Ad World Series Experiences and Memories

THE PLAYERS SPEAK:

My great friend Ron “Buck” Houle and I have shared so many great memories at the Ad World Series. We've met so many wonderful people and made so many great friends. I will always remember the day after my first World Series and I invited him to join me the next year. After Buck’s first tournament he said to me: " Had I known about this tournament 20 years ago I would have chosen to play here than over USSSA or ASA Worlds. “These are my kind of people and this is my kind of tournament." And I couldn't have agreed with him more!

~Brian Kipke, Detroit

Thank you for an amazing trip! So glad we were able to be a part of this one. The entrie ASWS staff rocked it! Thanks to all the players for making this trip worth it.

~Niki Freeman, British Columbia

Had such an amazing time! I could not have asked for a better pairing of people and personalities. So many ups and downs during the tournament, but snuck away with an MVP, win in the best jersey competition and was on the winning One-Pitch team. More importantly I have about 100 new people in my softball family, and it turned out to be a great vacation with my beautiful wife Sarah. Looking forward to many more of these.

~Jeff Kipp, Houston

Had a blast! This was a fantastic week! Not sure how the staff will ever top Naples!

~Trish Bertin, Illinois

I was blessed to be invited to go to Naples with an amazing group of friends. We came within 1 inning of taking the division championship, but most importantly we had such a fun, wonderful experience. My wife Sharée watched most of my games and graciously kept the scorebook, but she also had a spa day to herself! We also enjoyed beach time, hanging out with friends, and of course lots of eating!

~Matt Milliorn, Fort Worth

I had one of the best times of my life hanging and playing softball with really fun people. I seriously can not wait until Reno-Tahoe. Everything ran so smoothly. Long term goal is to become a Hall of Famer.

~Jake Dipini, New Jersey

I've been playing softball for 30 plus years at different levels and locations. This was hands down the best experience I've had in a long time. Can't wait for 2024!

~Jose Montalvo, Fort Worth

I’ve known about the Ad World Series for 5 years and finally signed up to play in it. Why didn’t I do this 5 years ago? Best event I have ever been a part of and this tournament goes way beyond softball.

~Mark Hoffman, Bethesda, Maryland

I fell in love and met my husband here. Rookies will find out quickly that this is just not another softball tournament, you will be meeting a second family here.

~Amber Shultz, Orange County, CA

That’s a wrap for the Rodeo G.O.A.T.S at The Ad Softball World Series! Day 3 we had some BIG wins (21-2, 11-10) beating 2 teams we lost to the day before. We played 12 games overall this week & finished ONE win short of 1st in our division. Not shabby for a rookie team making its first appearance. Watch out ASWS we’ll be coming in hot in '24.

~Kristin McNiel, Fort Worth

We cannot wait to meet everyone and take the field. For years now we have heard it’s the best softball tournament in the world! It is time to stop being envious of all our friends who go every year.. and start making everyone else jealous!

~Elaine Barr, Belfast, Northern Ireland (rookie)

A tournament in its 39th year? That alone that speaks for itself! But hey what do I know, I only met my wife at this tournament, and have attended every year since!

~Justin Shultz, Orange County, CA

We haven't stopped talking about it. We honestly couldn't have picked a better team to be on and look forward to bringing the majority of the team back and hopefully a couple more Ohioans.

~Michele Gaines, Dayton

One of the best weeks ever! The Ad Softball World Series was an amazing and memorable experience! My friend and family group definitely grew. The people at this event are most welcoming and I can’t wait for this year.

~Anna Zych, Detroit

Want to take the time to extend our most sincere gratitude and overwhelming feelings of gratefulness. As a rookie team we were just floored at the warm welcome and the amazing people that we all met. We are looking forward to seeing you all next year already and have already started counting the days.

~Drew Carlson, Grand Prairie, Alberta

What an honor to have been able to be a part of this tournament. Not only was I able to finally get the opportunity to play softball again after 7 years but I also had the pleasure of meeting so many amazing individuals - from the staff, to the umpires, to my teammates. I was able to form new connections, have great conversations and create so many memories that will never be forgotten. I am so grateful & cannot wait until I see everybody again.

~Denise Battista, New York

One of the best weeks ever! The Ad Softball World Series was an amazing and memorable experience! My friend and family group definitely grew. The people at this event are most welcoming and I can’t wait for this year.

~Anna Zych, Detroit

One of the best times in my life!

~Kim Cooks, Texarkana, Texas

On behalf of Team 2 Scoops, we want to THANK everyone at the ASWS for the top-notch hospitality and welcoming us as a first year team. We all had a fantastic time and can’t wait for this year.

~Debi Hill, Crosby, Texas

This was an amazing experience had by many. 12 games of softball and so many memories to count. #softballfamily

~Pam Pepper, Grand Prairie, Alberta

Team Old Farts would like to thank all of the hospitality we received from the ASWS staff and players! You made us "rookies" feel welcomed and we had a great time!

~Brian Terrant, Prince William County, Virginia

Had a great time playing the last three days with some amazing ballers from New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, and a few of my favorite Vegas teammates. Our team went 11-1 and took the division. We all had great chemistry and played well for a team who had never played together. Can't wait until the next one.

~Niki Poblete, Las Vegas

Rookies may be trained and taunted to fetch beer and gear or wear fancy garb, but the people you meet and places you’ll see will leave such memories that you will shed a tear.

~JP Dodd, Vancouver

My first year I played on a team with random people, and we didn’t even realize that we had a chance to win our division until the last day of play.

~Mary Patterson, Chicago

Vegas did not disappoint. Had an awesome time playing ball with some of my favorite peeps and got to meet some pretty cool people! 12 games of softball played over three days, and we ended up in 2nd place for our division. Can’t wait for this year!

~Magali Cabral, Arlington, Texas

Want to thank the ASWS for a great time and tournament. Also for the warm welcome you gave to my brother and one of my best friends and they already taking about this year. They are impressed with the way everyone made them feel like family and welcomed.

~Victor Corniel, New York

I am truly blessed for where I was for the last seven days. I was able to pause the world for a little while and be in my happy place on the ball field, meeting and playing with some equally amazing people, and making memories that didn’t involve the stress that the world has become the last couple of years. We came together for the love of the game, we laughed, shared a drink, hit some balls, and soaked in some much-needed sunshine. I truly thank everybody for letting me be a kid again.

~Celina Hoppenrays, Sechelt, British Columbia

Have been going since 2013. It’s not only the tournament, it’s the best group of people from everywhere. You’ll never attend something better.

~Ashleigh Ratkovich, Phoenix

What a week of memories we made! Holy cow this tourney was amazing! What a trip! The people I couldn’t believe the love that was shown for our team. Can’t wait for Phoenix.

~Tyler Horner, Sylvan Lake, Alberta

The people you meet at the Ad World Series are amazing. It’s a tournament everyone needs to experience once, and once you do, you will want to come back.

~Loretta Mclaughlin, Vancouver

You can't put a price on the memories and moments we all get to spend together over these 5 days. I was crying at my airport gate I didn't want it to end.

~Kiera Sullivan, New York

Not your typical softball tournament, it’s a softball vacation. Give it a try once and you’ll be hooked!

~Brian Osgood, Dallas

What an amazing experience! Played with fun people and won our division as well as a few other non-softball competitions. Got voted MVP by my teammates who were terrific people.

~Brandon Buonanno, Las Vegas

Life is wonderful at the Ad World Series. I have made some incredible plays, had some wicked at-bats, and won a division championship, but none of these make me smile and feel humbled as my rookie year when I was innocent enough to comment on video on how “we rookies need to protect our mascot”… Oh the shame to see that clip at the closing ceremony after we lost our mascot.

~JP Dodd, Vancouver

Great tourney, and even better camaraderie off the field. Battle it out on the field, become best friends AGAIN as soon as the game is over.

~Kevin McRoberts, Vancouver

It is awesome to get away from work for nearly a week and do what I love to do best – play ball. It almost feels more ”normal” being around other ball players from around the world than it does at home.

~Jamie Davis, San Antonio


The Ad World Series is a truly unique softball experience. Yes there are tournaments in which some teams get along, but nothing close to this one. There are tournaments that have a good staff, but the ASWS staff are on a different level.

~Mary Patterson, Chicago

I was very blessed to be involved in this tournament. I am a UIC and have been doing this for a long time. Theres nothing like the Ad World Series. Fun to call, great people and parties, and good competition.

~Mel Robledo, Albuquerque

If you are super competitive, only looking to run the table with your team and then leave, this tournament is not for you. If you are competitive and looking to make new, potentially lifelong friendships, then this tournament is for you.

~Mary Patterson, Chicago

I truly love every moment being around the people that attend. Ad execs from New York, the Irish player who spent hours on ZOOM with me to help motivate me to graduate from college, and the nurses from Chicago and Detroit that went from teammates to great friends, plus the stay-at-home California mom that makes me a better Mom.

~Ashleigh Ratkovich, Phoenix

So many amazing memories with absolutely wonderful people!

~Antonia Collison - London, England

If you take yourself too seriously, the ASWS won’t be a good fit. You need to be willing to laugh at yourself and have fun, while not maliciously making fun of opponents. You aren't playing for world's rings; you are playing for enjoyment, and meeting dozens of people who will become instant friends, and everything off the field is done with class.

~Mary Patterson, Chicago

The best 5 days of your season; you’ll talk about it for the other 360 days of the year. Invite your buddies to experience it for themselves. This tournament survives so long, because of the memories you make and share.

~Armando Radillo, Orange County, CA

I have never missed one, it never disappoints.

Fields = Excellent

Competitive = Yes

Parties = Fabulous

~Dean Gjivovich, Chappaqua, NY

This tournament is very legit. It's like no other tournament you will ever be involved in. A lot of friendships are made and it is just an all around great time with awesome people.

~Trish Robledo, Albuquerque

I play on 3 teams and play in tourneys most weekends. This is one of my favorite tourneys of all time.

~Amanda Gann, Kelowna, British Columbia

I have played tournament ball for over 20 years, and there is no event like this one. The fun you will have on and off the field - with all of the teams - is like nothing I’ve ever expereienced. It is legit and highly recommended.

~MJ VandenBrink, Detroit

This tournament was worth a week of networking, playing ball, and enjoying teammates. It was competitive, fun, and worth the trip.

~Sarah Tavarez, Dallas

Would we come from Ireland to play six years in a row if it wasn’t legit?

~Baz Maguire, Dublin

Having played in multiple Worlds and Nationals, I questioned the Ad World Series at first. Not anymore. It is legitimately the best tournament with the most fun I have been around. It is about more than just your team chemistry. It is about the chemistry of meeting and partying with a new family and friends.

~James Rogers, Augusta, Georgia

Best “legit” tournament ever. I constantly talk to friends I’ve met here that live all over the world. Prepare to have every muscle hurt, especially your abs and face from laughing so much. Oh and prep your liver, it’s going to be in overdrive for a week.

~Leanne Keith, Vancouver

I’ve been playing in softball tournaments for over 25 years. This tournament by far is the BEST one I have ever played in. It’s competitive, and the ball fields are awesome. The planned extra circular activities are top notch. You will become lifelong friends with the competition, and you will leave with the best memories of a lifetime! The staff does a superb job of putting the events together. Don’t miss out!!

~Cookie Ceballos, Phoenix

You are always disappointed when you don’t win, but you get over it quickly at the Ad World Series because its so much fun playing and hanging out at the pool and parties with everybody.

~Kevin McRoberts, Vancouver

My husband and I travelled from Australia to play this tourney four times. It is been well worth the jet lag and airfares!

~Jannette Cass-Dunbar, Canberra, Australia

This tournament is so legit that on my plane ride back home after my first year, I planned never to miss another one. It is a one of a kind. Best softball adult vacation. Will be playing in my 12th this year in Phoenix.

~Victor J. Corniel, New York

An amazing tournament! Where else can you go to a different location every year, sightsee, meet and amazing people from around the world, and play good competitive ball while still having fun.

~Lonnie Choi Dodd, Vancouver

This will be my 29th year attending the ASWS - the vast majority of those as a team organizer. It's an expensive tournament and over the years we've worked on sponsorships, held bake sales, bowling tournaments, car washes, golf tournaments, squares contests and just about any other fund-raising method you can think of. It was exhausting and worth every minute of it! If I had not attended this tournament my retirement account would be better off today, but my life would be less blessed. I've made countless life-long friends from all over the US, north of the border, and across the pond....and I cannot imagine not having these folks in my circle.

~Dave Sedlin, Dallas

I’m still trolling this website after being away from the tournament for many years due to life changes. The ten years I did participate are engraved in my memory. My daughter was conceived in Palm Springs during my wife’s rookie year. It is a great event.

~Marc A. Lundrigan, Carlsbad, CA

It's difficult to describe how awesome this event is. I made my first trip in 2015 from Ireland, and I have been coming back ever since. It is a terrific softball tournament, but the holiday, people and experience is what keeps me coming back! Love the whole thing!

~Anthony O’Grady, Dublin, Ireland

One cannot put a price on the great friends and memories this tournament creates. Best time ever!

~JP Dodd, Vancouver

Friends are the family you choose and at the Ad World Series, I have been blessed to make wonderful friendships from all across the US, Canada, England & Ireland.

~Eddie Rivera, New York

My favorite memory is the year we played in Hollywood Beach, Florida. A brand spanking new hotel and we were the first guests to experience brand new beds, swim in the pool and drink. The mystery party night yacht cruise was also pretty amazing.

~Lonnie Choi Dodd, Vancouver