Youth Softball Showdown in Shawnee: The Battle of the Billies

SHAWNEE, Kan. — The first day of the Top Gun Invitational showcased an exciting matchup called the "Battle of the Billies," a highlight among elite youth softball tournaments unfolding across Johnson County through Sunday.

A Clash of Legends

In this opening-day showdown, Billy Butler, a former All-Star for the Royals, led his USA Explosion 18U team hailing from Idaho. They went head-to-head against the BC Peppers team, coached by former Chiefs tight end Billy Baber. This friendly rivalry was as much about light-hearted banter between friends as it was about the game itself.

Billy Butler - Coach USA Explosion, former Royal

“There’s definitely a case of Yuengling on this,” laughed Butler, pointing to the stakes of their friendly rivalry.

Baber joined in the fun, quipping, “For sure, or two!”

Behind the Stats

Billy Butler's remarkable career with the Royals is marked by impressive statistics: 127 home runs, 276 doubles, and a .295 batting average during his eight seasons. In contrast, Baber played 29 games with the Chiefs during the Dick Vermeil era. Both coaches have transitioned into softball upon becoming "girl-dads," embracing the sport that their daughters love.

“I have three of them — 16, 12, and 9 — just got the bug after I was done playing,” said Butler about his family life. His oldest daughter Kenley plays on the USA Explosion 18U squad. Baber also has three daughters, including his oldest, Riley, who just wrapped up her freshman season at Missouri State.

Billy Baber - Coach BC Peppers, former Chief

A Growing Event

Jeremy McDowell, owner of Top Gun Events, highlighted the significance of the tournament. “We’ve got 330 teams present from 31 different states,” he said, adding, “About 290 of those 330 teams are hotel teams, and probably about 100 of those teams flew into Kansas City. It’s an impressive event with over 400 college coaches in attendance.”

Starting in 2013 with just 80 teams, the Top Gun Invitational has become one of the premier recruiting showcases in youth softball. Nevertheless, McDowell seized the opportunity to pit Butler’s team against Baber’s squad.

“I’ve known Billy and Billy for a while,” McDowell noted. “When they both texted me saying, ‘Hey, we’ve got to play each other,’ I thought, ‘This is classic.’ It’s been a fantastic matchup since they’re good friends.”

On-Field Experience

The competition gave both coaches a chance to reconnect while their teams played. Kaci Kiblen, an impressive first baseman for the Explosion, mentioned that she didn’t initially know about Butler’s Major League Baseball fame before joining his team.

Kaci Kiblen - USA Explosion

“I didn't,” she said of her knowledge of Butler before joining the club. “But I heard from a friend, and I was like, ‘Oh, this is a really cool opportunity.’”

Frequent visits to Kansas City, including attending Royals games, cemented Butler's legendary status in her mind.

“Oh, yeah, he’s a hometown hero, for sure,” Kiblen remarked, recalling the excitement whenever Butler's image appears on the big screen at games.

Friendship Beyond the Field

Butler and Baber were introduced by a mutual acquaintance, former Chiefs linebacker Shawn Barber. The two have remained close over the years, even partaking in an annual fantasy football league where playful banter is abundant.

Baber confidently claimed, “It’s not even a question who the better fantasy football player is.”

“Oh, he has been of late,” Butler countered, adding a chuckle and emphasizing “of late.”

In response, Baber jokingly added, “Big time. Butler’s usually around the bottom.”

Evidently, Butler gravitates towards Washington Commanders players in fantasy drafts, a strategy that hasn’t yielded many victories in recent seasons.

The Final Score

The playful rivalry took a competitive turn as the Peppers triumphed over the Explosion with a score of 6-0. The exhilarating action at the Top Gun Invitational continues through Sunday, offering additional thrilling matchups for fans and players alike at various fields throughout Johnson County.

Whether you're there to cheer for the Billies or simply enjoy the excitement of youth softball, this tournament is a celebration of talent, friendship, and the love of the game. 🥎✨