Klassic draws some of nation's best

It's not difficult to pick the favorite in the 26th annual Kelso Klassic.

Although there figure to be several other strong contenders, the Decatur (Ill.) Pride should be tough to beat as they try to defend their title.

"They're ranked ninth in the world. They're the real deal," tournament media coordinator Jerry Wolsey said. "They're the favorite, but we've got several other teams right behind them."

The popular 14-team men's fastpitch softball event begins Friday night on two fields at Kelso City Park.

There will be four games Friday, including host Kelso Fastpitch facing the Belleville (Ill.) Stallions at 8 p.m.

First-year participant West End Tavern of Altenburg, the other local entry, also plays opening night, against Lee's Sports Falcons from Pickneyville, Ill., at 9:30 p.m.

The double-elimination tournament continues through Sunday, when it concludes with the 3 p.m. championship. An if-necessary title contest would follow.

"We expect another great tournament," said Wolsey, a former Southeast Missouri State baseball player who competes for Kelso Fastpitch. "The tournament has continued to grow. It really is one of the top tournaments in the nation.

"When we kick this thing off Friday night, if the weather is good, we'll have anywhere from 800 to 1,000 people here. It's a big event for the community."

Decatur went 5-0 in last year's tournament, capped by an 8-0, five-inning run-rule win over Nokomis (Ill.) Bud Light for the title.

The Pride were a national fastpitch power, winning several national titles, before disbanding in 2001. They started a squad again last year and made their first Kelso Klassic appearance as a unit, although several of their players had participated in the tournament.

Decatur was led by its pitching staff last year, always the key in top-level fastpitch softball. The mound corps featured New Zealand natives Brent Stevenson and Jeremy Manley, who are expected back this week.

Manley, the 2009 tournament's most valuable pitcher and regarded among the nation's top hurlers, went 3-0 with two runs allowed and 36 strikeouts in 17 innings.

The veteran Stevenson, also among the nation's premier hurlers, notched Decatur's other two tournament wins by allowing just one run. He fired a two-hitter in the championship game.

"We always have a pretty good international flavor in the tournament," Wolsey said. "Softball is really big in New Zealand."

Two tournament entries are ranked among the world's top 15 teams by the International Softball Congress, with Decatur ninth and Aurora (Ill.) Dolan & Murphy 15th.

"To be ranked in the top 15 in the world, they're the real deal," Wolsey said.

Another anticipated title contender is the Topeka (Kan.) Toros, the 2009 NAFA A-Major national champions.

Aurora and Topeka did not participate last year.

Nokomis also should be a threat after its strong showing in 2009. The squad dropped its tournament opener then posted six straight victories before falling to Decatur.

"Even though Decatur is the favorite, right behind them are Aurora and Topeka. And Nokomis is always strong," Wolsey said. "Altenburg should have a good team with Jeff Schott, one of the all-time great pitchers in the tournament."

Schott is first all-time in tournament games played while also ranking high on most of the tournament's other all-time records lists.

Kelso Fastpitch went 1-2 a year ago, losing to Decatur 5-1, beating Elkville (Ill.) 8-6 and losing to Nokomis 4-3.

"We're always very competitive and we have one of the nation's top pitchers in Tom Jansen," Wolsey said.

Jansen ranks high on the tournament's all-time pitching records lists.