"DOG DAYS" OF SUMMER APPROACHING
Miller Returns to Tiger Lineup Friday Night

--By Brett Kruschke

Even longer than Hilda and Orlando Kruschke have been married-71 years this past Sunday in fact-has baseball gone on in Belle Plaine, and the 119th or so campaign kicks off this Friday night against New Germany. First pitch at Tiger Park is slated for 7:30pm, and will mark the return of Jeff "Hot Dog" Miller, who last played for the home team in 1998. Miller, who played last year for the 35-and-older Grey Tigers, was swapped for a tube of Aspercreme and a "Studnicka for Sheriff" bumper sticker.

Last year, the Tiger Train closed a 16-14 campaign in a 2-5 spiral, including losses to Hampton and Austin-Hayfield in the playoffs. El Tigre did post an 11-5 mark in the Carver Central League, tops among the six 'C' teams. So if this year doesn't pan out, Belle Plaine can always live off impressive feats such as that.

No less than 23 hungry Tigers will man this year's roster, and judging by spring training reports, that hunger did not go unanswered by many. New faces are James Thomason, Jesse Pobuda, Dave Feldt, and Mike Schultz. Dan Weldon will return after a year off, health willing. These staunchy veterans complete this year's club: Jake Creighton, Tim Huber, Zip Zellmann, Brett Kruschke, Mike Murphy, Chad Hoffman, Shane Hofmann, Adam Hoffman, Dan Huber, Erik Tharaldson, Randy Stender, Daron Anderson, Erik Pesta (could be listed under new faces), Pat Schultz, Jeff Witt, Trace Selly, and Pat Moriarty.

Out of the mix in 2003 is savvy veteran Bradley Lyle Muehlenhardt, who coincidentally is also getting married this summer. (Congrats, Muehly!) The locals will also be without the hot-dog scarfing services of Jimmy Eggers, who recorded all his RBIs last year upon receiving a baseball to the earflap, and Dallas Giles, who will be in Wisconsin this summer attending band camp.

Season tickets are available at the gate, or through any Baseball Association member. And let's face it-it's just darn cool to have one. A status symbol if you will. Tiger Park… the place to be in '03!

This page was created and maintained by Nick Kornder, Sports Information Director at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The views and ideas on this page are that of the author, and not those of the University of Minnesota.