With more cold and snow on deck, annual softball tournament makes winter part of the experience

Record cold is settling into Quad Cities, and not much relief is expected in the next week, but some are still finding a way to have fun outside.

Saturday morning’s low temperature of -22 broke a decades-old record.

It meant bundling uptight as people head out the door.

Even with the bone-chilling freeze, some are on deck to enjoy a game a ball.

This is the 43rd year of the Snowbird Softball Classic supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley.

The element of winter might be the most challenging opponent for the 240 softball players hitting the diamond.

Player Maddi Barry said, “You can hit dingers, but you can’t run to first base.”

It’s the first time in a few years organizers said the first pitch was thrown with so much snow on the ground.

President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Vally Jay Justin said, “Kind of hard to be competitive in a foot of snow.”

Player Katie Morris “Being the first team to have the at-bat and literally making our own path to get to the base. Just a totally different type of ball game.”

It also has players dressing in layers.

Barry said, “Two pairs of pants on, two pairs of socks and three shirts. Under armor is our friend.”

It’s because there are very few kind words to say about the temperatures.

Barry said, “We live an hour away, so we left when it was still negative 20 degrees out and we said let’s get it above zero by the time we get here, and we get here and it’s one degree.”

It’s all making for a good game, a lot different than expected.

Morris said, “It was 50 degrees when I signed up, and I knew mother nature was crazy, so I thought by the time we came around to the end of January it might be 60 and boy was I wrong.”

But nothing will stop some from playing ball.

Barry said, “Softball is life, ball is life, and it’s been a while since I’ve played. It’s been since November now.”

Each swing and catch is with a warming purpose, to improve the lives of hundreds of kids.

Justin said, “It’s a wonderful feeling when you get folks that are willing to come out and do something like this for the kids in our program.”

While this game might be a one-off, players are hoping the next time they play is a more seasonable game.

Morris said, “Think going to the gym is being healthy but this is the hardest workout I’ve had in a long time.”

Fox 18 is a proud sponsor of the Snowbird Classic.

The event is expected to raise about $10,000. 

A men’s tournament is scheduled for Feb. 8-10. 

To learn more, visit the event’s website.

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