Kelso Supply fast-pitch coach Rodney Dock is a staunch supporter of the sport, a recreation he sees as slowly dying.

This summer Dock provided a beautiful windmill delivery of his own. He helped to inject a dosage of fast-pitch fever into a new generation of players.

Sporting a first-year team of 13 players, six of which never played fast-pitch before, Dock coached his 23-and-under squad to a fourth-place finish at the 23-and-under national tournament held in Ogden, Utah.

"We wanted to make an impression for ourselves and let people know who we were," said Dock. "The icing on the cake was getting a trophy. I was proud of the guys."

Dock was excited about the season-ending finish if for one reason -- it helped further sell the sport of fast-pitch to the young converts.

"If next year started tomorrow they'd be ready to go," said Dock.

Among the first-time fast-pitch players were Greg Rubel and Tim Garner, who played for Notre Dame's 1993 Missouri Class 2A state championship baseball team.

Rubel, a star for Notre Dame, was named to the all-american first team after hitting .545 in the four-game national tournament.

Mike Leible was named to second team after hitting .381 with a home run and four RBI.

Other players that stood out at the tournament were Trey Davis, who hit .500 and had four RBI, Josh Dowdy, who hit .333 and had an .823 on base percentage, and Bob Ressel, who had four RBI.

"They stepped up and played ball," said Dock. "That was the first time a lot of these guys had been in that atmosphere."

Rubel, like many of the first-time players, came on strong at the plate late in the season.

"They had to adjust," said Dock. "It's definitely a lot quicker. Offensively you really have to adjust your hitting style."

Dock said the team took a few beatings earlier in the season, playing the likes of Kohlfeld and Bud Light, who are state powers.

"That's probably why we did so well," he said. "We took our lumps all year. When it came time to play guys our own age, we did real well."

Kelso Supply advanced to the nationals by sweeping Savannah on the road July 15.

Ten teams participated in the national tournament. Kelso Supply opened with a 13-2 victory over Ogden, Utah, before dropping an eight-inning game, 5-4, to Hasvold Vending of Souix Falls, S.D.

Kelso Supply went on to edge Idaho Tractors 8-7, but fell 8-0 to Hydraulics International of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Pitchers Dean Heuring and Tom Jansen both went 1-1 in the tournament.

Dock said all his players will still be eligible next season, and expects to see everyone back, including the converts.

"Once you see what the national tournament is like, you want to go back," said Dock. "That's what you shoot for."