Just north of Des Moines, Iowa, off I35, is the small town of Elkhart. There are no stores in this small farming community – not even a gas station. But what they do have is excellence in men’s fastpitch softball. Elkhart has two fastpitch softball fields and supports two men’s fastpitch teams. Men’s fastpitch softball has been played in Elkhart since the 1930s. Standing next to the field marker is Merle Brendeland, long time player and pitcher in Iowa.