April 25, 2006
TOWN TIGERS OPEN SEASON SUNDAY
Dave Kreft Named New Manager
--by Brett Kruschke
Team Tigertown will kick off the 2006 campaign with a four-game home-stand, beginning this Sunday versus Carver, at 2:00 pm. To celebrate the opener, it will be Dollar Dog Day. That will be followed up by America’s favorite promotion, Dollar Beer Night, next Friday, May 5 th. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves...
The Tigers are coming off a 15-20 season, and the new captain of the USS-Tigertown is Belle Plaine High School baseball coach, Dave Kreft (picutred left). He replaces Shane Hofmann, who will continue to bring his ace-like qualities to the pitching mound.
There have been a lot of other changes as well, across the Tigertown roster. Evacuees begin and end with the lefty Zip Zellmann, who spent the past 16 years in a Tiger uniform; another link to the glory days now gone. Zellmann is taking his services to the Gray Tigers, where he’ll serve a 2-year apprenticeship, learning the knuckle-ball from Greek Wagner. Adios to TheBig Z, a true Tiger.
Shortstop Mike Dhaene and first baseman Scott Schaffler are also gone, as they will play with the Green Isle Irish. Replacing them in the lineup will not be an easy task.
Dan Huber remains property of the Tigers, but has moved to Las Vegas, and with gas prices as they are, the commute isn’t much of an option. Huber has been a reliable face in the Tiger lineup for years, and fans hope for his sooner-than-later eventual return. Jackson Theisfeldt has moved to San Diego – which is Spanish for (oh, never mind) – and won’t be returning.
Despite these significant losses, the Tigers have restocked like a bunny ranch. New faces include: Jake Creighton (the house is built), Eric Lyons, Bradley Lawson, Ben Jass, Ryan Dressen, Paul Dressen, Matt Schultz, Corey Schaaf, and the Magnus ver Magnusson of the Carver Central, Nick Selly. Like Lou Brown once said, “There’s two or three potential all-stars in there!”
Returning from last year’s squad is: Peter Schuneman, John Christen, Jonny Schulz, Dan Weldon, Brett Kruschke, Dave Feldt, Brad Connolly, Shane Hofmann, Adam Hoffman, Ryan Witt, Nate Hartmann, Dave Kreft, Tim Schuster, Pat Schultz, Mike Schultz, and Nick Volek. Like Charlie Donovan also once said, “Some of these guys never had a prime.” Add it all up, though, and it’s a very healthy 25-man roster.
Before continuing, it would be foolish not to mention that this information, and much, much more, is available on the Tiger website at www.bptigertown.com. Former Tiger Nick Kornder continues to run one of the most “colorful” websites around (and I mean that both literally and figuratively). Visit it daily. Make it your homepage. Memorize obscure batting stats. Get to know your Tigers.
Other promotions this season include: Little League Night – all uniformed Little Leaguers will receive a free hot dog (June 1); All-You-Can-Eat Pork Burger Night, for $5 (June 9, the first night of the Tigertown Classic); Senior Day – seniors will receive free admission, and the legendary Ernie Stumpf Band will perform (July 9); and Fan Appreciation Night, where gifts and drawings will occur throughout the game (July 18).
The Tigers schedule consists of 29 games, 17 of those at home, with the chance for a few more depending on how the Tigertown Classic and Miller Lite Invitational tournaments turn out.
The Tigertown Classic just keeps getting better and better, and this year features Freeport (formerly Melrose), Union Hill, Elko, Belle Plaine, Le Sueur, Blue Earth, Green Isle, and Marshall. Held June 9-10-11, admission to the Classic is free with a season ticket, which leads me to…
Season Tickets – There are two options again this year for Tiger fans: the $25 season ticket, good for all 17 regular season home games; or the $50 “Dugout Club” season ticket, good for all 17 regular season home games, plus a free food (including hot dog) and beverage (including beer) item at each game, plus a free BP baseball cap or Dugout Club t-shirt! (Please note: kids 12-and-under are always free.) Tickets are available at the gate, at Brad’s Barber Shop, or through any BP Baseball Association board member.
Finally, I’d like to mention the Tiger Open Fund-Raiser Golf Tournament, which will take place on Friday, June 2 nd, at Valley View Golf Club here in Belle Plaine. The cost is $50 for members, $75 for non-members, and the proceeds of this 4-person, 18-hole scramble will benefit both the Gray Tigers (35 and older) and the town-team Tigers. Registration forms, and all pertinent details, are currently online at www.bptigertown.com, or look for our ad in upcoming Heralds.
Thank you, and we’ll see you out at Tiger, on the golf course, and in the pork burger line, soon.
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.