Stingers announce date of second annual Winter BBQ

Willmar, MN – The Willmar Stingers and the Kandiyohi County Historical Society have finalized the date for the second annual Winter BBQ and West Central Baseball Hall of Fame Banquet presented by Max Bat. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, January 16^th at the Willmar Conference Center.

The program will be emceed by Dick “The Polish Eagle” Jonckowski, the public address announcer for the University of Minnesota basketball and baseball teams. The BBQ luncheon will feature the induction of the second class to enter the West Central Baseball Hall of Fame. Stingers Field Manager Drew Saberhagen will also be in attendance to talk about the upcoming season of Stingers baseball, their sixth in the Northwoods League.

The inductees, as determined by the Kandiyohi County Historical Society, for the Class of 2015 into the West Central Minnesota Hall of Fame include:

· Willard Reigstad (1919-2001) Born in Arctander Township, MN and lifetime resident of Kandiyohi County. Reigstad played for New London High School where he graduated in 1939. Reigstad played and managed the Norway Lake Lakers for many years. The ballpark in Sunburg is named in his honor, Reigstad Field. Reigstad also played for Belgrade and Clara City. In the early 1940’s, Reigstad played for the St. Cloud Rox. In 1971, Reigstad was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame.

· Norman “Red” Jones (Litchfield) Born in Raymond, MN and got his start playing pee wee and midget games. From 1954-1957, Jones played for the Raymond High School and the American Legion. He played for the Raymond Rockets for 14 years, 1956-1969. After moving to Litchfield, Jones managed the Litchfield Blues 1977-1978. Jones coached the Litchfield’s Babe Ruth team for 10 years. Jones organized Litchfield’s Cal Ripken youth baseball program. He is a founding member of the Litchfield Baseball Association and was instrumental in the construction of the Optimist Park. In 2013, Jones was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame.

· William “Porky” Wegner, Jr. (1896-1970) born in Raymond, MN. He managed the Raymond Legion Baseball team for 20 plus years. Wegner was manager when the first Raymond team went to the State Amateur Tournament in 1937. Wegner managed the Raymond Legion team in the State Tournament in 1951. Wegner was selected as a Minnesota Sport Champion in 1958 for the Minnesota State Centennial. Wegner served on the Region Amateur Baseball Commission and as an officer in the Corn Belt League.

A limited number of tickets are available with proceeds of the event benefitting the Willmar Stingers Community Fund. Tickets are $15, which includes a lunch and can be purchased by calling the Stingers office 320-222-2010 or by emailing nick@willmarstingers.com.

Field Manager Drew Saberhagen, as well as the Stingers organization will continue to build the roster for the 2015 season. Season tickets for the 2015 season are currently on sale. For more information regarding this press release please contact the Willmar Stingers front office at 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com.

The 2015 season is presented by Marcus Construction. From start to finish Marcus Construction will make your job easier and build a facility you will be proud of.