By Craig Swalboski
swalbo@postbulletin.com
Some area high school programs would have been ready for play this week had it not been for Monday’s rain, sleet and snow.
A few will still be able to play this week in what was a lightly scheduled time.
Most are confident of being ready to go early next week, late next week at the latest.
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Baseball
Most baseball coaches say their fields aren’t ready now but they expect them to be next week.
"I think with some weather cooperation in the next few days that our field would be playable," said Broc Threinen of Kasson-Mantorville.
"Mid-week at best," said Dover-Eyota’s James Dusso.
More like the end of next week, reported Hayfield coach Craig Selk.
"We expect to play our game next Monday versus Caledonia at home," Chatfield coach Brian Baum said. "We’ve got a great grounds crew — Molly Baum — here."
Houston "is under water for now, but things are looking up," coach Casey Indra said.
Pine Island’s field was ready before the snow and might be ready for scrimmages Thursday and Friday.
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Softball
Most teams don’t have games scheduled until next week and expect fields to be ready then.
"Here at W-K our field was ready to go this past Sunday. After yesterday it won't be ready until about Thursday," said coach Mike Schumacher. "We hope to host Lewiston-Altura on Thursday."
Byron’s field "won’t be ready for quite some time," said coach Gary Prantner.
Winona Cotter reported its field is ready now, while Plainview-Elgin-Millville, Kasson-Mantorville and Pine Island expect to be ready for home games next week.
So does Stewartville coach Heidi Howe.
"I believe our fields will be good to go (by Tuesday)," Howe said. "A little sun and some wind will dry things up and we'll be ready for the whirlwind of a six-week season!"
Golf
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La Crescent reports its home course, Pine Creek, is hoping to be open by the end of next week, although the team has been practicing outside — including in the cold rain Monday — at Valley High golf course in Houston.
Southland’s Cedar River at Adams "might be open this week," said coach Tim Brennan. "Our first meet is April 7 and we have yet to be at the course. We've been getting a bit stir crazy lately," Brennan said. "I'm assuming it's the same for everyone else."
Meadowbrook in Mabel "is pretty soupy," said Mabel-Canton coach Pat Wiltgen.
Blooming Prairie’s Erik Vigeland said, "We are probably two weeks away from getting on the course."
Things look a little better at Wabasha, Dodge Center and Willow Creek, where openings this week were planned before Monday’s snow. Now, next week looks possible.
The Harmony golf course "still has considerable snow on it so is not expected to open for at least a week," said Bonnie Piehn, Fillmore Central girls coach. "If the weather warms up this weekend, things can improve in a hurry."
Track and field
Many track coaches say they haven’t run outside yet, but most believe their facilities will be ready for next week.
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Most teams are not scheduled for outdoor meets until next week.
"We are supposed to host a meet on Thursday; the chances are 50-50," said Gary Heide at Hayfield.
