There were plenty of cancellations due to nasty weather but Rich Zawadzki still hosted 48 participants in his 9th annual Greater Michigan APBA Baseball Tournament. The 9th annual GMABT was held March 4, 2023 at the Loomis Park Baptist Church in Jackson, Michigan.
Of those 48, Norm Zavela came out on top. His 1984 Detroit Tigers defeated Phil Vento and the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates.
Here is Rich’s recap of the tourney…
The 9th Annual Greater Michigan APBA Baseball Tournament is in the books!
Despite a terrible weather storm that came in on Friday afternoon dumping 10” of wet heavy snow upon Mid-Michigan; and 23 cancellations, we were blessed to have 50 (48 managers and Stray Corrado and I to handle stats and logistics) attend the GMABT.
We enjoyed sub-sandwiches as well as my “Blondie’s” soups and desserts for lunch.
The number of 48 managers was perfect; as we had 6 divisions of 8 teams. Every team played a double header, and every other team in ther division once for 8 round robin games (4 home and 4 away).
Our theme was World Series Winners.
The Fenway League
The Christy Mathewson Division was won by Norman Zavela with the 1984 Detroit Tigers (7-1)
The Eddie Collins Division was won by Ron Emch with the 1968 Detroit Tigers (7-1)
The Babe Ruth Division was won by Andy Rumple with the 1975 Cincinnati Reds (6-2)
The Wild Card was won by Ed Trojanowski with the 1939 New York Yankees (6-2)
The Wrigley League
The Mickey Mantle Division was won by Phil Vento with the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates (6-2)
The Tris Speaker Division was won by David Wetherbee with the 1961 New York Yankees (6-2)
The Yogi Berra Division was won by John Roels with the 1998 New York Yankees (6-2)
The Wild Card was won by Jim Magnanti with the 1934 St. Louis Cardinals (6-2)
The Elite Eight
The Fenway League
(4) 1939 New York Yankees – 1
at
(1) 1968 Detroit Tigers – 6
(3) 1975 Cincinnati Reds –
at
(2) 1984 Detroit Tigers – 4
Wrigley League
(4) 1934 St. Louis Cardinals – 5
at
(1) 1961 New York Yankees – 2
(3) 1998 New York Yankees – 3
at
(2) 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates – 4
The Final Four
The Fenway League
(2) 1984 Detroit Tigers – 10
at
(1) 1968 Detroit Tigers – 7
Wrigley League
(4) 1934 St. Louis Cardinals – 3
at
(2) 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates – 4
The Final Four
The Fenway League
(2) 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates – 5
at
(2) 1984 Detroit Tigers – 6
Congratulations to Norm Zavela and his 10-1 1984 Detroit Tigers
Norm received a 1948 Set (75 Years) and a GMABT Dice Box from Michigan & Trumbull DICE BOXES
Phil received a 1923 Set (100 Years)
Ron received a 1998 Set (25 Years)
Jim received a 1973 Set (50 Years)
Al Shock and his 2016 Chicago Cubs won the Consolation Tournament and received the 2013 Basic Game Teams. Zach Zavela and his 2019 Washington Nationals were the Consolation Tournament Runner-Up and received the ”coveted” Bob Ross Pen.
All in all; a great time was had by all; and I am truly humbled and honored that so many would trek through a snowstorm to be part of our little APBA get-together. For me, the highest compliment that I can be paid is to hear, “I’m already planning on coming back next year.”
The 10th Annual Greater Michigan APBA Baseball Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, 2024. The theme will be announced to the “general public” on Monday, March 6, 2023.
First, I’m glad everyone arrived safely. We got hit by it in Illinois but I know anything we see here is magnified in Michigan.
Congratulations to Norm. What an honor!
Rich, I can’t believe that next year will be your 10th annual GMABT tournament! The 2024 date is far enough away from my wife’s birthday that maybe I can try to make it *crossing fingers*
