IBEW 38 wins delayed softball tournament

IBEW Local 38 took home its sixth straight division “A” title in the 44th Cleveland Building Trades Softball Tournament.

Bricklayers Local 23 claimed the crown in the “B” division.

Initially scheduled for Sept. 3-4, the tournament was postponed due to bad weather. A torrential thunderstorm that swept through Northeast Ohio on Sept. 3, and more rain on Sept. 4, made the fields at James Day Park in Parma unplayable.

Organizers pushed the tournament back to Oct. 10, and Mother Nature cooperated. The weather was perfect for softball, as temperatures were in the high60s with overcast skies. With a two-day tournament condensed to one day, games began at 8 a.m., and the ball diamonds were in constant use throughout the day.

In years past, the tournament included about 18 teams in two divisions. However, with the games postponed a month, some teams were unable to field teams, including the Sheet Metal Workers and Carpenters. Additionally, the Steel Workers were only able to field one team instead of two.

With a few less teams, Division “A” featured seven teams, while eight teams played in the “B” division.

Once the games began, the action proved to be intense, as multiple games were close.

In the end, Local 38A outhit all their opponents and did not drop a game in the A Division. The championship game, played against Plumbers Local 55, was a rematch from the final game in the winner’s bracket, and once again, Local 38A proved victorious.

For Local 38, the win gave the Local its sixth consecutive Division “A” tournament title and bragging rights for another year.

Division “B” saw Bricklayers Local 23 take care of business in the winner’s bracket, outslugging Ironworkers Local 17 for the title.

44th Annual Cleveland Building Trades Softball Tournament Results

Here are the top three finishers in each division of the CBCTC softball tournament, which was delayed a month due to weather.

A Division (7 teams)

1. IBEW Local 38A

2. Plumbers Local 55

3. Pipefitters Local 120 A

B Division (8 teams)

1. Bricklayers Local 23

2. Ironworkers Local 17

3. Elevator Constructors Local 17