Minnesota Masters Softball team wins National Title

The Minnesota Masters Mens Fastpitch team continued to have success in the NAFA Mens Masters National tournament Sept. 6-8 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. This year both teams again reached the finals, with the 65+ division team repeating as National Champions, and the 70+ division team taking second (after winning the title in 2023).

The 65+ team went 6-0 in the tourney, beating the California entry 2-1 in the finals, getting a run in the bottom of the 7th to win it! Previous wins were 11-0 over MIchigan, 5-4 win over Pennsylvania, 7-0 over New York, 8-0 over Illinois, then defeating Wisconsic 9-3 in the semi’s
and the ‘Painters’ from California in the finals! The Minnesota Masters team batted .382 in the tournament. ‘All World’ team members included tournament MVP-Brett Klabunde of Brownton who batted 8 for 14 while manning the shortstop position.

Other South Central Minnesota players included, Dave Dewitz-All World team member from Vernon Center, Dick Klitzke-Hutchinson, Dolf Moon-Hutch (batted .400), Scott Waldner-New Ulm, Lou Heller-Odin, and Manager Jim Bartels-New Ulm.

Pitcher Scott O’Brien pitched all but one inning of the 6 games, and received the ‘Outstanding Pitcher’ award in the tourney. He gave up 5 runs total, and had a 1.00 ERA. It is his 7th tourney recognition as ‘All World’!

The Minnesota based team in the 70+ tourney won its first 2 games, 18-0 over Florida, and 11-8 over Wisconson’s Village Creek team (a team they beat in the finals 1 year ago). Red Cow was the #1 seed in bracket play and received a first round bye. Then beat Michigan in the semi’s
9-2, before losing in a rematch with Wisconsin 5-4 in the finals. Co-manager Dolf Moon noted : “ we plated a winning run in the 7th in 65’s, and gave up a winning run in 70’s in the 7th…..going into the final inning tied in both! Exciting ball, and we played some real good teams in the finals! Very proud of our 23 players who participated!”

70’s team South Central Minnesota team members included: All World team members Lou Heller of Odin, & Jim Bartels of New Ulm. Heller pitched and played stellar second base while hitting .333. Bartels played right field and hit .625 in the four games. Also on the team was pitcher Bruce “Buck’ Uecker from Howard Lake, and Asst. Manager- Pat Lowther-Sleepy Eye. The 70’s team hit .463! For the tournament.
The 65’s team has made the finals 4 years in a row, and 70’s team 3 years in a row.