Corky’s coming back for 43rd year
Walker Nelson of the local Owatonna team “Prime Garage Door/Owatonna Eagles/Christian Brothers Cabinets” pitches the ball to an opposing batter at last year’s Corky’s Early Bird Softball Tournament. Corky’s will return to town with the first games starting on Friday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
Owatonna and Faribault will play host to Corky’s Early Bird Softball Tournament for the 43rd year this weekend, bringing a host of teams and spectators.
Fans and athletes will have high hopes for weather reminiscent of last year’s tournament where the sun was shining, and the warm weather made an appearance.
“Personally, when it started out, I didn’t have any idea that it would ever get this big. We started out with 64 teams – which was big at the time. Then after our 25th anniversary, we noticed a real uptick in teams with social media and everything becoming much bigger. Then when Loren Dietz came in an began to run things, it just really took off. He does an incredible job making this tournament work with the maximum amount of teams,” said tournament creator and namesake James “Corky” Ebeling.
With 170 teams scheduled to take the fields at the Steele County Fairground ballparks and Alexander Park in Faribault, Corky’s will be similar in size to last year’s tournament and figures to bring with it a sizeable economic impact.
Possibly loved as much as the softball games are the tournament’s food vendors, which include the famous pork burgers.
According to a press release from tournament officials, Corky’s is expected to generate “between $300,000-$500,000 of revenue for southern Minnesota businesses.”
However, local businesses will not be the only beneficiaries.
The Owatonna and Faribault Parks and Recreation Departments will also receive donations from tournament revenues, as will the Relight the Park Fund to replace stadium lights in Owatonna.
According to the release, $30,000-$50,000 will be donated to the three charities.
The organization also recently donated $50,000 to the WeAllPlay project to aid in building a playground and Miracle Baseball Field for children with special needs.
One major difference in this year’s tournament will be that games begin on Friday instead of the tournament’s usual Thursday start.
According to Ebeling, the decision was made by a group of tournament directors who favored starting with a big kick-off day on Friday.
The tournament’s opening action happens on Friday, May 5 from 5:30 to 11 p.m., with games running from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Tournament prizes will be valued at $30,000 total.