LEGION BASEBALL IS HERE. THAT’S RIGHT THE FIRST GAME OF THE WYOMING LEGION SEASON WILL BE PLAYED TONIGHT AS THE POWELL PIONEERS HOST THE LOVELL MUSTANGS. I WAS ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH HEAD COACH OF THE PIONEERS, JOE CATES, AND TO SAY HE IS EXCITED ABOUT THE START OF THE SEASON IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
“IT’S A GREAT FEELING. I THINK WE’RE JUST MORE EXCITED ABOUT GETTING BACK OUT THERE AND PLAYING BASEBALL AGAIN. IT’S BEEN A LONG WAIT. I THINK IT’S WELL OVERDUE. WE GET STARTED AGAIN AND KIND OF GET BASEBALL BACK ON TRACK.”
COACH CATES GOES ON TO TALK ABOUT WHAT’S IT’S LIKE TO BE ABLE TO GATHER AS AN ENTIRE TEAM ON THE DIAMOND FOR A GAME AND SAYS IT’S PRETTY SPECIAL.
“IT DEFINITELY DOES, IT’S NICE. WE’VE BEEN WORKING IN THE OFF-SEASON, YOU KNOW BEING IN OUR FACILITIES AND SO FOR THE KIDS TO GET A CHANCE TO GO OUT THERE AND START PLAYING AGAIN, IT’S BIG FOR THEM. ALL THAT WORK THAT WE HAD, THEM PUTTING IN, IT’S FINALLY GOING TO HAVE A CHANCE TO PAY OFF A LITTLE BIT. SO THAT’S GOING TO BE REALLY NICE FOR US.”
AS FOR WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE PLAYERS WHO ARE ENTERING THEIR FINAL SEASON OF LEGION BASEBALL, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO END THEIR CAREERS ON A HIGH NOTE.
“IT’S GOING TO BE GREAT FOR THEM, TO GIVE THEM A LAST SEASON, ACTUALLY KNOWING WHAT THEY’RE IN FOR, RATHER THAN JUST QUESTIONS ALL YEAR LONG AND HAVING NOTHING. IT’S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE NICE FOR OUR KIDS AND FOR THE KIDS THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO GET IN THEIR LAST SEASON OF BASEBALL… AND JUST TO ACTUALLY HAVE A SAY IN THEIR FINAL NOTE, WHICH WILL BE NICE.”
WHILE THE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY CANCELED THEIR IS STILL A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TO PLAY FOR. COACH CATES TOUCHES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAYING FOR THAT STATE CROWN.
“THAT’S GOING TO BE BIG FOR WYOMING BASEBALL. JUST BE ABLE TO SAY HEY YOU KNOW THROUGH ALL THIS STUFF WE’VE HAD TO DEAL WITH, WE WERE STILL ABLE TO COME OUT AHEAD OF ALL THIS AND KIND OF PURSUE OUR NORMAL LIFE. GIVE THESE KIDS A SUMMER THEY CAN REMEMBER AND SOMETHING TO WORK FOR. I MEAN FOR WYOMING BASEBALL IT’S GOING TO BE, I THINK, A GREAT THING THAT WE ACTUALLY GET TO PLAY AND JUST KIND OF PURSUE WHAT WE’VE DONE FOREVER.”
THE POWELL PIONEERS HOST THE LOVELL MUSTANGS TONIGHT IN POWELL AT 6PM, AT POWELL AMERICAN LEGION FIELD. BRING A CHAIR TO WATCH FROM THE OUTFIELD FENCE AND CHEER THEM ON AND A REMEMBER TO PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THE HEALTH ORDERS IN PLACE IN PARK COUNTY AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING.
