Kelso Klassic has become a tradition

The 20th annual Kelso Klassic Men's Fastpitch softball tournament begins Friday.

Fourteen teams from Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee are set for the three-day tournament at Kelso City Park in Kelso, Mo.

"It's going to be a pretty competitive tournament," assistant tournament director Rick Heuring said.

The favorites in the Klassic will likely be the Bloomington (Ill.) Stix, making their first Klassic appearance. The Stix were named the best team in Illinois according to a recent Web poll. The team's pitching staff will be led by three-time American Softball Association All-American Bob Ginger. Other threats on the mound for the Stix include 18-year-old Adam Folkard of Australia and 21-year-old Jason White, who has been referred to as one of the top junior pitchers in Canada.

"That's always a goal every year to bring in a team like that," Heuring said of the Stix.

Local teams in the tournament are co-hosts Kelso Fastpitch and Kelso Connection. The Connection have been in the tournament every year, and will feature tournament director Larry Eftink.

"Nobody expects the Kelso teams to do that well because of the competition, but you never know," Heuring said.

Other favorites include Lafayette Pub and Grill, out of St. Louis; T-Town KC from Teutopolis, Ill.; and Nokomis Bud Light of Nokomis, Ill. Nokomis was last year's tournament runner-up, while T-Town finished fourth last year.

"It just keeps getting better every year," Heuring said. "It has really become a tradition down here."

Part of the tradition for the Klassic has been the rain. Last year's tournament had to be moved to August because of rain. According to Heuring 15 of the previous 19 tournaments have been rained on.

"It kind of follows us around," Heuring said. "This year probably won't be an exception."

The tournament will begin with both local teams in action on Friday night. The Kelso Connection will play Taylorville Bob Ridings at 8 p.m., and Kelso Fastpitch plays Black Gold at 9:30 p.m. Other games on Friday include Lafayette Pub against Elkville-Ward Chrysler and the Wolfpack versus Memphis Pomen.

Final games on Sunday would be around 3 p.m., and also 4:30 if necessary.

Heuring said with such a strong field he expects strong crowds once again for the tournament.

"The atmosphere is tremendous for Kelso," he said. "As far as any invitational, I'd put this against anywhere you go."