Schimmele makes U.S. team

NEW ULM -- New Ulm's Marty Schimmele will be doing a lot of traveling in the next few months.

"I was notified by mail that I had made the USA softball team," he said. "I will be going out to San Diego in March for training camp and then be going to Australia in April for the World games."

Schimmele, who is a senior at New Ulm High this year, was one of 17 players selected to represent the United States in April. He is the only catcher on the squad, beating out seven other players for that spot.

Schimmele said that the tryouts, which ran from Dec. 28 until Dec. 31, involved doing basic fielding drills and bunting along with hitting skills. Later on, intersquad games were played.

"I didn't know how I did until today (Saturday) when I got the letter in the mail from USA Softball," he said.

"I am really thrilled about this. I worked hard for this."

He said that, at the camp, he felt that he played well. "I probably played the best that I have ever played before. There were some level of skill players that should not have been out there, but overall everybody played well. It was hard to decide on if I made it or not."

Schimmele said that the competition at the World Games is tough.

"The last time that the United States played there four years ago, they only won three games out of 10," he said. "It will be a big step up for everyone."

Schimmele added that he heard that Team New Zealand "is very strong. They are probably the toughest competition that there is. The best pitchers come from New Zealand."

Pitchers in the tournament are tough. "A pitcher that New Zealand has throws between 80 and 90 miles per hour."

That is fast for a major league fastball from 60 feet, six inches away. Now imagine that pitch coming from 46 feet away from home plate. "It is hard to hit that type of pitching because there is less time to react."

That pitching that he will face made the coaches of Team USA adjust some of Schimmele's hitting.

"They have me hitting lefthanded now," he said. "I was a righthanded hitter. They have taught me now how to slap-bunt and that is what I will be doing because I was the fastest runner out there."

He commented that the switch from righthanded hitting to lefthanded was not hard to adjust to.

"I had been practicing hitting lefthanded so when I stepped over to the left side so it came natural to me. But when it came to slap-hitting, it took me a little bit to get used to it again.

"My family was really surprised and happy when they found out," he said. "They all congratulated me; they are really proud."

Schimmele will leave April 13 for Australia. "It is s thrill to be going there. I am still planning on signing up for high school baseball but I will probably miss the first week of practice for baseball and then miss about three weeks of the season."

EAGLES KEEP IMPROVING: New Ulm Eagle head boys basketball coach Pat Burmeister said that changing of defenses and overall better play has led the Eagles to win two straight games over Jackson County Central and Sibley East.

"Overall, we have played more of a zone defense and that has helped our rebounding," said Burmeister. "That has probably been the biggest key; we want to put the kids in a situation where they can succeed. We are getting more players closer to the basket and focusing more on rebounding. We have played two teams that have not been good perimeter shooters so we have been able to force them to shoot from the outside and concentrate on our rebounding."

Burmeister said that his team "is getting more confidence, not only in themselves but in each other. They are starting to understand their roles on the team. As long as we keep playing hard, we will do well."

SCHMIDT LEADING TEAM: This year, senior Matt Schmidt has shouldered the load for the Eagles as he has not only taken over the playmaking spot at point guard but is also counted on to do the bulk of the scoring.

"He is the quarterback out there for us and distribute the ball, plus he also has to make sure that we get into our (offensive) sets," said Burmeister. "He is a good shooter and a good scorer, but at the same time he has to realize that he has to take his shots when they come and and make sure that he is taking open shots that will help the team. When teams are guarding him he has to make sure that he distributes the ball to the open players."

TWO SOPHOMORES START: Burmeister has started two sophomores this season in Eric Austvold and Bobby Wellmann, and he feels that they both have improved a lot since the start of the season.

"They were both definitely sophomores when the season started, and when you start young kids you have to understand that they will make mistakes but they have come a long way in a month and a half. They are comfortable on the floor and I am satisfied with their progress."

Burmeister said that they both play well. "Eric is a little quicker, but Bob gives us a little more size (at 6-foot-2) so it is nice to have that taller person on the perimeter."

SCHUGEL, MOELLER KEY HOUNDS: Cathedral head boys basketball coach Dan Wolfe was pleased with the senior leadership displayed by both Joey Schugel and Will Moeller in their 16-point win over Cedar Mountain-Comfrey Friday night.

"They both scored in different ways, from knocking down three's, making free throws, taking the ball to the hole and also dropped the ball off for some baskets," said Wolfe. "Our kids did a nice job of responding to their (CMC's) run at us, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor."

The Hounds found themselves in foul trouble late in the game with Schugel, Brandon Goblirsch, Dave Groebner and Billy Schreiber all being whistled for four fouls.

"That is due because of our aggressive style of defense," commented Wolfe. "Sometimes we are overly-aggressive but I would rather have that than being under-aggressive. Overall, we have to apply pressure; that is the mentality that we want from our kids. If we can get some steals or turnovers off of that aggressive defense, it will help the team."

COACHES WANTED: Anyone who is interested in coaching either New Ulm Legion Blue or New Ulm Junior Legion this summer should call either Mike Stolt (359-7347) or Roger Poss at 354-8956.

Also, if you are interested in managing either the New Ulm Brewers or New Ulm Kaiserhoff this summer you can contact myself (354-7063), Bob Reinhart (354-5671) or Brian Hall (354-5512).

Column by Jim Bastian, Journal sports writer