Salem held its 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.