Salem held it’s annual One Pitch Tournament on Saturday, April 26th. This is a unique event that is held the Saturday before the DAMSL regular season begins. For those unfamiliar, the rules are simple but intense: every at-bat boils down to one pitch. A ball means a walk, while a strike or foul ends the at-bat with an out. This quick-decision gameplay keeps the energy high and the games fast-paced (games take about 45 minutes each) making it a favorite event for players to shake the rust out after a long winter.

This year, seven teams participated: Karmel, New Hope, North Isanti, Oxlip, Refuge, River of Life, and Salem.

The tournament unfolded amidst great weather, with afternoon temperatures settling comfortably in the mid-60s. Players and fans alike enjoyed the sunshine as teams battled through elimination rounds, bringing their A-game to each one-pitch showdown.

In the championship game, host team Salem faced off against Karmel in a nail-biting finale. Both teams showcased impressive teamwork and determination, but in the end, Karmel edged out Salem by just one run, earning the title of 2025 Salem One-Pitch Tournament champions.

Congratulations to Karmel for their hard-fought victory and a big thank-you to all participating teams for making this year’s tournament a success. The excitement, camaraderie, and sportsmanship on display were a perfect kickoff to the DAMSL season ahead.