Softball and baseball’s favorite newspaper since 1987

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It’s Corky’s time

The 29th Annual Corky’s Early Bird Slowpitch Softball Classic will be held May 2-4 at the Steele County Fairgrounds Softball Complex and various fields throughout Owatonna.

The tournament is full with 112 teams representing the Upper Midwest’s top teams from seven states – Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Illinois.

The action again kicks off on Friday night with some competitive games featuring: Viessman/BBS/Miken of Faribault (LPS ranked No. 6) vs. Homes Unlimited/SS/Titan/Miken of Rosemount (LPS ranked No. 9); CC/C Division – South Park/KJ Const./Brookstone of Owatonna vs. Outcast/Combat/Elite of Brookings, S.D.; C/DD Division – Minnesota Hitmen of Bloomington vs. Push, Pedal, Pull of Sioux Falls, S.D; DD/D Division – McKinley Hill/Grain Belt Premium of Albertville vs. The Gon from Albert Lea; and the Rec Division – Chicago Rockers from Chicago vs. Wencl Plumbing of Owatonna, along with 12 other competitive games.

Game times are 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Come on out and have a couple of your favorite beverages and food, and tell a bunch of stories under the “Cement Tent.” The Cement Tent Friday evening will host a 2 for 1 Happy Hour and has entertainment booked to start at 7 p.m.

Competition promises to be fierce as every team is vying for the chance to participate in the WSL Championships. This tourney is a WSL National Qualifier; the top six finishers in each division will be awarded berths to the coveted WSL Championships.

Saturday play begins at 8 a.m., with the quarterfinals of the Open Division being played at 6:30 p.m., and 7:45 p.m., on Diamond #1 at the Fairgrounds next to the “Cement Tent.” Sunday play resumes at 8 a.m., and Championship games are slated to start at 3:45 p.m, at the Fairgrounds.

No admission will be charged! The famous “Pork Patties” will again be served off the Smokin’ Grill under the “Cement Tent.”

For more information contact Corky at 507-451-1745 or Doug Meier at 507-451-1961. For complete and updated tournament information go to www.sportsrubes.com.