Eide Chrysler Softball Debuts Impressive 2017 Season

If there is one thing Bismarck is known for throughout the state, it's softball.

With nearly 250 teams in 2 leagues-Bismarck Men's Slow Pitch Softball Association & Mandan Softball Association, there is always a game going on somewhere around town during the summer.

Bringing the WINS to Eide Chrysler

2017 marked the first year for Eide Chrysler Softball, the team sponsored by Eide Chrysler.

The players have played together for the past 7 years under different sponsors.

Jesse Schuchard, General Sales Manager at Eide Chrysler, convinced Jesse Peterson, the owner, to sponsor the team this year.

"He's been after me for years to do this. I told him I only back winners so they better win some games," Peterson said.

Of course Schuchard, who has no shortage of confidence, said that wouldn't be a problem.

"This team can play, so don't worry about the W's, we'll get some," he promised.

A Team on the Rise

The team has moved up divisions 4 times over the years. They have played for the State Championship in their division 3 of the past 4 years, winning 2 State Championships at Rec 2 & Class D respectively.

This was the first season playing in Class C. The team played in the Roughrider League, taking 2nd place with a 20-7 league record.

"Class C is a tough division, there's only 12 teams in the state at Class C," Schuchard states. "You have be ready to play every game or you have no chance to win."

The team had some success this year, winning the Rugrat Tournament in June and going 2-2 at McQuade's later that month.

They also played in the State Tournament in August, avenging a loss to to a team they lost to at McQuade's. It was the only game they would win that weekend however, going 0-2 the rest of the way.

Schuchard said it wasn't too bad for the team's first year at this level.

"We'll get better next year. We have a core group of guys that have played together for pretty much 7 years now. We'll add a couple of guys to the team next year because we'll have some spots open," he said.

He said they don't like to drastically change the team every year and ruin the chemistry. "One or two changes a year is all we like to do," Schuchard said.

Travis Collins, Team Manager and Catcher says "Everyone on the team gets along great, if someone is having a bad game or makes a mistake, we collectively as a team help to encourage that player rather get down on them.. That's one of the things that sets our team apart I think."

Their Number One Fan

Even the boss was into it. Jesse Peterson was a regular at the team's league games this summer.

"I think I only missed maybe 5 games or so. It got to be a fun break in the week for me to come and hang out and watch the team play," Peterson said.

He even traveled with the team to watch them play in the State Tournament in Fargo.

"We had a great weekend. My wife wonders what the heck has gotten into me, I never watched softball before this year, except maybe our Eide Ford team a few times," Peterson said with a laugh.

The Eide Chrysler Softball Team

Here is the lineup for Eide Chrysler Softball's 2017 team:

1. Darron Olson-3rd Base
2. Jesse Schuchard-Short Stop-Eide Chrysler General Sales Manager
3. Lucas Krueger-Left Field
4. Steve Berger-EH
5. Tom Wolf-1B/2B
6. Travis Collins-Catcher
7. Josh Wenger-Middle Infield
8. Rich Bjerklie-Pitcher
9. Cass Lawrence-2B/1B
10. Shawn Maxon-Right Field
11. Chris Jordan-Center Field
12. Stephen Guy-2B

The team has a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eidechryslersoftball/.

"So long as I am here, we'll have a softball team. Hopefully it will continue to be this one, because I really like all these guys," Peterson said.