Seniors gather for all-star treatment
South Elgin senior Rebecca French made an observation at the start of last year's summer softball travel season.
"I played with girls last year on my summer team that had to miss games at the start to play (in the Fox Valley Senior All-Star Game)," said French. "I told myself I wanted to be like that this year and play in that game."
French will get to do just that Monday when she suits up for the South team that will compete in the renamed Dave Fehlman Memorial Senior All-Star Game at Jockey Field in East Dundee. Game time is 6 p.m. and there is no admission charge.
The game, which features senior players and coaches from Fox Valley-area high school teams, is sponsored by the Fox Valley Renegades, Northern Illinois Lightning, the Daily Herald and the Fox Valley Sports Academy.
"There are a lot of standout seniors," said French. "It feels good to be one of them. I worked hard all year and then I had an injury in the middle of the season, but I came back strong for the playoffs. It's been a fun year."
St. Edward senior Kelly Knott, who will play for the North squad, was pleasantly surprised when notified of her all-star selection.
"It's an honor," said Knott. "I thought my season was over. Getting asked to play in an all-star game is amazing. I'm not playing in college (she's attending Central Michigan University where she plans on studying psychiatry). Playing one more game is great. You read about all of these girls every day and now I'm going to be able to be on the same team as them."
Jacobs coach Jeremy Bauer will lead the North team, while Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith will direct the South squad.
"There are going to be a lot of good and very talented players," said Bauer. "It's an honor for these seniors who are all-stars in the area. They are getting together one last time."
Bauer will also get to be on the same side as some of his team's usual Fox Valley Conference counterparts.
"I know them all from the last couple of years," said Bauer. "It will be fun to have them all on our side instead of trying to get outs against them."
The game, in its fifth year, was renamed in honor of Fehlman, the former president of the Fox Valley Renegades summer travel organization and a longtime sport supporter who passed away last summer.
"I think it's very appropriate," said Fehlman's daughter, Lissa, a St. Edward graduate who played for both the Renegades and Northern Illinois Lightning and just finished her junior season at Division I Evansville.
"It's almost perfect. He was my biggest fan. My dad loved Jockey Field and he loved softball. He did a lot for me to get to where I am. It's fitting and it's an honor. I think he would really, really appreciate it."
Lissa Fehlman, who played in the game 3 years ago, and her family will throw out the first pitch.
The game will be umpired by former Renegades and current Northern Illinois Lightning women's players Jaci Corn and Courtney LaFerle.