The DAMSL Board is announcing a major update for the upcoming season: players and coaches may now participate in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) activities. For those unfamiliar w/NIL, it allows athletes to earn money by using their personal brand (AKA – their name, image, and likeness).

As NIL has exploded across amateur athletics, interest within our league has grown. After careful review, the board has approved an NIL framework tailored to the DAMSL’s mission and values.

Players and coaches may now get paid to take part in sponsorships, social media promotion, autograph sessions, and similar opportunities. However, to protect competitive balance, NIL activities cannot be tied to performance, must involve legitimate work, and may not be used as recruitment incentives.

The board has also approved the 80/20 Rule, directing 80% of NIL earnings to the league and 20% to the participating player or coach. League‑directed funds will support long‑term projects, including securing land west of Cambridge for the eventual construction of the DAMSL Hall of Fame building.

This is a major step forward for our league, creating new opportunities, strengthening community engagement, and supporting long‑term growth. The possibilities are wide‑ranging – here are the first deals we’ve approved…

Hard to believe, but it’s already time to start planning for the upcoming softball season. Please let your managers know that the DAMSL coaches meeting will take place on Sunday, February 22 at 6:00 PM at Cross Pointe Church. This is an important meeting, and we’d like every coach to attend. If that isn’t possible, please ensure at least one representative from each church is present to receive and share the information. Thank you!

The inaugural DAMSL Draft Tourney was nothing short of a triumph, bringing together over 70 players across six spirited teams. The morning kicked off with pool play, as teams were split into two groups of three, each battling through round-robin matchups to set the stage for the afternoon bracket.

The very first game ever played on Cross Pointe Field 2 featured Team Acker vs. Team Zelin—and it delivered a cascade of firsts. Ryan Acker launched the field’s first home run, Tom Simon earned the first win on the mound, Ben Wolcyn donned his vintage yellow DAMSL shirt as the first umpire, and James Klimek made history with the first photobomb.

After pool play wrapped, teams were seeded into a single-elimination bracket based on their morning results. In a thrilling finale, Team Zelin edged Team Goldsmith 18–17 to claim the championship.

From start to finish, the energy, camaraderie, and competition made this event unforgettable. One thing’s for sure—this tourney isn’t just a one-off. It’s the beginning of a new DAMSL tradition.

We’re kicking things off with six teams, divided into two pools of three. Each team will face the other two in their pool during morning matchups. Based on those results, teams will be seeded into a single-elimination bracket starting at 12:30 PM. The top two seeds earn a first-round bye, giving them a direct path to the semifinals. Here’s the schedule for morning pool play:

1. Pool 1 Team Goldsmith vs Team Wolcyn Field 1 8:30 AM
2. Pool 2 Team Acker vs Team Zelin Field 2 8:30 AM
3. Pool 1 Team Wolcyn vs Team VanAnda Field 2 9:40 AM
4. Pool 2 Team Zelin vs Team Hanson Field 1 9:40 AM
5. Pool 1 Team Goldsmith vs Team VanAnda Field 2 10:50 AM
6. Pool 2 Team Acker vs Team Hanson Field 1 10:50 AM

Live Bracket

You can follow along with results via: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PXKDyZ_szzcKrRv3Dr1gn2hhES8lv_CvsyOTUd7iu7k/edit?usp=sharing

The draft is in! The rosters for this weekend’s tournament are officially locked and loaded. You’ll find them in the table below—search by name, filter by team, and start sizing up the competition.

Just for fun, here’s how the first two rounds shook out: Round 1: Matt Melin, Kaleb Bibeau, Jake Mujwid, Matt Hannan, Caleb Boettcher and Nick VanAnda. Round 2: Josh Wicklund, Jacob Toske, Josiah Scheumann, Gavin Rowe, Logan Goldsmith and Danny Grant.

As for the rest of the draft order? That’s classified. Coaches have sworn an oath of forgetfulness—we’ve erased the records and torched the memory banks. Don’t ask. We genuinely don’t remember

The tourney begins 8:30 AM sharp at Cross Pointe, and the full schedule drops Wednesday—stay tuned!

Nineteen standout athletes have been selected to the 2025 DAMSL Youth All-Tourney Team, honored by their coaches and teammates for exceptional performance throughout the tournament. These players showcased skill, sportsmanship, and heart on the field, making lasting impressions in every game. Congratulations to each of them on a job well done—you’ve earned your place among the best. Additionally, Cross Pointe Youth 2 was chosen in a coaches vote as the winners of this year’s Christian Character award! You can hear about the all-tourney team at the 8:29 mark of the podcast:

Third-seeded Karmel 1 delivered a thrilling performance to capture their first Division 1 championship since 2008, ending a 17-year drought in dramatic fashion. They toppled the reigning back-to-back champions and top seed New Hope Cambridge 1 not once, but twice during the tournament, cementing their dominance and resilience. Meanwhile, fifth-seeded New Hope Cambridge 2 rounded out the podium with a strong showing to claim third place. You can listen to a full recap of the D1 tourney at the 24:14 mark of the podcast:

1st Place: Karmel 1

2nd Place: New Hope Cambridge 1

3rd Place: New Hope Cambridge 2

Second-seeded Cross Pointe 5 capped off a dominant run by avenging their lone tournament loss to South Isanti Baptist, double dipping them in the championship round to secure the Division 2 title. South Isanti, the fourth seed, made waves by upsetting both the top-seeded Salem Swamp Dogs and Cross Pointe 5 earlier in the bracket, earning a hard-fought second place finish. Meanwhile, the Swamp Dogs bounced back to claim the third place trophy, rounding out a competitive and unpredictable D2 tourney. You can listen to a full recap of the tourney at the 49:56 mark of the podcast:

1st Place: Cross Pointe 5

2nd Place: South Isanti

3rd Place: Salem Swamp Dogs

The Oxlip Ballhawks, seeded second, soared to their first championship in dramatic fashion, walking off Linwood Covenant in a thrilling finale. Linwood, the defending champs and fourth seed, battled with grit and heart all the way to the final inning, earning a well-deserved second place. Top-seeded Dale also impressed throughout the bracket, securing the third place trophy and capping off a strong season. You can listen to a full breakdown of the D3 tourney at the 1:15:41 mark of the podcast:

1st Place: Oxlip Ballhawks

2nd Place: Linwood

3rd Place: Dale

Cross Pointe is holding their first annual DAMSL DRAFT TOURNAMENT on Saturday, October 4th to raise money for their 2nd softball field. The tournament will be held at Cross Pointe. This is open all DAMSL players, regardless of division and will follow DAMSL rules. We are looking have enough players to fill 6 teams and can accommodate as many as 8. You will able to sign up now for an early bird registration cost of only $15 per player or max of $50 for a family. Additionally, everyone that registers by Sunday, August 24th will be entered into a drawing for one of four brand new softball backpacks. Those who registered at the DAMSL tourney will be entered into the drawing as well. These were donated by Duke Weisbrod, which we appreciate very much!

https://forms.gle/HmCY3ZvDiZ3TnvcJ9