Redfield’s Osborn to join SDABA Hall of Fame

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WATERTOWN — Five former standouts are members of the 2020 induction class for the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame.
The new inductees include Gene Lorenz of Aberdeen, Scott Bartholomew of Wheaton (Minn.), Curt Cutler of Dell Rapids, Steve Fejfar of Elk Point and Rich Osborn of Redfield.
The Class of 2020 will be honored on Aug. 8 during the state tournament at Mitchell. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plans for the Hall of Fame induction banquet have not been finalized. More details will be released at a later date.
The South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame is located in Lake Norden.
Rich Osborn

The Redfield native certainly had a lot of do with helping Redfield Dairy Queen become one of the state’s best amateur baseball teams in the 1990s and 2000s.
Osborn started his amateur career as a Legion eligible player and was involved as a record-setting 22-inning game as a catcher. He played college ball at Northern State University in Aberdeen and played five years with Aberdeen Wendy’s-Coke before returning to his hometown.
He not only helped restart amateur baseball in Redfield in 1992, but became the player-manager for teams that won 21 district titles and state Class B championships in 2000 and 2006. He also started the Redfield Baseball Association, which spearheaded the renovation of the Redfield ballpark.
Noted for his receiving skills and game-calling ability behind the plate, Osborn also used a strong arm to limit running options for opposing teams.
A top-of-the-order hitter with good power, Osborn compiled a .390 career batting average, .500 on-base percentage and 1,000-plus hits during a career. He earned Class B all-tournament honors in the state tourney three times.
In 2006, Osborn delivered the game-winning hit in Redfield’s 8-6 extra-inning victory over Wynot (Neb.) in the state championship game.