LESTER SOFTBALL

The Lester Softball teams have been playing in Lester for over forty years. In 1946-47 they played some ball but didn’t have a decent place to play. In the summer of 1947 Louis Boom, Jay and Roy Hoogeveen looked over the present sight, which was a pasture with trees and shrubs, and decided that it was possible to develop. They spent many hours clearing ground, getting landlord permission, etc., that summer and fall. During the winter they organized a softball club and proceeded to borrow from business men and private persons enough money, $1300, to buy equipment and supplies to put up a lighted field. In the spring everyone pitched in and built the field with backstop, fence poles, lights, etc. and by late spring were ready to play ball. Uniforms were donated by business men and the softball team were on the way. In a few years all those that lent money were paid back.

In the beginning there was a gate charge and a tournament to help meet expenses. The team also sponsored fireworks, on the 4th of July for several years. The teams were not in a league, but played teams from all around such as Sioux Center, Sheldon, Hills, Steen, Ash Creek, Hardwick, Tea, S.D., Rock Rapids, Rowena, Valley Springs, etc. Later a league was formed that simplified scheduling. Some of the first league members were Steen, Ash Creek, Hills, Hardwick, Valley Springs and Magnolia. Later teams to join the league, now called the Border League, were Luverne, Ellsworth, Alvord and Rock Rapids.

An early manager was Rev. Voightman, who also played. He was followed by Louis Boom, Roy Hoogeveen and Roger Myrlie. Some of the pitchers included Jerry Van Berkum, Casey Mouw, Duane Stuerman, Bob Stuerman, Duane Jongerius, Marion Van Engen, Don Borman, Roy Hoogeveen, Daryl Hoogeveen, Dean Hoogeveen, Jerry Hoogeveen, Jerry Caswell, Jr. Van Wyhe, Jeff Hoogeveen and others.

Softball has been played every year since 1948 except one year. Later a little league was organized to play the same night as the senior team, with almost every team having a little league team. It has been popular, and now a large percentage of the senior teams have come through the little league.

Field and lighting has been improved with each year and now most teams have an outfield fence and a dugout for players, scoreboard, etc. Later the town purchased the present field and take care of lighting expenses, etc. There have been improvements such as a new club house, volleyball court, basketball court and playground equipment.

Fast pitch softball is still alive in Lester, and also many are playing slow pitch softball in recent years.