RAPID CITY — Two fastpitch players, two slowpitch players and a promotor/sponsor make up the 2025 class for the USA Softball of South Dakota Hall of Fame.
The new inductees include Ken Many Woods Billingsly of Pine Ridge (men's fastpitch), Kelly's Sports Lounge/Jeremy Ofstead of Rapid City (promotor/sponsor), Sheri Lappe of Pierre (women's slowpitch), Silas "Mo" Skates of Rapid City (men's slowpitch) and Dennis Brewer of Pine Ridge (men's fastpitch).
The inductees will be honored during a banquet scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Rapid City Ramkota Inn. A social hour start at 6 p.m. Central, followed the meal at 7 p.m. and the induction ceremony.
The cost of the event is $50 per plate. For advance tickets, contact Mike Dykstra at 605-212-3139 or email: kdyskstra@sio.mido.net.
Here's more on the inductees:
Ken Many Wounds Billingsly, Pine Ridge
Billingsly is a legendary figure in fastpitch softball, whose remarkable career spans across states, regions and even the world stage.
Billingsly's accomplishments include being named All-American 3rd baseman at the 2003 ASA/USA Nationals and playing in 15 ISC World Tournaments. Notably, his Pine Ridge Sioux team claimed the championship at the 1987 “A” Tournament. He also made an extraordinary impact in national Indian tournaments, where he played on teams that claimed four national titles. His individual excellence earned him an MVP award and a spot on the tourney all-star team an impressive 12 times.
Ken's versatility and unwavering dedication to the sport led him to celebrated teams such as the Pine Ridge Sioux, the Storm from Texas, Frontier Bar from Bismarck (N.D.) and Nariko from St. Paul (Minn.). His international contributions include representing Nariko in ISC tournaments and spending 13 years with the North Americans.
Gary Young of Watertown, who nominated Billingsly for this honor, said: "I saw Ken hit line drive home runs and play defense as well as anyone at the tournaments. But what I remember the most was that he was a competitor who had respect for the game and those who played it."
"I have played ball both with and against Ken … my favorite of the two would be teammate," Fellow Hall of Famer JC Crawford of Sisseton said. "Ken was not only one of the best players in South Dakota, but also within the upper Midwest."
Kelly's Sports Lounge/Jeremy Ofstead, Rapid City
Ofstead, owner of Kelly's Sports Lounge in Rapid City, is a lifelong supporter of softball. This recognition celebrates Jeremy’s ongoing efforts to preserve and expand the remarkable legacy of the Lounge’s late founder (Kelly Cotton) and its lasting impact on the softball community.
For more 30 years, Kelly's has been a cornerstone of the softball scene, providing athletes and fans with sponsorships, encouragement and a welcoming hub that fosters camaraderie. Under Ofstead's leadership, Kelly's has sponsored numerous teams that have competed in ...
