WINNEMUCCA, NV - The Paradise Valley Fire Department of Winnemucca, Nevada hosted the 25th annual installment of the 44HR Mardi Gras of the West over the recent July 15-17th weekend. This long running event saw a huge field of 104 teams from five states come to participate in a battle that would test each team and each players’ stamina and endurance.

KT of Sacramento had extra motivation this year as they dedicated their effort to fallen teammate Keith Terrell who died on the way to last years 44 HR tournament. The KT squad went undefeated in this year’s tourney and after their victory in the championship game against BFC they placed a KT team jersey on the mound. This was a very emotional end to another great tourney.

KT’s Most Valuable Player and all tournament selection went to Keith’s wife Krista Terrell in a show of true team spirit tourney and remembrance for their fallen friend.

Finishing second was Bens Floor Covering (BFC) from Reno, NV. BFC’s Al Davis also earned MVP status and all tourney selections from BFC went to Branden Noonkester, Richie Moczkowski and Ben White. Third place went to Carnage from Reno, NV. Jordan Kendall, Mike Torzilli and Jeremy Carlson were named all tournament from Carnage.

Jayco from Boise, ID, Team Wicked from Caldwell, ID, Bucks from Reno, NV, Arsenal from Reno, NV and Team Matthews from Sacramento, CA finished in positions four through eight, respectively.

In the women’s bracket the championship went to Shear FX from Fairfield, CA. MVP honors went to Kari Taylor of Shear FX and all tourney selections for Shear FX were awarded to Olivia, Becca, Andrea R. and Yvette.

Second place went to the Frumpettes from Sparks, NV. Prim, Lori and Dee Dee received all tourney nods from the Frumpettes. Third place went to Ball Sharks from Nampa, ID with Ball Sharks teammates Bobi Smith, Jayma Hoyt and Wendy Shell rounding out the all tournament team. Fourth place was the 5150/Worth squad from Vacaville, CA.

The tournament saw such a large field of teams that tournament directors had to use the two softball fields at Lowry High and one little league field in addition to the four-field complex that was scheduled for use originally.

The brackets consisted of a 23-team draw for the women and two 42-team men’s brackets. The top three men’s team’s from each bracket then advanced to the Super Bracket or as it is better known Dr. V’s "Death Chamber".

The Paradise Valley Fire Dept. has contributed more than $50,000 to scholarships and youth groups over the last seven years alone, and tournament director Dennis Deputy would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to all the teams and people that have made this tournament possible.