Baseball Returns Under Pandemic Directives

FALLS CITY – Baseball returned to River Country Thursday under pandemic directives and a renewed perspective on the game.

Nebraska City Juniors Coach Drew Southard said social distancing has not been “super inconvenient” for practices, which started June 1 under Gov. Pete Ricketts' directed health measure.

Southard: “We just made the adjustments that are required. I think all the kids were just glad to be back out playing.”

Falls City Coach Kory Huppert said there’s a been a lot of red tape for Nebraska coaches to go through to get to opening day.

Huppert: “It took a lot to get to this point, but talking with a lot of coaches, we just really wanted to be able to give these young men an opportunity to maybe do something they haven’t done in a few months. It’s worth all of the legwork that we’ve had to do in order to give them something so great.”

There were no fans in the stadium at Southeast Communications Field for the American Legion game, but the perspectives were positive for those who lined lawn chairs along the perimeter fence.

Doug Kottich, who  umpired at Fall City ballfields for over 40 years, was among the fans watching from outside of the stadium. He said it was a beautiful sight to see the kids back at the ballpark.

Nebraska City left fielder Colby Hoback hit one up the middle for the season’s first RBI and 14-year-old Falls City pitcher Erik McNeely faced the first two-out, bases loaded scenario. The 6’2” 225—pounder left three runners standing on base with a strike out.

 

Falls City tied the game at 4 to 4 on a two-out, bases-loaded hit from Jon Craig.

Nebraska City catcher Cael Kreifel hit a three RBI shot to right field and Nebraska City went on to win 8 to 5.

Huppert: “We’re continually looking at progressing them to get them ready if they would like to play at the next level. We’re trying to continually work on their fundamentals, whether it’s at the mound, in the field, at bat – wherever it might be – we want to make sure these guys are continuing to learn the game, communicate about the game and grow from it.”

 

Since there isn’t a post-season this year, he said the juniors’ team goal is focused on development.

Southard: “We’re trying to make everyone’s playing time, maybe a little bit more than it would be in the past.”

 

The coach responded to the question of what would a summer without baseball be like.

Southard: “It would be very long and boring without it. I was sitting pretty much at home every night twittling my thumbs, so now we’re back  and we’re really busy.”

In compliance with the DHM, there was not traditional team lineup and shaking of the opponent's hands following the game.