Over the last 27 years Kalamazoo, Michigan has witnessed countless miracles during a one week stretch in the dog days of summer. While some spend their summer learning to drive or thinking about college, thousands of young women from around the world dream of concluding their summer journey in the city of Kalamazoo.

It takes years of hard work and desire from each player before they even reach the green fields of Vanderberg Park. The qualification process to reach the World Series can be long and grueling, not to mention the tryouts and years upon years of practice. Teams travel all around their region playing the best of the best and it truly is a journey from Timbuktu to Kalamazoo. And for the few that find the opportunity to represent their cities, states and countries in the Softball World Series, it is an experience that they will carry with them for a lifetime.

The long and rich history of the World Series itself is as interesting as every individual’s trip to Kalamazoo. In 1980 the Major and Senior Divisions kicked off the festivities in Kalamazoo. Back then only four teams per division made it to the World Series.  The first champions crowned were Glendale, CA in Majors and Greater Naples (FL) Little League in the Senior Division. 

Over the years the divisions have changed and the format has expanded, but every player who comes to Kalamazoo will never forget the experience. In 1994 the Majors tournament said goodbye to Kalamazoo and relocated to Portland, Oregon. The Big League ladies arrived from Mesa, Arizona to carry on the two division tradition in Kalamazoo. The Senior Division left Kalamazoo in 2001 and moved to Kentucky for a couple of years before heading to Delaware.

The Big League remains in Kalamazoo but it is much different then it was back in 1980.  Instead of four teams competing for the title, ten teams from around the world take part in the Big League Softball World Series. Canada started making the trip to Kzoo in 1989. In 1993 Trutnov, Czech Republic, representing the Europe region, was the first team to come to Michigan from outside North America. The Far East region was introduced in 1994, followed by the Latin America region in 1996.

It was the hard work and dedication of Bud Vanderberg that made it possible for the World Series to come to Kalamazoo in 1980. Bud spent countless hours preparing a proposal for Little League Headquarters in Williamsport, PA to entice the series to Kalamazoo. Thousands and thousands of hours of work later and Vanderberg has the series celebrating its 28^th birthday. Bud started his Little League career coaching his son in 1958 and has never stopped since. Over 45 years later, Bud continues to bring gratification to Little League fans every year at Vanderberg Park.

The crowds have gotten bigger over the last 28 years. The final game is televised from coast to coast on the ESPN family of networks.  The facilities might not look the same as they did in 1980, but the feeling of all involved has been, and always will be, one of joy as people come together every summer for a once in a lifetime opportunity. The 28 years have gone by quickly, but we all hope to bring another miraculous 28 years to the Softball World Series right here in Kalamazoo, Michigan.