SPORTS WRAP

Keep the tradition going. Owatonna graduate Cody Johnson began playing Aces’ amateur baseball right out of high school about 15 summers ago. He’s taken on the role of manager the last two seasons.

“It’s just love of the game and the town,” he told the Owatonna Live Coaches Show. “We’ve been going for 75 years, plus. I never want to see it go away. Owatonna needs baseball, and that’s where we’ve got a place for these young guys to come.”

The team also includes players from Medford and the NRHEG area, and Johnson would like to see Blooming Prairie players join as well.

Medford’s A.J. Vandereide is in his fourth season.

“It’s competitive, but yet, you’re allowed to have a lot of fun. Where high school or college you’re a lot more serious and a lot more strict with everything you do. Here, it’s just guys having fun while still playing at a pretty high level,” said Vandereide.

“For the most part baseball has just kind of been what I do. I’m still really committed to it. I make it to just about every game because I enjoy it,” he said.

Johnson eyes Vandereide as his heir apparent.

OHS grad Teagun Ahrens is in his second season.

“I like how close everyone is. We’re all friends. Most of us are around the same age group right now. A lot of the older guys retired last year,” he said.

Ahrens said there was an adjustment period.

“Guys are definitely throwing a little harder than high school. We’re playing on fields that are a little bigger. You get to face a lot of guys that are in college as well,” said Ahrens.

According to Johnson, the diamond at Dartt’s Park carries a legendary name.

“You come to the ballpark as an athlete; you know who Chuck Fuller is. He was a tough guy. You came here to play baseball and that’s what you did. He was a tough umpire too. He took his game seriously,” said Johnson.

Fuller stepped down from managing in 2002 and passed away in 2016.

Playoffs begin soon and Johnson is optimistic despite an up and down season.

“We have a very talented young group of people. From Mitch Seykora – who’s going to play at Iowa Central next year – to Caleb Vereide at Northwestern of St. Paul, A.J. Vandereide at Gustavus Adolphus College, to Teagun Ahrens at Rochester Technical College. These guys are all in college. We’re learning. We’re growing,” said Johnson.

The Aces hosted special event nights this season to benefit Community Pathways, recognize Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Kids’ Night was a huge hit last week.

Special Olympics bocce

Owatonna Area Special Olympics added bocce this summer. Coach James Tratz said players took a liking to it right away.

“The athletes have been enjoying spending time with each other and learning about the game. Bocce is a nice, relaxed sport and teams can chat and visit during play.” Said Tratz.

“The athletes picked up on the basics of the game very quickly. After the first or second practice we had teams working together and by the third practice most teams were practicing independently,” he said.

Owatonna had strong participation in a regional tournament in Faribault this month.

“Everyone was very friendly and supportive. Good sportsmanship is the most important aspect of the Special Olympics and everyone could tell from the attitudes of the athletes that they were there to have fun and be supportive of each other.”

First-place teams included Jerad Magnuson and Craig Wencl, Steph Hudak and Wanda Welch, and Matt Mason and Sammi Miller. Kory Rietveld and Molly Wilcox finished second. Peter Broin and Rol-lyn Kieffer and Connor Peek were third.

Tratz has assisted with Special Olympics poly hockey and saw a chance to add a new option.

“I had played bocce ball myself many times and thought it would be a great summer sport for anyone interested in a less intense activity,” said Tratz.

He found several people to assist with coaching and served 17 athletes this season. The state tournament is in August.