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: [email protected].
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 Regional Events as well as Women’s Senior Nationals.
Their dedication goes far beyond team sponsorships, playing an integral role in supporting the game through partnerships such as sponsoring state scorebooks, hosting umpire suppers before tournaments, providing gift cards for benefit events and sponsoring two fields at the Star of the West Complex — with plans for additional sponsorships in the future.
“As the vice president of the league for 20 years, I was able to see first hand the dedication of Kelly and Jeremy to the teams and tournaments of the Rapid City Softball Association,” Jenna McNabb said. “They have made a substantial investment in the teams and the league and a commitment to USA Softball.”
Sheri Lappe, Pierre
Lappe is being honored for her extraordinary contributions to the sport as a player, umpire, coach and leader.
Her softball journey began at just 13 years old, playing alongside her grandmother and aunt at Rob’s Flat cow pasture. She went on to compete at the highest levels, playing for over 30 years in fastpitch, slowpitch and co-ed leagues. She has won state championships with five different teams, including Oahe Vet and Chuck Wagon in Class B, Shenanigans in Class C, the Longbranch in Class D and the Legion in D5. Her Chuck Wagon team went on to win the Northern Regional Championship in Bismarck, adding to a long list of league titles while showcasing her versatility as a center fielder and catcher.
Beyond her playing career, Lappe served 13 years as an umpire, officiating men’s and women’s leagues as well as state tournaments. She also thrived as a player-manager, guiding Chuck Wagon to a state and regional championship.
Her dedication extended beyond the diamond, where she has been a women’s league officer for more than two decades, championing the growth and success of the sport in Pierre.
Lappe has also served as the Pierre Women’s Commissioner since 1993. Her leadership has been pivotal in organizing state tournaments, ensuring teams and players receive the resources needed to compete at the highest levels. Her legacy was further cemented in 2024 when she was inducted into the Oahe Softball Wall of Fame.
“Sheri is the heart and soul of our softball community,” Nominator Stacie Morrell said. “She’s always the first person at the fields and usually the last to leave. Her dedication over the past 32 years has been unmatched.”
Silas “Mo” Skates, Rapid City
Skates is being recognized for his incredible softball career. As a versatile player who excelled in left field, catcher and EH roles, he contributed to the success of three different Kelly’s teams as well as Sonny’s, Thomas Electric, Saloon 10 and Team Primed.
Skates’ career is defined by consistent excellence, winning league titles every single year he played — primarily in upper-division softball. Among his notable achievements are a state championship with Kelly’s in the 1998 State Open and two out-of-state titles: one in Wyoming and another in Montana with Sonny’s.
In addition to his league and state victories, Skates competed in two C Nationals tournaments (held in Rapid City and Las Vegas, Nev.) and three 35 & Over Nationals, achieving two second-place finishes and one third-place finish (all in Mandan, N.D.).
Beyond softball, Skates proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1987 to 1996, demonstrating his dedication and leadership in service to his country. Off the field, he has shared his passion for the game by coaching girls fastpitch softball, youth baseball and even trying his hand at coaching a women’s slowpitch team in recent years.
“Mo was absolutely one of the best players in the state. On top of his exceptional skills — hitting, fielding and running — he was also a team leader, both on and off the field,” Nominator Keith Morell said. “He could hold his own at the highest levels of the game and his passion for discussing and strategizing the game was unmatched.”
Dennis Brewer, Pine Ridge
Pine Ridge celebrates the remarkable achievements of Brewer, a true legend in the world of fastpitch softball. As both a player and coach, his contributions to the Pine Ridge Sioux team and his community have left a lasting legacy.
Brewer began his illustrious career in 1969 as a pitcher, infielder and outfielder, later transitioning to the catching position in 1983. He spent decades excelling in the game, playing alongside Hall of Famers Richard “Tuffy” Lunderman and North Dakota Hall of Famer Ollie Fiedler. Brewer dedicated 20 years (1972–1992) to the Pine Ridge Sioux team, guiding them to historic victories.
Under Brewer’s’ ‘s leadership, the Pine Ridge teams dominated the Pine Ridge League from 1980 to 1989 and also claimed the Sioux Trail Baseball League title from 1972 to 1983. A significant milestone came in 1987 when Brewer and his team triumphed at the ASA State “A” Championship in Watertown, securing a third-place finish at the A Regionals in St. Paul (Minn.) that same year.
Brewer’s career is marked by outstanding individual accolades, including six MVP awards and over 50 all-tournament awards from Pine Ridge, Rosebud and Yankton Sioux competitions. His teams won a remarkable 150 tournaments over 20 years and he hit more than 300 home runs, including an awe-inspiring performance of five homers in one day. As a pitcher, he achieved a one-hit game and recorded 242 victories. The Pine Ridge Sioux achieved an 84–4 record in 1985— losing only at the state and national tournament in Reno, Neb.
“Dennis was the rock who solidified the Pine Ridge Sioux. He inspired through his leadership, dedication and warrior heart,” Fellow inductee Billingsly said. “His extraordinary career and contributions to his community truly make him a Hall of Fame inductee worthy of the highest praise.”
Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: [email protected]
#people #inducted #USA #Softball #South #Dakota #Hall #Fame
