The Prescott Pirate season came to a close Saturday night as they fell to Chaseburg-Coon Valley by a score of 8-5. The Pirates had advanced to Saturday’s game with an 8-3 victory over Brill on Friday night._ Bill, Mike, and Peter Brookshaw combined for eight hits as the Pirates pounded out 13 hits._ The Pirates finished the season with an overall record of 13-4._ Incidentally, the River Falls Fighting Fish were crowned the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association State Champions._ Firehall Field got a workout this past weekend as club teams from Minnesota and Iowa played 10 games on Friday and Saturday._ Hats off to the likes of Dallas Eggers, Dennis Gagnier, Steve Block, Brad Matzek, and Tracey Budworth for their many hours of volunteer work._ And a special pat on the back to soon-to-be Prescott senior Hayden Pattridge who spent the better part of ten hours dragging and raking the field between games. Weekend games will be played at Firehall Field throughout the next month and a half._ The latest WIAA season adjustment has the spring softball and baseball seasons slated to start the middle of April and concluding by the end of June._ Although not optimal, this proposal appears to be much more palatable to Wisconsin High School baseball coaches. The WIAA still identifies September 7th as the start date for football, but has also endorsed a plan for schools, if they choose to do so,_ to play football in the spring of 2021.

The 2019 WIAA Division 2 State Runner Up Prescott Girls golf team began practice this week as did the Cardinals boys and girls cross country teams._ Best of luck to all three squads this year.

The Prescott Hall of Fame Committee is exploring ways to dress up the current Hall of Fame display at Prescott High School._ Hall of Fame information and nomination forms are available at https://www.prescott.k12.wi.u s/page/3192._ The next Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be in the fall of 2021._ Current members include 2016 inductees Mike Ptacek, “Doc” Laney, Bernie Lepley, Mary Beeler, Dorothy Ahlgren, and Nick Johnson._ 2017 inductees Dallas Eggers and Brady Behrendt and 2019 inductees Richard Hoffman and Nicole Eggers._ From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources… The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has received the 2019 test results from the second year of the ruffed grouse West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance project. Results from the blood samples collected from harvested ruffed grouse in 2019 indicate that 20% of the Wisconsin submitted samples had antibodies consistent with WNV exposure. Of these samples, 9% showed confirmed WNV and 11% showed likely exposure. None of the 188 samples had evidence of the virus present in their hearts. 'These findings indicate that while ruffed grouse are being exposed to WNV, there are birds that are surviving and clearing the virus from their bodies,' said Alaina Gerrits, Wisconsin DNR Assistant Upland Game Ecologist._ Hopefully the relatively positive news will translate into a population rebound for the popular upland game bird._ Pending board approval Head Basketball Coach Nick Johnson will add another title to his Hall of Fame resume. That of Prescott Cardinal Head Girls Softball Coach. Stay tuned._ Headshaker of the week. As mentioned, Firehall Field was host to a number of games this past weekend._ The Minnesota Baseball Academy/ Minnesota Blizzard paid the Prescott CAB Company to use the field._ Event organizers charged a minimal fee for individual game or day fee. Although the vast majority of spectators cheerfully and willingly complied, a handful of loudmouthed adults berated ticket takers, refused to pay the fee, and proceeded to watch the games with no remorse. _ Unbelievable._ Temper tantrum throwing adults refusing to pay an entry fee?_ It’s a headshaker._