Season Opener April 30; Home Opener May 6
--by Brett KruschkeWhen last we left our heroes, the feeling was… well, less than heroic. After finishing the regular season 11-5 as the Carver Central League’s top Class ‘C’ team, the Tigers laid a pair of eggs, ending high hopes of a state tournament appearance in our beloved hometown. First Winthrop paddled the Tigers 15-4, then Waconia walked away benefactor of six Tiger errors, the last coming on a bizarre misplay that pushed the winning runs across with two out in the ninth to win 8-6. It was an abrupt and agonizing end to a promising season.
Since then, a lot has changed in the land the kids call “El Tigre-town.” Manager Brett Kruschke stepped aside after six years at the helm; long-time Tiger Shane Hofmann will take the reigns. Between the chalk lines, Randy Stender, Mike Murphy, and Jeff Witt have retired, while Trace Selly and Pat Moriarty are taking their services to Jordan and Green Isle, respectively. That’s a lot of talent and veteran leadership to replace, and each of the crew will be remembered and missed in their own way. Thank you, to them, for their many contributions to Belle Plaine baseball over the years.
Fortunately, some good new talent is coming aboard the Tiger Train. For one, long-time Arlington town-teamer and current BPHS head baseball coach, Dave Kreft. Kreft, aka “Superman,” aka Clark Kent, pitches and plays third base. Also from the CCL, a pair of solid players are coming over from Le Sueur: shortstop Mike Dhaene, and first baseman Scott Schaffler. Schaffler has taken a job on the east coast, but hopes to get enough games to qualify for playoff action, while Dhaene is expected to be the everyday shortstop.
Others newbies include Trinity principal Jackson Theisfeldt, who has college ball experience; BPHS pitcher Mike Wagner, and side-winding second baseman John Christen. John, after seeing your picture in the paper a few weeks ago (carrying the cross on Good Friday), carrying the bat bag will seem like a real treat!
Returnees are: Ryan Creighton, Jake Creighton, Jonny Schulz, Dan Weldon, Zip Zellmann, Brett Kruschke, Dave Feldt, Brad Connolly, Shane Hofmann, Adam Hoffman, Dan Huber, Ryan Witt, Nate Hartmann, Tim Schuster, Pat Schultz, and Mike Schultz. Sophomore sensation John Solheid is officially a question mark, and his status should be known sometime Tuesday. As soon as this story breaks, check ESPN News, or, www.bptigertown.com.
After playing only 23 games total last year, the locals will play 31 regular season games – and maybe more, depending on how they fare in two tournaments: the Tigertown Classic June 10-12, and the Miller Lite Invitational in Arlington & Green Isle, June 17-19. For starters, Belle Plaine opens the season Saturday, April 30 th at New Germany (2pm); the home opener is Friday, May 6 th vs. the Shakopee Indians, game time 7:30pm.
The Tigertown Classic boasts what is probably it’s best field ever in 2005: Freeport (previously Melrose), Belle Plaine, Union Hill, Norwood, Lonsdale, Marshall, Watkins, and defending Class-‘C’ champion, Blue Earth. Good crowds are sure to come out to catch this double-elimination thriller! Once again, the dates are June 10-12, at Tiger Park.
New (and wildly exciting, I might add) at Tiger Park this year will be five promotions: Dollar Beer Night (normally $2) for the home opener vs. Shakopee on Friday, May 6; Wednesday, May 11 vs. Elko will be Dollar Dog Night (normally $1.50); All-You-Can-Eat Pork Burger Night (for $5) will be Friday, May 13 against Northfield; Tuesday, June 14 vs. St. Peter will be Little League, Squirt Ball, T-Ball, and Dollar-a-Foul-Ball Night, where kids age 12 and under will get a dollar(!) instead of the usual 25 cents per foul ball (and remember – kids 12 and under ALWAYS get in free!); the final promotion of the year will be Fan Appreciation Night, the last regular season home game of the year vs. Arlington on Friday, July 8. Look for further details on the individual promotions in each preceding week’s Herald.
Two season ticket options are available this year: the $20 season ticket, good for entry into all regular season home games (including the Tigertown Classic); and $50 for membership in the Tiger Dugout Club, which not only includes entry into all regular season home games and the Tigertown Classic, but also a free hot dog and beverage of your choice (including beer) at each game, plus a Tiger Dugout Club t-shirt! (Alright – I’m starting to get a little exclamation point happy.)
Tickets will be available at the gate, at Brad’s Barber Shop, or through any of the Belle Plaine Baseball Assn. board members: Gerry Meyer, Brent Meyer, Dave Hartmann, Brad Schultz, Dennis Lawson, Paul Creighton, Kevin Studnicka, “Sweet Lou” Zellmann, and Brett Kruschke. If you have further questions, feel free to contact Brett Kruschke at bkru11@yahoo.com or 612-327-2715. Thank you, and hope to see you early and often at Tiger in 2005!
This page was created and maintained by Nick Kornder, Sports Information Director at Northern State University. The views and ideas on this page are that of the author, and not those of Northern State University.