-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Albia fans react after Hannah Isley hits a solo home run against Boyend-Hull Rock Valley during Class 3A quarterfinals on Tuesday

When Fort Dodge Parks and Recreation director Lori Branderhorst thinks of the state softball tournament and its 47-year relationship with Rogers Sports Complex, she doesn’t see the money or the amenities first.

She sees the people.

”This event is all about the workers, the volunteers and the fans,” Branderhorst said. ”They are the face of state softball. Our staff is just fantastic. We have people who set aside vacation time at work, just so that they can be a part of it year after year. They love it.

”It’s a tradition here. And it’s not a tradition just because we’re getting close to our 50th anniversary. It’s a tradition because of the heart and soul our community puts into bringing this event to life and making it special for the cities and towns and school districts around Iowa who call Fort Dodge home this week. We don’t take that responsibility lightly, and we don’t take it for granted.”

Branderhorst knows ”forward thinking is a must” when it comes to both short- and long-term planning between the city and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. She specifically cited ”a new era of ideas and strategy” under Jean Berger, who became the IGHSAU’s fifth executive director last summer.

”The more I get to know Jean, the more excited I get for our future,” Branderhorst said. ”She has her finger on the pulse of the sport and the tournament; softball is going to be a point of emphasis and a priority during her tenure, and we will be working together to evaluate what stays and what goes in order to enhance the overall experience for everyone involved.”

Despite the excessive heat, Branderhorst added that ”the complaints have been few and far between” at the ballpark.

”Our crew knows the routine,” Branderhorst said. ”We don’t hear, ‘this week is so long and we can’t wait until it’s over.’ We really emphasize that this is our time to shine. Our younger workers embrace it. Our more experienced workers embrace it. This is a beautiful complex and a growing community, and everyone wants to do their part. Without all the pieces in place around Fort Dodge — from our city administrators, Iowa Central and the Fort Dodge CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) all the way through the dedicated businesses and citizens — we wouldn’t be standing here today.

”I hear from parents and even grandparents who played (at Rogers Park) 20, 30, 40 years ago. That’s so unique and special. We want these schools to continue to have fond memories of their visit and their state softball experience. It was taught to many of us at an early age, and we’re passing that attitude along for the next generation of Fort Dodgers. Again, it’s all about maintaining that tradition.”

THE CREDITS: Branderhorst and Rogers Sports Complex superintendent Jim Winter are anchored by the assistance of many.

Maintenance crew members Glenn Yenger, Ryan Zeka, Kody Linder, Kyle Zeka, Michael Sharkey, Ben Schnurr, Cory Angstrom, Shea Springer, Kit McCarville, Ryan Szalat, Jonah Egli, Nick Sanford and Josh Hansen prepare and maintain the facility’s fields. Assistant recreation administrator Ryan Maehl, parks and facility maintenance supervisor Rich Peterson, operations and marketing supervisor Hannah Angstom, recreation technician Erin Habben, concessions managers Alexis Wolfe, Shaila Hanson and Aspen Stephan, and cashier manager Wendy Stephan join the countless other workers and volunteers that keep Rogers Park both flowing and growing.

IGHSAU senior associate directors Karon Brown and Craig Ihnen, associate director Gary Ross, assistant directors Jason Eslinger and Lisa Brinkmeyer, and internal operations assistant Monte Wilson lead the hustle and bustle of the tournament behind the scenes. This is also the last tournament for retiring assistant director John Overton, a long-time IGHSAU staple and advocate of the Iowa Girl.

The Fort Dodge Parks and Recreation commission includes members Steve Daniel, Mark Campbell, Michael Payne, Mary Jo Kirby, Molly Schaeffer, Nik Moser and Tonia Burrell.

THE UMPIRES: This year’s state tournament umpires include, in order of consecutive years experience: Phil Kudron (25 years), Mark Amadeo (19), Deb Richarz (18), Kris Groff (16), Mark Brighton (15), Roger Menke (14), Jeff Tank (14), Pat Pacha (14), Jim Doyle (13), Duane Duncan (12), Richard Sebring (12), Gary Wax (12), Greg Buster (11), Karl Woolridge (9), Myron Jack (9), Jason Slater (9), Pete Peterson (8), Paul Bird (7), Joe Havenhill (7), Delbert Christensen (7), Mike Crozier (6), Michael Bell (6), Julie Foglesong (5), Darrell Bartling (5), Terry Gioffredi (4), Jorge Harwood (4), Doug Johnson (4), Gene Marquardt (2), Ed Oliver (3), Dan Swick (3), Tom Sullivan (3), Jim Bruck (2), Phil Creese (2), Tim Rogers (2), Aaron Schmidt (2), Jason Back, Catherine Creighton, Todd Donels, Al Heim, Lannie Miller, Tom Moore, Mark Murphy, Troy Nicklaus, Kirk Park, Fred Perkins, Mark Peterson, Tim Rogers, Ken Rosenberry, Stan Siebke, Al Stoltz, Jodi Wielenga, and Stan Wisnieski.

THE HONORS: Steve Schlafke of Dallas Center-Grimes will be given the IGHSAU golden plaque of distinction before the Class 4A title contest on Friday at Rogers Park.

The award goes to an Iowa coach who has demonstrated a successful career while making notable contributions toward their school, community and the coaching profession.

Hall of Fame recipients this year include Cindy Johnston of Norwalk; Sioux City East’s Jeree Carlson; Jenna Spratt of Clear Creek-Amana; and Carroll Kuemper’s Dani Stipe.

The 2017 Jack North Award will go to Amber Fiser of Benton Commuinty. Pitchers Gabby Schnathorst of Carlisle, Haylee Towers of Johnston, Abby Straight of Logan-Magnolia, Morgan Christner of New London and Fiser are former 100-game winners being recognized.

In area news, Humboldt senior Avery Terwilliger will play in the Iowa Girls Coaches Association All-Star Softball Games on July 24 at Waukee. Patty Stockman Sann of Clarion-Goldfield/Dows will be a coach.