Tomahawk Youth Softball hosts annual Rod Timm Memorial Tournament

For the Tomahawk Leader

TOMAHAWK – Four Tomahawk Hatchet youth softball traveling teams took to the field to defend their home diamonds as they hosted the annual Rod Timm Memorial Tournament at SARA Park from Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21.

Event organizers estimated approximately 1,000 attendees per day, as many teams enjoy the Rod Timm Tournament as an annual vacation destination.

The tournament was named after Rod Timm, a local sports legend born just east of Tomahawk. Timm played professional and semi-professional baseball in the 1940s and 50s. An accomplished pitcher, Timm still holds many Wisconsin Valley League records, including recording five strikeouts in one inning (two third-strike passed balls). Following Timm’s passing in 1999, the family agreed to donate money to the Tomahawk Girls Softball program, and the Rod Timm Tournament was born.

A total of 27 teams from northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan made up this year’s field. Participants included levels from 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U and 18U.

All four Hatchet teams performed well over the weekend.

The 8U team finished at 1-3, with their lone victory coming against Merrill 2-1. 10U put on a great showing for the home crowd by beating Marshfield 3-2 in an action-packed championship game. The final inning included a clutch base hit to drive in the eventual winning run for Tomahawk. The Hatchets were in trouble in the final frame with the bases loaded and no outs. Three consecutive strikeouts on nine pitches shut down the Marshfield rally, guaranteeing a Hatchet victory.

10U finished the tournament 4-1 with a loss to the Copper County Crush from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in pool play. The 10U team enjoyed tournament success all season by taking third in Waupaca and championship victories at their home tournament and in Mosinee.

The 14U team also made a championship game appearance, but couldn’t quite battle back against the Copper County Crush, losing 8-5. Tomahawk completed pool play with a 2-2 record with losses to the Crush and Lakeland. The Hatchets got revenge in bracket play by beating Lakeland 15-0 for the right to play in the championship and a rematch with Crush. 14U finished second in tournaments in Waupaca and Tomahawk, and earned a championship victory in Antigo.

Finally, the 18U/16U team also took second place, finishing with a 3-1 record. The Hatchet squad, made up of primarily varsity and JV players, beat Marshfield, the Wausau Patriots, and Merrill. Their only loss came at the hands of eventual champion, Northwoods Fastpitch, by a score of 5-2.

About Tomahawk Youth Softball

Tomahawk Youth Softball (TYSB) is dedicated to teaching good sportsmanship and fundamentals of softball while building the player’s self-confidence through teamwork and positive adult role models.

For more information on TYSB, visit www.tomahawkgirlssoftball.com.