The Boys of Summer Return

I managed to see at least a couple of innings of two American Legion games on Saturday afternoon. The Blue Jays—the younger A level team for the AA Royals—were playing the Laurel Dodgers at Pirtz Field, just beyond Rimrock Mall. See the picture to the left.

I probably should say that Laurel was thrashing the Blue Jays unmercifully. It was 16-1 when I left in the 5th inning. The boys from Laurel look strong and may well repeat their State A Championship from last year.

One good thing at Pirtz Field is the excellent cheeseburgers and other sandwiches they do there. They also have a double sized burger called the "Thickburger"which looked pretty good too though I didn't try it. You have to be really hungry to order that one.

On the way to Dehler Park I passed a batting cage, also in Stewart Park. That looked like fun and would also enable you to mark off one of a Baseball Fan's Bucket List.

Driving down Central I saw some softball action at the Lady Broncs Field and a Little League game on the corner of 8th and Central. Saturday is a big day for bat and ball games in Billings.

After that I retreated to Dehler Park to see what the Scarlets were up to. It was just as hot there. No relief from the sun in either place.

Both the A and the AA teams were kind enough to let in for free the under 12 year-olds and the over 60 year-olds. That is a good idea. I might even make a donation to the program if they would only ask. They didn't have any team souvenirs or scorebooks yet but I was promised that this would be fixed soon.

As usual Kurt Prchal was slaving away getting the concessions ready the the coming season.

The Scarlets looked like they were in trouble until they broke out in a rash of runs in the bottom of the 4th inning thanks to wildness on the part of the Great Falls pitcher. He hit a few batters and a few more walked and then some bats came alive to the tune of 8 runs. Joe Barta looked good on the mound. The hitters need a little more practice, especially to replace some of those big hitters from last year.

According to the Gazette the Scarlets managed to sweep the Chargers fairly easily in both the afternoon and early evening games. Another 8 run outburst in the 2nd game put that one away as easily as the early game.

The Scarlets and Royals will be pretty busy at Dehler Park on weekends 'til they get out of school and then will alternate with the Mustangs starting in late June. Check these games out. Good baseball.