2024 Futures tournament RECAP
Traverse City's 231 Fusion future is Bright!
Traverse City's 231 Fusion future is BRIGHT after they took home the championship trophy in 10U, 12U, and High School Division's of the Futures Tournament.
The 10U Fusion team took down the 10U Northern Michigan Legends in the championship game after cruising through pool play. 231 Fusion 11U and 231 Fusion 12U met in the championship and played there hearts out to a 2-1 victory for the 12U team. Fusions High School team rallied to beat the TC Waves 15U in the championship at St. Elizabeth Anne Seton.
The lone winner outside the Fusion organization came from the 14U Northern Michigan Legends as they upended the Moran Iron Works Vulcans in the Championship after defeating the 231 Fusion 14U in the semi-finals.
Championship photos are shown above.
We would like to thank everyone for coming to Traverse City for our Futures Challenge!
We look forward to seeing you in the summer of 2025!
2023 Futures Challenge
Legends, United, Expos Capture Tournament Titles!
What a nice day of softball!
The 2023 Futures Challenge featured good weather, great action on the field, and the opportunity for coaches to get a look at their 2024 teams in a laid-back tournament setting. At the end of the day, three teams--the Northern Michigan Legends, Great Lakes United and Michigan Expos--took home tournament championship hardware.
In the 12U group, the Legends ran the table capped by a 12-7 victory in the championship game against 231 Fusion.
In the 14U division, newly-formed Great Lakes United got hot in bracket play and raced to a tournament title by defeating the Northern Michigan Legends.
And in the High School division, the Michigan Expos won five games, giving up only four runs in total on their way to the championship.
THANK YOU to all of the teams that participated in this fun, one-day tournament. Best of luck going forward into 2024!
Futures Challenge All-Tournament Team
There were a lot of good young players showing off their skills at the 2023 Futures Challenge. Here are the players who were chosen as All-Tournament Team nominees.
12U Division
Payton Cairns - 231 Fusion
Margot Schaffler - 231 Fusion
Kennedy Burkett - AuSable Barracudas
Kennedy Burkett - AuSable Barracudas
Kyli Hellebuyck - AuSable Barracudas
Alexis Souva - Alpena Thundercats
Emma Darga - Alpena Thundercats
Abigail Gaylord - TC Waves
Katie Vandergriff - TC Waves
Bella Jewett - N. Michigan Legends
Lucy Joyce - N. Michigan Legends
Laylah Urman - N. Michigan Legends
14U Division
Kendra Allen - Presque Isle Panthers
Ashlynn Burke - Presque Isle Panthers
Courtney Howard - Petoskey Blaze
LauraLee Rhode - Petoskey Blaze
Brooklyn Payton - 231 Fusion
Natalie Kirkpatrick - 231 Fusion
Julia Brady - Great Lakes United
Coraline Rainey - Great Lakes United
Abby Oswald - Great Lakes United
Ava Mautler - Great Lakes United
Jaylyn Jones - Moran Iron Works Vulcans
Sophie McLean - Moran Iron Works Vulcans
Isabel Hoffmeyer - Moran Iron Works Vulcans
Sadie Bush - N. Michigan Legends
Lydia Bramer - N. Michigan Legends
Emma Murray - N. Michigan Legends
Lily Payton - N. Michigan Legends
High School Division
Kyrah Gray - Michigan Expos
Mattie Teidt - Michigan Expos
Hayden Cutler - Michigan Expos
Jilly Decker - Michigan Expos
Futures Challenge Champions
Futures Challenge Champions
In case you've not been able to get to sleep at night because you couldn't remember which teams have won Futures Challenge tournament titles, now you can rest easy. Here they are:
2023
12U - Northern Michigan Legends
14U - Great Lakes United
High School - Michigan Expos
2022
10U - AuSable Barracudas
12U - TC Thunder
14U - 231 Fusion
High School - Falcons and Elite-Gaspar
2021
12U - 231 Fusion
14U - Michigan Gold Rush
High School - Northern Michigan Elite
2020
10U - 231 Fusion
12U - 231 Fusion
14U - TC Waves
2019
10U - Michigan Sabercats
12U - 231 Fusion
14U - TC Waves
2018
10U - 231 Fusion
12U - Michigan Rebels
14U - 231 Fusion
2022 Futures Challenge Recap
Multiple Teams Earn Futures Challenge Titles
Multiple Teams Earn Futures Challenge Titles
Multiple Teams Earn Futures Challenge Titles
it was a long, cloudy, exciting, exhilarating, slightly rainy (late) day of softball at the 2022 Futures Challenge. Thank you to all fo the teams and fans that participated in the full, fun day of competition at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center and SEAS Middle School.
In the 10U division, the Au Sable Barracudas continued their string of success in Traverse City tournaments by capturing the championship with a 10-0 victory over 231 Fusion Fastpitch. Both teams featured good, young, up-and-coming players...great job, ladies.
In the 12U group, the TC Thunder edged Northern Michigan Legends, 7-4, to walk away with the tournament championship trophy. Congratulations!
In the 14U division, the 231 Fusion Fastpitch squad captured the tournament title in a rain-shortened game with the Petoskey Blaze. Steve Steimel's Fusion team and Brad Haase's Blaze group were undefeated on the day leading into the finals.
In the High School division, the Falcons and Elite - Gaspar were named co-champions as rain became too heavy to continue play safely with the score tied in the fifth inning. The High School division was very competitive...congrats to all!
Again, thank you to all of the families who brought their players to the softball fields of Traverse City to compete this year! We hope you enjoyed the tournament!
2022 Futures Challenge All-Tournament Team
Multiple Teams Earn Futures Challenge Titles
Multiple Teams Earn Futures Challenge Titles
Here are the players who excelled in the 2022 Futures Challenge tournament on September 11th. Coaches: If you'd like to nominate two of your players (four if you played in a championship game), please send you choices to JSBrunner777@yahoo.com and we'll add those players to the team!
10U
Blaire DeVault - 231 Fusion
Josie Reynolds - 231 Fusion
Peyton Cairns - 231 Fusion
Aliayah Grogan - 231 Fusion
Kennedy Burkett - AuSable Barracudas
Spencer Wakeley - AuSable Barracudas
Peyton Tobias - AuSable Barracudas
Molli McDonald - AuSable Barracudas
12U
Kenleigh Holms - Traverse City Waves
Jaylynn Juntunen - Traverse City Waves
Abigail Oswald - 231 Fusion
Margot Shaffler - 231 Fusion
Natalie Grobaski - N. Michigan Legends
Caitlyn Burks - N. Michigan Legends
Grace Campbell - TC Thunder
Elodie Curtis - TC Thunder
Coraline Rainey - TC Thunder
Adalyn Griffore - TC Thunder
14U
Paige Samp - Alpena Thundercats
Georgia Alberts - Alpena Thundercats
Madelyn Oswald - 231 Fusion
Makayla Kozlowski - 231 Fusion
Alexis Cadarette - 231 Fusion
Nora Bethuy - 231 Fusion
Lilly Lauer - TC Waves
Ava Gaylord - TC Waves
High School
Myah Reuther - Northern Michigan Rebellion
Katie Hansen - Northern Michigan Elite
Hannah Fellows - Northern Michigan Elite
2021 Futures Challenge Recap
231 FUSION, GOLD RUSH AND NORTHERN MICHIGAN ELITE CAPTURE FUTURES CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIPS!!
2021 FUTURES CHALLENGE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM **Coaches: Send your selections to JSBrunner777@yahoo.com
2021 FUTURES CHALLENGE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM **Coaches: Send your selections to JSBrunner777@yahoo.com
The future was on display at the 2021 Futures Challenge tournament in Traverse City. Designed for newly-selected 2022 teams, the one-day softball party featured good weather, good play and good fun across three age groups of teams.
In the 12U division, Gabe Williams' 231 Fusion team went 4-and-0 on the day, their effort capped by an 11-5
The future was on display at the 2021 Futures Challenge tournament in Traverse City. Designed for newly-selected 2022 teams, the one-day softball party featured good weather, good play and good fun across three age groups of teams.
In the 12U division, Gabe Williams' 231 Fusion team went 4-and-0 on the day, their effort capped by an 11-5 win over an excellent Saginaw Bay RiverDawgs team in the finals. Congratulations, ladies!
In the 14U group, the Michigan Gold Rush rang up five wins en route to the tournament title. The Clare-based team survived a scare in the semifinals though, escaping with a 6-5 win over 231 Fusion - Tiesworth in the closest game of the tournament. The Gold Rush went on to defeat the Michigan Blasters, 9-1, in the championship game.
In the High School division, Phil Meeker's Northern Michigan Elite also rang up five wins in a row, the last being an 11-0 championship game win over Mike Thompson's 231 Fusion squad.
Thank you to all of the teams that participated in the 2021 Futures Challenge. Best wishes for a productive off-season--see you next year!
2021 FUTURES CHALLENGE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM **Coaches: Send your selections to JSBrunner777@yahoo.com
2021 FUTURES CHALLENGE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM **Coaches: Send your selections to JSBrunner777@yahoo.com
2021 FUTURES CHALLENGE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM **Coaches: Send your selections to JSBrunner777@yahoo.com
Nothing better for a softball fan than watching good players play. Here are the top players from the 2021 Futures Challenge...
12U Division
Abbey Schulz - Cheboygan Chaos
Lydia Kosanke - Cheboygan Chaos
Abigail Bedrick - N. Mich. Dragonflies
Angel Belbot - N. Mich. Dragonflies
Coraline Rainey - Saginaw Bay RiverDawgs
Jaiden Van Vliet - Saginaw
Nothing better for a softball fan than watching good players play. Here are the top players from the 2021 Futures Challenge...
12U Division
Abbey Schulz - Cheboygan Chaos
Lydia Kosanke - Cheboygan Chaos
Abigail Bedrick - N. Mich. Dragonflies
Angel Belbot - N. Mich. Dragonflies
Coraline Rainey - Saginaw Bay RiverDawgs
Jaiden Van Vliet - Saginaw Bay RiverDawgs
Elley Shoultes - Saginaw Bay RiverDawgs
Eden Kitzmiller - Saginaw Bay RiverDawgs
Madisyn Fales - N. Michigan Legends
Sadie Bush - N. Michigan Legends
14U Division
Adelynn Town - N. Mich. Dragonflies
Gracie DiBenedetto - N. Mich. Dragonflies
Ashlynn Cummings - TC Waves
Kayla Noble - TC Waves
Izzy Edmonds - 231 Fusion - Tiesworth
Cali D'Amour - 231 Fusion - Tiesworth
Saige Miller - Michigan Blasters
Quinne McMurphy - Michigan Blasters
Calli Heleski - Michigan Blasters
Emmalee Shankel - Michigan Blasters
Paisley Hansen - Michigan Blasters
Shayler McIntyre - Lady RiverDawgs
Avery Pagel - Lady RiverDawgs
High School
Kenzie Bromley - Northern Michigan Elite
Brooke Meeker - Northern Michigan Elite
Karly Roelofs - Northern Michigan Elite
Sophia Wisniski - Northern Michigan Elite
Daisie Brewer - 231 Fusion
Natalie Wandrie - 231 Fusion
Grace Lewis - 231 Fusion
Taylor Moeggenberg - 231 Fusion
Maggie Napont - TC Waves
Lauren Tkach - TC Waves
Jordan Ashley - Cheboygan Chaos
Liv Brandau - Cheboygan Chaos
2020 Futures Challenge Recap
TRAVERSE TEAMS TAKE TITLES!!!
The Future is bright, it appears, for Traverse City area softball. The 2020 Futures Challenge was a rousing success, with players and fans bringing spirited excitement to the softball fields at the Civic Center. And in the end, Traverse City-based teams were crowned as champions in all three age divisions.
In the 14U group, the Traverse City Waves Tsunami was very impressive in posting a 5-0 record en route to the tournament title. Coach Sean Liles team put on a hitting show to defeat 231 Fusion Fastpitch, 12-1, in the tournament final. The game was the first ever played under the lights in a TC tournament....more night games to come next summer? Stay tuned...Great job, ladies!
In the 10U and 12U divisions, it was 231 Fusion hoisting the championship trophy and sporting the championship bling. Levi Griffore's 10U squad avenged an earlier pool play loss to the Saginaw Bay Lady RiverDawgs by capturing the title game, 8-5. Juli Tiesworth's and Steve Steimel's 12U troops edged Matt Geoghan's Michigan Sabercats, 5-4, in a terrific final game. Congratulations, all!
Thanks to all of the parents, grandparents, fans and players that made the Futures Challenge a fun Sunday in Traverse City! We hope to see you next year!
FUTURES CHALLENGE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Take a gander at this! It's the players that played particularly well during the tournament, and they make up the All-Tournament Team (Coaches: Send your nominations to JSBrunner777@yahoo.com).
10U Division
Adalyn Griffore - 231 Fusion
Eden Kitzmiller - 231 Fusion
Emily Vandergriff - 231 Fusion
Reese Williams - 231 Fusion
Emily Breza - Saginaw Bay RiverDawgs
Kaitlyn Osborn - Saginaw Bay RiverDawgs
Brynlee McIntyre - Saginaw Bay RiverDawgs
Khloe Courtade - Michigan Sabercats
Aryssa St. Amour - Michigan Sabercats
12U Division
Madilyn Depew - TC Thunder
Brooklyn Fischer - TC Thunder
Avery Pagel - Saginaw Bay RiverDawgs
Keeley Peace - Saginaw Bay RiverDawgs
Anika Peterson - 231 Fusion
Delaney Witkop - 231 Fusion
Aubrey Weiland - 231 Fusion
Mara Williams - 231 Fusion
14U Division
Jaycie Gasper - Michigan Thunder
Jozy Mathis - Michigan Thunder
Amelia Kempf - TC Thunder
Ella Newman - TC Thunder
Jordan LaFleur - TC Thunder
Ella Kosanke - Cheboygan Chaos
Amelia Johnson - Cheboygan Chaos
Libby Van Fleet - 231 Fusion
Grace Lewis - 231 Fusion
Ella Schramm - 231 Fusion
Grace Carey - 231 Fusion
2019 Futures Challenge recap
Sabercats, Fusion and Waves, Oh My!
Well, THAT was a lot of fun!
The fields at the Civic Center--after they were cleared of water by the hard-working tournament crew and some welcomed helpers--were filled with cheering, team chants, solid play and the excitement of a new softball year starting for the teams that participated in the 2019 Futures Challenge.
At the end of the da
Well, THAT was a lot of fun!
The fields at the Civic Center--after they were cleared of water by the hard-working tournament crew and some welcomed helpers--were filled with cheering, team chants, solid play and the excitement of a new softball year starting for the teams that participated in the 2019 Futures Challenge.
At the end of the day, three teams were crowned as champions: The Michigan Sabercats (10U division), 231 Fusion Fastpitch - Steimel (12U division) and Traverse City Waves - Shepherd (14U division).
In the 10U group, Bryan Morrissey's impressive squad rolled through the competition, their efforts culminating in a 13-1 victory over the 231 Fusion in the championship game. Great job!
In the 12U division, the Fusion edged a tough-as-nails Expos team, 6-5, to win the tournament title. The Fusion's victory was punctuated by an over-the-fence home run by Grace Cary. Paul Kunitzer's Expos team played five--FIVE!--games back-to-back, seemingly getting stronger each game.
In the 14U group, Doug Shepherd's Traverse City Waves overcame the Michigan Rebels, 13-3, to capture the Futures title trophy. The 14U division was hotly contested and featured excellent play by all teams. Way to go, ladies!
We hope everyone enjoyed the day in Traverse City!
2019 Futures Challenge All-Tournament Team
2019 Futures Challenge All-Tournament Team
10U Division
Sarah Gaylord - TC Waves
Braylynn Peterson - TC Waves
Adalyn Griffore - 231 Fusion
Sydney Fleming - 231 Fusion
Jillian Moazeni - 231 Fusion
Madisyn Fales - 231 Fusion
Kamryn Clark - Michigan Sabercats
Hayley Southard - Michigan Sabercats
Kelcey Osborne - Michigan Sabercats
Linzie Denhof - Michigan Sabercats
12U Division
Grace Cary - 231
10U Division
Sarah Gaylord - TC Waves
Braylynn Peterson - TC Waves
Adalyn Griffore - 231 Fusion
Sydney Fleming - 231 Fusion
Jillian Moazeni - 231 Fusion
Madisyn Fales - 231 Fusion
Kamryn Clark - Michigan Sabercats
Hayley Southard - Michigan Sabercats
Kelcey Osborne - Michigan Sabercats
Linzie Denhof - Michigan Sabercats
12U Division
Grace Cary - 231 Fusion Steimel
Kayla Milarch - 231 Fusion Steimel
Nora Bethuy - 231 Fusion Steimel
Hailey Hart - 231 Fusion Steimel
Sarah Wooer - TC Thunder
Claire Hurley - TC Thunder
Ella Wilson - Michigan Expos
Allyson Duncan - Michigan Expos
Kylynn Thompson - Michigan Expos
Miyesha Baumgardner - Michigan Expos
Ashlyn Cummings - TC Waves
Anna Tabaczka - TC Waves
14U Division
Kelsey Quiggin - TC Thunder Hawkins
Caitlin Butzin - TC Thunder Hawkins
Allie Hawkins - TC Thunder Hawkins
Elayna Benaway - TC Thunder Hawkins
Zoey Jetter - TC Waves Liles
Audrey Williams - TC Waves Liles
Taylor Noble - TC Waves Liles
Quinn Boyle - TC Waves Liles
Hannah Grahn - TC Waves Shepherd
Brooke Smith - TC Waves Shepherd
Maggie Napont - TC Waves Shepherd
Rylea Beamish - TC Waves Shepherd
(Coaches: Please send your nominations to JSBrunner777@yahoo.com if you'd like to recognize some of your players for their performance in the tournament)