Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck Sports - McQuade tourney levies tax on power

McQuade tourney levies tax on power

Jun 20, 2007 - 04:08:07 CDT

By CINDY PETERSON
Bismarck Tribune

The McQuade slowpitch softball tournament has raised more than $800,000 for charity since its inception in 1976.

Tournament organizers want to do better for those in need.

All men's and women's teams at this year's tournament will be allowed to buy an extra home run for $10.

This year's McQuade tournament begins Friday and concludes Sunday. It will be played on numerous softball fields in Bismarck-Mandan.

"Last year we were sitting around the umpire shack trying to think of ways to raise more money for the tournament," tournament manager Mike Wolf said. "The New Jersey and Nebraska umpires brought up the idea of charging for an extra home run. We thought it was a great idea."

Men's Class B and old pro teams are allowed four home runs each in a game. Men's and women's Class C teams are allowed three home runs a game. All other men's and women's divisions are allowed two home runs per game.

Tournament officials asked for special approval from the state Amateur Softball Association to allow teams to buy an extra home run. Since it benefitted charity, the McQuade organizers got the state's blessing.

Wolf believes a lot of teams will take advantage of the extra home run, especially the men's Class B and C teams. Wolf estimated that the tournament could bring in more than $1,000 from just those two classes.

"The Clem Kelley fences are only 280 down the line," Wolf said. "It's a short field. They will have an opportunity to get another home run. I'm positive they will take that opportunity."

The McQuade tournament dispersed money to more than 50 charities and organizations last year.

"We have a wide variety of people that benefit from our tournament," Wolf said.

Honoring Lindblom

McQuade tournament officials are taking the time to honor former tournament manager Marlow Lindblom this weekend.

Lindblom was the tournament manager for 25 years. He died July 31, 2006, after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 67.

Lindblom will be honored during Friday's opening ceremony. His widow, Marcy, will throw out the first pitch.

The park benches in the area of Clem Kelley Diamonds 5 and 8 will also be dedicated to Lindblom. The dedication will take place at the trophy presentations and awards ceremony on Sunday.

Making the call

A well-diversified crew of umpires is scheduled to work the tournament. Coming to the Capital City will be arbiters from New Jersey, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana and Minneapolis. Every corner of North Dakota will also be represented, from Williston to Grand Forks and from Dickinson to Wahpeton.

Wolf is the state's umpire-in-chief and has encouraged umpires from out-of-state to work the McQuade tournament.

"I told them to just come out and try it one time; you won't believe what it's like,"Wolf said.

The McQuade tournament uses 90 umpires for the weekend. Wolf likes the idea of in-state and out-of-state umpires working together.

"It takes some pressure off our local umpires," Wolf said. "They get tired and fatigued if it's hot. The teams get to see new umpires and our umpires get to work with other umpires.It's a good experience working with people from other parts of the country."

Wolfs packing together

A lot of families wait for a reunion to reconnect.

Not the Wolf family. They like to reunite during the McQuade tournament. The Wolfpack, a men's Rec IIIteam, consists of 12 players who are related. They also all share the same last name Wolf.

The Wolfs decided to form a team for the McQuade tournament last year at a family funeral.

"We decided we should get together during happy times instead of only sad times," said team member Mike Wolf, who is not related to the tournament manager of the same name. "After last year we decided we had to organize it again. We had a great time playing together and we had a fun time afterwards."

The Wolf family all has ties to Knox, a small community near Rugby. The Wolfpack fields two players older than 60 - Gary (63) and Jack (61). Steve is the youngest player at 19.

One is flying in from Florida for the tournament. Some are coming from Minneapolis and Grand Forks.

The Wolfs also connect once a year for a golf tournament in memory of a family member.

"All we do is sports," Mike Wolf said. "That's all there was to do in Knox. We only got two TV channels. All you could do was sports."

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Comments

McQuade Volunteer wrote on Jun 25, 2007 5:22 PM:

" I think what Idea needs is to have A BEER. Drinking occurs without a McQuade tournament in town. The only thing negative would be the lack of finding a close parking spot. "

love the tourney wrote on Jun 21, 2007 4:33 PM:

" do you guys think there will be any spot checks this weekend "

To Idea wrote on Jun 21, 2007 1:16 PM:

" This is an awesome tournament for the community and the charities that it helps out. Yes, the beer sales are exceptional this week-end, but that is not the only business affected in a positive way. Thank you to the McQuade's for your awesome work and hope it continues for many, many years to come. "

McQuade's Bashing wrote on Jun 20, 2007 5:42 PM:

" The only thing that can be said negative about the tournament is the sandbagging done by teams and the lack of policing on which level of play these teams should be on. Otherwise, if you think the tourney is a bad thing, try going to the Golden Corral or The Texas Roadhouse on Saturday and see what this tourny brings to town (other than beer-drinking). There are more businesses than the distributers that make a killing this weekend. "

Ex McQuade Participant wrote on Jun 20, 2007 10:25 AM:

" In Response to Idea, When I read your statement, I could not help but feel pity for you. Do you have something against this softball tourney??? Or are you just out to belittle a good effort by the local distributor giving back to the community??? The fact that a lot of beverages get consumed is minor to all the good that is created by it. Do not forget that the local economy benefits well over $1,000,000 dollars in revenue from this tournement, through hotels and restaurants, across the board. Not to mention the money that is given to the charities that help. Let's also not mention all the out of staters who get to visit a top-notch city of the North. I only no longer participate due to the fact that I recently moved out of Bismarck....boy do I miss it. The McQuades tourney is a time to celebrate all that the McQuade family does for Bismarck....not belittle the tourney because there is alcohol being consumed. "

McQuades Tournament Participant wrote on Jun 20, 2007 9:01 AM:

" Buying an extra home run for $10 to charity.....very interesting concept, and good idea. It's all for a good cause. Should be a fun weekend of softball. Looking forward to it. "

Idea wrote on Jun 20, 2007 8:29 AM:

" I have an idea on how to raise more money. Charge all attendees a per can of beer fee that is consumed. Though this may be a charity tournament; many of you would be shocked as to how much profit this reaps for beer distributors. What a better way to generate exceptional sales for a weekend then to throw a tournament and call it for the good of charity. "

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