A good summer

NEW ULM -- This summer has been another one that all of New Ulm can be proud of.

Both the Legion Gold and the Junior Legion won District titles and earned berths in state baseball tournaments.

New Ulm Legion Gold played in their 26th Minnesota State American Legion Tournament this past weekend in Duluth, and did New Ulm proud finishing fourth in the tournament and ending with a 21-15 record.

They have won state crowns in 1934, 1941, 1978 and 1992. In all, they have been in nine regional tournaments and two Legion World Series. Their state tournament record is 54-35.

The New Ulm Junior Legion enters their sixth state tournament with a 30-7 record, their first appearance at state since 1995. They played in state tournaments from 1991-95. In 1993, they won the state title and went on to regional play.

The New Ulm VFW won state crowns in 1967 and 1983 and have appeared in four state tournaments.

Now, two New Ulm girls fastpitch softball teams are also making news, having won berths in the National Tournament in both McAllen, and Midland, Texas.

New Ulm has a lot to be proud of in their summer sports programs.

BREWERS IN BIG GAME: Tonight, the New Ulm Brewers host Sleepy Eye at 8 p.m. in a huge game in Region 2C round-robin tournament play.

Both the Brewers and the Indians are 2-0, and the winner of this game figures to be in the driver's seat. These two teams will meet again on Thursday in Sleepy Eye.

Both Hanska and Springfield, the other two teams in 2C play, collide tonight in Hanska in a must-win situation for both teams. The Tigers and the Lakers are 0-2 and the loser of this game is all but eliminated from any hopes of a state tournament berth.

The top two teams in the Section qualify for the state tournament in both Fairfax and Sleepy Eye beginning Friday, August 17.

KAISERHOFF HAS GAMES CHANGED: The New Ulm Kaiserhoff will host Marshall Wednesday night in the Region 4B title series. The second game will be played THURSDAY in Marshall with the third game, if necessary, back in New Ulm FRIDAY night. All games start at 8 p.m.

While both teams have qualified for the State Class B tournament, what is at stake here is first the regional title, but more important is the draft choices with the winner of the series getting first pick and more than likely taking Green Isle's pitcher Ryan Sauter.

Right now, the Kaiserhoff has some tired arms in lefthanders Chris Rupert and Aaron Heitzman. Rupert, who is 10-0 this season, will more than likely be the starter here Wednesday night in the first game.

Jared Visker, who has had arm troubles this season, has been throwing but it is not known if he will be available in this series.

KUNZ WINS 100TH: When New Ulm Legion Gold beat Willmar 7-0 in the state tournament, it was a memorable game because the win was Gold head coach Dave Kunz 100th career victory. He is 100-51 in his coaching tenure with Gold ... Also, when Ryan Wellmann pitched a 12-5 win over Rochester in the state tourney, he did so on his 19th birthday.

Column by Jim Bastian, Journal sports writer