BY CHRISTINE NESSLER PHOTOS BY MICHELLE ISEBRAND PHOTOGRAPHY
A sure sign of the season, the bright lights beaming all summer long at Caswell Park in North Mankato. And under those bright lights, bright orange uniforms dot the landscape in what has become a part of every summer in North Mankato: Mankato Peppers Softball. The organization’s impact on the community, and on the players, reaches far beyond the glow of the lights. “Peppers helps me be more confident so I can stand up for myself. Now I have confidence in other activities and school too,” says Harper Walsh, who plays on the 10u team. Ava Bode on the 12u travel team says, “It makes you a better person by doing something you love.” Her sister, Maddie (16u) echoes those sentiments. “Peppers is bringing kids together that just want to try something new. It’s a positive environment for everyone.” For forty years Mankato Peppers Softball has been a cornerstone of our community by developing confident young women, cementing solid friendships and bringing vitality to our community. Each summer these girls are learning more than how to field a grounder or swing a bat, and the Caswell sports complex has grown right along with them. In addition to building a reputation around fast-pitch softball, Peppers has also affected our local commerce attracting teams from across the Midwest to the city.
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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SUMMER 2022
The Peppers host five tournaments at Caswell from May through July. According to Jon Thompson, Treasurer and Finance Chair of Mankato Peppers Softball, studies done by Visit Mankato, show in 2019 Mankato Area Girls Fastpitch Association (MAGFA) tournaments generated nearly $3,000,000 in economic activity in the Mankato area. The income comes from people drawn into the community from across the state and country as well as local supporters of the teams. This includes retail, tickets, gas, lodging and of course, food. “The tournaments at Caswell can keep us busy from the moment we open to 9 'o'clock at night,” said Wade Becker, owner of Big Dog Sports Cafe located on Commerce Drive in North Mankato. Since Becker opened in 1994, he has had a partnership with Peppers. The Peppers give Becker advanced notice of any upcoming tournaments so he can staff accordingly. Becker also does his own due diligence by keeping records from past tournaments so he can be properly prepared. The extra work has been worth it. “It’s unbelievable the support they’ve (Peppers) put into this place over the years,” Becker said. “There will be 60 to 80 people in the back room at some times.” For Becker, it’s about more than numbers. It’s about the relationships he’s built with the families that come in to celebrate after each game.
