MSMA

MSMA started with a small softball tournament as a way to thank our military veterans in Minnesota and the focus initially was on helping a single family in need. As the tournament has cintinued to grow in size and popularity, the focus has shifted to supporting local veteran organizations which allows us to help more veterans each year. In 2023, we were able to donate $42,000 to these organizations and we hope to continue this partnership for years to come. MSMA is committed to engaging and inspiring the softball community across Minnesota and the Midwest to support our local military men and women who served and sacrificed so much. Building on the long-standing traditions of softball in Minnesota with its long line of national and world champions, MSMA was created in the hopes of creating a bond with the softball community and the growing need to help the military veteran community in Minnesota. There are approximately 100,000 softball players in Minnesota which makes us one of the largest softball communities, per capita, in the nation.

"Giving back to Minnesota's military family through Minnesota's softball family"

Tournament Team History

2023: 
2022:  104 Teams & 8 Branch Teams (112)
2021:  102 Teams & 8 Branch Teams (110)
2020:  96 Teams & 8 Branch Teams (104)
2019:  77 Teams & 8 Branch Teams (85)
2018:  68 Teams & 8 Branch Teams (76)
2017:  49 Teams & 8 Branch Teams (57)
2016:  50 Teams & 4 Branch Teams (54)
2015:  18 Teams & 4 Branch Teams (22)

Donation History Totals

2023:  $42,000  |  1 beneficiary    
2022:  $45,300  |  2 beneficiaries
2021:  $45,000  |  3 beneficiaries
2020:  $30,000  |  3 beneficiaries
2019:  $15,000  |  3 beneficiaries
2018:  $10,200  |  4 beneficiaries
2017:  $7,137     |  3 beneficiaries
2016:  $11,000  |  1 beneficiary    
2015:  $5,600     |  1 beneficiary    

Board of Directors

Mike Fluegge, President 
Mike Fluegge is a U.S. Air Force Retired Veteran who proudly served for over 21 years from 1982 to 2003. Raised in Coon Rapids, MN, Mike started playing softball at an early age and has played the game at the highest levels before, during and after his military career. After moving back to MN in the Summer of 2005, Mike has been heavily involved with softball as the MN USSSA Umpire-In-Chief (retired), an honored MN USSSA Hall of Fame inductee and has officiated at a National level in the Men’s Majors, Conference and World Series. An incredibly passionate and hugely committed person who desires to give back and support fellow U.S. Military Veterans (and their families) who have served in the Profession of Arms. Mike is a founding member of MSMA Foundation and volunteers much his time and efforts to different charitable causes.

Mike Kesselring, Treasurer 
Mike Kesselring is an Army Veteran who served twenty two plus years from 1983 to 2005. Mike is originally from IL but moved to MN at a very young age. He grew up in Coon Rapids and currently resides in Burnsville. During the week, Mike Works for a Department of Defense company that supports our war fighters on a daily basis. Mike has played softball at most levels in his life, starting at the age of 11 with the Coon Rapids Athletic Association (CRAA). Mike is very passionate about softball and taking care of local Veterans.

Mark Miller, Secretary 
Mark Miller is a combat Army Veteran who served honorably for over 10 years as an Infantryman. Assigned to the 2nd battalion, 135th infantry regiment, Mark deployed to Iraq as part of the 1/34th Brigade Combat Team (Red Bulls) for a 22-month long deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 06-08. During his deployment, he conducted convoy security operations, Quick Reaction Force support and Radio Relay Point security. He grew up in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis and currently calls Fridley, MN home. During the week, Mark works for a defense technology company who ultimately supports the men and women of the armed forces. Mark has played sports for most of his life and has recently started to get involved with Softball and the Softball community. Finding ways to support other veterans in the community has always been very important to Mark and his family.

Ray Grabau, Board Member 
Ray Grabau is a Retired Marine Combat Veteran from in Ham Lake, Minnesota. He served from 2005-2015 with 5 combat deployments. Upon retirement Ray graduated from Augsburg University with degrees in Marketing and Business. Ray is passionate about combining his love for sports to help support his fellow service members in the state of Minnesota.

John Miller, Board Member 
John Miller served in the U.S. Navy as an Electrical Navigation Technician in the submarine fleet. John served in active duty from 2002-2007 and in the Navy Reserves from 2011-2014. John lives in Morristown, MN with his wife and 4 daughters. He now works as a Master Electrician for Jostens internationally. John started playing softball in 2004 with his shipmates during active duty and has been heavily involved in the softball community since moving back to MN in 2007. John signed on as a board member for the MSMA Tournament in 2021, but has been a player in this tournament since year 1. He is enjoying his time working with the MSMA Foundation as a way to give back to the community and support local veteran organizations.

Andrew Ashley, Board Member 
coming soon

Paige Andrews, Board Member 
coming soon