Over 50 youngsters participated in last weekend’s Pitch, Hit and Run competition. Sponsored by Major League Baseball, the free events featured youngsters from around the area between the ages of 7-14 displaying their baseball skills. Winners of Sunday’s local competition were 8U Softball Harlow Steffan, 8U Baseball Parker Randolph, 10U Softball Celia Larson, 10U Baseball Hunter Briggs, 12U Softball Amelia Temmers, 12U Baseball Elizar Haas, 14U Softball Aubrey Kellogg, and 14U Baseball Henry Block. Congratulations to all winners and brava to Amelia Temmers for garnering the highest overall score for all competitors. Hats off to local organizers and CAB Company members Brady Randolph and Charlie Block and all the volunteers who helped make the event possible.  

We are less than a month away from the beginning of the 2023 Prescott High School sports season. The three-time defending state champion girls’ golf team members are undoubtedly cleaning their clubs, weatherizing their golf bags, and shining their shoes as they search for yet another Middle Border Conference title. Head Volleyball Coach Tracey Budworth and her charges look to also challenge for the Middle Border crown. Led by the dynamic sister combo of Reese and Natalie Ptacek, the Cardinals hope this season will bring some hardware to the high school trophy case. Head Coach Jordan Hansen and the football team will enter the 2023 season with high expectations. After impressive performances in 7 on 7 passing leagues and tournaments, Prescott will feature talented players at several skill positions and hope to return to the WIAA playoffs after another grueling conference season. Cross Country Coach Tim Phillips will have dozens of harriers running through the fields and wooded trails this fall. City residents have already seen runners galore jogging up and down hills in preparation for the fast approaching season. Featuring big numbers once again, Phillip’s charges are hoping such impressive participation translates into success. 

Dylan Questad of Waterford High School and Riley Frey of the University of Milwaukee were the lone Wisconsin natives taken in last week’s Major League Baseball Draft. Questad, a right-handed pitcher, was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the fifth round and Frey, a left-handed hurler, was chosen by the Atlanta Braves in the 19th round. 

From the WIAA: High school baseball pitchers who do not receive signals from the catcher must now simulate taking a sign with one foot on the pitcher’s plate before proceeding with a pitch. This was the lone rule change forwarded by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Baseball Rules Committee and was subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. A pitcher leaning forward to receive a sign from the catcher is fundamental to the pre-pitch phase of the game as it indicates to both the batter and the players in the field that the ball is about to be put in play and is the typical signal for any runners on base to begin taking their leadoffs. This new mandate forces the pitcher to pause, providing ample time for all participants to prepare for the pitch. Additionally, I wonder if sportsmanship will be a point of emphasis for the 42nd year in a row? Probably along with the unwillingness of umpires to call out the ever-growing problem of disrespectful behaviors coupled with choreographed over the top individual celebrations on singles, doubles, triples, and homeruns. You may be asking yourself “celebratory behavior on singles?” Oh yes, it’s here and coming to a local diamond near you.  

And in softball beginning next year, pitchers in high school softball will be allowed to disengage both feet from the playing surface if the pivot foot is not replanted prior to the delivery of the pitch. Previously, the pivot foot was required to remain in contact with the ground.

Also, the National High School Federation has approved the use of a one-way communication device between a coach in the dugout and a team’s catcher for the purposes of calling pitches. It will be permitted in high school baseball beginning in 2024. The new rule prohibits coaches from communicating with any other player besides the catcher on defense and with any player while batting. The coach must also be in the dugout when using the communication device.

From the Wisconsin DNR: The DNR announced a fee increase for many nonresident hunting and fishing licenses. The fee changes range from $5-$40 and are only for nonresidents. Licenses for the 2023-2024 season are valid through March 31, 2024. The last time license fees for residents or nonresidents increased was 2005.

Headshaker of the week. As has been the case the last several years, pitching has dominated Major League Baseball’s summer classic. There certainly is nothing wrong with that. However, as images of All Star Classic games of the past flooded personal media feeds last week, baseball fans everywhere opined about a time when players wore the uniform of the team they represented. Not anymore. The American and National league teams donned uniforms resembling slow pitch softball teams. In this day of interleague play, Major League Baseball must believe today’s lazy fan would find it difficult to discern who plays for what league if they wore the uniform of their club. All Star photos of Rod Carew, George Brett, Joe Morgan, and Roberto Clemente wearing the game uniforms of their teams always added to the star-studded feelings associated with the summer classic. Sadly, those days are gone. Not having players wear their own uniforms? It’s a headshaker.