On to state? That's a premature thought.
The trip back on I-94 was a pleasure in light of the boxscore that had so many Tigers with multiple hits. There were eight such Tigers. Sydney Dietz and Brienna Dybdahl each connected for three hits. Makenna Hufford's bat produced four RBIs, plus she scored a run. Brianna Marty scored twice and drove in three. Dybdahl picked up three RBIs. Dietz and Shannon Dougherty each drove in two.
In the pitching circle it was Dybdahl doing the work, backed by so much offense. She did the job by allowing the one run which was unearned in her 4 2/3 innings. The success elevated the MACA won-lost to 17-1. Melrose came out at 4-10.
Does public like new field?
What does the Morris area public think of the new softball field here? Let's consider the basic talk among fans in informal settings. Is it possible there is 100 percent satisfaction? Yours truly does not circulate that much, especially during recent times with pandemic limitations. So I cannot be certain.
Is the public and fandom totally enthused? I would be surprised if the answer is yes. Let's put aside the totally hyperbole-filled speeches from the dedication day. Those people were programmed to speak like that. Assuming we can all make our own conclusions, we might expect some constructive criticism of certain kinds.
It wouldn't really do any good now, because what remedies could possibly be applied? To tear up the new facility and start over? I mean, to start over in a way that a large number of fans can come and get a good view of the whole playing field? That would make total sense.
I'm old enough to remember when the Metrodome in Minneapolis was new and the sports columnists had some reservations. One of them wrote "it is ours forever." His point being, that we had made our bed and would sleep in it. Years passed and we found that the old dome was not permanent. I guess, because nothing can really be considered permanent.
Remember the sign in the background for games in the early days of the dome? "We like it here." Baseball stat analyst Bill James was amused by that and pointed out: "It's as if you're all saying 'we don't care what everyone else thinks.' " The old Minnesota defensiveness has faded, as we have become a rather "cool" state. Maybe Jesse Ventura established that, as governor. Then there's the late "Prince."
Remember when the Vikings drafted Darren Nelson? Maybe you don't. A big picture on the front sports page of the Strib showed an obviously sullen Nelson. The story was that he felt Minnesota was uncool. He famously complained about how we "didn't have enough discos" here. Discos! Ah, how the cultural norms can change.
Taking closer look
I took another walk through our softball facility out east of town the other day. I knew the established UMM field was a better place for spectators to watch, but I wasn't completely certain why yet. Finally it dawned on me! A chief reason is that the fence around the field is not as high as at the new place. An adult of average height has a completely unobstructed view of the playing field.
The fence is an obstruction at the new field. I will not use the terms "softball complex" or "Holmberg Field." It is typical for clusters of fans to assemble outside of first and third bases. But at the new field, the dugouts are so long, fans get pushed outward a ways and must then see through the fence at an angle. There's a "door" along the fence that doesn't help either. Fans can sit there and try to enjoy the game, as some have, and maybe they would not wish to express a complaint (especially with the Tigers doing so well). I am sure these fans do not enjoy the experience as much as if they could watch from over the fence.
UMM softball fans have gotten used to the established facility. They appear 100 percent happy at that facility, right across the street from the spacious UMM east parking lot which is free to use after 4 p.m. UMM fans have been very happy at the games. It's my understanding they will now hike over to the new, less fan-friendly field. It's a co-op thing, right? Like Big Cat Stadium for football? Football will only decline in popularity in the future as we learn more about the game's dangers. St. Cloud State erected a new stadium in 2004 and now has cut football. Can we assume the same outcome awaits here? Seems almost certain.
Football seems anachronistic in many ways. The old testosterone-fueled male culture. A model for prepping men to enter the military and fight a war. All of that seems gone with the wind. Even Donald Trump wanted to say "to heck with fighting wars." Make love, not war. Play soccer, not football.
Be patient with me
I feel foolish because in my considerable amount of writing about the softball field project, to date I had not touched on the height of the fences. Are the new high fences made that way to "protect" the fans, like from a foul liner? Is it a matter of regulations? Such is the nature of our society today. But man, the fans just seem to be getting short shrift.
If fans were to observe Chizek Field for baseball and then drive by the new place, they'd conclude that prep baseball must attract much more fan interest than softball. For advocates of girls sports, this observation would be cruel. Objectively speaking, softball is just as fun to watch, 100 percent.
So why the painfully minimal bleachers at the new varsity field? Three small sections, yes, but only from the middle section can you be guaranteed a view of the whole playing field. Recently I have written that fans on the ends, closest to the (infernal) dugouts, are denied a full view, but really, all the fans in the two outside bleacher sections get deprived. I sat around the bleachers when I was alone one day. Insult is added to injury with a small sign that is wedged into the fence. It's as if the fans' interests just don't count.
Was this ever discussed during planning meetings for the place?
Do the players like the place? It's quite possible they do, even if they'll be hit hard by wind in this location. A friend of mine says of the new field "it's just stuck out there." It is not seamlessly attached to its surroundings. Even if the players approve, any shortcomings for the fans could limit fan turnout, especially over time as the novelty wears off and fans notice the obstacles for them. And, fans ought to be an important part of the experience for the players.
Does baseball have greater prestige or status? Oh my goodness, it should not. But look at the substantial bleacher seating for fans at Chizek Field. And then, park yourself behind the fence at the new place. I'd suggest it truly is a shame.
Baseball: Tigers 3, LQPV 1
The Friday chapter for MACA baseball had our team on top at Madison over Lac qui Parle Valley, 3-1. Brady Backman looked solid on the mound and gave up the one run which was unearned. He set down seven Lac qui Parle Eagles on strikes. He allowed five hits. On came Josh Rohloff to hurl in the seventh frame. Josh allowed no hits.
The score was tied 1-1 when the Eagles had fielding miscues that opened the door for the Tigers to get the winning advantage. We plated two runs in the top of the fifth.
At bat, Sam Kleinwolterink went two-for-four with an RBI and a run scored. Coach Kirby Sayles' crew came out of the day at 11-8. Yes, it's quite an over-.500 spring for our baseball and softball Tigers!
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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