Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Rogers Park Maintenance Crew workers (left to right) Carson Peterson, Brett Thompson and Drake Callon work to prepare the fields for the state softball tournament earlier in the week.

When Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Executive Director Jean Berger discusses the state softball tournament in Fort Dodge, she uses words more apropos of a family reunion than a business transaction.

“The best part of being here is really feeling wanted,” Berger said. “State softball, even after all these years, is obviously important to the Fort Dodge community. You drive around town and see welcome signs everywhere. I noticed huge banners at Hy-Vee. On restaurant marquees. In the newspaper. We really appreciate the fact that the teams and kids are valued.

“It’s obviously not just another event to this community and its leaders. We see familiar faces, and they know us by name. They go out of their way to support the kids and schools visiting. It’s all part of the special touch that makes Fort Dodge unique.”

The state softball tournament has called Rogers Sports Complex home since 1970 – the longest-standing championship venue of any sport in Iowa. Berger noted the importance of not just the complex itself, but Iowa Central Community College, which houses three quarters of the teams during tourney week.

“That relationship is key,” Berger said. “Iowa Central is a very accommodating host for the schools. We hear very positive feedback from both the coaches and players about their experience (on campus). They really like the fact that it’s not just a single-day, ‘one loss and you’re done’ situation. They spend quality time together, and it’s a good opportunity to bond together without distractions at the end of a very busy season.”

The IGHSAU does take a great deal of pride in offering a free live-stream option for the quarterfinals and semifinals, with Iowa Public Television picking up championship coverage.

“We realize not everyone can attend the games live, whether it’s a state basketball game that a grandmother in Arizona is trying (to access) or it’s just too hot in July (to be there in person),” Berger said. “Our board of directors made it clear that we wanted to offer a quality product free of charge. We have a tremendous partnership with (Iowa PBS) state-wide, so that everyone is able to see or stream the event from multiple points of access.”

Berger doesn’t anticipate any immediate changes to the format or schedule at state.

“The overwhelming majority likes the 40-team, five-class format,” Berger said. “Everyone is here to celebrate the sport. There will be some minor tweaks here and there, of course, but schools really like coming to Fort Dodge to experience the elite level of competition, the structure for practice fields and the week-long format with a consolation round. The tournament is in a really good place right now.”

Lighted fields on the mini-majors and a more reliable WiFi connection around the park are on the immediate agenda of ongoing talks with the city.

“Again, that’s why it works here and why our personal, long-standing relationship is so important,” Berger said. “We have an open dialogue to discuss these topics as they arise. We tackle the issues together. (Fort Dodge Parks and Recreation Director) Lori (Branderhorst) and I communicate all the time. We see the pride the (Rogers Park) grounds crew puts into getting the fields ready, as well as the workers and volunteers (around the complex). At (the IGHSAU), we are all about people and relationships. That’s why our partnership (with Fort Dodge) works so well – because they feel the same way.”

THE CREDITS: Branderhorst, Grounds and Turf Superintendent Chad Graaf and Maintenance Technician Kody Linder put in the legwork behind the scenes to help make the state tournament a reality at Rogers Sports Complex year in and year out.

Maintenance crew members Glenn Yenger, Ryan Zeka, Tyrnan Lara, Dave Rhodes, Mike Szalat, Jon Astor, Brett Thompson, Alex Read, Jake Wagner, Drew Callon, Matt McCrady, Seth Ramirez, Cal Hartman, Drayton Miller, Evan Pratt, Drake Callon, Amaris Harris, Connor Carver, Sawyer Springer, Carson Peterson and Ty Adams help cover the territory as a team during a long week for Linder and Graaf. Parks and facility maintenance supervisor Rich Peterson, recreation superintendent Hannah Angstrom, recreation supervisor Erin Habben and recreation technician Alexis Wolfe all play pivotal roles.

Berger, associate directors Erin Kirtley and Gary Ross, associate director Jason Eslinger (also the softball administrator), assistant directors Lisa Brinkmeyer, Taylor Anderson, Madison Melchert and Ben Van Wyk, program and art coordinator Heidi Reed, assistant Deb Robbins, business manager Sherry Tegtmeier, officials coordinator Cathy Creighton and the rest of the staff of workers, interns and volunteers serve as the collective backbone of the IGHSAU.

Fort Dodge Parks and Recreation commission members are Michael Payne (chair), Mark Campbell, Josh Calvert, Mary Jo Kirby, Sara Horn, Nik Moser and Tonia Burrell.

THE UMPIRES: We appreciate the efforts of officials as well – especially in this day and age. The 2022 state tournament umpires (in order of consecutive years working state softball at Rogers Park): Mark Amadeo of Urbandale (24), Roger Menke of Bonaparte (19), Gary Wax of Macedonia (17), Karl Woolridge of Forest City (14), Paul Bird of Clive (12), Mike Bell of Des Moines (11), Tom Sullivan of Osage (8), Ed Oliver of Batavia (8), Phil Creese of Woodward (7), Troy Nicklaus of Griswold (6), Jodie Wielenga of Sioux Center (6), Tom Burger of West Branch (5), Travis Chizek of Ida Grove (5), Mike Christner of Oskaloosa (5), Arnie Krukow of Riceville (5), Randy Morris of Waverly (5), Tony Nelson of Waukee (5), Dirk Sorensen of Ankeny (5), Shannon McWhirter of Libertyville (5), Steve Ebert of Cherokee (4), Daryl Erickson of Mason City (4), Deidra Mohr of Marshalltown (4), Jeff Niehaus of Edgewood (4), LaWayne Rogers of Altoona (4), Jeff Osborne of Clive (4), Jason Lewis of Monroe (3), Ryne Christner of Marengo (3), Joe Havenhill of Urbandale (3), Stan Schmidt of West Point (3), J.D. Hoogsestraat of Carter Lake (3), Duane Duncan of Des Moines (3), Tony Vandegriff of Fairfield (3), Jerry Allison of Monroe (2), Jerry Bowhay of Ankeny (2), Bob Camp of Elkader (2), Brian Cole of Sioux City (2), Jim Doyle of Hastings (2), Al Hermsen of Manchester (2), Jordan Hill of Crawfordsville (2), Bruce Keizer of Orange City (2), Keith McCay of Waukee (2), Mark Murphy of Marion (2), as well as Kelly Grosskopf of Davenport, Jake Parker of Marion, Cam Cooksey of Fairfield, Terry Gioffredi of West Des Moines, Jerry Bowhay of Ankeny, Tom Schreuers of Des Moines, Kathy Munoz of Des Moines, Josh Perkins of Atlantic, Casey Conover of Council Bluffs and Jason Slater of Forest City.

BEST OF THE BEST: 2022 Softball Hall of Fame inductees include Paige Lowary, Amber Logemann, Carrie Eby and Katy Setxon. Jay Harms of Oskaloosa is the Golden Plaque of Distinction honoree. Davenport Assumption graduate Anna Wohlers is the Jack North Softball Award recipient.

TJ Stoaks of Lenox is the lone 100-game winner being recognized.

Fort Dodge’s Jalen Adams and Kelly Stoakes of Webster City will compete in the IGCA all-star softball games on Saturday in Waukee.