Valley View Playfields is the place to be this weekend as the Bloomington Firemen's softball tournament — officially the Virg Ellrich Memorial Firemen's Softball Tournament — hits its 68th year. Play runs Thursday, July 16 through Saturday, July 18, with championship games continuing Sunday, per the Sun Current.
Thursday kicks off with a First Responders game at Red Haddox Field at 6 p.m., followed by an all-stars game around 7:30 p.m. Friday brings a Home Run Derby ahead of the 6 p.m. games. Saturday and Sunday belong to the championship rounds across six divisions, with times varying by bracket, the Sun Current reported.
The divisions cover a wide range of play: MSP 40+ Open, MSP D, MSP E/Rec, MSP Open, CESP Open and WSP Open for women's teams. The men's Open bracket draws some serious talent, including T's 13 out of Omaha, Nebraska — ranked #2 nationally — and IRUN4RYAN 24 Apparel, ranked #5. Also competing are GAF Sports, MN Duct Pros, All American/WeFixBlinds/D.R.O. and Ductech/Monsta Swag, according to the Sun Current.
It's a fundraiser as much as a ballgame: proceeds support the Knights of Columbus and Bloomington Kennedy's Rhythm in Gold, wrestling and track programs, the paper said. Concessions — burgers, hot dogs, corn and beer — will be set up under the main tent near Fields 2 and 3.
This tournament follows the Dred Scott Sizzler, held June 27-28, which featured the MSP D and E/Rec divisions. Custom/Kunson/Greater Than and Hard Knocks/DSA took home wins there, per the Sun Current.