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History of the Tournament and MLB Alumni of Tourney

What is the Minnesota High School Baseball All-Star Series?

In 1975, 38 years ago, a group of Minnesota High School baseball coaches got together and started the Lions All-Star Game.  A partnership formed with the Minnesota Lions to help run the tournament.  Through that partnership, $500,000 or more was raised for the Lions Eye Bank at the University of Minnesota.  The purpose of this series is to recognize the best graduating seniors from the sport of baseball in our state every year.  20 baseball players are chosen to represent their area of the state in a “round robin” tournament.  Coaches are also selected from the different parts of the state.

There are four teams that make up the tournament:  North, South, Metro East, and Metro West (see region breakdown under this tab for specific schools making up each respective team).  A total of 80 graduating baseball players get to be part of this three day event.  The players that are invited to this tournament come from all three levels of high school play in Minnesota (Class A, Class AA, Class AAA). 

The City of Chaska and its gorgeous Athletic Park are the host for all of the festitvities.  These festivities include a banquet, opening ceremonies on the field at 6:00 p.m. on Friday night of the series, all games, and closing ceremonies on the field at 5:00 on Saturday afternoon of the series.

The series is always held the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday following the State Tournament. The 39th annual tournament in 2013 will be played on June 21st and 22nd.  Additionally, there is a banquet on June 20th for all of the selected players, coaches, and families. 

In 2013, the tournament will undergo a host of changes.  First, the 2013 Tournament will be Presented by Play Ball! Minnesota.  Additionally, the four teams were studied and realigned for balance.  Finally, nominations for the tournament are now accessible online via this site.

In 2014, the MVP took a new a name.  It is now the Dale Welter Award, named after the Chaska legend.  

In 2016, the series expanded to six teams:  Metro North, Metro South, Metro East, Metro West, North, and South.  Chanhassen was added as a second site to host pool play on Friday.  Also, a top pitcher of the series was added as an award.  This award is named after Todd Oakes, longtime Gopher baseball pitching coach.  

Proceeds from the tournament have been donated to the Miracle League, Stand up to Cancer, Muscular Dystrophy, ALS, Coaches Caring for Coaches, and annual MSHSBCA Scholarships.

 

All-Star Site Locations by the Year

Year Site(s)
1975 Midway Stadium- St. Paul
1976 Midway Stadium - St. Paul
1977 Midway Stadium -St. Paul
1978 St. Cloud
1979 St. Cloud
1980 St. Cloud
1981 St. Cloud
1982 St. Cloud
1983 Midway Stadium - St. Paul
1984 Midway Stadium - St. Paul
1985 Midway Stadium - St. Paul
1986 Friday night at Metrodome
1986 Saturday at Midway Stadium - St. Paul
1987 Friday night at Metrodome
1987 Saturday at Midway Stadium - St. Paul
1988 Friday night at Metrodome
1988 Saturday at Siebert and Midway Stadium
1989 Chaska Athletic Park
1990 Chaska Athletic Park
1991 Chaska Athletic Park
1992 Chaska Athletic Park
1993 Jordan
1994 Chaska Athletic Park
1995 Chaska Athletic Park
1996 Chaska Athletic Park
1997 Chaska Athletic Park
1998 Chaska Athletic Park
1999 Chaska Athletic Park
2000 Chaska Athletic Park
2001 Jordan
2002 Chaska Athletic Park
2003 Chaska Athletic park
2004 Chaska Athletic Park
2005 Chaska Athletic Park
2006 Chaska Athletic Park
2007 Chaska Athletic Park
2008 Chaska Athletic Park
2009 Chaska Athletic Park
2010 Chaska Athletic Park
2011 Chanhassen High School
2012 Chaska Athletic Park
2012 Chaska Athletic Park
2013 Chaska Athletic Park
2014 Chanhassen High School(Chaska Flood)
2015 Chaska
2016 Chaska and Chanhassen(1st year of 6 team expansion)
2017 - Present Chaska Athletic Park(No Tourney in 2020 due to COVID-19)

Information for Minnesota High School Baseball All-Star Series

Contact Dale Welter for Information on the Minnesota All Star Series
Cell Phone - 952-210-9407
Email - d_welter1@comcast.net

Joe Mauer - 2001 All-Star

Alumni of the Tournament Who Made it to Major League Baseball

Name High School Year Major League Team Position
Jerry Udjur Hermantown 1975 Detroit Tigers Pitcher
Tim Laudner Park Center 1976 Minnesota Twins Catcher
Jim Eisenreich St. Cloud Tech 1977 Los Angeles Dodgers Outfield
Kent Hrbek Bloomington Kennedy 1978 Minnesota Twins First Base
Mike Kingery Atwater 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates Outfield
Greg Olson Edina East 1979 Atlanta Braves Catcher
Terry Steinbach New Ulm 1980 Minnesota Twins Catcher
Tom Drees Edina East 1981 Chicago White Sox Pitcher
Gary Mielke Mankato West 1981 Texas Rangers Pitcher
Bryan Hickerson Bemidji 1982 San Francisco Giants Pitcher
Tom Quinlan Hill-Murray 1986 Minnesota Twins Infield
Brian Raabe New Ulm 1986 Minnesota Twins Infield
Dan Smith Apple Valley 1987 Texas Rangers Pitcher
Todd Revenig Brainerd 1987 Oakland Athletics Pitcher
Kerry Taylor Roseau 1989 San Diego Padres Pitcher
Kerry Lightenberg Park Cottage Grove 1989 Atlanta Braves Pitcher
Jim Brower Minnetonka 1991 Cleveland Indians Pitcher
Rob Quinlan Hill-Murray 1995 Los Angeles Angels Third Base
Michael Restovich Rochester Mayo 1997 Minnesota Twins Outfield
Michael Wuertz Austin 1997 Chicago Cubs Pitcher
Dan Johnson Blaine 1997 Oakland Athletics First Base
Jack Hannahan Cretin-Derham Hall 1998 Oakland Athletics Third Base
Ben Hendrickson Bloomington Jefferson 1999 Milwaukee Brewers Pitcher
Joe Mauer Cretin-Derham Hall 2001 Minnesota Twins Catcher
Glenn Perkins Stillwater 2001 Minnesota Twins Pitcher
Jamie Hoffman New Ulm 2002 Los Angeles Dodgers Outfield
Cole DeVries Eden Prairie 2003 Minnesota Twins Pitcher
John Gaub South St. Paul 2003 Chicago Cubs Pitcher

Glen Perkins - 2001