The Kelso Klassic is in it’s 24th year and, for the first time, has been designated as an ISC II qualifier. Teams on hand include #21 Black Gold, #23 Memphis Posse, #31 Pete’s Blues and n/r Radom Falcons among others.
For the full schedule, click here.
From Jeffrey Profitt on the Illinois Forum.
KFVS-12, a CBS television station in Cape Girardeau, Mo. will webcast the first game of the Kelso Klassic this Friday night. Live. Kelso Fastpitch vs. Southern Illinois Pirates.
The webcast can be found on www.kfvs12.com by clicking on to sports and then webcast. The entire game will be shown and then archived.
Kudos to Rick Heuring and the folks hooked in with the Klassic for convincing KFVS to offer this webcast. This is a potentially great thing for the tournament and fastpitch in general. The station, depending on how things go this time around, is considering web casting even more games in 2008. Obviously a lot of hits on the site- and a good crowd- will do nothing but help. Fastpitch promotion is the responsibility of all who love the game. Now is a great chance to step forward and help the cause !!
Here is the official press release:
KELSO KLASSIC
KFVS12 WebCast to Present Fast Pitch Softball
Posted: June 11, 2008 10:12 AM
KFVS12 WebCast To Present Kelso Klassic Softball
Kelso Fastpitch vs. Southern Illinois Pirates
(Cape Girardeau) The KFVS12.com WebCast is scheduled to present the opening game in the 24th annual Kelso Klassic fast pitch softball tournament this Friday night. The game features the host team Kelso Fastpitch against the Southern Illinois Pirates from Royalton, Illinois. Coverage will begin at approximately 8:00 p.m. from the Kelso, Missouri softball fields.
The multi-camera WebCast will be presented live at KFVS12.com, and then archived on the web site for users to watch at their convenience. Both the live presentation and the archived version will be available free of charge.
Randy Ray, former long time Sports Director for KFVS12 will do play by play for the WebCast.
“We know the Kelso Klassic has become one of the most respected and anticipated tournaments throughout the Midwest,” said Paul Keener, Director of Marketing for KFVS12. “When they approached us about WebCasting some of the action we jumped at the chance. We’re thrilled that we were able to work it out.”
According to Keener, WebCasting the opening tournament game will “test the waters” for possibly featuring more of the action next year.
“We hope the WebCast will focus attention on the entire tournament and the sport in general. We intend to use our WebCast on Friday night to promote the rest of the games throughout the weekend,” continued Keener.
The exclusive sponsor of this WebCast is Kluesner Concreters from Kelso. Internet service is provided by Charter Communications.
Since the KFVS12.com WebCast premiered last Fall, the on-line video presentation has featured more than 50 regional events including many local high school football and basketball games.
In an exclusive agreement between Turner Sports and Raycom Media, Inc., parent company of KFVS12, the station will stream full coverage, multi-camera events live at www.kfvs12.com. The content will also be archived for on-demand viewing following the end of event coverage. All WebCast content will be available free of charge.
The Kelso Klassic was founded in 1985 as an invitational tournament. Over the years, the tournament has drawn teams from all over the Midwest including Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and a touring New Zealand National team. This year the tournament was approached by the International Softball Congress to make it an official qualifying event for the Men’s World Tournament, the most prestigious event in men’s fast pitch softball.
Keener says that, while the production won’t be as fancy as network on-air quality, the KFVS12.com WebCast will be clean and basic, and available free to the entire world.
“This is a great opportunity for out of town friends, family, and fans to see events that they never would before,” continued Keener. “And we think the players, coaches, and family members will enjoy watching on-demand when it’s convenient for them.