PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
Payton
New Munich SilverStreaks
New Munich needs to be part of any postseason discussion.
In a sport where pitching can determine the outcome, the SilverStreaks boast one of the best in Ty Reller. He is among the area leaders in ERA, innings pitched and strikeouts. He not only pitches but has, on more than one occasion, helped the SilverStreaks with his bat.
Reller is not alone in hitting well for New Munich. Carter Birr, Devin Hansen and Brandon Holm all can get on to score runs or can drive them in themselves. Reller and Caden Sand join them in the 10-hit club.
The team’s stellar eye at the plate is not confined to hitting; both Logan Funk and Holm have developed a knack for drawing walks.
Defensively, Will
Funk gives the team a solid anchor in the infield. That defense has stabilized the SilverStreaks during the season.
The SilverStreaks have rarely blown any team away. They have, though, played games from beginning to the end and should be doing so again in the postseason.
Greenwald Cubs
The Cubs are hoping to return to regional play. They have shown a possibility of doing so, putting together consistent outings from their pitchers and totaling a couple of 10-run games offensively.
What has marked a difference between this season and previous seasons is defense. The Cubs do not give away many runs; only three teams have scored more than five runs against them.
A big part of that is the symbiotic relationship between the defense and pitching. Pitchers Brett Engelmeyer, Grant Moscho and Tyler Hoffman have generally thrown strikes. Opponents have put the ball in play and the defense has, in turn, made plays.
Brett Engelmeyer is Greenwald’s go-to pitcher. With a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 36-to-11, he has one of the lower ERA in the area at 1.43. He has been on the mound in all four of Greenwald’s shutout wins this season. Moscho has proved effective in relief, helping the team preserve leads.
The Cubs offense has been a study in balance and everyone contributing. While Gabe Schwieters, Tyler Engelmeyer and Sam Frieler have hit well, the team has developed a knack for getting a hit when needed.
Greenwald is young and at times, that inexperience shows. Generally, though, what has been seen is a team with the potential for postseason wins.
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
Grant Moscho brings another effective arm to the Greenwald rotation. He has started games and is among the area leaders in saves.
Meire Grove Grovers
Greenwald from page 5
Wehlage,
too soon for the Grovers.
Meire Grove’s 1-11 win-loss record meant they would not be competing in postseason competition. In the Stearns County League, the top four teams from each division qualify for the playoffs.
The Grovers had bright spots. Jordan Klaphake, whether pitching, hitting or playing defense, was fun to watch and gave hope of turning the season around. His pitching may well earn him a draftee spot with a region-bound team. Alex Welle remained a steady player, helping the team with his hitting and performing whenever needed defensively. Ryan and Josh Olmscheid each compiled 10 or more hits.
The pitching staff of the Grovers had excellent moments, even as it struggled. Matt Imdieke provided some quality innings and Josh Olmschied and Joe Schwinghamer were called on to throw all season.
Those efforts did not produce wins, but the Grovers do have the memory of defeating Elrosa and coming close to upsetting front-running Spring Hill.
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
Spring Hill Chargers
Chargers. Both routinely induce pop-ups or groundouts.
In either case, the Chargers have the experience and talent on defense to get to those balls for putouts.
The Spring Hill Chargers have the offense to carry them deep into the postseason.
Led by a torrid trio of Terres – Eric, .455 batting average; Jamie, .500, and Nathan, .467 – the Chargers always seem to have someone on base. The Chargers has others who come up with the hits to drive them in. Dylan Gertken, Ethan Meyer, Reegan Nelson and Austin Schoenberg have piled up at least 10 hits and Eric and Jamie Terres both have 20 hits. There are a few others with eight or nine hits. The Chargers can and do score often. There have been only three teams that have held them to fewer than five runs, and they have had scored at least 10 runs in four games.
Spring Hill’s offense alone can win games. Combine that with their pitching, and it becomes a formidable opponent. Anthony Revermann, 2.85 ERA, and Ben Welle, 3.03 ERA, provide a solid 1-2 combination for the
Spring Hill has given up hits, but not that many runs. In six of its games, opponents scored three or fewer runs.
The Chargers know what they have to do to win. There will be no surprises if they have a stellar postseason run.
With a 11-1 record in Stearns County League play and a balanced offense and proven pitching staff, the Martins are again favored for a successful postseason run.
Pitching has become the known element of the Martins. Scott Lieser is among the best pitchers in the area and appears on the leaderboard in a number of categories. His 48 strikeouts and 40 2/3 innings just miss making those rankings.
This season, others Martins have consistently done well on the mound. Ben Schroeder has earned three wins, Tanner Arceneau has a 0.39 ERA across 23 innings and Bryan Schlangen has been effective in relief roles.
St. Martin’s pitching, backed by a good defense, limits runs. No SCL opponent scored more than five runs on them.
The Martins offense does not boast a
Martin Martins
bevy of power hitters or an exceptionally high batting average. What it does do, though, is find ways get on and score runs. Carter Thelen, Kyle Lieser, Tanner Arceneau and Nolan Rueter have all can regularly on base, while Bryan Schlangen, Ben Schroeder and Brady Goebel move them around the diamond.
St. Martin page 11
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
Cole Schmitz’s (front) power has led to more than one high-five celebration at home plate. He has five extra-base hits and 10 RBIs thus far in the season.
Richmond can be a fun team to watch, and those following the Royals may be doing so in the final weeks of the season.
Dalton Thelen is among the established hitters in the area and one of the more complete offensive players. His .383 batting average is commendable and his 18 RBIs are a sign of his clutch hitting. He is particularly effective at creating runs with his steals.
Another familiar
element of the Royals offense, Cole Schmitz, is a potent threat for a home run or RBI double. He gets chances to do both, as Justin Schroeder and Kyle Budde are often on base ahead of him.
Adding production alongside those familiar names are Jack Boos, Tyler Prom, Brock Rothstein and Andy Hadley have stepped up with hits.
Those hits provide leads protected by Dalton Thelen, Luke Jokela
and Talen Braegelmann. All three have been effective in their own way on the mound. Jokela is an established starter, Braegelmann helps with starts and middle relief and Dalton Thelen has done well coming in late in ballgames. Add in a reliable defense that does not give away runs, and all together, the Royals have built a formidable team people could be watching late in the season.
The Avon Lakers are one of the teams to beat for anyone planning a memorable postseason run.
The Lakers boast a productive offense. Ryan Janzen’s .450 batting average is among the area’s best for qualifying batters. Caleb Curry is hitting over. 500 and Reese Gregory and Joe Dolan are in the high .300s. With that consistency, the Lakers put people on base and drive them in.
It is not only offensively where Avon is strong. Only one club has scored more than four runs against the Lakers, and they have recorded three shutouts so far.
Matt Pichelmann has limited runs scored against him, totaling seven wins. He has a 1.40 ERA and a 38-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Cole Wellmann, who has over 30 innings, boasts a 1.20 ERA and a similar strikeout-walk ratio. In addition, other throwers have solid ERAs in relief appearances.
The Lakers are com-
ing off a strong regular season. They posted 12 consecutive wins in the Victory League as the section went to press. They could very well continue that run until the final weekend of the season.
Roscoe Rangers
Stearns County League - South
Roscoe’s season ended in the regular season, as it finished fifth in the Stearns County League South Division standings.
Until they were mathematically eliminated, the Rangers kept hope alive for a late-season rally. Max Athmann became recognized as a talented leadoff batter and a dependable catcher. His ability to get on base meant he could start or continue a rally with any at-bat.
Veterans Jordan Schleper and Russell Leyendecker added more laurels their careers, leading by example in both hitting and defense.
Leyendecker was called on most often to pitch and keep the Rangers in games. It was late innings were they were hurt, as opponents rallied to take leads.
Ryan Janzen is among the most productive batters in the area. His hitting has earned him a place as a top hitter and RBI producer.
Josiah Utsch pitched in a few games this season for the Rangers. Roscoe used various pitchers throughout the season.
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
With one swing of a bat, Mat Meyer can change the tone and momentum of a game. He had at least seven home runs going into the playoffs.
Those predicting successful teams in the postseason have to consider St. Stephen.
The Steves play well in all aspects of the game and possess a strong mix of run-producing hitters and shutdown pitchers.
Landon Lunser and Jake Schelonka can control games, protect leads and stop rallies with their pitches. Add to that the proven talents of Chris Belling and Nick Krippner and the Steves boast a solid group of pitchers. Their efforts are backed by an experienced defense which knows how to play any situation.
St. Stephen St. Steves
solid hitters and with their own power. Fuecker has connected on eight home runs and Meyer has seven.
The Steves can never be considered out of a game and has the batters to change a score in any inning.
Where the Steves are particularly effective is producing runs. Cole Fuecker, Mat Meyer and Charlie Kent have all scored at least 10 runs. They do so by getting on base ahead of other
St. Wendel Saints
Last season, the Saints showed they have the talent to win within the Victory League. This year, their ability to apply that talent to tough situations has come through.
In three of its wins, St. Wendel has held on or come back for late victories, none more memorable than a 1311 win over St. Stephen featuring a walk-off grand slam by Austin Dickmann.
Austin Dickmann has become the player people think of when considering the Saints. An established hitter with power, he can also turn a game with his pitching, proving to be a batter’s bane when on the mound.
He is not alone when the Saints need a pitcher. Ronaldo Ramos, Luke Harren and Jake Ethan have all protected leads or kept games from getting out of control.
While Austin Dickmann has become the clutch hitter for the Saints, opponents cannot overlook the abilities of Brandon Dickmann, Logan Harren, Tanner Reis and Tyler Huls. All have delivered in a timely manner for St. Wendel this season.
One thing that marks the Saints as a team is their desire and ability to take extra bases.
Postseason games
Walk-off celebrations have occurred a few times for St. Wendel this season. The
have a way of challenging the best teams. St. Wendel has the ability to meet those challenges.
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
Saints have found success late in ballgames.
Freeport has struggled to play a consistent game and take advantage of opportunities all season.
With Jake Braegelmann, Carter Neuenschwander and Matt Johnson in the lineup, the Black Sox have proven hitters. The team has not always been con-
sistent. As a result, more than one scoring chance has been missed. Freeport play with quality teams, as its pitching, led by Andrew Kerzman, can meet the challenges of Victory League hitting. Besides Kerzman, Iver Papke and Neuenschwander have recorded strong pitching seasons.
The Black Sox have thrown a scare into a few teams this year, only to let games slip away in the final innings. Those outings also showed they could very well earn wins against anyone they play.
Schaefer,
Schlangen, Bryan
Schlangen, Kurt
Schlangen,
This season, Kurt Schlangen rejoined the team, adding further punch, and Ryan Messer has delivered key hits.
St. Martin has not scored a lot of runs, but it does score enough to win. Only once has it been shut out.
The Martins are proof that dependable pitching can take a team a long way. Their offense producing in the clutch can get the winning runs needed for a great postseason run.
PHOTO BY Cutline
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
Andrew Kerzman is the Black Sox’s go-to pitcher. He has logged over
innings this summer.
Far ming Farming Flames
Farming has emerged as a team to watch. In the past few weeks, it left the field with either a victory or the knowledge it has what it takes to win any game.
The pitching staff, built around the experience of Adam Nibaur,
had become very good at keeping runners off the bases. No member of the staff has walked 10 or more batters.
Nibaur, with 40 1/3 innings, has struck out 32 and Ethan Navratil, with 32 2/3 innings, has struck out 21. Those two throwers and re-
liever Adam Winkels have respectable ERAs. While the pitching and defense have limited runs – only one team has scored as many as eight runs against the Flames in a game – the offense has been scoring the needed runs to win.
Leadoff hitter Will Mergen consistently gets on ahead of talented batters like Isaac Nett, Winkels and Navratil, scoring 13 runs so far this season. Both he and Josh Becker get into scoring position with steals.
Nett is one of the top hitters in the area, hitting over .500, although he has not played as many games as others. As the season has moved along, Robert Schleper and Becker have displayed an ability to hit in the clutch, adding more punch to the lineup.
Farming has not always scored a lot of runs, but it has done a great job of blending its offensive talents with its hitting and pitching. That combination should serve the Flames well in their postseason run.
Lake Henry Lake Henry Lakers
Lake Henry has the power and pitching to do well this postseason. With the bats of Jason, Josh and Shane Kampsen joined by Isaac Lieser and Carter Wessel in hitting home runs, the Lakers are always a threat to score. There is more than power in the lineup; Ludwig and Shane Kampsen are not afraid of taking extra bases on hits or stealing when on the basepaths. That effort has paid off, as the Lakers have found themselves in a few close contests this season.
Henry page 17
Vig, Elias
Wuertz, Ryan
Do not look for much scoring in an Upsala Blue Jays game.
Upsala has learned to keep games low-scoring. As a result, it often finds itself in exciting, close games. Six of its games have been decid-
ed by fewer than three runs. Leading that tight defense is a pitching staff that has become tough to score on. Only one team has scored 10 runs on the Blue Jays and seven have been held to three or fewer runs. Matt Swanson is the team’s premier pitcher. Across 40 innings, he has a 1.80 ERA and 31 strikeouts.
Upsala page 15
Lake
continued to improve this season.
The team’s young talent from a few years ago have matured into solid players, enough to manufacture a playoff run.
Offensively, Tate Lange, Brodi Huls and Alex Lange provide the team with players that consistently reach base. A real plus this year has been the emergence of Luke Bieniek as a power hitter; six of his hits have been for extra bases. In addition, Drew Lange, until he was injured, was hitting over .400 and getting around the bases.
Defensively, Opole has found a sturdy combination of players, cutting down on errors and learning how to play their positions and situations.
The pitching staff has endured its ups and downs. Still, led by the durability of Isaiah Folsom, Max Posch and Tate Lange and mixing in the young talent of Drew Lange and Sam Butler, the Bears are developing a competitive unit.
Pierz Lakers Pierz Brewers
It has been a frustrating year for the Pierz Lakers.
In spite of strong play here and there, the Lakers have come up short and plays better than their record indicates. Three of their losses have been by three or fewer runs. In addition, the team had not given up 10 runs in a game.
The Lakers’ pitching staff has compiled a respectable 3.25 ERA, with Preston Rocheleau and Carter Petron do-
ing most of the mound work. Petron is among the area leaders in striking out batters. The offense possesses solid hitters in Kolten Happke, Carter Petron and Preston Rocheleau. Happke’s six doubles, among the area leaders
in that category, has gotten him into position to score runs.
Coming into the postseason, some may be tempted to overlook the Lakers. If they do, they may find themselves looking at a Laker lead.
The Pierz Brewers come into the postseason with a track record of having a say in the playoffs.
The offense has handled the pitching of Victory League opponents all season. Rylee Rauch and Gunnar Wicklund are two of the better hitters in the area. Rauch, with 16 hits and 16 walks, always finds ways to get on base. He makes the most of those opportunities and is a prolific base-stealer and run-scorer. Wicklund and Charles Boser provide RBI potential with their at-bats.
The Brewers use that batting order to build leads and protects them with a solid defense and quality pitching. Only two teams have scored 10 or more runs on them.
Pete Schommer is the team’s workhorse, having logged over 50 innings with a respectable 2.75 ERA. His strikeout-to-walk ratio (29-6) means few batters
can take reaching base for granted against him. Rauch, Wicklund and Phillip Zynda are others who keep batters in check.
The Brewers have a knack for being in games until the very end. They could also be around at the end of the postseason.
Randall Cubs from page 17
Pierz Bulldogs
The Pierz Bulldogs can be expected to hit well in most games. That should help them as they enter the postseason.
Cody Weiss leads the team with 16 hits and has been effective with those base knocks, driving in 19 runs. Among those who get on base ahead of him are Craig Luberts, Deegan Beck and Teddy Dehler.
The Bulldogs have showed they can score runs but have struggled to prevent opponents from doing so. Weiss and Mason Herold have done the bulk of the pitching, with Gunnar Gustafson logging effective innings. The Bulldogs have competed in close games, including winning two one-run decisions and coming close in a 2-1 loss to Buckman. If they play at that level the postseason, they will have a few more wins.
Riverdogs from page 17
Buckman Billygoats
It’s an understatement to say Buckman is one of the area’s best teams.
There is no secret what an opponent must do to defeat the Billygoats. They have to score on them, and good luck with that. As press time, Buckman had allowed only 14 runs to Victory League foes, and only one team has scored more than two runs on Buckman.
That stinginess is in part because of Matt Tautges and Benjamin Thoma, who both have control of their pitches. Tautges features a 36to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 48 innings with a 1.50 ERA, while Thoma’s 0.75 ERA comes off the back of a 52-to-5 strikeout-towalk ratio. All of the team’s other pitchers have yet to allow a run.
Another contributing factor for the few runs allowed is a strong defensive team that rarely hurts itself with errors. A big reason for the wins is the offense Buckman has. With three .400-plus hitters in Matt Kummett, Max Barclay and Matt Tautges and seven others with at least 10 hits, the Billygoats get people on base.
With their pitching, defense and hitting, the Billygoats bring a complete and well-rounded team to the postseason.
There is every reason to think they will again go far in the regional and state tournaments.
Inconsistency has plagued the Steam, but they have the talent to contend with most opponents. Nathan Ehnstrom is among the better hitters in the area and, with a .459 batting average, is a threat to get on base. With Zach Ehnstrom and Hunter Hills in the lineup, they have performers who can drive in runs.
Aitkin averages almost four runs a game. Where it is hurt is it often give up more runs than that.
Inconsistent pitching has seen more than one Steam opponent string together successful rallies. Still, Nathan Ehnstrom, Zack Ehnstrom and Tanner Hills have proved they can get batters out.
The Steam’s season ended following the regular season, as they did not qualify for postseason play. Their wins came over playoff-bound teams.
Fort Ripley comes into the postseason with a reputation of playing with and defeating most teams.
It rarely runs over opponents, but only one team has scored 10 runs on the Rebels. The pitching staff, led by Bryce Flanagan, Isaac Hanson and Adam Jensen, have control of their pitches. Hanson was on the verge of joining the 50-strikeout club as this issue went to press. Flanagan has a history of coming through in the clutch and Jensen has proven his worth when called upon. In addition, the Rebels have the experience of Brett Kramer to bring to the mound.
When batting, Fort Ripley rarely goes down quietly. With Josh Hukriede, Bill Sather, Jack Schaefer and Jensen hitting, the team is always a threat to start a rally and score runs. The team is patient at the plate, drawing over 50 walks as a unit.
Fort Ripley comes into the postseason knowing it will have to perform at a high level to go on a run. However, it has the players and experience to do so.
Totals and averages based on reported games.
Fort Ripley Fort Rebels
Nisswa Lightning
Nisswa enters the postseason with a well-deserved reputation for hammering the ball.
The Lightning have a core of hitters led by Nate DeChaine – who had at least nine home runs against Victory League opponents when the issue with to press – that hit the ball far and often. The team has 35 extra-base hits and three batters hitting .350 or better.
Teams cannot count on the Lightning to give up a lot of runs, either. The pitching staff, built around Nick Ackerman, Blaine Hardy and Carter Dox, rarely gives up more than four runs a game. Only three teams have scored more than five runs on them, and their offense can easily match most of the runs given up.
All season, Nisswa has demonstrated it has the talent to win big games. Its tradition of hard hitting is only matched by its reputation for winning on the big stage.
Aitkin Steam page 21
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
Josh Hukriede has started and highlighted Fort Ripley rallies this year. He finds ways to get on base and score runs.
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
Something often overlooked by its hitting is that Nisswa has Nick Ackerman and other pitchers who can shut down opponents. Nisswa has won four games allowing two or fewer runs.
Sauk Centre Titans
Sauk Centre heads into the Region 16C tournament with a team that should contend.
Led by Shane Trattles and Jake and Dylan Haskamp, the Titans have solid hitters who can get on base. Andrew Rousslange and Andrew Primus both showcase the extra-base power needed to drive in the team’s runs.
In spite of a slow start, the Titans have come on in recent weeks, performing well against most of the teams it will be facing in the coming tournament.
Besides their hitting, the Titans have a proven corps of pitchers led by Shane Trattles, Shawn Hayungs and Dylan Haskamp. All have effectively put down batters all season and should stifle batters in the tournament.
Because of the size of their league (six teams), the Titans have not played as many games as others in the publication. That does not mean they can be overlooked.
Titans’ infielder Andrew Rousslange’s defense has helped cut down opponent base runners all year long. When on offense he is a key component of the Titan attack.
Watkins readies for Region 15C action
BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER
The Region 15C tournament will be played Aug. 2-4and Aug. 1011 in Watkins.
The tournament features representatives from the Central Valley South League (Cold Spring Rockies, Eden Valley, Kimball Express, and Pearl Lake), the Stearns County League’s North Division (Elrosa, Greenwald, Meire Grove, New Munich and Spring Hill) and Stearns County League’s South Division (Farming, Lake Henry, Richmond, Roscoe and St. Martin).
The eight-team, double-elimination tournament will feature at least two teams from each of the leagues. At least one division from the SCL will have three representatives, as determined by the SCL playoffs. The eighth team will be from either
the SCL or CVS, determined by a playoff game. Four teams will then qualify for the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Tournament.
The schedule for games is as follows:
Aug. 2
6:00 p.m. Game 1: SCL North No. 1 vs Play-in winner
8:30 p.m. Game 2: CVL-South No. 2 vs SCL South No. 2
Aug. 3
1:00 p.m. Game 3: CVL-South No. 2 vs SCL No. 3
3:30 p.m. Game 4: SCL North No. 1 vs SCL South No. 2 State Qualifier 6:00 p.m. Game 5: Winners of games 1 and 2
Aug. 4
Elimination Games 11:00 a.m. Game 6: Losers of games 1 and 2
1:30 p.m. Game 7: Losers of games 3 and 4
4:00 p.m. Game 8: Winners of games 3 and 4; winner is Region 15C’s No. 1 seed Aug. 10
State Qualifier/Elimination Games
1:00 p.m. Game 9: Winner of game 6 vs loser of game 8
3:30 p.m. Game 10: Winner of game 7 vs loser of game 5
Championship
6:00 p.m. Game 11: Winners of games 5 and 8 Aug. 11 11 a.m. Game 12: Winners of games 9 and 10; loser is Region 15C’s No. 4 seed 1:30 p.m. Winner of game 12 and loser of game 11; Winner is Region 15C’s No. 2 seed and loser is Region 15C’s No. 3 seed
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
Foley is a team for all games. Its wins include 10-
Foley Lumber k Lumberjacks
run blowouts and a few don’t-leave-till-it’s-over nail-biters.
The Lumberjacks have the offensive personnel to pound out a win against most teams. They tend to strike for multiple hits in an inning. With the bats and power of Drew Beier, Chuck Hackett, Ryan Chmielewski, Dan Marod, Joe Ziwicki and Mitch Keeler in the lineup, few leads are safe. All hit over .300 and all have at least one home run.
Foley is not averse to playing small ball, as its 17 steals and four sacrifices indicate. That same speed pays off with extra bases on hits.
The Lumberjacks’
High-fives and home run congratulations are
possible when Ryan Chmielewski
or Drew Beier come to the
have homered for the Lumberjacks this season.
pitchers have also done their share. Michael Moulzolf, 44 innings, and Alex Foss, 39 innings, have both struck out over 30 batters and limit opponents’ scoring opportunities. They are backed up by a strong defense that rarely give opponents free chances
to score.
Others teams know they have to play well against Foley to find a win. The Lumberjacks –who won 12 games in a row from May 26 to July 3 – in turn have shown they can play well and win.
Upsala, Pierz hosting Region 8C tournament
BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER
The Region 8C tournament features teams from the Victory League’s North/East Division (Aitkin, Buckman, Foley, Fort Ripley, Nisswa, Pierz Brewers, Pierz Bulldogs, Pierz Lakers, Royalton and St. Mathias) and the Victory League’s South/West
Division (Avon, Flensburg, Freeport, Opole, Randall, St. Stephen, St. Wendel, Swanville and Upsala).
The Region 8C tournament will be held the first two weekends in August. Brackets and pairings will be determined after the league playoffs. Regular-season champions Avon and Buckman have already
secured a regional spot. Playoffs will determine the other three entries from both leagues as well as the seeding of the teams.
The first weekend’s games will be played in Pierz, while the second weekend will be held in Upsala.
Section 2B Sobieski, a member of the Victory League
St. Mathias St. Devils
Playing against some of the formidable teams in the Victory League has created a challenging season for the Devils.
St. Mathias has not always sustained offensive momentum and as a result, it found itself on the short end of many results.
The team’s offense has exciting players in Alex Guggisberg, Kyle Welle and Derek Owen. They can reach base but are often left stranded.
Guggisberg is the team’s primary pitcher.
His strikeout-to-walk ratio is solid. Hunter Wicklund and Connor Knettel are others logging a significant innings for the Devils.
St. Mathias will not have an easy time of it in the postseason, but it is more than capable of playing outstanding contests.
South/West Division, will be competing in Section 2B against Bemidji of the Northwest Border League; the Moorhead Brewers and
Moorhead Mudcats from the Red River Amateur Baseball League; the Cold Spring Springers of the Sauk Valley League; and independent teams
from Hamel and Twin Ports.
Seedings and schedule were not made available as the issue went to press.
Nisswa Lightning from page 19
Steam from page 19
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
always
(from left), Noah Winkelman
plate. All three
Baseball’s loneliest position
Local umpire reflects on 40 years
BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER
Tim Pratt jokes his hearing impairment can be a good thing in his profession.
In his fourth decade as a baseball umpire, he has endured his share of verbal jabs from ornery players, coaches and, of course, fans who are far from afraid to express their displeasure.
Pratt still hears well enough to pick up the occasional “Where was that pitch, blue?” or another chirp from a dugout or the grandstands. However, a good chunk of the sparring is good-natured, most coming from people he has known for a long time.
Those relationships, which started forming when he worked his first game in May 1984, remain a big part of why he can still be found calling balls and strikes on diamonds across Central Minnesota.
“Between the green grass, the love of baseball and the shortage
of umpires, it’s hard to step away,” said Pratt, 66, who graduated from Apollo High School in St. Cloud in 1977.
Anyone familiar with amateur, American Legion or VFW baseball in the area almost certainly has seen Pratt in action.
When he took the field for an amateur game July 10 at St. Cloud Orthopedic Field in Sartell, it marked his 4,400th career game. The milestone seemed unthinkable when his umpire life, which has included thousands of games called in Central Minnesota, began. The achievement is not something he dwells on, though it allows the opportunity for a bit of brief reflection.
“To be honest, I consider myself to be a survivor and a bit of a dinosaur,” Pratt said. “You just don’t see a lot of people in this profession last as long as I have. But I still really enjoy it.”
Pratt loved baseball as a kid growing up in north St. Cloud. Apollo
teams in that era were talented, something he realized as an eighth grader when he decided to play just for fun instead of with the school program.
The itch to stay involved and give back to the game he loves led him to donning the chest protector and mask of an umpire. The late Dick Putz, who has a field named after him at St. Cloud’s Municipal Athletic Complex and was heavily involved in American Legion and VFW ball, played a big role in getting Pratt started.
Denny Kunkel also was instrumental in Pratt’s transition from a coach in the St. Cloud Sports Incorporated League to behind the plate. Kunkel remains the head of the 6th District VFW program, which he started in 1979.
“Putzy asked if I had somebody who could go umpire a game and I said ‘Tim will give it a go,’” Kunkel said. “He had enough courage to do it, and he stuck with it. He would also try to go with another umpire who was
Area Leaders
Batting average
(minimum of 37 plate appearances)
.553 Matt Kummet, Buckman
.516 Gunner Wicklund, Pierz Brewers
.500 Jamie Terres, Spring Hill
.475 Matt Filippi, Sobieski
.474 Jackson Peter, Elrosa
.471 Rylee Rauch, Pierz Brewers
.459 Nathan Ehnstrom, Aitkin
.455 Eric Terres, Spring Hill
.450 Ryan Janzen, Avon
.444 Max Barclay, Buckman
Slugging percentage
(minimum of 37 plate appearances)
.968 Gunner Wicklund, Pierz Brewers
.950 Ryan Janzen, Avon
.938 Nate DeChaine, Nisswa
.843 Mat Meyer, St. Stephen
.824 Cole Fuecker, St. Stephen
.736 Kody Ruedisili, Nisswa
.735 Collin Eckman, Sobieski
.757 Sam Peterson, Nisswa
.737 Matt Kummett, Buckman
.706 Jake Kapphahn, Sobieski
On-base percentage (minimum of 37 plate appearances)
.654 Rylee Rauch, Pierz Brewers
.630 Matt Kummet, Buckman
.595 Gunner Wicklund, Pierz Brewers
.569 Ryan Janzen, Avon
.565 Jamie Terres, Spring Hill
.542 Matt Tautges, Buckman
.538 Aaron Jenkins, Nisswa
.529 Eric Terres, Spring Hill
.516 Matt Filippi, Sobieski
.514 Ted Dehler, Pierz Bulldogs
.512 Jake Kapphahn, Sobieski
ERA (minimum of 24 innings)
0.75 Ben Thoma, Buckman
1.11 Scott Lieser, St. Martin
1.12 Adam Nibaur, Farming
1.20 Cole Wellmann, Avon
1.33 Ty Reller, New Munich
1.40 Matt Pichelmann, Avon
1.43 Brett Engelmeyer, Greenwald
1.50 Matt Tautges, Buckman
1.78 Nick Ackerman, Nisswa
1.80 Bryce Flanagan, Fort Ripley
1.80 Matt Swanson, Upsala Hits
28 Matt Filippi, Sobieski
21 Matt Kummet, Buckman
20 Mat Meyer, St. Stephen
20 Collin Kray, Sobieski
20 Eric Terres, Spring Hill
20 Jamie Terres, Spring Hill Runs
18 Kody Ruedisili, Nisswa
17 Dalton Thelen, Richmond
17 Ryan Janzen, Avon
16 Cole Fuecker, St. Stephen
16 Eric Terres, Spring Hill
16 Lane Girtz, Buckman
16 Matt Filippi, Sobieski
16 Rylee Rauch, Pierz Brewers RBIs
24 Nate DeChaine, Nisswa
24 Ryan Janzen, Avon
22 Mat Meyer, St. Stephen
18 Collin Eckman, Sobieski
Local umpire Tim Pratt worked his 4,400th career game July 10 in an amateur contest between the Sartell Muskies and Clear Lake Lakers at St. Cloud Orthopedics Field in Sartell. Pratt has been a xture behind the plate of amateur, American Legion and VFW games, including about 50 games at Bob Cross Park in Sauk Rapids.
more experienced, so he could learn. He’s so dedicated to helping that whole (VFW) program. Those kids mean a lot to him.”
Pratt also credits Dave Thill and Jim Legg, both of whom have passed away, along with Chuck Clausen and Bob Kremer, for teaching key fundamentals and mechanics of being successful.
Pratt’s first game was an amateur contest between Sauk Centre and New London-Spicer.
17 Max Barclay, Buckman Walks
16 Rylee Rauch, Pierz Brewers
12 Kyle Lieser, St. Martin
12 Matt Tautges, Buckman
9 Austin Dickmann, St. Wendel
9 Brandon Holm, New Munich
9 Carter Holthaus, Avon
9 Carter Philippi, Avon
9 Grant Ludwig, Lake Henry
9 Joseph Gaida, Royalton
9 Logan Funk, New Munich
9 Ryan Janzen, Avon Doubles
8 Jamie Terres, Spring Hill
6 Caleb Curry, Avon
6 Kolton Happke, Pierz Lakers
6 Matt Swanson, Upsala
6 Nate Ehnstrom, Aitkin Triples
2 Aaron Weber, Buckman
2 Devin Orbeck, Spring Hill Home runs
9 Nate DeChaine, Nisswa
8 Cole Fuecker, St. Stephen
7 Mat Meyer, St. Stephen
5 Dan Marod, Foley
5 Ryan Janzen, Avon Steals
8 Rylee Rauch, Pierz Brewers
7 Dalton Thelen, Richmond
7 Matt Filippi, Sobieski
7 Tyler Huls, St. Wendel
6 Beau Thoma, Sobieski
6 Devin Hansen, New Munich
6 Ethan Meyer, Spring Hill
6 Logan Harren, St. Wendel
6 Nolan Rueter, St. Martin
Sacrifices
4 Brady Yourcek, Royalton
Pratt and his wife, Darlene, live in Fort Myers, Florida, for about eight months annually. The rest of the year is spent at their camper near Clearwater, with much of his time spent on baseball fields. Pratt calls his umpiring duties a part-time gig, though he will likely do more than 80 games this summer.
To Pratt, it seems like yesterday, and he quickly learned what not to do.
“I learned right away what kind of stuff their pitcher had,” Pratt said. “I was really green and he threw a rising fastball. I flinched, which is a no-no, and I got hit right in the ear. I learned really quick you’ve got to lock your head in and can’t move. A few minutes later, the batter came to plate and saw my head bleeding. That was a quick and tough lesson to learn.”
“There’s no way I could do this without such a supportive wife,” said Pratt, who worked for Coborn’s for 34 years before retiring in 2014. Officiating shortages in high school sports is a huge issue in Minnesota. Amateur baseball also battles a lack of umpires, something Pratt said has a lot to do with ongoing abuse. Though he understands verbal tirades are part of the job, ignoring 100% of the negative comments is impossible. Though none of his encounters have been violent, they can have had a negative impact.
Pratt page 23
4 Brayden Haberman, Pierz Bulldogs
3 Isaac Nett, Farming
3 Kolten Happke, Pierz Lakers
3 Jackson Peter, Elrosa Hit by pitch
6 Justin Cichon, Upsala
6 Kevin Kuefler, Elrosa
5 Kyle Lieser, St. Martin
5 Riley DeRosier, Nisswa
5 Will Mergen, Farming Innings
54 Andrew Kerzman, Freeport
52 1/3 Pete Schommer, Pierz Brewers
48 2/3 Caleb Strack, Randall
47 1/3 Anthony Revermann, Spring Hill
47 1/3 Nate Ehnstrom, Aitkin
47 1/3 Ty Reller, New Munich Strikeouts
66 Caleb Strack, Randall
53 Ty Reller, New Munich
52 Carter Petron, Pierz Lakers
51 Landon Lunser, St. Stephen
51 Ben Thoma, Buckman Wins
7 Matt Pichelmann, Avon
7 Scott Lieser, St. Martin
6 Landon Lunser, St. Stephen
6 Matt Tautges, Buckman
5 Carter
PHOTO BY TOM FENTON
Region 16C’s challenge
To represent Region 16C at the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Tournament this year, a team must be the champion.
Unlike the other 15 Class C regions in the state, Region 16C will have only one representative. Others regions have between two and four.
All members of the Region 16C tournament play in the Resorters League. The league consists of Alexandria, Ashby, Carlos, Kensington, Sauk Centre and Urbank-Parkers Prairie.
The Region 16C tournament will be played in Urbank. The bracket and pairings were not known as the issue went to press.
This year, there were 216 Class C teams. The number of entries from the other 15 Class C regions are:
Region 1C (two entries) Eastern Minney North and South leagues (16 total teams).
Region 2C (four entries) Tomahawk East League (13 total teams).
Region 3C (three entries) Dakota-Rice-Scott League (10 total teams).
Region 4C (three entries) Corn Belt and County Line leagues (14 total teams).
Region 5C (two entries) Twin Rivers and Classic Cannon Valley leagues (13 total teams).
Region 6C (four entries) River Valley and 13-60 leagues (18 teams).
Region 7C (four entries) Crow River-North and Crow River-South leagues (16 total teams).
Region 8C (four entries) Victory League-North/East and Victory-South/ West leagues (19 total teams).
Region 9C (three entries) Land O’Ducks-Teal and Land O’DucksWood leagues (13 total teams).
Region 10C (two entries) Red River Amateur Baseball and Northwest
Pratt from page 22
“When I started, umpire abuse was very prevalent,” Pratt said. “You get your share of criticism, and does it bother me? Yeah, sometimes it does. I’m human. I try to do the best I can, but it can be tough. It can be a thankless job.”
Every umpire or official misses a call on occasion. That is the nature of sports.
Pratt smirked when asked if there was one call he would like back. He said there were a few, but quickly mentioned one early in his career when he missed a pick-off play at first base in a sub-district American Legion game.
There were multiple base runners, with a catcher sporting a big arm behind the plate. Chalk it up to a learning experience.
“They had just missed a pick-off play, so I was already on edge,” Pratt said. “On the next pitch, the catcher gunned it to first behind a left-handed batter. I froze for a second and called it too quick. I called him safe, but he was out and I was quickly nose-to-nose with the coach. I took the brunt of that argument because I was still young and my game-management skills were not good enough to handle confrontation. But, that’s part of the game.”
Pratt never tires of walking into familiar ballparks and hearing someone say “We’ve got a good umpire today.”
Border leagues (13 total teams).
Region 11C (three entries) Central Valley-North, Sauk Valley-East and Sauk Valley-West leagues (13 total teams).
Region 12C (four entries) North Star League (12 total teams).
Region 13C (three entries) Gopher and First Nite leagues (13 total teams).
Region 14C (two entries) Hi-10 and Lake and Pine leagues (12 total teams).
Region 15C (four entries) Stearns County-North, Stearns County-South and Central Valley-South leagues (14 total teams).
Class B
The Class B teams are divided into sections as follows.
Section 1B (five entries) Classic Cannon Valley-American and Dakota-Rice-Scott leagues (eight total teams).
Section 2B (three entries) Northwest Border, Red River Amateur Baseball, Sauk Valley, Victory LeagueSouth West leagues and two independent teams (seven total teams). Sobieski of the VL-SW plays in this section.
Section 3B (four entries) River Valley League-East League and one independent team. (eight total teams).
Section 4B (four entries) Metro Minney League (eight total teams).
Section 5B (four entries) Park National League (eight total teams).
Section 6B (four entries) Riverview League (seven total teams).
Section 7B (four entries) Skyline League (seven total teams).
Section 8B (four entries) St. Paul League (eight total teams).
State tournament
State tournament games will be played Aug. 16-18, Aug. 23-25 and Aug. 30-Sept. 2 at Belle Prairie, Green Isle, Jordan and Shakopee.
He recently worked a VFW game with Tony Kumet of Pierz, who has umpired for 50 years. They informed the soon-to-be-amazed coaches of their combined 90 years of experience, and the coaches responded by telling their respective teams they are in for a treat.
Pratt prides himself on calling the high strike which, by the rulebook, is just below the letters, though it often is not called as written. That philosophy puts him in good favor with pitchers while occasionally drawing the ire of batters. It is a philosophy that helps keep the game moving, he said, which most seem to appreciate.
Getting to know the players, coaches and families are what he will remember when the time comes to step away.
“I enjoy the camaraderie with all the coaches I’ve met over the past 40 years,” Pratt said. “There are so many tremendous coaches. The guys I’ve gotten to know at all levels are just great guys. The players are exceptional athletes, and you get to know not only them, but also their families. Believe it or not, I’ve met so many great fans. There is a respect there with the fans once they see you around so much.”
If Pratt continues umpiring two or three more years, which he said is possible, his career total of games worked will easily surpass 4,500.
“I’m 66, but my body feels like 76,” Pratt said. “I still love doing it, and I’m not quite ready for them to kick me to the curb yet, but it’s pretty close. I’ve had my glory.”
