Dudley/Budweiser

In 1983 MRPA decided to flex its new muscle in its war with the Minnesota Sports Federation, which stole ASA from MRPA in a dispute last year. The federation had made alliance with the established Amateur Softball Association (ASA) nationally, so this year the MRPA aligned itself with the United States Slowpitch Softball Association (USSSA).

“This tournament was excellent for MRPA,” said Bob Kojetin, association chairman and Edina director of parks and recreation. “It’s the best one we’ve had in 20 years. By bringing in some of the bigger teams, we give the people and our players the chance to see the type of ballplayer they’ve never seen before.”

Although Kojetin said he expected the success of the Brooklyn Center tournament to enhance the MRPA’s reputation, he expressed regret at the split among the state softball organizations. “I was the ASA commissioner here for 10 years,” he said. “I feel ASA has let us down with what has happened in Minnesota in the last year, but It’s going to hurt them in the long run.

The crowd was large and constant throughout the MRPA-Dudley softball tournament at Brooklyn Center last weekend, even though local teams were outclassed by finalists Elite Coating of Georgia and Howard’s of North Carolina.

In 1984 the Dudley becomes a Major NIT which assists them in bringing in even better competition. Budweiser would become the official beer sponsor after Miller Lite dropped it.

In 2001 during sessions at last years’ USSSA convention, major rule changes were made that will have a tremendous impact on the Dudley/Budweiser. A home run rule proposal was made and passed regarding the Major program which includes the Dudley event.

The restrictions consist of the following: Teams classified Major are allowed only 16 home runs per game. “AA” teams are allowed only 12 per game and “A” teams are allowed only 8 per game. “B” teams are allowed only 4 per game and “C” only 2 per game. So what does this mean for Major NIT’s.When a Major team plays an “AA” team each team may only hit 14 home runs. When a Major team plays an “A” team or below each team may hit only 12 home runs. Each home run hit that exceeds the limit will be a recorded out for that time at bat only.

When an “AA” team plays a “A” team or below the home run limit is 10 per game per team. In all other games the home run limit is 8 home runs per game.

2013 was marred by a torrential rainfall with three inches falling in around 90 minutes. Shingle Creek, which wraps around the back side of the outfield fences, overflowed into the park. The tournament would be continued in single elimination format at Becker Park on Saturday afternoon.

The COVID-19 pandemic strikes the Dudley in 2020. USSSA removed the Dudley from it’s conference schedule in an effort to run later into October to get their world tournaments off. What becomes of the Dudley remains to be seen but organizers Joe Erickson of the City of Brooklyn Center and Scott Brown are committed to running an event later in the season.

1983

  • Champion – Elite Coatings, Gordon, GA
  • Runner Up – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
  • MVP – Craig Elliott, Elite Coatings (8 HR)
  • HR Leader – Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer – 10
  • Batting Leader – Ed Roth, Howard’s/Western Steer – .739

1984

  • Champion – Elite Coatings, Gordon, GA
  • Runner Up – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
  • MVP – N/A

1985

  • Champion – Steele’s Sports, Grafton, OH
  • Runner Up – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
  • MVP – Mike Nye, Steele’s Sports (17-23) – .739
  • HR Leaders – Craig Elliott, Steele’s Sports (17-21, .810, 30 RBI) – 9
  • HR Leaders – Mike Macenko, Steele’s Sports (19-25, .760, 16 RBI) – 9

1986

  • Champion – Steele’s Sports, Grafton, OH
  • Runner Up – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
  • MVP – Craig Elliott, Steele’s Sports (17 HR, 26 RBI)
  • HR Leader – Craig Elliott, Steele’s Sports – 17

1987

  • Champion – Smythe Sox, Houston, TX
  • Runner Up – Steele’s Sports, Grafton, OH
  • MVP – Bill Gatti, Smythe Sox (20-25, .800, 10 HR)
  • HR Leader – Mike Macenko, Steele’s Sports  – 24

1988

  • Champion – Superior-Apollo, Windsor Locks, CT
  • Runner Up – Starpath, Monticello, KY
  • MVP – Greg Fuhrman, Superior/Apollo (29 hits, 12 HR; 5-5, 3 HR in final game)

1989

  • Champion – Superior-Apollo, Windsor Locks, CT
  • Runner Up – Steele’s Silver Bullets, Grafton, OH
  • MVP – Rick Scherr, Superior/Apollo (.829, 16 HR, 39 RBI)
  • HR Leader – Rick Scherr, Superior/Apollo – 16
  • Batting Leader – Rick Scherr, Superior/Apollo – .829

1990

  • Champion – Superior-Apollo, Windsor Locks, CT
  • Runner Up – Starpath, Monticello, KY
  • MVP – Clyde Guy, Superior-Apollo (20-23; .870)
  • HR Leader – Dave Johnson, Starpath (24-29, .828) – 17
  • Batting Leader – Clyde Guy, Superior-Apollo – .870

1991

  • Champion – Ritch’s-Superior, Windsor Locks, CT
  • Runner Up – Bell Corp, Tampa, FL
  • MVP – Charles Wright, Ritch’s-Superior (19-22, .864, 14 HR)
  • HR Leaders – Monty Tucker, Sunbelt/Worth – 15
  • HR Leaders – Dan Schuck, Bell – 15
  • Batting Leader – Charles Wright, Ritch’s-Superior – .864

1992

  • Champion – Ritch’s-Superior, Windsor Locks, CT
  • Runner Up – Bell Corp, Tampa, FL
  • MVP – Jim Fuller, Ritch’s-Superior (29-32, .906, 20 HR, 39 RBI)
  • HR Leader – Ernie Montgomery, Steele’s/Sunbelt – 23
  • Batting Leader – Greg Schulte, Williams/Worth – .913

1993

  • Champion – Ritch’s-Superior, Windsor Locks, CT
  • Runner Up – Bell Corp, Tampa, FL
  • MVP – Charles Wright, Ritch’s-Superior (28-31, .903, 20 HR, 30 RBI)
  • HR Leader – Ricky Huggins, Vernon’s – 21
  • Batting Leader – Charles Wright, Ritch’s-Superior – .903

1994

  • Champion – Ritch’s-Superior, Windsor Locks, CT
  • Runner Up – Converters Unlimited/TPS, Kinston, NC
  • MVP – Larry Fredieu, Ritch’s-Superior – (31-33; .939, 22 HR, 36 RBI)
  • HR Leader – Dave Steffen, Shen Valley (39-46, .848) – 30
  • Batting Leader – Larry Fredieu, Ritch’s-Superior – .939

1995

  • Champion – Bell Corp/Easton, Tampa, FL
  • Runner Up – Shen Valley/Converters/TPS, Bridgewater, VA
  • MVP – Greg Cannedy, Bell Corp./Sunbelt (26-33, .788, 8 HR)
  • HR Leader – Todd Joerling, Bell Corp./Sunbelt (30-39, .789) – 17
  • Batting Leaders – David Crawley, Riverside Paving (12-14) – .857
  • Batting Leaders – John McCraw, Harrison/Power Flite (12-14) – .857

1996

  • Champion – Ritch’s-Superior, Windsor Locks, CT
  • Runner Up – Sunbelt/Easton, Centerville, GA
  • MVP – Britt Hightower, Ritch’s-Superior (.15-18, .833, 11 HR, 24 RBI)
  • HR Leader – Jeff Vargo, Whips/Instant Landscaping (27 RBI) – 13
  • Batting Leader – Rusty Bumgardner, Shen Valley (12-13, 7 HR, 14 RBI) – .923

1997

  • Champion – Shen Valley/Taylor, Bridgewater, VA
  • Runner Up – Ritch’s-Superior/TPS, Windsor Locks, CT
  • MVP – Randall Boone, Shen Valley (35-38, .923, 24 HR, 51 RBI)
  • HR Leaders – Randall Boone, Shen Valley – 24
  • HR Leaders -Dewayne Nevitt, Ritch’s Superior (34-40, .850, 42 RBI) – 24
  • Batting Leader – Kenny Carver, Sunbelt/Easton (28-30, 15 HR) – .933

1998

  • Champion – Sunbelt/Smith/Easton, Centerville, GA
  • Runner Up – Team TPS, Louisville, KY
  • MVP – Jeff Hall, Sunbelt/Smith/Easton (35-37; .946, 17 HR)
  • HR Leaders – Bobby Gilbert, Sunbelt/Smith/Easton (30-34, .882, 35 RBI) – 24
  • HR Leaders – Doug Roberson, Team TPS (49 RBI) – 24
  • Batting Leader – Jeff Hall, Sunbelt/Smith/Easton – .946

1999

  • Champion – Hendu’s/Long Haul, Albertville, MN
  • Runner Up – Sunnyvale Valve/TPS, Sunnyvale, CA
  • MVP – Todd Volkers, Hendu’s/Long Haul (20-25, .800, 11 HR)
  • HR Leaders – Dewayne Nevitt, Team TPS (.750, 40 RBI) – 20
  • HR Leaders – Jeff Wallace, Team TPS (.868) – 20
  • Batting Leaders – Dennis Rulli, JMW/Herbs (27-30, 9 HR) – .900
  • Batting Leaders – John McCraw, Chase (27-30, 19 HR) – .900

2000

  • Champion – Team TPS, Louisville, KY
  • Runner Up – R&D/Easton, Lima, OH
  • MVP – Jeff Wallace, Team TPS (31-35, .885, 18 HR)
  • HR Leader -Dewayne Nevitt, R&D/Easton (.816) – 21
  • Batting Leader – Jeff Wallace, Team TPS – .885
  • Defensive MVP – Todd Joerling, R&D/Easton

2001

  • Champion – Long Haul/TPS, Albertville, MN
  • Runner Up – Dan Smith/Easton, San Jose, CA
  • MVP – Hank Garris, Long Haul/TPS (30-38, .804, 19 HR, 49 RBI)
  • HR Leader -Hank Garris, Long Haul/TPS – 19
  • Batting Leader – Hank Garris, Long Haul/TPS – .804
  • Defensive MVP – Dennis Rulli, Dan Smith/Easton

2002

  • Champion – Dan Smith/Easton, San Jose, CA
  • Runner Up – Long Haul/TPS, Albertville, MN
  • MVP – Dewayne Nevitt, Dan Smith/Easton (12 HR)
  • HR Leaders -Hank Garris, Long Haul/TPS (29-35, .857, 37 RBI) – 16
  • HR Leaders -Rusty Bumgardner, Long Haul/TPS (23-34, .676, 30 RBI) – 16
  • Batting Leader – Hank Garris, Long Haul/TPS – .857

2003

  • Champion – Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton, San Jose, CA
  • Runner Up – Alesium/Chase/Reece/Roosters/Easton, Las Vegas, NV
  • MVP – Jeff Hall, Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton (29-31, .935, 12 HR)
  • HR Leader – Howie Krause, Resmondo/Hague/Taylor/Sunbelt/Miken – 16
  • Batting Leader – Jeff Hall, Dan Smith/Backman/Mennose/Easton (29-31, 12 HR) – .935
  • Defensive MVP – Todd Volkers, Alesium/Chase/Reece/Roosters/Easton

2004

  • Champion – Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton, San Jose, CA
  • Runner Up – Resmondo/Taylor/K&H, Columbus, OH
  • MVP – Scott Nastally, Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton (29-40, .725, 7 HR)
  • HR Leader – Jeff Hall, Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton (41-44, .932) – 20
  • Batting Leader – Jeff Hall, Dan Smith/Backman/Menosse/Easton – .932
  • Defensive MVP – Andy Purcell, Resmondo/Taylor Brothers/K&H Investments

2005

  • Champion – Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton, Tampa, FL
  • Runner Up – Resmondo/Smith/Menosse, San Jose, CA
  • MVP – Brett Helmer, Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton (30-35, .857, 13 HR, 24 RBI)
  • Batting Leader – Brett Helmer, Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton – .857
  • Defensive MVP – Scott Striebel, Bell Corp/Backman/Taylor/Easton

2006

  • Champion – Bell Corp/Taylor/Belcher/Easton, Tampa, FL
  • Runner Up – Resmondo/KME, Winter Haven, FL
  • MVP – Brett Helmer, Bell Corp/Taylor/Belcher/Easton (32-37 .865, 8 HR, 22 RBI)
  • HR Leader – Jimmy Devine, Resmondo/KME (25-31, .806, 27 RBI) – 13
  • Batting Leader – Marty Malloy, Specialty Tank/ Stucco/K&G/Worth (21-23, 1 HR) – .913
  • Defensive MVP – Dal Beggs, Resmondo/KME

2007

  • Champion – Resmondo, Winter Haven, FL
  • Runner Up – Team Combat/Benfield/Dalsanders, Seattle, WA
  • Co-MVP – Don DeDonatis III, Resmondo (23-27, .852, 2 HR, 4 RBI)
  • Co-MVP – Bryson Baker, Resmondo (21-25, .840, 7 HR, 24 RBI)
  • HR Leader – Hank Garris, Team Combat/Benfield/Dalsanders (24-30, .800, 3 RBI) – 16
  • Batting Leader – Jeff Wallace, Resmondo – .957
  • Offensive MVP – Jeff Wallace, Resmondo (22-23, .957, 6 HR, 15 RBI)
  • Defensive MVP – JD Genter, Team Combat/Benfield/Dalsanders

2008

  • Champion – Dan Smith/Menosse/Benfield/Combat, San Jose, CA
  • Runner Up – Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth, Winter Haven, FL
  • Co-MVP – JD Genter, Dan Smith/Menosse/Benfield/Combat (27-32, .844, 11 HR, 27 RBI)
  • Co-MVP – Jeff McGavin, Dan Smith/Menosse/Benfield/Combat (28-32, 875, 7 HR, 23 RBI)
  • HR Leaders – JD Genter, Dan Smith/Menosse/Benfield/Combat (27-32, .844, 27 RBI) – 11
  • HR Leaders – Brett Helmer, Dan Smith/Menosse/Benfield/Combat (22-33, .667, 24 RBI) – 11
  • HR Leaders – Jeff Wallace, Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth (32-42, .762, 30 RBI) – 11
  • Batting Leader – Scott Kirby, Dan Smith/Menosse/Benfield/Combat (30-35, 8 HR, 20 RBI) – .857
  • Offensive MVP – Bobby Hughes, Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth (34-40, .850, 4 HR, 18 RBI)
  • Defensive MVP – Scott Nastally, Dan Smith/Menosse/Benfield/Combat

2009

  • Champion – Long Haul/Miken/Phonemasters, Albertville, MN
  • Runner Up – Dan Smith/Menosse/Benfield/Combat, San Jose, CA
  • MVP – JD Genter, Long Haul/Miken/PhoneMaster (26-31, .839, 6 HR, 11 RBI)
  • HR Leader – Brian Wegman, Dan Smith/Menosse/Benfield/Combat (38-44, .864, 37 RBI) – 15
  • Batting Leader – Don DeDonatis, Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth (26-29, 1 HR, 4 RBI) – .897
  • Offensive MVP – N/A
  • Defensive MVP – Jeff McGavin, Dan Smith/Menosse/Benfield/Combat

2010

  • Champion – Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Phonemasters, Winter Haven, FL
  • Runner Up – Dan Smith/Menosse, San Jose, CA
  • MVP – Greg Connell, Resmondo/Specialty Tank/PhoneMaster (28-33, .848, 7 HR, 31 RBI)
  • HR Leader – Sam Lopez, GTL Cartel/Worth (22-32, .710, 35 RBI) – 13
  • Batting Leader – Brian Justice, Aubrey’s/TaylorMade (28-32, 5 HR, 18 RBI) – .875
  • Offensive MVP – N/A
  • Defensive MVP – Rick Baker, Dan Smith/Menosse

2011

  • Champion – Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth, Winter Haven, FL
  • Runner Up – GTL Cartel/DeMarini, Othello, WA
  • MVP – Bryson Baker, Resmondo-Specialty Tank/Worth (34-39, .872, 7 HR, 20 RBI, 30 Runs)
  • HR Leaders – Greg Connell, Resmondo-Specialty Tank (31-39, .795, 42 RBI, 28 Runs) – 12
  • HR Leaders – Brian Wegman, Team Combat/LaserVision (31-40, .775, 26 RBI, 26 Runs) – 12
  • HR Leaders – Jeremy Isenhower, Resmondo-Specialty Tank , (25-34, .736, 30 RBI, 23 Runs) – 12
  • Batting Leader – Rusty Bumgardner, Resmondo-Specialty Tank (27-30, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 22 Runs) – .900
  • Offensive MVP – N/A
  • Defensive MVP – Matt Pesso, GTL Cartel/DeMarini

2012

  • Champion – Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth, Winter Haven, FL
  • Runner Up – Nordkap/Desert Falls/Easton, Andover, MN
  • MVP – Tim Howard, Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth
  • Offensive MVP – J.D. Genter, Nordkap/Desert Falls/Easton
  • Defensive MVP – Brett McCollum, Nordkap/Desert Falls/Easton

2013

  • Champion – Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth, Winter Haven, FL
  • Runner Up – LaserVision/Desert Falls/Boombah/Easton, Cicero, NY
  • MVP – N/A
  • Offensive MVP – N/A
  • Defensive MVP – N/A

2014

  • Champion – Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth, Winter Haven, FL
  • Runner Up – LaserVision/H.Auto/JJ’s/Easton, Cicero, NY
  • MVP – Andy Purcell, Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth
  • Offensive MVP – Dale Brungardt, LaserVision/H.Auto/JJ’s/Easton
  • Defensive MVP – Nic Santana, Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth

2015

  • Champion – Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth, Winter Haven, FL
  • Runner Up – Smash It Sports/Compound Athletics, Cicero, NY
  • MVP – Andy Purcell, Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth
  • Offensive MVP – Brian Wegman, Smash It Sports/Compound Athletics
  • Defensive MVP – Jimmy Salas, Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth

2016

  • Champion – Backman/Louisville Slugger, Aurora, IN
  • Runner Up – Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth, Winter Haven, FL
  • MVP – Ryan Harvey, Backman/Louisville Slugger
  • Offensive Co-MVP – Greg Connell, Resmondo/Specialty Tank/Worth
  • Offensive Co-MVP – Lee Powers, Backman/Louisville Slugger
  • Defensive MVP – Kevin Kennington, Backman/Louisville Slugger

2017

  • Champion – Resmondo/OA/H. Auto/Specialty Tank, Winter Haven, FL
  • Runner Up – Worth Astros/K&G/Klutch, Fishers, IN
  • MVP – Travis Clark, Resmondo/OA/H. Auto/Specialty Tank
  • Offensive MVP – Brian Wegman, Resmondo/OA/H. Auto/Specialty Tank
  • Defensive MVP – Bill Pinkham, Worth Astros/K&G/Klutch

2018

  • Champion – Xtreme/Miken/ASP/Athlon, Medina, MN
  • Runner Up – Rack’s/Worth Astros/Klutch/Troupe, Indianapolis, IN
  • MVP – Curtis Stewart, Xtreme/Miken/ASP/Athlon
  • Defensive MVP – Brandon Newman Xtreme/Miken/ASP/Athlon

2019

  • Champion – TDB/Racks/Athlon, Charlotte, NC
  • Runner Up – Smash It/Precision/3rd Street/Bulldawg, Downers Grove, IL
  • MVP – Everett Williams, TDB/Racks/Athlon
  • Offensive MVP – Brad Tabler Smashit/Precision
  • Defensive CO-MVP – Alexander Montano TDB/Racks/Athlon
  • Defensive CO-MVP – Luis Reyna TDB/Racks/Athlon
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