The tournament is restricted to active members of the participating departments, or to retired members who have 10 or more years of active service.

The event has grown over time and observed its 25th anniversary in 2006.

Apart from being a weekend of fun, the tournament provides an opportunity for area firefighters to get to know members of other departments. “It has brought the Carver County fire departments together. There is a sense of camaraderie, and you get to know people better,” New Germany Fire Chief Steve VanLith said.

How did it get started? “New Germany always played an annual softball game with Mayer. The losing team bought the food, and the winning team bought the beverages,” he said.

It was decided to expand the event to include other local teams. The first tournament took place in 1982, with seven teams participating.

Young America won the first tournament, but has not won since, VanLith commented. New Germany’s only victory came in 1991.

The tournament continued to grow, and as many as 20 teams have participated in some years, VanLith said.

The department that has travelled the furthest distance was a team from Kasson, Minn., near Rochester.

Four teams, including New Germany, Victoria, Cologne, and Hamburg, have played in all of the tournaments.

There has only been one time when a team had to leave the tournament for a fire call.

For a schedule, watch the Herald Journal newspaper or go to our home page: www.herald-journal.com Those with questions may call VanLith at (952) 353-2571.