BLISSFIELD — A slow-pitch softball tournament held in memory of Ronnie Lee VanSteenkiste-Amador marked its third year on June 21. 

The tournament raises money to support an annual scholarship for Blissfield High School seniors who are pursuing higher education or trade school.

VanSteenkiste-Amador was a 2016 graduate of Blissfield High School and a first-generation college student. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Adrian College, where she was also a member of the softball team, and after college she started coaching the Blissfield High School JV softball team alongside longtime friend LeeAnn Forche.

She died in August 2022 from injuries sustained in a car accident.

“She was truly a light in every room and had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people, whether friends or strangers,” said Brooke Pickles, president of the Ronnie Lee Legacy Foundation board. 

Pickles grew up with VanSteenkiste-Amador and Forche, and the three had been friends since they were in daycare. She established a scholarship fund in VanSteenkiste-Amador’s memory in 2022, and the group became a nonprofit foundation in 2024. 

The group has awarded $3,500 in scholarships since its inception. This year’s recipient was Nicole Brewer.

The 2025 tournament was sponsored by Todd Construction LLC, Renaissance Dermatology, Velocity, Molly Schmitz & Polly Jensen, Iott Insurance, 1Mosaic, Trussworks, Omni Ingredients, Papenhagen Construction, Uckele Health & Nutrition Inc., Knapp Motors, and an anonymous donor who paid for most of the players and spectators to enjoy a free meal.

The event also included the Press Stop food truck. The volunteer umpires were Chad Abbott and Lucas Rogers, and the winning team was called the Seed Spitters. 

For more information, visit the VanSteenkiste-Amador Scholarship Spotlight group on Facebook, follow
@RonnieLeeLegacyFoundation on Instagram, or email [email protected].