SHOTS from the Hip

By Cripe Olson

At 8 a.m. last Thursday, Firehall Field hosted the first of 15 games involving club baseball teams primarily from the Twin Cities Metro area._One of the coaches was none other than two-time World Series Champion and former Minnesota Twins infielder Al Newman._ Speaking of the Twins, Minnesota drafted Ozaukee High School shortstop Noah Miller with the 36th pick in last weekend’s Major League Baseball Draft. Miller, whose brother currently plays for Cleveland, becomes another high round pick from the Badger State. Two weeks ago, Miller was named First Team All State by the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association._ Good luck to Austin Fox as he heads to Oshkosh to play in the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All Star Game held at Titan Stadium at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh._ Peter Brookshaw heads into this week hitting a solid .320 for the Minnesota Mudpuppies of the Northwoods League.__ Several retirees this past weekend were reminiscing of days when area 4-H clubs each had their own softball teams. Sports in 4-H have an illustrious history, showing athletics as a part of 4-H activities going back to the first clubs in several states, Wisconsin included. And in some states 4-H clubs had wrestling teams, bowling leagues and_ basketball teams._A little research shows competitive sports were particularly big in 4-H during the decades of the 1930's, '40s and '50s. And when it comes to sports, let’s not forget FFA basketball. _Called “Barn Ball” by many, the FFA (Future Farmers of America) league was extremely popular in Wisconsin, with high schools from all over the state, including Prescott High School, competing against one another.

Throughout the four-day wood bat tournament, players, coaches, and fans alike continually lauded the playing surface at Firehall Field._From the outfield signs, the plush outfield and infield grass, the well-groomed pitcher’s mound, and the sprinkler systems, fans gave the venue nothing but rave reviews._Bravo to Dallas Eggers, Dennis Gagnier, Paul Most, Matt Monteith, Brady Randolph, Jane Fox, Charlie Block, and Randy Hansen for volunteering their time over the four-day event._A number of youngsters from the class of 2025 also lent a hand, including Grayson Riley, Joaquin Magee, Owen Bayer, Aiden Dorau, Cole Platson and 2026 graduate Maz Monteith.

Two Prescott Metro League teams finished the season atop their respective divisions._The 14AA team finished with a record of 14-2 and wrapped up its summer schedule last week with an impressive overall record of 22-7._ The 12AA team, coached by a 1995 Prescott alumnus, also garnered a spot in division play with a stellar record of 14-1. The team will begin pool play in the state tournament this week._ A recent column by long time baseball fan George Will states the obvious. Major League Baseball needs some rule changes._Will, a political columnist and baseball enthusiast derides the obscene increase in strikeouts and plummeting batting averages of the modern era player. Will writes that in 2016 there were 3,294 more hits than strikeouts and writer Jayson Stark reported that until 2018 there had never been a month with more strikeouts than hits. This April there were almost 1,100 more strikeouts than hits and this season at the current rate there will be approximately 5,000 more strikeouts than hits. Will also references the last 26 minutes of 2020’s most-watched game, the final of the World Series._Just two balls were put in play. In this game, the ball was put in play every 6.5 minutes, and half the outs were strikeouts. More pitches and less contact. Longer games (13 minutes 17 seconds longer than a decade ago) and less action. Changes need to be made. A pitch clock, requiring two infielders remain on each side of the infield, and moving the pitcher's mound back a foot should be considered._ Headshaker of the week._Firehall Field field staff generally gave rave reviews for the behavior of visiting teams and coaches at last weekend’s four-day baseball tournament. _However, a couple fans from across the river spit hundreds of the sunflower seed shells on the cement area almost carpeting the walkway in front of the concession stand. It was a headshaker._