Contacts & Links | 2002 World Series (Salem, Oregon) | 2002 Las Vegas | 2002 Fall Ball
from The Dodgeville Chronicle - Thursday, October 3, 2002
They grew up playing in local leagues until the leagues folded.
They got beat up a lot in the early days but now they are handing out the lumps.
Now, the New Image softball team is on top when it comes to wins and also when it comes to respect. They recently finished fifth in the NAFA National Tournament at Salem, Oregon, their highest finish ever, and returned to Wisconsin with four All-World players.
The NAFA is the North American Fastpitch Association and the tournament saw the New Image team finish 4-2 for their highest finish.
Jeramie Holman, Harvey Knutson, Brent Holman, and Jeff Andrews were named All-World. Selections are made on a point accumulated basis based on performance. Points are subtracted for errors and the team must finish in the top eight.
Jeramie Holman handles the brunt of the pitching. Knutson plays shortstop. Brent Holman is a fixture at first base and Andres is an outfielder.
This is the second year for Holmans on the All-World squad. Last year they earned the honor also with centerfielder Adam Bussan.
The players on the New Image team, which is sponsored by Peg Holman come from the area. Former Iowa-Grant players are Knutson, Jeramie Holman, and Kurt Schaefer. From Fennimore are Brent Holman, Andrews and Craig Neuroth. Chance Schmidt and Bussan are from Cuba City. Shelby Blinders comes from Platteville. Josh Johnson from Oregon while Rick Radloff, James Ziegler, and Dan Williams are from Madison.
Infielders are Brent Holman (1b), Schmidt (2b), Knutson (ss), and Neuroth (3b). Catchers are Ziegler and Blinders. Outfielders are Bussan, Andrews, Williams, and Johnson. Radloff is the team�s second pitcher.
The team was organized in 1994 and has been winning ever since. They were 81-32 in league play last year and 84-45 overall. This year they headed into tournament with a 76-27 record and are 80-39 overall.
Last year the team was seventh at Hutchinson, Kansas.
Besides strong pitching from the self taught Jeramie Holman�he struck out 19 of 21 in one game this year along with seven no-hitters�the team also has power. They pounded the ball over the fence 80 times with Schmidt leading with 16, Andrews adding 14, Knutson and Brent Holman 12, Jeramie Holman eight with Bussan and Ziegler each hitting six. Knutson has been the team�s hitting leader for average with a .370 mark.
Jeramie Holman possesses a fastball in the mid 70 mile per hour range and compliments that with a change up and rise ball. Last year he was named the NAFA pitcher of the year and was runner-up for the manager of the year.
The team�s next adventure will bin early November at the Las Vegas Invitational. They will leave November 8 and play the 9-10-11-12. It will be another in a long list of tournaments in Illinois and Iowa. They are reigning champions of the Badger State Games.
Tournaments are family affairs. New Image pays league fess at Bowling Green at Madison and tournament fees. Winnings go in to a fund to pay for expenses at the major tournaments. Players are encouraged to take their families with them when they travel.
After Las Vegas the next big tournament will the Nationals in Connecticut.
Special thanks goes to the Dodgeville Chronicle for their coverage.