(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted to the Patriot by Becker Teacher and Softball Coach Jason Baune.)

What began as a big dream of the Becker Softball program a few years ago is beginning to come to fruition as the first phase of a renovation of the Becker High School softball complex has begun this summer. 

The construction of four new dugouts, installation of a 35’ flagpole, and painting of complex buildings is just the first step in what varsity softball coach Jason Baune hopes will be a project that gives girls in Becker a safe facility and fun softball experience for decades to come.

In the winter of 2021, local business owner Jessica Treptau (Dueling Brews) came to Coach Baune with the idea of making a large donation that would be used to upgrade the facility that is over 40 years old. Since that point other local business owners and organizations have supported the project with donations large and small. Included in these donations were large gifts from the Treptau family, the Becker Blast Softball Association, the Blattner Company, the Clear Lake Lions and the Becker Lions. 

At this point, close to $125,000 has been committed to the project.

The motto of the high school softball program is “Champions” and the coaches in the program work hard to create student-athletes that are champions on the field, in school, and in the community. 

The softball program has a long history of success on the field winning 19 conference championships since 1991 and making eight trips to the state tournament since 2008. Included in this success was a Class AAA state championship in 2021. 

Beyond the success on the field, players in the program spend part of their practice time learning about John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, which teaches skills to help them succeed in all areas of life.

Working alongside the school softball program, the Becker Blast Softball Association provides a positive experience for youth softball players in the community. This summer, the program has 12 teams and over 130 participants ranging in ages from kindergarten to high school. They also host four-to-five large tournaments each summer, which brings over 100 softball teams into Becker and thousands of dollars to the local economy.

Phase II of the complex renovation is scheduled for this fall as scoreboards will be upgraded and installed on four fields at the softball complex. 

The school program and youth organization are currently working to raise funds for Phase III of the renovation, which would include repairing, grading, and reseeding the infields and outfields at the complex as well as replacing aging and unsafe fencing. 

For those interested in supporting the softball program and their dream of securing a safe and enjoyable complex that girls will use for decades to come, can contact Jason Baune (jbaune@isd726.org) or the Becker Blast Softball Association (beckerblast@gmail.com) to get more information.