Cliff Petersen isn’t quite ready to push the panic button, but he’s definitely concerned.

Wednesday, July 18, 2001

Cliff Petersen isn’t quite ready to push the panic button, but he’s definitely concerned.

He doesn’t want to see a 35-year tradition fade away.

Petersen, longtime secretary-treasurer for the Freeborn County Fast-Pitch Softball Hall of Fame, is disturbed by the lack of interest thus far for the 35th annual banquet and old-timers game set for July 27 and 28.

As of Monday, only 24 reservations had been received.

&uot;Normally at this time, we have around 50,&uot; said Petersen. &uot;The board of directors meets Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Union Center. We usually get a few more in at that time.&uot;

In addition to Petersen and president Dave Gilbertson, the board of directors includes Dick Westurn, LeRoy Maas, Jim Mealy, Daryl Paulson, Jim Beach, Gerald Schilling, Jerry Mickelson, DeWayne Jensen, Lewis Weseman, Ray Levine, Barry Hoffman, Don Batt, Harold Wayne, Gus Courrier and Dick &uot;Cannonball&uot; Nelson.

Gilbertson has taken over much of the organizational duties in recent years for the 82-year-old Petersen, who has battled cancer for seven years. Petersen said around 150 letters notifying people of the banquet were mailed to members and nominees for the hall of fame.

Petersen said between 60 and 70 people normally attend the banquet, set for 6 p.m. July 27. The annual old-timers game – open to anyone who ever played fast-pitch softball – is set for 6:30 p.m. July 28 at J.M. Snyder Fields.

Al Batt, a Tribune columnist and humorist, will entertain at the banquet.

Petersen said more reservations are needed to simply cover the cost of the banquet, which is up this year because the Union Center is charging the hall of fame rent for the first time ever. Sales of raffle tickets – the only fund-raiser for the organizer – have also been slow.

If anyone wants information on tickets for the banquet or playing in the old-timers game, they can call Petersen at 373-3445. He had just one message for those already recognized by the hall of fame.

&uot;Please send in your reservations and please sell your raffle tickets and send in the ticket stubs with the money,&uot; said Petersen, with emphasis on please. &uot;Guys that have been inducted into the hall of fame should really contribute something to keep this organization going.&uot;