We will be hosting an Illinois vs. Wisconsin All-Star Event (4-game series) in Decatur, IL the weekend of September 25-26, 2010.  The purpose of this event this year is to run a relatively informal event from which to grow and build on for years to come. 

The original idea stemmed from some road time and late night discussions with my Aurora teammates Jim Pecoraro and Mark Kleffner.  I took the idea to some fastpitch leaders from across the state of Illinois to get their feedback on the potential value of such an event.  The real goal is to have a 7-12 team tournament following next year’s ISC World Tournament… tentatively scheduled for mid-late September 2011.  This would include an All-Star team from the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, and Indiana as well as North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Ohio if possible.  The key for each roster is that each player literally lives, works, or goes to school in the state they represent.  The Illinois selection committee has discussed reserving 2-3 slots for players age 23 and under.  However, the intention is not to make this a developmental or legends tournament—we will certainly discuss adding a 23U & Masters Divisions if the basic format is a success and can handle growth.  For now however, we want each team to consist of the best players from each state at the time of the tournament..

Disclaimer:  Before anyone gets too carried away playing devil’s advocate or raising obvious concerns about this event be-it politics in the selection process, financial requirements, or residency restrictions; I would like to stress that we will have the entire year following this year’s event to formalize this event to ensure it is a success.  The focus right now is to make sure the two-state (IL vs. WI) event takes place in 2010 so we can build on it next year. 

The Illinois selection committee for 2010 has already compiled a list of about 40 potential all-star players using the ISC All-World, ASA Major All-American, NAFA Open All-Tournament, and Illinois All-State selections.  The thought right now is to automatically invite anyone who made all-tournament at the ISC World Tournament, ASA Major, or NAFA Open to play on this year’s IL All-Star Team.  Further, All-State selections will be automatically added to the list of potential invites.  AND NOW IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP!  First, please e-mail me at Dave..M.Perkins(at)wellsfargo.com if you were an all-tournament selection at the ISC WT, ASA Major, NAFA Open, or Illinois A/Open State Tournament.  I want to make sure we don’t miss anyone.  Second, any coaches from ANY LEVEL TEAM in the state please send us the names of any players that you believe right now are one of the top 20 players in the state.  We will not be selecting more than 2-3 players from a single team in the state.  It would be helpful to include a brief bio about any player you send in case members of the selection committee have not had the privilege of seeing him play.  Also, please include both your contact information and the contact information of the players you are recommending for consideration.     

We will cut off all entries by midnight next Monday, September 6, 2010—Labor Day.  This will give the selection committee enough time to rank all the players, make the initial 20 selections (4 pitchers, 16 position players of which 2-3 will be 23U), and contact the players as to their availability leading up to the event.  I would like to note that this is simply the way the Illinois committee has decided to approach things for 2010.  Wisconsin will be handling their selection however they see fit.             

Lastly, I would like to stress that this tournament will be both a great honor and a solid vehicle for promotion of the game. This event currently has no affiliation with any governing fastpitch body and has not ulterior motive but to run an entertaining, successful event in 2010!  Although I play for Aurora, I live in Missouri.  I myself am not eligible to play in this year’s event and am therefore an unbiased party.  I am very excited about the potential for fastpitch leaders from all of the Midwest states to open the lines of communication beyond scheduling tournaments or picking up players.  Hopefully this event will get us talking about such topics as:  domestic player/pitcher development, promotion of the game, what has worked for different states/teams/organizations… what hasn’t?  Currently, it seems the pros outweigh the cons for such an event.  It is a unique way to promote and hopefully grow the game of fastpitch in the U.S.  We’ll start with Illinois versus Wisconsin this year, make the appropriate adjustments, and hopefully run a great event in September 2011.

 

Thank you in advance for your recommendations for the 2010 Illinois All-Star Team!

 

Dave “Hooda” Perkins

Dave.M.Perkins(at)wellsfargo.com