Custom Classic returns this weekend

CLOVIS — Roger Jackson is glad to have the Custom Classic back.

After 36 consecutive seasons, the 2020 tournament was canceled due to the pandemic. This weekend’s event at Guy Leeder Softball Complex features 88 teams, down only three from the 2019 event.

Nearly half of them are from out of town, said Jackson, the tournament director, and that’s something that can help the local economy.

“We’re real tickled we’re only down three teams,” he said. “It’s definitely neat to have it back. Everybody just wants to play and have fun.”

The first Custom Classic was in 1983, Jackson said.

“I’m thinking we had 13 or maybe 17 teams (then),” he said. “It’s still the No. 3 tournament in terms of teams overall in the state.”

Clovis’ Halloween Howwwl in late October is No. 2, Jackson said, behind a Las Cruces tourney.

There are scheduled to be three divisions for men (competitive, D and E) and two for women (competitive and E). Play begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, and in most divisions it will be double-elimination.

Richard Gonzales, who plays and coaches for Team Fox in men’s Class D and coaches Shenanigans with his wife in women’s Class E, said it’s nice to have the event back after the rough year in 2020 when things were shut down.

“It’s just good being out here, seeing friends and family,” said Gonzales, who added that he’s participated in the event for about 15 years. “It feels really good to have everybody back.”

Jackson said last year changed perspectives on things. “Competitive” teams may not be quite as competitive, he said, just happy to be back on the field.

Gonzales agreed that that’s true, at least to an extent.

“You always want to win,” he said. “But you want to have a good time as well.”

Unlike some years, when the tournament ran through the night on both Friday and Saturday, Jackson said there will be a break both nights this year for field maintenance. Most of the championship games are slated for late morning or early afternoon on Sunday.