| Rock Field is a Safer Place! | | | posted 12/05/2011 Have you has the opportunity to see the changes at Rock Field??
Several projects have happened over the winter, but none bigger then the new backstops and fencing on all three fields. The backstops are taller and wider to help the balls from finding their way in to the crowds. Several people also did some much needed trimming and did some digging and field work on the 9th grade field to help with the drainage issues.
Here are some before and after shots taken (works best in MS PowerPoint) - Rock fields project | | |
| HEADLINES  | | | | | | | Much Success Found in 2011!! | | | by Dan D. posted 01/16/2012 Northfield Fastpitch Fall Update
Fresh Places, New Faces and a Look Back as the seasons change……..
That’s right! As we close in on the end of 2011 and look forward to Spring 2012 there is a lot of news to share and past success to reflect on.
Fresh Places – Rock Fields is sporting a new look!!!. Rock Fields has of course been home to our Raider fastpitch High School, Spring and Summer league teams for over 25 years. Not much has really been done to our park throughout most of that time…. until now that is! Phase 1 of our 25K renovation project is complete and looks FANTASTIC! The goal of this renovation project was to a) improve overall player and fan safety; b) upgrade the look to be more consistent and current with respect to some of the other facilities where our Raider ladies play ball. The complete project calls for new and higher fencing throughout, addition of dugouts and covers on fields 2 and 3 to help keep our players a little protected from the elements, and improvement of site lines. With completion of phase 1, the overall project is roughly 90% complete. We will be looking to complete Phase 2 early in 2012, hopefully in time for the upcoming season. We still have some fundraising needed to complete phase 2. The NFSA board would like to extend a sincere note of gratitude to our Northfield business community, the Northfield Booster Club, the Minnesota Twins, and of course the friends and families of our athletes who have made generous donations toward this effort and making this possible. For those who haven’t driven by Rock Fields lately, next time your out and about check it out!
New Faces – The NSFA board has a few new members. First a warm Congratulations to Ryan Pietsch, recently named the new Head Varsity Raider Fastpitch Coach. Coach Pietsch will sit on our board in an advisory capacity and we are happy to have him join us! Tracy Closson has also joined the board and brings a wealth of knowledge and talents in a number of areas, and we are happy he has volunteered his time to join us. So Welcome guys! We also have a few folks, who have left the board, for those individuals, we thank you for your contributions and efforts. First, we would like to extend a sincere Thank You to Rich Guggisberg who recently stepped down as an advisory board member. Rich has displayed many tireless hours in support of Raider Fastpitch Softball over the past 10 years. He has always been, and we are pretty sure will always be, deeply committed to our Northfield fastpitch program(s) and all the girls who play this sport. Also, Thank You to Wayne Vasilis for your contributions as well over the past 2+ years. Wayne has been spear-heading our Rock Fields renovation project and has done a great job. Thank You guys!
A Look Back…Raider softball has a bright future - In looking back on 2011, here are some highlights and you can measure the success yourselves….
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U12’s coached by Hannah Pilger, in her first season, were Southern Minny League Champs finishing with a 17-1-1 record. Our U12’s also won the Pine Island Tourney held in July.
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U14’s, coached by Bri Zabel in her second year were also Southern Minny League Champs compiling an 18-1-1 record. This team made another appearance in the State Tourney where they beat a very good, number one seeded St Peter team in one of the best nail biting games of the year, then lost to St Cloud, another favorite, but the Raiders were in this game the whole way and it was fun to see our Raiders compete at this level.
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U16’s led by first year coach Brittany Rathbun along with assistant coaches Wendell Arneson and Mary Schroyer had a winning season posting an 11-6-3 and finishing in 5th place in league play. These gals had a great state qualifying tournament finishing 2nd in the league tourney held in Austin. They had strong performances in the State Tourney held up in Sauk Rapids. The Raiders lost by 1 run to the #1 seed, the Minnesota Blast, and then lost another hard fought game to St Cloud. They too were playing their best softball at the end of the year.
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U14’s and U16’s were crowed Tourney Champs in the 2nd Annual Raider Round Up softball tourney hosted by the NSFA. Once again the U14 Championship Game was won by the Raiders in a nail biter that went into extra innings and saw numerous lead changes and comebacks by both teams. The end result, another sweet win for the Raiders!
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Northfield fields its first U10 team, coached by Rich Guggisberg. These future Raiders finished with an impressive 14-1 record, which placed them 1st in the Little Ladies League! With their outstanding fan support our concession sales sky rocketed on the nights they played.
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Overall, it was a great year with a great set of coaches and girls on all 4 Raider teams. Northfield won their respective divisions at U10, U12, and U14 level. Northfield also took 1st place in 3 Tournaments!
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Congratulations to all players at all levels and thanks for the memories!!
Closing Tidbits – For off season activities, continue to watch our website for various events, clinics, etc… Look for open gym time to start throwing balls around, possible pitching clinics, etc… as early as January……
Finally, on behalf of the NSFA Board, a huge THANKS to all our athletes, parents, and supporters of our lady Raiders. Have a safe and enjoyable upcoming Holiday Season.
Go Raiders!!!
Back to top  | | | | posted 01/16/2012 The Northfield Softball Program has gone through several changes at all levels. Here is a chance to get to know some of the new and old faces around Rock Fields. If you get the chance, and you see some of these people around town make sure you say "Hi" and introduce yourselves
2012 Raider Fastpitch coaching staff:
Ryan Pietsch: Head Varsity Coach: P.E. teacher at Sibley Elementary (5th year). Coached Softball for 4 years (all at 9th grade level). Assistant girls hockey coach (5th year). 7th grade football coach (4 years). Graduated high school from Farmington High School in 2003. Graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2007.
Brittany Rathbun:
Asiistant Varisty Coach: My name is Brittany Rathbun and I am currently a First Grade teacher at Bridgewater Elementary. I graduated High School from Rochester Mayo and continued my love for education and sports at the University of Wisconsin River Falls (UWRF). I graduated from UWRF with an Elementary Education degree and a minor in Coaching and Communicative Disorders. While at UWRF, I was a Varsity pitcher on the softball team for four years and was an assistant coach on their staff for the year after. Upon graduation, I did some long term substitute teaching in St. Charles, MN, Rochester, MN, and Northfield, MN. I am excited to be apart of this community and am anxious to get the season up and running! Go Raiders!
Eric Sandberg:
JV Coach: I graduated from St. Olaf last Spring. Grew up in Delano, MN. I am a first year High School Social Studies teacher here at NHS. I played two years of baseball at St. Olaf and have played Amature baseball since. I have coached baseball for the previous five years, and I was an assistant freshman football coach this year.
Kent Pederson:
Assistant Varsity Coach (Volunteer): This will be Kent's 5th year coaching in the softball program. Kent has done a great job in the past helping out in all areas, but his calling has really been in the hitting department. Kent has done a great job working with our girls at all levels to improve their swing and overall hitting ability. Kent's ability to work with each individual player to make their swing better is amazing. He has really made a noticeable difference in our programs hitting. Kent is always willing to help out in any way possible and he is a great guy to have around!
Leah Sand:
9th Grade A Coach: Leah has been the 9B coach for the last 4 years and will take over as 9A coach this year. Leah is a P.E. and Health teacher at the High School. Coaching 9th grade with Leah the last 4 years I have seen firsthand how nice of a job she does teaching and breaking down the fundamental skills to our youngest players. As a coach Leah is always positive with the girls, she is also very organized, and she is excellent at motivating and relating to our young players. Leah also works as an athletic trainer for many of our high school athletic events (along with her husband John).
Renee Robertson:
I am Renee Robertson, 9B coach for the Raiders. I attended Northern Illinois University where I was a member of the Softball team. Throughout my softball career I have played many positions but as a college athlete I played outfield. Currently I am a teacher at Randolph Public School. I teach preschool and Early Childhood Family Education. My husband and I live in Farmington. Right now our family consists of the both of us and a cat and a dog. In our free time we enjoy fishing and riding motorcycles.
Back to top | | | | Several Opportunity for our Youth | | | posted 12/19/2011 The off season is a great time to get in some extra work. There are tons of opportunites for our youth to brush up on their skills and to grow.
Opprotunites in Northfield:
Open Gym will begin Febuary 12th, information can be found at OPEN GYM 2012
Northfield's Winter Pitching Clinic will begin Febuary 10th, information can be found at Winter Pitching Clinic
Several local venues are offering camps for your daughter; check out some of these options at fastsports.com
You many also check out the following flyers:
UW River Falls
UW Eau Claire
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