Ten teams from Wisconsin and three from Minnesota comprise the field of teams for the 29th Rice Lake Invitational Men's Fastpitch Tournament to be held June 15-17, once again in conjunction with the city's annual Aquafest celebration. Games begin Friday evening.
Defending co-champion New Image Salon of Monfort returns and has been established as pre-tournament favorite. The squad was 2006 continental champions in the NAFA "AA" tournament and national champion in the ASA "A" event. New Image had a 2006 season record of 97 wins and just three losses, one of those losses occurring in last year's Rice Lake Invite. The pitching staff includes All-Americans Jeramie Holman, former Rice Lake resident Bryan Lathrop, and Rick Radloff.
Also rated among the contenders are five time tournament champion Wilber Lime of Galesville, managed by 87 year-old Hall of Famer John Salsman, and Pate Bonding of West St. Paul, managed by popular veteran Wayne Ball and winners of the tourney in 2002, 2003, and 2005.
Two Rice Lake teams are part of field, Brecka's II Orangemen, the only club to have competed in all 29 Invitationals, and newcomer Mirage Right of Way, featuring 15 year-old hurler Max Loew. Other Wisconsin entries include Saw Dust City and The Hornets, both of Eau Claire, L-X of La Crosse, managed by Chetek native Bernard "Bud" Olson, PJ's Logjam of Wausau, Village Inn of North Hudson, and The Bar on the Avenue of Appleton. American Business Solutions of Villard and Herda & Sons of Waverly join Pate Bonding as Minnesota teams competing.
Mirage opens tournament play Friday night, playing host to Sawdust City at Bob Curtis Field at 7:00 p.m. A second Friday night game is slated for Curtis, with Brecka's II Orangemen facing PJ's Logjam at 8:30.
Play resumes Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m., with New Image opposing ABS-Villard on the Curtis diamond. At that same time at Steinert the Eau Claire Hornets take on Village Inn. At Curtis, 11:15, L-X of La Crosse meets Herda & Sons, while also at 11:15 at Steinert, Pate Bonding takes on the winner of the Mirage-Saw Dust City matchup. It's the winner of the Brecka's II-PJ's contest taking on Wilber Lime at 1:00 p.m. at Curtis. Rounding out opening round action at Curtis, 2:45, will be the contest featuring Bar on the Avenue and the winner of the LX-Herda & Sons confrontation.
Play continues Saturday afternoon and evening, including a pair of games at John Marcon Field, as well as throughout day Sunday. A non-denominational worship service is set for 8:00 a.m. Sunday on Curtis Field. The first championship contest is slated for 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at Curtis Field and the second championship game, if necessary, to follow immediately.
The tournament is once again under sponsorship of the Rice Lake-Cameron Boys Fastpitch League.
Full tournament bracket can be found at http://www.rlorangemen.minnesotafastpich.com
Brett Bresnahan
breshz(at)minnesotafastpitch.com
http://www.minnesotafastpitch.com
