Maybe not a no-hitter but MACA baseball wins

Tigers 9, Pelican Rapids 2

Bad enough there was snow on the ground this morning (Saturday), now yours truly is confused by a contradiction in media reporting on the Friday MACA baseball game. 

I am not shocked that a contradiction might happen. This is especially likely if you get game info from the coach of both teams. Not sure if this is the explanation today. 

It would be a rather big deal to report how "Morris pitchers combine for no-hitter." I might even seize on this for a headline. Well, the West Central Tribune of Willmar began its re-cap with "Brandon Jergenson and Brett Hansen combined for a no-hitter as Morris/Chokio-Alberta beat Pelican Rapids at Morris." 

Actually the WC Tribune spelled Jergenson as "Jorgenson." Also, the paper seems to continue as a matter of policy to refer to us as "Morris/Chokio-Alberta" even though we clearly are "Morris Area Chokio Alberta," have been for a long time. 

But was this game really a combined no-hitter? 

Now let's look at the kmrs-kkok review on the website: "Brandon Jergenson bounced back from a rough first inning to lead Morris Area Chokio Alberta to a 9-2 victory over Pelican Rapids from Chizek Field. Jergenson gave up two runs on a hit and two walks in the first before holding the Vikings hitless over his final 5.2 innings." 

So Jergenson gave up a hit in the first. I would give more credence to a Morris media-based review than the Willmar folks. Willmar is owned by Forum Communications which was going to pull the plug on the Morris paper before the Anfinsons came here and rescued it. I gained that info from a credible source in the business. 

Combined no-hitter or not, surely it was an up day for our Morris nine. So the score was 9-2 over Pelican Rapids and the success evened our W/L at 2-2. 

I'll assume that most of the Willmar reporting is correct. So we see Jergenson - I can spell it right - pitching 6.2 innings and giving up the two runs, earned, while walking five and striking out seven. Hansen notched the other 1/3 of an inning. The MACA line score was nine runs, six hits and one error, while Pelican Rapids posted 2-0-5 numbers. 

Both teams showed offensive life in the first inning which ended with the score 3-2, MACA up. We went on to score one run each in the third, fourth and fifth innings. We sealed the deal with a three-run sixth. 

Ross Marty had a hit and drew a walk. He scored two runs and drove in one. Jergenson crossed home plate once. Zach Bruns was productive at two-for-four with a run and an RBI. Sam Kleinwolterink worked the pitchers for two walks. Josh Rohloff tossed the bat aside in receiving one walk. Durgin Decker rapped a hit and scored two runs. Dylan Rose had a hit and scored a run. Tristan Raths walked and scored a run. Brendan Hardy walked twice. Riley Reimers had a hit and drove in two runs. Maddix Erickson - first time I've typed that name - had a walk received. 

The losing pitcher was Weston Funk. Just two of the six hits he allowed were earned. Obviously errors hurt Pelican Rapids (5). Carson McNeal also pitched.

 

Missed opportunity for city?

Time will tell if my skepticism about the new softball complex is well-placed. But as I observe the muddy place out there, I also conclude it was a prime opportunity for the City of Morris to maybe establish a new city park. 

The area is bounded by the UMM campus and the water treatment plant, the latter being another thing where I have expressed skepticism. Specifically I felt the city completely missed the boat in helping us understand and adapt to the plant. The plant may in fact be a positive thing. It's just that to this very day, I don't know. I made a personal sacrifice when I bought a new softener which the water quality company person said was necessary. To this day the new unit has done nothing. How could I not be upset about that? 

Anyway, the space between the plant and UMM might be inviting for a city park with the standard features: playground equipment, a paved basketball court and hey, how about a performance stage? It's probably a better location for a stage than East Side Park, because it's away from residential neighborhoods. Our stage at East Side Park has been so under-used it really is pathetic. And yet I'm sure the city spends money to maintain it. 

The city has been out to lunch on so many things. The city made a public statement recently answering the question about when the park bathrooms would be open. Recently the MACA softball teams, varsity and 'B', played games at Wells Park while a large group of boys used the basketball court. If the park restrooms were not open at that time, there's no excuse, just no excuse. I was at the game but I didn't have to use the facilities. 

Reminds me of an old Minnesota Twins story. The guys in the press box during a game were observing a news wire update on a Twins game (pre-digital times) and one of them said: "Look, Felton started the game for Minnesota and now they have him relieving himself on the mound." And on that note. . .

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Spring weather tough on high school sports again

Sign at new field (twitter image)

The thermometer said around 30 degrees this morning, as I wiped my sleepy eyes and got set to check my email. In the past I'd have "Morning Joe" on TV, but I have elected to cancel my Federated TV service since Federated is eliminating the service anyway sometime next year. Not sure how I'll proceed with TV. 

So much is available on laptop now, even my favorite MSNBC TV shows which are available soon after they air the standard way. But it seems different not having an image on the TV screen anymore. 

So it's Tuesday morning as we plod along in spring weather that is most un-springlike. We might expect a temperature like this in February. We are conditioned to expect the harshest conditions through the year in our beloved Minnesota. We cannot resist a little defeatism creeping in sometimes. We might accept the unpleasant weather with an air of resignation, as we try to chalk up the good things we find about this part of the country. 

But we're now a symbol of urban unrest. Seems surprising to have this crop up here rather than in a warmer state. Cold weather ought to keep people indoors minding their own affairs, or so we thought. The Chauvin trial is a flashpoint. For sure it's a prime topic of discussion on "Morning Joe" this a.m. I have found programs like this to be tiresome because they tend to over-dramatize things - e.g. the "Russia investigation" - that have an anticlimactic resolution. So maybe it's nice to be on somewhat of a hiatus from them. 

The weather this morning makes me wonder yet again why we try to put high school student athletes through an outdoor sports season that begins in April. The topic gets raised for discussion across the country: spring sports having to deal with weather adversity. MACA Tiger teams have thus far played games under conditions that were unreasonably cold. This morning it's freezing, and yes, conditions will likely improve through the day. 

Spring winds can be fierce. We wonder if the new softball field in Morris might be susceptible to howling winds based on being in such a wide-open space. Just another question to add to the list regarding this facility. 

I'm having trouble getting my queries answered. Were I to receive acceptable answers to some of my reasonable questions, I might back off on some of my written criticism. 

 

Anyone out there?

I tried asking Mary Holmberg about how fans are going to be accommodated at the new facilities, as it seems the available space is negligible. Dugouts are an obstacle for viewing - they seem bigger and longer than needed. I predict fans will have a hard time seeing through the fence on the first and third base sides. Actually those fans would be pushed more into outfield territory. 

I have suggested that bleachers might work outside the outfield fences, but the big question is whether this would be too far away. 

If the facility is quickly judged to be non-fan-friendly, would turnout be too low to justify having a concession stand? 

I could present a question to the UMM athletic director, but I do not know this individual, and also he seems too all-in with the heavy promotional rhetoric for the place. 

Some of these people, if I were to approach them, might react immediately by whispering among themselves, not about how my questions might be answered, but about how I'm a troublemaker. I'd be "branded," which is something that happens amid the community politics of Morris MN. 

So I didn't contact the AD but I did contact a very well-placed advocate for UMM, an alum, a professional person in the community, and I emailed him with the question "what is UMM getting out of this?" 

UMM is a partner. How is UMM softball being served by the "complex" for softball, as it is called. UMM softball is well-established. I have observed two games there this spring, as my standard route for biking and walking goes right by the place. It is a pleasant experience to be sure, always has been. The issue is this: How is UMM softball benefiting from the "complex" project. 

I ask because I see no difference from before. The fans make do with sitting on the ground, in lawn chairs or standing - not a terrible situation. But we have this ballyhooed "complex" which I thought would make such a grand impression. 

On Saturday I was taking a walk just north of the campus when once again I experienced something common for walkers and joggers: someone pulled up and asked directions. She was looking for the softball field. I smiled and said just go down the hill and it's right there. This person was probably here to watch UMM's opponent: Wisconsin-Superior. 

Years ago I was jogging when I was befriended by some out-of-towners who were on their way to a wedding at the Horticulture Garden. I found it difficult to give directions from where we were at, so I hopped into the back seat of their car and guided them. Upon arrival I got out and resumed jogging, which must have looked strange. 

Walkers and joggers assume this obligation in life. Just look out for the South Dakota attorney general. He might be reading a right wing conspiracy blog as he's driving. Biden and China? It's all quite harmless so long as you don't kill someone. Joseph Boever, RIP.

So I watched softball for a couple innings on Saturday. Then I wondered about the fundraising for this apparently questionable project at a time when our food shelf needs funds. MACA softball could have a 100 percent happy home at Wells Park. Someone told me "they have a ball diamond right up at the school. Why don't they play there?" 

 

Capitulate to weather?

Is the springtime weather so harsh that we should fundamentally re-structure high school spring sports? Forget about outdoor competition in April. Maybe have a one-month season with indoor sports - volleyball for boys and floor hockey? - and it could be intramural, more serious than phy. ed. class and less serious than regular varsity sports. See how the kids take to it. 

High schools could work with organizations like the American Legion to oversee baseball and softball that could begin in May and wrap up the second week of August. Player rosters might have to be fluid, as some graduating seniors might want to move on. But many would not. The high school post-season already goes past graduation-time because of the tournament. But of course you have to keep winning to keep going. Many are called, few are chosen. 

 

Grasping for answers

Oh, I never heard back from my UMM contact person. I had written to him that "if I need to be straightened out on anything, give me a heads-up." He could have forwarded my questions/concerns to another party, maybe the UMM athletic director who unfortunately might get mired in party-line talk. I'm not interested in party-line talk. 

Does this "softball complex" thing have an official watchdog? Who's in charge in the sense of "who adjudicates any disputes, who is the referee." In my judgment thus far, UMM has gotten the dirty end of the stick. As for MACA, they have a tangible reward for the effort, the new field, already named for the extant coach, but I fail to see how fans are going to be accommodated there. Fans are a big part of making the experience enriching. 

Are parts of the project going to stay in limbo as funds fail to materialize? Maybe in the end the organizers will have to make a plea to government for the government to open its purse. This has already been done with the city and the city took the step of making a public announcement that it would not be making a second contribution. It's a shame it made the first. Who is the watchdog?

Sometimes these promoters can seem like the movie gremlins begging to be fed after midnight.

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Tigers overcome cold and 'Waska to post 13-9 triumph

Tigers 13, Minnewaska 9

So much for the assumption that MACA spring sports would be put on hold. Our hardy student-athletes sprang into action on Thursday. The temperature was flirting with 40 degrees, maybe a touch higher, but my it felt cold. My own senses sent me that message. 

How we look forward to milder conditions and a dose of inspiring sunshine. But on Thursday? "Baby It's Cold Outside," to quote the song theme. Our softball team played Minnewaska Area at home. 

"Home" was not the muddy new field at the "softball complex," with the "complex" term seeming rather like exaggeration. Technically there are multiple diamonds there, yes. But the place is far from "wowing" observers as they might walk by. It was judged no-go for the Thursday prep softball action. 

I got the heads-up earlier in the day that Tiger softball would be at Wells Park. Some quite nice facilities are there, even regular bathrooms. I can't imagine anything wrong with the place, frankly. The Tigers gamely took the field and used a big sixth inning rally to turn back the Lakers of Minnewaska. The final score: 13-9. 

So, a nice debut for the Morris nine under nearly winter-like conditions. Brrr. 

Our rally in the sixth inning was to the tune of seven runs. 'Waska got the early 1-0 lead. Then the orange and black went to work to plate three runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and seven in the sixth. 

The Lakers tried to fight back with an impressive six-run outburst in the sixth and two more runs in the seventh. But the Tigers had too much firepower on this day. 

Katelyn Wehking was a force at the plate with three hits in four at-bats. She drove in two runs and scored three. Sydney Dietz's bat made noise with two hits, and her ribbie total was three. Dietz wore the mask behind the plate with great proficiency. She gunned down three 'Waska baserunners. Shannon Dougherty rapped a pair of hits and crossed home plate three times. Makenna Hufford drove in two in the winning effort. 

Let's look at the pitching: here Yasmine Westerman - first time I've typed that name - worked just over four innings and fanned six but she was not involved in the decision. Brianna Dybdahl pitched in relief and got the 'W'. The losing pitcher was Rylee Metz who relieved MaKenna Panitzke. The Morris line score was 13 runs, 13 hits and two errors. The 'Waska numbers were 9-7-4. 

A bunch of Lakers each had one hit. Here's the list: Olivia Richards, MaKenna Panitzke, Maddy Meulebroeck, Brooklyn Larson, Britta Nelson, Brecklyn Beyer and Leah Hagen. 

No one called in the Morris softball info to the West Central Tribune, based on what I see on their website. Considering the big fundraising push for the softball "complex," the program really ought to avail itself of all the press/promo opportunities that are available. Wouldn't you say? This was a home win in which we scored 13 runs: no shortage of highlights to be sure.

 

Let's know our softball history

We should correct an error from an October 20, 2020, article from the Stevens County Times, a paper veritably drooling to support the softball complex. I verified that this was not a quoted item from someone involved in the project. Such a statement might be excused from someone all consumed with spreading promotional rhetoric. No, this statement was in the reporter's words. 

Here it is: "Tiger softball, which has seen more success in the recent past as far as wins and losses and conference championships, will now have a comparable complex to Tiger baseball, which sees upgrades to Chizek Field almost every summer." 

It is not true that Tiger softball success has been comparatively better than in previous chapters of the program's history. There have been many chapters marked by considerable success. As a newspaper writer/photographer I covered the Tigers in the state tournament more than once in St. Cloud, also at Mankato and Fridley. 

The program made noise with success continually through its early years and henceforth. Why are some trying to downplay that now? Remember Tammy Kukla pitching? Remember Lisa Schock, Sue Kaye? 

I do question Sharon Martin's insistence on fans gathering at a "dive" bar of a place in St. Cloud following a state game there! To each their own but it's not my cup of tea. "McRudy's?" 

I remember when Sharon's late father, the unforgettable Willie Martin, picked up the tab for fans who gathered at the Ground Round in St. Cloud during state. The Ground Round once was a trendy place in St. Cloud but I think it fell on hard times. Too many franchises moved in? I'm old enough to remember when the Historic Corner Bar went disco!

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Jeff Backer asserts his personal Covid shot stance

Rep. Jeff Backer

Representative Jeff Backer was puzzling in recent comments about the Covid vaccine. A local media operation performed the public service of asking Rep. Backer about this. I think the interviewer had a suspicion about what Backer's inclinations were likely to be, based on reputation. Backer comes off as quite the conservative Republican. 

Maybe I should put "conservative" in quotes. People presenting themselves as conservative have historically been far more sensible than today's leading strain, the Trump strain. We continue to see the big blue Trump campaign sign on the outskirts of town, the north end. It's close to the Greeley Plumbing building which I'm informed is the new home to the Morris Chamber of Commerce. Does the Chamber feel comfortable being so close to that sign? 

Granted, we are definitely in Trump country out here in the hinterlands. Still, we're in an overall environment where Democrats are more than holding their own. The Republicans can resist nationally with the "filibuster." 

Our local radio newshound asked Backer in a seemingly innocent way if he had gotten the vaccine shot. The obvious answer would be "yes" from an opinion leader like our state representative, someone of supposedly sound mind. Our politicians of today can veer out of "sound mind" territory. So Backer, my candidate for "Bullwinkle is a dope" today, said "I have not" gotten the shot, in the April 7 interview. This was midway in an interview that started out by covering the usual ground. 

Our radio guy put Backer's vaccine answer in the headline on its website. Good to expose this, but bad that we have someone like our state rep talking like he's an anti-vaxxer. He seemed self-contradictory: He said he wouldn't get the shot but "that doesn't mean I don't encourage others." Huh? 

The most obvious immediate rebuttal to the rep is that "you don't get the shot just for yourself, you get it for those around you." The radio guy was too polite to start engaging in this kind of verbal combat. "Conservatives" of today are so prickly, a pol like Backer might well have become unsettled. "Oh, you're being political (or politically correct)," he might say. 

Trump when he was president assailed a press person at a press conference for being "politically correct" by wearing a mask. This was our president for four years, surely someone who Backer and Torrey Westrom voted for. 

 

Concerted effort needed

We are trying to stem the tide of the pandemic this spring across America. There is plenty of vaccine out there now. Backer could take care of this so routinely. It's so common sense. But we have this "Bullwinkle" state rep now - boomers will get the reference - who once had a photo of himself under a "Bluestem Prairie" web headline: "Jeff Backer hates liberal homosexual money, solicits socially conservative campaign cash."

The article under the headline included the exclamation "leaping lesbians!" Society has fundamentally moved on from the gay rights tussle, having opened the door to inclusion for the LGBTQ community. It's not even something we talk about much anymore. The sky doesn't fall. 

I attend an ELCA Lutheran church in a synod that got torn when the issue seemed hot-button. We took the courageous inclusive stance. It's over now, the conflict, and we proceed as ELCAers with our focus in the same place as always. We're over it. We all should be. And there should be no "issue" whatsoever in getting the vaccine shot. 

We know there will always be some flat-Earth people out there, deniers with varying shades. But we can move forward with our elected leaders taking the right sensible attitude. Our representative is obviously not doing that. It's no fun beating up on the guy. But he clearly went on the record over the radio airwaves, saying not only that he hadn't gotten the shot, but "I'm not going to get it." 

Groping for rationale, he explained that "I believe I had it," the sickness, thus I suppose he figures he might have gained immunity. But his documentation was sketchy. He talked about how he was "really tired one day." 

"I kept away from folks," he said. 

But he explained that his stance "doesn't mean I don't encourage others (to get the shot)." 

He added in his groping that he wanted others more at-need or at-risk to get in line ahead of him. Again, when you get the shot you are protecting others, not just yourself. And again, reports indicate there is plenty of vaccine supply. So I can only conclude that Backer is really basing his stance on something ideological. 

I would implore him to consider that the Reverend Franklin Graham is encouraging everyone to get the vaccine shot. There, does that do it? 

Our radio newshound had an April 9 headline on the kmrs-kkok site: "Vaccine refusal may make herd immunity impossible." In the text: "Herd immunity will be impossible to reach if large swaths of the American public refuse to take it." 

How much logic and reason needs to be thrust in the face of our state representative, Jeff Backer? From Mediate: "Stunning poll: two-thirds of Republicans still trust Trump for 'medical advice.' " Note "medical advice" in quotes. 

Don't you think we can be 100 percent certain that Backer and Westrom were Trump voters? Any chance either voted for Biden? We all miss Jay McNamar, don't we? Our legislative district turns its lonely eyes to you, Jay. Instead we have Bullwinkle.

 

Addendum: I'm informed our new Chamber manager is Summer Anderson, Morris native. Might she promote the resurrecting of Prairie Pioneer Days as something close to what it once was? That might be dreaming. Does she know that 2021 is Morris' Sesquicentennial year? Is planning in the works for recognition of that? I know the pandemic circumstances make it tough, although with luck we'll drift toward normality this coming summer. Media reports are mixed on the likelihood of that. The Centennial was a huge deal in Morris in 1971. There seems less community spirit now. Is the digital world and culture dehumanizing us? Is it globalization and automation?

 

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

BBE Jaguars ascend to state hoops title game

BBE 51, Sleepy Eye St. Mary's 50

It's the time of year we see the names of private schools in the post-season basketball results. We're in state! Few experiences in life are more thrilling than the state hoops tournament. The thrill seems accented this year as we seek departure from the funk of the pandemic and all its restrictions. Ah, the yearning for normal life! 

Exhilarating as state is, it's probably still not a 100 percent return to normality. I assume the fans are not sitting shoulder-to-shoulder. If they are, they are probably courting some risk. Out here in western Minnesota, we had a couple girls teams forced to forfeit for the girls post-season: Minnewaska and Paynesville. Fans of the Lakers and Bulldogs must have been stunned. 

Now let's turn our attention to the BBE Jaguars. It's Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa of Bonanza Valley. Not only did they survive the potential Covid obstacle, they played their way into the state tournament. And it's in that elite level that we often see those private schools with religious-sounding names. 

Is there still a Christ's Household of Faith (or "CHOF")? I remember a number of years when they reached the elite level, and it always sounded strange to me: the name of that school up against regular public schools that are just named for their towns. Often it is suggested that unfairness is presented, that the private schools have leverage with alleged recruiting. 

When I was in high school, we heard about the "state independent high school tournament" where the religious-based schools vied. It was so anticlimactic, compared to the regular state tournament, really just like a footnote. And I remember the private/religious schools protesting greatly how they were forced to compete in a separate tournament. Kind of like the NIT compared to the NCAA's. 

I guess the private schools eventually got their way. 

Another huge change from my youth: we now have the girls tournament, just as big a deal as the boys. There was no girls varsity sports up through my junior year of high school. Sounds almost criminal. Society can evolve in a halting way. Girls basketball had to grow through some difficult stages, obviously, as the girls were not grounded in the skills or the culture. The earliest female varsity athletes were true heroes. 

Today the BBE Jaguars girls hoops program is bursting its buttons with pride. Congrats to the team and the fans, the latter group including my old newspaper compatriot Randy Olson. Olson still fights the battles in the "legacy" media while yours truly has drifted into non-attached, online-only writing. So Randy faces a little more pressure than me! Congrats on hanging in there, Randy. Heh, heh, heh. 

 

Josie Knutson at freethrow line

BBE downed Sleepy Eye St. Mary's Tuesday by a mere one point, 51-50, in the Class A semi-finals. Action was at the big-time floor of Target Center, Minneapolis. It's good the state tournament does not coincide with the announcement of the verdict in the Chauvin trial. Things could get very dangerous down there. A different world from Bonanza Valley to be sure! 

Winning in the semis leads to the finals! What a pinnacle the Jaguars have reached, historic. They'll play in the title game on Friday in Minneapolis. 

Senior Josie Knutson had icewater in her veins down the stretch at the freethrow line. She made three freethrows in four attempts within a 12-second span. Thus the Jags got some needed breathing room en route to the win. Just ten seconds remained. The freethrows delivered a two-possession advantage. The breathing room meant the Jags could withstand the 3-pointer that SESM's Madison Mathiowetz nailed. 

SESM is known as the "Knights." The clock showed just two seconds left at the time of the '3'. The Jags could just let time expire, then celebrate. 

 

It was certain!

Yes it was close but Allisa Knight was quoted post-game saying "we knew we were going to win." 

So now the Jags are focused on their Class A title game foe, Minneota. The Vikings of Minneota defeated Mountain Iron-Buhl in another one-point game, 54-53.  The Jaguars and the Vikings will vie at 1 p.m. Friday at Target Center. 

BBE and Minneota are not strangers to each other. Minneota was the victor 42-38 when the teams met on February 20. 

In the SESM game, Knutson was clutch all the way down the stretch. She scored eleven of her game-total 13 points in the last 18 minutes. Her successive 3's gave BBE a 30-28 lead. But it was not a rosy night overall for the Jags, as the offense was less than stellar: a 25.8 percent shot stat. Freethrows helped compensate for that: 16 of 26, and 13/19 in the second half. The Knights put up far fewer attempts. 

So the Jaguars sought to capitalize on their vaunted defense. It clamped down on SESM's shooters, limiting the foe to 29.2 percent shooting. Mathiowetz typically scores around 34 points per game, but on this day was held to 23, on 10 of 25 shooting. Yes it was "day," an early start time. 

Allisa Knight commented "we want revenge against Minneota." 

Here's how the Jaguars scored in the semis success: Allisa Knight (15), Josie Knutson (13), Abby Berge (7), Karissa Jones (6), Jackie Lindsay (4), Harley Roering (3), Karsee Kampsen (2) and Liz French (1). Knutson was two of five in her 3-point shooting. Roering hit one '3' in two tries. 

Knight and Berge co-led in rebounds, each with ten. French grabbed seven boards. Berge dished out three assists and also had three steals. Knight led in blocked shots with four.

How about bringing home the No. 1 trophy? Either way, it's a season for the history books.

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Congratulations to the BBE Jaguars and good luck in state championship game!

UMM backers dug in with vivid imagery in 1960

It's hard to spot but this archived photo includes a noose.

Controversy over UMM's survival? Yes there was a time. We can step into the Wayback Machine and retreat to the year 1960. We were a year away from seeing the start of big league baseball and football in Minnesota. Out here on the prairie, our campus in Morris was in flux. 

Jim Morrison will smile when he reads the word flux because he'll remember the time I used it in a headline that aroused some ire from our school superintendent, Dennis Rettke. On the whole, yours truly had rapport with Rettke who I'm sad to remind has passed on. He and I navigated some rough waters as our school district plodded ahead in the late 1980s. We may have seen the issues the same way but he had different constituencies than me. 

My only constituency was the truth. Oh yes, I was not completely autonomous as a writer but let's just say I decided to "call 'em as I see 'em." I wrote headlines for the paper among my other roles. Morrison once told me he had an occasional nightmare about the paper box being sent to Quinco Press in Lowry with blank spaces for the headlines. "And it would be your fault," he told me. 

I cannot blame Rettke for being sensitive to his constituencies. As the "super" he couldn't just get on his high horse. He actually confided in me quite a bit. So I sensed he had a rather clear lens as he surveyed what was going on. But then again, one can never be sure about people in these positions. Steve Lang advised me when I joined the Morris paper full-time in 1979, how various people in local influential positions "will lie to you." 

"Lie" is a pretty coarse term. But it does happen, I can affirm after a newspaper career of 27 years. 

The community friction had already gone on a while when I wrote a headline about how school administration was "in flux." Technically it was an absolutely precise term. You judge a headline by whether it reflects the contents of the article. This headline did, but the superintendent decided he would interpret "flux" by an alternate definition. I think it was in a supt. memo to the board that Dennis expressed dismay about the headline. 

Whatever was going on with administration, which I cannot recall now, was "an orderly process," the super argued. It seems back in those days, school administrators were more susceptible to being drawn into a vortex of controversy. What happened? Well, the powers-that-be decided we needed a less turbulent atmosphere in school management. Was it the concept of "conflict resolution?" Maybe. 

Well, there was sure as heck conflict in our school as the '80s drew to a close. I sat at the newspaper, could not avoid it. Not even if I had tried, could I be oblivious somehow. Various forces came at me. Was I worried? Deep down, I sensed a greater deference to the journalistic ethos bred by Watergate. "Damn the torpedoes," I guess. So I had a nice career of 27 years. Better to be honest and brave than meek and withdrawn. 

 

UMM's mea culpa for photo

UMM inadvertently stepped in it recently with a photo it communicated. From the archives, it showed a UMM advocate using some, ahem, symbolism to attack a skeptic of our fledgling local liberal arts institution. Morris legend has always insisted that UMM was on shaky ground early-on. Apparently there were threats of termination, and classification as a junior college. 

November of 1960 was a pivotal time. There was an organization called the Western and Southwestern Minnnesota College Committee. "Western" was not taken to mean Morris. Quite the opposite, as we learned in a statement from its chairman. This was the "ogre" in the minds of the Morris-oriented folks. Ah, the "evil" O.B. Rekow. As quoted in the Montevideo News, Mr. Rekow asserted: "It would not be in the best interest of the taxpayers of this state or in the best interest of the University of Minnesota and its great metropolitan expansion program to appropriate further moneys for the continuance of the Morris experiment. Its future is highly doubtful." 

Yes, and Ed Lopat once said of Tony Oliva before Oliva broke in: "The kid will never hit in the big leagues." (The quote is from Jim Bouton's "Ball Four.") 

Fulton's Folly, eh? (When something gets called a "folly," you can be sure it will make it big.) 

UMM students responded to the Rekow statement by hanging signs throughout the campus showing their school pride and commitment to UMM. It was the first November of UMM's existence. Yours truly was here as a member of the Williams family, part of the network of founders. My father took the UMM men's chorus to Seattle in 1962 to open the Minnesota Day program at the Seattle World's Fair/Century 21 Exposition. 

We were bursting buttons with pride even if having to watch our back some, the brickbats coming from south of us. I have always felt that UMM had an insurmountable advantage just by being able to "inherit" the WCSA campus. I felt it was like a trump card. 

Oh, speaking of "hanging" signs out and around, someone decided it would be amusing to support a literal "hanging" of Rekow, symbolically of course. This brings us to the present and a revisit of this photo through UMM communications. UMM has now apologized. Apology necessary? Well I can understand why it was done, given the fact that all public universities bleed of political correctness these days, and mostly I think this is a good thing. For example, handicapped awareness.

 

Consider the new "softball complex"

So, as I walk through the new "softball complex" on east edge of campus, I have to wonder: "Is this place going to be handicapped accessible?" It sure does not seem to be the case now. It doesn't seem accessible at all: no sidewalks etc. 

Except that maybe down the road, we'll hear that sidewalks must be added, and then the City of Morris among others will be hit up for more mother's milk, the milk of "money." The city has already turned down a second request for money. 

You'll notice I have become animated on this subject over the last couple weeks. I do not desire this. 

While I was skeptical of the project from the get-go, because of the proportionality of sports issue, I was at least expecting the "complex" to have a "wow" factor when it was done. Hey, it does not! It absolutely does not, so now I am asking reasonable questions. I sent a reasonable email to Mary Holmberg on Thursday and she has not responded. I wanted to know about fan seating. Simple question. 

I looked up the article on the radio station website about the groundbreaking. I wrinkled my forehead a little as I noticed the several UMM names, people with self-interest attached to UMM, turning on the happy talk about the project. And I had to wonder: are these people primarily interested in how the complex will serve the interests of UMM, as opposed to being truly broad-purposed? 

In 1962, the year my father took his singers to the Pacific Northwest, UMM supporters in a united effort prevented junior college classification by the Minnesota legislature. In April 1963, UMM received approval to offer a four-year program. UMM did not have varsity women's sports in those days! 

The question on this very day is: how are we to view hanging as a metaphor? We all understand UMM sensitivity based on the vigilante background of the practice, especially tied to race. But hanging also has a legitimate background in the exercise of law enforcement as we saw in the Clint Eastwood movie "Hang 'Em High" (1968), about the days of territorial government. Human beings once tolerated the guillotine. We wince. But it's all in our background. 

Should UMM have apologized over reviving the old photo? IMHO no. Let it pass.

 

Addendum: Another controversial headline I wrote, in two decks: "C-A coming to Morris? Hints reportedly heard." Jim Morrison was rather befuddled because once again, the headline reflected perfectly the content of the article. But some Chokio-oriented citizens took umbrage and said we were "toying with their feelings."

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Tigers outdone by Waseca in state, finish 19-3

(image from "bluejay activities" on twitter)

Waseca 81, Tigers 58

Waseca punched down the accelerator in second half play to down our Tigers in state. Our Tigers took the court at neutral site Chanhassen to play a team called the Bluejays. The birds against the cats. Cats are notorious for eating birds, even if they have just eaten. (I have researched some.) 

The birds turned the tables on the cats in Wednesday play. 

The game had a rare afternoon starting time of 4 p.m.  Could the players get programmed that time of day? Ah, the resilience of youth! No problem. The Bluejays appeared to have a little more fuel in the tank, based on their superlative second half play. Or maybe their coach drew up shrewd tactics. 

The Tigers had been a super team all season. They were humbled Wednesday. It's rare for high school teams to play on Wednesday. But we need to avoid a conflict with the sacred days of Easter, Thursday being "Maundy Thursday." All those Trump-supporting Christians need acceding to. Maybe the day will come when we don't see the need for that. 

The Wednesday story was an 81-58 win by the Bluejays. The Tigers were within striking distance at halftime when the score stood 33-28. Hopes faded as the Bluejays truly fired on all cylinders coming out of halftime. They outscored us 48-30 in the second half. So the Bluejays keep climbing or keep flying. Waseca is seeded No. 1 in the South. Our orange and black was No. 4. 

Now the Bluejays are focused on preparing to face those Otters of Fergus Falls. Game site will be Target Center. Fergus Falls is No. 3 out of the North. They beat No. 2 Annandale 47-44 at Alexandria. Waseca and Fergus Falls will vie at 5 p.m. Wednesday. 

The Tigers wrap up the season with the memorable W/L record of 19-3. Plenty of talent will return for next season. 

The Tigers had plenty of mettle to challenge Waseca early-on Wednesday. The score was tied 26-all at an early point. Waseca gave signs of things to come with a 7-0 run. This took them up to halftime. And there was carryover into the second half with a 13-4 run. The complexion of the game never changed after that. In fact the Bluejays soared to a lead as big as 32 points. I'm sure the mood grew disconsolate among MACA fans. Our optimism had been justifiably high. 

The night's top scorer was Bluejay Andrew Morgan, 26 points. He also grabbed eleven rebounds. Ryan Dufault added 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Matt Seberson found the range to put in 16 points as Waseca improved to 21-1. 

Jackson Loge was hitting on all cylinders for MACA as he scored 25 points. He was 8 of 18 in field goals. Unfortunately there was a dropoff after Loge's total. Brandon Jergenson scored eight points on three of eight shooting. Three Tigers each scored six: Durgin Decker, Andrew Olson and Sam Kleinwolterink. Riley Reimers scored four points and Thomas Tiernan three. 

Our team field goal shooting was 20 of 44, 45 percent. 

We were OK in 3-pointers with a 7-for-17 performance, 41 percent. Three Tigers each succeeded twice: Olson, Jergenson and Loge. Tiernan was held down on this day and he made one '3'. Our freethrow stats were 11 of 19, 58 percent. Loge made seven freethrows while Decker and Kleinwolterink each made two. 

Loge had the team-best eight rebounds, one offensive. Decker and Toby Gonnerman each grabbed three rebounds - Riley Reimers grabbed two. Tiernan and Loge each had three assists while Decker supplied two. Jergenson had two steals of our team total seven. Loge had all our shot blocks: five. We had 19 turnovers.

 

Check out softball fields

Taking some walks as the weather gets nicer for spring? My personal route happens to go past the UMM softball fields. It's called a "complex," especially now that it's the focus for improvements thanks to an infusion of public money. Even the City of Morris is involved even though the facility is associated with UMM. 

We all like nice new facilities for kids, no doubt. But I can't help but question the wisdom of this somewhat. Softball and baseball are not the only fair weather sports. What about soccer? Should we be pushing more kids toward soccer as opposed to the diamond sports? The kids get lots more healthy exercise playing soccer as opposed to baseball/softball. How much exercise does a right fielder get in a game? This individual might want to sit cross-legged and knit. 

When you take a walk, go over to the UMM fields and see what you think. Last night for the first time, I walked through the inner part. I am underwhelmed. I don't care about that little building in the middle. A pressbox? 

There is one big pregnant question: where are fans going to sit? Are there plans for bleachers or grandstands? This poses a logistical problem as I don't see space for such a thing. Trees are an obstruction for one thing, and there just isn't adequate space available. Some bleachers could be put up outside the centerfield fence, maybe, but fans might have to deal with the sun. 

So if fans are not going to be seated, they'll all stand then? Or bring their lawnchairs? This would not spell a big-time softball facility. I was expecting to see some grandstand seating. We might even put in a bid for the state softball tournament. I attended this in Mankato a long time ago. You have to have fan seating. 

Even if fans are content standing or sitting in lawn chairs, will they all get a decent view or will congestion be a problem? The fields should be spaced out a little more with room in between for bleachers or grandstands, IMHO. Will we see this issue addressed still? Softball season begins soon. 

Is it worthwhile for City of Morris money to be put into this, at a time when our water bills have gone up? 

Jim Morrison once famously wrote in an editorial, wondering if Morris was trying to become the "gymnasium capital of western Minnesota." Those words come back now that I'm wondering if we're trying to become the ballfield capital of western Minnesota. Again, what about soccer? Talk to Rev. Chris Richards about that.

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Congratulations and good luck to Bluejays of Waseca! (image from "bluejay activities" on twitter)