Blade Balls& Bags

Honoring #13

This event is one the Kenosha softball community holds close. Our dear friend and lifelong softball player, Steve “Blade” Hess, was taken from us far too soon after a short battle with aggressive pancreatic cancer.

The Hess Memorial Foundation was built from all the things Steve loved — his family, his friends, his community, softball, bags, food, drinks, and helping others. He led by example on the field and in the field of life, and each year we choose a new community need to rally behind in his name.

This Year We Play For Dee

This year, the Blade weekend is playing for Deana “Dee” Smith, a longtime Kenosha resident. In May 2024, Dee was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction on July 1, 2024, completed four rounds of chemotherapy, and rang the bell in November 2024.

In January 2026, neck and shoulder pain led to the news that the cancer had returned — spreading to her lymph nodes, bones, and both lungs. It’s not curable, but it is treatable, with the goal of giving Dee more time.

“April 2026, the day I received the ‘not curable’ news, marked the first day of the rest of my life… Not everyone gets that!” — Dee Smith

Every team, every raffle ticket, and every dollar this weekend goes to support Dee and her family.