Submitted photo/information Minnesota Masters Men’s Fastpitch softball teams played in the NAFA Mens Masters National tournament Sept. 6-8, 2024. South Central Minnesota team members pictured left to right are: Dick Klitzke/Hutchinson, Jim Bartels/New Ulm, Dave Dewitz/Vernon Center, Brett Klabunde-Brownton & 65’s tourney MVP, Buck Uecker-Howard Lake, Lou Heller-Odin, Dolf Moon-Hutchinson, Scott Waldner-New Ulm, and Pat Lowther-Sleepy Eye. The Minnesota Red Cow sponsored team took 1st in the 65+ tourney, while the 70+ team placed second in the tourney held in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

Submitted story

The Minnesota Masters Men’s 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).

Red Cow Restaurants sponsored the team again this year.

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 seventh 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 Wisconsin 9-3 in the semifinals 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, and All-World team member from

Vernon Center, Dick Klitzke-Hutchinson, Dolf Moon-Hutch (batted .400), Scott Waldner of New

Ulm, Lou Heller of Odin, and manager Jim Bartels of 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 five runs total, and had a 1.00 ERA. It is his seventh tourney recognition as All-World.

The Minnesota based team in the 70+ tourney won its first two games, 18-0 over Florida, and 11-8 over Wisconsin’s Village Creek team (a team they beat in the finals 1 year ago). Red Cow was the No. 1 seed in bracket play and received a first-round bye. Minnesota beat Michigan in the semifinals 9-2, before losing in a rematch with Wisconsin 5-4 in the finals.

“We plated a winning run in the seventh in 65’s, and gave up a winning run in 70’s in the seventh … going into the final inning tied in both,” Co-manager Dolf Moon noted. “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, and Jim Bartels of New Ulm. Heller pitched and played 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 assistant manager Pat Lowther of 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 three years in a row.