Get ready, fastpitch fans! The highly anticipated Bear Creek Classic is officially locked in for June 12–14, 2025. This year, the action takes over the pristine diamonds at the JDT First Energy Veterans Memorial Fields in Melbourne, Ontario, bringing together some of the absolute best teams in the International Softball Congress (ISC) circuit.
Presented by Bear Creek Sports and Entertainment, this tournament is shaping up to be a premier mid-season battleground where elite squads will measure their talents against one another.
The Field: Pool A vs. Pool B
The tournament features two powerhouse pools packed with championship pedigree and fierce regional rivalries:
| Pool A | Pool B |
| A1 Bear Creek Express | B1 Hill United Chiefs |
| A2 JDT First Energy | B2 Bear Creek Gremlins |
| A3 Northeast Drillers | B3 Toronto Batmen |
| A4 STK Fastpitch | B4 Chippewa Chiefs |
| A5 Midland Explorers | B5 Oshweken Redmen |
Weekend Schedule Highlights
The tournament waste no time getting to the marquee matchups across Diamond 1 and Diamond 2. Here are the key slots to keep on your radar:
🗓️ Friday, June 12: Opening Night Sparks
The tournament kicks off Friday evening under the lights:
- 6:30 PM (Diamond 1): The hosts, Bear Creek Express (A1), open Pool A action against the formidable Northeast Drillers (A3).
- 7:00 PM (Diamond 2): A massive Pool B heavyweight clash features the Hill United Chiefs (B1) taking on the Bear Creek Gremlins (B2).
- Late Night Caps: JDT First Energy (A2) faces STK Fastpitch (A4) at 8:30 PM, while the Toronto Batmen (B3) square off against the Chippewa Chiefs (B4) at 9:00 PM.
🗓️ Saturday, June 13: The Round-Robin Grind
Saturday is a marathon of elite fastpitch, featuring 14 games back-to-back starting bright and early.
- Early Bird: Action resumes at 8:00 AM on Diamond 2 with Hill United (B1) vs. Oshweken Redmen (B5).
- Prime Time: The schedule builds all day, closing out with pivotal late-night matchups like Bear Creek Gremlins (B2) vs. Chippewa Chiefs (B4) at 9:00 PM to finalize playoff seeding.
🗓️ Sunday, June 14: Championship Sunday
The final preliminary game wraps up at 9:00 AM (JDT First Energy vs. Midland Explorers and Toronto Batmen vs. Oshweken Redmen), setting the stage for the high-stakes playoff bracket:
- 11:00 AM (Semifinals): The top seed from Pool A battles the second seed from Pool B on Diamond 1, while Pool B’s top seed takes on Pool A’s runner-up on Diamond 2.
- 1:30 PM (The Championship Game): The final two teams standing will clash on Diamond 1 to crown the 2025 Bear Creek Classic Champion!
Tournament Rules & What to Expect
To ensure highly competitive, fast-paced games, the tournament committee has outlined official tournament rules:
- ISC Rules Apply: All games will strictly adhere to ISC playing rules, including the International Tie-Breaker (starting in the 8th inning with the 9th scheduled hitter placed on second base).
- Run Mercies: Keeps the games moving with mercy rules set at 12 runs after 2.5 innings, 10 runs after 3.5 innings, and 7 runs after 4.5 innings.
- Fan & Team Reminders: No infield practices are allowed prior to games, and lineups must be in 30 minutes before first pitch. Teams have also been asked to wear contrasting jersey colors to make the games as visually appealing as possible for the fans in attendance!
- Enjoy Responsibly: Fans can enjoy cold beverages purchased through the concession in the designated beer garden areas. Note to teams: tailgating is strictly prohibited and can lead to disqualification, so keep the celebration within the official zones!
Mark your calendars, book your lawn chairs, and head out to Melbourne for a weekend of world-class fastpitch software. Who is your pick to take home the trophy? Let us know in the comments below!
