Softball: Osterman Complex expects to be a big draw

How do you know you're near the softball fields at the Cat Osterman Experience south of Bellevue?

Just follow the jets.

There's no need to schedule any U.S. Air Force fly-overs for the next big tournament at the much hyped facility bearing the name of the four-time softball All-America pitcher at Texas and 2004 Olympic gold medalist.

Fly-overs are a common event at the complex — the only one of its kind in the country dedicated to girls softball — not far from the south runway of Offutt Air Force Base.

Tim Law, operations director for the facility devoted to extended-stay softball tournaments that opened in April after three years of tumult, said things are now taking off as a brutal winter and rainy spring have turned to long and mostly hot days of summer.

“Obviously we had one of the hardest winters we've ever had in Nebraska,” Law said. “Even though the complex is still a work in progress, it's still a softball complex and teams are excited to be here and looking forward to coming back.”

Deep water outside several of the outfield fences has delayed the pouring of concrete needed to install scoreboards. Eventually the spectator seating areas will have roofs, more fields will be built and other entertainment options will be available for teams that come to experience a week primarily dedicated to softball.

There are two groups of three fields on the northern edge of the facility. Law said one group of four fields is being considered for the first phase of expansion.

After a handful of weekend tournaments and two weeks of boys baseball tournaments during last month's College World Series, the first softball tournament that Law said will bring up to 1,500 players and their families to the area began July 5.

The most high-profile games yet at the complex are being played this week as two women's professional fast-pitch teams — the Chicago Bandits and Akron Racers — began a three-game series Tuesday night.

The pro games are being played during this week's 12-and-under tournament, the third week-long event of four this season at the complex. Teams come in for the whole week, playing at least nine games each.

Jerseys are provided — all teams either wear purple or white — and a number of evening activities are scheduled. Some of the youngsters spent time at the inflatable slide next to one of the clubhouses, and others continued to decorate the sidewalks with original works of chalk art.

Two teams in the Omaha-area Quakes softball program have participated in tournaments at the complex. Todd Petersen's 16-and-under team played in two weekend tournaments while the 14-and-under squad led by Dick Jablonski played in the first full-week event the week of July 5.

Petersen, who also coaches the Papillion-La Vista high school team in the fall, said he was surprised by how much progress had been made by the time those early weekend tournaments rolled around.

“We didn't really know what to expect because of all the weather we've had, but it was pretty good,” Petersen said.

Player meals are catered and served in an open-air dining area near the clubhouses where players and coaches sleep.

The housing facilities are of cement block construction and air conditioned. Each has seven sets of bunk beds. There are no televisions or other electronic gadgets, so many teams have taken time to decorate their living quarters.

Coaches are housed in a smaller room next to their players. The bathrooms and shower facilities are in a separate building between the two clubhouses.

Law said the dorms were purposely designed without creature comforts so that kids would gravitate outside to mingle with players from other teams, who often will come from other states and even other countries.

Jablonski, the Quakes 14-and-under coach, said his team was housed next to a team from Australia — a good experience on many levels. A team from Canada won that first tournament.

“It was a little taste of summer camp,” Jablonski said. “You're roughing it a little bit because you just have each other so you can focus on playing softball and doing a lot of bonding.

“There's nothing to do in the rooms, therefore you're forced to sit there and chat. The girls also had a good time meeting and playing against players they've never met before.”

As for level of play, the Quakes squad finished the 32-team tournament tied for third, starting 9-0 before losing in the semifinals.

Law said more amenities are on the drawing board designed to get players out to meet other athletes. The facilities fill less than 10 percent of the available property being developed in a public/private partnership with the city of Bellevue.

“There are 270 acres out here, we're on 25 (acres),” Law said. “We want to expand and continue to make this a memorable experience for everyone.”

Contact the writer:

444-1201, alexsdad@mail.com

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