The 2024 Hall of Fame Banquet will be at the Ramkota Inn of Aberdeen on Oct. 12, 2024, starting with a social at 5:30 p.m. The evening will have a social meal, an introduction of the new members, some special awards for local and umpires. The banquet cost $40 per attendee.

To reserve tickets contact:

Mike Dykstra, Hall of Fame Director

605-212-3139

kdykstra@sio.midco.net

The 2024 inductees:

James “JC” Crawford, Player, Sisseton, SD  

JC started playing fastpitch in 1976 with Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe teams from Old Agency. He has continued to play every year since, including 2024.  

In 1979, he also started playing the12” slowpitch game, again with SWST. He continues to play 12” yet today. If he had a weekend off, which is very few, he would also play co-ed or big ball.  

If by chance his team was not playing, he would pick-up with another team. And it did not make any  difference which game was being played. In fact there were numerous weekends he might play a couple  games at state slowpitch in Pierre at the “D” or Open level. Then when the last game was over Saturday,  he might drive to Sioux Falls to pitch a game at state fastpitch.  

When a player has played competitively for just short of 50 years, they have outlasted a lot of  teammates as well as teams.  

Jake's fastpitch teams over the years were SWST, Ol’ Gunslingers, and then a new SWST team. In 1995 he  made a four year run at the International Softball Conference level with the North Americans. The last 24  years he has been part of the Young’s Primetime team, both at the open and masters level.  

He was just as busy with the Slowpitch teams including 39 years association SWST. Other teams including  12”, 14” and/or Co-ed were with Butches Buzzards, Ley’s, Great Plains, Zoo Bar, Watertown Buffalo  Wild Wings, and the last 8 years with Brookings Culligan Water.  

From 1987 – 2017 JC played in the National Indian Athletic Association, recognized by USA Softball, perennial powers Minnesota Chip and the last 4 years with Winnebago Stucco.  

Deb (Esche) Finnesand, Player, Aberdeen, SD 

Deb also played for numerous teams of the years, both in fastpitch and slowpitch. Some of the teams were KKAA, Professional Arts Pharmacy, Last Chance, Knight Construction, Rockham/Super 8, and South  Dakota Senior softball.  

Deb always played at the upper level of competition, playing Major/Open, “A”, or “B”.  

In fastpitch and modified, Deb played as the pitcher. When not on the mound she played all four infield  spots as well as center field and le field. When she went to the slowpitch diamond, again she was the  pitcher, but also played all 3 bases in the infield, as well as rover and le field.  

She led her teams to numerous league championships in the heyday of women’s softball in Aberdeen, in  both slowpitch and fastpitch.  

At the state level, Deb led her teams to back to back Class “A” Slowpitch state championships in 1987 and 1988. Two years later, 1990, they won the Women’s Modified Fastpitch state tournament. In the 35 and over, Rockham added Deb’s talents to win at least 3 ties in the late 1990 and early 2000.  

In 2023 Deb represented all South Dakota girls and women by being chosen to throw out the first pitch  at the Inaugural State High School Tournament held in Aberdeen, SD.  

Joe Stellinga, Player, Sponsor and Coach, Watertown, SD  

Joe started playing slowpitch softball in Sioux Falls with Jensen Brothers in 1979 and stayed with Jensen  through 1992, when he moved to Watertown.  

During that time, Joe also spent time in Watertown with his own Curt Mathes team, playing from 1983  – 1987, took a year off and then again from 1989 to 1992, when he went full time in Watertown in 1993.  In 1994 Joe changed the name of the team and the business to J&C, playing through 1998.  

During his playing days, Joe was either on the mound or played 1st base. From 1989 through 1998, Joe’s  team won the Watertown league 10 consecutive years. His J&C Men’s teams were State B Champs in  1994 as well as winning the 1996 and 1997 Men’s “A” 14” tles.  

John Ewart, Player, Coach, & Contributor, Aberdeen, SD 

John Ewart started his softball career in 1983 in Aberdeen, SD playing 12” softball for Mr. T’s and Co-ed  with Stahl Oil/Thompson Trucking. Throughout the years he has played with numerous teams. In 12” he played with Peterson Grain and Franks Place/Schlaht Wood Working.  

In 1992 John played for Last Chance. Coors, Coke in 12”, 14” 16” and in Co-ed. Then 6 years later playing  all the games but with Robbie’s Bar/Coors Light. Then in 2002 a 12 year run with Lagers/Coors Light, again  playing 12”, 14”, 16” and co-ed. John won many league championships with these various teams.  

John also added State Championships in all games. See the following list:  

12” with Last Chance in 1994, Lagers in 2002 and 2005  

14” Robbies in 1999 and 2000, Lagers in 2008 and 2009. 

16” with Robbie’s in 1999, 2000, and 2001, Lagers in 2008 and 2009.  

Co-ed In 1993 with Last Chance.  

14” over 35 with Old Mill in 1998 and 2000. Then they had a nine year run with Lagers, starting in 2003 and finishing in 2011.  

Northern Regions In 1996, John was playing with Last Chance who took 1st place.  

National Tournament Appearances  

1993 Last Chance in Co-ed in Bismarck  

1996 Last Chance men’s D in Alabama  

1987 Last Chance 16 A in Aberdeen and again in 2001 with Robbies in Aberdeen  2002 Lagers 12” in Cedar Rapids.