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