Lavender, Patesel Honored by
KAAF For Growth in Softball
KAAF For Growth in Softball
Kalamazoo, MI-
One of the highlights of the 40th Anniversary of
the Kiracofe Memorial tournament this past
weekend didn't even happen during a game.
Two long time supporters of the Kalamazoo
Amateur Athletic Federation were honored on
Saturday during the Kiracofe event, the oldest
festival softball tournament in the nation. Matt
Lavender of Suburban Softball/SKS and Terry
Patesel, who has played with many teams in the
area and is a long time member of the Street Kids
organization, were both honored by the KAAF
by being named to their infamous Wall of Fame.
"It was unexpected to say the least," said Lavender, owner of the
Suburban Softball Club, who recently merged with Street Kids
Softball of South Bend. "It's an honor to be recognized for playing
at a high level and promoting this great game over the years.
"KAAF is a great organization that has been promoting softball in
the Greater Kalamazoo Area for over 40 years. They have helped
make Versluis and Dickinson the park it is today with all new
batters boxes, dugout covers, etc. With budget cuts happening in
not only Kalamazoo but just about every other city, without an
organization like KAAF, these and future improvements would not
be possible. It's an honor to be put on the Wall of Fame."
The 36-year-old Lavender has been playing softball in the area for
over 15 years, playing in 12 Kiracofe events. The Suburban team
won the Kiracofe in 2005, and was runner up four times this
decade alone.
Patesel, who has served as a volunteer with KAAF for 10 years, has been playing softball in the
Kalamazoo area for over 20 years. He has played in 18 Kiracofe events, winning four of them. He has
been a member of the Street Kids Softball team at some capacity since 2002, helping to lead the SKS
team to the 2007 Michigan State title. His feeling about being named to the Wall of Fame is similar to
Lavender's.
"I was shocked," said Patesel. "I love this game and to receive an award for being recognized for
supporting the game you love is very nice, especially in Kalamazoo. If you look at the previous recipients of
this award that are also on the Wall of Fame, you see tournament directors, KAAF presidents and people
that have played a role in shaping softball in the Kalamazoo area. To be recognized like that, for helping the
growth of the sport in this town, is quite an honor."
Patesel will be playing with the Suburban Softball/SKS team in NSA for the remainder of the 2008 season.
One of the highlights of the 40th Anniversary of
the Kiracofe Memorial tournament this past
weekend didn't even happen during a game.
Two long time supporters of the Kalamazoo
Amateur Athletic Federation were honored on
Saturday during the Kiracofe event, the oldest
festival softball tournament in the nation. Matt
Lavender of Suburban Softball/SKS and Terry
Patesel, who has played with many teams in the
area and is a long time member of the Street Kids
organization, were both honored by the KAAF
by being named to their infamous Wall of Fame.
"It was unexpected to say the least," said Lavender, owner of the
Suburban Softball Club, who recently merged with Street Kids
Softball of South Bend. "It's an honor to be recognized for playing
at a high level and promoting this great game over the years.
"KAAF is a great organization that has been promoting softball in
the Greater Kalamazoo Area for over 40 years. They have helped
make Versluis and Dickinson the park it is today with all new
batters boxes, dugout covers, etc. With budget cuts happening in
not only Kalamazoo but just about every other city, without an
organization like KAAF, these and future improvements would not
be possible. It's an honor to be put on the Wall of Fame."
The 36-year-old Lavender has been playing softball in the area for
over 15 years, playing in 12 Kiracofe events. The Suburban team
won the Kiracofe in 2005, and was runner up four times this
decade alone.
Patesel, who has served as a volunteer with KAAF for 10 years, has been playing softball in the
Kalamazoo area for over 20 years. He has played in 18 Kiracofe events, winning four of them. He has
been a member of the Street Kids Softball team at some capacity since 2002, helping to lead the SKS
team to the 2007 Michigan State title. His feeling about being named to the Wall of Fame is similar to
Lavender's.
"I was shocked," said Patesel. "I love this game and to receive an award for being recognized for
supporting the game you love is very nice, especially in Kalamazoo. If you look at the previous recipients of
this award that are also on the Wall of Fame, you see tournament directors, KAAF presidents and people
that have played a role in shaping softball in the Kalamazoo area. To be recognized like that, for helping the
growth of the sport in this town, is quite an honor."
Patesel will be playing with the Suburban Softball/SKS team in NSA for the remainder of the 2008 season.
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