'Field of Dreams' gets new look

49th annual

Godahl Days

packs 'em in

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

GODAHL -- The population of this tiny community on the Brown and Watonwan County line exploded to hundreds, perhaps thousands Monday for the 49th Annual Godahl Days celebration.

The spirit of the community was apparent early in the parade. A float with small children with basketballs and uniforms proclaimed the Godahl Basketball Association. Another float touted the future Godahl Beach Volleyball Association.

A group of adults carried a banner proclaiming Unity-Unidad, "That All Men Are Created Equal" and the same phrase in Spanish. "May peace prevail in Watonwan County" was printed the backs of their t-shirts.

The group later sang "Let It Begin With Me," at the ball park dedication.

An old-time band played "Roll Out The Barrel."

The St. James Area Latina Dancers displayed their colorful skirts.

Lacy Wellman of Hanska was crowned Miss Godahl 2004.

While bands played a wide variety of music, new fencing, a backstop and dugouts were dedicated at the ballpark.

The Minnesota Twins Community Fund donated a $5,000 grant to the ballpark project. The money was matched by the La Salle Farmers Grain Co. and Land O' Lakes.

The field is not unlike the actual Field of Dreams in Dyversville, Iowa. Tall corn stacks surrounded the new outfield fence.

Minnesota Rep. Brad Finstad, a Godahl native, said the annual celebration and ball park thrives thanks to lots of volunteer work many area residents.

Among them is a man who wears many hats. He's a baseball coach, Godahl Recreation Board member and Watonwan County Sheriff Gary Menssen of rural St. James.

Menssen played baseball at St. James, Mankato State University and played for a year and a half with the Minnesota Twins Kenosha, Wis. minor league team.

"It's fun getting all the kids out here and teaching them things. They really turn out," Menssen said. "

The Godahl baseball program draws players from the Godahl area, Hanska, St. James, Ormsby and as far away as Trimont. This season, 21 players on the 8 to 10 year-old team played 10 games. The 11 to 13 year-olds had 18 players in seven games and the 14 to 16 year-old team had 18 players in 13 games. The field is also used for men's fast-pitch softball.

Games take place three or four nights a week in front of crowds of 100 to 150 people that support a concession stand.

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.