Here is some information about the Winona VFW Buddies baseball organization:

-Eligible to play if 16 and under as of June 1, 2016. All freshmen and sophomores are eligible to tryout, as long as they do not turn 17 before June 1, 2016.

-The Buddies play in a 16 team division that includes four Rochester teams, Northfield, Red Wing, Austin, Cannon Falls, Faribault, Albert Lea, Waseca, Mantorville, Stewartville, and Owatonna. Winner of the District Tournament advances to the state VFW tournament.

-League games are generally on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. (single game) and double headers on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 11 a.m.

-The Buddies compete in two tournaments besides playoffs, the Winona Invitational and the St. Cloud VFW Baseball Tournament in St. Cloud, MN. We will stay over night for the St. Cloud tournament.

-The VFW Buddies philosophy's focuses primarily on the development of its players so that they can have successful high school careers and the VFW program's success on the field.

-As far as playing time, the Buddies will play what their coaches feel is the best line-up for league games and those who do not play in the first game of the double header will start the second game. Players that make the Buddies will receive a lot very important summer repetitions.
Every practice is an evaluation of the players and the coaches are always looking for the players that are doing all the little things; putting in extra time before/after practice, following the coaches' instruction, being a good teammate, and a player's improvement.

-The Buddies baseball program is a commitment and those who make the team are expected to be at practices as well as games. We give players 5 days to miss in the summer before playing time starts to be affected. However, we are understanding to summer schedules and are willing to work with schedules as long as players aren't constantly missing.