Sioux Empire Fastpitch Softball Association

09/14/2026

Meet the Board: Rick Graff

With more than six decades of involvement in softball, Rick Graff brings unmatched experience, perspective, and passion to the Sioux Empire Fastpitch Softball Association Board. Player, coach, umpire, mentor, organizer—Rick has lived the sport from every angle and remains a steady, influential presence in the Sioux Falls softball community.

🥎 Softball Journey: Rick has served on the SEFSA Board for 10 years and has been involved in softball since 1965. He began playing at age 4 and competed as a player for 27 years, primarily in fastpitch with two seasons of slow pitch.

His playing career is only the beginning of his USA/ASA softball involvement. Rick coached boys fastpitch for 4 years, spent 1 year as an assistant coach for a women’s slow pitch team, and then led that team as head coach for 15 years.

Rick also began umpiring at age 13 at Cherry Rock Park in the Hilltop League, now part of SEFSA. He continued umpiring league games while playing and coaching, and worked his first National Tournament in 1991. Over the years, he has umpired countless league and tournament games across multiple divisions.

🏆 Leadership & Organizational Involvement: Rick’s service extends far beyond SEFSA. He has contributed to nearly every corner of the sport, including youth fastpitch and slowpitch, women’s slow pitch, men’s slowpitch and fastpitch.

In addition to serving on the SEFSA Board, Rick is a member of the Sioux Falls People for Youth Board, an advisor for the Youth State Fastpitch Board, and a USA Softball South Dakota Deputy UIC for youth fastpitch in and around Sioux Falls.

Rick also helps with SEFSA tournaments, serves as the Ringneck Tournament Director, and this year was the USA Softball Northern Region 10U–18U National Tournament Director.

🔗 Connection to SEFSA
Rick was invited by a past SEFSA president to help develop and schedule umpires during a time when the league struggled to find enough officials. His leadership and reliability helped stabilize and strengthen SEFSA’s as well as USA SB SD umpire program.

💼 Professional Background
Rick owned and operated his own business as a Little Debbie Distributor for 25 years before retiring. Retirement didn’t last long — he now works part‑time as a valet at Avera Hospital, staying active and connected with the community.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family
Rick has two children, seven grandchildren, and two dogs, Sawyer and Ranger. His son played both fastpitch and slow pitch as a youth. His daughter loves the game and has supported her children as they’ve played slow pitch. His grandsons are now getting started in baseball and enjoying their early steps into the sport.

🍂 Fun Fact
When Rick isn’t on a softball diamond, you can find him in a field in the fall — hunting is his favorite way to unwind.

Rick enjoys talking softball, so say hi and be prepared to spend a few minutes discussing the game or your favorite hunt. Thank you, Rick, to SEFSA and to the USA Softball program.

09/11/2026

09/08/2026

Meet the Board: Katie Yungeberg

We're excited to introduce Katie Yungeberg, one of the newest members of the Sioux Empire Fastpitch Softball Association Board!

Katie brings a lifelong passion for softball to SEFSA. She has been involved in softball for more than 32 years, mainly as a slow-pitch player, and has also coached SEFSA teams for two years.

Professionally, Katie works as a Construction Accountant, bringing financial knowledge, attention to detail, and a practical perspective to the SEFSA Board.

She and her husband, Michael, are proud parents of their daughter, Lillian, who now shares the family's love of softball. Their household also includes two beloved dogs.

When asked why she joined the SEFSA Board, Katie shared, "I wanted to get more involved in the sport my daughter is playing."

What excites her most about SEFSA, Katie added: "It is the opportunity to help younger teams develop a love for the game and get excited about softball from an early age."

Away from the field, Katie enjoys spending quality time with her family and tackling puzzle projects.

Please join us in welcoming Katie to the SEFSA Board. We are grateful for her excitement for the sport and look forward to the positive impact she will make on our softball community!

09/04/2026

Meet the Board: Darin Freese, current VP, has served on the Sioux Empire Fastpitch Softball Association (SEFSA) Board for the past eight years, providing steady leadership and a strong commitment to the growth of recreational softball in the Sioux Falls community.

His involvement with SEFSA began when his daughter joined a recreational team, giving him an early and meaningful look at the positive impact the league has on young athletes and their families.
Impressed by the support and care his daughter received, Darin chose to give back to the organization. His dedication has remained unwavering ever since.

Darin joined the board when asked by Tom Reed “To give back to the organization that treated my daughter so well when she played in the league. I wanted to maintain a strong recreational softball program while supporting continued growth across the league.”

What inspires Darin about SEFSA: “Watching more than 200 athletes playing softball on a summer evening — a reflection of SEFSA’s volunteers, mission, and community dedication.”

Mentorship and Influence: Darin credits Tom Reed as a key mentor who guided him in understanding both the sport and SEFSA’s operations. Tom’s influence during his daughter’s playing years helped shape Darin’s approach to service and leadership within the organization.

Professional Background and Family: Darin and his wife, Tracy, have been married for 32 years and are the parents of two adult children, ages 28 and 23. Professionally, Darin has built a 33‑year career with the City of Sioux Falls Water Division, a role he describes as both enjoyable and rewarding.

Fun Fact
In his work with the Water Division, Darin climbs, maintains, and assists with painting Sioux Falls’ water towers. He notes that the view from the top of all four towers is nothing short of breathtaking.

When you see Darin out and about, thank him for his years on the board. Darin has done a ton of behind-the-scenes work: equipment manager, inventory, making sure there is equipment at the complexes, and usually the first on the scene and the last to leave at the tournaments. This year he chalked and put out bases at Dunham for a few weeks during the season.

Darin is pictured below on the left with past president Tom Reed, on the right.

09/03/2026

Registration is now open for the Sioux Empire Fastpitch Softball Association 2027 tournaments

SEFSA Carol Pipgras Summer Showdown Tournament
June 4th - 6th, 2027 - Sherman Park

SEFSA Denny Redmond Memorial Tournament
June 18th - 20th, 2027 - Sherman Park

SEFSA Tom Reed League Tournament
June 25th - 27th, 2027 - Sherman Park

Register online here

Home Content Page - Sioux Empire Fastpitch Softball Association

08/31/2026

⭐ Meet the Board: Michelle Merrigan ⭐
Player • Coach • Parent • Volunteer

Michelle Merrigan joins the SEFSA Board this fall with 10+ years of experience across nearly every corner of the sport. From coaching Beresford High School and USA Softball summer teams to being a volunteer, even helping umpire youth games, while coaching and raising two athletes in the league, Michelle brings a full‑circle perspective to SEFSA.

Why She Joined the Board:
“To help support coaches teach players and be able to play in a competitive league that is affordable to all local families.”

What Drives Her:
Helping volunteers feel resourced so players can reach their full potential — and celebrating a league powered entirely by community passion.

Mentor Who Made an Impact:
Sydney Nelson — “She showed a true love for the game and a willingness to share her knowledge.”

Family & Career:
Michelle and her husband Shea have two daughters, Keely (20) and Kennedy (16). She brings strong leadership experience from:
• District Manager, Scooter’s Coffee (4.5 years)
• Managing Partner, Chili’s (19 years)
• Assistant Softball Coach, Beresford High School (3 years)

Fun Fact:
When she’s not on the diamond, Michelle loves to golf.

Please welcome Michelle Merrigan to the SEFSA Board. If you see her out and about, stop and talk softball.

08/28/2026

From a SEFSA sponsor, the Avera Foundation

Family Time Versus Screen Time: How to Find a Balance

Screens and technology: used many ways, every single day and hard to put away. Yet it’s possible, and for kids, it’s a necessity.

Digital media affects how children feel, learn, think and behave. Yet the fact remains: you’re a parent and the most important influence in your child’s life. Helping children develop healthy habits early sets them up for long-term success.

Your child will grow up in a world which heavily relies on technology. Here’s how you can prepare them and at the same time, offer them alternatives that are in real life.

When Kids Should See Screens and When They Should Not
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is recommended that children under the age of 18 months have NO screen time, except for video chatting. For children ages 2-5 years it is recommended to limit non-educational screen time to one hour per day. Consider the quality of interactions, not just the amount of time (quantity). Screen time or digital use should evolve as your children grow; parents can encourage healthy habits and limit screens.

While e-learning has become a big part of our children’s lives, it should remain just that: focused on learning. Balance digital use with physical activity, sleep and offline play.

Tips to help you manage the use of screens/digital media at home include:

Create tech-free zones: Charge devices outside the bedroom (reducing the temptation to use them when children should be sleeping) dinner table and play areas.
Set limits and encourage playtime: make it a priority to have unplugged time each day. Turn off all screens during mealtimes and outings. Adults should be a positive role model with media use and balance. Turn off devices one hour before bedtime.
Do your homework and know the apps: It might look child friendly, but is it?

Family discussion: Talk to your child about what they are seeing. If you’re watching something together, it can be a chance to point out good behavior as well as bad behavior or poor choices.
Any parent concerned about excessive screentime should talk to a medical provider.

Families Who Play Together Learn Together
When everyone is fully engaged in play it is fun for the whole family. Replace the time you spend plugged in with family activities that are unplugged. Young children need hands-on play with real objects and benefit most from their interactions with people through play and conversations.

Consider the ways in which various screens impact your family. Does it connect you or disconnect?

Connecting activity choices for family time may include:

Sports, music, art, crafts or hobbies that do not involve screens.
Go to the park or school playground, walk through the neighborhood.

Try an “I Spy” hunt either inside or outside the house, create a scavenger hunt.

Play group games: hide and seek or age appropriate board games.
Kitchen fun: Bake, chop, measure and mix. Prepare an entire meal or create a new snack together.
Visit the local library: more than just books! There are also activities available at your local library.

Family exercise: hike, bike, hopscotch, follow the leader, create your own Olympics.

Screens are here to stay. Positive and healthy screen use is possible with guidance and consistency. Children benefit most from their interactions with people, taking part in a one-on-one or family activity is time well spent away from screens and building lasting memories with your child.

Learn more about children's care at Avera https://www.avera.org/services/childrens-health/

By Twila Perkinson, Avera Certified Child Life Specialist and Family Life Educator

08/27/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/198EPoosu4/

08/27/2026

Hauff keeps customers happy with great service & prices
MRG Hauff is consistently in the running for Local Best sporting goods because we have happy customers. We work with local groups, including Sioux Empire Fastpitch Softball Association, and organizations to help get their teams and leagues outfitted at a competitive price. We support our customers and give back to the local leagues in the form of volunteer hours, advertising and moral support.

MRG Hauff specializes in equipment and uniforms for baseball, basketball, cheer, dance, football, gymnastics, soccer, softball, track, volleyball, and wrestling. We work with all the major local organizations and have been in the community for over 40 years.

Come see our new, expanded showroom with great brands like Under Armour, Nike, Reebok, Speedo, Diadora, Adidas, Mizuno, Easton and Nfinity to name a few. Or visit our website to shop our extensive inventory of sporting goods. Use our graphics builder to create your own unique design online and pick up locally. You can customize Under Armour apparel too!

MRG Hauff, a merger of Daubys, Dakota Sports, Hauff Sports, and Dakota Lettering, provides quality team sports gear, custom uniforms, embroidery, and screen printing. Shop top-rated equipment for basketball, football, track, volleyball, soccer, cheer, dance, and wrestling—all in one place!