It wasn't quite this bad, but could have been...thanks to the UnderSeaWarfare website for this picture.

 
BLUE SPRINGS, Missouri - A severe thunderstorm, which passed through downtown Kansas City at about 7 a.m. and made it's way east through Blue Springs, has forced the cancellation of the semi-finals and finals of the Wood Bat Tournament.

According to tournament organizer Jim Moran, the heavy storm destroyed tents and other tournament equipment on it's way through Hidden Valley Park, the home of the tournament semi-finals and finals. Although the tarp was not down on the main field (as severe weather was not expected), Jim said that had the tarp been placed on the field it too may have suffered damage by winds estimated to be 60 mph at times.

A local television station reported receiving 1.5 inches of rain in 35 minutes this morning, and reported flooding in the downtown area. The local forecast was for spotty areas of showers overnight on Saturday.

At this time there was no decision on how the final standings for the four remaining teams would be decided. Teams from O'Fallon, St. Charles, and Lee's Summit in Missouri had qualified for the semi-finals, along with a team from Boulder, Colorado. The Boulder team had airline reservations which likely had an effect on the decision to cancel the remainder of the tournament.

The forecast for the rest of the day calls for lingering showers until noon, then cloud cover the remainder of the day.