Minnesota Masters Softball team hit finals

The Minnesota Masters Men’s Fastpitch team had another successful NAFA National
Tournament in both 65 and over, and 70 and over tournaments Sept. 5-7, 2025 in Rockford,
Illinois. This year the roles reversed on the two teams, as the 65’s team finished 2nd, going
4-1…before bowing in the finals to the Texas Stars 3-2. The 70’s team went 5-1, and finished
1st with an impressive 14-2 win in the finals. The Minnesota Masters were sponsored by Red
Cow Restaurants.

The 65’s team beat ‘The Free Agents’ 13-0, then Insurance Center from Wisconsin 8-1, and
Savala Painters from California 6-0, before a semi final win over Nohren Farms of Illinois 11-1.
In the title game, Minnesota lead 2-1 going into the bottom of the 7th, before giving up a earned
run for the tie, and then a unearned run for the loss, also in the 7th inning.

The 65’s batted .496 as a team, and pitcher Scott O’Brien pitched every game and had a ERA
of .84!! All World team members included Scott Luhman, a native of both Brownton and
Hutchinson. This was the 5th year in a row the Mn. Masters 65’s team was in the finals!!
The 70’s Masters Northwest Fastpitch from Washington 12-2, then Ron Fosters from Iowa 12-8,
before falling 10-11 to the Texas Stars….all in Pool Play. In Bracket play, the Masters defeated
Northwest Fastpitch again 8-6, and then beat the defending Ntl Champion Village Creek of
Wisconsn 2-1 Sportsmans Park of Michigan was the victim of the Red Cow team 14-2 in the
finals.

The team batted .485, and Lou Heller from Minn. Masters was named the MVP Pitcher in the
Tourney . Lou lives by Odin, Minnesota, and already is a NAFA Hall of Fame Member. It was
the 3rd straight year in the finals for the 70’s team!

Co-Manager Dolf Moon noted, “ Heller is a Bull Dog on the mound. He pitched 3 innings in a
early game, and then had complete games in both the semi’s and finals! The 2-1 win in the
semi’s in 70’s over the defending champions was said by many to the the top game in all six
divisions!”

Co-Manager, Jim Bartels pointed out the local flavor of the team again, that is based out of
Southern Minnesota. ‘We build the team around our Minnesota members, and included from
the greater New Ulm and Hutchinson area are: Dave Dewitz-Vernon Center, Lou Heller-Odin,
and Jim Bartels-New Ulm. Also-Buck Uecker-Waverly/New Germany, Brett Klabunde-Brownton,
Dolf Moon-Hutch, Dick Klitzke-Hutchinson, and Scott Luhman-Chaska. Our goal was to make
the finals in both divisions again this year, and we did that a also gained one title again! And
almost had two titles!”