Softball News Summer 2011 – 1 Hall of fame Plays and Invitational Non-Profi t Org. Classifi cations Tournament U.S. Postage banquet PAID Permit No. 44 Pages 5 Page 8 Page 11 Inside Garrison, ND Volume 30, Number 1 SSoftball o f NORTHt bDAKOTA STATEa AMATEURll SOFTBALL ASSOCIATIONNewsN e w SUMMERSUMMERR s2011 Tharaldson elected to National Hall Of Fame Super sponsor recognized for Decades of Dedication to softball Gary Tharaldson has been named to the play. His teams won state championships 20 and leadership. When he moved the head- ASA National Hall of Fame as a sponsor. times, won regional titles 6 times and claimed quarters of his business enterprises to Fargo, The induction ceremony will take place at 2 national titles. A measure of his athletic he fi nanced the building of a fourth softball the conclusion of the ASA National Council ability can be judged by the fact that he was fi eld to complete a complex in Valley City and meeting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina still competing as a pitcher on a Class A slow also upgraded the other fi elds in the complex in early November. Tharaldson joins the pitch teams at the age of 49. with new dugouts and scoreboards. He also late Duane “Tiny” Schafer and the late L.R. Among his many sponsorships have been funded the construction of a youth baseball “Tarz” Timm as the only North Dakotans teams in the Junior Olympic program for complex in Fargo which provides youth in the national shrine. Schafer was the state both boys and girls and in the JO fast pitch baseball opportunities as well as girl’s fast commissioner for over 36 years while Timm program for girls. pitch programs. was a well known and popular umpire. In addition, he sponsored teams in adult In addition to all his other sponsorship While Tharaldson’s recognition comes as Co-Ed slow pitch, Master’s and Senior’s slow activities Tharaldson has also provided all a result of his many years as a sponsor and pitch and men’s and women’s slow pitch. It of the team trophies and banners for each supporter of softball, he built an impres- can be truly said that his sponsorships have division of state tournament play in North sive resume as a player, coach and manager provided opportunities for hundreds if not Dakota including Junior Olympic and all as well. His accomplishments on the fi eld thousands of people to play the game of adult divisions of play. He sums up all of this include pitching over 1,000 games while softball. His sponsorships included not just fi nancial support with one simple statement maintaining a batting average of over .500. league fees but uniforms, equipment, tourna- “I donate to causes I believe in”. He participated in 45 state tournaments, ment entry fees and travel expenses. His induction into the National Hall of 15 regional tournaments and 15 national Tharaldson’s support of softball has been Fame is well earned and well deserved and tournaments. He competed successfully at the greatest sponsor of team sports in North North Dakota softball is proud of him and all levels of ASA play from Class A, B and Dakota over the past thirty years not only his many accomplishments and his generous C through all levels of masters and seniors fi nancially but by his personal involvement support of softball in North Dakota Gary Tharaldson Bismarck will host Northern National ASA Men’s Class C play over Labor Day Bismarck will play host to it’s tenth by a brief opening ceremony and the opening and individuals are registered ASA national softball tournament over the La- round of games. Games continue on Friday, teams and are properly classified as bor Day weekend as Class C Men’s teams September 2 beginning at 9:00 in the morning Class C players and teams. from a twelve state area meet to decide the and concluding at 9:00 that evening. Saturday Mike Wolf of Bismarck has been Northern Territory champion. The Northern will also be a full day of games from 9:00 named Umpire in Chief and will be Territory extends from the Dakotas east all a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The tournament wraps up responsible to assigning, scheduling the way to Kentucky and Indiana and teams on Sunday with trophy presentations at ap- and evaluating umpires throughout the from throughout that area are expected in the proximately 5:00 p.m. All times are tentative tournament. Capital city to compete. at this time and will depend on the number of Tournament headquarters and um- Tournament manager Tim Kuntz and As- teams participating in the event. pire hotel will be at the Ramkota Best sistant tournament manager Naomi Erdahl Tournament committees include Hospitali- Western at 800 South Third Street have assembled a local organizing committee ty/Volunteers; Facilities; Administration; Spe- in Bismarck. Team entry fee will be to handle the myriad details involved in host- cial Events; Game Operations and Umpires. $350.00. Admission for adults will be ing this national event. The National Offi ce of ASA has assigned $3.00 on Thursday and Sunday and The tournament kicks off on Thursday, Dick Gulmon of Valley City as the Offi cial $5.00 on Friday and Saturday. A tour- Tim Kuntz Naomi Erdahl, September 1 with team registrations, an um- ASA Representative to the tournament. His nament pass good for all games will be Tourney Director Assistant Director pire clinic and manager’s meeting followed duties are primarily to insure that all teams available for $10.00 Red Willow Lake Resortsee HALL OF FAME on page 2 Off Hwy #1, 25 miles North of Cooperstown • 30 miles south of Lakota ATTENTION! Coaches, Mom’s n’ Dad’s: Yup, we’re attempting to keep kids having fun by physically enjoying life - so bring all your 15 & Under, 12 & Under, 9 & Under boys & girls teams to RWR for fun, and attention - another reason - who will furnish us all those “Super Special” softball players we’ve enjoyed the past 65 years? They’re going to disappear completely! Men’s Tourneys “Heifers want their playground back, 3 Game Guarantee or RR July 23 & 24 – III & IV .......................24 teams Bill’s fi eld of dreams is having water problems, July 30 & 31 – III & IV .......................16 teams but Vernis just refused to quit, so keep coming back in 2012” Aug. 27 & 28 – Open .......................12 teams 37th Annual Fall Funerama Coed Tourneys OPENINGS IN ALL TOURNAMENTS Sept. 4-5 – Open ..............................24 teams “Reiles Transfer” from Fargo won last year! 3 Game Guarantee 3 game guarantee for all. 33rd Annual Spring Reunion Welcome Canadians and Minnesotans every tourney!! Baseball Aug. 21 & 22 – Open ........................16 teams 3 Game Guarantee or RR Gals, fi nd 6 guys – no problem July 8 – 9 & Under ................................... T-Ball Bring your tents, trailers, motorhomes, barbecue – they will be ready! July 9 & 10 – 15 & Under (Filled)............. Babe Ruth grills, motor boats, friends and family for a fun-fi lled July 16 & 17 – 12 & Under (Open) .......... Cal Ripken Win individual weekend. Restaurant open 12 hours a day, groceries, softball engraved medals, trophies, . M.V.P. awards, 14 & 22 oz. Neon mugs, supplies and game machines. Go fi shing, swimming, For Information call: Super Bats for home runs and boating, skiing, rollerskating or play volleyball. Showers Vernis Haines - 676-2061 a few surprises!! on the grounds. Don’t go home without a Red Willow sweatshirt, cap or T-shirt for loved ones. Guys & Gals, God loves you and so do I! 2 – Softball News Summer 2011 President’s Report The summer issue of the NDASA tournament and work all year plan- normal conditions. My special nesota Labor Day weekend, Coed newspaper reminds us all that ning for this annual event. Their thanks to the McQuade BOD and Open, C & D in Bloomington 8/25- another softball season in North decision was gut wrenching at the tournament directors Mike Wolf 28, JO Slow Pitch 10U-18U in Wa- Dakota is passing by rapidly. We very least, but the right one for the and Jack Jones for all their work tertown 7/28-31 and JO GFP B 10U would like to send our best wishes benefi t of public safety. This year this year. It was not easy for any & B 18U in Rochester, Minnesota to all our friends of softball in the was to be a special year as the USA of them and we look forward to a 8/4-7. These are great opportunities Minot and Bismarck region who Men’s Slow Pitch National Team better year in 2012. for adult and JO softball right in have been dealing with the fl ood was invited to play two exhibition State Tournament time is around our back door. Take advantage as of 2011. We hope that softball in games during the tournament. How- the corner as the Classification each of these communities have ex- some small way has been able to ever, the exhibition games did go on Committees for WSP and MSP perience in running these national take peoples minds off the daily as scheduled on Friday night, and have met and determined the fi nal events and will provide your team struggles of the fl ood, and the dra- the games were great. An estimated team classes for 2011 and their and fans with an experience of a matic affect it has had on family’s crowd of 2500 was in attendance respective State Tournaments. A life time. On a local note to our homes and businesses.