Tampa-based Diamond Backs off to a good start in baseball
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
A Babe Ruth baseball team of 13- to 15-year-old boys from the Centre Summer Ball Association is a member of the Cottonwood Valley League, and is based at Tampa.
The team, named Diamond Backs, is coached by Steve Jirak of Ramona. As of Friday, they have a record of six wins, two losses.
The team is smaller than last year, which coach Jirak sees as a positive.
"Each member gets more practice in fielding and batting," he said. "A smaller team makes it easier for me and better for the kids."
Jirak said he is pleased with the team's performance so far this season.
Serving on the pitcher's mound are Bryant Gutsch of Lincolnville, Seth Jirak of Ramona, and Alfonse Klenda of Lincolnville.
Jirak and Lance Diepenbrock of Lincolnville are catchers. Scott Peterson of Lincolnville plays first base. Drew Donahue of Lincolnville is at second, Alfonse Klenda of Lincolnville at third, and Tad Remy of Lost Springs at short stop.
Outfielders are Kevin Mueller and Sean Leihy, both of Tampa, and Joseph Stroda, Bryant Brunner, and James Weber, all of Ramona.
Supporting adults include home plate umpire James Riffel, field referees Raschelle Jirak, Clay Tajchman, and Jim Weber, and scorekeeper Julie Klenda. Tampa Lions Club runs the concession stand.
The team played a Council Grove team June 10 at home and won by a score of 13-8.
Bryant Gutsch provided a run in the first inning, putting Tampa up 1-0. Neither team scored in the second inning.
Things got more interesting in the third inning. With bases loaded, Council Grove had three runs, putting them ahead 3-1. The Diamond Backs were undaunted. Seth Jirak and Scott Peterson each scored a run in the bottom of the third to tie the game 3-3.
After Council Grove went three and out in the fourth inning, Bryant Gutsch ran in for a score. Jirak slammed the ball long into right field, allowing Tad Remy to score. Several plays later, Jirak also made home base, putting Tampa up 6-3 at the end of the inning.
Council Grove again went three and out in the fifth inning. A base hit and several walks by the Diamond Backs loaded the bases and allowed three more runs, putting Tampa up 9-3.
Council Grove managed to make a run in the sixth inning. However, Tampa had two runs on a base hit, and brought in two more by the end of the inning, making the score 13-4.
Council Grove team members picked up their play in the final inning, scoring four more runs before going out. However, it wasn't enough to keep the game going. The Diamond Backs won the game 13-8.
Adults in attendance enjoyed visiting while the game was in progress. Children had fun playing in the sandbox next to the concession stand or running to retrieve foul balls.
The Diamond Backs played a double header with Hillsboro #2 at Hillsboro Friday, and won both games handily by scores of 17-1 and 22-1.
Remaining games are scheduled as follows: June 17, Tampa at Chase County; June 20, Tampa at Peabody-Burns; June 24, Tampa at Council Grove #3; and June 27, Hillsboro #1 at Tampa.
All games start at 7 p.m.
