At game time Friday evening, the expected temperature was 100 degrees.
The Iola AA Indians were facing Pittsburg’s AAA Post 64 team in a battle for the American Legion Super State title.
Each won their respective division’s state championship to qualify for the face-off.
On Friday morning I ventured out to the Humboldt Sports Complex to soak up the ambiance. The sun was beating down on the field that is always picture perfect. Thank you, AstroTurf.
Along the fence line, Randie Beamgard was meticulously weed-eating. Beamgard is on staff with the USD 258 maintenance department.
He wiped his brow as we stopped to visit.
“I feel for those boys tonight,” he said.
As the players go, Coach Ethan Tavarez said, “So far, they haven’t complained about the heat. Maybe they’re just accustomed to it. And they’re young.”
In preparation for the game, Tavarez told the players to “stay inside, rest up, and drink as much as you can.”
For a few, that won’t be possible, he acknowledged.
“Tre Wilson’s family farms so he’ll likely be expected to pitch in,” Tavarez said. “We’ll give him every chance we can to give him a rest during the game, but it won’t be easy. As our catcher, he’s a critical player.
The setting sun could be an issue for right-handed batters.
“It goes down directly in right field,” he said. “For those at the plate, they could lose sight of the ball. But the bigger problem will be if we have a game Saturday morning. ’Round about 10 o’clock the sun comes up over the main building that has a white roof and it is blinding. Brandon McKarnin and Rogan Weir at outfield and second base will have it tough,” he predicted.
The teams play the best two out of three games. If each wins a game Friday night, they play again Saturday morning.
Tavarez is a natural coach.
