Above: The first place Twins were ‘chillin’ in the clubhouse during one of their recent Little League games. Left: Coach Jared Smith huddles his excited Parent Pitch team and they touch gloves before a game.
Mitch Dorr
This summer there are over 130 youth registered and participating in Cook County’s youth baseball program. On Monday evenings the county’s youngest take to the field in T-Ball with Coach Betsy Jorgenson assisted by current and past Cook County varsity baseball and softball players. The young T-Ball players have enjoyed being coached by the likes of Madison Roy, Owen Anderson, Frankie Miller, Dillon Sjogren, Ethan Sporn, Adam Dorr, Trace McQuatters, Lily Gruber- Schulz, Andrew Miller, and other ball players from time to time.
Enthusiastic Parent Pitch players
On Tuesday nights, the 7- to 9-year-olds play in Parent Pitch games at both the Recreation Park and the Pappy Wright Field. This year there have been four quality teams. The Yankees have been coached by Jared Smith and John Henneman and have had a great year. The Lions are coached by Ryan and Krista Mixdorf and are always a tough opponent. The Lumberjacks are led by dedicated baseball enthusiast and coach Shem Falter. The Wildfire in their blaze orange uniforms are always on fire behind the great coaching of Kyle and Theresa Oberg.
Each team will play approximately seven games before their playoffs start on Tuesday, July 26. Their season will conclude with their championship game on Friday, July 29 at 4:00 p.m. on the Little League field.
Solid play on Little League teams
Little League features three solid teams that have played each other and also teams from Silver Bay. The league-leading Twins have been coached by Chris Skildum, Kyle Anderson, and Jared Smith. On the field Daunte and Isaiah Deschampe have been leaders at the plate on the mound for the 5-3 Twins.
The Dodgers who are currently 3-5 are coached by Bryan Carpenter. On the field they feature the hot hitting of Amy Carpenter, Jacob Dorr, and Morgan Starkey.
He’s not a thief, but this little Lions player would gladly steal home if he could.
The Cubs, who are coached by Rick and Cindi Crawford and Jeff Tarver, are also 3-5. Battling injuries and sickness, the Cubs have relied on hard-throwing Ella Sporn on the mound and the hitting of D.J. Seidel, Riley Tarver, and Tate Crawford.
The Little League season will come to a close with the championship game on Friday, July 29 at 6:00 pm.
Even with the wet June and July, the youth baseball program has had a summer filled with baseball on our local fields. Special thanks need to be extended to this year’s league sponsors who have generously donated money to fund new jerseys and hats for our teams. These sponsors include: World’s Best Donuts, Lake Superior Trading Post, My Sister’s Place, Backlund Realty, Fine Finish, Holiday, Smith Construction, Skildum & Company, and Voyageur Canoe Outfitters.
The program also wishes to recognize the great maintenance of the fields by the city’s recreation staff. The fields have looked amazing this summer with fresh chalk lines and beautifully mowed fields. All games have been umpired by Daniel Ditmanson and Colton Furlong. It has been great to have such dedicated local residents help out with our youth programs. Come check out the championship games on Friday, July 29!
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