Was the 2013 Fall Chicagoland tourney the beginning of something great?

Six years ago this week on November 16, 2013, Jim Saska and Doug Schuyler organized a tournament billed as the 2nd Chicagoland APBA World Series Tournament. It was my first regional APBA tournament I’ve ever attended. If you look at the list of attendees, it is a “Who’s Who” of regular participants of those who now attend regional tournaments today.

Tourney participant Shawn Baier said it best…

Looking back, I really feel that tournament was the spark that got the tournament boom going.

I remember that day quite vividly. Like I said, t was my first tourney so I really didn’t know what to expect. My buddy Brando and I were coming up from Urbana and we were going to pick up Scott Fennessy on the way. No problem. The Chicago area can’t be THAT big, right? Of course, we were an hour late.

I remember Scott saying that this would be playing face-to-face APBA in years. Well, not to give anything away but guess who won the tourney championship?

Yep, with the help of MVP Christy Mathewson and his no-hitter, Scott’s 1905 New York Giants took the title! He wrote about his experience a few days later.

My most vivid memories of that day:

• Seeing so many APBA fans in one room! I remember taking a photo of each of my opponents before playing them.
• Meeting Shawn Baier (my commissioner of the Boys of Summer League) for the first time. We immediately hugged.
• Christy Mathewson’s no-hitter and three-hitter for Scott
• The yummy Italian beef (thanks, Mrs. Saska)
• Watching Doug Saska roll his dice. Watch out!!
• Listening to Clark Eichman broadcast his games.

There was obviously an initial tournament before the 2nd Chicagoland APBA Tournament. That took place in the summer of 2013. Five people attended and Curt Bartel won the championship. I mention this because many people ask me what they can do if there isn’t a tournament in their area. Doug and Jim started one and while their initial one was small, they had fun. The second one grew and has expanded since.

If there is interest, you can start your own tournament!

Jim Saska has since moved to Virginia and started a tournament in Richmond. Doug handed over the reins to Rob Spatz who has done a great job with keeping the tradition alive. The 2020 Chicagoland APBA Tournament is scheduled for August 8, 2020. According to Rob, there are already 44 fans committed to attend nine months before the event!!

Since that November day in 2013, so many regional tourneys have sprung up that I think Shawn’s statement holds true. Throughout the country and especially the Midwest, tourneys grew and participation expanded. Most individual tournays have themes which fans abide and make them unique and more fun.

Kudos to Jim and Doug for starting something awesome!

Here is was my original report after the 2nd Chicagoland World Series APBA Tournament. I also wrote up some further thoughts a few days later.

You can see the photos from the 2nd Chicagoland tourney here.