Snowmobile softball a hit

By Tim Froberg
Post-Crescent West

HORTONVILLE — In the game of softball, a speedy baserunner is said to have wheels.

At the Hill and Valley Riders’ annual snowmobile softball tournament, practically everyone competing has wheels — real ones.
Softball on snowmobiles? That’s what the Saturday and Sunday event at the Outagamie Conservation Club grounds, N3502 Mayflower Rd., is all about.

Eight teams are scheduled to compete in the free event — one of the more unusual events one will find in the area.

“It’s a lot of fun to watch,” said Jennifer Learman, a Hill and Valley Riders club member. “It’s a great family event. People love to watch it because it’s pretty comical. It’s pretty much a light-hearted event. There’s just a lot of laughs.”

The only players who don’t ride snowmobiles in the games are the pitchers and catchers, who are stationed in a ring. After hitting the ball, batters jump on snowmobiles parked adjacent to home plate and try to motor around the bases before the ball gets there.

When the ball is put into play, defensive players must start their sleds and chase the ball down. Defensive players stationed at first, second and third base along with home plate must be touching part of a sled to make a putout. Otherwise, general softball rules are followed.

To make sure it isn’t lost in the snowy setting, the softball is painted orange.

“It’s something to see,” said Joan Kuhnke, another Hill and Valley Riders club member. “You almost have to see it to understand it. But it’s really a lot of fun.”

Learman, who is usually a participant in the coed event, says watching the game isn’t nearly as fun as playing it.

“It’s just a blast to play,” she said. “We’ve never had any crashes or anything like that and have never had anyone get hurt, but people fall off their snowmobiles and flip their sleds. It can be pretty tough maintaining control.”

Although it has been a mild winter and there isn’t a lot of snow, Learman was confident earlier this week that there would be a sufficient amount of the white stuff to hold the tourney. She said if necessary, snow could be been hauled in as it has in previous years. If there isn’t enough snow, the group will hold a regular softball game without the sleds.

Refreshments will be sold and there will be shelter available for those who need to warm up. Action on both days starts at 9:30 a.m.
Diggers Pub is the defending champion and will be back to defend its title. Among the other teams competing will be Kountry Bar, Y Go By, Skunk Hill, D&D Cookery and Beansnappers.

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