# Minnesota Softball

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

## 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.
* 1925-1937 Harold A. Johnson (Minneapolis)
* 1938-1946 E.W. Johnson (St. Paul)
* 1947-1951 Einar Nelson (Coon Rapids)
* 1952-1953 Burton K. Storm (Richfield)
* 1954-1960 Laurenz "Larry" Harris (Hopkins)
* 1959-1966 Ron Hurst (Bloomington)
* 1967-1975 Bob Kojetin (Edina)
* 1976 Lavern Schumack (Minneapolis)
* 1977-2010 Perry Coonce (South St. Paul)
* 2011–Present Dan Pfeffer (Maple Grove)

### Districts

Minnesota is divided up into eight different districts.
* District 1 consists of the following counties: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmstead, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Winona.
* District 2 consists of the following counties: Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Waseca, Watonwan.
* District 3 consists of the following counties: Anoka, Dakota, Ramsey, Washington.
* District 4 consists of the following counties: Hennepin. Minneapolis is its own USA Softball recognized metro association and is operated by Minneapolis Park and Recreation.
* District 5 consists of the following counties: Carver, Scott, Wright.
* District 6 consists of the following counties: Benton, Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pope, Renville, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Yellow Medicine.
* District 7 consists of the following counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Chisago, Cook, Crow Wing, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Pine, St. Louis.
* District 8 consists of the following counties: Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, Wadena, Wilkin.

## Championships
### National championship teams from Minnesota

| Year | Team | Community | National Tournament |
| 1974 | Sears Roebuck | Bloomington | ASA Men's Industrial A Slow Pitch |
| 1976 | Rustic Bar | Duluth | ASA Women's A Slow Pitch |
| 1982 | Triangle Sports | Minneapolis | ASA Men's Major Slow Pitch |
| 1983 | Spooks | Anoka | ASA Women's Major Slow Pitch |
| 1983 | Big C's | Hutchinson | ASA Men's A Modified Pitch |
| 1984 | Cargill Gold | Mound | ASA Women's Industrial Slow Pitch |
| 1984 | Spooks | Anoka | ASA Women's Major Slow Pitch |
| 1985 | Triangle Enterprises | Delano | ASA Men's A Modified Pitch |
| 1986 | Park Avenue Covenant | Bloomington | ASA Church Slow Pitch |
| 1986 | Rookies | Ruthton | ASA Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch |
| 1987 | Minnesota Merchants | Minneapolis | ASA Men's Class A Slow Pitch |
| 1988 | Spooks | Anoka | ASA Women's Major Slow Pitch |
| 1988 | Stewart Taylor | Duluth | ASA Men's A Fast Pitch |
| 1989 | Rookies | Ruthton | ASA Men's 19-Under Fast Pitch |
| 1990 | Rookies | Ruthton | ASA Men's 19-Under Fast Pitch |
| 1994 | Leroy | Leroy | ASA Boys' 16-Under Fast Pitch |
| 1994 | Kegal Signs | Barnesville | ASA Boys' 12-Under Fast Pitch |
| 1995 | Happy Chef | Mankato | ASA Men's A Fast Pitch |
| 1995 | Long Haul Trucking | Albertville | ASA Women's D Slow Pitch |
| 1996 | Junkers | Mankato | ASA Men's 23-Under Fast Pitch |
| 1996 | Red Man Construction | Leroy | ASA Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch |
| 1996 | Spooks | Anoka | ASA Women's Major Slow Pitch |
| 1997 | Long Haul/TPS | Albertville | ASA Men's Major Slow Pitch |
| 1997 | Coffee Cup/DeMarini | St. Paul | ASA Men's A Slow Pitch |
| 1997 | Super Sounds Tapes | St. James | ASA Men's Over-45 Fast Pitch |
| 1998 | Minnesota Merchants | Minneapolis | ASA Men's 35-Over Slow Pitch |
| 1998 | Hooters/TPS/Cro Hall | South St. Paul | ASA Co-Ed A Slow Pitch |
| 1998 | G&M Contracting | Lake Crystal | ASA Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch |
| 1999 | Super Sounds Tapes | St. James | ASA Men's 50-Over Fast Pitch |
| 1999 | Macken Plumbing/Budweiser | Rochester | ASA Women's A Slow Pitch |
| 1999 | Minnesota Merchants | Minneapolis | ASA Men's 35-Over Slow Pitch |
| 2000 | Long Haul/TPS | Albertville | ASA Men's Major Slow Pitch |
| 2000 | Super Sounds Tapes | St. James | ASA Men's 50-Over Fast Pitch |
| 2000 | Thurs Roofing | Brooklyn Center | ASA Men's 35-Over Slow Pitch |
| 2001 | Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp/TPS | Albertville | ASA Men's Super Slow Pitch |
| 2002 | Long Haul/Taylor Bros/Shen Corp | Albertville | ASA Men's Super Slow Pitch |
| 2002 | Jonny's Saloon | Rochester | ASA Co-Ed Major Slow Pitch |
| 2002 | Head First Softball | Coon Rapids | ASA 16-Under Boys' Slow Pitch |
| 2003 | Odin | Odin | ASA Men's 23-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2003 | GM Contracting | Lake Crystal | ASA Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2003 | Golf Warehouse | Elk River | ASA Men's 45-Over Slow Pitch |
| 2003 | Minnesota Merchants/Easton | Minneapolis | ASA Men's 35-Over Slow Pitch |
| 2003 | Stewie Fast Pitch | Stewartville | ASA Boys' 16-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2004 | Minnesota Mudhens | Minnetonka | ASA Women's 23-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2004 | LeMay's | Lake Crystal | ASA Men's 23-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2004 | Maple River Eagles | Mapleton | ASA Boys' 14-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2004 | Minnesota Mudhens | Minnetonka | ASA Women's A Fast Pitch |
| 2005 | Long Haul Trucking/Miken | Albertville | ASA Men's A Slow Pitch |
| 2005 | LeMay's | Lake Crystal | ASA Men's 23-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2005 | Maple River Eagles | Mapleton | ASA Boys' 16-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2005 | St. Paul Midway | St. Paul | ASA Boys' 12-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2006 | Maple River Eagles | Mapleton | ASA Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2006 | Minnesota Mudhens | Minnetonka | ASA Women's A Fast Pitch |
| 2007 | Long Haul Trucking/Miken | Albertville | ASA Men's A Slow Pitch |
| 2007 | Weggy's | Lake Crystal | ASA Men's 23-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2007 | St. Paul Midway | St. Paul | ASA Boys' 14-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2009 | Long Haul Trucking | Albertville | ASA Men's A Slow Pitch |
| 2009 | Next Generation/Just1More | Owatonna | ASA Men's D Slow Pitch Northern |
| 2010 | Minnesota Merchants | Minneapolis | ASA Men's 45-Over Slow Pitch |
| 2010 | Long Haul Trucking | Albertville | ASA Men's A Slow Pitch |
| 2010 | The Saloon | Minnetrista | ASA Women's D Slow Pitch Northern |
| 2011 | Hennager Plumbing & Heating | Lake Crystal | ASA Boys' 18-Under Fast Pitch |
| 2011 | Minnesota Merchants | Minneapolis | ASA Men's 45-Over Slow Pitch |
| 2011 | Steichen Real Estate | Austin | ASA Men's E Slow Pitch Northern |
| 2012 | Xtreme/Combat | Brooklyn Center | ASA Men's B Slow Pitch |
| 2013 | Long Haul/JJ's/Doerflinger/Easton | Albertville | ASA Men's A Slow Pitch |
| 2013 | Cheap, Fast, & Easy T's | Bloomington | ASA Women's D Slow Pitch Northern |
| 2014 | Devils | Blaine | ASA Women's C Slow Pitch |
| 2015 | O&S Cattle/Mr. D's | Eagan | ASA Men's Super Slow Pitch |
| 2016 | O&S Cattle/Mr. D's | Eagan | ASA Men's Super Slow Pitch |
| 2016 | Dewey's | Montevideo | ASA Men's E Slow Pitch Northern |
| 2018 | Mankato Peppers Elite | Mankato | ASA Girls 14-Under A Fast Pitch |
| 2019 | All American Restoration | Champlin | USA Softball Men's B Slow Pitch |
| 2019 | Bloomington Jazz | Bloomington | USA Softball 18-Under Girls' Slow Pitch |
| 2019 | Arnie's Sewer & Septic | New Ulm | USA Softball Men's E Slow Pitch Northern |
| 2020 | Kegel Black Knights | Amboy | USA Softball Men's Major Fast Pitch |
| 2020 | SE Flyers | Eyota | USA Softball 18-Under A Girls' Fast Pitch |
| 2021 | Stagecoach/Crest Exteriors | Shakopee | USA Softball Men's C Slow Pitch |
| 2021 | Nasty Boys/Monsta/Greater Than | Hayfield | USA Softball Men's D Slow Pitch Northern |
| 2022 | Stagecoach | Shakopee | USA Softball Men's C Slow Pitch |
| 2022 | Burnsville Heat | Burnsville | USA Softball Girls 14-Under Slow Pitch |
| 2022 | Burnsville Firecrackers | Burnsville | USA Softball Girls 18-Under Slow Pitch |
| 2023 | Team Stoop/Schmidt Roofting | Sartell | USA Softball Men's B Slow Pitch |
| 2024 | Jac's Bar & Grill | Rochester | USA Softball Men's E/Rec Slow Pitch |

## Notable players
### Minnesotans named to national teams

| Year | Player | Community | National Team |
| 1972 | John Muench | Prior Lake | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 1989 | Todd Bouman | Ruthton | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 1993 | Jenny Condon | Edina | Team USA Women's Fast Pitch |
| 1994 | Jenny Condon | Edina | Team USA Women's Fast Pitch |
| 1997 | Judd Berthiaume | Roseville | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2001 | Tom Roth | Lake Crystal | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2001 | Dan Berthiaume | St. Paul | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2001 | Dave Berthiaume | St. Paul | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2003 | Chad Boom | Barnesville | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2004 | Chad Boom | Barnesville | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2005 | Bobby Olson | Amboy | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2005 | Brian Malakowsky | Wells | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2006 | Chad Boom | Barnesville | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2006 | Gregg Cascaes | Apple Valley | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2006 | Lucas Goring | St. Paul | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2007 | Gregg Cascaes | Apple Valley | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2007 | Lucas Goring | St. Paul | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2008 | Kevin Williams | Lake Crystal | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2010 | Chaun Demars | Becker | Team USA Men's Slow Pitch |
| 2010 | Scott Brown | Coon Rapids | Team USA Men's Slow Pitch |
| 2011 | Rich "Geno" Buck | Red Wing | Team USA Men's Slow Pitch |
| 2012 | Anthony Dress | Rosemount | Team USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch |
| 2012 | Brett Meschke | Lake Crystal | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2012 | Jake Dalton | Lake Crystal | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2012 | Michael Lewis | Amboy | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2012 | Spencer Yackel | Lake Crystal | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2013 | Andy Vitcak | Oakdale | Team USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch |
| 2013 | Anthony Dress | Rosemount | Team USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch |
| 2013 | Rich "Geno" Buck | Red Wing | Team USA Men's Slow Pitch |
| 2013 | Roman Foore | Rosemount | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2014 | Andy Vitcak | Oakdale | Team USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch |
| 2014 | Lucas Goring | St. Paul | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2014 | Steven Nessler | North Mankato | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2014 | Tyler Bouley | Champlin | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2014 | Tyler Stoffel | North Mankato | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2015 | Andy Vitcak | Oakdale | Team USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch |
| 2015 | Rich "Geno" Buck | Red Wing | Team USA Men's Slow Pitch |
| 2016 | Isaac Hormann | Norwood Young America | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2016 | Steven Nessler | North Mankato | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2016 | Jeff Lewis | Amboy | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2017 | Joel Cooley | St. Paul | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2018 | Jeff Lewis | Amboy | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2018 | Joel Cooley | St. Paul | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2019 | Coby Gibbons | White Bear Lake | Team USA Junior Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2019 | Joel Cooley | St. Paul | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2019 | Tyler Bouley | Champlin | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2019 | Patrick Ellwanger | North St. Paul | Team USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch |
| 2019 | Tyler Bouley | Champlin | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2020 | Megan Higginbotham | Minneapolis | Team USA Women's Slow Pitch |
| 2020 | Patrick Ellwanger | North St. Paul | Team USA Futures Men's Slow Pitch |
| 2022 | Tyler Bouley | Champlin | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2022 | Joel Cooley | St. Paul | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2022 | Mike Lewis | Amboy | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2023 | Cody Gibbons | St. Paul | Team USA Under 23 Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2023 | Frank Kimlinger | St. Paul | Team USA Under 23 Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2023 | Cody Gibbons | St. Paul | Team USA Under 18 Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2024 | Cody Gibbons | St. Paul | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2024 | Frank Kimlinger | St. Paul | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2024 | Jeff Lewis | Amboy | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2025 | Cody Gibbons | St. Paul | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2025 | Frank Kimlinger | St. Paul | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |
| 2025 | Jeff Lewis | Amboy | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch |

### Minnesotans coaching national teams

| Year | Coach | Community | National team |
| 2001 | Wayne Hohenstein | Vernon Center | Team USA Junior Men's Fastpitch Assistant Coach |
| 2016 | Dan Nessler | North Mankato | Team USA Junior Men's Fastpitch Assistant Coach |
| 2022 | Dave Meyers | Duluth | Team USA Junior Men's Fastpitch Assistant Coach |
| 2025 | Roman Foore | Rosemount | Team USA Men's Fast Pitch Assistant Coach |