And my, look what happened in softball. The spring sport with all its usual weather hurdles saw MACA produce lots of highlights. Oh but that's typical for the program coached by Mary Holmberg. The indefatigable Mary Holmberg: she's the same age as yours truly. Other age contemporaries are Jerry Witt and Lyle Rambow.
The Witts have gotten invested in Alexandria Cardinals athletics now, to the extent people might need some reminding of the Morris background. That's how things go when one epoch of time gives way to the next. One of my traits is that I keep my arms wrapped around the past. Exciting things happened then that ought to stay fresh. Like the football Tigers under Witt making Prep Bowl and playing in the "Metrodome."
Man, we might forget about the ol' Metrodome now. Ever more spectacular sports venues come along now. It's assumed that every big-time team in the Twin Cities has its own venue - we take it for granted. I remember the past time when it was considered a breakthrough to have the Metrodome on the drawing board as a shared-use facility for the Vikings, Gophers and Twins! And it seemed like an amazing and futuristic thing at first.
The Metrodome with its Teflon roof! Like a miracle. Years earlier when the Houston Astrodome was unveiled, it seemed futuristic as all get-out and was called one of the "wonders of the world." Houston needed an escape from the oppressive summer heat (and mosquitoes). As for Minnesota, we all knew what we needed escape from. Ahem, in the winter for Vikings games. And we got the Super Bowl here during the Metrodome years.
Toward the end of its lifespan, the once-cherished Metrodome got the curious reputation as a gathering place for overly-rowdy 20-somethings. The issue arose and was discussed in the Star Tribune. People who brought their families would leave a game early, it was reported. And I just don't know why this happened or how it has been overcome at present. Prices so high, you cannot justify so much foolish behavior?
I am far from poverty-stricken but I would not consider attending a big league game in "Gotham" (the Twin Cities) now. I have read some of the prices for concessions - outrageous. I just follow the teams on my home Internet device.
My reminiscing does not end with the Metrodome, heavens, as I made many trips to the old "Met Stadium."
High school softball
Well, Jackson County Central (JCC) had a heckuva softball season that included getting past our vaunted Tigers in the section tournament. In fact, the Tigers lost to two southern Minnesota teams on the same day in Marshall: JCC and Pipestone. Darn those southern Minnesota powerhouses. How about establishing a committee to research how we might overcome the forces from the south?
But congrats to JCC which achieved third in state. Oh to see our Tigers in that position.
In recent weeks I have reminisced about covering the Tigers in state with trips to St. Cloud and Mankato. And then it dawned on me: I also remember traveling to Fridley one year to cover the Tigers in state softball. I stayed overnight in a motel in fact. I remember an Ersted girl was on our team that year. Oh, and a Tate.
The softball tournament of course coincided with the time of year for graduations. So hectic and exciting. Man, I covered everything for the Morris paper. It might all seem like a dream now. I walked out of the Sun Tribune building for the last time on June 2, 2006. So 20 years have now passed. Seems absolutely surreal.
Bless Joel Beyer who I encountered at the county fair a couple years ago and said to me: "You look like you could still be doing it." It's in the realm of imagination only, Joel, but thanks for your thoughts.
The end came under a real cloud for me. My sports work had come to be judged as 100 percent unacceptable. Maybe the explanation was that Forum Communications was experiencing pressures. They ended up leaving town most unceremoniously.
You might think I'd be thankful having been completely relieved of work pressures over the last 20 years. Actually I would have loved continuing to do so many of the things I did, to share in the atmosphere of excitement and accomplishment for a high school graduation for example. It was my lifeblood in a way. But indeed, life goes on and we can't always get what we want.
Online platforms have given me a means to feel somewhat connected. My family fund for UMM music enables me to feel connected to that place. Now we have to sweat through the summer of wondering what cuts might be coming for UMM. To repeat: one epoch of time gives way to the next. "Time waits for no one?" I guess that's true.
JCC 11, St. Cloud Cathedral 1
The game for third place in Class AA was shortened to five innings because of JCC's dominance over the Crusaders of St. Cloud Cathedral. JCC took care of business 11-1 to wrap up third. The Thursday success in Mankato left the Huskies' final record at 27-2. JCC broke the school record for wins in a season.
JCC scored in every inning. The Huskies stole eight bases. And the pitcher? It was the well-known Hadley Wachal. She struck out eight batters and allowed just one hit and one unearned run.
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| The JCC Huskies, third in Minnesota AA! |
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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