FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — The 28th Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame Banquet will be held on Saturday evening, November 1 at the Rochester International Event Center. The Hall of Fame biennially recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of softball.
Softball is the largest team participant sport in Minnesota and the nation with over 5,000 teams participating in the local program.
A total of 20 individuals in the player, manager, umpire, sponsor, promoter, administrator, organizer, volunteer or media categories have been selected for induction this year. Included are:
| Inductee | Category |
Softball Hometown
|
| David Bakke | Player | Minneapolis |
| Ron Bergstrom | Player | Austin |
| Bruce Blank | Player | Duluth/Austin/St. Paul |
| John Carlson | Pioneer | Minneapolis |
| George “Buzz” Connor | Meritorious Service/Manager | West St. Paul/St. Paul |
| Ken Hagen | Player | Austin/Geneva-Ellendale |
| Dale Kolles | Player | St. Michael/Albertville/Elk River |
| Kevin Kranz | Player | Minneapolis |
| Robert Lenzmeier | Player | Minneapolis |
| Rebecca Macken | Player/Manager/Meritorious Service | Rochester |
| Clarence “Clancy” Mager | Meritorious Service | LeCenter |
| Mark Malde | Player | Rochester |
| Ed “Smokey” Matras | Meritorious Service/Player | West St. Paul/St. Paul |
| Jim Morcomb | Player/Manager | St. Charles |
| George Retzlaff | Pioneer/Meritorious Service | Hutchinson/Silver Lake |
| David “Dub” Richards | Meritorious Service | Geneva |
| Donny Robinette | Manager/Player/Sponsor | St. Paul |
| Ed Schaust | Player/Manager/Promoter | Delano/Hollywood |
| Tommy Smith | Meritorious Service | Cambridge-Isanti |
| Gary Watland | Player | Austin/Mankato/St. Paul |
Also receiving special recognition will be Tami Morrison and Lee Cohan for their years of service to the Minnesota amateur sports community.
2012’s banquet was attended by over 300 people and an equal or greater number is expected this year.
The cost of the banquet is $45.00. Tickets may be obtained using the Ticket Request Form or they may be ordered online. Deadline for tickets is Friday, October 24.
Nearby Hotels
AmericInn – Room block made under “MN Softball Hall of Fame”
For further information please contact:
Perry Coonce
perry@msf1.org
Steve Ketter
steve@msf1.org
(952) 405-6936
