Classics

Hannah Grahn - TC Waves 13U

Kate Gaylord - TC Waves 13U

Ashlyn Lundquist - Cadillac Express

Brooklyn Hoffert - Cadillac Express

Stella Balcom - Cadillac Express

Halle Richardson - Cadillac Express

Mia Clair - TC Thunder 13U

Taylor Phillips - TC Thunder 13U

Tatum Neubecker - Ogemaw Outlaws

Jorja Fox - Ogemaw Outlaws

Alicia Whissman - Ogemaw Outlaws

Maleah Rachow - Ogemaw Outlaws

Mikayln Kenney - Top Prospects

Presley Davis - Top Prospects

Ava Prielipp - Lakeshore Storm Taylor

Aubrey Taylor - Lakeshore Storm Taylor

Rachel Whitman - Saginaw Golds

Jerzy Peak - Saginaw Golds

16U Division

Danielle Pettaway - South Farmington Wildcards

Delanie Buzler - South Farmington Wildcards

Sierra Holder - Top Prospects Pladies

Trinity Westra - Top Prospects Pladies

Caitlynn Duffey - Top Prospects Pladies

Alex Morton - Top Prospects Pladies

Payton Berard - Oxford Wildcats

Gabrielle Selewski - Oxford Wildcats

Allison Urlaub - Alpena Thundercats

Kitaira Cohoon - Alpena Thundercats

Ashley Chmielewski - Roscommon Royals 

Audrey Tiepel - Roscommon Royals 

Sage Jones - Lisle Slammers

Natalia Stanley - Lisle Slammers

**COACHES - IF YOU'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE TOP PERFORMERS ON YOUR TEAM FOR THE WEEKEND, PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM NOMINATIONS TO JSBRUNNER777@YAHOO.COM

Take a look at the top teams from the Bayside Bash!!!

2020

12U Division

Champion - Michigan Rebels

Runner Up - 231 Fusion Steimel

14U Division

Champion - GR Diamonds Tuttle

Runner Up - TC Waves Shepherd

High School Division

Champion - Elite Hardin/Flak

Runner Up - Petoskey Blaze

2019

12U Division

Champion - TC Waves

Runner Up - Alpena Thundercats

14U Division

Champion - Cadillac Express

Runner Up - Grand Rapids Diamonds

16U Division 

Champion - Top Prospects Pladies

Runner Up - South Farmington Wildcards

2018

12U Division

Champion - Michigan Outlaws

Runner Up - 231 Fusion Fastpitch

14U Division 

Champion - Cadillac Express

Runner Up - Lady Crusaders

__________________________

**Pictured above are members of the 16U Top Prospects Pladies team, 2019 Bayside Bash Champions!