ATWATER – It’s a big year for the Atwater baseball team, and not just because the Chuckers are making their first appearance in the state tournament in 30 years.
The baseball team has raised nearly $250,000 for park improvements at Kingery Field. Improvements include a covered grandstand, a new backstop and a new scoreboard. The fundraiser went so well that the original goal of $300,000 set in March was increased to $400,000 to also help improve Atwater’s youth baseball field adjacent to Kingery Field.
“We’re trying to give back to the community here and grow the game,” said Jordan Olson, player and manager of the Atwater Chuckers.
It certainly won’t hurt that the Chuckers will play the Loretto Larks in the 101st annual state amateur baseball tournament at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Mini Met in Jordan.
Joe Brown/West Central Tribune
This is the Larks’ fourth consecutive state appearance and 16th since 1969. They have made it to the state championship 11 times since 2009. Atwater, on the other hand, last made it to the tournament in 1994. The only other appearance was in 1932.
Each team also has a former Major League Baseball player on its roster. For Loretto, it’s former Minnesota Twin Corey Koskie, whose sons play for the Larks. For Atwater, it’s Mike Kingery, whose sons Josh and David Kingery are also key players.
Koskie is Loretto’s designated hitter. Koskie, 51, played for the Twins from 1996 to 2004 and also spent time with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2005 and the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006.
Mike Kingery, who played outfield for Kansas City, Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, Colorado and Pittsburgh, is primarily the Chuckers’ coach. However, he has played as a pinch hitter several times and managed an infield hit this season at age 63.
Atwater plans to start Milroy Yankees draftee Isaac Schmitt on the mound. That leaves Josh Kingery in center field and David Kingery at second base, giving the Chuckers their best defensive lineup. Schmitt defeated Josh Kingery and the C/huckers 2-1 in a Region 4C game two years ago.
“I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t nervous,” Olson said.
However, Olson is optimistic about the Chuckers’ chances.
“I honestly believe that if Isaac throws well, we have a really good chance,” Olson said. “I think we have a good chance to win.”
“We’ve been pretty solid overall with our defense and pitching. Our lineup from one through nine is really competitive. I’m looking forward to it.”
Joe Brown/West Central Tribune
Other state games involving area teams include the Litchfield Blues taking on the Bemidji Blue Ox at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Green Isle. The Raymond Rockets will face the Springfield Tigers at 11 a.m. Sunday in Belle Plaine. The Madison Mallards will play the Le Sueur Braves at 4 p.m. Sunday in Belle Plaine. The Bird Island Bullfrogs, who won the Region 4C title, have a bye in the first round.
The winner of Atwater/Loretto will play the Sauk Centre Titans on Saturday, August 24th at 4 p.m. in Belle Plaine. Sauk Centre has a bye in the first round of the 48-team, knockout tournament. Play culminates in the final on Monday, September 2nd at 1 p.m. in Jordan.
