"M" Club's annual softball tournament rule changes fail to hinder attendance, ensure tournament longevity
By Macy Ricketts
Every year, the weekend before spring break, hundreds of college students gather in Butte for the annual Mulletfest softball tournament. For those who are unfamiliar with the event, the tournament is touted as one of the biggest citywide parties in Montana. The tournament began in 2001, when a cohort of 14 teams competed. Last year, the three-day tournament hosted 70 teams and was the most successful fundraising years for the hosts of the event, the Montana Tech “M” club. However, due to the size of the event, law enforcement faced difficulties with crowd control (in 2014, three men were arrested for public urination at Stodden Park, where the tournament will be hosted again this year).
By Macy Ricketts
Every year, the weekend before spring break, hundreds of college students gather in Butte for the annual Mulletfest softball tournament. For those who are unfamiliar with the event, the tournament is touted as one of the biggest citywide parties in Montana. The tournament began in 2001, when a cohort of 14 teams competed. Last year, the three-day tournament hosted 70 teams and was the most successful fundraising years for the hosts of the event, the Montana Tech “M” club. However, due to the size of the event, law enforcement faced difficulties with crowd control (in 2014, three men were arrested for public urination at Stodden Park, where the tournament will be hosted again this year).
Because the size of past years’ tournaments became unmanageable for law enforcement and volunteer staff, this year, the “M” club introduced several new rules for this year’s tournament, which took place March 3 through 5. First, a team with a roster of 15 required at least 8 members who either currently attend Montana Tech or are alumni. Second, drinks in glass containers were not permitted at the fields. Finally, unlike in years past, alcoholic beverages were not allowed on the fields and had to be kept in designated areas. According to “M” club president Gage McCann, 2017’s tournament is considered a “probationary” year.
“We will be denying registration to any team or individual whose behavior has negatively impacted the event in the past years,” McCann said in a YouTube video announcing the new rules. “Us as the “M” club are no longer going to tolerate immaturity and disrespectful behavior, and any team who breaks this rule will be asked to leave the event site.”
“Mulletfest has been a part of the Montana Tech experience for the past 16 years, and this year, we need everyone who attends to help us ensure that this event continues to happen year after year. By respecting the event rules, respecting all event rules, and respecting one another, you can do your part in preserving this tradition,” McCann said in the video.
During the Mulletfest captain’s meeting March 1, McCann reassured students that the new rules would not hinder festivities, and were simply put in place to ensure the continuation of the tournament in the future.
Although the new rules sparked some outrage and kept whole teams from registering altogether, Mulletfest still saw over 50 teams participate in this year’s event. The tournament kicked off Friday evening with practice games. Each team had a 50-minute practice game in which the outcome did not affect their participation for Saturday’s festivities. After the practice games concluded, the tournament began on Saturday with a single-elimination bracket. Successful teams competed in the championship on Sunday, and the winning team took home a $1000 prize. The runner-up received a reimbursement for the per-team $400 entry fee.
“We will be denying registration to any team or individual whose behavior has negatively impacted the event in the past years,” McCann said in a YouTube video announcing the new rules. “Us as the “M” club are no longer going to tolerate immaturity and disrespectful behavior, and any team who breaks this rule will be asked to leave the event site.”
“Mulletfest has been a part of the Montana Tech experience for the past 16 years, and this year, we need everyone who attends to help us ensure that this event continues to happen year after year. By respecting the event rules, respecting all event rules, and respecting one another, you can do your part in preserving this tradition,” McCann said in the video.
During the Mulletfest captain’s meeting March 1, McCann reassured students that the new rules would not hinder festivities, and were simply put in place to ensure the continuation of the tournament in the future.
Although the new rules sparked some outrage and kept whole teams from registering altogether, Mulletfest still saw over 50 teams participate in this year’s event. The tournament kicked off Friday evening with practice games. Each team had a 50-minute practice game in which the outcome did not affect their participation for Saturday’s festivities. After the practice games concluded, the tournament began on Saturday with a single-elimination bracket. Successful teams competed in the championship on Sunday, and the winning team took home a $1000 prize. The runner-up received a reimbursement for the per-team $400 entry fee.