Minnesota Softball

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Minnesota Softball
Minnesota Softball.png
Minnesota Softball
Sport Softball
Founded1925
FounderHarold A. Johnson
First season1925
CommissionerDan Pfeffer
CountryUnited States
HeadquartersMedina, MN
Official website https://www.mnsoftball.com/

Minnesota Softball is the statewide governing body of amateur softball in Minnesota and an affiliate of USA Softball. As the governing body of softball in Minnesota, it is its responsibility to regulate competition to ensure fairness and equal opportunity to the people who play the sport.

Contents

Since 1925, Minnesota Softball (formerly known as Minnesota State Diamond Ball Association and Minnesota Amateur Softball Association) has been providing volunteer services for the development and promotion of youth and adult softball in Minnesota.

In 1952, Minnesota officially joined the Amateur Softball Association (ASA), and Mr. Einar Nelson of the Minneapolis Park Board was named State Commissioner. ASA has since rebranded to USA Softball on January 1, 2017, and is the national governing body of softball in the United States.

Minnesota Softball is governed by a board of directors and consists of approximately 176 community based youth associations, 16 club youth associations, and 60 adult leagues who are formed into 7 districts.

Minnesota Softball is one of 62 local state and metro associations.

History

In 1918, William Ahern organized a City Amateur Kitten Ball association modelled on lines similar to those of the Minneapolis Amateur Baseball Association. The association was designed to include all kitten ball organizations of the city and will be composed of one representative from each league. William Ahern, who has played a prominent part in the organization of kitten ball teams both in Minneapolis and St. Paul, was elected president of the newly formed association. C.J. Hermstad was chosen vice president, with Bert Ekberg secretary-treasurer. A committee was also appointed to draw up a constitution and by-laws for the association, which will be passed upon at another meeting. The division of the leagues, size of bat and ball, and other details will be included in the articles, which will apply to all leagues. J.C. Batten and J. Poitras, make up this committee. [1]

In 1920, new officers were elected for the season. Nick Kahler is president; William Ahern, vice president; Tom Hastings, secretary; Harold A. Johnson, treasurer. [2]

In 1923, William Ahern was elected president of the Minneapolis Diamondball Association at the annual meeting of the organization last week. It marks the third year of service in that capacity. [3]

In 1924, William Ahern was named Diamondball President. The Minneapolis Diamondball Association meeting was held and officers for the coming year were named. William Ahern has been elected president; C.A. Neavles, first vice president; Walter McDonald, second vice president; Conrad Thorpe, secretary; H.A. Johnson, treasurer. [4]

In 1925, Harold A. Johnson was named Minnesota State Diamond Ball Commissioner. The Twin Cities Championship was not played this year as both city champions entered a statewide Diamondball Championship Tournament. Cook's of Duluth beat Hibbing 5 to 4 to win the Iron Range district. Then Bertch Furniture of Minneapolis beat Cook's 7-0. Greb Martonick had 17 strikeouts to win Northern States. Winona beat Faribault, then St. Francis Casinos of St. Paul beat Winona on Marty O'Connors no hitter to win Southern States. Bertch Furniture would win the championship series held between Parade and Dunning for the 1925 State Championship. [5]

In 1926, the state diamondball championship was decided by tournament play again this year, according to announcement made today by H.A. Johnson of the park board and president of the state diamondball association. The tournament was held last year for the first time and it provided to be very successful and the state officials decided to hold the tourney again this year. [6]

Organization

Commissioner

The Commissioner is the principal liaison between the local Minnesota association and the USA Softball National Office in Oklahoma City. It was not until 1952 when Minnesota joined ASA.

Districts

Minnesota is divided up into eight different districts.

Championships

National championship teams from Minnesota

YearTeamCommunityNational Tournament
1974Sears RoebuckBloomingtonASA Men's Industrial A Slow Pitch
1976Rustic BarDuluthASA Women's A Slow Pitch
1982Triangle SportsMinneapolisASA Men's Major Slow Pitch
1983SpooksAnokaASA Women's Major Slow Pitch
1983Big C'sHutchinsonASA Men's A Modified Pitch
1984Cargill GoldMoundASA Women's Industrial Slow Pitch
1984SpooksAnokaASA Women's Major Slow Pitch
1985Triangle EnterprisesDelanoASA Men's A Modified Pitch
1986Park Avenue CovenantBloomingtonASA Church Slow Pitch
1986RookiesRuthtonASA Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch
1987Minnesota MerchantsMinneapolisASA Men's Class A Slow Pitch
1988SpooksAnokaASA Women's Major Slow Pitch
1988Stewart TaylorDuluthASA Men's A Fast Pitch
1989RookiesRuthtonASA Men's 19-Under Fast Pitch
1990RookiesRuthtonASA Men's 19-Under Fast Pitch
1994LeroyLeroyASA Boys' 16-Under Fast Pitch
1994Kegal SignsBarnesvilleASA Boys' 12-Under Fast Pitch
1995Happy ChefMankatoASA Men's A Fast Pitch
1995Long Haul TruckingAlbertvilleASA Women's D Slow Pitch
1996JunkersMankatoASA Men's 23-Under Fast Pitch
1996Red Man ConstructionLeroyASA Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch
1996SpooksAnokaASA Women's Major Slow Pitch
1997Long Haul/TPSAlbertvilleASA Men's Major Slow Pitch
1997Coffee Cup/DeMariniSt. PaulASA Men's A Slow Pitch
1997Super Sounds TapesSt. JamesASA Men's Over-45 Fast Pitch
1998Minnesota MerchantsMinneapolisASA Men's 35-Over Slow Pitch
1998Hooters/TPS/Cro HallSouth St. PaulASA Co-Ed A Slow Pitch
1998G&M ContractingLake CrystalASA Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch
1999Super Sounds TapesSt. JamesASA Men's 50-Over Fast Pitch
1999Macken Plumbing/BudweiserRochesterASA Women's A Slow Pitch
1999Minnesota MerchantsMinneapolisASA Men's 35-Over Slow Pitch
2000Long Haul/TPSAlbertvilleASA Men's Major Slow Pitch
2000Super Sounds TapesSt. JamesASA Men's 50-Over Fast Pitch
2000Thurs RoofingBrooklyn CenterASA Men's 35-Over Slow Pitch
2001Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPSAlbertvilleASA Men's Super Slow Pitch
2002Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen CorpAlbertvilleASA Men's Super Slow Pitch
2002Jonny's SaloonRochesterASA Co-Ed Major Slow Pitch
2002Head First SoftballCoon RapidsASA 16-Under Boys' Slow Pitch
2003OdinOdinASA Men's 23-Under Fast Pitch
2003GM ContractingLake CrystalASA Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch
2003Golf WarehouseElk RiverASA Men's 45-Over Slow Pitch
2003Minnesota Merchants/EastonMinneapolisASA Men's 35-Over Slow Pitch
2003Stewie Fast PitchStewartvilleASA Boys' 16-Under Fast Pitch
2004Minnesota MudhensMinnetonkaASA Women's 23-Under Fast Pitch
2004LeMay'sLake CrystalASA Men's 23-Under Fast Pitch
2004Maple River EaglesMapletonASA Boys' 14-Under Fast Pitch
2004Minnesota MudhensMinnetonkaASA Women's A Fast Pitch
2005Long Haul Trucking/MikenAlbertvilleASA Men's A Slow Pitch
2005LeMay'sLake CrystalASA Men's 23-Under Fast Pitch
2005Maple River EaglesMapletonASA Boys' 16-Under Fast Pitch
2005St. Paul MidwaySt. PaulASA Boys' 12-Under Fast Pitch
2006Maple River EaglesMapletonASA Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch
2006Minnesota MudhensMinnetonkaASA Women's A Fast Pitch
2007Long Haul Trucking/MikenAlbertvilleASA Men's A Slow Pitch
2007Weggy'sLake CrystalASA Men's 23-Under Fast Pitch
2007St. Paul MidwaySt. PaulASA Boys' 14-Under Fast Pitch
2009Long Haul TruckingAlbertvilleASA Men's A Slow Pitch
2009Next Generation/Just1MoreOwatonnaASA Men's D Slow Pitch Northern
2010Minnesota MerchantsMinneapolisASA Men's 45-Over Slow Pitch
2010Long Haul TruckingAlbertvilleASA Men's A Slow Pitch
2010The SaloonMinnetristaASA Women's D Slow Pitch Northern
2011Hennager Plumbing & HeatingLake CrystalASA Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch
2011Minnesota MerchantsMinneapolisASA Men's 45-Over Slow Pitch
2011Steichen Real EstateAustinASA Men's E Slow Pitch Northern
2012Xtreme/CombatBrooklyn CenterASA Men's B Slow Pitch
2013Long Haul/JJ's/Doerflinger/EastonAlbertvilleASA Men's A Slow Pitch
2013Cheap, Fast, & Easy T'sBloomingtonASA Women's D Slow Pitch Northern
2014DevilsBlaineASA Women's C Slow Pitch
2015O&S Cattle/Mr. D'sEaganASA Men's Super Slow Pitch
2016O&S Cattle/Mr. D'sEaganASA Men's Super Slow Pitch
2016Dewey'sMontevideoASA Men's E Slow Pitch Northern
2018Mankato Peppers EliteMankatoASA Girls 14-Under A Fast Pitch
2019All American RestorationChamplinUSA Softball Men's B Slow Pitch
2019Bloomington JazzBloomingtonUSA Softball 18-Under Girls' Slow Pitch
2019Arnie's Sewer & SepticNew UlmUSA Softball Men's E Slow Pitch Northern
2020Kegel Black KnightsAmboyUSA Softball Men's Major Fast Pitch
2020SE FlyersEyotaUSA Softball 18-Under A Girls' Fast Pitch
2021Stagecoach/Crest ExteriorsShakopeeUSA Softball Men's C Slow Pitch
2021Nasty Boys/Monsta/Greater ThanHayfieldUSA Softball Men's D Slow Pitch Northern
2022StagecoachShakopeeUSA Softball Men's C Slow Pitch
2022Burnsville HeatBurnsvilleUSA Softball Girls 14-Under Slow Pitch
2022Burnsville FirecrackersBurnsvilleUSA Softball Girls 18-Under Slow Pitch
2023Team Stoop/Schmidt RooftingSartellUSA Softball Men's B Slow Pitch
2024Jac's Bar & GrillRochesterUSA Softball Men's E/Rec Slow Pitch

Notable players

Minnesotans named to national teams

YearPlayerCommunityNational Team
1972John MuenchPrior LakeTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
1989Todd BoumanRuthtonTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
1993Jenny CondonEdinaTeam USA Women's Fast Pitch
1994Jenny CondonEdinaTeam USA Women's Fast Pitch
1997Judd BerthiaumeRosevilleTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2001Tom RothLake CrystalTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2001Dan BerthiaumeSt. PaulTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2001Dave BerthiaumeSt. PaulTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2003Chad BoomBarnesvilleTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2004Chad BoomBarnesvilleTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2005Bobby OlsonAmboyTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2005Brian MalakowskyWellsTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2006Chad BoomBarnesvilleTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2006Gregg CascaesApple ValleyTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2006Lucas GoringSt. PaulTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2007Gregg CascaesApple ValleyTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2007Lucas GoringSt. PaulTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2008Kevin WilliamsLake CrystalTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2010Chaun DemarsBeckerTeam USA Men's Slow Pitch
2010Scott  BrownCoon RapidsTeam USA Men's Slow Pitch
2011Rich "Geno" BuckRed WingTeam USA Men's Slow Pitch
2012Anthony DressRosemountTeam USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch
2012Brett MeschkeLake CrystalTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2012Jake DaltonLake CrystalTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2012Michael LewisAmboyTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2012Spencer YackelLake CrystalTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2013Andy VitcakOakdaleTeam USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch
2013Anthony DressRosemountTeam USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch
2013Rich "Geno" BuckRed WingTeam USA Men's Slow Pitch
2013Roman FooreRosemountTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2014Andy VitcakOakdaleTeam USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch
2014Lucas GoringSt. PaulTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2014Steven NesslerNorth MankatoTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2014Tyler BouleyChamplinTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2014Tyler StoffelNorth MankatoTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2015Andy VitcakOakdaleTeam USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch
2015Rich "Geno" BuckRed WingTeam USA Men's Slow Pitch
2016Isaac HormannNorwood Young AmericaTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2016Steven NesslerNorth MankatoTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2016Jeff LewisAmboyTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2017Joel CooleySt. PaulTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2018Jeff LewisAmboyTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2018Joel CooleySt. PaulTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2019Coby GibbonsWhite Bear LakeTeam USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch
2019Joel CooleySt. PaulTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2019Tyler BouleyChamplinTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2019Patrick EllwangerNorth St. PaulTeam USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch
2019Tyler BouleyChamplinTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2020Megan HigginbothamMinneapolisTeam USA Women's Slow Pitch
2020Patrick EllwangerNorth St. PaulTeam USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch
2022Tyler BouleyChamplinTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2022Joel CooleySt. PaulTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2022Mike LewisAmboyTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2023Cody GibbonsSt. PaulTeam USA Under 23 Men's Fast Pitch
2023Frank KimlingerSt. PaulTeam USA Under 23 Men's Fast Pitch
2023Cody GibbonsSt. PaulTeam USA Under 18 Men's Fast Pitch
2024Cody GibbonsSt. PaulTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2024Frank KimlingerSt. PaulTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch
2024Jeff LewisAmboyTeam USA Men's Fast Pitch

Minnesotans coaching national teams

YearCoachCommunityNational team
2001Wayne HohensteinVernon CenterTeam USA Junior Men's Fastpitch Assistant Coach
2016Dan NesslerNorth MankatoTeam USA Junior Men's Fastpitch Assistant Coach
2022Dave MeyersDuluthTeam USA Junior Men's Fastpitch Assistant Coach

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References

  1. ""20 Teams Organize Local Kitten Ball Association"". The Minneapolis Morning Tribune. March 23, 1918.
  2. "100 Kitten Ball Teams to Compete". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. April 4, 1920.
  3. "Diamond Ball Loop Elects Ahearn Chief". Star Tribune. April 8, 1923.
  4. "William Ahern Named Diamondball President". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. April 4, 1924.
  5. "First Title Diamond Tilt on Saturday". Minneapolis Star. September 10, 1925.
  6. "Diamondball Teams to Compete in State Meet". Minneapolis Star. May 11, 1926.