The Fastpitch Chronicle

For the first time ever, the Senior All Star softball games will be played in Wisconsin Dells.

Originally staged in Eau Claire, the event moved to Stevens Point a number of years ago. They are now in the Dells with plans for them staying there into the unforseeable future.

All-in-all, 153 seniors will end their high school fastpitch softball careers in Wisconsin Dells, one of the state's premier tourist attractions. Games will be played at Kaminski Park in Lake Delton and at the Wisconsin Dells City Park next to the swimming pool and not far from Just A Game Fieldhouse in Downtown Wisconsin Dells. The Division 1 games will be played downtown while the Division 2, Division 3 and Division 4 games will be played at Kaminski Park on the shores of Lake Delton.

There are four Division 1 all star teams, while the lower three divisions all have three teams. Those numbers are based on the total number of coaches who choose to join the coaches organization. The more coaches that a division has as members, the more the kids who get a chance to play as an all star increases.

The All Stars will report to the Dells on Monday, check in and meet their coaches, practice and attend a banquet on Monday evening.

Games begin at both venues at 9:00 am. Other time slots include: 10:30 AM; Noon; 1:30 PM; and 3:00 PM.

Each All Star is required to raise a minimum of $300 in order to participate. Any donations they collect in excess of $300 is donated to Special Olympics of Wisconsin. This year's top fundraiser is Lexi Burgum from Arcadia High School. She raised in excess of $2500. Lydia Cloud of Black River Falls raised in excess of $1500 as did Raissa Reynolds of Manitowoc, and Macey Schoenick of Weyauwega-Fremont. Courtney Nelson of Westby raised in excess of $1250 as did Caitlyn Qualley of Mineral Point, Alissa Adams of Chippewa Falls, Cassie Roecker of Lomira, Lizzy Menden of Whitnall, Alison Van Grinsven of Shawano and Taylor Smola of Stevens Point.

The Division 1 coaches are: Amy Barbiaux of Germantown, Mike Mathies of D.C. Everest, Jamie Olson of Sun Prairie and Bill Weyers of Kimberly. Barbiaux just wrapped up her third season at Germantown where she has led the Warhawks to the past two state tournaments. She was named North Shore Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2012. Matthies just completed his fifth season as Head Coach at D.C. Everest after spending five years as an assistant. He was named Wisconsin Valley Coach of the Year in 2011. Olson recently completed her second season at the helm in Sun Prairie where the Cardinals earned state tournament berths the past two seasons, finishing as runner-up in 2012. Weyers wrapped up his 11th season as Head Coach in Kimberly. The Papermakers claimed the 2007 Division 1 state title.

The Division 2 Coaches are: Todd Felch of Mosinee, Rick Coltrain of Baldwin-Woodville and Bob Sulser of Beloit Turner. Felch has been the Head Coach at Mosinee for the past eight years. His teams have won five conference titles and have four sectional appearances. He has been named Conference Coach of the Year three times. Coltrain just completed his sixth season at Baldwin-Woodville. He was just named Middle Border Coach of the Year for 2013. His teams have been to the last three state tournaments, winning the title in 2012 and finishing as runner-up in 2011 and this year's state tourney. Sulser is one of the state's dinosaurs when it comes to coaching longevity. He just finished his 13th year at Beloit Turner after many years at the helm of Madison Memorial. He has led both teams to the state tournament. He also coached military youth recreation teams in Germany, Japan, Okinawa and others. He was named Rock Valley Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2012.

The Division 3 coaches are: Don Bjelland of Grantsburg, Scott Ritzema of Laconia and Dave "Boots" Bjorge of Arcadia. Bjelland has been Head coach at Grantsburg for 16 years and has won 12 conference titles and 10 regional titles. His Pirate teams have advanced to the state tournament six times, winning two championships. They were a final four team this year before losing a one-run game to Kenosha St. Joseph on Friday. He's been in fastpitch since his playing days in men's fastpitch. Ritzema has just completed his 11th year at Laconia. His 2009 team finished runner-up to Grantsburg in the state Division 3 title game. Bjorge is also a fastpitch man with a great history as a player of the game. The past season was his 13th at the helm in Arcadia where he led his team to the state tournament three times.

The Division 4 coaches are: Tony Paletta of DeSoto, Duane Garrison of Monticello and Becky Demuth of Racine Lutheran. Paletta has been Head Coach for 10 years. He has been named Ridge and Valley Coach of the Year eight times. His Pirate teams have been to the state tournament twice. Garrison has spent the last 10 years as a coach at the youth level through high school. Demuth in 2013 completed her 10th season as Head Coach at Racine Lutheran. She was named the Racine County Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2010. She led her school to the state tourney in 2010, taking second place.

Kaminski Park is on County Road A and is located just beyond the spot where Lake Delton washed into the Wisconsin River during the heavy rains of 2008. Turn east on County Road A at Top Secret on the Strip. If you are coming from Mount Olympus it is a right turn. If you are coming from Downtown it's a left turn.

The Fastpitch Chronicle staff will be there for part of the day.