Milt Hand running national softball tournament
By Joy Swearingen
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 6:06 PM CDT
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Milt Hand has run the Amateur Softball Association National 18 and Under Girls Tournament for three years.
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Milt Hand, formerly of Hamilton, just recently finished directing the Amateur Softball Association National 18 and under Girls Tournament, held at Rock Island's Alan Campbell Sports Complex and Moline's Greenvalley Park.
As Moline parks director, Hand was credited with effectively managing the tournaments in a way that made planners return this summer for their third tournament at the Quad Cities since 2004 (2004, 2006 and 2008).
According to the QC Conventions and Visitors Bureau, the “hard-to-land” tournament had a $2 million impact on the local economy. There were 120 teams signed up for the six day event, Aug. 1 to 6.
Hand credits the large teams of volunteers who help with the event for its success. One of the 300 volunteers was Bill Ward, the former mayor of East Moline.
“I talked and listened to many parents who indicated that this is the best National Tournament they have ever participated in, and the QCA has the best national director in Milt Hand,” Ward wrote in an area paper after the event.
“Milt Hand had all the bases covered before this tournament ever started. He is the main reason so many of us enjoy volunteering to work in his programs.”
Media coverage and internet page updates helped parents back home know results of games instantly.
Hand's daughter, Kelli, played in three national tournaments, including one event in 1997 in Rockford where her father umpired. Kelli was a committee member this year. His wife, Sheree, and son, Jeff, have volunteered at tournaments. A nephew, Jon Hand, son of Milt's brother, Steve, was an umpire in the tournament.
Hand grew up in Hamilton and graduated from Western Illinois University. His first job in the mid-1970s was at Bettendorf (Iowa) Parks Department before moving across the river to Moline. He has worked with Moline Parks for 29 years, the last 15 as director. He is the son of Evie Hand and the late Kenneth Hand of Hamilton.
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