Tuesday June 3, 2008

5 area fastpitch player on Team USA

The following young men have been named to the USA Jr. Men’s Natioinal Team that will play fastpitch softball in the World Games this summer. The World Games Tournament will take place in Whitehorse Yukon, Canada, June 20 – 29, 2008. They all hope to play to the best of their ability and come home with a gold medal! Best of Luck -represent your State of South Dakota, and the USA with pride.

BJ Hunhoff is from Harrisburg, SD. I am 18 years old and I am presently a freshman at University of Sioux Falls College. I play first base when playing baseball for college, but when playing softball I am a left-handed pitcher/batter. I began playing softball at the age of 6 with the help of my dad. I played on various youth teams and then moved up to men’s league at the age of 15 with Vision Eyecare. I was chosen in 2005 for the USA Jr. Men’s team that was held in PEI Canada. We finished with 5th place overall. In 2007, I was selected to make the UDA Men’s Team and traveled to Prague for the Men’s World Cup and the American Challenge Series in Oklahoma. Upon returning home that summer I finished with a first place in the ASA 18 & under Boys National in Mankato, the ISA 19 & Under in Kitchner ON, and the 23 & Under Nafa in Des Moines, IA. I was also named as one of the MV Pitcher in the ISC 19 & Under along with Joe Himeline of Baltimore and was named as MVP player in the 23 & Under NAFA tournament.

I have played for Vision Eyecare of Freeman; Rookies of Sioux Falls; Baltimore McDermotts of Baltimore MD; Kegel Knights of Fargo; USA Jr. Men’s Team; and the USA Men’s Team.

I have played softball for 13 years. Softball is a great sport and one that I love to play. I have had many great experiences, seen a lot of the world, and met many new friends along the way. I havelearned a lot, but also put a ton of work into this sport. My saying always sticks with me when I go to practice, “you have to be willing to put in your own time and you have to be dedicated, but when you do these things you will see great things.” I hope all my work and dedication pays off as we bring home the gold from Whitehorse Canada this summer in 2008!!!

My name is Jim Hartman; I am 17 years old and I pitch for Team USA. When people are thrust into situations of challenge, they will either rise and overcome or fail. When a new age rule forced my cousin off the team, I took his spot as the starting pitcher. I have played for the American Legion fastpitch team for 12 years, pitching in a totoal of eight Naltional tournaments and winning four. For the past three years I have played in the Sioux Falls Men’s fastpitch league. Currently, I’m a senior at West Central High School where I started as an offensive tackle for the State Championship football team.

Mitch Warne, outfielder and first baseman for the USA Jr. Men’s National Team, bats and throws left handed. Mitch will graduate from Roosevelt Higth School in Siioux Falls, SD on May 18th – one day before his 18th birthday! Mitch began playing softball in league when he was 5 years old and has played on six National Champioship Teams and one 19 and Under ISF World Championship Team. The teams he’s won champioships with are Southwest Optimist, Henry Carlson, Red Baron, Renegades, Explosions, and the Baltimore MdDermontts. Mitch also played varsity golf for Roosevelt and “Y” basketball. One of his favorite quotes is “you can’t win if you don’t play as a unit.” (Kareen Abdul Jabbar)

Catcher, Cedrick Lang, a 15 year old freshman at O’Gorman, has been playing fastpitch softball for the past two years. In 2006 he played in the Sioux Falls Men’s League with Scarlett O’Hara’s and in 2007 with Fischenich Painting. Also, in 2006, Cedrick played with the Siioux Falls Rookies in the 16 and under American Softball Association National Tournament in Mankato, MN. There his team finished 2nd.

In 2007 Cedrick had a fantastic summer as he had a trifecta in National and International wins. He again played with the Sioux Falls Rookies and played in the 18 and Under division in the American Softball Association National Tournament in Mankato, MN and this time his team finished 1st. From there Cedrick went to Kitchener, Ontario and played with Hineline, a team out of Baltimore, MD, in the 19 and Under International softball Congress World Tourney and his team finished 1st. From there Cedreick went to Des Moines, IA and played with Kegal from Fargo, ND in the 23 and under North American Faspitch Association National Tournament and once again, his team finished 1st.

Cedrick has been around fastpitch softball since he was two days old as his father, Rick Lang, is well-known for being one of the top pitchers in the United States.

Tony Viger, member USA Softball Junior Men’s National Team. Tony Viger is 15 years old and plays infield in Softball as well as baseball. He is a sophomore at O’Gorman High School and has only played softball for the last two years. Tony has played for various men’s league teams and is a member of the Rookies fastpitch team that won the ASA Men’s Nationals 18 and Under in 2007 and placed 2nd in the ASA Nationals 16 and Under in 2006.

Justin Warne is an alternate and youngest player named to the USA Jr. Men’s National Team that will play in Whitehorse Yukon, Canada this summer. Justin throws and bats right handed and has been a member of the Soukup Bulldozers Team from 1998 – 2008. Justin has been a great pitcher for many years and also enjoys playing shortstop or anywhere he’s needed. He’s truly a utility player for his team. The Soukup Bulldozers Team finished first in the National Championship Tournament in 2004 and second in 2006. Justin currently attends Memorial Middle School but is looking forward to high school at Roosevelt next fall. One of Justin’s favorite quotes is: “I just want to thank everyone who made this day necessary.” (Yogi Berra)