MACA came out of the starting gate with a gust of momentum Tuesday. The action was here at Chizek Field. Quite the bustling day for ball field action in Morris. Abundant action in baseball and softball. But the baseball action got abbreviated some by MACA needing only five innings to take care of their winning business.
The orange and black disposed of West Central Area 10-0 in the minimum length of five innings. The burst of early momentum was with a six-run rally in the bottom of the first. This was all the support that the trio of MACA pitchers would need.
The pitcher getting the win was Drew Storck. Storck pitched three innings and allowed two hits. Brandon Jergenson struck out a batter in his one inning. He allowed no hits. Riley Asmus blanked the Knights in his one inning in which he fanned a batter. The Tigers played errorless ball. We out-hit the Knights 8-2.
Ross Marty had two hits, scored a run and drove in one. Kaleb Breuer drove in three runs while putting up a two-for-three line, plus he scored a run. Durgin Decker had a hit and a walk, plus he scored a run. Brett Hansen had a pair of hits, drove in two runs and scored one. Dylan Rose had a hit in his only at-bat. He also walked, scored a run and drove in one.
WCA was limited to two hits and these were by Cole Anderson and Dane Anderson. They employed two pitchers: Cole Bruss and Cole Anderson.
Softball: Tigers win two
The softball complex was a magnet for activity on Tuesday. Excitement was high as 3AA-North post-season play unfolded. The Tigers played not once but twice. So on this demanding day, fans of the orange and black could enjoy wins by scores of 11-1 and 9-3.
My coverage of the Browerville-Eagle Valley game is on my companion blog, "Morris of Course." We won 6-5 to conclude the regular season at 18-1. This post also includes a wrap of the baseball team's loss to NL-Spicer, and the conference track meet. The MACA boys won the conference. Please click on permalink and thanks for reading. - BW
The softball Tuesday story
No surprise in game one as the top-seeded orange and black played the 8th seed, ACGC. This was the 11-1 win. Brienna Dybdahl tripled twice with one of these blasts coming with the bases loaded. That was in the second frame which was good for getting five runs in. We could effectively go on cruise control after that. Dybdahl had four RBIs in the contest.
Another key Tiger was Yasmine Westerman. She worked from the pitching circle for five innings. Her strikeout total was six. With the bat she produced three hits.
The day's work continued with the game against WCA: the 9-3 win. Sydney Dietz put the Tigers ahead with a two-run single. WCA's fielding miscues in the fourth cost them. MACA took advantage to plate four runs. Kortney Sanasack socked a two-run double.
The pitching department saw Brienna Dydahl in typical reliable form: she had a complete game.
Now, what lies ahead for the Tigers? It's a Saturday (5/28) game at 11 a.m. versus Pipestone, down south in Marshall. Look out for those southern Minnesota teams, as they have always been a nemesis in softball. Not sure why. Can we break the spell? It's a long trip but fans will be anxious to see.
Checking out the complex
Well, yours truly walked past the softball complex on Tuesday, largely because it's my regular walking route, but I was also aware of the game action. West Central Area beat Minnewaska 14-13. 'Waska made two errors in the seventh that cost them.
Obviously I continue to analyze the complex to see how well it accommodates events. I wouldn't want to say the fan seating provisions are bad, because there really are no fan seating provisions. The aluminum bleachers behind home plate are minimal. So fans are really left to bring their own collapsible chairs or to stand and watch.
Many fans are setting up their chairs out by the outfield fence. They must feel that gives them the best view, but what does that say about the other choices? It's tough to watch from the first and third base sides. I would argue it's tough to view from almost everywhere. Behind home plate is an issue, because if you get out of the most central spot, you cannot see the whole playing field.
So what kind of impression are we making on fans from other towns with these kind of facilities?
There is a development with parking: finally the cars are seen parked only on the south shoulder of Prairie Lane. With the UMM academic year being done, I think the east parking lot is wide open for the fans, but a walk of a couple blocks is needed to get to the field. And remember, most fans will be carrying their chairs.
The old UMM diamond has been eliminated and now there's work on a new field. I fail to see how the new field represents any sort of improvement over the long-established and quite fine UMM field with its brick dugouts. The old dugouts are gone. That field was convenient for UMM fans because the diamond was right across the street from the parking lot.
The new field worries me because I continue to wonder if batters are going to face the sun too much.
The layout of the whole place bothers me, especially from the standpoint of fans' interests being ignored. Yes ignored IMHO.
Are other people commenting on this? Are visiting team fans submitting feedback? Of course it wouldn't do any good now. Maybe someday Holmberg Field could be torn up and the planning started anew? With provisions for grandstand seating like what the MACA baseball team has?
Do we really need dugouts at all? Why couldn't players sit on benches (with back rests) behind simple nets? That's what was used when the Cougars played at Big Cat Stadium this past spring. In fact, Big Cat would be a fantastic place for the post-season games now being played. It would be a showcase for Morris and UMM. The ticket-selling job would be much easier, Lenora. The situation for fans would be fantastic.
The situation for fans at the complex is rag-tag. The ground gets wet too. It's located close to a river and that means low ground.
The MAHS school board has thrown lots of money at this. There are ball fields all over Morris now. Softball is life? Meanwhile I am not aware of any summer music programs, at all, for school-age youth.
Does anyone agree with my concern on these matters, just from the standpoint of paying property taxes? Money gets people's attention, generally speaking. The City of Morris gave some money and then said "no" on a second request, for the complex. The city wants now to concentrate on parks that they totally own - very logical.
But maybe the city should not have given any money at all. Because it did, it is legitimate for citizens to make comments to city council people or staff. I have done that, with a council person, and the line I get is that the city takes no responsibility for planning the place. "So don't bother us with that," in effect they say. The city just gave money, I was told. There's such a thing as being prudent and careful with money.
Well, at least the cars are no longer parked in such a madhouse way out there. Someone could have gotten hurt. And in the event of that, people would have to digest my comments seriously.
So, am I on the same page with anyone? Or do I need psychological help? Or, maybe I'm the only normal person and everyone else needs psychological help?
Why does the Killoran stage at East Side Park go unused all the time? The city spends money to maintain it. A strange town, Morris can be, and we allowed Prairie Pioneer Days to go into mystifying decline and indefinite shut-down. Word is now, something will be revived but I'm puzzled, as it will be associated with a car dealer. Couldn't the whole Chamber of Commerce simply get behind the event?
I wonder what the competing car dealer thinks of this. And the City of Morris will be involved with "support?" I lost total faith in the city after the water treatment plant thing - lack of communication and consideration for city residents.
Let's all yawn for summer, if it ever gets here. It's cold and damp again this morning (Wednesday). On the bright side, one could get the biscuits and gravy special at DeToy's. Some things in life you can really count on.
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment