Rain, rain, go away.

That refrain is often heard this time of year, especially in Wisconsin at state tournament time.

No one knows that better than Verona girls softball coach Chad Tuescher, who is taking the Wildcats back to the WIAA Division 1 state softball tournament for their eighth year in a row and ninth trip in 10 years.

A former assistant coach at Verona, It will be the fourth straight trip for Tuescher as head coach, since he succeeded Cindy Suess in 2004 when she left to take over as head women's softball coach at UW-Oshkosh.

"Earlier in the season, I wasn't sure if we'd be back this year," he said. "But here we are again. The girls worked hard to continue the tradition. It means a lot to end our season (at state)."

Tuescher, though, had to chuckle at one other tradition that seems to have followed the Wildcats back to state.

"It seems like eight of the last 10 years we've had rain," he said. "We'll just cross our fingers and hope for the best."

But Tuescher confirmed that Verona's home field, dubbed the "Field of Dreams", is ready to serve as a back-up facility if the weather proves to be a factor again. The Bowling Green softball complex in Middleton has also been a back-up facility in the past.

With thunderstorms arriving overnight and showers predicted to pass through the Madison area later this morning and Friday afternoon, fans are advised to bring their rain gear and their patience.

"They will do everything they can to get the games in at Goodman Diamond," Tuescher said of WIAA officials. "The tarp will be on the field overnight. But we're on standby to host any games if they have to be moved."

As in the past, the WIAA will attempt to accommodate each team with at least one game at Goodman Diamond, regardless of weather issues. That means if the Division 1 quarterfinals are delayed and the semifinals are postponed due to rain and can't be played today, they would be moved to Verona so that the Division 4, 3 and 2 semifinals, in that order, could still be held at Goodman Diamond on Friday.

Weather permitting, of course.