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Red Wing Rodge Classic 12AA and 12A:   May 17-19

Red Wing Classic 11AA and 11A:  June 7-9

Red Wing Classic 10AA and 10A:  June 21-23

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May 17-- Chris Rodgers has been a mainstay at youth and Varsity sporting events in Red Wing for the past two decades.   With three kids--Jordan 18, Hannah 16 and Tyler 12--he has been an integral part of their youth sports experience.   Chris has often been leading their teams as a coach, but has also been a supportive parent sitting in the stands after he hands them off to the Varsity programs coaching staffs.   

This weekend when he leads his youngest son Tyler's 12AA team he will be coaching in a tournament that has been named in his honor.   The Red Wing Youth Baseball Association (RWYBA) unanimously voted to rename the 12 year old weekend tournament the "Red Wing Rodge Classic."  

"It was an easy decision.   Chris has done so much for Youth Baseball in Red Wing.   As both a coach and a Board Member he has taken on a number of initiatives and run with them," said Board President Corey Tauer.  

Rodgers as a Board Member led many fundraising efforts including the annual Movie Night, working with Chevy Youth Baseball and leading Earth Day efforts which all has provided upgrades to the baseball facilities in Red Wing.   He has worked with facilities to coordinate gym space and fields.  Rodgers had his hands in pretty much every aspect of the RWYBA while on the Board of Directors for 10 years until he left the Board in the summer of 2016 to concentrate on his health.  

"Chris was one of the most competitive and tenacious players I ever played with.   He carried that over to coaching and his time on the Board," said former amateur baseball teammate and RWYBA President Paul Irwin.  

Rodgers has been known for setting high expectations and having many practices to make sure his teams were prepared for what was ahead of them.  Last year his 11AA team won their regular season title, won the MBL Playoffs and finished 2nd and 3rd in State Tournaments.    

Tauer mentioned, "The kids seem to embrace his style.   They wanted to keep pushing themselves to get better last year.  I was always impressed with the number of kids who stuck with baseball in Jordan's class.   It has been one of the best classes in terms of participation over the past decade.   Look at it this year there are 9 players and two managers on the Varsity baseball team from one class...Chris had a hand in that."  

"I have always stressed with my teams that we will always be prepared, no team will out work us and we will have more fun than everyone else.  The memories are not in the Championships for the kids, it's the experiences.   Jordan's groups it was the World Series tournament they competed in.   They didn't win it, but it was a blast.  It means a lot that they all have that experience on the top of their list for baseball memories," said Rodgers. 

It was evident on Senior Night the Class of 2017 has a special place for Coach Rodgers.  One-by-one players hugged their former coach on a special night that not only had them reflect on their Varsity experience but also their experience in Youth Baseball. 

"Coaching for me starts with the love for the game. It has allowed me to create great memories with my three kids.   The best part is that once you get started with each team, every kid on my roster becomes my kid.   We become another family.  It's a special process that takes years to create, but then lasts a lifetime."

Rodgers added, "I am so proud that I helped develop a group of great baseball players for Red Wing, but they aren't just great on the field, they are great people off the field." 

Longtime co-coach and friend Justin Smith added, "Coach Rodgers is as caring as he is competitive.  He loves to win but more importantly he loves to see kids do things and accomplish goals they didn't think they could do, regardless of their ability.  On and off the field he has taught a countless number of kids how to get more out of themselves than they knew possible. 

This weeks "Red Wing Rodge Classic" will feature 14 teams from around the Region.   It will take place at the Red Wing Athletic Field.  There is the chance for inclement weather.   Rodgers has already offered to move his game time even though he wouldn't be able to make it at the proposed time on Friday night due to Jordan and Hannah receiving letters during the Athletic Banquet.   "We have three very capable coaches," said Rodgers.   

He is always looking to make sure his kids get the experience.