A Rugby team played in what’s been called the world’s largest softball tournament.

Lee’s Bar played in the 41st annual Sam McQuade Sr./Budweiser Charity Softball Tournament last week in Bismarck.

Playing in the Men’s Rec II division, Lee’s Bar lost in the first round, 16-20, to Mandan G&K Services-Bismarck Trailer Center-Dakota Four Seasons-sending them to the consolation bracket. Catcher and former Envision player Dion Oscarson said that while high winds combined with a slow start did not help things, Lee’s faced a good team.

“They were pretty aggressive in base-running,” Oscarson said. “I think we outplayed them, but they got on base and we had some errors.

In the first round of consolation play, Lee’s had a close 9-8 victory over Grafton Merchants. Lee’s was then plagued by another slow start during the first innings, but was able to recover during a defensive game.

In game three against Minot North Hill Bowl, pitcher Mark Hamilton became an asset to Lee’s Bar with a knuckleball that the other team could not hit. Lee’s defeated North Hill Bowl, 23-13.

Lee’s then defeated Powers Lake Wade Works, 17-13, before falling, 14-20, to Mandan Jiffy Lube-Bisman Auto Worx. In the last game, winds and one bad inning tilted the game.

“The hard part is losing out on a home run that would’ve put us right back in contention,” Oscarson said. “That team was pretty sound though.”

An estimated 450 men’s and women’s teams played in this year’s tournament.