Please find some details below regarding some the favorites in this year’s tournament along with some of the better players for each team.  This year’s tournament is an International Softball Congress (ISC) World Qualifying Tournament.  Last year’s second place team the Memphis, TN. Firebirds have folded.  They lost their sponsor along with last year’s Klassic MVP Aaron Fultz who pitched 9 years in the Major Leagues.  He has taken a job as a minor league pitching coach in the Phillies organization.  I hope this helps and please contact me with questions and I look forward to talking to you guys about this year’s tournament.

 

 

 

1.)     Pete’s Blues-Mascoutah, IL.:  A very strong team and last year’s Klassic Champion.  This team is loaded with experience as they finished very high in last year’s International Softball Congress (ISC) World Tournament.

Pitching:  They are led by Wisconsin Native Jeramie Holman who has been the Pitching MVP the last two years of the Klassic.  He has a devastating change up and racks up the strike outs with this pitch. 

Offensively:  They are led by ISC All World Catcher Daniel Alstat who led last years ISC World Tournament with 13 hits and was second in RBI’s with 9.  Other key hitters for the Blues are Outfielder Daniel Eisenhauer, and Utility Player Jim Pecoraro.

 

2.)    Topeka Toros-Topeka, KS:  The Toros also had a favorable showing in last year’s ISC World Tournament.  They finished 3^rd in last year’s Klassic and are one of the favorites again this year to finish high or even claim their first Klassic Title. 

Pitching:  They are led by Kansas Native Brian Younger who has an array of quality off speed pitches.  Additionally, the Toros have hard throwing New Zealander Zane Siolo.  He probably will be the hardest thrower in this year’s tournament. 

Offensively:  They are led by the ALL-TIME Klassic Career Home Run Leader Chris Leaf who is a Native of Oklahoma. 

 

3.)     St. Louis Sparky Bullets-St. Louis, MO.:  This team has a wealth of veteran pitching and hitting that will make them a strong contender in this year’s Klassic.

Pitching:  They will be led by hard throwing veteran pitcher Terry Luster who ranks high in every Klassic career pitching category.  Additionally, they have New Zealand Native Karl Gollan who is a really good left hander that will surely help take some of the pitching burden off of the veteran Luster.

Offensively:  They will be led by two way player Karl Gollan.  He is an exceptional hitter as well as pitcher.  Additionally, they will be led by strong veteran hitter Tim Bryan who ranks high in career hits and home runs in the Klassic. 

 

4.)     Central Illinois Knights-Nokomis, IL.:  This team will be led by New Zealand Native and former ISC All-World Pitcher Brent Stevenson.  If they stay in the winners bracket they will have a chance to be right in the mix on Sunday by keeping the Veteran Stevenson fresh. 

Pitching:  Led by New Zealand Native and former ISC All-World Pitcher Brent Stevenson.

Offensively:  They will be led by veteran hitter Tim Hopkins who ranks second all time in Klassic Home Runs and fourth all time in Klassic hits. 

 

5.)     Black Gold-Hermann, MO.:  This team finished 4^th in last year’s Klassic and as long as they have Eric Steinbeck pitching they will always be a contender.

Pitching:  They are led by Eric Steinbeck who ranks high in several Klassic career pitching categories.  Additionally, Eric was named to the North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) AA All-World Team as a pitcher last year.

Offensively:  They really do not have one hitter that stands out they are just a bunch of scrappy hitters that push one or two runs across for their workhorse Steinbeck.

 

 

6.)     Kelso Fastpitch-Kelso, MO.:  This could be the year that Kelso Fastpitch could contend for the Klassic Title on Sunday.  Last year Kelso finished the year strong by finishing 4^th in the North American Fastpitch Association (NAFA) A-Major Tournament.  Additionally, this past weekend Kelso won the Pinckneyville, IL. Tournament that featured Pete’s Blues last years champs.  Lastly, Kelso has added three Memphis Firebird players to help add depth and strength to this years squad.

Pitching:  Led by Kelso Native and Notre Dame High School Graduate Tom Jansen.  Tom, was a 2011 NAFA A-Major All World Pitcher and also ranks high in several Klassic career pitching categories.  Kelso will also have veteran left handed pitcher Bob Branhof to help with the pitching duties. 

Offensively:  Led by former Memphis Firebird Casey Stokes who ranks 3^rd all time in Klassic Home Runs and 19^th all time in Klassic RBI’s.  Additionally, Kelso is led by power hitting and former Notre Dame High Stand out Dane Balsman.  Other key offensive contributors are Chad Bogenpohl and Jerry Wolsey who both played for SEMO and the Capahas along with Clayton Eftink (Notre Dame High) and Tyler Beardslee (Oran High) who both made the NAFA A-Major All World Team last year. 

 

7.)    Seyer’s Kelso Kwik Stop-Kelso, MO.:  This throw together team could really make some noise in this year’s tournament if they stay in the winners bracket and keep Algar’s arm fresh.  They have some All-World Veterans mixed in with some good young talent.

Pitching:  They will be led by New Zealand Native and former ISC All World Pitcher Paul Algar.  Additionally, they will have veteran pitcher and Notre Dame High Grad. Jeff Schott who ranks as one of the all time great pitchers in Klassic history. 

Offensively:  They will be led by Kelso Native and former ISC All-World player Steve Schott along with Cape Girardeau Native and former ISC All-World Player Paul Lynch.  Both are former Notre Dame High School standout athletes. 

 

8.)     Belleville, IL. Stallions-Belleville, IL.:  This team is probably the scrappiest team in the tournament and they are led by Pitcher Mike Godar.  This past weekend they finished second in the Pinckneyville, IL. Tournament and had a strong showing in last years NAFA A-Major Tournament. 

Pitching:  Led by Mike Godar.  He is a finesse pitcher that depends on his defense to make the plays.  He has the ability to really frustrate and shut down a good team. 

Offensively:  They are led by Mike Klein, and Steve Seward.

     

                   

Thanks,

Jerry Wolsey

Kelso Klassic Media Coordinator

573-225-1692  Cell