2014 Male Player: James "Tank" Kersten

James "Tank" Kersten

Tank began playing USSSA softball with the Comets from Downers Grove in 1994 after being asked by Guy Altier, Kurt Stepina and Jim Bonnamy to participate with them in the Northern D State Tournament. That was the beginning of an exceptional twenty-year run, as he has accumulated a lifetime batting average of .685, while hitting over 1,000 home runs. His best season batting average was .740 in 2005, while playing for KA Softball.

Jim mostly participated behind the plate and received All-National selections in Class C during 2013 season and Class B during 2005. He also has received numerous all-NIT and All-State selections during his competitive playing career.

Jim sites the 2006 KA Softball team as being the best team he has played for due to their team chemistry, which made winning easy. He also recognizes Scott Opels, Dave Shaff, Ken Adams, Steve Hardy, Dennis Muth, Todd Ankney, Dave Catalini and Gary Lofton as the best coaches for whom he played.

As he reflects on his great career, he wants to be remembered as a teammate that would always give his time to help another and thanks the USSSA for providing him the opportunity to compete at a high level.

His most memorable softball experience occurred while playing in his first Class B NIT with the Wombats in Toledo, Ohio. He explains, "Our first game was against Harlow Printing from Michigan. I walked my first at bat and when I arrived at first base the first baseman began trash talking. Blabbing on how Harlow Printing was this great team and that we did not have a chance. The Wombats ruled them in 3 innings 30 to 3."

His funniest experience happened this year at the USSSA Class D World Tournament when his teammate, Bill Bernabei, bet him that he would not slide down the kiddy slide at the Chick-Fil-A restaurant. Tank secretly asked the manager if he could slide down the kiddy slide. She gave him the go-ahead, as long as he paid for any damages. The slide and the kids on the slide all survived.

Tank would like to thank all of his teammates, friends, sponsors, umpires and officials over the years for making his softball playing "A ROADHOUSE" experience.