KIMBERLY, Wisc. – Sunset Park in Kimberly has long been a legendary setting for the International Softball Congress World Tournament. Though the beautiful park hasn’t hosted a world tournament for several years, it still remains a popular venue for top-caliber men’s fastpitch.
Five teams – The Bar-Buzz, Hitter’s, Hank and Karen’s, Xtra Innings, and the Kimberly Merchants – begin play tonight (Wednesday, May 14) in the Paper Valley League.
The league is strong and features several international stars, including the likes of Joel Goodall, Ryan Sinclair and Ryan Shannahan of Australia, and Argentina pitcher Sebastian Gervasutti, along with many of Wisconsin’s top players.
Though men’s fastpitch isn’t as popular as it once was in the heydays of the 1960s, 70s and 80s; nonetheless, the Kimberly Recreation Association and several diehards remain committed to the sport they love.
“This league is trying to keep the game of fastpitch alive in the Fox Valley,†said Justin Colombo, manager / player for Hank and Karen’s. And what better venue than Sunset Park to play in, adds Colombo. “This is one of the top softball parks in the country.â€
The league runs from May 14 to July 30, with Aug. 6 set aside for makeup games.
Follow the league on Facebook: Paper Valley Men’s Fastpitch Softball League
The 2015 league teams and managers
- The Bar-Buzz, Tony Schaaf
- Hitter’s, Ric Thompson
- Hank and Karen’s, Justin Colombo
- Xtra Innings, Jim Dahlke
- Kimberly Merchants, Nic Peters
Date – 6:30 – 8:00 – Bye Sponsor
5/14 1-2 5-3 4 FNB-Fox Valley
5/21 3-1 4-5 2 Hank and Karen’s
5/28 1-4 2-3 5 Johnny B Fastpitch
6/4 2-5 3-4 1 Capitol Centre
6/11 4-2 5-1 3 The Bar
6/18 3-2 4-1 5 Hitters Sports Bar
6/25 5-4 1-3 2 Maker’s Sports Grill
7/2 Week off for July 4th
7/9 2-1 3-5 4 Lyndee Lewis-State Farm Insurance
7/17 4-3 5-2 1 Stoneyard-Darboy
7/23 1-5 2-4 3 Wrightstown Panther Baseball
7/30 1-2 3-4 5 Home Team Sports and Apparel
8/6 Rainout week
8/13 ISC World Tournament and NAFA World Series
Second team listed is home team
For information about the league, contact Ric Thompson at fvfp08@gmail.com, or Justin Colombo at bossdj32@yahoo.com.