THE WALSH COUNTY PRESS ° WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2017
Pa e 7
By Kevin Skavhaug
of The Press
PARK RIVER, N.D. -- Henry Ford
once said, "If everyone is moving forward
together, then success takes care of itself."
That might be one way to explain the suc-
cess the Park River baseball program is ex-
periencing right now. The program is not
only successful in terms of wins and loss-
es, but more importantly in terms of the sheer
numbers of kids involved in this summer
program.
Between the Park Board baseball pro-
grams and the Legion program, the number
of youth baseball players in Park River
topped the 150 mark this past summer. Ac-
cording to Parks and Rec director Jesse
Irvine that's a 22 percent increase from last
• year. "I don't think anyone expected such
a large growth in the number of kids play-
ing baseball," said lrvine, "and it all has to
do with everyone working together to cre-
ate a great program."
Looking at a breakdown of the numbers
this summer, there were three teams of 8U
(eight years old and under), two teams of 9U
(nine year olds) and one team of 10U (ten
year olds). There was also one 12U (twelve
and eleven year olds) and two Babe Ruth
teams (13 to 15 year olds). And all of this
from a small North Dakota com(n, unity.
"In my opinion, the program is as strong
as it is," Irvine continued, "because of three
or four main factors." Perhaps the biggest
has been the involvement of Brent Zim-
merman. Since he has been involved in the
program it has grown steadily. His passion
and zeal for the game has put Park River on
the baseball map. The world changed in
terms of baseball in Park River when he be-
came involved in the program. His count-
less hours working with the kids as well as
inspiring more adults to get passionate
about the game was the catalyst. And along
with Brent we have great youth coaches who
really are focused on player development
more-so than winning and losing games, and
that keeps kids having fun."
Another factor that has led the growth of
the program has been the success the teams
are having. "About the time Zim (Brent)
came in, we had a very athletic group of kids
who were going through the program and
they starting winning a lot ofgames and tour-
naments. Winning gets kids excited, they
want to be a part of something bigger than
themselves and with that the competition cre-
ates better players and better teams." Irvine
added.
Irvine went on to say that "adopting the
name Pirates to the program was also a big
thing. Everyone takes pride in a name and
whoever came up with that was a genius; it's
something that has really caught on and kids
and parents really take pride in it."
Lastly, Irvine said, was the creation of the
baseball boosters. "They are the drivha, g force
to make sure the kids are equipped and we
have the financial stability to nm such a large
program."
But as stated, having so many kids
playing baseball creates some obstacles.
"Field availability is probably our biggest
hurdle to overcome," said Irvine. "We only
have one field to juggle two Babe Ruth
teams and one Legion team so finding prac-
tice times and working around games
schedules was very difficult for those
teams. Communication between all these
teams, players and coaches" also is chal-
By Kevin Skavhaug
Coming Soon to a Solar
System Near You...
If you were around in
October of 1978, maybe it
was September, anyway,
if you were around back
then you might remember
~; the Solar Eclipse that~t~'~' ::
visible around here. If you
weren't around back then
or if you were still recov-
ering from the 60's, you'll
get another chance in a
couple Weeks.
The last time there will
be an eclipse like the one
coming up (seen from
coast to coast) was in
1918 and most of us don't
remember that one.
But this one is coming
soon. August 21st to be
exact. Right around 9:00
in the morning, give or
take.
They say not to look
directly at it or it'll bum
holes right through your
skull or something as bad
but if you take some pre-
cautions you are in for
pretty cool show.
From what I hear about
this One, it's going to get
dark. Stars will be visible,
street lights will flicker
on, and roosters will crow
when it's over.
I can only imagine
what the ancients imag-
ined when an event like
this happened. The story-
tellers of that age must
have had a field day.
In any case, don't miss
this one. They don't hap-
pen very often.
Top: Park River's Steven Thompson tags out a Pierz runnor at homo #ate.
By Kevin Skavhaug
of The Press
Park River Defeats
Marysville Kansas
WAHPETON, N.D. -- A week
or so ago Jacob Erovick hit 25
straight Clay Pigeons in his Rem-
ington Trap Shooting League. He
continued making big hits here
Thursday as he doubled in the win-
ning runs in a 5-1 Park River win
over the team from Kansas.
Erovick's double broke a 1-1 tie
in the fourth inning and it vaulted
the Pirates to a big win in the open-
ing game of the Central Plains Re-
gional baseball tournament in
Wahpeton.
Park River would score one run
in the top of the first after Will
Zimmerman walked, stole sec-
ond and 'third and came home on
a past ball. Marysville would tie it
in the bottom of the first but that
would be all they would get as
starting pitcher Nathan Zavalney
went five innings.
Bryce Wood would come on in
the sixth and Will Zimmerman fin-
ished the job in the seventh.
Zavalney allowed just the one
run on two hits and struck out four.
Wood gave up no hits and struck
out three and Zimmerman one.
Charlie Thompson led the hit-
ting attack for the Pirates going at
the plate. Park River finished with
five hits including a solo home run
by Adam Zavalfiey.
Your
goes
here!
Call 284,6333
today f0r rates,
Pirates shut out
in game two
Pierz, Minn. did something no
other team has done to the Park
River Pirates this season. Pierz and
company threw a shutout against
the Pirates in an 8-0 game that now
puts Park River in a loser out sit-
uation in pool play.
Pierz scored two in the bottom
of the first, added one more in the
third and then blew it open in the
fifth.
Park River meanwhile strug-
gled at the plate, collecting just
three hits.
Photos: Larry Bid
.,N vei Park River second baseman Jacob Erovick concentrates on field.
in9 a ground ball. Park River downed Maffsville, Kansas 5-1 in the Divi-
sion 2 Central Plains Regional in Wahpeton. But they fell in their next two
games 8-0 to Pier-z, Minnesota and West Salem 5-3 ending their season.
Right: Park River's Adam Oberg pitched an inning in relielrag,ainst Pierz.
Park River ousted by Swanson to make k a 3-2 game Lat-
West Salem, Wisconsin er in the inning Steven Thompson
Despite a bottom of the sixth would drive home Jacob Erovick ty-
rally, the Park Rivet Pirates fell to ing the game at 3-3.
West Salem 5-3 here Saturday But in the top ofthe seventh West
moming to end their Central Plains Salem would score two runs after
Legion tournament ran. Park River had retired two batters.
West Salem overcame a 1-0 Two Park River errors allowed both
deficit in the second inning on a runs to score and in the bottom half
three run home run to take a 3-1 of the inning the Pirates would go
lead. That score would remain, down in order to end the game.
until Park River came to bat in the The loss eliminated Park River
bottom of the sixth..Adam Zaval- from advancing to tourfiament play
ney would collect his second RBI as they dropped two of three in pool
single of the game driving inAdam play.
lenging," he said, "making sure everyone has
the right information is something that we
are continuing to improve upon."
As for the future of Park River baseball,
Irvine is very optimistic that the program will
continue to grow and remain slrong. "There
are a couple factors that come into play here"
said Irvine. "One is coaching. The success
of any program really depends on coaching.
Right now we have great coaches in the pro-
gram who make the game fuil and they are
making the fimdamentals of the game the
priority. If the kids enjoy playing, not only
will they keep coming back but more kids
will want to get involved."
Another thing we hope to accomplish is
Explosion
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