54th Annual Dennis Donnelly Memorial Softball Tournament brings teams from across the country to Yuma

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - A Memorial Day weekend tradition returned to Yuma as dozens of teams took part in the 54th Annual Dennis Donnelly Memorial 16-inch Softball Tournament.

The tournament featured 36 teams from across Arizona, California and the Chicago area, where 16-inch softball was first popularized.

Tournament Director and City of Yuma Recreation Program Supervisor for the Parks and Recreation department, Nathan Zach, said the event continues to honor the legacy of Dennis Donnelly, a longtime Yuma softball leader who helped grow the sport locally.

"Dennis Donnelly was actually one of my supervisors right here. He was the superintendent for softball in the 80s and 90s," Zach said. "He did a lot to help grow the game of softball in Yuma. He passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease. So one of the things we did to honor him for what he’s done, we renamed the tournament in his honor."

Zach added that organizers are looking ahead to next year's milestone event with hopes of expanding the field to 55 teams for the tournaments 55th anniversary.

For many players, the weekend is about reconnecting with friends, family and the local softball community.

“We’re from Somerton. It’s all family based and we’re just out here having a good time with all these great additions to these Yuma parks and everything. It’s awesome," Jesse De Los Reyes, a local player participating in the tournament said. "I haven’t done it since 2017. Old coach passed away, Larry Lagunez. But hey, it’s good to be back. Have a little swing. This is Larry’s old bat. Old school bat. So we’re here showing the respect.”

Another local player said the annual event continues to unite teams from different regions during Memorial Day weekend.

“This is a big tournament we’ve been having here for long years, you know. There’s a lot of teams that come in, coming from Chicago. Come from a lot of places, California," Allan Valenzuela said. "But it’s just here to have a good time here for Memorial Weekend. And you know what, we’re going through a hard time but we’re here having a good time.”

Pool play began Saturday, with teams competing for spots in Sunday's quarterfinals, semifinals and championship games.

Local teams will look to defend home turf against visiting squads. One Chicago area team has won three of the last four tournament championships.